William Peter Sprague, early American carpet maker to George Washington

Sprague, William Peter

[manuscript, Americana] William Peter Sprague, Early American Carpet Maker for George Washington/Congress Hall in Philadelphia, 1786-89

New Jersey: [none stated] 1786-1789. William Peter Sprague manufactured carpets for the the Senate Chamber of the United States as well as President Washington's residence. He founded "the first full-fledged commercial carpet factory in America."

We offer three deeds that document Sprague buying and selling land in New Jersey and later selling a large parcel with Dwelling (presumably his NJ residence) at about the time he is setting up his new manufacturing operation in Philadelphia and earning the Senate business.

1) An 1786 indenture conveying land in Burlington, NJ: William Peter Sprague (from Burlington) to Samuel Eyre dated July 25, 1786. (vellum, approx 10 x 26 inches, folded) Signed by William Peter Sprague with red seal. This deed includes all mine and mineral rights, unusual for land deeds of the time. An internet search shows various Eyres attached to a “Lower Sluice Company” in the area (presumably a mining concern).
2) An 1786 indenture conveying land in Burlington, New Jersey from Samuel Eyre to William Peter Sprague dated July 25, 1786 (vellum, approx 10 x 28 inches, folded), Signed by Samuel Eyre lower right with red seal. The price was the land #1 above plus 5 shillings.
3) An 1789 indenture conveying land from William Peter Sprague & Wife (now in the Northern Liberties of the City of Philadelphia) to Joshua Foster (of Mansfield, ,New Jersey) dated Sept 25, 1789. (vellum, approx 15 x 29 inches, folded). Signed by William Peter Sprague and Mary Sprague lower right, with a seal for each. Witnessed by Joseph Ellison and Daniel Ellis. Thos Rodman represents he examined both the Spragues and confirmed by separate interview that Mary had not been coerced into this sale by her husband (dated Sept 28, 1789). The deed traces the parcel's extensive ownership history. Foster purchased the land and Dwelling House for 500 pounds in current New Jersey money in Gold and Silver. This is likely Sprague's home, being sold as he moves to Philadelphia permanently.

In our experience documents and signature by Sprague are rare in the marketplace.

ABOUT SPRAGUE: Sprague was a "transplanted Englishman, born around 1750, probably in Kidderminster, Herefordshire, or in Axminster itself. The chronology of his early life is unknown; [his family] was almost certainly dissenters from the official Church of England, and as such their births and deaths" were not [officially recorded]...he served in the British Navy against the American forces during the Revolution... and later "espous[ing] the cause of Washington," moved the family [from England] to New Jersey in America sometime before the war was over.”

Anderson notes the exact date of the Spragues' arrival "is not known, but in Burlington, New Jersey, records show that [he] bought property there in 1783." He advertised the availability of carpets "wove after the Axminster mode" in the Pennsylvania Gazette in Philadelphia. "By 1790 Sprague had himself moved to Philadelphia, probably attracted by the chance to be closer to his primary market." (Anderson, pp 31-32)

PRAISE FOR SPRAGUE's work:
"Amongst the many accounts of the flourishing state of the infant manufactures of America, it seems strange that the Carpet Manufactory has been hitherto so little noticed. A correspondent who has lately visited that establishment in the Northern Liberties, informs us, that he has seen some of the carpets manufactured there by William Peter Sprague, of those durable kind called Turkey and Axminster, which sell at 20 per cent cheaper than those imported, and nearly as low as Wilton carpeting, but of double its durability. The Carpet made for the President, and others for various persons, are masterpieces of their kind, particularly that for the Senate Chamber of the United States. The device wove in the last mentioned is the Crest and Armoreal Atchievements appertaining to the United States. Thirteen Stars, forming a constellation, diverging from a cloud, occupy the space under the chair of the Vice-President. The AMERICAN EAGLE is displayed in the centre, holding in his dexter talon an olive branch, in his sinister a bundle of thirteen arrows, and in his beak, a scroll inscribed with the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM . The whole surrounded by a chain formed of thirteen shields, emblematic of each state..." (June 6, 1791, Dunlap' s American Daily Advertiser)

On December 6, 1790, Congress met for the first time in Philadelphia. The new Capitol was furnished nicely, “but it was not until June 1791 that the Senate Chamber received its most elegant and impressive element of furnishing, a carpet of the ‘Axminster kind’, ‘executing in a capital stile with rich bright colors’ giving ‘a very fine affect’ according to a contemporary account.” The carpet was hand-knotted on a “monumental scale” of 22 x 40 feet, “one of the most ambitious carpet-making projects ever undertaken in the United States, and one of the earliest”. “It came from the Philadelphia Carpet Manufactory…the first full-fledged commercial carpet factory in America, where William Peter Sprague, an Englishman from Axminster, Devonshire, had established a promising business.” Anderson, p 4. Very Good. [29049]


LITERATURE:
Anderson, Susan H., "The Most Splendid Carpet", Philadelphia: National Park Service US Dept of the Interior, 1978 (a copy provided with this material)

Price: $750.00