Collections : [University of Michigan William L. Clements Library]

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Collection

David Ziegler penmanship exercises, [19th century]

1 volume

This volume contains handwriting exercises produced by David Ziegler in German Schrift during the 19th century. The penmanship practice is in a blank book with a printed cover headed "Ships," with an illustration of ship and a short passage using sailing as a religious metaphor. "Stereotyped by L. Johnson of Philadelphia."

This volume contains handwriting exercises produced by David Ziegler in German Schrift during the 19th century. The penmanship practice is in a blank book with a printed cover headed "Ships," with an illustration of ship and a short passage using sailing as a religious metaphor. "Stereotyped by L. Johnson of Philadelphia."

Collection

Samuel Young journal, 1846

1 volume

Samuel L. Young of Reading, Pennsylvania, kept this 108-page journal "during a tour through the United States" between June 1, 1846, and October 12, 1846. He traveled by railroad, steamship, and stagecoach, and recorded his impressions of major cities, local scenery, and fellow travelers. Young ventured as far west as St. Louis, Missouri; as far north as Niagara Falls, Canada; and as far south as Lexington, Kentucky.

Samuel L. Young of Reading, Pennsylvania, kept this 108-page journal "during a tour of the United States" between June 1, 1846, and October 12, 1846. He traveled by railroad, steamship, and stagecoach, and recorded his impressions of major cities, local scenery, and fellow travelers. Young ventured as far west as St. Louis, Missouri; as far north as Niagara Falls, Canada; and as far south as Lexington, Kentucky.

Young's journal, which contains descriptions and anecdotes from his travel, begins with an entry expressing his sadness upon leaving his loved ones (p. 1). He departed Reading for New York City, where he remained for 4 days; there, he witnessed a procession by the Sons of Temperance. Young then traveled to Connecticut and Massachusetts, where he commented on Boston's Chinese residents (p. 8). He continued to Niagara Falls, Detroit, and Chicago. In Detroit, he received copper samples from Morgan Bates, a prospector (p. 31); in Chicago he recorded his disappointment with the city and its construction. While in western Illinois and Iowa, Young visited a smelting furnace and mine (pp. 43-44), a "lead cave" and mine (pp. 48-49), and the Mormon temple at Nauvoo, Illinois (pp. 56-58).

When Young reached St. Louis, Missouri, he boarded a riverboat bound for Louisville, Kentucky, though he and three other travelers opted to walk the final stretch of the trip (pp. 70-71). Young recalled a stagecoach conversation about slavery, though he declined to participate (pp. 74-75). Upon his arrival in Lexington, Kentucky, he met with Henry Clay at his Ashland estate (pp. 87-88). Young spent much of September in Cincinnati, Ohio. Between Cincinnati and Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia), he met Lewis C. F. Fatio, former captain of the United States revenue cutter Wolcott, who was on his way to contest a charge of disobedience in Washington, D. C. (pp. 101-102). Young began the last leg of his journey on October 10, 1846, heading for Philadelphia and, later, Reading, where he returned on October 12 (p. 108).

Young occasionally encountered dangerous situations, including a narrowly avoided stagecoach accident between Kalamazoo and St. Joseph, Michigan (p. 33), a fire next door to his Chicago hotel (pp. 36-37), and a suspicious stagecoach passenger at Rockford, Illinois (p. 42). He made acquaintance with many fellow travelers, and often joined them for excursions. Young played the accordion, read local newspapers and the works of Friedrich Schiller, occasionally measured the distances he traveled or noted the costs of transportation, and recorded the name of every hotel at which he boarded.

Collection

George H. B. Young letters, 1864

7 items

This collection is made up of 7 letters that Private George H. B. Young wrote to his family while serving with the 26th Ohio Independent Light Artillery Battery in Vicksburg, Mississippi, between April 24, 1864, and September 16, 1864.

This collection is made up of 7 letters that Private George H. B. Young wrote to his family, while serving with the 26th Ohio Independent Light Artillery Battery in Vicksburg, Mississippi, between April 24, 1864, and September 16, 1864.

Young addressed his letters to his parents, George H. and Rebecca Young, and to his brother, Jacob B. Young. He occasionally signed his letters "Hardesty." He described his experiences at Vicksburg during the Union occupation, and recorded his impressions of African Americans and captured Confederate soldiers (April 24, 1864). Young expressed fondness for military life, which he preferred to farm work, and provided details about camp life and the size of his battery. In one letter, he suggested that his brother Jacob ride to Vicksburg to collect his pay, though he anticipated difficulties along the route, such as possible capture by Confederate forces (April 24, 1864). He drew a picture of a person carrying a letter (May 2, 1864), and wrote 3 letters on stationery from the United States Christian Commission.

Collection

Dai Tōa Sensō hōdō Shashinroku [Photographic News Record of the Great East Asia War Album], 1942

1 volume

The Dai Tōa Sensō hōdō Shashinroku [Photographic News Record of the Great East Asia War Album] contains 40 mounted photographs depicting events from the Pacific theater during World War II up to circa 1942. With Japanese letterpress titles and descriptions. Includes images of Pearl Harbor, the advance on the Malayan peninsula, the fall of Singapore, the Philippines, the island of Corregidor, and portraits of Japanese military commanders.

The Dai Tōa Sensō hōdō Shashinroku [Photographic News Record of the Great East Asia War Album] (20 x 15 cm) contains 40 mounted photographs depicting events from the Pacific theater during World War II up to circa 1942. With Japanese letterpress titles and descriptions. Includes images of Pearl Harbor, the advance on the Malayan peninsula, the fall of Singapore, the Philippines, the island of Corregidor, and portraits of Japanese military commanders.

The photos are mounted on unbound cards. The album has a faded navy blue cloth cover with gold embossed printing, and is housed in a gray wrapper with green cloth spine.

Collection

William Yardley mathematics and surveying exercise book, 1812

1 volume

The William Yardley Mathematics and Surveying Exercise Book contains solved geometric, trigonometric, and surveying exercises, including practical problems and illustrated examples that feature drawings of buildings, animals, and landscape elements.

The William Yardley Mathematics and Surveying Exercise Book contains solved geometric, trigonometric, and surveying exercises, including practical problems and illustrated examples that feature drawings of buildings, animals, and landscape elements. Calligraphic lettering appears throughout.

One letter written by Harry [Crockett?] to his mother, Mrs. L. F. Crockett, from Portland, Maine, on October 8, 1903, is laid into the volume. Written on John W. Perkins Company, Wholesale Druggists, illustrated stationery, the letter comments on family matters, business, and deaths of acquaintances, including one gentleman who was killed by an electric car.

Collection

David Wyrick collection, 1860

1 volume

This collection is made up of a letter, drawings, maps, and newspaper clippings related to David Wyrick's discovery of inscribed stones in a Native American burial mound near Newark, Ohio, in 1860.

This collection is made up of a letter, drawings, maps, and a newspaper clipping related to David Wyrick's discovery of inscribed stones in an Indian burial mound near Newark, Ohio, in 1860. The items were once bound together under the title "Hebrew Inscriptions alleged to have been dug up in Ohio, U.S.A." Wyrick wrote an 8-page letter to William Brockie, editor of The Sunderland Times, on September 8, 1860, about his archaeological exploits. He recounted his actions on June 29, 1860, the day of his discovery, describing the Newark burial mounds and the Hebrew-inscribed "Keystone" he discovered there. Wyrick addressed the possibility that he had been the victim of a hoax, but ultimately expressed his belief that the stone was a genuine ancient artifact, possibly a relic of one of the Lost Tribes of Israel. His letter also refers to the draining of a nearby artificial pond, the durability of the logs located on its floor, and the discovery of several skeletons in a burial mound.

Wyrick's letters contain references to enclosed drawings and maps (which are present in the collection). Four colored drawings include two- and three-dimensional views of each of the Keystone's four inscribed faces, a diagram of the burial mound where Wyrick unearthed the artifact, and a cross-section of a mound containing several skeletons. Three of the manuscript maps are overhead views of the Newark earthworks, including copies of maps by Caleb Atwater (1820) and Squier and Davis (1848), and Wyrick's own detailed map (1860). A final manuscript map is a view of an artificial lake near Utica, Ohio (undated). Some of the visual materials have lengthy captions written on the verso.

The final items in the Wyrick collection are two newspaper clippings published in The Sunderland Times on October 6, 1860, regarding the Wyrick excavation. One article reprints several lengthy quotations from Wyrick's letter to William Brockie, and the other contains translations of the stone's Hebrew inscriptions.

Collection

Sarah Wright correspondence, 1900

4 items

This collection is made up of four letters sent in response to Sarah Wright's inquiries about her missing husband Frank Wright, dated between April and June of 1900. Three letters are from J. M. Hawks, one of Frank's friends, and Dr. Lewis Van Gilder Guthrie, the superintendent of the Second Hospital for the Insane in West Virginia, where Frank died in 1896.

This collection comprises four letters sent in response to Sarah Wright's inquiries about her missing husband Frank Wright, dated between April and June of 1900. Three letters are from J. M. Hawks, one of Frank's friends, and Dr. Lewis Van Gilder Guthrie, the superintendent of the Second Hospital for the Insane in West Virginia, where Frank died in 1896.

For detailed information about each item in the collection, please see the box and folder listing.

Collection

William D. Workman collection, 1957

42 items

This collection contains correspondence, newspaper clippings, a typescript, and a photograph related to William D. Workman's appearance on a television program about the integration of schools in the South, originally aired on September 29, 1957. Workman received 23 responses over the following days. Writers most frequently expressed their support of segregated schools, and many also commented on race relations and other political issues concerning the South.

This collection contains correspondence, newspaper clippings, a typescript, and a photograph related to William D. Workman's appearance on a television program about the integration of schools in the South, originally aired on September 29, 1957. Workman received 23 responses over the following days. Writers most frequently expressed their support of segregated schools, and many also commented on race relations and other political issues concerning the South.

Most items in the Correspondence and Newspaper Clippings series are letters of thanks Workman received shortly after his television appearance. Viewers and listeners sent 23 acknowledgments in letters, postcards, and telegrams, most written on September 30, 1957. Though the overwhelming majority of correspondents provided positive feedback, one provided a strongly negative response. Most letters originated from viewers in southern states, who lauded Workman for his comments on the effects of integration policies on the South, and often expressed their own opinions and thoughts on racial issues and on relations between the North and South. Writers overwhelmingly supported segregation. Many referred to the right to self-governance, and a man named Ed. C. Dennis, Jr., jokingly referred to the possibility of South Carolina seceding from the Union. One woman also noted her father's service in the Confederate Army, and many writers commented on recent desegregation attempts in Little Rock, Arkansas. A few correspondents also shared their feelings, usually negative, about Jews and Catholics. Workman received newspaper clippings and pamphlets on similar topics, particularly on religious and political issues; one took exception to the upcoming film Island in the Sun, which featured interracial romances. The series also holds a bundled group of letters between Workman and producers at CBS, who thanked him for his participation in the program.

The Typescript and Photograph series contains a typescript of the "Report on Integration," which aired on CBS television on September 29, 1957, and on CBS radio on September 30, 1957, as well as a black-and-white photograph of the panel participants.

Collection

Joseph Woory account, 1666

6 pages (1 item)

The Joseph Woory account records the travels of an English expedition that set out from Charles Town on June 16, 1666, to explore the area from Cape Romano down to Port Royal.

Joseph Woory was a member of the English expedition that set out from Charles Town on June 16, 1666, to explore the area from Cape Romano (Cape Fear, called Cape San Romano by the Spanish) down to Port Royal. The expedition took 26 days, during which time they visited St. Helena Island, where they saw a large wooden Spanish cross, Edisto, and Kiawah Island. Woory wrote about the rich quality of the soil, the different kinds of vegetation, varieties of fish and fowl, and Indian fields planted with corn, peas, and beans. The explorers visited Indian villages at Edisto and St. Helena, where they left behind one of their company, Henry Woodward, to learn the Indian language. Woory reported that the Indians were friendly and "seemed very willing to have us settle amongst them." The company sailed from Port Royal on July 9 and arrived at Charles Town on the 12th.

Collection

Robert Dayton Williams journal, 1870

1 volume

The Robert Dayton Williams journal recounts the author's voyage to Europe on the steamer Australia in September 1870. Williams described stormy weather, seasickness, daily activities, and navigation errors during the ship's passage from New York to Glasgow. The journal entries are accompanied by ink drawings.

The R. Dayton Williams journal (21 pages), entitled "Yankee Vandals Abroad, or Our Trip to Europe," is an account of the author's voyage from Albany, New York, to Glasgow, Scotland, from September 15, 1870-October 1, 1870.

The journal begins with a 2-page preface in which Williams pays tribute to the advances in nautical travel between the 1770s and 1870s and explains his reasons for visiting the British Isles. The account opens with the Williams' trip from Albany to New York, accompanied by family members, and their search for Anna's trunk on the day they were to set sail; a humorous poem recounts the latter episode. The preface and opening remarks are followed by daily entries dated September 17, 1870-October 1, 1870, during the Australia's time at sea. The opening lines of many entries, including the preface, are colored or otherwise illustrated. Illustrations (see list below) accompany most of the entries.

During the transatlantic journey, Williams commented on the food, the scenery, and his pastimes, which included games of quoits and backgammon with the captain and other passengers. Early in the voyage, the ship encountered stormy seas, which resulted in flooded passenger cabins, injuries to members of the ship's crew, and prolonged seasickness. Williams described cod fishermen along the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and compared the Anchor Line's ships with the faster vessels of the Cunard Line. Entries often report the distance the Australia had traveled and the remaining distance to Derry, Ireland, the ship's first destination. On September 29, Williams mentioned the captain's recent navigational error, which led to confusion about the ship's current position and course; the mishap resulted in a slight delay, though the course was later corrected. In his entry of September 30, Williams recalled the Hibernia, an Anchor Line steamer that had remained missing for four weeks after being blown to sea in a gale off the coasts of Ireland and Scotland. The same day, the Australia reached Derry and soon left for Glasgow, where Williams and his wife disembarked on October 1. A printed drawing of the Australia and a newspaper clipping about the Williams' journey are pasted into the first page of regular entries, and the entry of September 30 contains a table of observed latitude and longitude for September 19, [1870]-September 28, [1870].

List of pen and ink drawings (excluding embellished text)
  • Two men searching for Anna Williams's trunk at the Wescott's Express freight office (page 7)
  • A man and a woman on the deck of the Australia (page 7)
  • Log floating at sea (page 8)
  • Australia and other ships engulfed by stormy seas (page 9)
  • The Williams' stateroom on the Australia (page 10)
  • A man "Before and After Sea Sickness" (page 11)
  • Codfish (page 11)
  • Rings and target from game of quoits (page 12)
  • "Cod Fishing on the New Foundland Banks" [sic] (page 13)
  • Driftwood board (page 13)
  • "Mr Brown's Circus Blanket," a colorful coat (page 14)
  • "Forecastle Passengers" (page 17)
  • Sounding line (page 19)
  • Map of British Isles and coast of Holland, Belgium, and France, showing the Australia's erroneous and corrected courses (page 20)
Collection

HMS Glasgow log book, 1815

1 volume

This log book covers the journey of the English 50-gun frigate HMS Glasgow under the command of Captain Henry Duncan between February 1, 1815, and August 28, 1815. The log records daily information on weather, longitude and latitude, distance, and incidents onboard.

This volume, entitled "Log of The Proceedings of H.M.S. Glasgow" (73 pages) chronicles the ship's travels around the Bay of Biscay between February 1 and August 28, 1815. Midshipman James Williamson recorded daily information about the weather, the ship's course, and incidents onboard. The first 3 pages contain a chart of the ship's course, position, and bearings, maintained daily between February 1 and August 5, 1815; the dates April 1-May 24 are not included. Each day of the week is represented by an astrological symbol in a repeating pattern used throughout the entire volume. The longer log entries commence on February 1, 1815, and cover the ship's course, winds, and remarks about events on the ship, such as the arrival and departure of visitors, discipline of sailors, maintenance work, ships encountered, change of course, weather, and other daily occurrences. The Glasgow moored in Plymouth Sound and "Hamoau" between April 1 and May 25, at Plymouth between June 5 and June 9, and at Sheerness and Chatham, England, between August 8 and August 28. A color-coded map showing the progress of the Glasgow between southwest England and the Bay of Biscay is pasted into the volume between the pages covering May 6 through May 24.

Collection

Ephraim Smith Williams, Genealogy of the Williams Family from Their First Settlement in America, 1868

1 volume

This manuscript volume chronicles the genealogy of the descendants of Robert Williams, a native of Wales who settled in Roxbury, Massachusetts, around 1638. The book, written by Ephraim Smith Williams in 1868 and presented to his daughter Jenny, concentrates on his branch of the family and includes information about the Gotee family, his wife's ancestors, and a brief biographical sketch of his father, Oliver Williams.

Ephraim Smith Williams wrote this 52-page genealogical manuscript, titled Genealogy of the Williams Family from Their First Settlement in America, for his daughter, Jenny M. Williams, in 1868. The book chronicles the genealogy of their branch of the Williams family from the arrival of Welshman Robert Williams in Roxbury, Massachusetts, around 1638. Most Williams family members were born in Roxbury until the early 19th century, when Oliver Williams, the son of Benjamin Williams and Anne Fuller, moved his family to Detroit, Michigan. Genealogical information includes the names of Williams family members, their spouses, and their descendants, covering successive generations into the 1860s. Dates of births, deaths, and marriages are recorded when known. Ephraim Williams added information until at least 1885, often making notes of recent deaths. Other annotations record his relationship to certain family members, and he identified his two namesakes as well as his father's half-siblings. Though most branches of the family remained in Massachusetts, others lived as far away as Michigan, Texas, and California. Several generations of the Gotee family, ancestors of Ephraim's wife, Hanna Melissa Gotee, are also represented.

The genealogical information is supplemented by a half-page dedication note and 3 pages of family history. This additional information briefly relates some events from the lives of Oliver Williams and his son, Ephraim Smith Williams, including Oliver's experiences as an early settler in Detroit, Michigan, and as a British prisoner during the War of 1812. Other topics include a description of travel between Detroit and Saginaw, Michigan, in the 1810s and 1820s, and observations about the region's development, especially the diminishing Native American presence. Also included are brief biographical notes regarding Ephraim Smith Williams.

Collection

Western Reserve (Ohio) collection, 1796-1808, 1814

24 items

The Western Reserve (Ohio) collection contains documents related to the sale and purchase of land in the Western Reserve and in the state of Ohio, shortly after it gained statehood.

The Western Reserve (Ohio) collection contains 24 legal documents, dating 1796-1808 and 1814, which relate to the purchase of land in the Western Reserve. Many of the items document land purchases by Nathan Elliott of Hartford, Connecticut. The collection includes Elliot's land deeds for "fifteen hundred twelve hundred thousandths" of the total Reserve for $1575 (April 13, 1796), "nine hundred twelve hundred thousandths" for $2000 (July 27, 1796), and "one thousand six hundred and thirty twelve hundred thousandths" for $3260 (July 28, 1796). Also present are a certificate for one share in the Connecticut Land Company and several land deeds related to James K. Garnsey. Four documents dated May 27, 1805, concern land purchased "at Public vendue, " lying south of Lake Erie, and referred to as 'sufferers land'. These list the names of early settlers and their payments.

One document dated June 24, 1814, reflects the sale of six lots of land in Ashtabula County, Ohio, by Revolutionary War veteran Nehemiah Hubbard (of Middleton, Connecticut) to Ladock Mann for the sum of $4,000. Witnessed by Nathan Strong and Sally Strong.

Collection

Cuba collection, circa 1748, 1798, 1824, 1830-1899 (majority within 1845-1858, 1865-1883)

0.25 linear feet

The Cuba collection contains around 91 individual manuscripts (mostly documents) related to the economic, racial, and political history of Cuba largely from the early to the late 19th century. The collection primarily focuses on the indentured servitude of Chinese workers, as well as Cuba's enslavement, trade, and manumission of largely African people. Another subset of the materials relates to 19th century insurrections and filibusters on the Island, including the López Expedition and Cuban resistance pertinent to the Ten Years' War.

