Object Status:
Unlocated
Accession Date:
July 31, 1805
Primary Source Reference:
Peale Museum Accessions Book, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, p. 7
Notes:
Lead mining in southeastern Missouri began in 1720. The town of Sainte Genevieve was founded as a river port for transportation of lead out of the area. Moses Austin (1761-1821) started large-scale mining and smelting at Potosi, originally known as Mine à Breton, and founded Herculaneum as his shipping point on the Mississippi.
"Thomas Bedwell (ca. 1748-1831) held several patents, both in his own name and in partnership with others, for improvements in tanning, dyeing, and evaporation. In his varied career, he manufactured sulfur for Continental forces during the American Revolution; participated in business partnerships in linen printing, engraving, printing, tanning, and dye manufacturing; and promoted ventures in coal and lead mining before finally settling as a druggist in Philadelphia." Jefferson Papers, Founders Online, National Archives / https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-42-02-0283
