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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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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.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-Purchase-1965-11

Subject: Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Letter from Richard Rush to E. Sergeant

April 26, 1811

Attorney Roger Brooke Taney addresses this legal document to the Judges of Frederick County Court regarding the case of William R. King v. Sampson Delashmitt. 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, William R. King v. Sampson Delashmitt

April 27, 1811

Attorney Roger Brooke Taney writes to Col. Joshua Gist with advice on a legal matter. After researching the issue, Taney concludes that Gist is "entitled to the rents." As soon as Gist sends "a copy of the Lease," Taney explains how he "will take the necessary steps in the business." In addition, Taney knows that Gist spoke with Mr. Key about "the other subject we were talking about." Transcript included.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-SpahrB-1969-6

Subject: Legal Affairs

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Letter from Roger B. Taney to Joshua Gist

May 11, 1811

Pennsylvania Attorney General Richard Rush writes to William Jenkins about the case of Spangler v. the Commonwealth. As Rush could not attend, he asks Jenkins to "conduct the argument upon the part of the commonwealth" on his behalf.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-Friends-1976-4

Subject: Legal Affairs

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Letter from Richard Rush to William Jenkins

August 6, 1811

William Brown, a member of the Class of 1812, receives this diploma as a member of the Belles Lettres Society on August 6, 1811.

Format: Certificates and Diplomas

Location: Diploma Collection

Subject: Education

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Belles Lettres Society Diploma - William Brown

September 13, 1811

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

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-Friends-1973-2

Subject: Personal and Family Life

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Letter from W. P. Maclay to Isabella Bell

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 included.

Format: Letters/Correspondence, Newspapers and Magazines

Location: I-McKnightM-1959-1

Subject: Dickinson College History, Personal and Family Life, Religion and Spirituality

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Biographical Manuscript of Thomas Cooper

September 25, 1811

This copy of the printed program for the 1811 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: 1811 Commencement Program

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.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-SpahrB-1953-24

Subject: Personal and Family Life

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Letter from Benjamin Rush to Ashbel Green

December 1811

The Dickinson College catalog for the 1811-1812 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 - 7.1.2 (oversized)

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

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Catalogue of the Faculty and Students of Dickinson College, 1811-12

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.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-AsbellY-2002-52

Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Letter from Richard Rush to the Board of Health

December 21, 1811

Attorney Richard Fenn addresses this legal document to the Judges of Frederick County Court regarding the case of Edward Thomas v. William King. Roger Brooke Taney (Class of 1795) represents the defendant.

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Location: I-BeachW-1971-3

Subject: Legal Affairs

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Legal Document, Edward Thomas v. William King

1812

Attorney Roger Brooke Taney writes this legal document regarding the case of Charles L. Perrie v. Thomas C. Scott.

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Location: I-KeatleyG-1971-1

Subject: Legal Affairs

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Legal Document, Charles L. Perrie v. Thomas C. Scott

January 21, 1812

A lawyer writes Isaac Wayne (Class of 1792) to inform him that a "Report of Auditor" had been issued "in your favor for about $3000" and had obtained the foreclosure of a plantation. "In all my practice I have never as yet witnessed so much evasion, twisting and turning as by the Defendant in this case," as the lawyer explains.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-Friends-2004-1

Subject: Business and Industry, Legal Affairs

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Letter to Isaac Wayne from Unknown Author

February 3, 1812

US Treasury Comptroller Richard Rush writes to David Gelston requesting "a statement in the case of Abraham S. Hallet, who claims debentures for a quantity of merchandize [sic] shipped by him."

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-BeachW-1986-6

Subject: Business and Industry, Legal Affairs

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Letter from Richard Rush to David Gelston

February 19, 1812

Attorney Roger Brooke Taney writes to Independent Gist and offers legal counsel about the purchase of land. Transcript included.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-SpahrB-undated-42

Subject: Land and Real Estate, Legal Affairs

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Letter from Roger B. Taney to Independent Gist

June 23, 1812

Attorney Roger Brooke Taney writes this legal document regarding the case of Thomas Gist v. William Durbin, Jr. 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, Thomas Gist v. William Durbin, Jr.

July 23, 1812

Lawyer Roger Brooke Taney (Class of 1795) writes to Clotworthy Birnie, offering legal advice regarding the latter's arrest for assault. Transcript included.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-BeachL-1971-2

Subject: Legal Affairs

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Letter from Roger B. Taney to Clotworthy Birnie

August 1812

A Catalogue of the Faculty and Students of Dickinson College from August 1812.

Format: Broadsides and Posters

Location: RG 5/1 - 7.1.3 (oversized)

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

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Catalogue of the Faculty and Students of Dickinson College, 1811-12

August 25, 1812

John Bradford Wallace writes to Robert Coleman and James Hopkins, who have been nominated to a secret meeting of Federalists in New York. According to Bradford, the group's mission is to "change the administrations which are so fatally conducting the country to ruin." Includes a printed flyer, also addressed to Robert Coleman, advocating a similar meeting in Carlisle.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: I-Friends-1983-19

Subject: Politics and Government

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Letter from John Wallace to Robert Coleman and James Hopkins

September 1812

While Charles Nisbet wrote "Hints on Education" around the time he became the first President of Dickinson College around 1785, it was not published in The Port Folio until 1812. Transcript included.

Charles Nisbet, "Hints on Education," The Port Folio 8, no. 3 (September 1812): 258-261.

Format: Newspapers and Magazines

Location: Charles Nisbet Dropfile

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

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: "Hints on Education," by Charles Nisbet

September 19, 1812

This affidavit involves the case of Thomas P. Wilson v. Frederick and Ezekiah Linthicum, which is a dispute about a debt owed by the late Zachariah Linthicum. Roger Brooke Taney serves as the plaintiff's attorney. Transcript included.< /p>

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Location: I-SpahrB-undated-35

Subject: Economics and Finance, Legal Affairs

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Legal Document, Thomas Wilson v. Frederick and Ezekiah Linthicum

September 30, 1812

This copy of the printed program for the 1812 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: 1812 Commencement Program

October 23, 1812

This legal document is for the case of John Fenn v. Joshua Plummer. The case, which centers on a land dispute, also involves Richard Fenn and Philip Duvall. Roger Brooke Taney serves as the plaintiff's attorney. Transcript included. ;

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Location: I-SpahrB-undated-34

Subject: Land and Real Estate, Legal Affairs

Time Period: 1800-1819

View Item: Legal Document, John Fenn v. Joshua Plummer

November 27, 1812

Attorney Roger Brooke Taney addresses this legal document to the Judges of Frederick County Court regarding the case of Peregrine Warfield v. Jacob Schleich. 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, Peregrine Warfield v. Jacob Schleich