Gabriel Richard collection of photocopies and transcriptions of his papers, 2018
.25 cubic foot (in 1 box)
The collection includes 1960s photostatic copies and English transcripts of Fr. Richard’s correspondence and other materials. There are no original Richard materials in the collection. The collection was probably copied from various archives including the Clements Library and the Library of Congress. Among the correspondents are other Catholic prelates, Francis Navarre, the Michigan Legislature, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, William Woodbridge, Alexander Fraser, and St. Anne’s Parish. The collection is arranged mostly chronologically.
Other papers (copies) include Richard’s last wills and testaments, October 1, 1806 and October 31, 1821; his inventory, 1833; a report about a fire in Detroit, 1809; petitions to the Michigan Legislature, including one promoting the education of Indians, 1809; papers about the Society of Catholic Schools in Michigan, 1815; and testimonies of court cases involving Fr. Richard, 1823.
Most of the letters and other papers were written by Fr. Richard in French. Topics cover political, religious, and educational matters and Detroit.
Information about and correspondence with Fr. Richard may also be found in the Richard digital project collection, Francis Navarre, St. Anne’s Church, and Charles J. Walker Collections in the Clarke Historical Library, as well as in numerous books. Item-level index cards are also available to assist researchers.