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

This currently unidentified student's cypher book contains mathematical rules and examples largely in the service of commerce. Entries relate to the addition of money, addition of Troy weight, addition of dry measure, subtraction, a numeration table, a multiplication table, the Golden Rule (i.e. the rule of three), and similar concepts. Currency in this volume is almost exclusively British coinage, but at least one problem references conversion of British pounds into the (newly created) U.S. dollar. The covers of the volume are (apparently re-used) canvas, possibly sailcloth. The cypher book was owned by the Higgins family of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and it contains names of Higgins family members, but the author is yet undetermined.

These Eighteenth-Century sermons pertain to numerous topics such as sin, repentance, and salvation.

Seven eighteenth-century Christian sermons concern numerous religious topics. Five are dated February 6, 1757-August 28, 1757; and 2 are dated August 17, 1760, and April 26, 1761. Each sermon is based on a Bible verse, usually in the New Testament, and most pertain to sin, repentance, and salvation. The undated item of copied Bible verses also has notes about baptism and the life and miracles of Jesus Christ. See the Detailed Box and Folder Listing for more information.

This volume (22 pages) is a typewritten biography of Elias Durand, a French immigrant who became a notable pharmacist and botanist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the mid-19th century. The biography, written by a former apprentice, concentrates on Durand's final years in France and on his pharmaceutical career in the United States.

This volume (22 pages) is a typewritten biography of Elias Durand, a French immigrant who became a notable pharmacist and botanist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the mid-19th century. The biography, written by a former apprentice, concentrates on Durand's final years in France and on his pharmaceutical career in the United States.

Durand's final apprentice wrote this biography, entitled Some Recollections of an Old Corner, in 1886. Two images are pasted into the book's opening pages: an illustration of Durand's pharmacy and a photograph of Elias Durand. The biography begins with a brief history of Durand's studies in France, as well as a description of his service as an assistant pharmacist in Napoleon's Army. The bulk of the narrative concerns Durand's experiences in the United States, first in Boston and Baltimore and then as a pharmacy owner in Philadelphia.

The author traces Durand's first jobs in America, including descriptions of Durand's encounter with a group of Native Americans outside of Baltimore (pp. 7-8) and his establishment of his own business, which he operated between 1824 and 1852. The biography frequently discusses Durand's role in the professionalization of the American pharmaceutical industry and mentions many of his accomplishments, such as his invention of an apparatus for making "carbonic acid water" (p. 10), his use of French literature and research to further American pharmacy expertise (pp. 11-12), his soda water and fruit juice concoctions (pp. 13-14), and his work bottling mineral water (p. 18). The author credits Durand with the creation of several medicines and notes the pharmacist's association with prominent Philadelphia doctors including Charles Meigs and Samuel Jackson. The biography also briefly mentions Durand's later botanical career and his personal life.

This volume contains diary entries about the author's travels in England and Scotland during the summer of 1799. The author commented on towns visited, road conditions, geographical features, architecture, industry, and other subjects.

This 78-page "Journal During a Tour to the Lakes of Cumberland, Westmoreland, and Lancashire and the Highlands of Scotland" concerns the author's travels with a companion around England and Scotland from June 24, 1799-September 14, 1799. They left from and eventually returned to London, visiting cities and towns in northern England and southern Scotland. The author commented on the towns, their residents, and local architecture, occasionally noting buildings of historical interest such as the Scone Palace in Scotland. A lengthy entry written around July 4-8, 1799, describes the area around Buxton and Castleton, England, where the travelers toured caverns and the Odin Mine. The diarist also discussed local industries, prominent geographical features, and road conditions.

The diary entries are followed by 5 pages of supplementary information. A 4-page table lists the names of towns visited, the names of inns utilized by the author, 1-3-word descriptions of the conditions at the inns, and the number of miles traveled between each location. A 1-page list of excursions taken from main stopping points along the route is also present.

This collection is made up of three items (8 pages) relating to the investigation into the death of 17-year-old Etna Bittenbender, who was raped and murdered in Sciota, Hamilton Township, Pennsylvania on October 31, 1880. The contents include statements by Samuel Harvey, Samuel A. Singer, and four members of the Marsh family who employed Etna as a housekeeper. They attested to their personal backgrounds and lives, their locations at the time of the murder, and what they witnessed.

The European vacation photograph album contains 74 photographs taken throughout Europe ca. 1910. A majority of the photos show various rooms and interior views of an apartment in Rome. Other specific locations include Oxford (England), Subiaco (Italy), Canterbury (England), Füssen (Germany), Weesen (Switzerland), and Glarus (Switzerland).

The European vacation photograph album contains 74 photographs taken throughout Europe ca. 1910. A majority of the photos show various rooms and interior views of an apartment in Rome. Other specific locations include Oxford (England), Subiaco (Italy), Canterbury (England), Fussen (Germany), Weesen (Switzerland), and Glarus (Switzerland).

The first 50 photos housed in the album consist primarily of interior views of the apartment. Handwritten notes provide general descriptions of the view (e.g. "looking from salon through little room where the books are into the salottino"). One specific piece of furniture mentioned is a credenza; which, according to the note, came from the British Embassy. Also included are images of a garden terrace (covered in snow), rooftop cityscape views of Rome, and three individuals (man, woman, and maid). The woman, likely the creator of the album, is referred to as Mable and the maid as Livie. In addition, there is one photo of the Holywell Ford House at Magdalen College, Oxford.

