S. bouis and company
Stephen Sr., Robert, and Stephen Jr.
The son of John Bouis, a French immigrant, Stephen George Bouis was born on June 29, 1810 in Baltimore, Maryland. On May 1, 1832 he married Rachel Ann Foreman at the First Episcopal Church in Baltimore. Between 1833 and 1851, they would have nine children together. Two of his eldest sons, Robert and Stephen Jr., would go on to play a vital role in his wartime business dealings.
Records of John Bouis, in Baltimore, first appear in the form of his marriage to Martha Mitchell on December 4, 1800. The Baltimore City Directory lists him at 13 N. Gay St. in 1803 as a “tin plate manufacturer.” In 1831, the Baltimore Directory lists “John Bouis & Son, tin plate and lamp manufacturers, 106 Baltimore St.” This provides insight as to how Stephen Bouis learned the tin and metal trade, from his father.
From 1842 to 1848, Stephen Bouis is listed at various addresses with various titles such as, “Tin Plate and Sheet Iron,” “tin & sheet iron worker,” and simply “tinner.” By 1850, Baltimore census records show the growing Bouis family and list Stephen (Sr.) as aged 39, occupation “Tin Sheet Iron Worker.” Likewise, his son Robert is listed as aged 17, and titled “Tin Worker,” while Stephen (Jr.) aged 15, is recorded as a “student.”
The Bouis family moved sometime between 1850 -1860 to Henrico, Mecklenburg, Virginia, which is part of the Greater Richmond Region. Stephen Bouis (Sr.) is now listed in the 1860 Virginia census as a “Tinner,” along with son Robert as a “Printer,” and Stephen (Jr.) as a “Clerk.” Why the move? One can only speculate.
At the time of the American Civil War, “S. Bouis & Co”. was established and in full swing, making a variety of goods for the Confederate Government. Being a tin worker by trade, some of the company’s contracts included stoves, stove pipes, camp kettles, canteens, rain spouting, and furnaces. These were certainly made by Stephan (Sr.) in his shop which was located at 28 Main Steet, in Richmond, Va. The other portion of the “company” was made up of his son Robert and Stephan Jr., as mentioned earlier. Records indicate that while their father dealt with the tin and iron side of the business, Robert provided other items to the Confederate government such as rolls of oil cloth and pairs of shoes. And as for Stephen Jr., a receipt for potatoes from March 8, 1864 provides little information about his contribution to the firm.
Advertisements
This advertisement is from the Baltimore City Directory for the year 1812. As you can see, John Bouis had a variety of wares on hand including lamps, ovens, steam kettles, and common kitchen furniture.
Also from the Baltimore City Directory, but from 1852, Stephen Bouis is advertising similar merchandise as his father.
This advertisement is from the National Archives: Confederate Papers Relating to Citizens or Business Firms 1861-1865, Record Group 109
Clearly marked is the address of "28 MAIN STREET/ RICHMOND, VA" as well as the members of the firm, "S. BOUIS Sr., R.H.G. BOUIS, AND S. BOUIS Jr."
Contracts
This is an order placed with “S. Bouis & Co.” by the Confederate Quartermaster for 33 Camp Kettles on September 5, 1861. Total amount paid - $211.60.
National Archives: Confederate Papers Relating to Citizens or Business Firms 1861-1865, Record Group 109
The order to the right was for a total of 596 canteens, in two separate orders, totaling $242 through “S. Bouis & Co.”
National Archives: Confederate Papers Relating to Citizens or Business Firms 1861-1865, Record Group 10
To the right is another order placed through “S. Bouis & Co.” for cook stove for the hospital at Masons Hill. The company also repaired the rain spouting for $3. Total for both jobs was $53.
National Archives: Confederate Papers Relating to Citizens or Business Firms 1861-1865, Record Group 109
Taken from the 1860 Census for Richmond, Va, section 1149 shows Stephen Bouis Sr./ 50/ M/ Tinner. Below are other members of his household which include Stephen Bouis Jr./ 24/ M/ Clerk. Also, Robert H. Bouis/ 26/ M/ Printer.
To the right is an order for 241 pairs of shoes placed on April 23, 1862. At the top, and on the bottom, “R. Bouis” is listed as the payee. Robert was paid a total of $843.50 for the shoes.
This shows that the Bouis family was engaged in supplying various goods to the Confederate government during the war, not just tin and sheet iron items.
National Archives: Confederate Papers Relating to Citize
In March of 1863, Robert Bouis also supplied a “one roll of oil cloth” for $25. This again displays the wide variety of articles procured by the family being sold to the Confederate government.
National Archives: Confederate Papers Relating to Citizens or Business Firms 1861-1865, Record Group 109
the drum
16” diameter by 12 ¾” tall.
The shell is made of solid steam bent birds-eye maple. There are no tacks or nails in the overlap, and the only decoration is a simple wooden vent insert. The leather braces are fashioned from buff leather and hand-stitched together.
A splendid makers label clearly reads, “Manufactured by/ S. BOUIS & Co./ Military Regalia/ 28 Main Street/ Richmond, Virginia.”
The red painted counter hoops stand 1 ½” tall and display wear marks consistent with drum stick strikes. They are secured with two different size nails. Very small headed nails close to the end of the scarf joint, and larger headed nails along the top and bottom of the overlap.
The overlap is seen here, without the use of any iron nails or brass tacks. This is interesting as most drum maker's would use these devices to insure the scarf joint from coming apart.
A European style snare gut tensioner, seen on many brass drums, consists of a brass body and iron threaded hook, topped with a wing nut. This is secured to the shell with four metal slot headed screws.
A clear view of the buff leather braces show hand stitching as the method of binding the brace together.
Also, a diamond shaped brass snare gut anchor is attached to the shell with three slot headed screws. This is similar to the configuration of a Horstmann drum on this website.