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Jonathan Belcher 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

Belcher, Jonathan, 1682-1757

Jonathan Belcher, a merchant and colonial governor, was the son of a cloth maker from London, who came to Cambridge, Mass., in the mid 17th century. He graduated from Harvard in 1699, traveled extensively in Europe, came back to Boston where he established himself as a merchant and made a great fortune. His political career began when he was elected to the Massachusetts Council in 1718. In 1729 Belcher was in London on an official visit when he got news of the death of Gov. William Burnet of Massachussetts, and was able to secure the position for himself. His commission was dated 1729/30, appointing him governor of Masachussetts and New Hampshire, and he was re-elected for several terms. Certain factors led to his downfall, one of which was his conflicts with the British royal authorities, and on May 7, 1741, he was dismissed from both governorships. A few years later he went back to England, and in July 1746 he was appointed governor of New Jersey. He was very interested in establishing the College of New Jersey (now Princeton), and on his death bequeathed his library of 374 volumes to it. There was a proposal to name the present Nassau Hall "Belcher Hall," but he declined the honor and suggested the name now in use.

The collection contains correspondence and documents of Jonathan Belcher, dating from his early years in Massachusetts to his days as colonial governor of New Jersey. Correspondents include Rev. Mather Byles, Nathaniel Chauncey, Lewis Morris, Sir William Pepperrell, Richard Waldron, and John Walley. Two letters by his sons, Andrew and Jonathan Jr., to Robert Ogden confirm their father's death. The collection also includes an autograph marriage license, a deed of land sale, other official documents, a family tree compiled in 1950, and a photograph and a drawing of a dress worn by Belcher's first wife, Mary Partridge Belcher.

Organized by form--correspondence is first--and then arranged chronologically

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.

Various AM.

Finding aid written by James Flannery on January 11, 2006. Folder Inventory added by Hilde Creager (2015) in 2012.

No appraisal information is available.

Publisher
Manuscripts Division
Finding Aid Date
2006
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

Letter from Jonathan Belcher to Mr. Alexander, 1753 December 10. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Concerning memorials laid before him by the Council of the colony of New Jersey.

Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from Andrew Belcher to Robert Ogden, 1757 September 17. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Acknowledging receipt of news of the death of his father, Jonathan Belcher, and overpowering Ogden to act for him in any way necessary.

Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from Jonathan Jr. Belcher to Robert Ogden, 1757 October 21. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

He is questioning Ogden's succeeding to the governorship of NJ, and mentions Messrs. Hatfield, Mathies, Crane, Stephen, Woodruff and William Smith of Elizabethtown, president of the college.

Physical Description

1 folder

Documents of Mary Partridge Belcher (Belcher's first wife), undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Relating to a dress worn by Madame Belcher.

Physical Description

1 folder

12 Letters from Jonathan Belcher to Mather Byles, 1730-1756. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from Mather Byles Jr. to Jonathan Belcher, 1744 May 29. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence between Nathaniel Chauncey and Jonathan Belcher regarding shipment of wheat, 1712-1717. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from Jonathan Belcher to Capt. Foster with photocopy and comtemporary transcript, 1708 November 26. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Materials Viewable Online
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Letter from Jonathan Belcher to Lewis Morris, 1755 March 10. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

In reference to the arrival of Gen. Braddock, and to refusal of NJ Assembly to grant sum of money

Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from Jonathan Belcher to Sir William Pepperrell, 1720 December 17. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

About the Sloop Tyrol and a load of fish.

Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from Jonathan Belcher to Sir William Pepperrell, 1719 February 29. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from Jonathan Belcher to Richard Waldron, 1738 April 17. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from Jonathan Belcher to Richard Waldron, 1748 July 28. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Praising his nephew and giving advice about his plans, etc.

Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from Jonathan Belcher to John Walley, circa 1747. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from Jonathan Belcher to Rev. Watts, 1741 May 20. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Address to George II signed by 31 London merchants thanking the king for having appointed Belcher governor of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, 1729 December 2. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Marriage license to Solomon Price and Elenor Vanderbelt, 1756 May 16. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Grammar School visitation verses, 1726. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Transcript of Belcher's quarter bills at Harvard (typed copy), undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Typescript of 3 Letters from Gov. Belcher to Rev. Bradbury, Committee of the West Jersey Society, James Logan, 1747-1748. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Document for the appointment of David Jacobs to be coroner of Plymouth Colony (copy), 1731 August 5. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter, "Early Princeton" (typed copy), 1748 November 14. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Deed of gift of Belcher's library to the College of New Jersey (copy), 1755 May 7. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

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