The front of the pamphlet reads: “Runnemede Apiaries, Essex, New York. Ingersoll D. Townsend, Owner.”
Have you ever heard of this business? What can you tell us about it and the owner? Do you know when it was in operation?
Here’s what we already heard from the community:
Lorraine Townsend Faherty: Is this the same Dr Townsend who owned Shumway House?
We’re unsure if this is the same Townsend who lived in the Shumway House at some point. Although I believe it may be the same.
I found reference to a “Ingersoll Day Townsend (1895-1982)” on an online heritage website, and although it did not mention him residing in Essex at any point I found another reference (from All My Houses a Memoir) to a man of the same name with the same wife, Sarah “Sally” Carter, who did live in Essex. So I believe it to be the same person. This couple lived in Hyde Gate aka Rosslyn and then moved to the “Stone House” which could be the Shumway House.
Do you know what type of business Runnemede Apiaries was? The rest of the pamphlet makes it clear that it was beekeeping and honey-harvesting. The pamphlet is a price list that I believe Runnemede Apiaries must have submitted to local stores or interested buyers.
You can enlarge the images by clicking on them to read what they say, or you can see below a copy of what the text says on each page, including a description of the product and full price list of the different varieties of honey Runnemede Apiaries produced.
[INSIDE]
(PAGE 1)
Runnemede Apiaries take pleasure in submitting a price list to their products for the season.
The actual inverted nectar as it comes from the flowers cannot, of course, be improved upon, but the methods used in handling the honey after it has left the hives often impairs the product quite as much as would its actual adulteration. We have therefore set ourselves to produce in such a manner that doctors may recommend our product to their patients.
Honey, is stored in a warm, dry place, will keep indefinitely. We therefore recommend buying the case for the sake of economy.
Further; may we place ourselves absolutely at your disposal as regards information about the bees and their products. Our apiaries and workshops are always open for your thorough inspection.
(PAGE 2)
Price List
COMB HONEY
Early White …….Per 24-lb. case $8.40
Per lb. ……………….. .40
Amber ……………Same as Early White
We do not produce Buckwheat Comb Honey
EXTRACTED HONEY
Early White ….. Per 12-lb. case……………………….4.00
Per 10-lb. pail…………………………3.25
Per 5-lb. pail……………………………1.65
Per lb. ……………………………………. .35
Per 2-oz. jar………………………….. .10
Amber ……………Same as Early White
Buckwheat ……. Per 12-lb. case……………………….3.40
Per 10-lb. pail…………………………2.75
Per 5-lb. pail……………………………1.40
Per lb. ……………………………………. .30
Per 2-oz. jar………………………….. .07
(Comb Honey will not be shipped to any point between November 1st and April 1st)
Have any thoughts to share? Please leave a comment below!
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Passionate about reading and writing stories, Katie Shepard enjoys discovering more about her home while writing and editing for Essex on Lake Champlain. Katie graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2011 where she studied English literature, philosophy, and Asian studies. Her first book Essex, New York Architecture: A Doodler's Field Guide was published in 2015. Connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, or at Linked.in. Or email her at katie [@] essexeditions [dot] com.
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