The Cuba collection contains around 91 individual manuscripts (mostly documents) related to the economic, racial, and political history of Cuba largely from the early to the late 19th century. The collection primarily focuses on the indentured servitude of Chinese workers, as well as Cuba's enslavement, slave trading, and manumission of largely African people. Another subset of the materials relates to 19th century insurrections and filibusters on the Island, including the López Expedition and Cuban resistance pertinent to the Ten Years' War. The collection includes correspondence, documents, business records, citizenship certificates, death records, and contracts. The bulk of the materials were created in or relate to activities or people in Havana. Others relate to Santiago de Cuba.

Please see the box and folder listing below for details about each item in the collection.

Collection

Western America collection, 1820-ca. 1898

0.25 linear feet

The Western America collection is a group of miscellaneous individual items relating to the settlement of the western United States, including present-day Wisconsin, California, Oregon, and Missouri.

The Western America collection contains 39 miscellaneous individual items relating to the settlement of the western part of the United States, including present-day Wisconsin, Missouri, Oregon, California, Iowa, Minnesota, Nevada, North Dakota, and Wyoming. The items span 1820 to ca. 1898, with the bulk of materials concentrated around the 1840s and 1850s. They pertain to numerous topics related to western expansion, and include descriptions of growing towns, discussions of economic opportunities and hardships, references to social customs and mores on the frontier, and scattered mentions of relations with Native Americans.

A few items of note include:
  • A letter of May 20, 1832, discussing the Black Hawk War, murder by a prostitute and community backlash against her, and the tarring and feathering of an African American man.
  • A description of the Oregon Territory by a recent female settler [ca. 1838].
  • A frustrated miner's description of his bad luck in Placerville, California [ca. 1851].
  • A letter from Santa Clara, California, concerning the love affair of a miner's wife, and the husband's subsequent abandonment of her and their child with the remark that "such is life in Cal." (June 26-28, 1854)
  • A July 15, 1876, description of Geneva, Minnesota, including its ethnic mix, farming prospects, and food.
  • A May 21, 1889, letter from a woman to her husband describing the cable-cars and schools of San Francisco, California.
Collection

Samuel Coates collection, 1772-[ca. 1809]

12 items

This collection contains correspondence, documents, and a poem related to Philadelphia merchant Samuel Coates, including Coates's recounting of Mayhew Folger's discovery of the HMS Bounty mutineers' colony on Pitcairn Island, correspondence concerning nautical travel in 18th-century New York and contemporary opinions on the American Revolution. Four items relate to the late Doctor Samuel Cooper, for whom Coates served as estate executor.

This collection contains correspondence, documents, and a poem related to Philadelphia merchant Samuel Coates. Most of the material consists of incoming personal letters addressed to Coates, including three letters by Richard Dimsdale, who recounted his recent nautical travels around New York City and throughout the state of New York (June 29, 1773) and provided his opinion on recent social unrest in the colonies (September 9, 1775). Another acquaintance, Joseph Pemberton, inquired about food prices in Philadelphia during the Revolutionary War, and shared his desire for Washington to surround General Howe and secure victory (January 23, 1777). Additional incoming items include a letter from Ezekiel Edwards (October 25, 1772), a shipping receipt (December 18, 1772), and a letter from William Jones concerning the estate of the late Samuel Cooper (February 4, 1799). The collection also holds three items written by Samuel Coates: a letter to Moses Brown describing a recent epidemic and conditions in the Pennsylvania Hospital (October 30, 1798); a letter about Samuel Cooper's estate (December 6, 1806); and a letter from Samuel Coates to Henry Clifton (ca. 1809) containg whaling captain Mayhew Folger's account of his discovery of a colony on Pitcairn Island consisting of the widows, children, and last survivor of the HMS Bounty mutineers. Additional material includes an indenture apprenticing Samuel Cooper to Samuel Clark, Bartholomew Wistar, and Samuel Coates, managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital (January 1, 1793), and a poem written by Enoch Lewis in memory of Samuel Cooper (September 6, [1798]).

Collection

Boston (Mass.) photographs, ca. 1905

1 volume

This collection consists of photographs of Boston, Massachusetts, and other New England towns, taken around the turn of the 20th century. The collection includes pictures of commercial and municipal buildings, battleships, and city landmarks.

This collection consists of photographs of Boston, Massachusetts, and other New England towns, taken around the turn of the 20th century. The collection includes pictures of commercial and municipal buildings, battleships, and city landmarks.

Large format photographs show a variety of Boston scenes, including commercial streets and buildings, harbor views, waterfront parks, the USS Hartford and USS New York, a streetcar station and tracks, a horse-drawn firefighting ladder truck, and a crowd waching the launch of an unrigged yacht in Boston Harbor. Buildings depicted include Faneuil Hall, the Jordan Marsh department store, and the U.S. Customhouse. A scene on the Boston Common shows the statue of George Washington being decorated, with a crowd of pedestrians including a Civil War veteran wearing a uniform with medals. Also included is a photograph of the Witch House in Salem, Mass., former residence of Joseph Corwin, a judge at the Salem witch trials; and a collision of two locomotives with a photographer on the scene, possibly staged. The first image (10cm x 14.5cm), an overhead view of Charlestown and the Bunker Hill Monument, is affixed to a wall calendar for the year 1884; all of its removable monthly pages are still intact. The calendar was presented with "Compliments of Annie T. Smith."

Collection

Saratoga Prisoners of War collection, 1778

6 items

This collection is made up of correspondence regarding prisoners of war during the American Revolution, particularly members of the Convention Army. The letters address topics such as prisoners' injuries, parole, and labor.

This collection (6 items) is made up of correspondence regarding prisoners of war during the American Revolution, particularly members of the "Convention Army," made up of prisoners from the Battle of Saratoga. Several items refer to Major General William Heath and British Major General William Phillips. The letters pertain to passes, prisoners' treatment, parole, and a road-building project in Pennsylvania. See the Detailed Box and Folder Listing for more information on each item.

Collection

Pennsylvania Civil War pollbook collection, 1864

3 volumes

The Pennsylvania Civil War pollbook collection contains pollbooks documenting the absentee voting of residents of four Pennsylvania counties during the Civil War, who were in Company C, 11th Pennsylvania Infantry; Company E, 198th Pennsylvania Infantry; and a detachment at Camp Biddle near Philadelphia.

The Pennsylvania Civil War pollbook collection contains three poll books with records of the 1864 election, held October 11, 1864, for soldiers in the field voting by absentee ballot in Pennsylvania.

The book for residents of Westmoreland County within Company C, 11th Pennsylvania Infantry, documents many aspects of the election. These include its location (Fort Dushane in Dinwiddie County, Virginia), the names of the poll officials, the names and residences of the 15 soldiers who voted, and the number of votes received by various candidates. The offices up for election were U.S. Representative, State Representative, Prothonotary, Clerk of Quarter Sessions and Oyer and Terminer, County Commissioner, Director of the Poor, County Auditor, and Trustees of Academy.

The book for voters of Philadelphia and Delaware Counties within Company E, 198th Pennsylvania Infantry, contains similar information for their election, held at "Camp near Petersburg." It includes the names and addresses of 31 voters, as well as names of candidates and number of votes each received for the following offices: U.S. Representative, State Representative, State Senator, Sheriff, Register, Clerk of Orphans' Court, Coroner, County Commissioner, Director of the Poor, County Auditor, Reviewer of Taxes, and City Commissioner.

The pollbook for residents of Wyoming County, within a detachment at Camp Biddle, contains the voting record of just one man, Albert Strong of Northmoreland Township.

Collection

Haiti collection, 1761-1826, 1856, 1895, 1954

0.5 linear feet

The Haiti collection contains approximately 132 items related to the social, military, and economic history of Haiti from the mid-18th century through the 19th century. The collection includes correspondence, documents, and a scrapbook. The scrapbook, compiled by Victor Advielle, chronicles the history of the island from 1803, during the last stages of its revolution, through the 1890s.

The Haiti collection contains approximately 130 items related to the social, military, and economic history of Haiti from the mid-18th century through the 19th century. The collection includes correspondence, documents, visual material, and a scrapbook. The scrapbook, compiled by Victor Advielle, chronicles the history of the island from 1803, during the last stages of its revolution, through the 1890s.

Selected items include:
  • Bonneau et Avril DS, Journal des travaux..., September 1780. La Grande Plaine, [St. Domingue]. Beginning with a list of enslaved persons by profession/type of labor or other details (six women, for example, are indicated as free per the will of M. Baugé). The journal follows, indicating plantation events and the distribution of enslaved workers at different labor or at the hospital. With content related to mill work, sugar production, placing persons in irons, and more.
  • Lory, Plombard & Co. ALS to Mr. Guillaumier; November 6, 1783. Cap. News of his brother, finances, and matters relating to enslaved persons (including their health).
  • [Jean-Baptiste] Arnaudeau ALS to Madame Veuve Fleuriau, January 26, 1788; Bellevue, [Saint Domingue]. To his aunt, offering condolences on the death of her husband. Recommends buying the Fortin land as it is good for cultivating sugar cane. Purchase of enslaved persons for a good price (10 men and 2 women). Production of sugar and land on the Fleuriau plantation.
  • Legal document from 1790 relating to the complicated distribution of Pierre Douault's estate, including the coffee plantation he owned in Saint Domingue.
  • Delaire, Painparay & La Maiguere ALS to M. Peyrac, 1791 December 24; Nantes, [France]. 2 pages. Has received news from Port-au-Prince about the ratification of the treaty between "les Blancs & les Gens de couleur." Comments on how the gens de couleur have dictated the law, which is harsh against whites, but upholding it supports peace and protects property holders.
  • [Pierre-César-Charles, marquis de] Sercey Partially Printed DS to "l'enseigne St. Prix," 1793 September 1; [New York, New York], 1 page. In French. Written near the New York harbor aboard theÉole . Orders from Commander of the Leeward Islands, "Le Commandant de la Station des Iles de L'Amérique Sous Le Vent," to embark on the frigate Surveillante to continue the ship's service. On illustrated letterhead with a decorative header; the portion featuring three fleurs-de-lis is inked out. N.B. Sercey commanded a fleet of ships carrying colonists fleeing from St. Domingue during the Haitian Revolution to New York and then on to France.
  • British officer L. Dichter letter, describing Haiti as the "Devil's own Country"; July 4, 1796.
  • An autographed letter by Toussaint L'Ouverture, written on his personal stationery; [1796].
  • Citoyen Dodge Gorham and Dodge Gorham et Compagnie partially printed certificates (2) and manuscript document (1) pertinent to the shipment of goods, including beef, on the ship Zéphir (Zephyr) September 12, 1797. Le Cap.
  • A deposition providing a firsthand account of revolutionary activity in 1793; October 25, 1799.
  • Lovise Munroe manuscript protest, 14 Fructidor [September 1, 1800]; Môle Saint-Nicolas, Saint Domingue. 6 pages. Official notary copy of the protest of Lovise Munroe, captain of the Schooner Two Brothers of Boston, which sailed out of Philadelphia bound with goods consigned to merchant John Lewis at Cap Français. Was forced into the port at Môle Saint-Nicolas, "having been Contraried by the Winds & Weather." General Hyacinthe Moïse ordered that Munroe would "be so good to land All the Articles Useful to the State, such as, Tar, Pitch, Gun-Powder, Muskets, Swords, Pistols, Lead, Bunting, Tin and Flints, these articles will be deposited in the Arsenal in the Manner Order'd and Citn. [Mansey] Colin charged with the sale of the Surplus of the Cargo, will take the Arrangements he shall think most suitable with General Moyse, for the reimbursement of these Articles and the best of his Interest." After the goods were sold, Lewis claimed that he did not receive any compensation for the long sojourn in Môle Saint-Nicolas, but instead needed money to pay for flour, cloth, and cordage for the vessel's use.
  • Robert McTaggart letter to Philadelphia merchants [John Reed, Standish Forde, and Samuel Israel]; January 18, 1804. Cap Français. Respecting trade issues, stagnant markets, spoiled produce, government restrictions on coffee purchases. Reference to ships at harbor and difficulties with French privateers.
  • Letter to Martin[-Pierre] Foache, April 6, 1804. Au Cap. Describes persecution of white residents preceding the massacre ordered by Jean-Jacques Dessalines.
  • A ca. 1815 legal summary of a case regarding the difficulties of collecting bills in post-revolutionary Saint Domingue. References the inability of the French merchant Reveliere to establish a trading house in Saint Domingue around 1802, which forced him to sell his cargo with a military contractor, but payment was later suspended by a governmental decree. Notes the impact on third-party bearers of the bills.
  • B[elfast] Burton [draft letters?] to [Richard Allen?], [1825]; Semana, Haiti. 2 pages. Two letters on opposite sides of a single sheet. Discussion of issues with Pierre Joseph Marie Granville (Jonathas Granville), governance, authority, "there is nothing equal to truth & honesty and industry..." Politics, meddling of Alexander, support but apprehensions regarding President Jean-Pierre Boyer, and the campaign to promote African American immigration to the Republic of Haiti.
  • Eugène-Léopold-François Pesnel DS petition to Faustin Soulouque, [1856?]; Cherbourg, [France]. 14 pages. Petition by Pesnel, requesting Empereur Soulouque to grant compensation to Marie Jeanne Pesnel, his mother, for property and proceeds lost as a result of the Haitian Revolution. Marie's father Thomas de Launay owned dwellings north of Cap Français and in Borgne. He had lived in Saint Domingue for 45 years before his death in 1781. The properties, including a cafeterie, had an annual profit of around 300,000 francs. The capital was 6,000,000 francs, which would have increased considerably in the hands of merchant de Launay and his descendants. Pesnel's request include a lengthy affirmation of his Republican sentiments, love of freedom, and dislike of slavery. The last page of the petition includes a transcription of a baptismal record of Marie Jeanne de Launay.

Other items are two photographs, a copy of L'Écho de la Timbrologie that traces the history of Haiti (January 31, 1954), a Carte de l'Isle de Saint Domingue ([1759], housed in the Map Division), a 1788 postmark from "Cap Haitien," and a newletter about French colonial postmarks.

Victor Advielle compiled the scrapbook, entitled Notes sur Haiti, in Paris in 1895. In addition to newspaper clippings, speeches, correspondence, and government documents, the volume has a piece of music entitled "Les paroles sont de Mr. de la Soriniere danjou, Et la Musique de Mr. Boran de St. Domingue." The scrapbook pertains to Haiti's 19th-century history. The section entitled "Ma Correspondence avec Légitime" contains personal correspondence between Victor Advielle and François Denys Légitime, who later became president of Haiti (1888-1889). The material within the scrapbook is in French.

Collection

William Quitman Wilkins diary, 1869

1 volume

William Quitman Wilkins kept this daily diary from January 1, 1869, through April 27, 1869, largely while attending medical school at the University of Louisiana and receiving clinical training at the Charity Hospital of New Orleans. He reported on case studies, operations, recommended treatments, pharmaceuticals, post mortem examinations, tests, and other aspects of his education. Wilkins also reported on his evening and weekend social activities, including attendance at concerts, operas, "varieties," Mardi Gras, and other events.

William Quitman Wilkins' kept this daily diary from January 1, 1869, through April 27, 1869, largely while attending medical school at the University of Louisiana (now Tulane University) and receiving clinical training at the Charity Hospital of New Orleans. He reported on case studies, operations, recommended treatments, pharmaceuticals, post mortem examinations, tests, and other aspects of his education. Wilkins kept his diary in a pre-printed "Patent Self Closing Diary for 1869."

The physicians he studied under included Drs. Frank Hawthorn, J. D. or S. M. Bemiss, Stanford E. Chaille, Warren Stone, and others. Examples of conditions represented in Wilkins' notes include dysentery "from alcoholic poison," pneumonia, typhoid, gangrene of the penis, delirium tremens from the use of opium, malaria, syphilis, constipation, chorea (in a ten year old), opium poisoning, suffocation from hemorrhage, and other ailments. He also wrote of smallpox vaccination and amputations. In one instance, he witnessed an African American woman's operation for "skirrus" (i.e. scirrhous) cancer of the breast (February 27).

In the evenings and on weekends, he attended concerts, "varieties," operas, and plays. He met Tom Thumb and visited Henry Clay's monument on Canal Street (January 9), watched James Robinson & Son (January 18), attended a performance of Fire Fly (January 21), assisted in the wedding of his aunt Sallie and uncle John (January 28), reported on Mardi Gras (February 9), and witnessed the Fireman's Festival and Parade (March 4).

W. Q. Wilkins had apparently received a gunshot wound in his leg/hip and toward the end of the term he underwent surgery to remove bone fragments (March 12). He left New Orleans on March 18, and arrived home in Oxford, Mississippi, the next day. After his arrival, he suffered for weeks with chills, a fever, and leg abscesses. During this time, he briefly mentioned family visitors, reading, taking invoices of drugs, and much bedrest. On April 3, Dr. Isom (possibly Dr. Thomas Dudley Isom [1816-1902]) removed two more bone fragments from his leg. By April 27, his health had improved and he began to study his textbooks once again.

The final 24 pages of the diary contain notes for one of Dr. Chaille's tests, lists of medicines, Medical Association of Lafayette County's fees for various medical treatments, names and addresses, and other notes.

Collection

William D. Wilkins recipe book, 19th century

1 volume

This recipe book, which belonged to William D. Wilkins of Detroit, Michigan, in the mid-19th century, contains instructions for making several kinds of baked goods and puddings.

This recipe book (80 pages, not all of which are used), belonged to William D. Wilkins of Detroit, Michigan, in the mid-19th century. The first 33 pages consist of recipes for cakes, cookies, gingerbreads, puddings, jellies, "domestic yeast" (p. 27), "hop beer" (p. 31), and a "knickerbocker pickle" (pp. 53-54). The volume also contains instructions for using molasses as a preservative (p. 28), dyeing paper blue, and calculating a numerical puzzle (pp. 62-63). Page 51 includes a brief record of accounts with Ann English; one entry gives the value of a bonnet.

Collection

Helen L. Wild diary, 1906

1 volume

Helen L. Wild kept this diary immediately following the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. Wild described the state of the city, fires, her family's experiences, residential and commercial displacement, and other effects of the event on the city and its residents.

Helen L. Wild, a San Francisco teenager, kept this diary, titled "The San Francisco Earthquake, Being the Impressions of One H. Wild Who Stood it all Even to Eating Relief Food and Is, So Far, Alive to Tell the Tale," during and in the days following the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. Wild described the state of the city, fires, her family's experiences, residential and commercial displacement, and other effects of the event on the city and its residents.

Wild began the diary on April 18, 1906, with a description of the earthquake and immediately resulting fires. Later that day, she visited some heavily damaged sections of the city, including the downtown business district, and commented on the flames then engulfing Market Street and other areas. She and her family temporarily evacuated their home and slept in a tent alongside others at a local park. Wild continued to write throughout the following weeks and reported on aspects of the rebuilding process, such as relief efforts and the gradual restoration of normalcy. She also included some personal reflections about the disaster. Wild maintained the diary until May 2, 1906.

Collection

E. E. Wilcox journal, 1893-1896, [1917]

1 volume

Edward E. Wilcox, a native of Franklin County, New York, wrote narrative recollections of hunting trips, painted watercolors, created sketches and drawings, and pasted photographs and newspaper clippings in this volume around the 1890s. Most of the material concerns hunting and fishing excursions in northern New York and southern Québec.

Edward E. Wilcox, a native of Franklin County, New York, wrote narrative recollections of hunting trips, painted watercolors, created sketches and drawings, and pasted photographs and newspaper clippings in this journal from approximately 1893-1896. Most of the material concerns hunting and fishing excursions in northern New York and southern Québec. The volume contains 200 pages, not all of which are used.

