SAMUEL RAYNOR
1810-1888
When Samuel was 12 years old, he left his home in Hempstead, Long Island, and took a job in the stationery company owned by Richard Bartlett at No. 76 Bowery. By 1835, when Raynor was now 25 years old, Bartlett took him in as a partner and it was due to Raynor that the firm had begun the manufacture of envelopes. After Richard Bartlett died two years later, Raynor brought his older brother, Hiram, into the business, renaming it "H. & S. Raynor.”
Hiram retired in 1847 and Samuel forged on. At this period envelope making was in its infancy. The cutting presses were of wood and the amount of manual labor involved in the work was very great. The advent of machinery was welcomed by the trade for the new mechanism greatly reduced the cost of manufacture and brought about the general use of the envelope.
His fortunes soared when, in 1858, he began manufacturing envelopes at a time when most people made their own by folding a sheet of paper and sealing it. In this direction he first associated himself with Charles H. Lyon & Brother under the firm name of Lyon & Raynor. After a few years the firm dissolved and Raynor moved from the former Beekman Street location to 118 William Street continuing there where his pioneering spirit did not stop. He introduced his new fast-running machine, making twelve of the $500 devices in a brave but risky investment.
His fortunes soared when, in 1858, he began manufacturing envelopes at a time when most people made their own by folding a sheet of paper and sealing it. In this direction he first associated himself with Charles H. Lyon & Brother under the firm name of Lyon & Raynor. After a few years the firm dissolved and Raynor moved from the former Beekman Street location to 118 William Street continuing there where his pioneering spirit did not stop. He introduced his new fast-running machine, making twelve of the $500 devices in a brave but risky investment.
Samuel's New Machine
In 1862 William P. Raynor (Samuel's son) and William I. Martin became members of the firm and in 1865 the manufactory was operating at 115-117 William street and 59 John street. By 1888 Samuel Raynor & Co. had become one of the largest envelope manufacturers in the nation.
Through the night of Sunday, March 11, 1888 a blizzard struck New York City. By morning 10 inches had fallen. It continued throughout the next two days until the city was blanketed with between 22 to 50 inches. Sustained high winds and temperatures far below freezing exacerbated the dangerous situation. Winds averaged 40 miles per hour and gusted up to 80 miles per hour. The winds demolished power and telegraph lines and resulted in snowdrifts as high as 50 feet.
Through the night of Sunday, March 11, 1888 a blizzard struck New York City. By morning 10 inches had fallen. It continued throughout the next two days until the city was blanketed with between 22 to 50 inches. Sustained high winds and temperatures far below freezing exacerbated the dangerous situation. Winds averaged 40 miles per hour and gusted up to 80 miles per hour. The winds demolished power and telegraph lines and resulted in snowdrifts as high as 50 feet.
The storm became known as the Great Blizzard of '88 or the Great White Hurricane. It was one of the most severe recorded blizzards in American history. The storm paralyzed the East Coast from the Chesapeake Bay to Maine, as well as the Atlantic provinces of Canada.
During the blizzard Samuel over exerted himself and ended up getting pneumonia. The condition lasted, and worsened, until May when he passed away. After Samuel's death the interests in the business were formed into a corporation and in 1896 they consolidated with the Perkins Envelope Company.