Stanger Family Collection

Collection

Identifier: MS-0228

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This small collection consists of materials created by various members of the Stanger family, a German American glassmaking family. Best represented in the collection are Thomas Stanger and Thomas Wriggins Stanger, two different glassmakers in the family who were active in the mid-19th century.

Thomas Stanger's correspondence to his brother, John M. Stanger, conveys details about the challenges of making "egg minerals" (bottles that are rounded on the bottom), poor working conditions in the glasshouse that employed him, his impressions of the people of Pittsburgh, and a proposition to open a factory with his brother and Thomas Wriggins Stanger.

Thomas Wriggins Stanger, referred to as Thomas W. Stanger in these materials, is the apparent recorder of accounts in the Isabella Glass Works Company Store ledger. The ledger documents the purchase of food, textiles, medicine, and supplies by the employees of the glasshouse and others in the area. The ledger provides a glimpse into the business dealings of a glasshouse company store, as well as the material culture and foodways of mid-19th century New Jersey glassworkers.

Dates

1845-1858

Creator

Stanger family (Family)
Stanger, Thomas Wriggins, 1811-1892 (Person)
Stanger, Thomas (Nineteenth century (active)) (Person)

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for public research. Researchers must make an appointment to view the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

The Copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement. The user agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Corning Museum of Glass and the Rakow Research Library against all claims, demands, costs and expenses incurred by copyright infringement or any other legal or regulatory cause of action arising from the use of Library materials.

Biographical / Historical

The Stanger family of German American glassmakers immigrated to Philadelphia in 1768. Jacob and Catherine Stanger (Stenger) left Hesse (Dornhagen) with their seven sons, at least one of whom is believed to have apprenticed at Wistar Glass Works. In the early 1780s, the Stanger brothers founded a glasshouse in Glassboro, New Jersey. It remained in the family only until 1784, but the Stangers continued in the glassmaking trade.

Jacob and Frederick Stanger, along with William Shough, built and owned Union Glass Works between 1806 and 1811. Frederick Stanger then went into business with his father-in-law, Randall Marshall, to build and operate a glasshouse in Marshallville from 1812 to 1827. Frederick Stanger then began building a glasshouse in Brooklyn, New Jersey, which came to be known as Marshall and Stanger. Frederick Stanger died in 1831, and the Brooklyn factory was operated by his cousin, Thomas Wriggins Stanger, who ultimately married Elizabeth Marshall Stanger, Frederick Stanger's widow.

Thomas Wriggins Stanger began building a new glass factory near Marshall and Stanger, known as both Isabella Glass Works and New Brooklyn Glass Works, in 1850. Although he did not remain the owner of this factory for long, he was associated with its operation for many years.

Thomas Stanger and John M. Stanger are thought to have been sons of Frederick Stanger and stepsons of Thomas W. Stanger.

Extent

1.7 Linear Feet (1 half Hollinger box and 1 flat box)

Additional Description

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

The binding of the Isabella Glassworks Company Store ledger is fragile.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Isabella Glass Works Company Store Ledger received from Dan Casavant Rare Books in 2020.

Accession 2020.007

Other materials received in various earlier accessions.

Related Materials

Glasshouse scrip thought to be from Isabella Glass Works may be found in the Glasshouse Money Collection, 1764-2004. MS 0055. The Rakow Research Library. The Corning Museum of Glass. Corning, New York.

The Stanger Family Papers, 1808-1853 (Col. 141) are housed at the Winterthur Museum Library in Winterthur, Delaware.