Personal and Family Life

    Entries drawn from collection & document descriptions

Letter from Benjamin Latrobe to Mary Latrobe
November 30, 1802

Architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe writes to Mary Hazlehurst Latrobe, his second wife, about his dinner with President Thomas Jefferson.  Latrobe discusses the other guests at the dinner and the his thoughts on building a drydock for the United States Navy. Transcript included.

Letter from Joseph Priestley to James Taylor
1803

Dr. Joseph Priestley writes to James Taylor with instructions regarding which picture of Dr. Priestley should be used. "The picture taken of me by Stewart at the request of the Philosophical Society is much better than that taken by Mr. Peale," as Priestley explains. This postscript has been...

Location: MC 1998.1, B1, F11

Subject: Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1800-1819

Letter from Joseph Priestley to John Evans
January 8, 1803

Joseph Priestley writes to Rev. John Evans in London, thanking him for his "valuable book." Priestley sends a tract on baptism in return. Transcript included.

Location: I-Friends-1990-5

Subject: Literary Pursuits, Personal and Family Life, Religion and Spirituality

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1800-1819

Letter from William Irvine to William Simmons
February 1, 1803

Dickinson College Trustee William Irvine writes to William Simmons, Accountant of the War Department. Irvine's Army account has not yet been closed due to a supposed surplus of firewood drawn by his company.

Letter from Joseph Priestley Jr. to John Beckley
May 19, 1803

Joseph Priestley Jr. writes to John Beckley and asks about having a tract of land surveyed on behalf of his father, Dr. Joseph Priestley, who is "very unwell."

Location: MC 1998.1, B1, F12

Subject: Land and Real Estate, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1800-1819

Letter from Joseph Priestley to John Vaughan
December 26, 1803

Joseph Priestley sends instructions for printing his manuscript (Index to the Bible) and orders several copies of his Church History and Lectures. Priestley also tells John Vaughan that he is out of oysters. While "the oysters have been of great service to me,"...

Location: I-NeffG-1956-1

Subject: Literary Pursuits, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1800-1819

Letter from James McKenzie to Charles Nisbet
January 30, 1804

James McKenzie writes a letter to President Charles Nisbet expressing apprehension over a potential invasion of Great Britain by France, and the precautions taken against it. "Our fleets are as formidable as our armies, and watch the motions of the French so closely, that they cannot get out of...

"Monody to the Memory of the Rev. Dr. Charles Nisbet," by Charles Keith
1805

Charles Keith publishes this item a year after the death of Dr. Charles Nisbet.

Note: See Related Entries for a link to Keith's letter to Anne Nisbet on July 11, 1805.

Location: DC P N723K

Subject: Personal and Family Life

Format: Books and Pamphlets

Time Period: 1800-1819

Letter from Benjamin Rush to John Rush
May 4, 1805

Benjamin Rush responds to his son, Dr. John Rush's request for money to help him settle in Charleston, South Carolina. Benjamin responds that he is unable to furnish his son due to economic difficulties, including the upkeep for his other sons: James, Ben, and Richard who "is still unable to...

Location: I-Friends-undated-4

Subject: Business and Industry, Health and Medicine, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1800-1819

Letter from Charles Keith to Anne Nisbet
July 11, 1805

Charles Keith writes to Anne Nisbet regarding the death of her husband. "One of the best of Men is forever lost to his Friends and Mankind," as Keith observes. Keith also explains his decision to write Monody to the Memory of the Rev. Dr Charles Nisbet and asks that the Nisbet family "...

Location: I-TurnbullM-undated-1

Subject: Literary Pursuits, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1800-1819

Letter from William Turnbull to Alexander Nisbet
March 19, 1806

William Turnbull writes to Alexander Nisbet inquiring as to whether he had informed a W. Bowie of the particulars of a new account with the Trustees of Dickinson. Turnbull also invites Nisbet to the christening of his son. Transcript included.

Letter from Joseph Priestley Jr. to Nicholas LeFevre
August 31, 1807

Joseph Priestley Jr. writes to Nicholas LeFevre about a proposed exchange of "my brick house in Northd." for lands in Catawissa.

Location: MC 1998.1, B1, F12

Subject: Land and Real Estate, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1800-1819

Letter from Benjamin Rush to James Orbison
April 29, 1808

Dr. Benjamin Rush writes to James Orbison, the executor for the estate of William Thompson, and asks that Orbison pay an outstanding bill for medical expenses. "I have taken the liberty of" requesting payment "for medial attendance upon [Thompson] in his last illness," as Rush explains.

