These records cover the years 1885-1889. They consist primarily of the correspondence files of the Edison Electric Illuminating Co. of Boston during the earliest years of its existence. Included is material relating to the establishment and operation of the company and the construction of the first Boston central station. At the core of the collection are the letters exchanged between company treasurer F. S. Hastings in New York and superintendent A. T. Moore, Jr., in Boston, along with the letters between Hastings and Moore's successor, William J. Hammer. Other major correspondents include officers and directors Hubbard Breed, Charles H. Coster, William W. Gooch, Edward H. Johnson, and Sidney B. Paine; and W. J. Paine of the New England Wiring Co.
A microfilm copy of these records was prepared by the Edison National Historical Park. For that reason, they are not included in this edition. An archival description of the records follows.
Scope and Content: Incoming correspondence and copies of outgoing correspondence of the Edison Electric Illuminating Co. of Boston during the earliest years of its existence. The correspondence records some of the events leading up to incorporation; matters having to do with the establishment of the first central station in Boston, including financing, real estate and construction; the subscription and connection of new customers to the system; and the full range of administrative, personnel and financial aspects of the creation of the new company. At the core of the collection are the letters between company treasurer F. S. Hastings in New York and Superintendent A. T. Moore, Jr., in Boston, and later Manager William J. Hammer, Moore's successor. These letters provide a detailed chronicle of daily operations and provide such specific information as data on the costs of individual customer installations and use of service. Among the other major correspondents are Hubbard Breed, Charles H. Coster, William W. Gooch, Edward H. Johnson, Sidney B. Paine and W. J. Paine of the New England Wiring Co.
Material relating to the company's centennial, specifically a corporate history, brochures and a calendar, were presented along with the collection. A number of photographs owned by Boston Edison are reproduced in the centennial brochure and calendar.
