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Ogden Family Collection
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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
The Ogden family of Elizabeth (formerly Elizabethtown), in Union County, New Jersey includes the family's American founding father, John Ogden, who settled in Elizabethtown in the 1680s; Aaron Ogden (1756-1839, Princeton Class of 1773), a governor of New Jersey; Robert Ogden (1687-1733); his namesake son Robert Ogden (1716-1787); and the third generation with the same name, Robert Ogden (1746-1826, Princeton Class of 1765).
TThe main portion consists of original correspondence, deeds, receipts, manuscripts, financial documents, some relating to the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), and other documents of several members of the Ogden family of Elizabeth (formerly Elizabethtown), New Jersey. ‡b Various members of the Ogden family are represented including Aaron Ogden (Princeton Class of 1773), Abraham Ogden, David Ogden, Ernest H. Ogden, Francis Barber Ogden, John Ogden, Mathias Ogden, Oliver Wayne Ogden, Robert Ogden (Princeton Class of 1765), and Samuel Ogden. Most of the correspondence concerns New Jersey State government, legal, political, or military issues; while some is regarding the sale of land or of slaves, or regarding bonds payable to the Trustees of the College of New Jersey. Included is a letter from Robert Ogden to Aaron Burr, dated 1757, with advice on how to prevent William Morris from becoming governor of New Jersey; a letter from Ernest H. Ogden to Philip Ricard Fendall (Princeton Class of 1815) asking him to deliver a public oration for the Cliosophic Society on July 4, 1832; a letter from Robert Ogden to Jonathan Sergeant (Princeton Class of 1762) regarding a bond from Elias Woodruff payable to the Trustees of the College of New Jersey; and a letter from Samuel Ogden also to Sergeant dated 1775, asking him to bring action in the Supreme Court against Lord Sterling to recover very large sums of money. Other correspondents include John Branch, Elias B. Dayton, Jonathan Dayton (Princeton Class of 1776),Thomas Gibbons, Robert C. Griffith, John Halstead, Esq., the Marquis de Lafayette, Nicholas Low, Garret Dorset Wall, and Benjamin Williamson (Princeton Class of 1827).
The documents include one of David Ogden titled "A Brief History of the Discovery of America and Settlement ...," an index in alphabetical order of Elizabethtown people on record, and a copy of a legal document concerning the title of lands in Newark, N.J. from the Indian Land Purchase. There is a document dated 1843 from Sam Houston, President of the Republic of Texas appointing Francis Barber Ogden as Consul of Texas in Liverpool, England. Included is an article of agreement between John Ogden, John Cooper, and John Clement dated 1727 for the transfer of a lot of land in Newark. There are two documents of Mathias Ogden; one is from the Continental Congress and one from the New Jersey Provincial Congress, dated 1775, appointing him Major of a Brigade in New York.
The second portion consists of photostats of original letters and documents relating to the Ogden family, collected by Mrs. Richard Kennedy. Various members of the Ogden family are represented, including the family's American founding father, John Ogden, who settled in Elizabethtown in 1664; Aaron Ogden; Robert Ogden (1687-1733); his namesake son Robert Ogden (1716-1787); and the third generation with the same name, Robert Ogden (1746-1826, Princeton Class of 1765). Also present are papers (1763-1771) concerning the College of New Jersey Lottery managed by Robert Ogden (1716-1787), estate inventories, deeds, a survey of land in Sussex County, genealogies, wills, and slave bills of sale. Correspondents include Aaron Burr, Jonathan Belcher, William Alexander, Elisha Boudinot, Stephen Crane, Ebenezer Platt, Samuel Meeker, and an Indian named Wickquaylis.
For additional information regarding the Ogden family, see The Ogden Family in America, Elizabethtown Branch, and Their English Ancestry, John Ogden, the Pilgrim, and his Descendants, 1640-1906, Their History, Biography & Genealogy (Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott, 1907) compiled by William Ogden Wheeler, and edited by Lawrence Van Alstyne and Rev. Charles Burr Ogden (P.U.L. call no. 1244.685.96).
