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John Macpherson Berrien Collection
Notifications
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
Berrien was a congressman and native of New Jersey who came from a prominent family of Huguenot descent. He graduated from The College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in 1796, moved to Savannah, Georgia, to study law, was admitted to practice in 1799, and in 1824 was elected to the United States Senate.
The collection consists primarily of several letters by Berrien but includes other Berrien family material. Among the correspondents are James Carnahan (Princeton president), Robert Y. Hayne, Nathaniel Silsbee, andf Thomas Swann. Also included is a manuscript of Berrien family genealogy compiled by Emil Leute (August 16, 1932), a warrant for the arrest of Negro "Sam" (Jan. 18, 1771), a letter to Jonathan Sergeant (treasurer of Prince Town College), a brief biography of Berrien, and an engraved portrait of him signed by Max Rosenthal (1893).
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.
Original letter to James Carnahan was a gift of Prof. Henry Clay Cameron. Various AM.
Finding aid written by James Flannery in January 2006. Folder Inventory added by Hilde Creager (2015) in 2012.
No appraisal information is available.
People
Organization
- College of New Jersey (Princeton, N.J.)
- College of New Jersey (Princeton, N. J.). Class of 1796.
- Princeton University
Subject
- Publisher
- Manuscripts Division
- Finding Aid Date
- 2006
- Access Restrictions
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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
An order to pay Henry Silcock "eighteen shillings and four pence" for painting the college ladder.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
Thanking him for a copy of Carnahan's address to the senior class.
Physical Description1 folder
About the confiscation of the lands of Governor Wright.
Physical Description1 folder
Concerning a prospectus to be sent out by Hayne.
Physical Description1 folder
On the pending Oregon bill, and a speech Berrien made opposing its passage.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Also contains reference to Riker family.
Physical Description1 folder