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Collections of college and personal papers, as well as a select number of individual documents, have been briefly described in entries available for browsing and searching on this site. All collection and document descriptions contain a representative image and a summary of the contents. 

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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...

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.

Address to George Washington by Charles Hall (Draft)
1797

Charles Hall's draft of a public address to President George Washington on the occasion of his retirement in 1797. Transcript included.

Location: I-WilliamsC-1956-4

Subject: Politics and Government

Format: Speeches and Sermons

Time Period: 1780-1799

View Item: PDF icon Address to George Washington by Charles Hall (Draft)

Map of Land in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
February 10, 1797

A map of lands in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania that is owned by James Campbell, Benjamin Rush, and Jacob Rush. Henry Donnel created this copy of the map.

Location: I-SpahrB-1957-11

Subject: Land and Real Estate

Format: Maps and Diagrams

Time Period: 1780-1799

View Item: PDF icon Map of Land in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania

Bill from Dickinson College to William Irvine
May 9, 1797

Dickinson College issues an itemized bill to William Irvine for the education of his sons Callender (Class of 1794) and William N. (Class of 1798).

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...

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...

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 [...

Location: I-ValeM-1947-62

Subject: Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1780-1799

View Item: PDF icon Letter from Catherine R. Thompson to James Hamilton

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

View Item: PDF icon Letter from William Irvine to Thomas Mifflin

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

View Item: PDF icon I-SpahrB-1955-5.pdf

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...

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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...

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...

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.

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

View Item: PDF icon Letter from Joseph Priestley to Rev. Mr. Kell

Legal Document, George Schley v. John Deloshmutt
1800

Attorney Roger Brooke Taney prepares this document for a lawsuit against John Deloshmutt. Taney's client, George Jacob Schley, argues that Deloshmutt has failed to pay 3 pounds, 11 shillings, and 10 pence half penny for various services,...

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

View Item: PDF icon Letter from Joseph Priestley to Aaron Levy

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...

Location: I-Purchase-1954-32

Subject: Personal and Family Life

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: PDF icon Letter from William Irvine to Ann Irvine

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...

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,...

Letter from William Bingham to M. Hays
September 7, 1800

William Bingham writes to Mr. M. M. Hays regarding a General Jackson and his "draft upon me in your favor for $1740." Bingham has already paid General Jackson "his draft of 1000 dollars," which "I have with very great inconvenience to myself,...

Letter from William Thompson to James Hamilton
November 16, 1800

William A. Thompson writes to James Hamilton and informs him that he must proceed to Philadelphia "to take charge of [St. Leger D'Happart's] farm" and will be unable to visit as a result. Thompson also asks for legal advice on pursuing several...

Letter from Joseph Priestley to Jean-Frédéric Perregaux
April 12, 1801

Joseph Priestley to Jean-Frédéric Perregaux in Paris regarding the annual income from "Mr. [John] Wilkinson's donation" and "the probable state of your funds in the future...as it is my wish to reside some time" in France. He had wanted to go to...

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