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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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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 of France first encouraged the people to despise their governors, next to insult them... & the same process is fairly begun in this country, & likely to be carried on," as Nisbet notes. Nisbet also apologizes for his son's conduct towards Young and speaks of his troubles with finding work. In addition, Nisbet discusses the publication of several religious works. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2001.5, B1, F9-11
Subject: Health and Medicine, International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government, Religion and Spirituality
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letters from Charles Nisbet to William Young, 1796-99
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.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-2003-1
Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from Thomas Hartley to William Irvine
1797
Charles Hall's draft of a public address to President George Washington on the occasion of his retirement in 1797. Transcript included.
Format: Speeches and Sermons
Location: I-WilliamsC-1956-4
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Address to George Washington by Charles Hall (Draft)
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.
Format: Maps and Diagrams
Location: I-SpahrB-1957-11
Subject: Land and Real Estate
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Map of Land in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
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).
Format: Financial Documents
Location: I-SpahrB-1961-3
Subject: Dickinson College Academic Affairs, Dickinson College Administration, Economics and Finance, Education
Time Period: 1780-1799
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 Antiphlogistion enemies," as Priestley explains. Priestley also complains about Dr. Maclean's conduct. As "Dr. Maclean did not send me a copy of his pamphlet," Priestley notes that he was not aware of it until his "son met with it by accident and brought it to me." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-BeachW-1975-10
Subject: Health and Medicine, Science and Technology
Time Period: 1780-1799
1798-1808
A description of this ledger is not currently available.
Format: Financial Documents
Location: RG 1/1 - 6.1.1
Subject: Dickinson College Academic Affairs, Dickinson College Administration, Dickinson College History, Economics and Finance, Education
Time Period: 1780-1799, 1800-1819
View Item: Ledger of John Montgomery, 1798-1808
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 classes, those who must take the field, had rather fight the English than the French." Priestley also mentions receiving a pamphlet by Dr. Joseph Towers called "Thoughts on National Insanity." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1965-26
Subject: International Affairs, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government, Religion and Spirituality
Time Period: 1780-1799
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 [Elizabeth Thompson] may visit Mrs. Hamilton [Sarah Thompson, her cousin] and asks about how “the family are doing this very warm weather.”
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-ValeM-1947-62
Subject: Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from Catherine R. Thompson to James Hamilton
September 24, 1798
Charles Nisbet writes to his daughter Mary, discussing the theater in Carlisle, the Democrats, and the French.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-MurdochM-1952-1
Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, International Affairs, Politics and Government, Visual and Performing Arts
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from Charles Nisbet to Mary Nisbet
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.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1959-13
Subject: Politics and Government
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: Letter from William Irvine 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.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1955-5
Subject: Carlisle and Cumberland County, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1780-1799
View Item: I-SpahrB-1955-5.pdf
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 conversation regarding "United Irish Citizens" who had been "Naturalised" and "who had fled from Tyranny." Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2001.5, B1, F2
Subject: Business and Industry, International Affairs, Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life
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 government." Cooper had published material in which he criticized President John Adams. In addition, Pickering discusses writing columns in order "to expose the misrepresentation and falsehoods." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-WilliamsC-1956-9
Subject: Literary Pursuits, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1780-1799
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 them to Mitchell. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 1998.1, B1, F11
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Science and Technology
Time Period: 1780-1799
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.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Friends-2011-1
Subject: Land and Real Estate, Military Affairs and Conflict
Time Period: 1780-1799
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, including food and lodging, between November 4, 1799 to September 27, 1800.
Format: Legal and Government Documents
Location: I-Friends-1982-8
Subject: Business and Industry, Legal Affairs
Time Period: 1800-1819
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.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-RichardsonD-1992-1
Subject: Personal and Family Life, Travel and Tourism
Time Period: 1800-1819
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.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-AsbellY-2002-69
Subject: Religion and Spirituality
Time Period: 1800-1819
View Item: Letter from Joseph Priestley to Aaron Levy
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 April 12. Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-Purchase-1954-32
Subject: Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1800-1819
View Item: Letter from William Irvine to Ann Irvine
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, and others. "It is not probable that [France] suspected that a Corsican would conquer France, but" Nisbet explains that "this is the age of Revolutions." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-McIntoshM-1965-5
Subject: Health and Medicine, International Affairs, Literary Pursuits, Military Affairs and Conflict, Politics and Government, Religion and Spirituality
Time Period: 1800-1819
View Item: Letter from Charles Nisbet to William Young
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 issues in the United States, including the Presidential Election of 1800. In addition, Nisbet briefly mentions his interaction with Dickinson's Board of Trustees. Transcripts included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: MC 2001.5, B1, F11
Subject: Dickinson College Administration, Military Affairs and Conflict, Personal and Family Life, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1800-1819
View Item: Letters from Charles Nisbet to William Young, 1800-01
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, found the means of paying." Bingham also notes his inability to accommodate an additional sum for the General "as my disbursements on account of my Maine Lands, have absorbed such an immense proportion of my resources." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-SpahrB-1949-2
Subject: Business and Industry, Economics and Finance, Politics and Government
Time Period: 1800-1819
View Item: Letter from William Bingham to M. Hays
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 claims and notes that a letter with "papers of consequence" for Hamilton from a G. Patterson is enclosed.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-ValeM-1948-1
Subject: Legal Affairs, Personal and Family Life
Time Period: 1800-1819
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 France when he left England but was unable to, as he had just recovered from a "dangerous illness." Transcript included.
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Location: I-BeachW-1986-10
Subject: Economics and Finance, Health and Medicine, Travel and Tourism
Time Period: 1800-1819
View Item: Letter from Joseph Priestley to Jean-Frédéric Perregaux