1780-1799

    Entries drawn from collection & document descriptions

Sworn Affidavit of Benjamin Rush about a Soldier's Pay Certificate
April 17, 1786

Benjamin Rush signs this affidavit that attests that Michael Morrison's payment certificate for service as a soldier is the property of Dickinson College. Morrison's certificate, which is worth $80, is no. 73424 and dated July 1, 1784.

Letter from James Ross to William Young
April 26, 1786

James Ross writes William Young, a bookseller and printer in Philadelphia, regarding the publication of books on grammar. Ross, a Professor of Greek and Latin at Dickinson, offers edits and improvements to Young's "edition of the rudiments, now in the press." Ross explains how he has "spared...

Location: MC 2001.5, B1, F12

Subject: Business and Industry, Education, Literary Pursuits

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Annual Report of the President to the Board of Trustees, May 1786
May 10, 1786

Acting President Robert Davidson presents the annual report to the Board of Trustees on the current state of Dickinson College.

Location: RG 1/1 - 2.1.1

Subject: Dickinson College Academic Affairs, Dickinson College Administration

Format: Reports

Time Period: 1780-1799

Sworn Affidavit of Benjamin Rush about a Soldier's Pay Certificate
May 12, 1786

Benjamin Rush signs this affidavit that attests that Albion Guest's payment certificate for service as a soldier is the property of Dickinson College. Guest's certificate, which is worth $44, is no. 74942 and dated July 1, 1784.

Letter from James Wilson to William Bingham
May 30, 1786

James Wilson invites William Bingham to spend an hour the following evening visiting with him.

Location: I-Friends-1975-26

Subject: Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from Joseph Priestley to Sir Charles Blagden
November 20, 1786

Joseph Priestley writes Sir Charles Blagden, the Secretary of the Royal Society, and asks him to “lay before the Royal Society Mr. [Abraham] Bennet's account of his Electrometer.” Priestley explains that “the value” of Bennet's electrometer “exceeds anything that I have seen of the kind.”

Location: I-RichardsonD-1992-3

Subject: Science and Technology

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from John Dickinson to Robert Magaw
December 9, 1786

John Dickinson writes Robert Magaw and asks him to conduct a "strict Enquiry" into "a [mortgage] by James Wilson Esquire on my Land near Carlisle." Transcript included.

Location: I-ValeM-1947-69

Subject: Economics and Finance, Land and Real Estate, Legal Affairs

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from John Dickinson to Robert Magaw
January 15, 1787

John Dickinson asks Robert Magaw to have representatives of George Stevenson search for a particular survey that might be among his papers. If they find it, Dickinson requests that they "send it to the survey or general's office." Transcript included.

Location: I-ValeM-1947-71

Subject: Land and Real Estate, Legal Affairs

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Address after a Vacation by Charles Nisbet
May 13, 1787

President Charles Nisbet delivers this address to students after a "late recess & intermission" on May 13, 1787. John Young, a member of the Class of 1788, transcribed the address. Transcript included.

Letter from John Erskine to Charles Nisbet
May 23, 1787

John Erskine writes to Dickinson College President Charles Nisbet with news of home and a list of books that he will send for "your College library." Erskine also mentions a letter from Dr. Benjamin Rush, in which Rush notes that the College "was prospering." Transcript included.

Letter from John Dickinson to Jasper Yates
June 27, 1787

John Dickinson writes to Jasper Yates regarding financial issues and encloses copies of two bonds. Dickinson expresses his wish "to have the debt perfectly secured as soon as possible," and asks for advice on the best way to proceed with these affairs. Transcript included.

Location: MC 2001.13, B1, F3

Subject: Economics and Finance, Legal Affairs

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from William Irvine to Robert Magaw
July 28, 1787

William Irvine writes to Robert Magaw that Dickinson College Trustees' memorial to Congress was favorably reported from committee. Irvine also notes that he has advised Senator William Grayson to send his nephew, a Mr. Orr, to Dickinson. Transcript included.

