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John Morin Scott family papers, 1679-1893 (majority within 1800-1846)

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Summary

Creator:
Scott family
Abstract:
The John Morin Scott family papers are made up of correspondence, legal and financial documents, and other items related to multiple generations of the Scott family, including New York City lawyer John Morin Scott; his son, Lewis Allaire Scott; and his grandson, John Morin Scott, mayor of Philadelphia from 1841-1844.
Extent:
3.25 linear feet
Language:
English
Authors:
Collection processed and finding aid created by Clements Staff and Meg Hixon, November 2012

Background

Scope and Content:

The John Morin Scott family papers (3.25 linear feet) are made up of correspondence, legal and financial documents, and other items related to multiple generations of the Scott family, including New York City lawyer John Morin Scott; his son, Lewis Allaire Scott; and his grandson, John Morin Scott, mayor of Philadelphia from 1841-1844.

The collection's Personal Correspondence series (approximately 750 items, 1767-1889) is comprised primarily of letters between John Morin Scott and Mary Emlen Scott (whom Scott often addressed as "Bonny") from 1816 to the 1850s. During business trips to cities such as Harrisburg and Easton, Pennsylvania, John Morin Scott discussed his legal career, his work in the state legislature, political issues, and personal news; Mary Emlen Scott wrote about her life in Philadelphia. John Morin Scott also received letters from his children and from individuals respecting his term as Philadelphia mayor. Other correspondence includes an early series of letters to Mayor Richard Varick of New York City.

Lewis A. Scott's correspondence (132 items, 1868-1893) relates to the Scott family genealogy. Lewis A. Scott corresponded with family members about their ancestors and wrote to authors and publishing houses about printed accounts of the family lineage. Some letters pertain to Scott's attempts to locate documents about his early ancestors.

The collection's Legal Correspondence, Documents, and Financial Records series (approximately 800 items, 1764-1893) regard property, finances, and the legal affairs and estates of the Scotts and related families. John Morin Scott's legal correspondence (333 items, 1812-1844) contains business letters to Scott about court procedures, decisions, and financial matters. At least one item mentions a reward offered for the return of a captured slave (May 20, 1822). Documents include legal and financial contracts and agreements, financial accounts, bank checks, indentures, letters, and estate administration papers. Many items concern property in New York and one small group pertains to Revolutionary War surgeon Charles McKnight.

One small account book tracks the owner's expenses, and includes notes about the author's travels and activities, around 1850. A notebook contains a list of the Scott family silver in Mary Emlen's possession in 1874.

The Maps seriesincludes 19 surveyors' maps for land in Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, and other locations. Many of the surveys relate to members of the Scott family and allied families; some pertain to Philadelphia real estate. Three undated survey notebooks pertain to land in "Orange County" and "Deer Park," and include notes about deeds and surveys conducted in these areas.

The Genealogical Materials series (47 items, [1887-1891]) largely concern members of the Scott family and they include essays, extracts from published histories, notebooks, loose notes, a family tree, and applications for the Pennsylvania Sons of the American Revolution. At least 2 items relate to the Emlen family. Sketches of two coats of arms are accompanied by descriptions.

The Printed Items series includes 2 advertisements for genealogical and historical works, Mary Scott's reprinted will, a poem by W. T. Meredith titled "Ancrum's Cross," and 12 newspaper clippings. The clippings are obituaries and biographical articles about the younger John Morin Scott, including an account of an assassination attempt during his term as mayor of Philadelphia (1843).

Biographical / Historical:

John Scott, the first member of this branch of the Scott family to reside in North America, came to New York from Scotland in the early 18th century and commanded at Fort Hunter in the Mohawk Valley. His son, John Scott, married Marian Morin; their son, John Morin Scott (1730-1784), was a New York City lawyer, a founder of the New York Sons of Liberty, and state secretary for New York. He and his wife, Helena Rutgers, had a daughter, Mary Morin Scott (1753-1796), who married Revolutionary War surgeon Charles McKnight (1750-1791); and a son, Lewis Allaire Scott (1759-1798). Following John Morin Scott's death in 1796, Helena Scott married John Ray Myer (or Myers).

John Morin Scott, grandson of the first John Morin Scott, was born in New York City on October 25, 1789, the son of Lewis Allaire Scott and Juliana Sitgreaves. After his father's death, he moved to Philadelphia with his mother and sister. He graduated from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) around 1805 and became a lawyer in Philadelphia. During the War of 1812, he served in a cavalry regiment, and in 1815 he became a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. After holding other local political offices, Scott became mayor of Philadelphia in 1841 and held the position for three years. He and his wife, Mary Emlen (1795-1881), married in 1817 and had 8 children: Sarah Emlen, Lewis Allaire, George Emlen, Maria Litchfield, Julia, Helen, John Morin, and Julianna. John Morin Scott died on April 3, 1858.

Acquisition Information:
1994, 1995. M-3081, M-3144 .
Processing information:

Cataloging funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). This collection has been processed according to minimal processing procedures and may be revised, expanded, or updated in the future.

Arrangement:

The collection is in a temporary arrangement.

Rules or Conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Contents

Using These Materials

Info for Visitors

How to Request

Ordering Reproductions

Download PDF Finding Aid
RESTRICTIONS:

The collection is open for research.

USE & PERMISSIONS:

Copyright status is unknown

PREFERRED CITATION:

John Morin Scott Family Papers, William L. Clements Library, The University of Michigan