Letters/Correspondence

    Entries drawn from collection & document descriptions

Letter from Joseph Priestley to Theophilus Lindsey
August 15, 1794

Theologian and scholar Joseph Priestley writes to his friend Theophilus Lindsey. Priestley discusses his recent move to Northumberland, Pennsylvania, trouble with the mail, the local climate, the prospect for building, his work, the French Revolution, and the cause of Unitarianism. Transcript...

Letter from Stephen Johnes to Lydia Johnes
October 8, 1794

Stephen Johnes writes from Carlisle to Lydia Johnes, his wife, about life as a solider in the army assembled to end the Whiskey Rebellion. Johnes mentions a conversation with "Doc. Huston" about some individuals who complain that President George Washington's actions regarding the Whisky...

Letter from Charles Nisbet to Ashbel Green
October 14, 1794

Charles Nisbet writes Ashbel Green to acknowledge Green's letter from September 12th and to justify questions about Green's intent in giving Nisbet's private letters to his political opponents. Nisbet also discusses the Whiskey Rebellion and describes the impact of the militia that assembled...

Letter from Stephen Johnes to Lydia Johnes
October 21, 1794

Stephen Johnes writes from Camp Bedford to Lydia Johnes, his wife, about life as a solider in the army assembled to end the Whiskey Rebellion. Johnes expresses concerns over the fact that she has not received all of his letters, explains the march from Carlisle to Fort Pitt, and his desires to...

Letter from David Erskine to Charles Nisbet
February 26, 1795

David Erskine, the Earl of Buchan, writes a letter to Dickinson President Charles Nisbet in which he recommends John Millar and laments Nisbet's difficulties in finding a literary society in Carlisle. Erskine also comments on how he deals with the political issues of the day. "I have never...

Letter from William Irvine to Callender Irvine
April 9, 1795

William Irvine, a member of the Board of Trustees, writes to his son, Callender Irvine (Class of 1794), and offers advice regarding his career choices. William also mentions the Presque Isle affair as well as the death of Mrs. Samuel Lyon.

Location: I-SpahrB-1963-11

Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Education, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from John Mitchell Mason to William Young
August 25, 1795

Rev. John Mitchell Mason writes William Young, a bookseller and printer in Philadelphia, and asks him to become an agent for the U.S. Christian Magazine in Philadelphia. Mason states that the position requires one to "go through the city with the proposals in order to obtain subscribers...

Location: MC 2001.5, B1, F1

Subject: Business and Industry, Religion and Spirituality

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from George Washington to Robert Livingston
October 29, 1795

President George Washington writes Robert Livingston to thank him for looking out for certain packages. Washington asks him to "accept my thanks for your attention to them," happy that his "parcel which came undercover to me from Sir John Sinclair," was safe. 

Location: I-SpahrB-1952-6

Subject: Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letters from Charles Nisbet to William Young, 1796-99
1796-1799

Dickinson President Charles Nisbet writes eight letters to William Young, a bookseller and printer in Philadelphia, that mostly regard the political state of affairs in America and Europe, particularly the French Revolution. "The revolutionists of France first encouraged the people to despise...

Letter from Thomas Hartley to William Irvine
September 25, 1796

Thomas Hartley writes to William Irvine about his recent return from Baltimore.  Hartley also discusses local elections and mentions Montgomery County, Lancaster, as well as Carlisle.

Location: I-Friends-2003-1

Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from Joseph Priestley to Benjamin Barton
September 15, 1797

Dr. Joseph Priestley writes to Dr. Benjamin Smith Barton regarding Antiphlogistion enemies, a yellow fever outbreak, and scientist Dr. John Maclean. "I wish that you would give me any information that you may get of the notions of my Antiphlogistion enemies," as Priestley explains. Priestley...

Location: I-BeachW-1975-10

Subject: Health and Medicine, Science and Technology

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from Joseph Priestley to George Thatcher
May 10, 1798

Joseph Priestley writes to George Thatcher regarding news from England, where Priestley expects revolution: "The unanimity you speak of in this country does not exist in this neighborhood. The Gentry, indeed, are generally with you, but the lower classes, those who must take the field, had...

