Elizabeth Coyle Collection of William Alling Imprints

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: 2023-009

Staff Only

Content Description

This collection consists of 10 early Rochester imprints, 9 from the press of William Alling and 1 from the press of Hamlet Scrantom. The volumes in the collection date between 1830 and 1844. They represent imprints from two of Rochester, New York's first printers as passed down through Alling's family for several generations.

Dates

Creation: 1830-1844

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use in any current or future manifestations must be obtained in writing from the Rochester Public Library Local History and Genealogy Division.

Biographical Note

William Alling was born on March 3, 1811 in Milton, Ulster County, New York. In 1815, his family moved to Sodus, Wayne County, with William and at least one brother moving on to Rochester in 1826. In Rochester, William Alling became a clerk at the Marshall and Dean bookstore in 1831. In 1835, he founded a business that soon became known as the William Alling Paper Company, one of Rochester’s first printing businesses. As additional family members joined the firm, the business’ name changed to Alling and Cory in 1872. The business also moved away from printing to the wholesale paper business, with offices across New York and neighboring states. Alling and Cory remained a major Rochester business well into the 20th century, first being sold to Union Camp in 1996 and then merged with xpedx following the International Paper buyout of Union Camp in 1999.

William Alling married twice. In 1836, he married Martha Sparhawk of Rochester, Vermont. Together, they had five children: William S., Charles, Frederick, Samuel and Flora. William S. would become a partner in Alling and Cory in 1859. Martha passed away in 1852 following Flora’s birth. The next year, William married Clementine Tilden of Newburyport, Vermont. They had one child, Joseph, in 1855; Joseph became a partner in the family business in 1881. Clementine would outlive her husband by 15 years, passing away in 1905.

Besides his printing and paper business, William Alling was a member of the board of trustees of the Monroe County Savings Bank, the Board of Directors of the Rochester Gas Company, and the Board of Directors for the New York State Printings and Telegraph Company. He was deeply involved in the religious life of Rochester, being a long-time member of Central Presbyterian Church and serving the congregation as member of the building committee, clerk, and treasurer. Alling was a leader of the Monroe County Bible Society, which he served as librarian, treasurer, and (from 1882 to 1889) as president. William Alling passed away on July 13, 1890, and is buried in a family plot at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Extent

10 Volumes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

This collection consists of 1 box holding 10 volumes.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Elizabeth Alling Coyle, 2023. These volumes have been passed down through the Alling family, with tradition holding that they came from William Alling's personal library.

Bibliography

Allen, George P. A History and Genealogical Record of the Alling-Allens of New Haven, Connecticut. Price, Lee and Adkins Co.: New Haven, CT, 1899.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8325471/william-alling: accessed 30 November 2023), memorial page for William Alling (3 Mar 1811–13 Jul 1890), Find a Grave Memorial ID 8325471, citing Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester, Monroe County, New York, USA; Maintained by Mount Hope NY (contributor 219).

Kim, Tinna. “The Alling Family Plot.” December 2000. Retrieved November 30, 2023 from https://urresearch.rochester.edu/fileDownloadForInstitutionalItem.action?itemId=795&itemFileId=950