Wilcox wrote a 2-page introduction on June 2, 1893, intending to record details of his life for friends and family to discover after his death. In approximately 43 additional pages of prose, he wrote about his courtship with and wedding to Clara Stuart, his early years in New York City, numerous hunting and fishing trips in northern New York, and a summer vacation in New Hampshire and Québec. Two of the accounts describe a salmon run and an encounter with bears, and one pertains to a youthful prank. Some of the journal's watercolors, drawings, and sketches illustrate aspects of Wilcox's travel stories; most depict hunters, fishers, fish, rowboats, cabins, and woodland scenery. One pencil drawing utilizes shading to create the illusion of a nighttime view and appropriate shadows. Photographs include a picture of a man in a military uniform posing by a paper globe and paper cannonballs (possibly taken around 1917), studio portraits of an unidentified man and woman, a studio portrait of a man in his underwear, views of steamboats in a canal or lock, pictures of cacti in a desert, and a picture of hunters in a wooded area. Also present are interior shots of a shipping or similar commercial office and a man working in an enclosed office space, as well as street scenes. Two newspaper clippings concern E. E. Wilcox's use of shed human skin as a painting canvas and a painting he made as a young man.

Collection

Francis Wickham diary, 1796

1 volume

The Francis Wickham diary contains entries for August-October 1796, when Wickham served with the British Royal Navy in Martinique. He wrote about Martinique's wildlife, navy life, travels, and other topics.

The Francis Wickham diary contains approximately 75 pages of entries, covering August 23-October 5, 1796, while Wickham served with the British Royal Navy in Martinique. In his diary, Wickham wrote articulately about the climate, plant and animal life, habits of the British sailors, places he visited, and the ubiquity of illness among the sailors.

In early entries, Wickham showed a particular interest in Martinique's wildlife and climate. He described birds and speculated about their migrations (August 24, 1796), discussed fruits, reptiles, and insects, and in several entries, expressed sadness at the high mortality rate for the British in Martinique, which he attributed to the "vile" climate (September 20, 1796). He also frequently commented on the habits of the British sailors, including their tendency toward melancholy (August 27, 1796), the "riot and debauchery" in which they participated, and their love of "accursed grog" (September 4, 1796).

In later entries, Wickham wrote more frequently about travel and political events. On September 10, 1796, he described a trip to Lamantine, a small town in eastern Martinique, where he visited a market and was offended by several Frenchmen playing billiards on a Sunday. He also noted his surprise about a visit from Sir Hyde Parker, Jr., and gave accounts of several political developments, such as Admiral Joseph de Richery's escape from Cadiz, Spain, and the activities of privateers, whom he called "perfect desperadoes each arm'd with a brace of pistols and cutlass" (September 14, 1796). In late September, he expressed anxiety that he and others would be stationed in a more dangerous climate, and gave an account of magical powers used by a local woman after the poisoning of several slaves (September 23, 1796). In early October, he described his trip to Fort Royal and St. Pierre, Martinique, and a play he attended called "Two Misers." Wickham's last entry in the volume on October 5, 1796, is lengthy; it describes an upcoming exchange of prisoners with the French, as well as the annoyance Wickham and other sailors felt in the presence of Admiral Parker, who had been "order'd from this station."

Collection

B. Whitney travel diary, 1816

1 volume

This diary (4"x5.75", 105 pages) contains a traveler's impressions while visiting Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., from November 9, 1816-November 26, 1816.

This diary (4" x 5.75", 105 pages) contains a traveler's impressions while visiting Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., from November 9, 1816-November 26, 1816.

Whitney began his travels in New York City on November 9, when he embarked for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After remaining at Philadelphia for several days, he traveled to Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Following a brief return to Baltimore, he set out for New York, where he arrived on November 26. Throughout his travels, done primarily by steamboat and stage, Whitney noted the quality of his accommodations, both in the major cities and in smaller towns. He wrote more detailed descriptions of his main destinations and of his activities, which included visits to famous locations such as the White House, United States Capitol, and Fort McHenry. While in Washington, D.C., Whitney attended a session of Congress. In addition to sightseeing, he took an interest in mechanical processes, and described visits to a cannon foundry and two glassworks, among other excursions.

Collection

Phebe Whitford diary, 1862

1 volume

Eliza "Phebe" Whitford kept her diary between January 1 and December 31, 1862, recording her itinerant life away from home with various relatives in Cattaraugus County, New York, and reflecting on her psychological and religious inner life. She recorded her diary entries in the regular blank pages of a small (3.25 x 2.5") printed volume, "Daily Texts, with Verses of Hymns: Adapted for General Use" (N.Y.: American Tract Society, n.d.). Phebe Whitford was a Seventh Day Baptist and attended regular services and meetings. She ruminated on her faith and on her anxious and nervous state, noting that when disappointed she was apt to distrust God. She remarked on hearing Elder [Julius M.?] Todd (passim) and Silas Burdick (March 22) preach, friends going off to fight in the Civil War (June 30), attendance at a Gerrit Smith meeting (July 20), the arrival of a "real smart" fugitive slave in town (August 8), and the presence of an African American man named West at their meeting (August 10). She also attended singing school and practiced on the melodeon.

Eliza "Phebe" Whitford kept her diary between January 1 and December 31, 1862, recording her itinerant life away from home with various relatives in Cattaraugus County, New York, and reflecting on her psychological and religious inner life. She recorded her diary entries in the regular blank pages of a small (3.25 x 2.5") printed volume, "Daily Texts, with Verses of Hymns: Adapted for General Use" (N.Y.: American Tract Society, n.d.).

Phebe Whitford was a Seventh Day Baptist and attended regular services and meetings. She ruminated on her faith and on her anxious and nervous state, noting that when disappointed she was apt to distrust God. She remarked on hearing Elder [Julis M.?] Todd (passim) and Silas Burdick (March 22) preach, friends going off to fight in the Civil War (June 30), attendance at a Gerrit Smith meeting (July 20), the arrival of a "real smart" fugitive slave in town (August 8), and the presence of an African American man named West at their meeting (August 10). She also attended singing school and practiced on the melodeon.

Collection

William White Sermon, Of Anticipation of Heaven, [18th-19th century]

1 volume

In this 68-page sermon, Bishop William White of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania explored the topic of salvation and the Christian promise of heaven.

In this 68-page sermon, Bishop William White of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania explored the topic of salvation and the Christian promise of heaven.

White's sermon, titled "Of Anticipation of Heaven" and numbered 159 in a series, concerns doctrines of salvation and the promise of heaven. White discussed related topics such as good works, the "fruits of the spirit," and spiritual changes within recent converts.

William White made annotations to the sermon; some revisions appear on tipped-in or pasted-in pieces of paper and others were made in red ink. Passages from scripture are identified by notes in red ink at the bottom of each page. George Macpherson, White's great-grandson, had the original pages re-bound in the late 19th century, pasted White's autograph onto the front cover, and presented the volume to George W. Childs as a gift. His February 26, 1882, letter bequeathing the book to Childs is laid into the volume.

Collection

John Wheeler journal and essays, 1859

1 volume

This volume contains a journal and two essays composed by New Hampshire native John Wheeler in 1859. He kept the journal between December 1858 and September 1859, detailing his experiences after moving to Albemarle County, Virginia, to teach school. He later wrote an essay in which he reflected on the cultural differences between New England and Virginia. In a second essay, he discussed "the three learned professions": law, medicine, and divinity.

This volume (205 pages) contains a journal and two essays composed by New Hampshire native John Wheeler in 1859. He kept a journal of his travel to, and experiences teaching in, Albemarle County, Virginia, between December 1858 and October 1859 (pp. 1-137); wrote an essay based on his experiences, focusing on cultural differences between New England and Virginia (pp. 139-174); and composed an essay on the professions of law, medicine, and divinity (pp. 187-216).

The first, and largest, portion of the volume is the journal Wheeler kept between December 1858 and October 1859, while he traveled to Albemarle County, Virginia, to teach school. The first two pages contain an introductory essay on the virtues of traveling, and pages 3 through 21 recount his journey from New Hampshire to Virginia, beginning on December 21, 1858. He mentioned multiple sightseeing destinations along the way, including Plymouth Rock (p. 5), and arrived in Charlottesville, Virginia, on December 31 (pp. 16-17). There, he made the acquaintance of the Durrett family, with whom he remained close throughout his stay in the South.

Wheeler began to keep regular journal entries on January 1, 1859 (p. 21), and thoroughly described his life as a schoolteacher, as well as his impressions of southern scenery and customs. Many entries mention the violent treatment of slaves, including men being lashed for stealing a pig (p. 77) and a legal case that ended with the sentence of execution (p. 84). Wheeler often attended religious services, commented on southern hospitality, and described the scenery, particularly the Blue Ridge Mountains. Wheeler did not keep his journal between January 23 (p. 67) and July 4 (p. 70), though he recorded the dates of planting and ripening of several crops (p. 68).

Wheeler left Albemarle County on September 26 (p. 121) and traveled to Luray, Virginia, where he witnessed the hanging of a female slave (pp. 123-126). From there, he traveled to Alexandria, where he provided a detailed account of a visit to Mount Vernon, home of George Washington (October 8, pp. 132-137). The journal concludes with a brief closing statement on page 137.

In the second section is an essay that Wheeler composed after he returned to his home in New Hampshire (pp. 139-174). He wrote about his impressions of the South and his experiences, often commenting on the differences between customs in Virginia and in New England.

The third part of the volume contains an essay about the history and characteristics of "the three learned professions": law, medicine, and divinity. It begins on page 197 and continues through page 216, though pages 176 to 184 are blank.

Three clippings from published works are laid into the journal: an image of King Umberto I of Italy, recently assassinated (pp. 174-175); and two pages of poetry (pp. 180-181).

Collection

Davenport West collection, 1945

18 items

This collection contains reports, notes, and manuscript maps related to the actions of Task Force Poinier, a United States Army unit, between March and April 1945, as well as a narrative account of the 331st Infantry's experiences in France in January 1945. The reports provide detailed records of American military operations as Allied forces progressed eastward across Germany in the closing months of World War II.

This collection contains 3 reports, 3 pages of notes, 11 manuscript maps, and a narrative account of the 331st Infantry Regiment's experiences in France in January 1945, written by Technical Sergeant Davenport West. The reports provide detailed records of American military operations as Allied forces progressed eastward across Germany in the closing months of World War II.

The S-3 Worksheets series contains 3 typed reports on the actions of various units including Task Force Poinier (comprised of companies from the 88th Reconnaissance Squadron; the 18th Tank Battalion; the 809th Tank Destroyer Battalion; and the 7th Armored Infantry Battalion).

The first document (5 pages, incomplete) is a list of communications received from various units moving east through Germany toward the Rhine River on March 1 and 2, 1945. These communications often reported encounters with enemy troops and occasionally relayed information received from captured prisoners of war. The battalion receiving the communications was stationed in Wankum, Germany, near the country's western border.

The second report (20 pages) is comprised of daily communications compiled throughout March 1945. The typescript has occasional manuscript revisions and marginal notes. During the first part of the month, soldiers remained in camp and spent most of their time participating in training exercises, and on March 24 they began making preparations to join other troops attempting to cross the Rhine River. The orders received on March 24 pertain to several tactical considerations for the upcoming military action to establish an Allied line between Hamm and Soest, Germany. The resulting battle to capture the town of Dorsten is covered in detail between March 28 and March 31.

The third S-3 worksheet, an incomplete copy of a report entitled "Secret After Action Report" (2 pages), contains daily updates on Task Force Poinier's progress through Germany between April 1, 1945, and April 4, 1945.

The Manuscript Narrative and Notes series includes a narrative account and 3 pages of miscellaneous notes. The narrative is entitled "Travels of Too Bad: Le Havre to Herzberg," and chronicles an unidentified unit's experiences between January 5 and January 12, 1945, written by "an informal EM" (p. 1). After landing on January 5, the unit traveled through northern France, and the author described the countryside and the army's movements. Though the narrative ends near Nomény, [France], on January 12, a table of contents indicates that the full document was intended to conclude after the author's unit moved into Herzberg, Germany. The narrative is accompanied by 3 pages of notes.

Ten Manuscript Maps show various sections of Germany that the 7th Armored Infantry Battalion crossed in March and April 1945. These include detailed battle maps showing the location of various American units, as well as overlays of the battalion's route. An additional map is a sketch of the town of Dorsten, Germany.

Collection

James West, Elements of Navigation, 1785

1 volume

Elements of Navigation, a manuscript adaptation of John Robertson’s work of the same name, provides instruction and practical exercises in arithmetic, geometry, trigonometry, geography, astronomy, and navigational principles (781 pages). The volume is heavily illustrated with mathematical diagrams. It also contains a 1785 copy of a ship log for a 1772 voyage from England to Madeira, (21 pages).

"Elements of Navigation," a manuscript adaptation of John Robertson’s work of the same name, provides instruction and practical exercises in arithmetic, geometry, trigonometry, geography, astronomy, and navigational principles (781 pages). The volume is illustrated with mathematical diagrams. It also contains a 1785 copy of a ship's log for a 1772 voyage from England to Madeira (21 pages). The book is divided into 14 primary chapters, 11 of them preceded by an ink or watercolor illustration of buildings, ships, and places, such as the watercolor drawings "The Desire in a Storm" and "A west View of Islington, old Church." (See below for complete list.) Several chapters are further divided into sections, and most chapters or sections are followed by problems, questions, case studies, answers, and explanations. Please see the box and folder listing below for a table of contents.

The volume begins with explanations of basic mathematical principles, including arithmetic operations, decimals and fractions, roots and powers, notation, and "Tables of English Money, Weights, and Measures" (pp. 9 verso-10 verso). This chapter is followed by theorems and problems of geometry and trigonometry. The subsequent section on geography contains prose explanations of the discipline's foundations, such as the shape of the Earth, the concept of latitude and longitude, and the currently known world. Remarks on the continents are accompanied by tables showing major countries, principal cities, rivers, and mountains. The tables for North and South America are split, and individual states within the United States are identified as "countries," as are California, New Mexico, Old Mexico, Louisiana, Canada, New Britain, New Wales, and others. Introductory geographic material also includes content on winds, tides, and bodies of water. A segment on "chronology" introduces several scales for measuring time, and explains the reasoning behind concepts such as the leap year and the "Golden Number" (pp. 147-147 verso).

The remainder of the work focuses on the art of maritime navigation. Several topics include: the calculation of compound courses, oblique and windward sailing, sailing in currents, and globular sailing. The sections devoted to each topic are comprised primarily of rules or theorems, exercises, and illustrations of practical applicability. A chapter on "spherics" introduces spherical geometry and trigonometry. Two chapters on astronomy explain concepts in "star astronomy," "terrestrial astronomy," and "spherical astronomy," such as the composition of the Solar System, planetary movements, and mathematical applications. The final 80 pages contain information on the art of sailing and expand on principles previously discussed. These pages include instructions on how to calculate the location of a ship at sea, make necessary observations, and correct a ship's course, among other similar topics.

The final 21 pages consist of a log from an unknown ship traveling from England to Madeira in 1772, transcribed by James West in 1785. Between July 2 and July 11, the log contains notes on the weather, wind direction, and general remarks of occurrences on board as the ship prepared for its journey at Deptford, London. On one occasion, the author mentioned a sailor being disciplined for drunkenness (July 3). Between July 12 and July 28, the log documents the weather, wind direction, ship's location, use of various sails, and other information compiled throughout the course of each day. The ship arrived at Madeira on July 28. The log is followed by a brief note by James West concerning the location of Funchal, Madeira.

The non-mathematical illustrations separating the book's chapters are done in ink or watercolor, and depict rural scenes and sailing ships.

These are:
  • [View of a village, with a man fishing in a river], p. 2
  • [View of a river, with a cylindrical building in the foreground and a church in the background], p. 76
  • [View of an arched gateway, with attached buildings and bridge], p. 114
  • [View of a stone building with a high-peaked roof, alongside a body of water], p. 138
  • "The Victor in a calm sea," p. 187
  • [Oval-framed view of two persons sitting beside a river, with a ship and fortifications in the background], p. 202
  • "The Desire in a Storm," p. 223
  • [Oval-framed view of a small sailing vessel on shore beside a stone building], p. 241
  • "A west View of Islington, Old Church," p. 267
  • "Teneirs House," p. 319
  • "At Abingdon 1782," p. 349

The royal coat of arms of the British monarch is imprinted on the volume's front and back covers.

Collection

Piñon Lodge, Crystal, New Mexico Photograph Album, approximately 1925

49 photographs in 1 album.

The Piñon Lodge, Crystal, New Mexico photograph album contains 49 photographs of log buildings and other structures of Piñon Lodge in Crystal, New Mexico, and picturesque views of the surrounding area.

The Piñon Lodge, Crystal, New Mexico photograph album contains 49 photographs of log buildings and other structures of Piñon Lodge in Crystal, New Mexico, and picturesque views of the surrounding area. The album (18.5 x 29 cm) has string-bound black leather covers and is partially disbound. Individual photographs are affixed to black paper leaves, with sketches of desert scenes and captions drawn in the margins with white ink; on the verso of the front cover is a sketch of a man in Western wear on horseback, signed by W. E. Wells.

Images of include views from locations such as Bridge Canyon, Bonito Canyon, Canyon de Chelly, Canyon del Muerto, ruins in Chaco Canyon, Coal Canyon, the Four Corners Region, the Grand Canyon, Inscription Rock at El Morro (with a photograph of the Spanish inscription from 1620), the Arizona village of Kayenta, Monument Valley, Painted Desert, petrified forests, Rainbow Bridge, and the Venus Needle near Crystal. Pictures of Native Americans, mainly focusing on the Navajo, include views of Navajo hogans, a loom, and women on the steps of Piñon Lodge; the Hopi settlement of Hotevilla, with corn drying on the rooftops of pueblo dwellings; and a Zuni pueblo with Thunder Mountain in the distance. Opposite several photographs are pasted typescript copies of a Piñon Lodge advertisement which includes a sample trip itinerary and describes the region's attractions for camping and hiking.

Collection

Joseph Foster correspondence, 1835

6 items

This collection is made up of correspondence and documents concerning a dispute between Joseph Foster of Warner, New Hampshire, and the Warner Congregational Church. Foster exchanged letters and signed statements with the church's pastor, Jubilee Wellman, about his attempts to atone for (unspecified) improper financial conduct.

This collection contains 6 incoming and outgoing letters and documents (20 pages) concerning a dispute between Joseph Foster of Warner, New Hampshire, and the Warner Congregational Church. Foster exchanged letters and signed statements with the church's pastor, Jubilee Wellman, about his attempts to atone for (unspecified) improper financial conduct.

The first item in the collection is Foster's signed statement confessing to financial transgressions (January 17, 1835), and the remaining 5 items relate to allegations later lodged by James Straw, a fellow church member, concerning Foster's atonement. Straw believed that Foster had not fulfilled the terms of his official confession. Reverend Jubilee Wellman later presented Foster with a formal list of charges and provided minutes from a meeting that had convened to discuss Foster's actions. After being found guilty by a unanimous vote, Foster wrote to Wellman, expressing his sadness at being estranged from the congregation (September 1, 1835). The final letter is Wellman's response to Foster, in which he gave further information about the charges and evidence against Foster and encouraged him to seek repentance (8 pages, September 21, 1835).

Collection

Eagleswood Academy photograph album, 1863-ca. 1890

1 volume

The Eagleswood Academy album is a 50 page cartes de visite album given to Theodore Weld by his former students at Eagleswood Academy in Perth Amboy, New Jersey on November 23, 1863. The 24 x 31 cm album has a brown leather cover, entitled "Theodore D. Weld" in gilt inlay. The album contains 194 photographs the majority of which are cartes de visite with some tintypes and gem tintypes interspersed. All of the photographs in the album are studio portraits. Most are presumably former students of Eagleswood Academy. Many of the individuals in the album are unidentified. Four loose items are also present in the album: an 1895 lithograph portrait of John Adams; a calling card for Mrs. Silas F. Overton; a calling card for a Miss Moseley; and a list of names, presumably of people within the album, that seems to have been created at a later date, presumably by Weld's daughter Sarah Grimké Weld Hamilton.

