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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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October 10, 1774
George Wood sends an order to Jasper Yeates to pay a debt to John Montgomery. Includes Montgomery's receipt dated October 19, 1774.
Format: Financial Documents
Location: I-SpahrB-1958-24
Subject: Economics and Finance, Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1760-1779
View Item: Letter from George Wood to Jasper Yeates
October 27, 1774
John Montgomery issues a receipt for wheat to Curtis and Peter Grubb.
Format: Financial Documents
Location: I-SpahrB-1958-24
Subject: Economics and Finance, Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1760-1779
View Item: Receipt for Wheat from John Montgomery to Curtis and Peter Grubb
March 19, 1775
Joseph Priestley writes to Jeremy Bentham, returning a friend's paper and alerting Bentham that he will be in the country for a month. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1964-12
Subject: Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1760-1779
July 24, 1775
John Adams, a delegate to the Second Continental Congress, writes to Abigail Adams on the state of creating a new country. "The difficulty and intricacy of it is prodigious," as Adams explains, "when 50 or 60 men have a Constitution to form for a great Empire, [and] at the same Time that they have a Country and Fifteen hundred Miles extent to Fortify." Contemporary copy of the original from the Gage Papers.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Purchase-1972-1
Subject: Education, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1760-1779
July 24, 1775
Second Continental Congress Representative John Adams writes to James Warren, a judge in Watertown, Massachusetts, and discusses the arrival of gunpowder, the formation of a continental treasury, and asks if "your new Legislative and Executive feel bold or irresolute?"
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Purchase-1972-2
Subject: International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1760-1779
January 10, 1776
James Oliver writes this notice of judgment against Thomas Buchanan for debt to "the Constable of East Pennsborough and to the Keeper of the Gaol of said county."
Format: Legal and Government Documents
Location: I-Original-1776-1
Subject: Economics and Finance, Legal Affairs
Time Period: 1760-1779
View Item: Legal Notice Signed by James Oliver
June 11 - June 20, 1776
John Montgomery, Hugh Patrick, George Newberry and Paul Zantzinger issue receipts for various items between June 11 and June 20, 1776 to Jasper Yeates.
Format: Financial Documents
Location: I-SpahrB-1958-23
Subject: Economics and Finance, Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1760-1779
View Item: Four Receipts Issued to Jasper Yeates
July 25, 1776
John Dickinson writes Continental Army General Charles Lee to explain his opinion on the Declaration of Independence. "I cannot agree with You, that a Declaration of Independence at this time will promote the Happiness of my Country," as Dickinson explains. Dickinson also congratulates General Lee on his victory in South Carolina and provides updates on the military situation in New England. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2001.13, B1, F1
Subject: International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1760-1779
View Item: Letter from John Dickinson to Charles Lee
July 26, 1776
Continental Congressman John Dickinson writes to his colleague, James Wilson, and asks him to support General Charles Lee's request for financial assistance related to " his Estate being confiscated in England." "I do most earnestly beg of You to advocate [Lee's] Cause, and to speak to as many of your Friends in Congress as you conveniently can," as Dickinson explains. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2001.13, B1, F1
Subject: Land and Real Estate, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1760-1779
View Item: Letter from John Dickinson to James Wilson
October 25, 1776
The Commissioners of Indian Affairs of the Middle Department at Fort Pitt write to merchant Benjamin Morgan and order flints for militia companies under the command of Captain Pigman, Captain Sullivan, Captain Baird, and Captain Shields. The Commissioners of Indian Affairs are John Montgomery, Jasper Yeates, John Harvie, and Thomas Walker.
Format: Legal and Government Documents
Location: I-SpahrB-1955-6
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Native Americans
Time Period: 1760-1779
View Item: Letter from the Commissioners of Indian Affairs to Benjamin Morgan
November 9, 1776
Thomas Walker writes the Committee of Congress for Indian Affairs and asks that they pay Joseph Simon and John Campbell for the "sundry merchandize" that they provided "for the use of this Department." John Montgomery, John Harris, and Jasper Yeates also sign the letter. The reverse side of the letter includes a receipt of payment, which is dated December 2, 1776.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1960-10
Subject: Economics and Finance, Military Affairs and Conflict, Native Americans, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1760-1779
View Item: Letter from Thomas Walker to the Committee of Congress for Indian Affairs
December 4, 1776
Continental Congress delegate John Montgomery issues this receipt to John Harvie and Jasper Yeates for ninety pounds paid to messenger William Wilson.
Format: Financial Documents
Location: I-Original-1776-2
Subject: Business and Industry, Economics and Finance, Native Americans
Time Period: 1760-1779
View Item: Receipt Signed by John Montgomery
December 4, 1776
John Montgomery issues this receipt to John Harvie and Jasper Yeates for the sum borrowed from Frederick Ferree by the Commission of Indian Affairs.
Format: Financial Documents
Location: I-SpahrB-1966-18
Subject: Economics and Finance, Native Americans
Time Period: 1760-1779
View Item: Receipt Signed by John Montgomery
February 7, 1777
John Montgomery issues a receipt for funds paid by the Continental Congress to Jasper Yeates and himself for militia pay and allowance.