Organized into two series:
The collection was formed as a result of a Departmental practice of combining into one collection material of various accessions relating to a particular person, family, or subject.
The photostats (Series 2) were made from originals in possession of Mrs. Richard (Jocelyn) Kennedy.
For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.
This collection was processed by Rachel Jordan in 2004. Finding aid written by Rachel Jordan in 2004.
No appraisal information is available.
People
Organization
- College of New Jersey (Princeton, N.J.)
- College of New Jersey (Princeton, N.J.). Class of 1773.
- Princeton University
Subject
- Lotteries -- New Jersey -- 18th century
- Slave records -- New Jersey -- 19th century
- Educational fund raising -- New Jersey -- 18th century
- Indian land transfers -- History -- Sources
Place
- Publisher
- Manuscripts Division
- Finding Aid Author
- Rachel Jordan
- Finding Aid Date
- 2004
- Access Restrictions
-
Collection is open for research use.
- Use Restrictions
-
Photoduplication of the photostats of the Kennedy collection is prohibited. Otherwise, single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. For instances beyond Fair Use, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.
Collection Inventory
Consists of photostat copies of Ogden family correspondence and documents collected by Mrs. Richard Kennedy.
Arranged alphabetically by correspondent.
Physical Description1 box
1 box
concerning victualing of the King's troops
Physical Description1 folder
written for Abercrombie by his aide, on the subject of victualing the King's troops
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1 box
asking to have value fixed on the Society lands as soon as possible
Physical Description1 folder
survey of Lord Stirling's land in the county of Sussex left him by his mother, Mary Alexander
Physical Description1 folder
deed transferring 200 acres of unappropriated land in New Jersey to Robert Ogden, (1716-1787)
Physical Description1 folder
deed transferring 66 acres in any part of unappropriated East Jersey to Robert Ogden (1716-1787)
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survey of Lord Stirling's land made for Robert Ogden (1716-1787), not personal property, Stirling was acting as one of the proprietors of the Eastern Division of New Jersey
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
extract of a letter from Manchester exposing a plot hatching in England to destroy American Manufactures
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1 box
Dickinson must have died before the letter reached New Jersey; congratulates him on appointment of Jonathan Belcher as governor of New Jersey
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1 box
receipt to Robert Ogden (1687-1733)
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1 box
deed for land conveyed from Baker to Hendrick Van Pelt (?) in Elizabethtown
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1 box
concerning the course of the war
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on difficulties which advances of the British at Fort Montgomery are causing
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Barber is appointed Director of Discipline to four brigades; British are about to evacuate Philadelphia; a French frigate has been brought into New York; he is happy to think the war is almost over
Physical Description1 folder
telling of his wound and the "Spirited and Soldierly conduct" of Major Aaron Ogden
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inventory of Belcher's house, with appraisal made by Stephen Crane and Matthias Williamson; Robert Ogden (1716-1787) was one of the executors
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requesting the date on which the Cliosophic Society was established
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1 box
Doctor's bill for Robert Ogden (1687-1733) paid by Estate; receipted on reverse, November 15, 1734
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
presenting a scheme to raise a company of volunteers to serve their country; a list of men to furnish two levies, one to go to the frontiers of Sussex; the other into the continental Jersey Brigade and to pay in proportion to their several taxables
Physical Description1 folder
See: Ogden, Zophar Platt and Cornelius DuBois
Physical Description1 item
Governor of the Province of East New Jersey
Physical Description1 box
letter of Administration of John Ogden's widow, Jane Bond; John Ogden, the first of the family in America, was born in North Hampton, England, and came to the colonies in 1640; he married Jane Bond in 1641, and lived in Stanford, Connecticut and Hempstead, Long Island before becoming one of the two patentees of Elizabeth, New Jersey
Physical Description1 folder