The Eagleswood Academy photograph album consists of a single bound volume of carte de visite photographs tucked into the pages along with some gem tintypes, one of which is encased. The album contains slots for four different photographs on each page. There are 169 cartes de visite in the album, all of them studio portraits of either individuals or small groups. There are also a few instances where gem tintypes are placed within the same slot as a carte de visite.

The album appears to have been gifted to Theodore Weld in 1863 from his former students. While many of the photographs were likely present in the album at that time, it appears that other photographs were added through the 1870s and possibly later. The photographs are mostly of Weld's former students, though some are individuals who appear to have no explicit connection with the school.

Enclosed in the album is a folded sheet of paper containing a list of names. Individuals on this list partially correspond to the physical order within the album. The list appears to have been created during the late 1860's and amended up until approximately 1877. Asterisks seem to indicate that the person had passed away, though in some cases the individuals without asterisks on the list had been dead for years prior. It appears that no new entries were added after 1877. The authorship of the list is uncertain, but appears to have been Sarah Grimké Weld Hamilton.

In 1886 Theodore Weld began reaching out to former students for additional photographs to put together in an album. Some of the photographs in this album may come from this period. A January 1, 1899 letter from Sarah Hamilton to her daughter mentions that she received her father's old school album with many pictures of her old classmates and their spouses and children. From this statement it appears that not all the people in the album necessarily went to or taught at Eagleswood.

Three other loose items are also present in the album: an 1895 lithograph portrait of John Adams, a calling card for Mrs. Silas F. Overton, and a calling card for a Miss Moseley.

Some of the photographs within the album have names written on the back, while others offer no clues as to who the person is. Through other sources some of the unnamed individuals in the album have been tentatively identified.

One interesting item of note is the photograph in slot #196 of the album, which has portraits taken many years apart of the same (unidentified) individual on both the front and back of the paper mount.

Other items of note include:
  • A portrait of Charles Burleigh Purvis, African-American doctor and cofounder of Howard Medical School. (slot #53)
  • A portrait of Bayard Wilkeson in Civil War uniform. Wilkeson died aged 19 at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. (slot #85)
  • A portrait of Ellen Wright Garrison, daughter of Martha Coffin Wright and niece of Lucretia Coffin Mott, the famed women's-rights activists who organized the 1848 Women's Rights Convention at Seneca Falls, NY. (slot #32)

The Eagleswood album contains penciled inscriptions beneath the various photographs, often times recording the name of the photographer as well as any other information written on the back of the paper mount of the photograph. Researchers should be aware that this information was added by a former member of staff and numerous errors are present. For conservation reasons these inscriptions have not been erased.

Researchers should refer to the following indices for more accurate information on identified individuals, photographers, and inscriptions within the Eagleswood album:
  • Photographer Index, containing the names of all the photographers in the album as well as any inscriptions handwritten on the photographs.
  • Individuals Index, containing the names of all the identified, and tentatively identified individuals who have portraits present in the album.

Collection

Arthur Welch letters, 1916

0.25 linear feet

This collection consists of letters, postcards, and photographs related to Private Arthur E. Welch of the United States Army, who served with the 1st Regiment, Company L, in and around Nogales, Arizona, between July and October 1916. Welch discussed everyday life along the United States-Mexico border, his work in a military ice house, and developments in the region's military conflicts.

This collection consists of 100 letters, 2 postcards, and several photographs related to Private Arthur E. Welch of the United States Army, who served with the 1st Regiment, Company L, in and around Nogales, Arizona, between July and October 1916. Welch wrote his first 2 letters to his mother, Mrs. M. J. Welch of Willimantic, Connecticut, while in training at Niantic, Connecticut, about his life in camp. His next 5 letters recount his journey to Nogales, Arizona, and describe the scenery in Ohio, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico.

The bulk of the collection consists of Welch's daily letters to his mother from July 4, 1916-October 2, 1916, about his experiences while stationed in Nogales, Arizona. He reported news of recent military developments, commented on his accommodations in camp, and discussed several aspects of his life in the army, including his training, his work in an ice house, and his attendance at Catholic religious services. He also described the area and discussed a lengthy march his unit made to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, where he remained for much of August. Welch occasionally mentioned relations with the Mexicans and their independence celebrations on September 16, as well as the actions of Pancho Villa. One of his friends, Ed Ryan, wrote a letter to Mrs. Welch about his experiences after being wounded in the arm; he also mentioned Arthur's work in the ice house (September 21, 1916). By early October 1916, Welch began to anticipate his return to the East Coast. Two photographic postcards depict Arthur E. Welch in uniform and in a pair of overalls.

The non-correspondence items are 1 photograph of a group of soldiers, as well as 3 scrapbook pages containing 31 photographs of Nogales, Arizona, and United States soldiers in uniform and at leisure.

Collection

George Weirick orderly book, 1814

1 volume

The orderly book of George Weirick, who commanded the 77th Regiment of the Pennsylvania militia at Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, in 1814.

The George Weirick orderly book contains 84 pages of orders and records, spanning October 5-November 29, 1814. The orders are general and brigade level and include paroles, countersigns, fatigue and police details, a muster roll of the officers in the regiment, and details of numerous courts martial. The orderly book opens with a general order that "the troops will be held in readiness for Muster and inspection" and a mandate for the preparation of a muster roll and returns. Thereafter, many orders in the book relate to discipline. One early entry, dated October 19, 1814, notes that volunteers and militia "have degraded themselves by irregular and Disorderly Conduct" and declares that such behavior is "not to be Tolerated." The same order urges officers who lack "firmness" to enforce the rules to retire, and calls them "utterly unfit for War." Another addresses the difficulty of getting the soldiers to settle down in the evening and notes that "the lights should be out and the men silent" during rest hours (November 1, 1814). Others concern deserters and require officers to treat them with extreme severity. One order calls desertion an "infamous crime" and simply states, "Deserters must be shot" (October 19, 1814). An order from the General Headquarters, dated November 18, 1814, warns "contractors, agents, subtlers, all followers of the army" against informing newspapers of the strength, movements, and destination of the corps: “It is positively forbidden, such communications find their way into the news papers and many of our news papers find their way to enemy."

A significant portion of the orderly book concerns courts martial.

A few notable examples include:
  • Colonel Conrad Kreickbaum for unofficer-like conduct (November 4, 1814)
  • Captain Peter Hanly for drunkenness and unofficer-like conduct and accused of selling "the rations of his soldiers for his own private profit" (November 8, 1814)
  • Lieutenant Colonel Louis Bache, who was the great-grandson of Benjamin Franklin, for mutiny, disobedience of orders, and insubordination (November 10, 1814). The orderly book devotes four pages to this case.
  • Phillip Buttinstine for gambling (November 14, 1814)

Another entry in the orderly book addresses the defense of Philadelphia and outlines appropriate actions for four possible scenarios of British attack on the city. Dated November 5, 1814, it gives instructions for responses to various British approaches -- from Delaware Bay, the New Jersey side of the Delaware River, and the head of the Elk River. Other orders pertain to the soldiers' need for clothing (October 31, 1814), the delivery of ammunition and other ordnance (November 6, 1814), the use of detachments for hospital duties (November 4, 1814), and other topics. Also included is a muster roll of field and staff officers in Weirick's regiment as of November 14, 1814 (pp. 66-67).

Collection

Francis H. Webster letters, 1863

2 items

This collection contains two letters Francis H. Webster wrote to his siblings while serving with the 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery Regiment in 1863. Webster described several aspects of camp life and provided his opinions about the conduct of the war.

This collection contains two letters Francis H. Webster wrote to his siblings while serving with the 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery Regiment in 1863. Webster described several aspects of camp life and provided his opinions about the conduct of the war. When his wife Susan joined the regiment near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, Webster remarked about the impact that female assistance had on the troops. He also related rumors about the Confederate Army, then heading into Pennsylvania, while both armies prepared for the engagement at Gettysburg, July 1-3. He offered his opinions on a variety of subjects; for example, on military leadership, he wrote: "No wonder this war is not settled…way it car[ri]ed on, drunken Genrals & so on" (July 26, 1863).

Collection

Frederick L. Webb carte-de-visite album, 1862

1 volume

The Frederick L. Webb carte-de-visite album contains portraits of 12 non-commissioned officers who served in the 10th New York Cavalry Regiment during the Civil War.

The Frederick L. Webb carte-de-visite album (13.5cm x 10cm), entitled "Non-Commissioned Staff, 10th N. Y. Cavalry," contains formal studio portraits of 12 non-commissioned officers who served in the 10th New York Cavalry Regiment during the Civil War. Each man posed in uniform with a sword and two also posed with bugles. The officers are identified as master sergeants, quartermaster sergeants, commissary sergeants, saddler sergeants, chief buglers, a veterinary sergeant, and a hospital steward. The album's title is printed on a small piece of paper pasted into the book before the portraits; the text is framed by a decorative border. The volume's red leather cover has a tooled geometric design, and its small clasp is shaped like a lyre.

Collection

Webb family letters, 1891

3 items

This collection contains 3 letters (32 pages) that Thomson W. Webb ("Tommie") wrote to her sisters and aunt while visiting family members in Clarksdale, Mississippi, in March 1891. She reported extensively on her social outings, which included dances, parties, and interactions with local men.

This collection contains 3 letters (32 pages) that Thomson W. Webb ("Tommie") wrote to her sisters and aunt while visiting family members in Clarksdale, Mississippi, in March 1891. She reported extensively on her social outings, which included dances, parties, and interactions with local men.

While in Mississippi, Webb, her brother Whitney, and an unnamed sister stayed with their Aunt Alice and various cousins, who included Sam and Alice. Webb spent much of her time attending formal social gatherings, such as traditional balls, and related stories of her experiences with local men, both at social events and during visits. She also discussed clothing and food, described a ride on a "flying jennie" (March 17, 1891) and shared her enjoyable experience at a "euchre party," despite knowing that her aunt would disapprove (March 21, 1891).

Collection

Hiland H. Weaver papers, 1861, 1864-1865

11 items

The Hiland H. Weaver papers contain 11 letters written by an officer of the 3rd Iowa Independent Light Battery during his service in the western theater of the Civil War.

The Hiland H. Weaver papers contain 11 letters written by an officer of the 3rd Iowa Independent Light Battery during his service in the western theater of the Civil War. In his early letters, written in 1861, Weaver described camp life and his unit's eagerness to see action. On December 14, 1861, he said, "it is very uncertain when I will see you again but I hope it will not be very long. There is some prospect that there will be a…battle fought near here before long and the most of the boys are ancious to have a hand in it but some look rather pale when there is anything said about getting into a fight[.]" In 1864, Weaver exhibited a similar devotion to the cause, and wrote, "I do not care if we stay in [our winter quarters] as long as the war lasts for I am tired of running around the country and if Old Abe is reelected I think we will have this war brought to a close in less than six months…and we will have peace on honorable terms" (October 16, 1864). Weaver also ruminated on the harsh human cost of armed conflict as he described the devastation of a recent battlefield: "It is hard to see the destruction there is when an army passes through a country" (undated). In an undated fragment, Weaver provided a graphic description of battlefield casualties: "It was a heartrending sean there was men with their heads shot off and some shot all to pieces…and in fact any thing you may immagine." All together, Weaver's correspondence provides insight into the western theater of the Civil War, both at the beginning of the conflict and during its closing stages.

Collection

Perkinsville (Vt.) School District documents, 1818, 1823-1851

46 documents

The Perkinsville (Vt.) School District documents consist of 46 receipts, committee meeting reports, meeting requests, and grand lists of taxes relevant to operation of the 1st school district in the village of Perkinsville between 1823 and 1851. A single document dated March 10, 1818, grants David Graves permission to open a "publick Hous" in the town of Ira.

The Perkinsville (Vt.) School District documents consist of 46 receipts, committee meeting reports, meeting requests, and grand lists of taxes relevant to operation of the 1st school district in the village of Perkinsville between 1823 and 1851. School expenses reflected in the documentation include payments for teachers' wages, supplies, and services rendered. A single document dated March 10, 1818, grants David Graves permission to open a "publick Hous" in the town of Ira.

Local townspeople covered school costs, labor, and other needs. They cut and delivered fuelwood, boarded teachers, and transported educators to and from the school. They also repaired and cleaned the schoolhouse, and built desks and chairs. Supplies specified in the documents include brooms, blackboards, dippers and pails, nails, and glass. A letter dated August 6, 1841, to Mr. Horace Phelps contains a request for a supply of wool.

The bulk of these documents were generated by district clerks and superintending committee members, including Solomon R. Demary, Benjamin Chillson, J. F. Chillson, Luther Perkins, Charles Barrett, and Earle Woodbury. The receipts were signed and dated with the payment amount on the verso by the recipient. Many committee meeting reports were recorded on lined paper with dates in the left margin.

Two items of note include a meeting request for the purpose of building a house for the convenience of smaller scholars dated September 5, 1846, and a meeting request to discuss the opening a second school in District One, dated January 1, 1848.

Collection

Aulder Watt correspondence, 1917

13 items

This collection is made up of 12 letters that Private Aulder M. Watt received and 1 letter that he wrote while serving with Company H of the 10th Regiment, Illinois National Guard, at Camp Lincoln, Illinois, in 1917. Olive Stone, his fiancée, wrote 11 of the letters from her home in Clinton, Illinois, about their separation, and an aunt composed 1 letter concerning family news. Watt's letter to Olive pertains to his wages and recent labor strikes.

This collection is made up of 12 letters that Private Aulder M. Watt received and 1 letter that he wrote while serving with Company H of the 10th Regiment, Illinois National Guard, at Camp Lincoln, Illinois, in 1917. Olive Stone, his fiancée, wrote 11 of the letters from her home in Clinton, Illinois, about their separation, and an aunt composed 1 letter concerning family news. Watt's letter to Olive pertains to his wages and recent labor strikes.

Olive's often lengthy letters focus on local news, her love for Aulder, and her loneliness. She discussed the possibility of meeting him, either while visiting the Illinois State Fair or when he returned home on furlough. She occasionally reacted to news of his life in the military camp, and expressed her fear that he would be injured in the line of duty. Aulder received 1 letter from an unidentified aunt (September 28, 1917), and wrote 1 letter to his fiancée, in which he discussed recent labor strikes and his upcoming payment schedule.

Collection

Robert Waterston and Robert C. Waterston diaries, 1832-1833, 1861

2 volumes

This collection is made up of one diary of Robert Waterston of Boston, Massachusetts, and a diary of his son, Unitarian minister Robert Cassie Waterston. Robert C. Waterston kept his diary from May 1, 1832, to March 27, 1833. He wrote about attendance at meetings for The Association for Religious Improvement, religion, literature, life, philosophy, travel in New England (with a corresponding mileage log and related expenses), and weather observations. The elder Robert Waterson kept his diary between February 10 and April 7, 1861. He reflected on national politics, the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, secession, and the Civil War. He also noted weather observations and provided frequent religious mediations.

This collection is made up of one diary of Robert Waterston of Boston, Massachusetts, and a diary of his son, Unitarian minister Robert Cassie Waterston. Robert C. Waterston kept his diary from May 1, 1832, to March 27, 1833. He wrote about attendance at meetings for The Association for Religious Improvement, religion, literature, life, philosophy, travel in New England (with a corresponding mileage log and related expenses), and weather observations.

The elder Robert Waterson kept his diary between February 10 and April 7, 1861. He reflected on national politics, the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, secession, and the Civil War. He also noted weather observations, provided frequent religious mediations, and included a log of letters sent and received. On the rear cover are "A Few of the Last Words of Baron Bunson", attributed to "Review Chretienne, 15 December 1860".

Collection

Henrietta Walker autograph album, 1900-1902, 1945, 1964

3 items

The Henrietta Walker autograph album contains 48 autographed cards signed by presidents, politicians, and other famous people in the early 20th century. The collection also includes a Christmas card sent to Walker by Colonel F. W. Marshall, and a letter to Walker from Barry Goldwater.

The Henrietta Walker autograph album contains 48 autographed cards signed by presidents, politicians, and other famous people in the early 20th century. Of note are cards signed by Helen Keller and by William McKinley, the latter on a card from the "Executive Mansion, Washington." The collection also includes a Christmas card sent to Walker by Colonel F. W. Marshall (1945) and a letter to Walker from Barry Goldwater (July 27, 1964). Autographs were written on cards measuring approximately 4"x2". The cards are dated and many contain notes on the location where the autograph was acquired.

Collection

Noah F. Perry letters, 1918

15 items

This collection is comprised of 15 letters Noah F. Perry sent to Mary Jane Wade of Buntyn, Tennessee (now part of Memphis), while he served with a United States Army band unit at Camp Jackson (now Fort Jackson), South Carolina, between February and June 1918. Perry discussed several aspects of military life, such as his relationships with other soldiers, the possibility of being sent to France, and his experiences while in training.

This collection is comprised of 15 letters Noah F. Perry sent to Mary Jane Wade of Buntyn, Tennessee, while he served with a United States Army band unit at Camp Jackson (now Fort Jackson), South Carolina, between February and June 1918. Perry discussed his relationships with other soldiers, the possibility of being sent to France, and his experiences while in training, among other topics.

Perry wrote 6 letters in February 1918 and 8 between May and June 1918, as well as 1 undated letter. All are addressed to Mary Jane Wade, whom Perry regarded as a close friend. Perry wrote about Camp Jackson and about several facets of military life, such as fluctuations in the camp's population as men transferred between regiments and between military installations. Several letters provide Perry's opinions on fellow soldiers and officers, as well as his views on an African American regiment that entered the camp in late February. He often mentioned his frequent visits to nearby Columbia, South Carolina, where he often attended the theater and occasionally performed with his band unit. Other letters discuss training exercises, such as Perry's experiences with gas and machine guns. Though Perry did not provide the number of his regiment, he mentioned the 316th, 317th, and 318th Infantry Regiments, and in one letter provided his negative opinion of National Guard units (February 10, 1918).

Collection

Sheldon T. Viele letters, 1888

5 items

This collection is made up of letters that Sheldon T. Viele wrote to his wife and mother while traveling from New York to Rotterdam in August 1888.

This collection is made up of 5 letters (10 pages) that Sheldon T. Viele wrote to his wife (4 items) and mother (1 item) while traveling from New York to Rotterdam between August 2, 1888, and August 9, 1888. He and other members of the Holland Society sailed for Europe on the Netherlands-American Steam Navigation Company ship Amsterdam. Viele wrote about the weather, other travelers, and his activities, including writing and singing songs with his compansions. He he compared the accommodations and service favorably to his experiences on Cunard ships and commented on meals and dinner arrangements; in one letter, he drew a map of the dining saloon (August 2, 1888). Other passengers included a correspondent from the New York Herald. By the date of Viele's final letter, dated August 9, 1888, the Amsterdam had reached the English coast.

Collection

John Vaughan papers, 1779-1781, 1784, 1789, 1794

3 volumes and 3 loose items

The John Vaughan papers document British activities in the West Indies during the American Revolution. Covered are Vaughan's incoming letters, dispatches, bills, reports, and memoranda during his command of the Leeward Islands from November of 1779 to March 1781, as well as several postwar manuscripts pertinent to the British Colonial West Indies.

The John Vaughan papers (3 volumes and three loose items) document Vaughan's first two years as commander-in-chief of the Leeward Islands, from November of 1779 to March 1781. The papers comprise approximately 470 items, almost all of which are incoming letters, dispatches, bills, reports, and memoranda from naval commanders and subordinates, officials in England and North America, and friends and relatives in England.

The papers primarily relate to the conduct of the Revolutionary War in the West Indies, and reveal a close coordination between the army and navy in the region. Topics documented include the capture of St. Eustatius, the capture of transports by the French, the treatment of prisoners of war, and the provisioning and paying of troops. Also covered are promotions, discipline, and reports on hardships, such as endemic sickness, supply shortages (food, candles, rum, and money), poor barracks, a lack of doctors and medicine, and bad weather. Of note are the letters from William Mathew Burt, governor of Antigua and St. Christopher's; Gabriel Christie, commander at Antigua; Lucius Ferdinand Cary, commander at Tobago; George Ferguson, governor of Tobago; Commodore William Hotham; Admiral Hyde Parker; Admiral Samuel Hood; George Brydges Rodney, commander of the Leeward Island Station; Anthony St. Leger, brigadier general at St. Lucia; Major Henry Fitzroy Stanhope; and Loftus Anthony Tottenham, brigadier general at Barbados.

