Call Number:

Ms. Coll. 1250

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

0.2 linear feet (1 box)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Robert H. Gere papers, 1752-1883 (bulk: 1856-1883), Ms. Coll. 1250, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1752-1883 (inclusive) and 1856-1883 (bulk)

Creator:

Gere, Robert H.

Form:

Genealogies (histories) and Diaries

Abstract:

Robert H. Gere (1859-1928) was a senior partner at Gere & Church law firm and an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Syracuse, NY. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1883 with a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy and from Syracuse University Law School in 1898. Before beginning his law career, Gere spent thirteen years working as a news reporter. He married Harriet Sexsmith Gere in 1893 and together they had a daughter, Katharine. This collection contains materials dating between 1752 and 1883 and includes two diaries belonging to Robert H. Gere; a book entitled "Genealogy of the Geer Family," in which the lines of George and Thomas Geer are traced from 1621 to 1856; a single leaf from a math copybook that includes a note in pencil dating it to 1752; an oversize copy of The Luzerne Federalist; and the Susquehanna Intelligencer (a local periodical); and an unused travel accounts book.

Robert H. Gere was born in South Granby, New York on June 4, 1859 and died in Syracuse, New York on October 7, 1928. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1883 with a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy and went on to work with both the Syracuse Standard and the Syracuse Herald as a reporter for thirteen years. In 1893, Gere married Harriet Sexsmith Gere (1869- 1910) and together they had a daughter, Katharine (1894-1979.) He graduated from the College of Law at Syracuse University in 1898 and was a senior partner of Gere & Church law firm, one of the oldest law firms in Syracuse. He was the clerk of session and a ruling elder of the First Presbyterian Church and the treasurer of the Onondaga County Sunday School Association for 25 years. He was also one of few laymen to serve as moderator of the Syracuse Presbytery.

This collection contains materials dating between 1752 and 1883. There are two diaries belonging to Robert H. Gere, one from 1879 primarily concerning his time teaching elementary school, learning German, reading Virgil, and attending Syracuse University. The second diary, dating to 1883, contains details from a survey trip in New York. In this volume, there are several sketches of the land and topography, including Cedar Lake, Middle Stink Lake, Huckleberry Mountain, Jersey Field and Pine Hill. Both diaries include sketches and brief accounts. There is also a book entitled "Genealogy of the Geer Family," in which the lines of George and Thomas Geer are traced from 1621 to 1856. In the portion detailing George Geer's lineage, there are several newspaper clippings of death announcements and obituaries corresponding to the family members listed. There is a single leaf from a math copybook that includes a note in pencil dating it to 1752. An oversize copy of The Luzerne Federalist; and the Susquehanna Intelligencer, a local periodical, is addressed to Robert Gere and dated to February 18, 1804. This publication seems to be primarily locally focused, including for-sale announcements, notes about debts, job openings, and general "communications" from the community. In addition to this, the periodical also includes updates on Congress and brief news from England of the happenings in Europe. Finally, there is an unused travel accounts book.