Chestnut Records?

Benson Gray

Canoe History Enthusiast
Staff member
A recent posting in the Chestnut Canoe group on Facebook indicated that some Chestnut Canoe Company records were at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick during the 1980s. I contacted the source of the original message and the Mount Allison University archivist who were both very helpful. It appears that "158 feet of records" were acquired around 1983 and that most of these "were transferred to the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick" in 1995 where they are now known as the "R. Chestnut and Sons collection (MC15) and the Chestnut Canoe Company fonds (MC656)." The archivist also indicated that the "Eric Dineson fonds at the Peterborugh Museum and Archives" might have some information. I have contacted both of these organizations to see if any detailed serial number information is available similar to the build records from some other canoe companies.

There have been two books written about Chestnut Canoe and a broad variety of other research so it seems unlikely that something will be here which hasn't been discovered previously but you never know. Both of these archives are far away from me so does anyone else live closer who is willing to go look in person if necessary?

Benson
 
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The Private Sector Records & Preservation Unit of the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick kindly responded today with the following information:

MC15 R. Chestnut and Sons collection does not include content related to serial numbers.

It includes the following:

MS1 Bills rendered
  1. Bill from R. Chestnut, Phoenix Square, Queen Street, Fredericton, to Taylor & Thompson, 1884. Bill head describes firm as importers of general hardware, cutlery, silver, etc. Note on reverse of bill, dated November 14, 1896, gives specifications for a new river steamer of the "Star” line.
  2. Three page bill to the Estate of Herbert Morgan, 1922
I am not certain whether there would be serial numbers within the material included in MC656 Chestnut Canoe Company Fonds. However, it is possible there may be some in 5. Sales and Shipping Records.

Below is an overview of the contents for MC656:

1 Administrative Records
  1. Articles of Incorporation
  2. Directors Records
  3. Shareholders Records
  4. Shares of Stock
  5. Administrative Contracts
  6. Deeds
  7. Company Histories
  8. Appraisals/Reports
  9. Collective Agreements/Union Negotiations
2 General Accounts
  1. Ledgers
  2. Cashbooks
  3. Trial Balances
  4. Petty Cash
  5. Accounts Payable
  6. Accounts Receivable
  7. Bank Balances
  8. Insurance
  9. Financial Reports
3 Purchase and Receiving Records
  1. Invoices
  2. Purchases
  3. Supplies/Materials
  4. Bills of lading
  5. Inventories
4 Production Records

1 Labor
  1. Time Cards
  2. Payroll
  3. Piece Work Rates
  4. Payroll Correspondence/Vacation Pay/Unemployment Insurance
2 Records of Amount Proceeded​

3 Expenses
  1. Factory Expenses
  2. Sales and Administrative Expenses
5 Sales and Shipping Records
  1. Orders
  2. Sales Journals
  3. Sales Breakdown and Comparison
  4. Cash Sales Slips

6 Letters/General Correspondence
  1. up to 1964
  2. 1965
  3. 1966
  4. 1968
  5. 1969
  6. 1970
  7. 1971
  8. 1972
  9. 1973
  10. 1974
  11. 1975
  12. 1976
  13. 1977
  14. 1978

7 Personnel
  1. Training Programs
  2. Job Applications
  3. Personnel Tax Forms
  4. Benefits Compensation

8 Catalogues/Price Lists
  1. Price Lists
  2. Chestnut Catalogues
  3. Peterborough Catalogues
  4. Canadian Watercraft Catalogues
  5. Competitors Catalogues
  6. Duplicates

9 Miscellaneous Files

10 Photographs

11 Negatives/Colour Transparencies

12 Blueprints/specifications
  1. Boats
  2. Buildings

13 Proof prints/Engraving Plates

14 Artefacts
 
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