The Clements Library is pleased to announce that the following collections are now described online and may be requested for use in the reading room.
James Buchanan Letters, 1866-1869 – Processed by Cari Griffin
This collection contains 10 letters written by James Buchanan, an attorney in Tidioute, Pennsylvania. Composed over a three-year period and all addressed to Philadelphia attorney John Samuel, Buchanan commented on politics and literature, as well as concerns related to his profession.
Columbian Exposition Diary, [1893] – Processed by Jayne Ptolemy
This volume (12 pages) contains detailed descriptions of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. The author commented on exhibits, provided personal reactions to them, and reflected generally on the fair. Brief discussions of crowds, childcare, and women’s involvement are also included.
Daniel Conover Mathematics Exercise Book, 1828 – Processed by Jayne Ptolemy
Daniel Conover composed this mathematics exercise book containing definitions, problems, solved examples, rules, cases, and remarks. Subjects covered include practical geometry, mensuration of superficies, conic sections, mensuration of solids, and cylindrical rings.
Jasper F. Cropsey Collection, 1845-1846, 1859 – Processed by Cari Griffin
This collection consists of four letters addressed to Hudson River School artist Jasper F. Cropsey from art collector L. Warrington Gillet and O. A. Gill [likely Owen A. Gill] of Baltimore, dated January 24, 1845, to February 4, 1846. The letters are accompanied by one annotated envelope, postmarked May 6, 1859.
William Griffiths & Company Ledger Book, 1805-1810 – Processed by Sara Quashnie
This ledger contains two sections of recordkeeping by the mercantile firms Griffiths & Bruce and William Griffiths & Company. The first, totaling 38 pages, contains the accounts of Vice Admiral of the White James Richard Dacres, commander-in-chief of the Jamaica Station, with merchants Griffiths & Bruce and William Griffiths & Co. The transactions include payments and expenses for goods, labor, ships, and slaves from January 1805 to June 1810. The second section (11 pages) contains two lists of prize and neutral vessels captured and brought to the Jamaica Station in 1807 and 1808.
Isam Leonard Arithmetic Book, 1808 – Processed by Jayne Ptolemy
The Isam Leonard Arithmetic Book includes mathematical rules, questions, practical examples, and solved exercises covering subtraction, multiplication, division, addition, reduction, fractions, decimals, the single rule of three direct, inverse and compound proportions, and simple interest. The volume includes calligraphic lettering and designs. One undated, unsigned pencil drawing of the “Old Mill at Iffley” is tipped into the volume.
Charles F. Penley Captured Letters, 1864, 1915 – Processed by Sara Quashnie
This collection comprises five letters apparently sent and received by Captain Edward Willoughby Anderson in correspondence with Miss Maria Davis in 1864. The letters concern life in Richmond and a Confederate soldier’s perspective of the Civil War. Also present are two photographs taken in and after 1915 of Charles Freeland Penley, a Union soldier who captured the Anderson/Davis correspondence during the Civil War.
James W. Piatt Scrapbook, 1892-1896 – Processed by Jayne Ptolemy
James W. Piatt compiled this one-volume scrapbook of newspaper clippings, letters, admission tickets, and ephemera documenting cases he tried as an attorney, his interest in the Freemasons and local politics, and other judicial, legal, and miscellaneous local affairs in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania. Prominent among the newspaper clippings is extensive coverage of the 1892 trial and execution of Charles Wall for the murder of his wife, Julia Wall; and the 1893 trial and execution of Isaac Rosenweig and Harris Blank for the murder of Jacob (Jakey) Marks, all three Jewish peddlers.
Oliver Pollock Collection, 1783-1784 – Processed by Cari Griffin
This collection is comprised of six letters by or to Oliver Pollock. Five provide insight into Pollock’s role as commercial agent for the United States at Havana, Cuba, between 1783 and 1784. Pollock wrote the final letter while incarcerated in Havana, expressing hopes that the newly appointed governor would soon release him.
James H. Starry Family Correspondence, 1840-1850 – Processed by Ella Horwedel
This collection is made up of 35 letters and 1 envelope, primarily consisting of the correspondence of James H. Starry, his wife Nancy, friends, and relatives. The letters span from 1840 to 1850 and discuss a variety of topics, predominantly family issues and local happenings, with content on gender relations and roles, courtship, alcohol use and temperance, African Americans, slavery, and other subjects.
American Home Missionary Society Collection, 1835-1851 – Processed by Erin Berger and Jayne Ptolemy
This collection contains nine letters written between 1835 and 1851 to American Home Missionary Society Secretary John A. Murray and Associate Secretary Milton Badger. The primary topics are missionaries’ efforts in western and central New York, their quarterly and annual reports, appointment approvals, and the requesting of funds for pastors’ salaries.
Emma Catherine Brown Diaries, 1889-1896 – Processed by Sara Quashnie
This collection is made up of two diaries (223 pages total) by Emma Catherine Brown, a young Pennsylvania Quaker woman, from 1889 to 1892 and 1895 to 1896. She documented weather and daily life in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and Cecil County, Maryland. She described Quaker services, social gatherings, and visits of family and friends. Of particular note are references to temperance meetings and women’s suffrage groups.
