Philadelphia Area Archives

Start Over Form Correspondence Form Family papers Language English Year 1845 to 1849

Miller-Dickey Family papers, 1786-1992 (inclusive)

Extent:: 10.0 boxes
Abstract:: This collection consists of papers of the Cross, Dickey, and Miller families of Chester County, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Baltimore, Maryland. John Miller and his wife, Margaret, emigrated from Scotland to Pennsylvania with their young daughter, Jane, in 1786. Miller, who was trained as a stone cutter in Scotland, developed a thriving marble business in Philadelphia; he also owned a farm in Great Valley, Pennsylvania. John was active in the Philadelphia community; he was an early member of the Pennsylvania Abolitionist Society, and a supporter of the Magdalene and Missionary Societies. The papers in this collection consist primarily of personal correspondence, business records, genealogical notes, diaries, and family photographs, of the Cross, Dickey and Miller families. The collection is particularly strong on relationships between women, family health, Presbyterian church, the history of Oxford, Pennsylvania, marble cutting business, and the genealogy of the Miller, Dickey,...(see more)

Held at: Chester County Historical Society [Contact Us]

Constantine Samuel Rafinesque papers, 1818-1977 (inclusive)

Extent:: 5.0 linear inches
Abstract:: Constantine Samuel Rafinesque (1783-1840) was a naturalist who is best known for his contributions to scientific classification and nomenclature and giving Latin names to approximately 6,700 plants. While in the United States, he toured west of the Alleghenies and made important botanical discoveries in Kentucky and Illinois. This collection dates from 1818 to 1977 and consists of copies of Rafinesque's professional letters, family material, and research by F. W. Pennell regarding Rafinesque. The majority of the collection is composed of biographical letters and rough drafts made by Pennell.

Held at: Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia [Contact Us]

George Seldes papers, 1845-1994 (inclusive) 1907-1994 (bulk)

Extent:: 56.5 linear feet (81 boxes)
Abstract:: The George Seldes papers document Seldes's career as a journalist, publisher and author. The papers provide an invaluable look at his crusade to hold the press accountable by exposing its corruption. Seldes believed the fight for a free press the most important fight in the world.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

Archives of Charles Scribner's Sons, 1786-2004 (inclusive) 1880s-1970s (bulk)

Extent:: 1492 boxes, 66 items, 151 volumes, and 750 linear feet
Abstract:: This collection consists of virtually all of the surviving records of Scribners (1846-1984), the New York City publisher, and reflect aspects of all of its publishing functions (soliciting and acquiring books, editing manuscripts, printing and manufacturing books, advertising and publicizing publications) and business concerns (book and magazine publisher, retail bookstore, subscription books department, educational books department, printing press and bindery, rare books department). Included are files of editorial correspondence with authors, manufacturing records about book production, advertising records, author contracts, a collection of dust jackets, book catalogs, ledgers, and photographs. While there are gaps in most of the series or record groups, there are records representative of all of the firm's former permutations: Baker & Scribner, Charles Scribner & Co., Scribner, Armstrong & Co., Scribner, Armstrong & Welford, Scribner & Co., Charles Scribner's Sons. The bulk of...(see more)

Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]

Lehmann Family Papers, 1649-1990 (inclusive) 1930-1975 (bulk)

Extent:: 173 boxes
Abstract:: John Lehmann was an English author, poet, journalist, editor, and publisher. His papers consist of letters from his literary friends, the correspondence of his family since the nineteenth century, manuscripts of his publications, financial and domestic files, and personal memorabilia.

Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]

Blair and Lee Family Papers, 1640-1946 (inclusive) 1812-1920 (bulk)

Extent:: 474 boxes and 253 linear feet
Abstract:: The collection consists of the personal and family papers of five members of the Blair and Lee families of Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia -- Francis Preston Blair (1791-1876); his daughter, Elizabeth Blair Lee (1818-1906); her husband, Samuel Phillips Lee (1812-1897); their son, Blair Lee (1857-1944, Princeton Class of 1880); and his cousin, Andrew Alexander Blair (1848-1932) -- reflecting their various political, journalistic, naval, family, business, legal, and domestic interests.

Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]

Stevens-Cogdell-Sanders-Venning collection, 1734-1982 (inclusive)

Extent:: 3.0 linear feet
Abstract:: The Stevens-Cogdell-Sanders-Venning family papers document the development of a white family and a prominent middle-class African American family in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, beginning with the 1760s emigration of John Stevens from England to South Carolina. The materials date from 1734 to 1982 and consist of scrapbooks, ephemera, newspaper clippings, Common Prayer books, invitations, holiday cards, correspondence, business papers, and a variety of personal papers. The materials document the Stevens-Cogdell-Sanders-Venning families’ professional, family, and personal lives as well as the development of a prominent middle-class African American family.

Held at: Library Company of Philadelphia [Contact Us]

Ogden Family Collection, 1682-1853 (inclusive)

Extent:: 2 boxes, 6 items, and 0.6 linear feet
Abstract:: Consists of miscellaneous letters and documents--originals as well as copies--relating to multiple generations of the Ogden family of Elizabeth (formerly Elizabethtown), New Jersey.

Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]

Henry Van Dyke Family Papers, 1694-1963 (inclusive) 1840-1950s (bulk)

Extent:: 179 boxes and 75.9 linear feet
Abstract:: The Henry Van Dyke Family Papers consists of papers of three generations of the prominent Van Dyke family of New York and Princeton, beginning with Henry Jackson Van Dyke (1822-1891) and his wife, Henrietta [Ashmead] Van Dyke (1820-1893), followed by their children, Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933) and Paul Van Dyke (1859-1933), and ending with Henry van Dyke's son Tertius Van Dyke (1886-1958).

Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]

Robert Montgomery Bird family correspondence, 1820-1991 (inclusive) 1830-1908 (bulk)

Extent:: 0.4 linear feet (1 box)
Abstract:: This collection contains correspondence between Robert Montgomery Bird, his wife Mary E. Bird, their son Frederic Mayer Bird, and other family members. It provides accounts of daily life in New Castle, Delaware and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the 19th century.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]