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Henry Ernest Muhlenberg papers, 1781-1816 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.4 linear feet (; 1 box [15 folders])
Abstract:
This collection contains scientific letters written to Henry Ernest Muhlenberg (1753-1815). Muhlenberg, a Lutheran pastor and biologist, is considered the first botanist born in America who researched the flora and fauna of his homeland systematically. His work contributed considerably to the advancement of natural science around 1800. Some new descriptions and assignations of North American plants based on the system of Carl von Linné (also known as Carl Linnaeus, 1707-1778) go back to Muhlenberg. He discovered a type of grass of the subfamily of Chloridoideae common in Mexico and the south west of the United States, which after his discovery was named “the Muhlenbergia.” Various types of plants bear the type-epitheton “Muhlenbergii” to honor Henry Ernest Muhlenberg. He also discovered and identified the bog turtle, which got the epitheton “glyptemys muhlenbergii.” The German botanist Carl Ludwig Willdenow (1765-1812) honored Muhlenberg by naming a genus of grasses “Muhlenbergia.”...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Penn family papers, 1629-1834 (bulk) 1592-1960 (bulk 1629-1834) (inclusive)

Extent:
56.0 linear feet (51 boxes; 222 volumes)
Abstract:
The British colony of Pennsylvania was given to William Penn (1644-1718) in 1681 by Charles II of England in repayment of a debt owed his father, Sir Admiral William Penn (1621-1670). Under Penn's directive, Pennsylvania was settled by Quakers escaping religious torment in England and other European nations. Three generations of Penn descendents held proprietorship of the colony until the American Revolution, when the family was stripped of all but its privately held shares of land. The Penn family papers house the personal and governmental records of William Penn, the proprietor of Pennsylvania, and his family. This collection, which dates from 1592 to 1960 (bulk of materials dating 1629 to 1834), consists primarily of correspondence, legal records, governmental records, surveys, deeds, grants, receipts, and account books; there are also 19th and 20th century auction catalogs and other secondary materials. This collection documents the creation of the Pennsylvania colony through...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Richard Peters papers, 1730-1820 (bulk) 1697-1871 (inclusive)

Extent:
7.0 linear feet (; 2 boxes, 49 volumes )
Abstract:
Reverend Richard Peters (1704-1776), in addition to serving in various capacities with Christ Church, also held two important colonial offices: secretary of the Land Office and secretary and clerk of the Provincial Council. In these roles, Peters helped manage the growing government of the colony of Pennsylvania through the access he had to members of the Penn family. He also worked closely with notable statesmen such as Benjamin Franklin and James Logan. Peters was appointed a Council member in 1749; he also served as a state commissioner to the 1754 Albany Congress. This collection is comprised of letters and documents from Reverend Richard Peters (1704-1776), with a few folders of papers from Peters's nephew, Judge Richard Peters (1743/4-1828), and his son, attorney Richard Peters (1780-1848). The papers primarily relate to Peters's public work rather than his private life (the same is true of the papers from the other two Richard Peters.) and they especially highlight early...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Alexander H. Stephens Papers, (1858-1882) (inclusive)

Extent:
0.8 linear feet (2 boxes)
Abstract:
Alexander H. Stephens (1812-1883) was a career politician who served as a United States senator and representative from Georgia, both before and after the Civil War. He also served as the vice president of the Confederate States of America. This collection contains correspondence between Stephens and William Hidell, Stephens's private secretary while he was vice president of the Confederacy. The letters provide insight into the daily business of the Confederacy, as well as information about the close of the war, attempts at peace, and Stephens's time in prison immediately after the war. The correspondence continues into Stephens's time as U.S. representative from Georgia during Reconstruction and contains entirely political commentary during that time.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Anne Louis de Tousard papers, 1765-1888

Extent:
0.25 linear feet (1 box, 1 volume, 1 flat file)
Abstract:
The papers of Anne Louis de Tousard relate to his service in the American army as a lieutenant colonel attached to George Washington's staff. The collection, which spans over 100 years, includes congressional citations; Tousard’s commissions, some bearing the signatures of Washington, John Adams, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, Lafayette, and others; and scant original correspondence; and a volume of photostats of Tousard’s correspondence from 1718 to 1817. There are also papers from Anthony Eugene Stocker, Tousard’s grandson and an officer in the Civil War.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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St. David's Church (Radnor, Pa.) records, circa 1706-2008

Extent:
15.0 linear feet (; 30 boxes, 34 volumes, 15 flat files)
Abstract:
The cornerstone for St. David’s Church was laid in 1715 by a group of Welsh settlers in what is currently Radnor Township. During the Revolutionary War, the parish faced turmoil and the absence of a minister for the parishioners. By 1788, the parish once again had leadership, and in 1792, Reverend William Currie incorporated the parish and drew up a charter. The parish continued to grow as railroad lines brought urban dwellers to areas like Radnor that surrounded Philadelphia. For the next century, the parish would erect buildings to accommodate its constituency, providing the parishioners with a new rectory, chapel, parish house, and education building. Currently, the church attends to the religious needs of over one thousand families and holds many events, including an annual fair and auction. The records of St. David’s Church span from 1706 to 2006 and offer insight into the activities of the parishioners and history of the church in Radnor, Pennsylvania. This collection consists...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Indian Rights Association records, 1830-1986, undated (inclusive)

Extent:
185.5 linear feet (476 boxes; 38 volumes; 1 flat file)
Abstract:
Beginning in 1882 the Indian Rights Association was one of the most important organizations establishing and influencing American Indian policy in the 20th century. The records of the organization span from its origins to the 1980s and include correspondence, research papers, administrative files, photographs, publications, and papers of Herbert Welsh, one of its founders.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Malta Boat Club records, 1870-1912, undated

Extent:
2.92 linear feet (; 7 boxes)
Abstract:
Established as the Malta Barge Club by members of the Minnehaha Lodge of the Sons of Malta in 1860, Malta Boat Club is an amateur rowing and social club located on Boat House Row in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Malta Boat Club's membership currently includes several prominent Philadelphians from a variety of professions. The Malta Boat Club records, 1870-1912, consist of financial accounts and other business papers, correspondence, lectures on banking, and other materials.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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