In addition to the incoming material, this collection contains four items written by Vaughan:
  • Volume 1, item 23: After March 19, 1780: Memoranda for an answer to Christie's letter of March 18-19
  • Folder 1: May 11, 1784: Vaughan's deposition sent to Isaac Howell, for a property dispute involving Edward Foord, Samuel Delprat, Richard Clark, and Simon Nathan, over a lawsuit in Jamaica
  • Folder 1: September 29, 1789: Vaughan to an unknown property owner (partnered to a Mr. Alexander Ellis) concerning purchasing land on the Mohawk River
  • Folder 1: September 17, 1794: John Vaughan to William Wyndham, reporting on specifics of British troop strengths throughout the Caribbean. Mention of surrender of Belville Camp, Guadeloupe, by capitulation in October, and lost companies in that affair. Martinique is the most important island from a military perspective. St. Lucia. Enemy strength at Guadeloupe, specifying around 400-500 "whites" and 4,000 or 5,000 "Blacks" armed with muskets and bayonets. Guadeloupe would require a Garrison of troops, with the number of men needed to attack. Believes that they should raise the siege of Basse-Terre and keep the enemy in check. Royalists can't be relied on. Strength at Antigua, St. Christopher's, and Dominica. Sir Charles Grey, Admiral Jarvis, and islands of St. Bartholomew and St. Thomas. Current assessment of privateers. British and French reinforcements. Capt. Hare's 10th Light Dragoons: when they came from America, they had "hardly a sound horse amongst them"--consider discontinuing this expensive Corps.

Volume 1 contains 246 items; Volume 2 contains 276 pages; and Volume 3 contains 207 pages.

Collection

Jacob van Zwaluwenburg memoir, Undated

69 pages

Jacob van Zwaluwenburg's memoir contains a discussion of his experiences during the Civil War along with an account of his childhood in the Netherlands and America.

Jacob van Zwaluwenburg's autobiography contains discussion of his experiences during the Civil War along with an account of his childhood in the Netherlands and America. He discusses his family, schooling, and religious upbringing in the Hervormde Kerk (Reformed Church in the Netherlands). He describes the ocean voyage and Erie Canal journey which brought the family to Michigan.

Van Zwaluwenburg describes his wartime experiences in the 16th U.S. Infantry, from his humorous efforts to volunteer through the end of his enlistment. He provides particularly detailed descriptions of the battles of Shiloh and Stones River and the fighting around Chattanooga. His account centers on the experiences of a private and strays little into the fields of politics and the evaluation of generals. Although there are a few geographical and chronological errors, the account provides an interesting view of the common soldier in the regular army.

The journal is in both manuscript and typescript; however, the two are not entirely the same. The typescript copy, 36 pages long, follows the manuscript copy, 33 pages long, with only minor differences until page 18 of the manuscript and page 22 of the typescript. From this point the copies differ greatly, although they cover roughly the same events. The manuscript is incomplete, lacking an ending.

Collection

R. P. Van Deusen account book, 1840

125 pages

This account book, kept by R. P. Van Deusen, documents 18 trips of the barge Berkshire on the Hudson River and Erie Canal carrying passengers and cargo.

The account book of the barge Berkshire contains records eighteen trips up and down the Hudson River and Erie Canal. Some passengers paid simply for passage, some for passage and board. The diverse cargo included hay, reams of paper, vinegar, cattle, potatoes, books and oats. There is much detail of barge expenses as well, including provisions and the cost of being towed up and down the river by various captains and steamboats. Deposits to the Mercantile and Exchange Bank are also noted. A later possessor of the account book filled thirty one pages at the opposite end of the book with notations on the life and death of many authors, and starts with the witty quote, "Woodsman spare that tree." There are a few pages of manuscript verse, and sadly, several pages of accounts are covered up with poems clipped out of newspapers. Some of these have been removed.

Collection

Vanderpool religious journal, 1833-1841, 1866, 1885

1 volume

The Vanderpool religious journal contains religious diary entries from three authors over the course of 52 years.

The Vanderpool religious journal contains religious diary entries from three authors over the course of 52 years. The journalists began their portions of the volume with brief biographical introductions, and offered numerous musings on their relationships to religion. The first, and most prolific, writer began his biographical note with an account of his conversion, and on August 14, 1833, started his daily diary entries, which focused on the impact of religion on his life. After August 31, entries became more sporadic until a final note on January 1, 1841.

The second portion of the journal is dated November 14, 1866, and contains a brief autobiographical note about the author, likely C. W. Vanderpool, including indications of strong religious convictions. A loose paper inserted into this section of the volume indicates that the book was a gift to C. W. Vanderpool from his mother, Helen Elmira Vanderpool, of Buffalo, New York.

The third body of material in the journal consists of two pages written in January 1885 by a member of the Young Men's Christian Association, and relates primarily to attendance at several religious meetings and other events. This section of the volume concludes on January 30, 1885.

The journal also contains "Exertations from the following texts," which is a list of Bible verses and brief lines taken from them.

Collection

William R. Vandergrift papers, 1855-1857, 1862-1863

14 items

The Vandergrift papers contain eight manuscripts related to William R. Vandergrift's building projects around Philadelphia, Pa., 1855-1857, and six Civil War-related items retained by Mr. Vandergrift, 1862-1863.

The Vandergrift papers contain eight manuscripts related to William R. Vandergrift's building projects around Philadelphia, Pa., 1855-1857, and six Civil War-related items retained by Mr. Vandergrift, 1862-1863.

Two letters, two documents, two construction diagrams, one memorandum, and one financial account reflect William Vandergrift's work on various types of building projects, including the manufacture of custom shelves to the construction of a schoolhouse in Newportville, Pennsylvania. The two construction diagrams, a floorplan and an outdoor elevation, pertain to the Newportville schoolhouse project.

Three Civil War-related items concern Vandergrift's status with his local draft board, including notification of his eligibility for the draft, notification that he had been drafted, and a certificate that he had purchased a substitute.

Soldiers authored three letters in the collection. Two of these letters are from William's brother, Lewis R. Vandergrift, serving in the 118th Pennsylvania Infantry, and provide an ironic (though surely unintended) commentary on the troubles with draft substitutes in the ranks. The other letter, from his cousin Joseph Hill Sharp, a member of Company B, 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry, contains an excellent first-person account of the battle of Fair Oaks and the carnage and pillage that followed.

Collection

Vallette de Laudun, Relation de Voyage de la Louisiane en forme de Lettres Ecrites à une Dame en l'année 1720, [18th century]

1 volume

Relation du Voyage de la Louisiane en forme de Lettres Ecrites à une Dame en l'année 1720 is an 18th-century manuscript compilation of 132 letters written by Vallette de Laudun during a French expedition to Dauphin Island, in the Gulf of Mexico.

Relation du Voyage de la Louisiane en forme de Lettres Ecrites à une Dame en l'année 1720 (7" x 9.75", 285 pages) is an 18th-century manuscript compilation of 132 letters that Vallette de Laudun wrote during a French expedition to Dauphin Island in the Gulf of Mexico between March 9-November 13, 1720. The 262-member crew embarked from Toulon, France, on the ship Toulouse, encountering Madeira, Martinique, Saint-Domingue, and Cuba before entering the Gulf of Mexico. Following a month at Dauphin Island, the expedition returned to France. Addressing an anonymous female friend, de Laudun described events of particular interest along the journey, including baptisms celebrated by Jesuits who were part of the expedition. Prior to his title page, de Laudun also listed the numbers of officers, crewmen, and servants on board the Toulouse upon its departure.

Collection

Vine Utley manuscript, "Observations on Old People 80 Years of Age", 1809-1818, 1827

1 volume

Online
Dr. Vine Utley compiled his Observations on Old People 80 Years of Age while interviewing octogenarians and older individuals in New London County, Connecticut, from 1809-1818. He reported on their ages, families, dietary habits, and physical and mental health.

Dr. Vine Utley compiled most of his Observations on Old People 80 Years of Age (87 pages) while interviewing octogenarians and older individuals in New London County, Connecticut, from September 9, 1809-June 17, 1818; one entry is dated April 15, 1827. Utley recorded biographical information about each person he interviewed, including their name, age, hometown or place of residence, marital status, occupation, previous illnesses and medical treatments, number of children, and sometimes their date of death. He commented on interviewees' habits and diets, particularly with regard to alcohol and tobacco, and on their parents' longevity.

Utley wrote about physical health and mental acuity, and noted some trends amongst his subjects, such as octogenarians' tendency to have few, if any, remaining teeth (p. 25). He interviewed men and women from Waterford, Lyme, and New London, Connecticut, including David Harris, a native of Paris who had been held captive by Native Americans (pp. 22-25); E. Jeffry, a Native American woman (pp. 30-33); Celia, an enslaved woman who had been born in Africa (pp. 60-62); and John Utley, his father (pp. 81-84). The volume's cover is a repurposed section of The Witness (June 25, 1806), a newspaper published in Litchfield, Connecticut.

Collection

Apollo 11 Moon Mission commentary, 1969

1 item

This volume of typed commentary is a transcript of the audio between Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Mission Control in Houston, Texas, documenting the moon landing of Apollo 11 (July 20, 1969, 20:34 CDT to 22:31 CDT). Produced as a resource for reporters, it provides an in-depth look at the preparation for lunar landing and the initial moments on the Moon's surface.

This volume of typed commentary is a transcript of the audio between Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Mission Control in Houston, Texas, documenting the moon landing of Apollo 11 (July 20, 1969, 20:34 CDT to 22:31 CDT). Produced as a resource for reporters, it provides an in-depth look at the preparation for lunar landing and the initial moments on the Moon's surface. Protocols for spacecraft operation, communication, and navigation were discussed, as well as the geography and terrain of the Moon, and instructions for astronaut movements and tasks.

Collection

V-Mail Process collection, 1944

16 items

The V-Mail Process collection is made up of 8 photographs and accompanying typed explanations, created in April 1944, which demonstrate the process of creating V-mail for the United States Marine Corps 2nd Division. The photographs are individually numbered and the typed explanations occasionally include commentary on the careers of pictured marines.

The V-Mail Process collection is made up of 8 photographs and accompanying typed explanations, created in April 1944, which demonstrate the process of creating V-mail for the United States Marine Corps 2nd Division.

Eight 8"x10" black-and-white photographs illustrate steps in the V-mail creation process, from initial composition to delivery. Eight 1-page, typed documents explain each step and occasionally identify the members of the Marine Corps 2nd Division depicted in the images, variously noting names, ranks, hometowns, and service histories. The explanatory text also provides numerical figures associated with the Marine Corps mail service, including an estimate of total pieces handled daily (image 2D-37), the number of letters on each roll of film and number photographed per hour (image 2D-39), the rate at which an operator prints and cuts images (image 2D-40), and the number of V-mail letters that could fit in one mailbag (image 2D-43). Sergeant J. L. Burns took the first photograph, and Sergeant Andy Knight took the remaining 7; each image is also attributed to Warrant Officer J.F. Leopold, Photo Officer, 2nd Marine Division.

Collection

John Molson & George Davies v. Jesse Hawley documents, 1835

8 items

This collection is made up of legal documents pertaining to a lawsuit filed by John Molson and George Davies against Jesse Hawley in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York in 1834.

This collection is made up of 8 legal documents pertaining to a lawsuit filed by John Molson and George Davies against Jesse Hawley in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York in 1834. Depositions and other court records pertain to the plaintiffs' attempts to recover payment from two promissory notes that had been executed by Hawley. The documents concern the history of the notes in question, witnesses' testimonies, the case's eventual postponement, and the issues the court sought to settle. Several items are signed by the defendants' attorney, Orlando Hastings.

Collection

Isaac Morehouse and Clara Winters court documents, 1888

5 items

The Isaac Morehouse and Clara Winters Court Documents consist of complaints, court fees, and warrants relating to two court cases initiated by Mary Morehouse of Silverbow County, Montana, against her husband, Isaac Morehouse, and Clara Winters, an unmarried woman, for committing adultery in January 1888.

The Isaac Morehouse and Clara Winters Court Documents consist of complaints, court fees, and warrants relating to two court cases initiated by Mary Morehouse of Silverbow County, Montana, against her husband, Isaac Morehouse, and Clara Winters, an unmarried woman, for committing adultery in January 1888.

Mary Morehouse provided two complaints, one against her husband, Isaac Morehouse, and another against Clara Winters, an unmarried woman, swearing that they committed adultery and "the offense of fornication by . . . having carnal sexual intercourse" on January 10 and 24, 1888, in Silverbow County, Montana. The complaints attest that the adultery "is contrary to the form of the statutes of the United States and against the peace and dignity of the people of the United States of America." Caleb E. Irvine, U.S. Commissioner for the 2nd Judicial District of Montana Territory, signed both complaints and provided two accounts for the costs of issuing warrants for arrest and for hearing and deciding the cases. The arrest warrant for Clara Winters is also present, with certification that U.S. Marshal R. Kelley received and served the warrant.

Collection

Isaac Morehouse and Clara Winters court documents, 1888

5 items

The Isaac Morehouse and Clara Winters Court Documents consist of complaints, court fees, and warrants relating to two court cases initiated by Mary Morehouse of Silverbow County, Montana, against her husband, Isaac Morehouse, and Clara Winters, an unmarried woman, for committing adultery in January 1888.

The Isaac Morehouse and Clara Winters Court Documents consist of complaints, court fees, and warrants relating to two court cases initiated by Mary Morehouse of Silverbow County, Montana, against her husband, Isaac Morehouse, and Clara Winters, an unmarried woman, for committing adultery in January 1888.

Mary Morehouse provided two complaints, one against her husband, Isaac Morehouse, and another against Clara Winters, an unmarried woman, swearing that they committed adultery and "the offense of fornication by . . . having carnal sexual intercourse" on January 10 and 24, 1888, in Silverbow County, Montana. The complaints attest that the adultery "is contrary to the form of the statutes of the United States and against the peace and dignity of the people of the United States of America." Caleb E. Irvine, U.S. Commissioner for the 2nd Judicial District of Montana Territory, signed both complaints and provided two accounts for the costs of issuing warrants for arrest and for hearing and deciding the cases. The arrest warrant for Clara Winters is also present, with certification that U.S. Marshal R. Kelley received and served the warrant.

Collection

Valley Forge Headquarters orderly book, 1778

55 pages (1 volume)

The Valley Forge Headquarters orderly book (55 pages) contains the general orders and brigade orders issued by Continental Army headquarters at Valley Forge during winter encampment, from January 20-February 22, 1778.

The Valley Forge Headquarters orderly book (55 pages) contains the general orders and brigade orders issued from Continental Army headquarters at Valley Forge during winter encampment of January 20-February 22, 1778. An anonymous American officer, stationed at the "Head Quarters, Great Valley," recorded the orders. Each entry provides the signal, the names the field officers on duty, and the brigade major on duty. Later, the author made grammatical corrections to the volume.

Entries primarily concern disciplinary actions and courts-martial decisions for soldiers in Continental Army regiments. The most common crimes were stealing, drunken fights, and desertion attempts. The Commander-in-Chief, George Washington, is mentioned frequently, and on page 47 the author refers to General Washington by name. Orders also concern parade duty, officers' meetings, and rations and supplies. Brigade orders deal almost exclusively with alcohol use.

Two notable entries describe the role of women at Valley Forge:
  • "A report having circulated that Mr. Jones [D.C: of I. Jones] had granted a pass to a woman to carry 3 [lbs] of Butter Philadelphia, the Matter has been inquired into, and appears to be without foundation" (February 3, 1778).
  • "The most Pernicious consequences having arisen from persons, women in particular being allowed to pass & repass from Philadelphia to camp, under pretense of coming out to visit their friends in the army, & returning with necessities for their families, but, really, with an intent to intice the soldiers to desert...[officers must forbid] the soldiers, under the severest penalties, from having any communication with such persons" (February 4, 1778).

This volume holds a loose fragment containing brigade orders for August 23, 1777, and a list of men found guilty by a court-martial (located between pages 1-2).

Collection

Report of the Board of Claims Stationed at Nashville, 1864

1 volume

The Report of the Board of Claims Stationed at Nashville lists financial claims made by residents of Nashville and the surrounding area against the United States Army for resources seized during the Civil War, as well as the amount of compensation ultimately awarded and brief remarks about claimants, often regarding their political affiliation or the validity of their claims.

The Report of the Board of Claims Stationed at Nashville lists financial claims made by residents of Nashville and the surrounding area against the United States Army for resources seized during the Civil War, as well as the amount of compensation ultimately awarded and brief remarks about claimants. Claims are grouped alphabetically according to the first letter of claimants' surnames, and each records a claim number, the amount awarded by the "Q. M. Department," the amount awarded by the "C. S. Department," the amount of damages, the total award, the initial amount claimed, and, frequently, remarks. These brief remarks accompany several entries on each page, and most often consisted of "Disloyal," "Rebel," and "No evidence" or "Not supported." Most claimants with a proven claim received a monetary award, including those marked "Disloyal" or "Rebel." Individual claims ranged from under $100 to several thousand dollars, although the amount awarded was nearly always significantly less than the amount claimed. Claimants were both male and female, though primarily male. The final two pages of the volume contain a brief history of the Board of Claims and include the text of the oath taken by claimants, which included an affirmation "that I am a true and loyal Citizen of the United States…At the June election in 1861 I voted against (or for) separation and I have taken the Oath allegiance and the Oath of amnesty."

Two additional items are laid into the volume:
  • Partially printed letter to Captain I[srael] Huckins from the Ordnance Office of the War Department, regarding an ordnance return for the second quarter of 1863, signed by George F. Balch (January 7, 1864)
  • Letter to Captain [Israel] Huckins from Henry Wideman, regarding his upcoming movement to Nashville from a camp in Georgia (February 2, 1864)
Collection

United States. Army. 18th New York Infantry descriptive book, ca. 1863, 1900

1 volume

The volume contains extensive information on the officers and enlisted men of the New York 18th Infantry, including their hometowns, occupations, physical characteristics, and injuries and deaths.

The United States Army 18th New York Infantry descriptive book contains records relating to the officers and enlisted men in the 18th New York Infantry, whose term of service was from May 17, 1861, to May 28, 1863. The first 25 pages in the volume (pp. 4-28) contain the names, ranks, dates of appointment, and remarks for the regiment's commissioned officers, organized by company. The remarks primarily note casualties and promotions.

The second part of the volume (pp. 37-263) lists the names of the enlisted men in the regiment, along with age, height, complexion, eye and hair color, birthplace, occupation, enlistment information, and remarks for each. This detailed information shows that many of the soldiers were immigrants from Germany, England, Ireland, and Russia. The volume also provides information on where casualties were suffered and which soldiers deserted. An unknown person used pages 197-200 as a diary for January to August 1900.

Collection

Charleston (Ill.) Riot records, 1864

95 items

The Charleston Riot records contain depositions and telegraphs from a riot in Charleston, Illinois between the 54th Illinois Infantry and locals who opposed the draft and the Civil War.

The Charleston Riot records contain 80 depositions taken from soldiers and civilians during an inquest into riots held during the first week of April, 1864, along with a series of 15 telegrams transmitted during the riots ordering reinforcements and relaying news of the situation. The depositions are a rare glimpse into the violent opposition to the war and into the sorts of local animosities and political divisions rending the heart of the Midwest.

Collection

Civil War Ambulance Corps records and Graham family accounts, 1863-1865, 1870-1884

1 volume

The Civil War Ambulance Corps records and Graham family accounts are housed in a single bound volume. Forty pages of reports concern the actions of the Union ambulance corps from 1863-1865, and 41 pages of household accounts (1870-1884) pertain to the Graham family.