son of Jonathan Edwards (3rd president of Princeton) and son-in-law of Robert Ogden (1716-1787)
Physical Description1 box
concerning the purchase of beef for the Continental troops
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
receipt held by Robert Ogden (1687-1733) while Collector of Taxes for the County of Essex
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
notice of a Trustees' meeting of the College of New Jersey to be held at Nassau Hall on April 3
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
concerning the victualing of the King's troops
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
promisory note to Robert Ogden (1746-1826), witnessed by Elisha Boudinot
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
requesting that Ogden sign the enclosed note to cover one due in the Elizabeth bank
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
contract for the purchase of a pew in the 1st Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth, witnessed by Elias Dayton and Peter V. Ogden
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
The Governor and Proprietors of East New Jersey appoint Captain John Bishop of Raway [Rahway] guardian of a minor, Frances More; true copy signed by Hamilton, John Bishop, and Jonathan Donham
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
receipt in favor of Stephen Hinds
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
concerning Jonathan Belcher's appointment as Governor of the Province of New Jersey; mentions the death of the Rev. Jonathan Dickenson
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
receipt to Robert Ogden (1716-1787) for nine pounds
Physical Description1 folder
See: Blight, George W., Alfred Iverson, and Ebenezer Mason
Physical Description1 item
1 box
bill of sale of two negro children to Robert Ogden (1746-1826), to be freed at 21 and 25 years of age, respectively
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
8 receipts to Robert Ogden (1687-1733) for collections made by Ogden as Commissioner of the Loan Office
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
promisory note to Robert Ogden (1746-1826), witnessed by Samuel Chamberlin
Physical Description1 folder
See: Blight, George W., Alfred Iverson, and Ebenezer Mason
Physical Description1 item
1 box
promisory note to Robert Ogden (1746-1826), also signed by Obadiah Ayer
Physical Description1 folder
draft on Emmanuel Newman to pay Abraham Kitchel twelve pounds
Physical Description1 folder
double receipt to Robert Ogden (1746-1826)
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
deed of land in Sussex to Emmanuel Newman
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
copy of a document written by Ogden for his children describing his activities in the American Revolution, including attempt to exchange Andre for Benedict Arnold (he was the messenger) (This document has been quoted by Carl Van Lorne in his Secret History of the American Revolution and is published.)
Physical Description1 folder
receipt in favor of Robert Ogden (1746-1826)
Physical Description1 folder
concerning pensions to officers and men of the Continental Army
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
indenture by which certain lands are deeded to Andrew Willson, with some reservations
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
copy of Ogden's will as recorded in Probate records at New Haven, Connecticut
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
receipt of the Estate of John Ogden, discharging the executors, her uncles-Jonathan Ogden and Benjamin Ogden-of further responsibility
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
deed for one half acre of land in Elizabeth sold to John Cooper
Physical Description1 folder
receipt to Robert Ogden (1687-1733) for payment of debt owed by Jonathan Ogden's Estate, to Joseph Woodruff, and Robert Ogden (1687-1733)
Physical Description1 folder
son of Robert Ogden (1716-1787)
Physical Description1 box
telling him to obtain a warrant from General Washington for the necessary funds for the Commissary Department of which he is in charge at Elizabeth Towne
Physical Description1 folder
concerning his efforts to get money from Congress to pay the Continental Army; he is a member of an army committee appointed for this purpose
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
promissory note signed by Ogden and David Ogden, in favor of Josiah Ogden
Physical Description1 folder
inventory of Ogden's estate and appraisal made by Joseph Woodruff and David Whitehead
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
appointing Ogden Clerk of the Peace and Clerk and Prothonotory of Court of Common Pleas in Essex Country, New Jersey; signed by Jonathan Belcher, Thomas Bartow, and Samuel Nevill
Physical Description1 folder
appointing him Recorder of Borough of Elizabeth, signed by Jonathan Belcher and Thomas Bartow
