Subseries II: Contingent Funds, 1902-1922

Contingent funds were used by Henry Clay Frick to allow his staff members to pay household, travel, and other expenses as they arose. Each staff member administered his or her own account, and submitted monthly expense reports for reimbursement. Files typically include monthly summaries of expenses, bank statements, canceled checks, checkbooks, receipts, invoices, correspondence, and notes, though some files may not contain all types of documentation. Materials are grouped by account as follows:

1 East 70th Street, 1915-1919: Contains monthly summaries of household expenses beginning in November 1915, although Frick and his family had taken up residence in the house one year earlier. Expense reports were compiled by housekeeper Minerva C. Stone. During the summer, while the New York residence was closed for the season, Stone served as housekeeper at Eagle Rock.

Eagle Rock, 1915-1919, 1922: Eagle Rock, the Frick family's summer home located in Prides Crossing, Mass., was usually opened for the season in April and closed for the winter in November. Files were compiled by Minerva C. Stone, who also served as housekeeper at 1 East 70th Street.

Mary A.E. Carter, 1902-1903: Carter's position in the Frick household is not identified. She may have served as a housekeeper at Woodrock, a summer house rented by the family in Prides Crossing, Mass.

J.G. Congreve, 1914-1916: Congreve served as steward to the Frick family from November 1914 to October 1915.

Georges Després, 1908-1920: Després served as principal chauffeur to the Frick family, along with fellow drivers Charles Breeze, Henry Lafenetre, and others. When the family was in New York, the chauffeurs and other staff responsible for maintaining Frick's automobiles worked out of a garage owned by Frick at 129 West 51st Street. During the summer, when the family was in residence at Eagle Rock, they worked out of an automobile house on that estate.

Joseph Holroyd, 1903-1913: Holroyd's title is not given, but his role seems to have been like that of a steward. His duties included administering payroll among household employees, procuring goods and services, and traveling with the Fricks both domestically and abroad. Holroyd's brother John was also employed by the family.

R.D. Lull, 1912-1914: Lull's position is not stated, but he appears to have been in charge of the farms in Hamilton and Wenham, Mass., near Eagle Rock.

W. G. Mason, 1909: Mason served as butler to the Frick family. His name appears as both William G. Mason and Walter G. Mason in the payroll records, but this is presumed to be the same person.

George Wyness, 1907-1920: Wyness worked as a gardener for the Frick family as early as 1900, and began overseeing the gardens at Eagle Rock in 1905.