Letter from Benjamin Rush to Julia Stockton Rush
August 26, 1787

Benjamin Rush writes to his wife, Julia Stockton Rush, regarding poetry, the division of land, and his medical essays. Transcript included.

Letter from John Dickinson to Robert Magaw
September 4, 1787

John Dickinson writes to Robert Magaw regarding rent due from Dickinson's tenant, Paul Randolph. Transcript included.

Location: I-Original-1787-1

Subject: Economics and Finance, Land and Real Estate

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

"An Address to the First Graduates of Dickinson College," by Charles Nisbet
September 26, 1787

President Charles Nisbet delivers this address to the first graduating class of Dickinson College at commencement on September 26, 1787. John Young, a member of the Class of 1788, transcribed the address. Transcript included.

Location: SC Vault Nisbet 37

Subject: Dickinson College Events, Dickinson College History, Education

Format: Speeches and Sermons

Time Period: 1780-1799

Valedictory Address from the First Commencement by Robert Duncan
September 26, 1787

Robert Duncan (Class of 1787) delivers this valedictory address at the first commencement of Dickinson College, which was held on September 26, 1787. John Young, a member of the Class of 1788, transcribed the address. Transcript included.

Address after a Vacation by Charles Nisbet
October 1787

President Charles Nisbet delivers this address to students in October after "a short interval of vacation." John Young, a member of the Class of 1788, transcribed the address. Transcript included.

Letters from Charles Nisbet to David Erskine
1787-1792

Dickinson President Charles Nisbet writes six letters to David Erskine, the Earl of Buchan, on a number of topics that include the consequences of America's independence, the economy, governance, natural history of the country, international politics, relations with Native Americans, the...

Letter from John Armstrong to William Bingham and William Irvine
January 16, 1788

President pro tempore of the Board of Trustees John Armstrong writes to two other Dickinson College trustees, William Irvine and William Bingham, and informs them of a purchase of "public buildings near the Town for the Benefit of the College ...". While Armstrong writes from Carlisle, Irvine...

Address from the Second Commencement by Charles Nisbet
May 7, 1788

President Charles Nisbet delivers this address to the second graduating class of Dickinson College at commencement on May 7, 1788. John Young, a member of the Class of 1788, transcribed the address. Transcript included.

Location: SC Vault Nisbet 37

Subject: Dickinson College Events, Dickinson College History, Education

Format: Speeches and Sermons

Time Period: 1780-1799

Address after a Vacation by Charles Nisbet
June 19, 1788

President Charles Nisbet delivers this address to students after a vacation on June 19, 1788. John Young, a member of the Class of 1788, transcribed the address. Transcript included.

Letter from John Dickinson to William Young
June 20, 1788

John Dickinson writes to bookseller William Young, notifying him that one volume is missing from a set of history books "sent down by my neighbor Park." Transcript included.

Location: I-Original-1788-4

Subject: Business and Industry

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from John Dickinson to Tench Coxe
July 14, 1788

Former President of Pennsylvania John Dickinson writes to Confederation Congress delegate Tench Coxe, commenting on the ratification of the United States Constitution by New Hampshire (the required ninth and final state) and the creation of the new government. Dickinson also reasserts that he...

Location: I-AsbellY-1975-5

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

Letter from William Young to Agnes Young
August 18, 1788

William Young writes a letter to his wife, Agnes McLaws Young, describing his arrival in Carlisle and the people he met throughout his journey. Young also informs her of some errands that need to be taken care of. Young is a bookseller and printer in Philadelphia. Transcript included.

Letter from Joseph Priestley to Charles Blagden
November 12, 1788

Scientist, clergyman, and scholar Joseph Priestley writes to Dr. Charles Brian Blagden, asking for an insertion to his paper that was read to the Lunar Society. Priestley also notes how he wants "a stronger burning lens." Sir Charles Blagden is Secretary of the Royal Society. Transcript included...

Location: I-Friends-1986-12

Subject: Science and Technology

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

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