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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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August 23, 1793
Sarah Vaughan writes to Sarah Franklin Bache, daughter of Benjamin Franklin, introducing her to Mrs. Joseph Priestley and hoping that she will "be so kind when opportunity offers to introduce her to some of [Bache's] friends..."
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Original-1793-2
Subject: Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from Sarah Vaughan to Sarah Franklin Bache
August 27, 1793
James Wilson writes James Meredith to request that his salary be paid to his son, William Wilson, who, as noted by Meredith's comments on the back, has power of attorney. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-undated-17
Subject: Economics and Finance, Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from James Wilson to James Meredith
August 27, 1793
John Wilson addresses his students in Southampton, Bucks County, stressing the importance of a varied education, living an active life, and maintaining upright moral conduct.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: I-BlackT-1954-3
Subject: Education
Time Period: 1780-1799
1794
William Kirkpatrick's ticket for Benjamin Rush's "Lectures upon the Institutes of Medicine and Clinical Cases" at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in 1794.
Format: Memorabilia and Ephemera
Location: I-Original-1794-2
Subject: Health and Medicine
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Ticket for “Lectures upon the Institutes of Medicine and Clinical Cases,” by Benjamin Rush
1794-1795
Dickinson President Charles Nisbet writes six letters to William Young from 1794 to 1795 that focus mostly on international affairs and political issues. Nisbet expresses worry over potential military conflict between the United States and Great Britain, and reflects upon the French Revolution. "I dread the ruin of our federal government... as the object of the democratic societies is evidently to destroy the authority of Congress, & to render it subject to the mob, like the National Convention of France," as Nisbet explains. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2001.5, B1, F7-8
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government, Religion and Spirituality
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letters from Charles Nisbet to William Young, 1794-95
February 18, 1794
Benjamin Rush writes and signs this legal document, which transfers a deed to Joseph Priestley, Jr. Transcript included.
Format: Legal and Government Documents
Location: I-Original-1794-3
Subject: Land and Real Estate, Legal Affairs
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Transfer of "Annexed Deed Poll" from Benjamin Rush to Joseph Priestley, Jr.
March 8-21, 1784
President of Pennsylvania John Dickinson instructs David Rittenhouse, treasurer of Pennsylvania, to issue payment for Charles Willson Peale's Triumphal Arch and to pay 150 pounds to the American Philosophical Society. Transcripts included.
Format: Legal and Government Documents
Location: MC 2001.13, B1, F8-9
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1780-1799
March 31, 1794
Samuel Vaughan writes to Rev. Dr. John Andrews and introduces Joseph Priestley, who is seeking asylum in the United States. Vaughan explains that Priestley is "now driven to seek an asylum in your rising Empire."
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.1, B2, F8
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from Samuel Vaughan to John Andrews
April 19, 1794
After James Wilson sells land in Pennsylvania (tract no. 5055) to Dr. Benjamin Rush on April 19, 1794, Dr. Rush sells that property to a Richard Stockton of New Jersey on May 28, 1794. John C. Otto, one of the witnesses to the transaction in 1794, later confirms on October 23, 1830 that "he was personally present" during the sale. Transcript included.
Format: Legal and Government Documents
Location: I-SpahrB-undated-13
Subject: Land and Real Estate, Legal Affairs
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Deed for Land Sold by James Wilson
May 14, 1794
James Wilson sends this note to Thomas Fitzsimons for a sum of $4500.
Format: Financial Documents
Location: I-SpahrB-1970-3
Subject: Economics and Finance
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Promissory Note from James Wilson to Thomas Fitzsimons
August 2, 1794
Francis Mowing Jr. sells James Wilson 400 acres of land in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Transcript included.