The remaining 24 photos are loose and housed in an envelope. These images show scenes of traveling and sightseeing throughout Europe. Specific sites include the House of Agnes in Canterbury, Sacro Speco in Subiaco, and downtown views of Weesen and Füssen. Of particular note is a photo of a pile of empty fiaschi. The handwritten notation on the back reads "This is our pile of empty wine flasks. I don't belong to the WCTU."

The album is 20.5 x 15 cm with black cloth covers.

This scrapbook, titled "The Examination of Benjamin W. Greene," contains clippings of three short articles published in the Hartford Courant newspaper of testimony given at the trial of accused murderer Benjamin W. Greene in early 1866. Greene was charged with the murder of Eunice North Greene, his wife, on November 5, 1865, and the court sought to determine whether the homicide (and Benjamin's subsequent suicide attempt) was due to insanity.

This scrapbook, titled "The Examination of Benjamin W. Greene," contains clippings of three short articles published in the Hartford Courant newspaper of testimony given at the trial of accused murderer Benjamin W. Greene in early 1866. Greene was charged with the murder of Eunice North Greene, his wife, on November 5, 1865, and the court sought to determine whether the homicide (and Benjamin's subsequent suicide attempt) was due to insanity.

An investigation of the Greene household allowed witnesses to piece together the progression of events on November 5, 1865. As Eunice was reading, Benjamin approached her from behind and cut her neck with a razor. She was able to call for help after Benjamin fled and to name him as the perpetrator, but her wounds were too severe to overcome. After a brief search, two men found Benjamin inside of a locked room, lying next to the same razor used to kill Eunice. Despite having cut his own wrists and neck in a suicide attempt, he was able to be stabilized and survived.

The loss of Eunice and Benjamin's eldest daughter, Harriet North Day (1831-1864), was consistently cited as the reason for the sharp decline in Benjamin's mental and physical health. The family physician, Dr. Beresford, held Benjamin's "singular and peculiar delusions with regard to his domestic affairs" (p. 2) as evidence of his mental instability. Often centered around Eunice, or supposed financial burdens, the validity of those claims was challenged by what Dr. Beresford and other witnesses observed prior to the homicide (p. 7, 11, 12, 14).

Before the murder, Benjamin repeatedly denied help from his family and friends, blocking at least one attempt by physicians to inform Eunice (p. 4) of his mental state. His nephew, William D. Wyatt (1828-1884), tried several times to intervene and help his uncle—both at his own behest and at Eunice's—but ultimately failed. William did not deem it safe to be alone with Benjamin, and testified that during one visit, Eunice told him that her husband was "a crazy man" and "had been a deranged man for years" (p. 11).

The scrapbook does not include the final ruling of the court, but the following is a quotation from an article [not present] containing the verdict, published in the Hartford Courant on March 14, 1866:

"The finding that Mr. Greene was insane at the time he killed his wife, will undoubtedly render his will, which was made in July last, and which was referred to in the testimony offered during his examination, of no account. In this will he bequeathed all his property to Robert E. Day, his son-in-law, and Mr. Day's little daughter. His action, in this respect, would seem to show that he labored under the delusion claimed that his whole family, with the exception of Mrs. Day, was leagued against him. After her death he said he had lost his best friend, and from that time forward declined in health rapidly."

The Family and travel photograph album contains approximately 120 commercial and amateur photographs primarily showing a couple and their two young children.

The Family and travel photograph album contains approximately 120 commercial and amateur photographs primarily showing a couple and their two young children.

The album (18.5 x 28 cm) features photographs of the unidentified couple and an their children at home, visiting friends, and on trips to the shore. Also included are photographs of stately homes and several childrens' parties, with one group of children holding hoops and sticks. Commercial photographs include a view of Washington, D.C. from the Capitol dome; the U.S. Capitol building; the Statue of Liberty; the former Treasury building on Wall Street in New York City; the Brooklyn Bridge; Carpenters' Hall; the S.S. Teutonic; and a nearly completed Philadelphia City Hall.

This manuscript contains detailed descriptions of boxing matches, biographical information about prominent boxers, and related poetry, portraits, and illustrations, primarily concerning the sport's history in England during the early 1800s.

This 546-page manuscript contains information on boxing and boxers in the early 19th century. Approximately 512 pages include detailed descriptions of boxing matches and biographies of prominent boxers, with an additional 27 pages devoted to boxing- related poetry. A 7-page index of names, matches, illustrations, and poetry finalizes the volume.

The round-by-round descriptions of matches provide details about the combatants and their movements, locations of the fights, histories of the participants, physical states of the fighters after the bouts, and prizes awarded. The biographies vary in length and are occasionally accompanied by portrait illustrations of the men in everyday or formal attire. English and American boxers are represented, including some African Americans. Additional drawings depict boxing matches and trophies.

The Sewing designs sample book contains 47 hand-stitched design samples made of thread on paper.

The Sewing designs sample book contains 47 hand-stitched design samples made of thread on paper. Designs range from simple to complicated shapes and patterns to fruit, a circular shell, and Native American-inspired objects such as a bow and arrow, a moccasin, a snowshoe, and a canoe. Multiple colors of thread are utilized. The sample book (24 x 28.5 cm) is closed with a string tie.