Location: I-SpahrB-1950-11

Subject: Health and Medicine, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1800-1819

Letter from Isaac Grier and Elizabeth Cooper to John Cooper
June 3, 1809

Isaac Grier and Elizabeth Cooper write to John Cooper regarding "family affairs" in Northumberland, Pennsylvania and other business matters Grier is a member of the class of 1788 while Cooper is class of 1798. Transcript included.

Location: I-Friends-2019-1

Subject: Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1800-1819

Letter from Charles Gardner to Thomas Gardner and "Mother"
December 7, 1809

Charles Gardner, a soldier in the United States Army, writes to his parents regarding his journey to his current posting at the Carlisle Barracks. Gardner discusses his daily routine and mentions that his superior officers have taken a liking to him.  In addition, Gardner mentions his financial...

Letter from Charles Gardner to "Mother"
December 26, 1809

Charles Gardner, a soldier in the United States Army, writes to his mother regarding his daily life stationed at Carlisle Barracks. Gardner mentions his finances, possibilities for advancement in rank, and shares other general news. Gardner also notes an argument with a "Mr. Mapis" about...

Letter from Charles Gardner to Julia Gardner
January 18, 1810

Charles Gardner, a soldier in the United States Army, writes to his sister, Julia Gardner, regarding his daily life stationed at Carlisle Barracks. Gardner also specifically mentions getting acquainted with the Colonel's daughter and notes that he acted as a gentleman. "I, with much gallantry,...

Letter from John Mason to the Associate Reformed Presbytery of New York
May 8, 1810

John Mitchell Mason writes to the Associate Reformed Presbytery of New York wishing to resign from his position as a minister. Mason does not want "to retain a station of which I cannot fulfill the duties" and he does not believe continuing this path will be beneficial to him or his congregation...

Location: I-SpahrB-undated-27

Subject: Personal and Family Life, Religion and Spirituality

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1800-1819

Letter from Richard Rush to E. Sergeant
April 5, 1811

Attorney Richard Rush writes E. S. Sergeant and discusses forwarding "the enclosed papers" that had been originally sent by a Mr. Brown. "Here is a little piece of business which it seems I am to trouble you with," as Rush explains.

Location: I-Purchase-1965-11

Subject: Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1800-1819

Letter from W. P. Maclay to Isabella Bell
September 13, 1811

W. P. Maclay writes to his aunt, Isabella Bell, regarding the recent death of his father. 

Location: I-Friends-1973-2

Subject: Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1800-1819

Biographical Manuscript of Thomas Cooper
September 21, 1811

A biographical manuscript of Judge Thomas Cooper, a lecturer at Dickinson College, entitled "Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Carlisle." Composed for the Baltimore Federal Gazette, this manuscript details the judge's pious disposition and the "splendor of his talents." Transcript...

Letter from Benjamin Rush to Ashbel Green
October 15, 1811

Dr. Benjamin Rush writes to Dr. Ashbel Green about Dr. Muhlenberg's visit as well as the possibility of working with Robert Ralston. "I expect to see [Dr. Muhlenberg] tomorrow upon the important business contemplated by us," as Rush explains. Transcript included.

Location: I-SpahrB-1953-24

Subject: Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1800-1819

Letter from Richard Rush to the Board of Health
December 18, 1811

Pennsylvania Attorney General Richard Rush writes to the members of an unspecified "Board of Health," stating his resignation as solicitor. Rush cites his recent appointment as Comptroller of the United States Treasury as the reason for his resignation.

Location: I-AsbellY-2002-52

Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1800-1819

Legal Documents, Samuel Anderson v. Kinsey Gittings
February 20, 1815 - March 6, 1816

Two legal documents, including an arrest warrant and an affidavit, regarding the case of Samuel Anderson v. Kinsey Gittings. Gittings is accused of assaulting Anderson. Roger Brooke Taney serves as the plaintiff's attorney. Transcript included.

Location: I-SpahrB-undated-37

Subject: Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Time Period: 1800-1819

Letter from John Adams to William Smith
May 30, 1815

Former President of the United States John Adams writes to his grandson, William Smith, about  his United States citizenship, and his lack of knowledge on what profession his grandson should pursue. Adams laments to inability to uncover a ...

Location: I-SpahrB-1952-1

Subject: Education, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1800-1819

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