Lists of Known Sutlers?

[jigadier brindle]

Gents,

I imagine you saw that thread title and immediately figured I was going to ask one of those, "Where can I find a . . . " questions. Well, that's not the case.

I've completed a considerable amount of research (and writing) on my ancestor, George Trowbridge (who also used the aliases: William Keefe, William Keefer, George Baker, Duane Trowbridge, and H. Duane Trowbridge) who served in the 12th New York, 76th New York and 17th Connecticut.

Needless to say he was a rotten soldier who deserted twice, and attempted to defraud the government and was convicted of grand larceny later in his storied life.

At any rate his compiled service record at the National Archives shows that the regimental sutler of the 17th Connecticut was due $3.00 when he mustered out. The sutler's name appears to be "D.B. Tomlinson" and I'm curious if anyone here has:

A. Ever come across this sutler before and may have some information to share

B. Know of a repository where I might find more information about his operation and what wares in particular this sutler sold to the boys of the 17th during my ancestor's 4 1/2 months of service.

I guess I'm asking where the records of sutlers were kept (if any were kept) as I'm not very familiar with the rules governing their businesses.



I realize this is a long-shot research dream, but I figured it didn't hurt to ask.


I appreciate your help,

[Charles Heath]

Re: Lists of Known Sutlers?

Nic,

John Tobey and Nic Ellis are working on a book about CW era sutlers, and they have compiled a good bit of information since they started this project in 2006. Shoot John an email at tobeyje@stny.rr.com

If you happen to have a better fix on the Pleasant Valley remount camp near Sandy Hook, let John know about that, too. It's unrelated, but you live a little closer to that location than I do.

[CJDaley]

Re: Lists of Known Sutlers?

Check out "Civil War Sutlers and their Wares"
by Francis Alfred Lord

Great book, I got a copy used from a library for .50 cents years ago. It's an invaluable resource and I'm sure will answer your question.

[Andrew German]

Re: Lists of Known Sutlers?

Hello Nick,

According to the 1860 Federal Census, your man is D. Burton Tomlinson, then a 29-year-old clerk in New Haven, Connecticut, where Tomlinson is an old name. He was married and had two young children, no real estate but $300 in personal property. There's no record of his serving in the military.

At the beginning of the war, each regiment was supposed to have a committee to establish prices and to some degree control the selection of goods carried by the regiment's sutler. I think it got looser later. At the National Archives I came across a register of sutlers and vendors such as photographers attached to the Army of the Potomac ca. 1863. I don't know how such things were handled in the deep South where the 17th was stationed.

Hope this helps a little.
Andrew German

[Charles Heath]

Re: Lists of Known Sutlers?

As a follow up, based on yesterday's phone conversation, the new work by Tobey and Ellis has expanded Lord's list of approximately 400 known CW era sutlers to over 1,800, to include those regiments that had multiple sutlers during the course of the war. I'm looking forward to buying this book as part of the "In the Ranks" series, but will have to wait a little longer as it is still in the proof stage. Great stuff!