Format: Legal and Government Documents
Location: I-SpahrB-undated-48
Subject: Land and Real Estate
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Deed for Land Sold by Francis Mowing Jr. to James Wilson
August 15, 1794
Theologian and scholar Joseph Priestley writes to his friend Theophilus Lindsey. Priestley discusses his recent move to Northumberland, Pennsylvania, trouble with the mail, the local climate, the prospect for building, his work, the French Revolution, and the cause of Unitarianism. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-BeachW-undated-1
Subject: International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government, Religion and Spirituality, Weather and Climate
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from Joseph Priestley to Theophilus Lindsey
October 8, 1794
Stephen Johnes writes from Carlisle to Lydia Johnes, his wife, about life as a solider in the army assembled to end the Whiskey Rebellion. Johnes mentions a conversation with "Doc. Huston" about some individuals who complain that President George Washington's actions regarding the Whisky Rebellion are unlawful. Johnes expresses disgust for this idea, as "they are so ignorant that they think the president makes all the laws himself without any other power." Johnes also notes that President Washington and New Jersey Governor Richard Howell visited his camp in Carlisle. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-BellW-1964-1
Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government, Travel and Tourism
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from Stephen Johnes to Lydia Johnes
October 14, 1794
Charles Nisbet writes Ashbel Green to acknowledge Green's letter from September 12th and to justify questions about Green's intent in giving Nisbet's private letters to his political opponents. Nisbet also discusses the Whiskey Rebellion and describes the impact of the militia that assembled in Carlisle. "We have had a great Army here which has almost eaten us up," as Nisbet explains. Nisbet also offers political commentary on the French Revolution, whether the United States should have a standing army, and local elections. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: O-SpahrB-undated-6
Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government, Religion and Spirituality
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from Charles Nisbet to Ashbel Green
October 21, 1794
Stephen Johnes writes from Camp Bedford to Lydia Johnes, his wife, about life as a solider in the army assembled to end the Whiskey Rebellion. Johnes expresses concerns over the fact that she has not received all of his letters, explains the march from Carlisle to Fort Pitt, and his desires to come home. "If I had but wings how soon would I see my all," as Johnes notes. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-BellW-1964-1
Subject: Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government, Travel and Tourism
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from Stephen Johnes to Lydia Johnes
December 30, 1794
James Wilson sends this promissory note to James McNeal for a sum of roughly 627 pounds. Transcript included.
Format: Financial Documents
Location: I-SpahrB-undated-29
Subject: Business and Industry, Economics and Finance
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Promissory Note from James Wilson to James McNeal
c.1795
This memorandum by David Stewart Erskine, the Earl of Buchan, was apparently at one time covering note for a number of letters from Dickinson College President Dr. Charles Nisbet to Erskine. It is known that there was a lively correspondence between Dr. Nisbet and Lord Buchan. "These letters 'tho tainted by a turbulent querulous spirit are specimens of the Tory party in America," as Erskine notes. Transcript included.
Format: Miscellaneous
Location: I-SpahrB-1949-1
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1780-1799
February 26, 1795
David Erskine, the Earl of Buchan, writes a letter to Dickinson President Charles Nisbet in which he recommends John Millar and laments Nisbet's difficulties in finding a literary society in Carlisle. Erskine also comments on how he deals with the political issues of the day. "I have never allowed our bickers, or European nonsense to give me much disquiet," as Erskine explains. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2001.7, B1, F2
Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Dickinson College Administration, Education, International Affairs, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from David Erskine to Charles Nisbet
April 9, 1795
William Irvine, a member of the Board of Trustees, writes to his son, Callender Irvine (Class of 1794), and offers advice regarding his career choices. William also mentions the Presque Isle affair as well as the death of Mrs. Samuel Lyon.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1963-11
Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Education, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1780-1799
May 2, 1795
A check from the Bank of the United States to James Wilson for $1,000.
Format: Financial Documents
Location: I-SpahrB-undated-47
Subject: Economics and Finance
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Check from the Bank of the United States to James Wilson
August 16, 1795
James Wilson's promissory note to George Harrison for $1700 that has to be paid within sixty days. Transcript included.
Format: Financial Documents
Location: I-SpahrB-undated-47
Subject: Economics and Finance
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Promissory Note from James Wilson to George Harrison
August 25, 1795
Rev. John Mitchell Mason writes William Young, a bookseller and printer in Philadelphia, and asks him to become an agent for the U.S. Christian Magazine in Philadelphia. Mason states that the position requires one to "go through the city with the proposals in order to obtain subscribers." Mason also explains that Young would be "cheerfully paid." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2001.5, B1, F1
Subject: Business and Industry, Religion and Spirituality
Time Period: 1780-1799
September 30, 1795
John Wilson (Class of 1792) receives his Master of Arts Diploma from Dickinson College on September 30, 1795.
Format: Certificates and Diplomas
Location: Diploma Collection
Subject: Education
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Master of Arts Diploma - John Wilson
October 29, 1795
President George Washington writes Robert Livingston to thank him for looking out for certain packages. Washington asks him to "accept my thanks for your attention to them," happy that his "parcel which came undercover to me from Sir John Sinclair," was safe.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1952-6
Subject: Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from George Washington to Robert Livingston
February 25, 1796
James Wilson sends this promissory note to Henry Lee for a sum of $5,748.14. Transcript included.
Format: Financial Documents
Location: I-SpahrB-undated-28
Subject: Economics and Finance
Time Period: 1780-1799