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John F. Denny, Inc. Records

 Collection
Identifier: R0037-DENNY

  • Staff Only
  • Place requests at folder level.

Content Description

This collection documents the history and activities of the John F. Denny Funeral Home, Inc., a funeral home in South Baltimore, Maryland with records dating between 1848 and 1969. The collection contains non-current expense and sales ledgers, journals, funeral service records, photographs, promotional booklet, and indexes.

Dates

  • 1848-1969

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Historical Note

In 1848, William Armstrong and John Denny began an undertaking and furniture business in South Baltimore. Armstrong & Denny were one of three similar establishments in the city. William Armstrong was succeeded by his son, James W. Armstrong. Later, Mr. Denny's son, John F., along with James Armstrong's son-in-law, Milton H. Wagoner, joined the firm. The company's name was then changed to Armstrong, Denny & Co.

After the senior Denny died, the business was incorporated and run by the founder's sons and Milton H. Wagoner. In 1919, John F. Denny (b. 1865 - d. 1937) purchased his two partners' interests and became sole owner, changing the name to John F. Denny, Inc. He continued to operate the business until his death on December 21, 1937. John F. Denny was 72 when he died and had been a funeral director for over half a century.

The John F. Denny Funeral Home, Inc. continued to be operated by members of the Denny family until 1970 when it ceased operation. The firm remained at its original location on the corner of Light and Montgomery Streets during the entire 122 years of its existence.

Extent

8.79 Linear Feet (10 containers)

Arrangement

Collection is arranged in three series:

  • Organizational Records
  • Funeral Service Records
  • Funeral Expense Daybooks

Custodial History

The collection was donated to the University of Baltimore by C. Sherman Denny on July 23, 1980.

Title
Finding aid for the John F. Denny, Inc. Records
Author
Finding aid created by Special Collections and Archives staff. Revised by Aiden Faust (2011). Revised by Laura Bell (June 2020).
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Baltimore Studies Archives Repository

Contact:
H. Mebane Turner Learning Commons, Room 104
1415 Maryland Avenue
Baltimore Maryland 21201 USA
410-837-4253