The ambulance corps records (pages 1-41) consist of copied correspondence addressed to various chiefs of ambulance operations. Numerous ambulance corps commanders wrote about their activities along the front, sometimes including statistics, for battles such as Gettysburg (August 28, 1863), Wapping Heights [Manassas Gap] (September 2, 1863), and the Wilderness (July 1864). The records cover a variety of divisions of the Army of the Potomac, and several of the later reports originated from John R. Pancoast of the 110th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. The final item in this series is dated April 22, 1865, and mentions several skirmishes during the last stages of the war.

The second part of the volume contains financial records tracking the household and private expenditures of the Graham family (pp. 43-84). Total household expenditure for this family totaled $2,018.94 in 1871, including expenses for food, fabrics, and other goods. Family members whose specific expenses were recorded include: J. J. Graham, Jane P. Graham, Anna M. Graham, George H. Graham, Carrie Bell Graham, and Rose Clarke.

Collection

United States. Army. 29th Infantry orderly book, 1814

1 Volume

The United States. Army. 29th Infantry orderly book (124 pages) contains the general orders, detail orders, and morning reports of a New York infantry stationed at Sackets Harbor from March to August 1814, during the War of 1812.

The United States. Army. 29th Infantry orderly book (124 pages) contains the general orders, detail orders, and morning reports of a New York infantry stationed at Sackets Harbor from March to September 1814, during the War of 1812. One of the members of the regiment kept the orders.

The volume opens stating the following:

"Major A. B. Sizen Took the command May 11th, 1814 of Smiths cantonment

Samuel B Hickcox

Lieut & Adjutant of the consolidated 5th, 6th, 12th, 15th, & 29th Reg. Infantry"

The morning reports (pages 3-15) are comprised of tables documenting the numbers of troops and officers counted for duty, sick call, absence, arrest, and extra duty. Covered are daily counts for the months April, May, June, and the first half of July 1814. John C. Rochester is listed as commander for April, May and July, and Asa Sizer is listed as commander for June and the empty August table. Page 15 contains three entries for guards serving under Major John Ellis Wool.

The general orders (pages 17-90) comprise the bulk of the volume and cover March 14 to August 18, 1814. The orders come from the headquarters at Sackets Harbor, New York, and include details on the 9th, 13th, 15th, 16th, 23rd, 25th, 26th, and 30th Infantries, as well as a Dragoon of Horses and the 1st United States Riflemen. Various officers signed these orders, including Captain John C. Rochester, Brigadier General E. P. Gains, Brigadier Major James Gleason, War Department Clerk Daniel Parker, Captain of Light Artillery G. W. Melvin, and General Alexander Macomb. The volume also contains occasional orders from Washington D.C. Orders document fort duties, defense, promotions, transfers, appointments, courts martial, and battles.

Notable entries include:
  • June 1 and 12, 1814: Order describing the capture of a British naval force at Sandy Creek by Daniel Appling (1787-1817), leading the 1st United States Riflemen and a group of Oneida Indians. Appling and his troops were charged with protecting naval stores at Oswego under Commodore Isaac Chauncey (pages 50 and 57)
  • August 21, 1814: Order for surgeons to report to Plattsburg, and a report on a battle fought by the Light Infantry on August 15th (page 87)

The detail orders (pages A1-A34, beginning at the back of the volume) contain daily counts of subalterns, sergeants, captains, privates, and police stationed at Sackets Harbor from March 15 through July 13, 1814. Both the 13th and 29th Infantries are documented. Entries also contain brief orders for the regiments and details on leadership assignments. Officers mentioned include lieutenants Rosecrantz, Simonds, Noyes, Smyth, Myers, Childs, Captain John C. Rochester, and Ensign [Bunbridge].

Collection

Indian Commissioners' receipts, 1776

98 items

This collection contains 98 receipts from 1776 for supplies given to Indians and settlers in Western Pennsylvania.

The Indian Commissioners' receipts collection consists of receipts for supplies delivered to Native Americans in Western Pennsylvania in the second half of 1776. The receipts were most often written by John Montgomery, Jasper Yeates, Thomas Walker, and John Harvie and sent to "Boreman," "Morgan" (likely George Morgan) and, on one occasion, to "Wilson." The supplies include rum, clothing items, blankets, bridles, powder and lead, salt, utensils, dyes, and other items. Some receipts contain additional notes. For instance, the September 30, 1776, receipt for a keg of rum states, "There is no living without it." The October 1 receipt notes "add 6 lb Powder & 12 Lb Lead for the Shawnese to induce them to stay till the Treaty." An undated receipt lists "4 of the largest cutter of Scalping Knives that you have in your store." The Shawnee are the only tribe mentioned by name in the receipts, but supplies may have also gone to other Native American groups.

Collection

John Tyler sermons, 1763-1787, ca. 1800

14 items

This collection contains 14 sermons and drafts of sermons copied and composed by Reverend John Tyler, an Episcopalian preacher who lived in Norwich, Connecticut.

This collection contains 14 sermons and drafts of sermons copied and composed by Reverend John Tyler, an Episcopalian preacher who lived in Norwich, Connecticut. Tyler based most of his sermons on at least one Biblical verse or story, often related to the concept of grace or salvation. His "Three Sermons on Confirmation," which utilize stories of the Apostles, are accompanied by a list of places and dates the sermons were preached, dated as late as 1821.

Around 1765, Tyler delivered a farewell address to the president, teachers, and students of Yale College, and in 1770 he delivered an oration at a funeral in Groton, Connecticut. Other sermons related to special occasions include Tyler's dedication for Trinity Church in Pomfret (now Brooklyn), Connecticut; introductory and concluding remarks for a conference; and a blessing for a school. One undated prayer, which incorporates text from the order for the burial of the dead in the Book of Common Prayer, laments the death of George Washington. This prayer is not in John Tyler's published eulogy on the life of General George Washington.

Tyler also copied passages from other authors' works on religion, and wrote an "Articuli Religionum" in Latin. The collection also includes Tyler's copy of a sermon that Reverend Naphtali Dagget preached at Yale College in 1763, while Tyler was a student there.

Collection

Elizabeth Camp Tuttle travel diary, 1836

94 pages

In this diary, seventeen-year old Elizabeth Tuttle described the places she visited, sharing her impressions of travel, people, buildings, gardens, institutions, and other items on a journey through Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.

In May 1836, seventeen-year old Elizabeth and her parents left Newark "on an excursion partly to visit western friends, and partly to see the far famed West." The family's travels by land and water took them to many cities and towns, including Philadelphia, Lancaster, and Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania; Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Akron in Ohio; and Niagara Falls, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, and Poughkeepsie in New York. In this very interesting diary, Elizabeth described the places she visited, sometimes in exquisite detail, sharing her impressions of travel, people, buildings, gardens, institutions, and everything else on the journey that piqued her interest.

Elizabeth recorded her encounters with the many people she and her family met on their trip. At the beginning of the trip, Elizabeth and her parents met the "gentlemanly" Judge John Banks of Pennsylvania, who had been a member of Congress, elected on an Anti-Masonic platform. Several days later, she was introduced to Judge Goddard from Connecticut and his family. Once the Tuttles got to Cincinnati, they saw many old friends and acquaintances, especially those who had lived in Newark. They stayed with their friends the Blachlys on Sycamore Street. Elizabeth paid visits to Miss Grandon, "a former boarder at the Academy;" Charley Hornblower, a hardware store merchant; and Mr. Messer, the former principal of Newark Academy. At least three ministers from Newark had moved to Ohio: Rev. Baxter Dickinson, professor of sacred rhetoric at Lane Seminary; Rev. Richards of Auburn Theological Seminary; and Rev. Philip Hay of the Geneva Lyceum.

The Tuttles were members of the First Presbyterian Church in Newark, founded in 1667, and were keenly interested in religion and the intellectual pursuit of Christianity. On their travels, they not only attended Presbyterian services, but they also visited Methodist and Roman Catholic churches, and a Shaker village. Of the German Separatist settlement of Zoar, Elizabeth wrote: "in order and neatness, they resemble the Shakers, as well as in their being a community of interests and under one temporal head....In one field, where they were making hay, there were eighteen persons working, fourteen of them were females all dressed alike." Their intellectual curiosity extended as well to education, reform, politics, and social culture. They toured the Lane Seminary in Cincinnati, the Ohio Deaf and Dumb Asylum, a penitentiary in Columbus (where "300 male convicts and one negro woman" were confined), a coal factory, a cotton factory, a college and female seminary in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., the Auburn Theological Seminary, and a prison in Auburn, N.Y.

On the trip back to Newark, Elizabeth frequently noted the trials of traveling by various means of transportation, including carriage, stage, canalboat, and steamboat. Travel was far from smooth and comfortable. For example, when they left London, Ohio, Elizabeth and her mother were seated on a large trunk situated over the back wheels of a barouche. "The driver thought by going through the woods, he would miss some of the mud, and he did in part, but such a jouncing as we had, I never want again, that over the back wheels, on a trunk constantly slipping forward, it was too much....The driver then got two boards, fastened to the top, Ma and I taking the middle one, we thought a board a great luxury." Finally, on July 14, they made their "last start for home, sweet home," arriving in Newark that evening.

Collection

New Jersey and New York City Region photograph album, ca. 1910

1 volume

The New Jersey and New York City Region photograph album (18.5 x 26 cm) contains 45 photographs of landmarks and city and countryside views of the New York City Region.

New Jersey and New York City Region photograph album (18.5 x 26 cm) contains 45 photographs of landmarks and city and countryside views of the New York City Region. Included are 8 views of the Palisade rock formations near Weehawken, New Jersey, one view including sculptor Karl Bitter's clifftop studio. Other nature views include the Delaware River, South River, Newark Bay, and Mountain Lakes, N.J. City views are mainly of Newark, N.J. streets and buildings, and New York City attractions including Herald Square, the Washington Arch, Trinity Church, Broadway and the Hippodrome. Additional photographs show the boardwalk at Ocean Grove, and pavilion at Asbury Park on the Jersey Shore, an elevated streetcar at Bay Ridge, N.Y., battery at Fort Griswold, Ct., a train on the Lackawanna railroad bridge in East Orange, N.J., and interiors of the Essex County court room and Newark Public Library in Newark, N.J. Photographs include typed captions; paper label inside front album cover: F.H. Tucker, Artistic and Commercial Photographer.

The album has alligator-print cloth covers. Stored in a three-part wrapper with green cloth spine.

Collection

True family account book and family history, 1761-1771, 1848-1863

1 volume

This account book kept largely by Jacob, Anne, and Anna True consists of records relating to their family business in Salisbury, Massachusetts. The True family ran a multi-purpose organization and operated it as a tavern, inn, bank, and store for foodstuffs and other goods. The volume also contains a narration and history of the extended True family, a study of the Webster family, and a 16-page recounting of the American Revolutionary War naval battle between the Bonhomme Richard and the HMS Serapis.

This account book kept largely by Jacob, Anne, and Anna True consists of records relating to their family business in Salisbury, Massachusetts. The True family ran a multi-purpose organization and operated it as a tavern, inn, bank, and store for foodstuffs and other goods. The volume also contains a narration and history of the extended True family, a study of with the Webster family, and a 16-page recounting of the American Revolutionary War naval battle between the Bonhomme Richard and the HMS Serapis.

The volume's double-entry bookkeeping includes the name of the client, with running lists of the costs and dates of purchases of goods and services, as well as records of account credits. Sales of alcoholic beverages include rum (occasionally identified as New England or West Indies), toddies, and brandy. Rum seems to be the most frequent item offered by the Trues; at times the drink is not listed by measurement, but instead as variants of "Rum and Drink at Time Taken from the Score." They sold foods, including veal, salt, sugar, molasses, turnips, pork, fish, and more. They sold cloth, linens, and clothing, such as handkerchiefs, swanskin, sheeting, silks, thread, oznabriggs, buttons, blankets, muslin, bearskin, ribbon, "ferrit," combs, sole leather, and more. The Trues also offered services, such as augur maintenance, chair repair, clothing and shoe mending, and more.

One atypical entry is an account for debtors William Temple and Capt. Edward Emerson in 1761, pertinent to expenses for the wreck of a brig, including costs associated with ballast, clearing lumber and pumping out the ship, moving the ship to Newbury, "a Treat to the people that went Down in ye Ship," temporarily storing Naval stores, taking care and sending on the ship three weeks later, and other itemizations.

Clients paid by cash, labor, or barter. Services rendered include ship work such as planking, boring holes, and caulking, raising, and framing; a "day's work," butchering. Goods offered in trade include timber, codfish, corn, silver shoe buckles, lamb, cider, charcoal, and more. Many transactions conclude with a "Settlement" statement and the signature of Jacob, Anne, or Anna True, with the purchaser's sign-off.

The volume includes a list of the crew on board the Bonhomme Richard, including Jacob and Anne's son Jacob, along with a recounting of the engagement of the Bon Homme Richard and the Serapis. A few printed newspaper illustrations were pasted into the volume, including an engraving showing the battle and framed by snakes and a "Don't Tread on Me" banner. Another shows "The Emperor Napoleon in his Coffin."

The final pages of the volume contain genealogical information respecting the Webster family.

Collection

John Barr letters, 1918

8 items

This collection is comprised of 8 letters written by John Barr to his girlfriend, Ethel Mae ("Polly") Trueblood, of Cleveland, Ohio, during his World War I service with the YMCA near Paris in 1918. In these love letters, Barr discussed his experiences near the front, his negative opinions of the Germans, and the nature of his daily work.

This collection is comprised of 8 letters written by John Barr to his girlfriend, Ethel Mae ("Polly") Trueblood, of Cleveland, Ohio, during his World War I service with the YMCA in Paris in 1918. In these love letters, Barr discussed the nature of his daily work and his experiences. Despite being located near the front and witnessing some of the horrors of war, he maintained a positive attitude, and optimistically told Polly, "One has to be here to fully realize the importance of winning the war. And we are going to win" (June 27, 1918); however, he did not brook any tolerance toward the "Jerrys," "Boches," and "Huns," whom he often disparaged in his letters. Along with his descriptions of life in France and frequent proclamations of love and hope for the couple's future, he responded angrily to reports of strikers in the United States, questioning their loyalty and reinforcing the importance of men in the American Expeditionary Forces. In the letter of September 14, 1918, Barr attached a clipping from the June 7, 1918 issue of Stars and Stripes, featuring an article about war refugees captioned "Helpless Victims of the Hun."

Collection

William Trimble letters, 1893

4 items

This collection is made up of 4 letters that Will Trimble wrote to his mother Margaret in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, while visiting the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois, in October 1893.

This collection is made up of 4 letters that Will Trimble wrote to his mother Margaret in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, while visiting the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois, in October 1893. He described the weather conditions and listed the buildings that he and his wife Alice visited at the fairgrounds, including the Pennsylvania Building, the Liberal Arts Building, the Manufactures Building, and an art gallery. Will and Alice Trimble dined at "Old Vienna" on the fair's midway and visited the fairgrounds at night to see the fireworks and illuminations. Will's letters also refer to his plans to buy souvenirs and to his plans for returning to Philadelphia with his wife and children. Trimble wrote his first letter on Board of World's Fair Managers stationery, and his final letter encloses a newspaper article about the malfunction of an elevator at the Manufactures Building.

Collection

New Bedford Photograph Albums, ca. 1890s

155 photographs in 2 albums

The New Bedford photograph albums consist of 155 cyanotype photographs contained in two albums that show scenes from New Bedford, Massachusetts and surrounding areas during the 1890s.

The New Bedford photograph albums consist of 155 cyanotype photographs contained in two albums that show scenes from New Bedford, Massachusetts and surrounding areas during the 1890s.

Volume 1 (18 x 25.5 cm) has a pebbled red leather cover and contains 101 cyanotypes, while Volume 2 (18.5 x 23.5) has a beige cloth cover with "Kodak Views" embroidered on the front and contains 54 cyanotypes. Both volumes are in fair condition. Together, these albums provide a wide-ranging, informal, town-and-country portrait of New Bedford in the last decade of the 19th-century. Most locations are unidentified, but they include city streets, commercial buildings, residential neighborhoods, churches, farms, woodland paths, Civil War fortifications, bridges, waterfront scenes, and views of the local shoreline. Also present are several bird's-eye views, two photographs of artwork, and pictures of ships of various kinds. Particular attention is given to the classic whaling vessels that still resided at New Bedford's harbor at the time these albums were produced. The booming textile industry of the time, on the other hand, is hardly represented: a solitary image shows a mill with a smokestack and workers’ housing. A few captions are included in Volume 2 as well as on the backs of some photographs, but for the most part the things and places pictured are not identified.

Although there is no official attribution to a photographer in either album, several of the exact same images appear in the souvenir booklet of the New Bedford Semi-Centennial and Industrial Exhibition (1897) and are credited to “R. R. Topham.” Robert R. Topham was a longtime New Bedford resident who at the time these albums were produced worked as a clerk in the city assessor's office.

Collection

Andrew Turnbull collection, 1786

4 items

This collection of four letters relate to the post-Revolutionary War reputation of Dr. Andrew Turnbull, founder of the New Smyrna colony in East Florida. They were principally written by former Governor of East Florida Patrick Tonyn to British officials and include opposition to Turnbull receiving a government salary.

Please see the Contents List for individual item descriptions.

Collection

David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Black River Lumbering photographs, ca. 1880

16 photographs in 1 box

The Black River Lumbering Photographs collection consists of 16 albumen prints depicting the Black River logging camp (presumably Alger, Smith & Company) in Alcona County, Michigan taken by an unknown photographer sometime ca. 1880. All of the photographs have penned captions written in the same handwriting. The collection includes images of camp buildings, the cutting, stripping and transport of logs by rail, water and horse drawn wagons, as well as images of lumbermen at work.

The Black River Lumbering Photographs collection consists of 16 albumen prints (24 x 19.15 cm) depicting the Black River logging camp (presumably Alger, Smith & Company) in Alcona County, Michigan taken by an unknown photographer sometime ca. 1880. The prints are individually pasted on 30.5 x 25.5 cm brown paper mounts. All of the photographs have penned captions written in the same handwriting on the back of the mount. The collection includes images of camp buildings, the cutting, stripping and transport of logs by rail, water and horse drawn wagons, as well as images of lumbermen at work. Of particular note is a photograph (#5) of what appears to be a married couple in front of their log-cabin home.

Collection

Thomas Thorbury, War of 1812 Poetry collection, ca. 1815

1 volume

The Thomas Thorbury War of 1812 poetry consists of three fragmentary poems written postwar by an American soldier and prisoner at Melville Prison.

The collection consists of a single volume, which contains three fragmentary poems. The first poem (pp. 2-25), which is untitled, consists of 582 lines of rhyming couplets. Seven of its lines are unreadable due to paper degradation. In an extended satire of the conflict between the United States and Great Britain in the War of 1812, the poet described the savage feud between two farmers, Jack and Sam, indentified as the narrator's uncles. The conflict arose over the use of roads, bridges, and waterways, for which Jack charged tolls. Goaded by his wife, Sam hesitantly entered into battle with Jack, and defeated him on land and water, but only after both men suffered from wounds and exhaustion. They reached an agreement allowing Sam's sons to go unmolested to market, but how long the peace would last "no tongue can tell."

The second poem (pp. 26-43) is also untitled, and concerns a group of Americans taken prisoner on the shores of Ontario and held in Melville Prison. In the poem, Thorbury described their capture, the taking of their clothing, and the recording of their names and ranks by a British agent. He also recounted their separation into groups: "The Boatswain next in messes places/ Each one according to their faces./ The whites are separate from the blacks,/ And yanky Tars from monsier Jacks." The poem also gives descriptions of prison food, sleeping conditions, and fights among the prisoners. It ends with the declaration of peace and the return of 300 captives to the United States.

The final poem (pp. 43-44), entitled "Tom and Joe [a] Dialogue," is a small fragment, with only four legible lines, describing an autumn walk to meet a friend.

Also included with the volume are transcriptions of each poem and notes made in 2006 by the donor, David P. Harris, who provided annotations, background information, and a well-researched collection description.