Format: Financial Documents
Location: I-SpahrB-1958-22
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1760-1779
View Item: Receipt for Militia Account between Jasper Yates and the Continental Congress
April 3, 1777
John Montgomery writes to Captain Jasper Yeates concerning impending Indian War. As he believes that residents are unprepared and in need of immediate assistance, Montgomery asks Captain Yeates to write a Mr. Wilson for assistance. "I tremble for the Poor Inhabitants who are almost unprovid'd with arms," as Montgomery explains. Montgomery also notes that Congress will likely not act in time to provide any help. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1963-12
Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Military Affairs and Conflict, Native Americans, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1760-1779
View Item: Letter from John Montgomery to Jasper Yeates
June 14, 1777
John Dickinson acknowledges the receipt of Benjamin Rush's pamphlet and mentions that he would only reenter Pennsylvania affairs to serve America. Dickinson also thanks Rush, a physician, for his attention to his daughter who is "well-recovered." Dickinson wrote this letter after the defeat of a moderate party that they had supported and after he had temporarily retired from politics. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1955-4
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1760-1779
View Item: Letter from John Dickinson to Benjamin Rush
June 25, 1777
William Irvine writes Lieutenant Colonel David Grier and discusses officers, new recruits, and supplies. Transcript included. Irvine, a colonel of the 7th Pennsylvania Regiment, writes this letter from Carlisle, where he is on parole after being captured in 1776. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-2013-4
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1760-1779
View Item: Letter from William Irvine to David Grier
November 7, 1777
Major General Nathanael Greene and Colonel Richard Humpton, both officers in the Continental Army, write Lieutenant Colonel Francis Gurney to certify that he is innocent of providing any support or information to the United Kingdom. After "being directed by His Excellency General Washington to" investigate, General Greene explains that he "was astonished to find it so wholely groundless so as not to leave the least trace for suspicion." Colonel Humpton also argues that Gurney never provided "any intelligence or assistance to the Enemy." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1967-5
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1760-1779
View Item: Letter from Nathanael Greene and Richard Humpton to Francis Gurney
September 24, 1778
Edward Biddle writes to Jasper Yeates and Matthias Slough regarding "a favourable crisis approaching" in the form of the Constitutionalist party, then dominating the Pennsylvania government. They appeal to Yeates and Slough to form "a general exertion at the next election - that the Management of Public Affairs may once more get into reputable hands". Mark Bird, Thomas Dundas, John Mears, and Jonathan Potts also sign Biddle's letter. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Purchase-1958-3
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1760-1779
View Item: Letter Edward Biddle to Jasper Yeates and Matthias Slough
May 21, 1779
Continental Congressman John Dickinson asks Caesar Rodney, President of Delaware, to convey a resolution to the Council of Assembly. The resolution dictates a state payment of forty-five hundred thousand dollars to the Continental Treasury. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2001.13, B1, F2
Subject: Economics and Finance, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1760-1779
View Item: Letter from John Dickinson to Caesar Rodney
1779-1781
John Dickinson writes two letters to Major General Nathanael Greene. Dickinson writes the first letter as a Continental Congressman and asks for details on transactions for supplies purchased by the Continental Army, including "camp equipage." Dickinson writes the second letter as President of Delaware and discusses recruitment as well as sending additional supplies to the army. "In the late session of our Legislature," Dickinson explains that "we have adopted the most vigorous Measures for recruiting our Regiment, and for sending suitable supplies to those brave Men." Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2001.13, B1, F2
Subject: Economics and Finance, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government
1779-1784
Wilhelmina Nisbet, the Countess of Leven, writes six letters to Charles Nisbet on a number of different issues, including commenting on contemporary religious movements and arguing that Nisbet should not accept the position as President of Dickinson College. "The state of affairs there, & those especially concerning the [College], are very precarious, & it ought to be further advanced, & the state of affairs more settled... for one to leave [Scotland]," as Wilhelmina explains. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2001.7, B1, F27-32
Subject: Dickinson College Administration, Dickinson College History, Personal and Family Life, Religion and Spirituality
October 27, 1780
James A. Wilson of Middleton Township signs this receipt for the return of an eight year old male slave.
Format: Financial Documents
Location: I-BeetemC-1968-1
Subject: Economics and Finance, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Receipt for Return of a Slave from James A. Wilson
February 18, 1781
James Wilson, United States Supreme Court Justice and signer of the Declaration of Independence, writes to Francis Hopkinson, Judge of the Court of Admiralty of Pennsylvania, regarding the Brigantine Ariel. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-undated-14
Subject: Legal Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1780-1799
August 9, 1781
General William Irvine writes to Joseph Reed, President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, about preparations to meet expected attempt to rescue the convention prisoners at Lancaster and York. Irvine also notes his concern with Robert Morris' inability to provide sufficient provisions and equipment. Partial transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Purchase-1954-31
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from William Irvine to Joseph Reed