Call Number:

C0257

Repository:

Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division

Extent:

• 13 boxes
• 4.84 linear feet

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Princeton University Library Collection of Ashbel Green Materials, Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Date:

1744-1958 (inclusive) and 1783-1844 (bulk)

Creator:

Princeton University. Library. Special Collections and Green, Ashbel (1762-1848)

Form:

Correspondence -- 18th century, Correspondence -- 19th century, Diaries -- 18th century., Diaries -- 19th century, Speeches., Sermons, American -- 18th century., and Sermons, American -- 19th century.

Abstract:

Ashbel Green (1762-1848) was a prominent Presbyterian minister, eighth president of the College of New Jersey, and co-founder of the Princeton Theological Seminary. The bulk of the papers consist of Green's personal writings, including diaries and sermons. The papers of Green's father, the Reverend Jacob Green (1722-1790) are also included.

Born in Hanover, New Jersey, on July 6, 1762, Ashbel Green was the son of the Reverend Jacob Green, minister of the Presbyterian congregation in Hanover. Taught at home by his father, Green adopted many of his father's religious and political convictions. Green credited his father with adequately preparing him for college. He entered the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) as a member of the Class of 1783 during that class's junior year. He graduated as valedictorian and delivered the valedictory oration. After graduation, Green spent two years as a tutor at the college followed by a year and a half as the chair of the Mathematics and Natural Philosophy department. While working at the college, Green was also studying theology with Professor John Witherspoon with the goal of becoming a minister in mind. Green would also marry his first wife, Elizabeth Stockton, while at the College of New Jersey. Elizabeth was the daughter of prominent Princetonian Robert Stockton. They had three children together – Robert Stockton, Jacob, and James Sprout.

Green was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of New Brunswick in February 1786. He was ordained and installed minister at Philadelphia's Second Presbyterian Church in May of 1787, where he remained until 1812. While a minister in Philadelphia, Green's stature began to grow. He became a member of the Presbyterian General Assembly, later serving as its Stated Clerk from 1790 to 1803. He achieved national prominence when he was elected chaplain to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1792, where he served until the end of President Washington's second term in 1800. He was a member of the committee which planned the Theological Seminary at Princeton and maintained a close relationship with the institution until his death.

Green was elected president of the College of New Jersey in August 1812, succeeding Samuel Stanhope Smith (1751-1819). Unhappy with the direction the previous administration had taken the college, Green sought to reestablish order and discipline and the importance of religious education. The campus underwent a modest religious revival not long after he took office. Frequent student riots had plagued the college during President Smith's tenure, prompting Green to implement a firm code of discipline. Though student discontent persisted, Green was successful in increasing enrollment during his tenure. He resigned in September of 1822, prompted by the trustees' attempts to push his son Jacob out of his professorship. Green also cited illness and age as contributing factors. After leaving Princeton, Green returned to Philadelphia to edit the Christian Advocate and continue his career as an influential theologian.

Green's first wife died in January of 1807. In October 1809, Green married Christina Anderson, daughter of Colonel Alexander Anderson. Ashbel and Christina had one child, Ashbel, Jr. Christina passed away in 1814. In 1815 he married a third time to Mary McCulloh, who died in 1817. Green lived to age 86, passing away on May 19, 1848, in Philadelphia.

The collection consists of writings, correspondence, printed documents, and other materials of Green. Included are Green's original diaries (with typed transcriptions), covering the period from 1790 to 1848, as well as holograph reports, sermons, and addresses. The reports were delivered to the faculty and trustees of the College of New Jersey and describe the state of the college in a given year. Most of the sermons, numbered and dated and noting a specific Bible verse, were intended for Green's congregation in Philadelphia.

Correspondence documents Green's personal and professional activities through letters exchanged over the course of his life with family, friends, and colleagues. Correspondents include Green's wives, children, work associates, and fellow clergymen, as well as several prominent Americans of the time, such as Francis Scott Key, Dr. Benjamin Rush, and Jedediah Morse.

In addition, the papers include printed material, such as copies of The Life of Ashbel Green (1849) and a collection of sermons from the Christian Advocate. There are also documents created by Green's father, Jacob Green (1722-1790), and various other family members.