Collection

James Thompson plumbing notebook, 1858

1 volume

In 1858 James Thompson filled this blank book with notes about the plumbing and water system in the Flass House in Cumbria County, England, which was being constructed circa 1848-1861 by Lancelot and Wilkinson Dent. Thompson wrote about pipes, taps, cisterns and reservoirs, boilers, drains, hard and soft water, hot and cold water, and more. It indicates the use of plumbing, the location of pipes and how they connected to other plumbing equipment, and types of water access in interior spaces including sculleries, bathrooms, water closets, washstands, and butler's pantries. Thompson also noted pipes feeding exterior water supplies like for the cattle's trough, the conservatory, and fountain. Thompson included several pen-and-ink sketches of floorplans and maps of the property to illustrate the location of pipes, as well as a pencil sketch of the house's façade.

In 1858 James Thompson filled this blank book with notes about the plumbing and water system in the Flass House in Cumbria County, England, which was being constructed circa 1848-1861 by Lancelot and Wilkinson Dent. Thompson wrote about pipes, taps, cisterns and reservoirs, boilers, drains, hard and soft water, hot and cold water, and more. It indicates the use of plumbing, the location of pipes and how they connected to other plumbing equipment, and types of water access in interior spaces including sculleries, bathrooms, water closets, washstands, and butler's pantries. Thompson also noted pipes feeding exterior water supplies like for the cattle's trough, the conservatory, and fountain. Thompson included several pen-and-ink sketches of floorplans and maps of the property to illustrate the location of pipes, as well as a pencil sketch of the house's façade.

The volume has a green printed cover with an image of a man and woman standing beside each other in an interior space, labelled "The Squire and his Servant." Various "Arithmetical Tables" are printed on the back cover, including a multiplication table and various conversion tables.

Collection

James Thompson plumbing notebook, 1858

1 volume

In 1858 James Thompson filled this blank book with notes about the plumbing and water system in the Flass House in Cumbria County, England, which was being constructed circa 1848-1861 by Lancelot and Wilkinson Dent. Thompson wrote about pipes, taps, cisterns and reservoirs, boilers, drains, hard and soft water, hot and cold water, and more. It indicates the use of plumbing, the location of pipes and how they connected to other plumbing equipment, and types of water access in interior spaces including sculleries, bathrooms, water closets, washstands, and butler's pantries. Thompson also noted pipes feeding exterior water supplies like for the cattle's trough, the conservatory, and fountain. Thompson included several pen-and-ink sketches of floorplans and maps of the property to illustrate the location of pipes, as well as a pencil sketch of the house's façade.

In 1858 James Thompson filled this blank book with notes about the plumbing and water system in the Flass House in Cumbria County, England, which was being constructed circa 1848-1861 by Lancelot and Wilkinson Dent. Thompson wrote about pipes, taps, cisterns and reservoirs, boilers, drains, hard and soft water, hot and cold water, and more. It indicates the use of plumbing, the location of pipes and how they connected to other plumbing equipment, and types of water access in interior spaces including sculleries, bathrooms, water closets, washstands, and butler's pantries. Thompson also noted pipes feeding exterior water supplies like for the cattle's trough, the conservatory, and fountain. Thompson included several pen-and-ink sketches of floorplans and maps of the property to illustrate the location of pipes, as well as a pencil sketch of the house's façade.

The volume has a green printed cover with an image of a man and woman standing beside each other in an interior space, labelled "The Squire and his Servant." Various "Arithmetical Tables" are printed on the back cover, including a multiplication table and various conversion tables.

Collection

William and Robert Thompson collection, 1800-1827, 1845

51 items

This collection is made up of financial records and correspondence related to William and Robert Thompson of Thompsontown, Pennsylvania. Most of the financial records pertain to the Thompsons' subscriptions to periodicals and to their purchases of goods from Philadelphia merchants.

This collection (51 items) is made up of financial records and correspondence related to merchants William and Robert Thompson of Thompsontown, Pennsylvania. The bulk of the collection is made up of receipts, invoices, and similar documents addressed to the Thompson brothers, particularly Robert, from 1815-1826. Most of these records pertain to purchases of various kinds of goods from merchants in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; a smaller number of items relate to periodical subscriptions. Among the goods that the Thompsons bought were tobacco, oils, and shoes. The collection's early items largely consist of financial documents sent to William and Robert's father, also named William, as well as a newspaper clipping listing US exports between October 1800 and September 1801. A small group of correspondence includes personal letters to Robert Thompson; one correspondent wrote about the distribution of election tickets in Mexico, Pennsylvania (October 20, 1816).

Collection

Susan Thomas pattern book, Late 18th or early 19th century

1 volume

This 8-page, hand-sewn manuscript volume is comprised of approximately 24 textile weaving patterns. It appears to date from the late 18th or early 19th century. The covers bear illustrations of a lion, a deer, and a man in a top hat, as well as various words and math problems.

This 8-page, hand-sewn manuscript volume is comprised of approximately 24 textile weaving patterns. It appears to date from the late 18th or early 19th century. The covers bear illustrations of a lion, a deer, and a man in a top hat, as well as various words and math problems.

Some of the textile patters are for:
  • Stripes
  • Pillows
  • New plain black velveteen
  • Diaper
  • Herringbone
  • Tick
  • Single denim
  • Eight shaft cord

The weaving patterns appear to give guidance on the orientation of the warp and weft to achieve a particular textile. The names Susan Thomas and Susan Nichols are inscribed on the inner cover, as well as North Kingston, [Rhode Island].

Collection

Thomas Leyland Company account books, 1789-1790, 1792-1793

2 volumes

Online
The Thomas Leyland Company account books are two volumes of records for the slave ships Hannah (1789-90) and Jenny (1792-1793), traveling from Liverpool to Africa, then across the Atlantic to Jamaica and other West Indian Islands. The books record the goods sold in each port, such as slaves, fabric, and sugar, and contain details on seamen's wages and instructions to the captain for the treatment of slaves.

The Thomas Leyland Company account books are two volumes of records for the slave ships Hannah (1789-90) and Jenny (1792-1793), which made trips from Liverpool to Africa, then across the Atlantic to Jamaica and other West Indian Islands. These record the goods (sugar, food, arms, and cloth) and slaves sold in each port, and contain details on seamen's wages and instructions to ship captains for the treatment of slaves.

The first volume documents the 2nd voyage of the Ship Hannah, captained by Charles Wilson (39 pages). The ship sailed from Liverpool on July 3, 1789, to the Calabar River in Africa (present day Nigeria), then to Barbadoes; Dominica; and Kingston, Jamaica; and finally back to Liverpool in December 1790.

The account book opens with directions to the captain, instructing him on the ship's itinerary and what to sell and purchase on the journey. The note also cautioned the captain to treat his crew with humanity and to show the "utmost tenderness to the Negroes" (page 1). The next item is the shipment invoice, which includes food (white barley, corn, rice, peas, beans, beef, salt, and bread), liquor (brandy, port, sherry), china, fabric and clothing (hats, trousers, jackets, silk, cotton, romal and photaes), arms (gunpowder, muskets, French guns, and knives), and purchased items including tobacco, wine, rum, sugar, raisins, cotton, sailcloth, iron, and gunpowder (pages 5-13). Page 15 contains a list of the 30 officers and seamen on board the Hannah, with their names, rank or profession, wages per month, and total pay. Professions included master, mate, carpenter, cooper, steward, surgeon, cook, and seaman. Pages 16-20 contain lists of trader's names along with notes on disbursements and what they purchased. Pages 22-24 cover accounts for the 294 slaves sold at Kingston, Jamaica, with details on the purchasers, prices, and types of slaves sold (privileged men, privileged women, cargo men, cargo women, men boys, women girls, boys, and girls). Finally, pages 25-32 provide information about the total amount of sugar purchased in Jamaica for Thomas Leyland, and the accounts of goods sold to various traders in the West Indies, including William Daggers of Kingston, Jamaica; Barton and Gibbald of Barbados; and Neilson and Heathcote of Dominica.

The second volume documents the first voyage of the Ship Jenny, captained by William Stringer (29 pages). The Jenny left Liverpool on November 27, 1792, and arrived at the Zaire River (Congo) off the coast of Angola on February 18, 1793. They arrived at the port town of Emboma (today Boma, Kongo Central) on February 23, 1793, then at Barbadoes (May 6, 1793), St. Vincent (May 7, 1793), Grenada (May 8, 1793), and finally Kingston, Jamaica (May 18, 1793).

The record keeping for both volumes is similar. The account book opens with an itinerary of the trade mission and instructions for the captain on selling and purchasing cargo (pages 1-3). Following that are the invoice for goods shipped and purchased (page 5-14), a list of the 29 officers and seamen on board (page 15), tradesmen's notes and disbursements (pages 16-20), sales for 250 slaves (pages 21-23), and accounts with Thomas Leyland, who funded the expedition (pages 24-29).

Collection

Milton Lester and Sarah Parker papers, 1847

24 items

This collection is made up of legal documents and court records pertaining to the murder trial of Milton Lester and Sarah Parker in Washington County, Texas, in late 1847. Lester and Parker were accused of killing George Parker, Sarah's husband.

his collection is made up of legal documents and court records pertaining to the murder trial of Milton Lester and Sarah Parker in Washington County, Texas, in late 1847. Lester and Parker were accused of killing George Parker, Sarah's husband. The items are dated August 1847-December 1847. The first item is a formal indictment against Milton Lester and Sarah Ann Parker, accusing Parker of hiring Lester to shoot her husband, with notes about the case dated as late as April 1848. Other items include orders for the county sheriff to arrest Lester and Parker and summons for witnesses, some of which are signed by John B. Dupuy, a justice of the peace. One brief document and a 44-page group of records contain witness testimonies. One item relates the results of an inquisition on the cause of George Parker's death, deemed to be a single bullet to the chest. The final items pertain to the defendants' requests for their trial to take place in Austin County, as they did not believe that a jury of men from Washington County would be impartial.

Collection

Samuel C. Taylor journal, 1863; 1890

295 pages

From about 1860 through at least the end of the Civil War, Samuel C. Taylor worked as a salesman for the Philadelphia clothing firm of Charles Stokes & Co. The 1863 portion of his journal contains almost daily entries between February and May, vividly describing his travels from Philadelphia to Memphis and social life in Memphis during the Civil War. The 1890 portion of the journal consists of seven humorous essays, which are highly stereotypical, possibly semi-fictional, depictions of life in the south.

The Taylor journal is a single, 3/4 leather-bound volume in two sequential parts, the first dated 1863, the second, 1890. The journal is probably a transcript made in 1890 or 1891 from the original, based on the style of binding and paper, and the continuity in handwriting and pen between the two dated parts. The 1863 portion, 260 pages long, takes the form of almost daily journal entries from the time of Taylor's departure from Philadelphia on February 16th, through his stay in Memphis, until his return to Philadelphia on May 16th, and is uniformly well written and interesting. It is a far more polished piece of writing than many journals, and may have been corrected or embellished at the time of its transcription. At its best, Taylor's prose has the feeling of Mark Twain's exuberant descriptions of life on the Mississippi, leavened with the cynical undercurrents of Melville's Confidence Man., and though it is brief, covering only a four months' residence, the journal is a valuable social record of life in wartime Memphis as seen by a person come to take advantage of the quick money to be made. Taylor has a preference for the "colorful" aspects of life in Memphis, and includes vivid descriptions of the shoddy accommodations, the venality and corruption, rampant violence and crime, and of soldiers, prostitutes, rebels, drunks and rowdies. Throughout, he displays an eye for the telling detail, a good sense of humor, and an unerring flair for making a good story out of difficult circumstances.

Among the several highlights in the journal is an excellent description of the steamboat trip to Memphis, during which a "Jewish" swindler/gambler managed to con his way out of several tight spots by his using his wits and his finesse with cards. Once in Memphis, Taylor provides memorable descriptions of the city in all its war-time depravity, and vivid accounts of long lines of ragged, worn-out soldiers marching in to town, of murder, robbery and charlatanism, of prostitutes and drunks shouting and shooting in the streets, and of the characters, like himself, who have descended on the city to turn a quick profit, legally or illegally. Taylor was somewhat less accomplished in his poetry, though his poem about life in Memphis during the war is an amusing, sarcastic look at the closet secessionists of the city, Memphis' cheerless, malattired women, crime, and the amusement he occasionally found, including listening to the "darkies" singing. One quatrain summarizes his attitudes well: "What an awfull place to live in / Now I'll stop or freighten you (sic) / Yet upon my word of honor / What I've written you is true" (p. 106).

Taylor's attitude toward Jews, synonymous with swindling merchants in his mind, and African-Americans is highly stereotyped. He is, however, somewhat sympathetic toward slaves and freedmen even as he is willing to have a laugh at their expense. In Memphis, he attended a religious service for freedmen delivered by a mulatto preacher named Revels. Taylor was genuinely moved by the sermon, and seems to have agreed with its message. He is also somewhat sympathetic with the "contrabands" he sees being trampled by Union soldiers, or boating up river, half-dressed and hungry to a mission in Missouri. In general, though, Taylor is inclined toward a cynical view of strangers, and is always on his guard for the cons and crooks that were abundant in Memphis.

The 1890 portion of the Taylor journal consists of seven humorous essays, which are highly stereotypical, possibly semi-fictional, depictions of life in the south. They include:

  1. "Sketches from the South," (Chattanooga, April 3, 1890: p. 263-268)
  2. "A Kentucky Wheelman," (Louisville, Ky., April 20, 1890: p. 269-271)
  3. "A Hodoo Doctor" (Birmingham, Ala., April 30, 1890: p. 272-275)
  4. "The Negro Drill Workers" (Memphis, Tenn., May 2, 1890: p. 276-279)
  5. "The Georgia Cracker, The Alabama Razor Back" (Atlanta, Ga., May 10, 1890: p. 280-284)
  6. "New Orleans, La." (May 20, 1890, New Orleans: p. 285-293)
  7. "Pensacola, Florida" (September 20, 1890, Pensacola: p. 293-295)

These essays are the interesting products of a talented writer, who, though sympathetic observer of southern society, is nevertheless mired in the ingrained attitudes and prejudices of his day. In the first essay, Taylor discusses the phenotype of African-Americans and the several "clases or sets" that comprise the African-American community in the South, from the rich, to the merchants, mechanics, drill men, tramps and the "poor old uncle." "The hoodoo doctor" and "The Negro drill workers" are somewhat longer essays along the same lines, and are written as first hand experiences. In "A Kentucky wheelman" and "The Georgia cracker, the Alabama razorback," Taylor turns his eye to the poor white community in the deep South, and paints a dismal view of the state of their culture. Essays 3, 4, and 5 also include crude, pen and ink illustrations of the subjects of the essay.

Collection

Joseph E. Taylor journal, 1876

1 volume

This journal recounts Joseph E. Taylor's experiences onboard the Andrew Jackson during a voyage from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Bremen, Germany, in September 1876. Taylor illustrated his journal with pictures of the ship's sails and interior.

This journal (35 pages) recounts Joseph E. Taylor's experiences onboard the Andrew Jackson during a voyage from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Bremen, Germany, in the fall of 1876. Under the command of J. C. Bartlett, the ship left Philadelphia on September 3, 1876. The Andrew Jackson reached the English Channel on September 25 and approached Germany in early October, as Taylor composed his final journal entry. Taylor described the voyage, including events such as bird and porpoise sightings, and made notes about the Gulf Stream. The journal also includes several sketches of the ship's interior (pp. 1, 3-4), accompanied by detailed descriptions. A small printed map laid into the volume shows the "Saloon and Cabin Plan of the American Steam Ship Co.'s Steam Ships 'Pennsylvania,' 'Ohio,' 'Indiana,' 'Illinois.'"

Collection

Hancock Taylor surveyor's notebook, 1774

26 pages (1 volume)

This volume contains Hancock Taylor's notes about surveys he conducted in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky, May-July of 1774. One page is detached from the bound notebook.

This journal (26 pages) contains surveying notes taken by Hancock Taylor between May 20 and July 7, 1774. The plots described are, to the extent that they are identifiable from his survey descriptions, in the vicinity of modern-day Louisville, Kentucky. The journal contains descriptions of 23 surveys.

Collection

Edward H. Suydam Detroit drawings, ca. 1940

2 volumes

This collection comprises of two volumes of original graphite pencil on paper illustrations by Edward H. Suydam for Arthur Pound's Detroit: Dynamic City. The 35 illustrations (37 x 29.5 cm) detail various monuments, parks, streets, and squares throughout Detroit circa 1940.

This collection comprises of two volumes of original graphite pencil on paper illustrations by Edward H. Suydam for Arthur Pound's Detroit: Dynamic City. The 35 illustrations (37 x 29.5 cm) detail various monuments, parks, streets, and squares throughout Detroit circa 1940.

This collection not only contains all the original illustrations for Detroit: Dynamic City, but two additional illustrations never published. The headpiece illustrations are not included in this collection, only the plate illustrations.

All illustrations are in pencil. The frontispiece, "Cadillac Square," also has colored pencil. The first volume contains 17 illustrations and two reproductions found with the originals. The illustrations as titled in Detroit: Dynamic City or on the illustration itself include "Grand Circus Park" (not included in published book), "The Eastern Market," "The Grosse Point Yacht Club," "Capitol Square," "Detroit Skyscrapers," "River Rouge Ford Plant," "The Court House," "The New Library," "Harmonie Square," "Cadillac Square," "Times Square," "The Financial Center-Down Fort Street," "Washington Boulevard," "The Detroit River: The Boat Racecourse," " Detroit Athletic Club," "Industry on the Detroit River: Ambassador Bridge," and "The Casino on Belle Isle."

The second volume contains 18 illustrations and three small copies of illustrations housed at the back. The illustrations as titled in Detroit: Dynamic City or on the illustration itself include "The Detroit Club," "St. Mary's Church," "Fox Creek," "Hulbert Memorial Gate, Old City Waterworks and Park" (correct spelling is Hurlbut), "Down Jefferson Ave," "Cadillac Square" (not included in published book), "The University of Detroit," "Fort Street Church and Union Station," "Automobile Factories on Jefferson Ave," "Grand Boulevard and the General Motors and Fisher Buildings," "Library Square," "The City Hall," "The New Art Museum," "Negro Tenements and Trees of Heaven," "St. Joseph's Church," "Griswold Street and Alley," "The Ambassador Bridge," and "Looking Down Woodward Avenue from Grand Circus Park."

Detroit: Dynamic City was just one of many volumes in a series by D. Appleton-Century Company, titled "Century City Series," covering major U.S. cities. Most, if not all, were illustrated by Edward H. Suydam.

Collection

John Sunnocks account book and Newbold Hough Trotter sketches, 1792-1801, ca. 1880

1 volume

This collection consists one bound volume including both financial receipts and sketches. The first part the volume contains 38 pages of receipts of payments from John Sunnocks to various people he had transacted business with in the late 18th century. The rest of the volume contains sketches circa 1880, attributed to Newbold Hough Trotter, an American artist known for his work illustrating natural landscapes and animals.

This single bound volume includes both financial receipts and sketches. The first part the volume contains 38 pages of receipts of payments from John Sunnocks to various people he transacted business with in late 18th century Philadelphia. The next approximately 150 pages contain sketches attributed to Newbold Hough Trotter, an American artist known for his work illustrating natural landscapes and animals. The second half of the volume is unused.

It is likely Newbold came into possession of the book through his wife, Ann Trotter. Ann's great-grandfather, William Dawson, was named executor of John Sunnock's estate at the time of his death in 1793. This is noted in some of the last receipts in the volume.

The receipts date from June 20, 1792 to January 31, 1801 and are written by the individual receiving the payment or by John Sunnocks, or someone on behalf of John Sunnocks, and signed by the individual receiving payment. The currency shifts between pounds and dollars, and some receipts are exchanges of said currencies. The receipts vary in specificity. Many relate to his business as a trunk maker, for goods and services such as animal skins, lumber, and freight. Other expenses shown are taxes, rent, and military fines. Some of the more recurring businesses and individuals found in these receipts are as follows: Moses Levy (attorney), John Field & Son (merchants), Andrew Tybout (merchant), Roberts & Twamley (ironmongers), Abbot & Barnes (curriers), David Moffat (sea captain), Daniel Drinker (merchant), and William Watson (sea captain).

