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Bruce C. Willsie Collection of William A. Newell

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

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

Newell, William A. (William Augustus), 1817-1901

William A. Newell, a member of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine Class of 1839, was a physican and politician. Newell was a member of the United States House of Representatives (1847-1851, 1865-1867) and, during his first term, was responsible for the Newell Act, which established the United States Life-Saving Service. Following his first two terms in Congress, Newell served as the 18th governor of New Jersey (1857-1860). In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln appointed Newell superintendent of the Life-Saving Service of New Jersey. Following his third term in Congress, Newell practiced privately as a physican until he was appointed governor of the Washington Territory by President Rutherford B. Hayes, a position which he held during the years 1880-1884.

The collection consists of a small archive of correspondence, documents, and printed matter relating to Newell, acquired by Bruce Willsie (Princeton Class of 1986). Much of the material dates from the Civil War period when Newell, finishing his term as the eighteenth governor of New Jersey, was appointed by President Lincoln as superintendent of the Life-Saving Service of New Jersey. Correspondents include professor (later president of Princeton) John Maclean, Philip Kearny, Union general and leader of the 1st New Jersey Brigade, and Newell's brothers, W. D. and J. W. Newell.

The Newell material is arranged chronologically in two bound volumes; the printed material fills an additional folder.

Was Deposit, made gift by Bruce Willsie '86 in March 1990 (AM1990-99). Geneological Notes AM2000-45.

Folder Inventory added by Hilde Creager (2015) in 2012.

No appraisal information is available.

Publisher
Manuscripts Division
Finding Aid Date
2008
Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.

Collection Inventory

Volume 1 with listing of contents, 1849-1862. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Volume 2, 1862-1909. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

William A. Newell Correspondence, 1859-1901. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

2 Wills by J. Joanna Newell, wife of Dr. William A. Newell of Olympia Washington, 1888-1892. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Family Correspondence to William A. Newell, Governor of New Jersey, 1903-1928. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Letters to "Dear Ellie" (Mrs. John N. Jordan), letters to Captain J. N. Jordan (SC) USN 1882-1928 (William Augustus Newell's son-in-law).

Physical Description

1 folder

Family Papers of William A. Newell: Receipts, cancelled checks, envelopes, printed matter, 1878-1928. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Newell Family Geneological Notes, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Print, Suggest