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Pennsylvania 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 collection consists of selected correspondence, deeds, and other documents dating from the Colonial and Revolutionary periods of the state of Pennsylvania. Of significance are the letters of Robert Morris, who at the time was National Superintendent of Finance, regarding the purchase of supplies and the appointment of William Churchill Houston (Princeton Class of 1768) as Receiver of Continental Taxes for New Jersey. Another letter, in French, written on Morris's behalf to the governor of Cuba, concerns the raising of funds for the United States. There are two passports for safe passage and recommendations for the Rev. Charles Beatty regarding his trips to raise funds for the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University). The first is signed by Robert Hunter Morris (1754) and the second by Richard Penn (1772). There are several documents related to taxes and their collection in Pennsylvania, and lists of persons who are delinquent on them. There is a printed form of the "Constitution" of the Philadelpia Society for the Information and Assistance of Persons Emigrating from Foreign Countries, dated 1795. A letter from the Executive Committee of Founder's Week of the 225th Anniversary of the City of Philadelphia to John Franklin Fort, Governor of New Jersey, dated October 1, 1908, concerns the celebrations in Philadelphia.

Among documents are two deeds (1735) of John White and the Rev. William Tennent for land in Warminster, Bucks County, for the "Log College," which Tennent conducted from 1726 until his death in 1745. There are three deeds of Emma Bache, William Bache, and Benjamin Franklin Bache for land in Fayette County, two deeds of Catherine Wistar for land in Northumberland County, and one of Richard Wistar which bears the seal of the "Province of Pennsylvania." Also, there are three deeds for property in Philadelphia, and one of Robert Morris and Alexander Wilcocks for property in Luzerne County, dated December 18, 1797.

In addition, there is a one-page description of a journey along the Susquehanna River in 1800; on the verso is a campaign song by Robert Morton, dated March 22, 1801.

Arranged in accession number order.

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.

Log College deeds were a gift of Chas. Spencer Richardson, Princeton Class of 1903, in March 1920.

Deeds to Bache and Wistar were a gift of William Berryman Scott, Princeton Class of 1877, on January 25, 1922.

Passports signed by Morris and Penn were a gift of Mrs. Idell on December 10, 1928.

"Journey along the Susquehanna River" was purchased on August 27, 1974.

Items of Robert Morris were a gift of William Weaver, Princeton Class of 1934, in 1958. Various AM.

This collection was processed by Dina Britain on November 13, 2008. Finding aid written by Natalie Kim on Nobember 18, 2008. 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

Deed for a lot in Philadephia from William Mackenzie to James Collins, 1809 June 30. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter to Benjamin Guild concerning money matters, deed for 153 acres, 1706-1792. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from Clare Thomas to Benjamin Guild, 1794 September 14. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

3 guardianship petitions, 5 drafts of tract of land, 2 receipts from Michael Good and Mr. Bresler, Letter from M.H. Good, 1829-1873. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from Robert Morris to Governor of Cuba, 1782 November 25. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Deed for Bucks County by Timothy Sheriff Smith, 1735 August 30. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Deed for Bucks Co., Pa. by John White, 1735 September 10. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Deed for Bucks Co., Pa. by John White, 1735 September 11. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

2 deeds of property to James Correll from John and Elizabeth Baldwin, 1748 May. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Deed of property in Warminster, Bucks Co., Pa. from Joseph and Elizabeth Whitton to John Slack, 1794 April 22. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Deed of land in Badford Co., Pa. from John Penn to Richard Wistar, 1776 October 12. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Draught of tract land by John Barues for Joseph Knight, 1773 July 6. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Deed for "Belmont" in Northumberland Co., Pa. to Catherine Wistar, 1793 July 25. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Deed for 400 acres in Northumberland Co., Pa. by John Marshall Smith, 1803 May 23. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Document from John Marshall Smith to Benjamin Franklin Bache for 440 acres of land in Fayette Co., Pa., 1806 May 15. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Deed for land in Fayette Co., Pa. from John Marshall Smith to Emma Bache, 1805 May 15. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Mortgage on land in Lancaster Co., Pa. from William and Susanna Farmer to John Campbell, 1771 May 28. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Document for property in Philadelphia, Pa. from Benjamin Shoemaker to Hugh Christy, 1801 September 1. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Passport and recommendation from Richard O. Penn to Rev. Charles Beatty, 1772 April 14. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Letters of passport" and recommendation from Robert Hunter Morris issued to Rev. Charles Beatty, 1754 November 7. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Extract of letter from one of the "Drunkards" to Benjamin Franklin, 1761 June 16. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Constitution of the Emigrant Society of Philadelphia, 1795. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Deed of land purchased by John Hart, 1795 April 9. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Original contract disposing of a certain interest in Fitch's patents signed John Fitch, 1796 June 18. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from Robert Morris to Jonathan Hudson, 1778 December 7. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from Robert Morris to the Governor of New Hampshire, 1783 April 7. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Receipt and check from Robert Morris, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from Robert Morris to John Fitzgerald, 1786 May 26. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

A description of journey along the Susquehanna and Campaign song by Robert Morton, 1801. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from Robert Morris to William Churchill Houston appointing him Receiver to Continental taxes for New Jersey, 1782 April 4. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Account of Nathan Foster and Samuel Sturgis, 1763-1765. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

One deed from George Nephews to David Linsley for land in Warminster, 1738. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

One deed to Robert Morris and Alexander Wilcocks, 1797. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

One deed from Samuel Cart to Charles Brockton, 1728. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

List of persons of North Ward City of Philadelphia who neglected to pay taxes, 1783 January 28. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Records of tax delinquents, accounts and receipts, 1784-1789. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

General miscellany, 1908 October 1. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

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