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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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February 18, 1808 - July 1809

Three legal documents, including an arrest warrant for Joseph Howard, regarding the case of John Clemson v. Joseph Howard for an unpaid debt of $44. Roger Brooke Taney serves as plaintiff's attorney.

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Location: I-SpahrB-1965-2

Subject: Economics and Finance, Legal Affairs

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Legal Documents, John Clemson v. Joseph Howard

April 6, 1808

J. M. Thompson writes to James Hamilton, a lawyer and member of the Dickinson College Board of Trustees, about the failure of the governor to commission Mr. Steel as a coroner.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-ValeM-1947-65

Subject: Politics and Government

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Letter from J. M. Thompson to James Hamilton

April 28, 1808

This legal document involves the ejectment case of Samuel S. Thomas v. Edward Thomas: "The surveyor of Frederick County is instructed to [make?] the following locations for the defendant..." Roger Brooke Taney serves as the defendant's attorney. Transcript included.

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Location: I-SpahrB-undated-30

Subject: Land and Real Estate, Legal Affairs

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Legal Document, Samuel Thomas v. Edward Thomas

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.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-SpahrB-1950-11

Subject: Health and Medicine, Personal and Family Life

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Letter from Benjamin Rush to James Orbison

May 3, 1808

This legal document involves the ejectment case of Delashmutts Lessee v. Edward Thomas: "The surveyor of Frederick County is instructed to [make?] the following locations for the defendant..." Roger Brooke Taney serves as the defendant's attorney. Transcript included.

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Location: I-SpahrB-undated-31

Subject: Land and Real Estate, Legal Affairs

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Legal Document, Delashmutts Lessee v. Edward Thomas

September 3, 1808

Attorney Roger Brooke Taney writes to an unspecified Mr. Ritchie about a legal case, John Kephart vs. Lawson Luckett.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-BeachW-1986-5

Subject: Legal Affairs

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Note from Roger B. Taney to Unknown Recipient

December 15, 1808

James Hamilton Sr. signs this power of attorney to grant James Houston the legal authority to act on his behalf on various financial matters.

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Location: I-Friends-1975-14

Subject: Economics and Finance, Legal Affairs

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Power of Attorney for James Hamilton

1809

Robert Laverty, a member of the Class of 1809, receives this diploma as a member of the Union Philosophical Society in 1809.

Format: Certificates and Diplomas

Location: Diploma Collection

Subject: Education

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Union Philosophical Society Diploma - Robert Laverty

circa 1809

Attorney Roger Brooke Taney addresses this legal document to the Judges of Frederick County Court regarding the case of Vachel and Harriet Dorsey v. Benjamin Howard. Taney represents the prosecution.

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Location: I-BeachW-1971-3

Subject: Legal Affairs

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Legal Document, Vachel and Harriet Dorsey v. Benjamin Howard

March 14, 1809

Attorney Roger Brooke Taney writes this legal document regarding the case of Abraham Jones v. Benjamin Howard.

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Location: I-KeatleyG-1971-1

Subject: Legal Affairs

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Legal Document, Abraham Jones v. Benjamin Howard

April 1, 1809

John Wilson agrees in this memorandum to release his medical practice to Seith Cattell for $600 per year.

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Location: O-BlackT-1954-1

Subject: Business and Industry, Economics and Finance, Health and Medicine

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Legal Document, Memorandum between James Wilson and Seth Cattell

May 29, 1809

Henry F. Slaymaker, a member of the Class of 1810, receives this diploma as a member of the Belles Lettres Society on May 29, 1809.

Format: Certificates and Diplomas

Location: Diploma Collection

Subject: Education

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Belles Lettres Society Diploma - Henry Slaymaker

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.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-Friends-2019-1

Subject: Personal and Family Life

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Letter from Isaac Grier and Elizabeth Cooper to John Cooper

September 29, 1809

Robert Laverty receives his Bachelor of Arts Diploma from Dickinson College on September 29, 1809.

Format: Certificates and Diplomas

Location: Diploma Collection

Subject: Education

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Bachelor of Arts Diploma - Robert Laverty

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 problems, noting that his "finances are in a state not far from desperate." Transcript included.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: O-DannJ-1973-1

Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life, Travel and Tourism

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Letter from Charles Gardner to Thomas Gardner and "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 Gardner's qualifications, but says that his mother should not worry, since at "another time, I was still more highly complimented." As the letter is damaged and the edges are torn off, some of the contents of the letter is difficult to understand. Transcript included.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: O-DannJ-1973-1

Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life, Travel and Tourism

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Letter from Charles Gardner to "Mother"

1810

The Dickinson College catalog for the 1809-1810 academic year. Through the years, the annual catalog was variously titled "The Bulletin," "Catalogue and Register," "Course Catalog," and similar variants. The catalog typically includes the list of courses offered, requirements for enrollment, requirements for graduation, tuition and other fees, and campus facilities, college policies, and lists of teaching faculty, college trustees, and various administrators.

Format: Broadsides and Posters

Location: RG 5/1 - 7.1.1 (oversized)

Subject: Dickinson College Academic Affairs, Dickinson College Administration, Education

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: A Catalogue of the Trustees, Officers, and Graduates of Dickinson College, 1809-10

circa 1810

Attorney Roger Brooke Taney addresses this legal document to the Judges of Frederick County Court regarding the case of Mary McClure v. Margaret Young. Taney represents the prosecution.

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Location: I-BeachW-1971-3

Subject: Legal Affairs

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Legal Document, Mary McClure v. Margaret Young

circa 1810

Attorney Roger Brooke Taney addresses this legal document to the Judges of Frederick County Court regarding the case of Michael Bouey v. James A. Williamson. Taney represents the prosecution.

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Location: I-BeachW-1971-3

Subject: Legal Affairs

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Legal Document, Michael Bouey v. James A. Williamson

circa 1810

Attorney Roger Brooke Taney addresses this legal document to the Judges of Frederick County Court regarding the case of Farmers Bank v. John Darnall. Taney represents the prosecution.

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Location: I-BeachW-1971-3

Subject: Legal Affairs

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Legal Document, Farmers Bank v. John Darnall

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, you may be sure, conducted her, on foot, to her thrice revered Father," as Gardner explains. Transcript included.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: O-DannJ-1973-1

Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Letter from Charles Gardner to Julia Gardner

January 22, 1810

Attorney Roger Brooke Taney addresses this legal document to the Judges of Frederick County Court regarding the case of Isaac Swearinger v. Joseph Swearinger. Taney represents the prosecution.

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Location: I-BeachW-1971-3

Subject: Legal Affairs

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Legal Document, Isaac Swearinger v. Joseph Swearinger

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. Transcript included.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-SpahrB-undated-27

Subject: Personal and Family Life, Religion and Spirituality

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Letter from John Mason to the Associate Reformed Presbytery of New York

September 26, 1810

This copy of the printed program for the 1810 commencement exercises shows the members of the graduating class and the presentations that they and other speakers were scheduled to deliver.

Format: Memorabilia and Ephemera

Location: Dickinsoniana Programs

Subject: Dickinson College Events

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: 1810 Commencement Program

March 1811

An anonymous author writes this essay on the history of Dickinson College, which is published in The Port Folio, vol. 5 (March 1811): 239-246. This essay is published with B. Tanner's engraving of West College, which was created from a sketch by A. Brackenridge. 

Format: Engravings and Illustrations, Newspapers and Magazines

Location: RG 1/1 - 7.3.2

Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Dickinson College History, Education

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: "A Sketch of the Rise, Progress, and Present State of Dickinson College in Carlisle," by Anonymous