Letter from Catherine R. Thompson to James Hamilton
July 3, 1798

Catherine Ross Thompson writes James Hamilton to thanks him for buying her a horse and encloses money to reimburse him. Catherine, who explains that she is “extremely obliged to you for the trouble you have taken,” also notes that Betsy [Elizabeth Thompson] may visit Mrs. Hamilton [Sarah...

Location: I-ValeM-1947-62

Subject: Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from Charles Nisbet to Mary Nisbet
September 24, 1798

Charles Nisbet writes to his daughter Mary, discussing the theater in Carlisle, the Democrats, and the French.

Letter from William Irvine to Thomas Mifflin
October 19, 1798

William Irvine writes to Pennsylvania Governor Thomas Mifflin about a dispute that involves the Sheriff of Allegheny County. Irvine claims to "know nothing" about the dispute and recommends Joseph Postlethwaite for sheriff of Allegheny County.

Location: I-SpahrB-1959-13

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from John Montgomery to Thomas Mifflin
October 20, 1798

John Montgomery writes Pennsylvania Governor Thomas Mifflin and recommends that Joseph Postlethwaite be appointed as Sheriff of Allegheny County.

Location: I-SpahrB-1955-5

Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letters from Alexander Nisbet to William Young
1799-1801

Alexander Nisbet writes four letters to William Young, a bookseller and printer in Philadelphia, on issues that include Young's suit involving a Mr. Webber and a payment made by the Estate of Webber for a parcel of books. Nisbet also mentions a conversation regarding "United Irish Citizens" who...

Letter from Timothy Pickering to Charles Hall
August 1, 1799

Secretary of State Timothy Pickering writes Charles Hall of Sunbury regarding Joseph Priestley's "unpardonable" conduct and the receipt of "Mr. [Thomas] Cooper's mischievous address." Pickering notes his opposition to their "meddling with our government." Cooper had published material in which...

Location: I-WilliamsC-1956-9

Subject: Literary Pursuits, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from Joseph Priestley to Samuel Mitchill
August 15, 1799

Joseph Priestley writes to Samuel Latham Mitchell and invites him to come visit at Northumberland as well as asks about a package that was supposed to have been sent. Priestley also promises to "draw up an account of other experiments" and send them to Mitchell. Transcript included.

Location: MC 1998.1, B1, F11

Subject: Personal and Family Life, Science and Technology

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from William Irvine to Alexander Dallas
November 12, 1799

William Irvine writes to Alexander James Dallas regarding the survey of Harbor Creek lands on Lake Erie as retirement compensation for military service.

Location: I-Friends-2011-1

Subject: Land and Real Estate, Military Affairs and Conflict

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from Joseph Priestley to Rev. Mr. Kell
circa 1800

Joseph Priestley offers the Rev. Mr. Kell a horse for him to ride to Cradley. Priestley also includes 7 lines of text written in Annet's Shorthand.

Location: I-RichardsonD-1992-1

Subject: Personal and Family Life, Travel and Tourism

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1800-1819

Letter from Joseph Priestley to Aaron Levy
January 9, 1800

Joseph Priestley writes to Aaron Levy, the Jewish founder of Aaronsburg, Pennsylvania. Levy plans to distribute copies of Priestley's religious writing to "countrymen and friends," a gesture that Priestley thanks him for.

Location: I-AsbellY-2002-69

Subject: Religion and Spirituality

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1800-1819

Letter from William Irvine to Ann Irvine
April 9, [1800?]

William Irvine writes to his wife, Ann Irvine, about her journey and other various matters at home.  "I... hope that you have about this time reached comfortable quarters, now near dark," as Irvine notes. Irvine writes part of this letter on April 12. Transcript included.

Location: I-Purchase-1954-32

Subject: Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1800-1819

Letter from Charles Nisbet to William Young
August 21, 1800

Charles Nisbet writes bookseller William Young to discuss various political and religious events in France, Ireland, and the United States. Nisbet mentions Napoleon Bonaparte, Thomas Jefferson, Mathew Carey, James Napper Tandy, Joseph Priestley, and others. "It is not probable that [France]...

Letters from Charles Nisbet to William Young, 1800-01
1800-1801

Dickinson President Charles Nisbet writes two letters to William Young, a bookseller and printer in Philadelphia, that focus on the implications of the French Revolution and Napoleon Bonaparte's military campaigns. Nisbet also discusses political issues in the United States, including the...

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