Call Number:

Ms. Coll. 889

Repository:

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

Extent:

6 boxes

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Samuel D. Ingham correspondence, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1734-1910 (inclusive)

Creator:

Ingham, Samuel D. (Samuel Delucenna)

Form:

Correspondence

Abstract:

The Samuel D. Ingham correspondence comprises letters predominantly as well as other papers relating to Ingham and his life. The majority of the collection is correspondence either written by Ingham, to him, or to and from other political figures. Important subsets of the correspondence addressed to Ingham include letters regarding the Peggy Eaton Affair, a 1831 scandal that led to the resignation of President Jackson's entire cabinent (including then Secretary of the Treasury Ingham), as well as a series of letters from President Jackson to his Secretary of the Treasury. There are two letterbooks containing copies of letters from Ingham to others, particularly centered on but not limited to his time as Secretary of the Treasury. Other materials include postcards of Ingham's home and grave, published speeches by Ingham, a biography written by his son William Armstrong Ingham, and newspapers with articles regarding him.

Samuel Delucenna Ingham was born on 16 September 1779 in New Hope, Pennsylvania; he was the eldest son of Dr. Jonathan Ingham and his wife, Ann Welding. Samuel Ingham's great-grandfather, Jonas Ingham, had immigrated to the United States from England in 1705, establishing himself in Bucks County, where his son Jonathan developed property at Great Spring. Dr. Jonathan Ingham was well-educated, particularly versed in classical studies, and took over the mill and farm work the family had established. Dr. Ingham was also involved in support of the American Revolution and Republican Whig politics in the aftermath. These interests would influence the education of Samuel, although his formal education was cut short at the age of fourteen. His father fied, and his mother sent him to be apprenticed to a papermaker on the Pennypack Creek. Samuel continued to educate himself through reading, as well as through a friendship with a local math teacher. He married Rebbeca Dodd in 1800, around the time (at 21 years old) he took over the family estate and enhanced it with a papermill.

Ingham began to be involved in local Democratic Republican meetings, through which he rose in politics. From 1806 to 1808 he was elected to the Pennsylvania Legislature, and afterwards was appointed Justice of the Peace by the governor, while continuing to be involved in familial and local business. In 1812 he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, in which he served until 1818. During this period of his time in Congress, Ingham was involved in several committees, particularly those in regards to the Post Office. He retired in 1818 to be with his ailing wife, who passed away in 1819. In 1822 he remarried, to Deborah Kay Hall, and was re-elected to Congress. In 1829, while still in Congress, Ingham was appointed Secretary of the Treasury by the new president, Andrew Jackson, a position he would hold only until 1831, when the Peggy Eaton Affair divided the cabinent and in turn all members resigned. After leaving the cabinent, Ingham returned to the farm and mills of his family estate and was again involved in local business affairs, particularly those involving coal. In 1849 he moved to Trenton, New Jersey. Samuel Delucenna Ingham died in Trenton on 5 June 1860; he was buried in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.