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John Forsyth 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

Forsyth, John, 1780-1841

John Forsyth, a representative and a senator from Georgia (1818-1819, 1829-1834), was born in Fredericksburg, Va., on October 22, 1780. He graduated from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in 1799, moved to Augusta, Ga., studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1802. He was elected to the United States Senate, and appointed secretary of state by President Andrew Jackson. Reappointed by President Martin Van Buren, he served from 1834 to 1841. He died in Washington, D.C., on October 21, 1841.

The collection consists of selected Forsyth correspondence and documents, and genealogical information on the Forsyth family. Correspondents include Walton W. Evans, H. A. Garland, Henry Miegs, Arthur Shaaf, Samuel Swartwout, Mrs. Margaret White, and R. H. Wilde. There is a series of long letters (1819-1820) by Forsyth to his wife, Clara, and their children written from Cadiz and Madrid at the beginning of his diplomatic appointment as minister to Spain. Documents include a patent granted to Robert Beale, dated Feb. 20, 1835, and signed by Andrew Jackson and John Forsyth, and a manuscript by Forsyth titled "Journal at Cadiz, 1819."

Arranged by accession number.

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.

Folder 13 (Letter from Forsyth to Son) is a gift of Mrs. Robert H. Carton and Mr. John William Keating. Various AM.

Finding aid written by James Flannery on February 16, 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 John Forsyth to R.H. Wilde with account of the Battle of New Orleans, 1815 February 4. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from John Forsyth to "My dear Judge", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from John Forsyth to an unspecified correspondent, 1814 November 5. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from John Forsyth to H.A. Garland, 1840 April 10. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

42 Letters, Genealogical information is included, 1802-1840. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Materials Viewable Online
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18 letters from Georgia to various correspondents, 1803-1851. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Journal at Cadiz", Letter of patent for Robert Beale, Clipping from "Mobile Register", extracts "from the Journal of John Forsyth", 1819-1883. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letters to his wife and children, written from Spain, 1819-1820. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from John Forsyth to Samuel Swartwout, 1835 July 31. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from John Forsyth to Meehan, 1837 November 30. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from John Forsyth to Walton W. Evans, 1837 May 19. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from John Forsyth to Mrs. Margaret White, 1826 April 20. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from John Forsyth to his son, John Forsyth Jr., giving him some fatherly advice, 1831 August 10. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

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