Gmelin vs. DesBarres Collection, 1772-1773 – Processed by Cari Griffin
This collection contains three documents related to a boundary dispute on the Nappan River, a tributary of the Maccan River-in the County of Cumberland, Nova Scotia, Canada. The lawsuit involved Captain George Adam Gmelin and Lieutenant Joseph Frederick Wallett DesBarres of the 60th Regiment of Foot.
Henry James Family Correspondence, 1855-1865 – Processed by Cheney J. Schopieray
This collection is made up primarily of incoming correspondence to husband and wife Gilbert and Adeline James of Cherry Creek, New York. Their most prolific correspondent was Gilbert’s brother Henry James, who sent 18 letters, most written while serving in Company C of the 7th Michigan Cavalry during the Civil War. Henry James wrote to his family about life at Maple Grove, near Saginaw, Michigan; camp life during training at Camp Kellogg, Grand Rapids; experiences fighting at Gettysburg and elsewhere in Pennsylvania; and his posting at Camp Stoneman, Washington, D.C.
Albert H. Kingman Diaries, 1856-1859 – Processed by Sara Quashnie
These two bound volumes chronicle the sailing voyages and agricultural exploits of Albert Henry Kingman of Keene, New Hampshire. Sailing from Boston to New Orleans and back in 1856, Kingman described shipboard life and provided observations of antebellum New Orleans. Following his return to New Hampshire, the diaries follow his life as a farmer.
Sophia Miller Diary, 1875-1876 – Processed by Sara Quashnie
This 242-page diary documents the daily life of Sophia “Sofa” Miller, of Albion, Michigan, from 1875 to 1876. A devout Baptist, Miller recorded her attendance at various church services and meetings, her personal religious thoughts, and copies of hymns. She also chronicled the weather, household chores, and social activities.
Frederic A. Peck Account Book and Theoretic & Practical instructions on the Manufacture of Cogniac Brandy, Holland Gin, Jamaica Rum, & Pure Spirit, 1846-1848 – Processed by Cheney J. Schopieray
This volume contains 15 pages of illustrated instructions for manufacturing brandy, gin, rum, and pure alcohol, kept by Manchester, Michigan, farmer Frederic A. Peck. Thirty-three pages of miscellaneous accounting for goods and labor follow the distilling instructions. Many of accounts pertain to corn husking, harvesting, haying, threshing, shearing (sheep), and other farm-related work. One account with John S. Barker includes a phrenological bust, a subscription for a phrenological journal, a flute, and a flute book.
Vernon O. Ricker Letters, 1861-1863 – Processed by Sarah Quashnie
This collection of eight letters chronicles a relationship and subsequent “breach of promise” case in New York during the mid-nineteenth century. Vernon O. Ricker wrote all but one of the letters, with the majority of them addressed to Miss Kate Dennis of Hillside, New York. The correspondence also includes one letter from Vernon O. Ricker to his friend Walter Shafer and another by John Gaul, Jr., of the law firm Gaul and Esselstyn to Hon. John F. Collin.
Stiles Family Papers, 1852-1932 – Processed by Cheney J. Schopieray
The Stiles family papers are made up of 3,480 letters, one diary, several financial documents, a photograph, a poem, and printed items related to sisters Ellen E. and Alice M. Stiles of Southbury, Connecticut, in the later 19th and early 20th century. The correspondence is primarily the incoming and outgoing correspondence of the Stiles sisters, their family, and friends. The largest groups of letters are communications with Sarah J. Whiting (“Jennie”) of New Haven; educator Mary J. Robinson (“Robie”) of Minnesota, California, and elsewhere; and teacher Rose M. Kinney of Oberlin, Ohio, the Tillotson Institute in Austin, Texas, and other locations.
David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Cased Images – Processed by Jakob Dopp
The David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Cased Images Collection consists of 132 cased photographs (primarily daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, and tintypes), the majority of which were produced by 25 photographers mainly based in Michigan between 1845 and 1950.
Minne Voorhees Letterbook, 1776-1812 – Processed by Sara Quashnie
This letterbook includes approximately 62 letters sent and received by Minne Voorhees, a commissary with the Continental Army medical department during the American Revolution. It includes eyewitness accounts from Valley Forge, West Point, White Plains, and Rhode Island, especially regarding military hospitals. It contains frequent reflections on women, courtship, and marriage.
Ann Meech Williams Collection, 1809-1865 – Processed by Cari Griffin
This collection contains 55 letters and legal documents related to attempts by Ann Meech Williams (ca. 1776-1857) to secure a widow’s pension for the service of Timothy Meech (ca. 1741-1825), lieutenant in 10th Company, 2nd Regiment, Massachusetts Militia (Hampshire Company), during the American Revolution.
William Yardley Mathematics and Surveying Exercise Book, 1812 – Processed by Jayne Ptolemy
The William Yardley Mathematics and Surveying Exercise Book contains solved geometric, trigonometric, and surveying exercises, including practical problems and illustrated examples that feature drawings of buildings, animals, and landscape elements.