The sketches are in pencil and undated. They mostly depict animals, including many images of lions. Other drawings/scenes include profile portraits of men and women, a man hunting, a ship at sea, and a man presenting artwork. A few drawings appear to have been done by a child.

Collection

Willie and George Stow letters, 1882

13 items

This collection is made up of 13 letters that brothers George F. and Willie E. Stone wrote to their family in Fowlerville, Michigan, while living and working in Florida in 1882.

This collection is made up of 13 letters that brothers George F. and Willie E. Stone wrote to their family in Fowlerville, Michigan, while living and working in Florida from January-March 1882. The Stow brothers addressed their letters to their father, William P. Stow, and to George's wife Nancy, and provided news of their health and their lives in Florida. Both Willie and George composed individual letters, and Willie occasionally contributed to George's correspondence. The brothers initially wrote from Sanford, Florida, where they discussed the impact of recent railroad construction. They later went to Rockledge, where they worked on boats traveling along the Indian River. The letters include their descriptions of the region, including the largely unsettled area along the state's eastern coast and their first encounter with the ocean. By March 1882, they were employed by a wealthy woman near Rockledge.

Collection

King's Own Borderers photograph album, 1864-ca. 1890

1 volume

The King's Own Borderers photograph album is a 54 page, 23.4 x 15.5 cm embossed leather bound album containing portrait photographs of individuals and groups associated with the Stoney family and the British army's 25th Regiment of Foot known as The King's Own Borderers. The images are cartes de visite, with some larger albumen prints and tintypes interspersed. The album contains a wide variety of other visual materials including photographic prints of artwork, pen and ink drawings, calligraphy, newspaper clippings, printed cartoons, and greeting cards. The cover of the album is inscribed "G. Ormond Stoney/King's Own Borderers/5th July 1864." The album appears to have evolved over time in several different stages.

The King's Own Borderers photograph album is a 54 page, 23.4 x 15.5 cm embossed leather bound album containing portrait photographs of individuals and groups associated with the Stoney family and the British Army's 25th Regiment of Foot known as The King's Own Borderers. The images are largely cartes de visite, with albumen prints and tintypes interspersed. The cover of the album is inscribed "G. Ormond Stoney/King's Own Borderers/5th July 1864." The album contains a wide variety of other visual materials including photographic prints of artwork, pen and ink drawings, calligraphy, newspaper clippings, printed cartoons, and greeting cards. The album appears to have had at least three different stages of construction. The first as a traditional 1860s carte de visite photograph album kept by its namesake G. Ormond Stoney (hereafter referred to as Ormond) comprised of photographs of family members interspersed with related newspaper clippings.

The album appears to have been revised with significant additions in the 1870s-1880s, including more photographs of family members as well as commercial photographic prints. The majority of those represented were army officers, with Anglican priests and politicians; many being contemporaries and associates of Ormond's father, George Butler Stoney (1819-1899). Clipped autographs of many are included beneath the photos and appear to be from correspondence to George Butler Stoney.

Various clues to point to Ormond Stoney's sister Jane (Janie) Stoney Smith as a contributor to the album. Not only is she frequently represented in the album, but the album has several pictures of her husband Arthur Smith and his family--many more so than any other family that married into the Stoney family. Arthur and Janie married on September 19, 1867--the same date on the autograph posted under Arthur's picture. Arthur died in 1870 leaving Janie a pregnant widow with a young son, Herbert (see p.24 for his portrait), and an even younger daughter, Ethel Maud. Newspaper clippings around the portrait of Arthur on p.13 mention his death as well as the birth of Herbert and Ethel, though not of Florence, the youngest daughter. Although Jane's two daughters are not represented in the album, on page 44 it appears that at one point a photograph of both of her daughters was extant.

While Jane's younger sister Wilhelmina married Colin McKenzie Smith, another son of William Smith, she did not do so until 1889. The focus on Janie's husband Arthur and their children, suggests Jane rather than Wilhelmina as a significant contributor to the album.

George Ormond's wife Meylia has not been identified in the album and may not be present, however, her father, Sinclair Laing is represented. Laing appears to have been a correspondent with George Butler Stoney.

At some later date, likely in the late 19th century, decorative gold painted borders were added, along with chromolithograph stickers, known as "scraps." These include a series illustrating Robinson Crusoe. Unlike the earlier additions which point to Janie Smith, these later additions might have been the work of a child playing with what would have been a 30 year old album. The gold paint overlapping earlier items (see p. 28 for example) suggests a later date, as do the "scraps" made popular after 1880. The seemingly random nature of the placement of the "scraps" is quite the opposite of the carefully placed and planned addition probably done by Janie Smith.

Of the children represented in the album, three of them would be killed in World War One: Thomas Ramsay Stoney (1882-1918), George Butler Stoney (1877-1915), and Herbert Stoney Smith (1868-1915).

Other items of note include:
  • Two group portraits of young men in military uniform, presumably with George Ormond present in both photographs (p.2, and back inside cover).
  • A portrait of a dog that if viewed from another angle appears to be an individual with a disfigured face (p.7).
  • A commercial carte de visite of a Zulu warrior identified as King Cetewayo (likely incorrect, the chief of the Matabele) (p.41).
  • A portrait of Napoleon, Prince Imperial, in his military uniform ca. 1879 before he died in the service of the British Army during the Anglo-Zulu War (p.40).
  • A print of Rosturk Castle in County Mayo, Ireland (p.47).
  • A retouched portrait of a dog posed with a military hat, cane and pipe. (p.23).
  • An 1873 program for an "evening reading" of two different farces, "Little Toddlekins," and "The Dead Shot," done to raise money for Mrs. Palmer, the retiring battalion nurse (p.53). On the outside of the program is a print of Portland House, a manor owned by members of the Stoney family.

Collection

John K. Stoner correspondence, 1941

6 items

The John K. Stoner correspondence is made up of 6 letters that Stoner wrote to his family during the summer of 1941, while he completed United States Army Air Forces training at Hickam Field, Hawaii. He commented on aspects of military life and anticipated his return home.

The John K. Stoner correspondence is made up of 6 letters that Stoner wrote to his family during the summer of 1941, while he completed United States Army Air Forces training at Hickam Field, Hawaii. In April, he focused on finishing school and promised to send his parents his graduation picture and diploma. After finishing his studies, Stoner spent much of his time socializing with other soldiers, despite a brief stay in the base hospital. He reported on some aspects of life on a military base, such as his excitement about the arrival of several new B-17 bombers (May 17, 1941). Though he looked forward to his return to the United States, Stoner admitted a fondness for Hawaii. Stoner wrote each of his letters on stationery illustrated with scenes from daily life in Hawaii, including a surfer, a girl playing the ukulele, palm trees, and fish. One colorful image shows two planes crossing the Pacific Ocean, hopping from San Francisco to Hong Kong via Honolulu, Midway Island, Wake Island, Guam, and Manila.

Collection

St. Michael's and Zion Lutheran Church Pew Register and Index, [1770s?], 1834-1853

2 volumes

This collection is made up of two volumes related to members and pew ownership in the St. Michael's and Zion churches of Philadelphia. One volume is an index of members, church affiliations (St. Michael's or Zion), and pew numbers (ca. 1770s?). The other is a register of pew ownership for Zion Church, 1834-1853.

This collection is made up of two volumes related to members and pew ownership in the St. Michael's and Zion churches of Philadelphia.

The first volume is a 50-page index to a pew register for the St. Michael's and Zion Lutheran churches of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (ca. 1770s?). The location of the pew register is currently unknown. The index reflects the division of the Philadelphia German Lutheran congregation between St. Michael's and Zion churches. It includes the names of members of the congregation, occupations (occasionally), church affiliation (St. Michael's or Zion), and pew number. The entries are grouped alphabetically by surname.

The second volume, titled Applicationen für Sitze, contains records of pew purchases and ownership in the Zion Church from October 1834 to December 1853. The recorder noted the names of parishioners who purchased seats (most often for $1.00) and pew numbers. Manuscript and partially printed receipts and documents regarding individuals' ownership of pews are laid into the volume. The church's president signed some of the receipts.

Collection

Clement Stewart autograph album, 1864

1 volume

This volume contains autographs and notes that Clement Stewart collected from fellow students at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in March 1864.

This volume contains autographs and notes that Clement Stewart collected from fellow students at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in March 1864. The front cover bears a gold-tooled illustration of a book of "Autographs," lying on a table beside a quill pen and inkwell; both covers have additional decorative tooling.

Stewart wrote the names of those he wished to contribute on blank pages of the volume before approaching his friends for their remarks, and many commented on the number of sheets he had assigned for them. Most wrote in letter format and gave their campus addresses with their signatures. They reminisced about college, referring to Stewart's "Moral Show"; "class politics" (related to the college); social activities; the first time they met Stewart; and aspects of Stewart's character. Some offered advice. Auxenicus Mari Piña Venezuela Hildreth Dickeson's note is a pun about the military draft ("Well, may you prosper in life & also in getting out of the draft for you might catch a cold."). The majority of these friends graduated with Stewart in 1864, though some underclassmen also contributed to the album.

Collection

Walter Willisson Stephen notebook, 1903

1 volume

Walter Willisson Stephen kept this notebook in 1903 as a 12-year-old boy. The bulk of the volume consists of seventeen chapters relating to the Moberly, Missouri, Fire Department, its infrastructure, equipment, and activities, with particular focus on the rescue efforts of Company 7 that was led by three teenage boys. It is unclear whether these fires were entirely imagined or based on real events, but the tales include heavily dramatized elements, flourishes, and dialogue while reflecting early-twentieth century firefighting practices and boyhood fascination with them. Stephen kept tables of data relating to baseball players' statistics in the back of the volume, seemingly for games held in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee. The volume includes pencil drawings relating to firefighting, baseball, guns, and animals.

Walter Willisson Stephen kept this notebook in 1903 as a 12-year-old boy. The bulk of the volume consists of seventeen chapters relating to the Moberly, Missouri, Fire Department, its infrastructure, equipment, and activities, with particular focus on the rescue efforts of Company 7 that was led by three teenage boys. They extinguished fires in various buildings, like a mattress factory, the cotton exchange building, stores, saloons, and houses. At least two chapters refer to African American residents of Moberly, with one fire breaking out in a family's kitchen (p. 17) and another in a "small shanty" (p. 52). It is unclear whether these fires were entirely imagined or based on real events, but the tales include heavily dramatized elements, flourishes, and dialogue while reflecting early-twentieth-century firefighting practices and boyhood fascination with them. The first chapter opens with pencil illustrations of fire extinguishers, axes, and water hose nozzles. The inside front cover includes pencil drawings of three horse-drawn fire trucks, an American crest, and an airship.

Stephen kept tables of data relating to baseball players' statistics in the back of the volume, seemingly for games held in the following cities in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee: Vicksburg, Mobile, Jackson, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Shreveport, Little Rock, and Memphis. He made two pencil drawings of men playing baseball, and he included pencil sketches and doodles on the back inside cover of men, guns, animals, and geometric shapes.

Collection

Walter Willisson Stephen notebook, 1903

1 volume

Walter Willisson Stephen kept this notebook in 1903 as a 12-year-old boy. The bulk of the volume consists of seventeen chapters relating to the Moberly, Missouri, Fire Department, its infrastructure, equipment, and activities, with particular focus on the rescue efforts of Company 7 that was led by three teenage boys. It is unclear whether these fires were entirely imagined or based on real events, but the tales include heavily dramatized elements, flourishes, and dialogue while reflecting early-twentieth century firefighting practices and boyhood fascination with them. Stephen kept tables of data relating to baseball players' statistics in the back of the volume, seemingly for games held in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee. The volume includes pencil drawings relating to firefighting, baseball, guns, and animals.

Walter Willisson Stephen kept this notebook in 1903 as a 12-year-old boy. The bulk of the volume consists of seventeen chapters relating to the Moberly, Missouri, Fire Department, its infrastructure, equipment, and activities, with particular focus on the rescue efforts of Company 7 that was led by three teenage boys. They extinguished fires in various buildings, like a mattress factory, the cotton exchange building, stores, saloons, and houses. At least two chapters refer to African American residents of Moberly, with one fire breaking out in a family's kitchen (p. 17) and another in a "small shanty" (p. 52). It is unclear whether these fires were entirely imagined or based on real events, but the tales include heavily dramatized elements, flourishes, and dialogue while reflecting early-twentieth-century firefighting practices and boyhood fascination with them. The first chapter opens with pencil illustrations of fire extinguishers, axes, and water hose nozzles. The inside front cover includes pencil drawings of three horse-drawn fire trucks, an American crest, and an airship.

Stephen kept tables of data relating to baseball players' statistics in the back of the volume, seemingly for games held in the following cities in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee: Vicksburg, Mobile, Jackson, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Shreveport, Little Rock, and Memphis. He made two pencil drawings of men playing baseball, and he included pencil sketches and doodles on the back inside cover of men, guns, animals, and geometric shapes.

Collection

Emilie St. Cyr songbook, 1813

1 volume

The Emilie St. Cyr Songbook is a collection of hymns and prayers taken from Cantiques des Missions Composés by St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort.

The Emilie St. Cyr songbook, entitled "Cantiques Spirituels," is a single manuscript volume that records the text of several French hymns, taken from Cantiques des Missions... and originally composed by Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort. The songbook, copied in a neat hand, seldom diverges from the original, and was created at Saint Ferdinand in Florissant, Missouri, later home to a convent of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Most discrepancies between this copy and the original are spelling differences; one notable exception is the songbook's version of "Pour L'ouverture de la Mission," which is significantly abbreviated. An inscription shows that the book belonged to St. Louis native Emilie St. Cyr, who added four short poems of her own "pour la fete de st Louis gonsague" in the book's first pages. The songbook also contains an index.

Collection

John P. and Morgan Starbuck letters, 1919

29 items

Brothers John P. Starbuck and Morgan Starbuck wrote 29 letters to their parents and sister in Nyack, New York, while serving in the American Expeditionary Forces in France and Germany following World War I. They discussed their health, daily activities, travel, and training.

Brothers John P. and Morgan Starbuck wrote 29 letters to their parents and sister in Nyack, New York, while serving in the American Expeditionary Forces in France and Germany following World War I. They discussed their health, daily activities, travels, and training.

John P. Starbuck wrote 20 letters home from March 6, 1919-June 23, 1919. He was stationed in Koblenz, Rhens, and Güls, Germany, where he described his army work, commented on German citizens, and reported news about his brother. He occasionally discussed the possibility and benefits of taking a vocational business course, and he was admitted to the 4th Corps Advanced Vocational School in Bad Neuenahr, Germany, in April 1919. While at the school, he copied his daily schedule, which included lectures, drill, and athletics. In May, Starbuck's regiment went to Malicorne-sur-Sarthe, France, where they awaited departure for home. Among other subjects, he mentioned his fellow soldiers' propensity for spending their money on "French booze."

Morgan Starbuck wrote 9 letters to his family from March [15], 1919-April 12, 1919. His early letters primarily concern his health and recovery from an influenza infection. His later letters pertain to his experiences in France while awaiting departure for the United States. In one letter, he shared his expectation that soldiers returning home would cause an increase in marriages.

Collection

Centennial Exhibition Judge's Notebook, 1876

1 volume

This partially printed, 208-page volume contains notes kept by Charles Staples, Jr., while he served as a judge of exhibits at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1876. Staples assessed products in classes 280-284 within the manufactures section, which included items such as files, razors, cutlery, nails, and lumberjack tools. He commented most extensively on a variety of "burglar-proof" safes.

This partially printed, 208-page volume contains notes kept by Charles Staples, Jr., while serving as a judge of exhibits at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1876. Staples assessed products in classes 280-284 within the manufactures section, which included items such as files, razors, cutlery, nails, lumberjack tools, and safes.

Charles Staples, Jr., a native of Portland, Maine, attended the Centennial Exhibition sometime between May and November 1876. He served as an exhibit judge for Department II (Manufactures), Group XV, classes 280-284, and recorded his notes in a pre-printed "International Exhibition 1876 Judges' note book." For each exhibit, Staples provided the manufacturers' names, the items' class numbers, the items' places of origin, and his observations. He noted which exhibits won awards, and often mentioned manufacturers who offered low prices. Staples assessed goods from the United States and from a number of foreign countries, which included Germany, Russia, Poland, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Egypt, Jamaica, Norway, Brazil, the Netherlands, Canada, Great Britain, Sweden, and Italy. Many types of items were associated with a particular country; Canada, for example, displayed a large number of axes and other tools used in the lumber industry. Staples also viewed files, scissors and shears, cutlery, axles, nails, hunting and cooking knives, rivets, coffin fittings, locks, and hinges. The final pages hold more extensive notes on safes, many of which were asserted to be "burglar-proof." A brief partial index appears on the last page of the volume.

Collection

James A. Sprowl journal, 1862

58 pages

James Alexander Sprowl, a young man from Gibson County, Ind., enlisted in the Union army on October 21st, 1861, and was assigned to Company B of the 58th Indiana Infantry. His journal contains brief daily entries from March 26th through September 14th, 1862. Sprowl's descriptions are spare, but while lacking detail, they do give an impression of the rough edges of life in the service.

The Sprowl journal is pocket-sized and contains brief daily entries from March 26th through September 14th, 1862. Sprowl's descriptions are spare, but while lacking detail, they do give an impression of the rough edges of life in the service. The best sections in the journal are those that deal with the tense month spent in the siege of Corinth, and the much easier days of foraging through eastern and central Tennessee.

Collection

South Carolina Militia orderly book, 1861

103 pages

The South Carolina Militia orderly book contains brigade-level orders issued under the command of Brig. Gen. James Simons, commander on Morris Island during the siege of Fort Sumter.

The South Carolina Militia orderly book contains brigade-level orders issued under the command of Brig. Gen. James Simons, commander on Morris Island during the siege of Fort Sumter. The importance of the book lies only partly in documenting the build up and reduction of Sumter, but in the insight it provides into the formation of the earliest structures for organization and command in the Confederate army, and the taste it provides of the enthusiasm surrounding South Carolina's defiant entry into war.

Laid inside the cover sheet are two letters:

Charleston, 1861 June 10. Concerning formation of regiments.

Charleston, 1861 June 27. Request for a list of officers.

Collection

Caius Julius Solinus, Polyhistor manuscript, circa 15th century

1 volume (172 pages)

This Caius Julius Solinus, Polyhistor manuscript was produced circa 15th century in Italy and is 86 leaves (plus 4 blank) in a seventeenth-century Italian vellum binding.

This Caius Julius Solinus, Polyhistor manuscript was produced circa 15th century in Italy and is 86 leaves (plus 4 blank) in a seventeenth-century Italian vellum binding. The chapters begin with ornamental capital letters, some colored in green or yellow. The text is a Latin manuscript of Caius Julius Solinus's Polyhistor, discussing natural history, religion, and social questions in the regions known to the Roman Empire circa the middle of the fourth century AD. This copy is a palimpsest, with the previous writing indicating a notarial register or account book from the early fourteenth century. One leaf bears the date 1308 (recto, leaf 53).

The bound volume includes a Di Casa Minutoli Telgrimi stamp and the following colophon: "C. Iulii Solini sive gramatici Polyhistor ab ipso editus et recognitus de situ orbis terrarum & de singulis mirabilibus quae in mundo habentur"

Collection

Emory L. Smith Normal Music Institute autograph album, 1861

1 volume

The Emory L. Smith Normal Music Institute autograph album contains autographs and inscriptions from the institute's instructors and students, who signed their names, wrote brief inscriptions, and quoted music.

The Emory L. Smith Normal Music Institute autograph album contains 21 autographs and 2 autographed visiting cards that Smith collected in North Reading, Massachusetts, from August 14, 1861-August 20, 1861. Some of the signers, who included instructors and male and female students, wrote brief personal messages and/or copied bars of music. Small photographic portraits are pasted directly into the volume beside five entries. The red leather cover has a decorative design around the border; the title "Autographs" is part of a gilt design on the front cover that includes a wreath, an autograph book, and a quill.