Physical Description1 folder
appointing him Register of Court of Chancery of New Jersey, signed by Jonathan Belcher
Physical Description1 folder
granting to him authority to administer oaths of office in New Jersey, signed by Jonathan Belcher and Charles Read
Physical Description1 folder
sheet of eleven lottery tickets, each signed by Ogden, one of the manager of the New Jersey College Lottery
Physical Description1 folder
receipts for tickets and money to Ogden from the New Jersey College Lottery
Physical Description1 folder
accounts with individuals and with the College for blocks of lottery tickets sold through Ogden for the New Jersey College Lottery
Physical Description1 folder
correspondence relating to sale of tickets and settling of accounts for the New Jersey College Lottery
Physical Description1 box
1 folder
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1 folder
draft of a letter on a final settlement of lottery with trustees
Physical Description1 folder
superscription to show to Hezehiah Smith and others concerned in the Common stock
Physical Description1 folder
detailed information concerning the course of the war about New York
Physical Description1 folder
concerning the interest received on certain government securities
Physical Description1 folder
deed for land purchased by Robert Ogden (1746-1826) from his father, Robert Ogden (1716-1787), in Hardyston
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
telling that his health is improved; living now at Robert Stockton's; cost of room
Physical Description1 folder
Ogden appointed Attorney-at-law, signed by Williams Franklin
Physical Description1 folder
appointment as Surrogate of Essex County, signed by William Franklin
Physical Description1 folder
most are signed Philomelia and Philander
Physical Description1 folder
after the death of Sally Ogden in 1782
Physical Description1 folder
includes fatherly advice and religious counsel
Physical Description1 folder
includes fatherly advice and religious counsel
Physical Description1 folder
draft on Cornelius DuBois in favor of Adam Gilchrist, endorsed four times
Physical Description1 folder
receipt in favor of Elias Haines
Physical Description1 folder
purchase terms on a negro slave sold to James Fowler
Physical Description1 folder
reply concerning the founding date of Cliosophic Society, and adding other details
Physical Description1 folder
incomplete genealogy of the Ogden family
Physical Description1 folder
certified copy of Ogden's will
Physical Description1 folder
family records of Ogden and Phoebe Hatfield, and their children
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
1 folder
1 box
about the death of his son, William Henry Augustus Ogden, Ogden and Dubois were settling the estate in New Orleans
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
deed poll or transfer of land to satisfy debts owed to Joseph Sharp by the estate of Henry Darraly
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
promissory note to Robert Ogden (1746-1826), witness by Samuel Chamberlin
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
concerning a motion of the New Jersey Assembly
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
promissory note in favor of Jonathan and Thomas Morrell
Physical Description1 folder
indenture in which the sisters of Robert and Elias Ogden (Anne Spencer, Rhoda Edwards, and Hannah Ogden) sell to them their share of the mountain land, in the township of Hardyston, left by their father, Robert Ogden (1716-1787), signed by Oliver and Anne Spencer, Timothy and Rhoda Edwards, and Hannah Ogden, and witnessed by their aunt, Mary Stockton
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
promissory note in favor of Wickquaylis, an Indian, for the sum of £120, signed by Van Hook and Benjamin Johnson; three receipts on reverse signed by Wickquaylis with his mark; obligation completed 1718
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
promissory note in favor of Robert Ogden (1746-1826)
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
receipt to Robert Ogden (1687-1733) for payment of debt owed by Jonathan Ogden's Estate
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
receipt to John Wilson for money received, endorsed by Robert Ogden (1746-1826)
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
Promissory note in favor of Robert Ogden (1746-1826), also signed by William Livingston
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
receipt in favor of Robert Ogden (1687-1733)
Physical Description1 folder
receipt for goods in favor of Robert Ogden (1687-1733)
Physical Description1 folder
Consist of miscellaneous accessions of original Ogden family letters and documents.
Arranged alphabetically by family member.
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