Dutilh, Etienne, 1748-1810

Étienne Dutilh was born to Pierre and Marie Dutilh in Marsac (also known as Clairac), France in 1732. During the 1770s, Dutilh established himself as a merchant in London and Rotterdam before immigrating to Philadelphia in 1783. Several Dutilh family members remained in Europe to continue their mercantile business in places like Amsterdam and England. As a result, Étienne Dutilh had strong trading ties to Europe for the next decades. When he came to Philadelphia, Dutilh established the mercantile house Étienne Dutilh and Company in the 1780s, trading primarily with the West Indies. In 1790, he forged a partnership with John Gotlieb Wachsmuth under the name Dutilh and Wachsmuth. During their partnership, Dutilh traveled frequently, leaving the management of the business to Wachsmuth. Dutilh and Wachsmuth owned about seven vessels, which traveled mainly between the West Indies and North America, as well as northern Europe; Theodosia, Lydia, Commerce, and Isabella were names of some of the vessels. Some of the goods traded by Dutilh and Wachsmuth were: sugar, cigars, coffee, indigo, flour, gunpowder, cotton, and wine. Around 1797, Wachsmuth and Dutilh dissolved their partnership and Wachsmuth partnered with John Soullier, who was an associate of Dutilh. This business lasted until 1814. Étienne Dutilh anglicized his first name to Stephen around 1804 and passed away six years later, leaving a wife and several children. Wachsmuth married Dutilh's widow and lived with his combined family in Germantown until his death in 1826.

From the description of Dutilh and Wachsmuth papers , 1704-1859. (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). WorldCat record id: 419489407

Étienne Dutilh ( - ) was a merchant in Philadelphia, Pa.

From the description of Papers, 1784-1805. (American Antiquarian Society). WorldCat record id: 207131665

Etienne Dutilh was a merchant. He came to Philadelphia, Pa. in 1783 after having been a merchant in Rotterdam and London. By 1784, the firm E. Dutilh & Co. was established and active in trade with the West Indies and ports throughout Europe. In 1790, the firm became Dutilh & Wachsmith, with John Godfried Wachsmuth as the partner. Dutilh seems also to have been in business with a Mr. Soulrer. Near the end of the century, Dutilh anglicized his name to Stephen, perhaps when he became an American citizen. Dutilh remained active as a merchant until his death in 1810. His widow married Wachsmuth and raised three sons in Germantown, Pa.

From the description of Papers, 1785-1803. (Winterthur Library). WorldCat record id: 123478256