Call Number:

02

Repository:

John Bowman Bartram Special Collections Library

Extent:

3.0 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1957-1993 (inclusive)

Creator:

Wilson, Conrad, 1921-2005

Abstract:

Conrad Wilson (1921-2005) and Colonel William Eber Frame Jr. (1924-2007) were descendants of "Father of American Botany" John Bartram (1699-1777). Both Wilson and Frame were avid historians and genealogists. The Conrad Wilson and Colonel William Eber Frame genealogy research files on the Bartram family, 1957-1993, consist of materials gathered by Frame and Wilson relating to Bartram family genealogy.

"John Bartram (1699-1777) was the self-taught "Father of American Botany." Bartram's career as a botanist began with the creation of his garden in Kingsessing, Pennsylvania. While Bartram's botanical garden was probably not the first in America, it soon became the largest and most impressive. He traveled extensively throughout the eastern United States collecting plant specimens. His first expedition was through Maryland and Virginia, where he traveled up the James River and into the Blue Ridge Mountains. Other trips led Bartram through the Catskill Mountains and Oswego, New York, to Lake Ontario, and later to the Carolinas. Bartram's final trip, in 1765, took him to Florida, where he served as King George's royal botanist.

"Of John Bartram's nine children, William (1739-1823) is the best known. He attended the Philadelphia Academy for four years, beginning in 1752. Despite his father's desire that he learn a trade, William was fascinated by botany and pursued his love of nature throughout his life. He accompanied his father on the 1765 expedition in Florida and, in 1773, returned to further explore the state. William spent nearly four years in the southern United States and later published an account of his travels. Two of John Bartram's other children, Moses and Isaac Bartram, were Philadelphia merchants." (Historical Society of Pennsylvania)

Conrad Wilson (1921-2005), a descendant of John Bartram, was an avid historian and genealogist. He served as the chief of manuscripts at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and also worked for the Chester County Historical Society. ("Conrad Wilson Obituary")

Colonel William Eber Frame Jr. (1924-2007) was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Europe from 1942-1945. He was an active historian and genealogist, was a member of the Newark City Council for District 4 in the late 1960s, and served as Master of Hiram Lodge 25 of Newark, Delaware. ("William Eber Frame Jr.")

Bibliography:

"Conrad Wilson Obituary." Rutland Herald, March 22, 2005.

Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Finding aid for "Bartram Family Papers, 1684-1841." Accessed July 3, 2012. http://discover.hsp.org/Record/hsp.ead.at01-0036/Details#tabnav.

"William Eber Frame Jr." Newark Post, March 23, 2007.

This collection is comprised of genealogical research compiled by Conrad Wilson and William E. Frame on the Bartram family. Both Wilson and Frame were Bartram family descendants. Frame donated his papers to Wilson, and in turn Wilson donated the materials to the John Bowman Bartram Special Collections Library.

The materials in this collection consist of: correspondence with other family members and historic organizations; research notes; data on family members and family trees; and copies of primary source documents. The collection is organized by family "branch." The materials gathered by Frame constitute approximately one third of the collection. The collection also includes a small amount of materials relating to the Bartram Family Association, such as minutes, broadsides, and invitations.