Thanks to the hard work of the Manuscripts Division, over a dozen manuscript collections were made available for research this month!
Philadelphia (Pa.) Citizens petition to Andrew Jackson, 1836
This 28-foot scroll is a petition authored by a group of Philadelphians and addressed to U.S. President Andrew Jackson on October 1, 1836. The petition urged Jackson to visit the city before the end of his term, emphasizing their political support and personal affection for the president. The text of the petition takes up around two feet of the scroll; the subsequent 26 feet contain the signatures of over 1,000 supporters.
Manuscripts Division Processing Assistant Ava Wilcox created the finding aid for the Philadelphia (Pa.) Citizens petition to Andrew Jackson using a printed facsimile, handling the real thing for the first time afterwards! When seeing the real petition unfurled, she noted a few details to change in the record.
Angstrom-Townsend family photographs, [mid-19th century-ca. World War I]
This collection consists of two photograph albums and five loose photographs pertaining to the Angstrom and Townsend families of Chicago, Illinois, and Ludington, Michigan. The materials include an Angstrom family photo album and the other album and photos cover the military service of two World War I soldiers, future brothers-in-law Glen Townsend and Bernard Rupert Angstrom. Glen Townsend’s album contains photographs taken while he was stationed in the Caribbean theater, including in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Gift of Margaret Townsend Fountain and Mary Townsend Koenen.
Bowers family papers, 1871-1929
The Bowers Family Papers contain approximately 750 letters authored and received by members of the elite and politically-connected Bowers family of New Haven, Connecticut, between 1871 and 1929. The papers contain the correspondence of Caleb B. Bowers, an insurance agent and politician, his wife Fannie M. Bowers, and their four children, William C. Bowers, Edward A. Bowers, Fannie A. Bowers, and Dwight E. Bowers. Of particular interest are materials related to the early career of attorney and U.S. Land Office inspector Edward A. Bowers.
Emory family account book, 1790-1833
This account book was kept by various members of the Emory family of Queen Anne’s County, Maryland, between 1790 and 1833, principally relating to mercantile business and medical practice, agriculture, and the renting of plantations, farms, and houses. The volume includes several ledger accounts for African American customers and frequently references goods purchased for enslaved laborers as well as the rent, hire, and medical treatment of enslaved people.
William G. Leale papers, 1863-1918
The William G. Leale Papers, 1863-1918, are made up of a log book, cypher book, documents, photographs, photograph albums, and printed materials pertinent to Captain W. G. Leale, owner and master of the steamer Caroline, which moved freight and people in the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The log book of the Caroline, 1907-1915, includes details on Capt. Leale’s work conveying supplies to and retrieving manufactured goods from San Quentin Prison.
The William G. Leale Papers are arranged into three series: the William G. Leale Cypher Book [ca. 1865], the Log Book of the Caroline (1907-1915) pictured above, and Documents, Photographs, and Printed Items.
McCollum-Todd-Wilsey family papers, 1787-[20th century]
This collection contains correspondence, documents, photographs, books, and other material pertinent to members of the interconnected McCollum, Nesbitt, Platt, Todd, Wilsey, Sheldon, Calkins, Denison, and Bowers families. Early branches of the family primarily resided in LeRoy, New York. By the 1830s, multiple family groups had moved to southeast Michigan where they remained into the 20th century. Wills, estate inventories, and indentures, dating to the late 1700s and 1810s, make up the bulk of the family’s early records. Later material includes family photographs, books, and sheet music.
Gift of Margaret Townsend Fountain and Mary Townsend Koenen.
The Metropolitan Rink Scrapbooks include many advertisements for events and performers such as Miss Jennie Houghton, “the queen of the rink and champion lady skater of the world!”
Metropolitan Rink scrapbooks, 1885-1892
This collection consists of two scrapbooks used to compile materials about the Metropolitan Rink of Newark, New Jersey, from 1885 to 1892. The bulk of the content is advertisements describing attractions, performances, events, and novelty acts.
New York (N.Y.) Police records and Lawrence P. Powers scrapbook, 1887-1909
Lawrence P. Powers, an officer in the 24th and 29th New York City Police Department precincts, reused a precinct record book as a scrapbook. The record book ranges from 1887 to 1899 and lists the names of people arrested, their age and address, their suspected crime, associated fees, and details of their punishment. The scrapbook ranges in dates from 1890 to 1909 and includes clipped newspaper articles about New York City police activity and officers, various crimes, the Knights of Columbus, Christianity, and more.
Royal Charlotte (Brig) account book, 1771-1772
This account book, kept by the purser of the brigantine Royal Charlotte between November 1771 and January 1772, is a record of the financial accounts of the ship’s sailors. The transactions include cash advances, gallons of rum disbursed, medical expenses, and clothing. In January 1772, upon the Royal Charlotte‘s arrival at Newport, Rhode Island, the crew’s wages were paid out by merchant and slave trader William Vernon.
Edward G. Ufford Obstetrics record book, 1827-1882
This volume contains records of obstetrics practice performed by Yale-trained physician Dr. Edward G. Ufford between the years 1827 and 1882 in western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut. Each of the 734 entries includes the date and location of the birth, the sex of the baby, and the father’s name. On rare occasions, Ufford listed the mother’s name instead). The weight of the child, premature births, and twin births may be noted. Some entries pertain to abortions and miscarriages. In other entries, Ufford noted complications and birth defects, including unusually long labors and physical malformations. Between 1829 and 1841, Dr. Ufford delivered at least seven of his own children; in the 1870s, he delivered at least two of his grandchildren.
Each of the 734 entries in the Edward G. Ufford Obstetrics Record Book includes the date and location of the birth, the sex of the baby, and the father’s name. On rare occasions, Ufford listed the mother’s name instead).