R.(Robert) Frazer papers, 1814

Mss.B.F868

Date: 1814 | Size: 0.25 Linear feet, 16 items; 2 maps
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Abstract

These are letters to Thomas Clarke, Isaac Roberdeau, and Jonathan Williams, Jr., about the defense of Philadelphia against possible British attack.

Background note

Robert F. Frazer (1771-1821) was a lawyer, district attorney for Delaware County and a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1795.

Frazer was born on August 30, 1771 in Middletown, Pennsylvania to Persifor Frazer, an iron manufacturer and merchant, and his wife Mary Smith. Frazer entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1786. He graduated A.B. in 1789 and received a semi-honorary A.M. in 1792. After completing his bachelor's degree, Frazer began to study law with Jared Ingersoll; in 1792 he was admitted to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. In 1795 he went on to serve in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives before becoming the District Attorney for Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Frazer married Mary Ball (1778-1798) in 1798, and after her death married Elizabeth Fries (1778-1815) in 1803. After Elizabeth's death in 1815, he married Alice Pennel Yarnell (1778-1830). He had six children with his second wife: John, Jacob Taylor, Anne Fries, Persifor, John Fries, and Mary Worrall. His sons John and Jacob, and daughter Mary, died in infancy. Frazer also had a son with his third wife, Joseph Pennell. Robert Frazer died on January 20, 1821.

Frazer's son John Fries Frazer (1812–1872, APS 1842), also a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, became a geologist and chemist. He was appointed to the first Pennsylvania Geological Survey in 1836 and in 1844 succeeded Alexander Dallas Bache as Professor of Chemistry and Natural Philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania. John Fries Frazer's son Persifor Frazer (1844–1909, APS 1872) was a geologist and handwriting expert.

Scope and content

The collection consists of two maps as well as fifteen letters to and from Robert Frazer, dated 1814. All of them deal with the defense of Philadelphia in the fall of 1814. The material includes lists of expenses, surveys, and plans for fortifications. A typed table of contents is included in the box.

Collection Information

Physical description

15 items; 2 maps.

Provenance

Purchased and accessioned, 1957 (1957 1450ms).

Early American History Note

The Robert Frazer Collection is a small but rich series of letters detailing Philadelphia's military defenses during the War of 1812. The letters contain accounts of Greater Philadelphia's geography and include hand drawn maps of fortifications and areas of Philadelphia deemed vulnerable to attack.

Indexing Terms


Genre(s)

  • Maps and Surveys
  • Maps.
  • Military Records

Geographic Name(s)

  • Philadelphia (Pa.) -- History -- War of 1812.
  • United States -- History -- War of 1812.

Personal Name(s)

  • Clarke, Thomas, 1787-1860
  • Frazer, R. (Robert)
  • Roberdeau, Isaac, 1763-1829
  • Williams, Jonathan

Subject(s)

  • Military History
  • Philadelphia History
  • War of 1812


Detailed Inventory

 Papers
  
 Philadelphia. General Committee of Defense.
Expenses of the topographical engineers to Isaac Roberdeau;
Sept. 15 to Oct. 16, 181412-1/2x7-3/4

D. 2p., end. by Roberdeau, Oct. 19, 1814. (see R. Frazer papers. Correspondence...; 1814. no.1.) The entries cover the period from Sept. 15 to Oct. 16, 1814.

General physical description: 12-1/2x7-3/4

 Frazer, R. (Robert).
Letter to I[saac] Roberdeau;
Sept. 30, 181413-1/2x8

A.L.S. 2p.and end.and map. Draft (see R.Frazer papers. Correspondence...; 1814. no.2.) Concerning the topography of an area for the defense of Philadelphia.

General physical description: 13-1/2x8

 Clarke, Thomas, 1787-1860.
Letter to Robert Frazer, Philadelphia;
Oct. 4, 18149-3/4x8

Chester, A.L.S. 2p.and add.,end. (see R.Frazer papers. Correspondence...; 1814. no. 3.) Concerning the defense of Philadelphia. Mentions General Cadwalader and Colonel Wadsworth.

General physical description: 9-3/4x8

 Roberdeau, Isaac, 1763-1829.
Letter to Robert Frazer, Philadelphia;
Oct. 4, [1814]9-1/2x8

Chester, A.L.S. 2p.and add., end. (see R.Frazer papers. Correspondence...; 1814. no.4.) Concerning fortification for defense of Philadelphia. Refers to Col. Wadsworth and J.Williams.

General physical description: 9-1/2x8

 Frazer, R. (Robert).
Letter to [Thomas Clarke?];
Oct. 6, 18148-1/4x5-1/4

Philadelphia, A.L. 2p. Draft. (see R.Frazer. Correspondence...; 1814, no. 53.) Concerning the defense of Philadelphia. Refers to Roberdeau.

General physical description: 8-1/4x5-1/4

 Frazer, R. (Robert).
Report to General Gaines
October 9, 1814 

"Rough draft of report made to General Gaines on the face of the country between the Schuylkill and the Brandywine."

 Roberdeau, Isaac, 1763-1829.
Letter to Robert Frazer, Philadelphia;
Oct. 10, 18149-1/2x8

Chester, A.L.S. 2p.and add. (see R.Frazer papers. Correspondence...; 1814 no. 7.) Concerning J.Williams orders. Concerning the defense of Philadelphia.

General physical description: 9-1/2x8

 Williams, Jonathan.
Letter to Major [Isaac] Roberdeau;
Oct. 25, 181413-1/4x8-1/4

Philadelphia, L. 1p. Copy. (see R.Frazer papers. Correspondence...; 1814.no. 8.) War orders.

General physical description: 13-1/4x8-1/4

 Frazer, R. (Robert).
Letter to Major Isaac Roberdeau, Chester;
Nov. 6, 181410-1/4x8-1/4

Philadelphia, A.L.S. 1p.and add.,end. (see R.Frazer papers. Correspondence...; 1814. no. 9.) Friendly letter. Military information for the possible defense of Philadelphia.

General physical description: 10-1/4x8-1/4

 Frazer, R. (Robert).
Letter to Tho[ma]s Clarke;
Nov. 26, 181410-1/4x8-1/4, 9-1/2x15-3/4 and 8-1/4x6-3/4, 13-1/4x8-1/4

Philadelphia, A.L.S. 3p.and add.and enc, of 2 leaves. (see R.Frazer papers. Correspondence...; 1814. no.10.) ----Concerning fortifications for the defense of Philadelphia. Includes drawings of fortifications. Includes draft and final version of letter. Refers to Roberdeau.

General physical description: 10-1/4x8-1/4, 9-1/2x15-3/4 and 8-1/4x6-3/4, 13-1/4x8-1/4

 Frazer, R. (Robert).
Letter to Jonathan Williams;
[1814]12-3/4x8

A.L. 1p. Draft. (see R.Frazer papers. Correspondence...; 1814. no. 11.) Concerning the defense of Philadelphia.

General physical description: 12-3/4x8

 Roberdeau, Isaac, 1763-1829.
Letter to Robert Frazer, Philadelphia;
[1814]8x6-1/2

Darby, Thursday morning A.L.S. 3p. and add. (see R. Frazer papers. Correspondence...; 1814. no. 14.) Will send report on the defense of Philadelphia. Refers to J. Williams.

General physical description: 8x6-1/2

 Roberdeau, Isaac, 1763-1829.
Letter to Robert Frazer, Philadelphia;
[1814]7-3/4x6-1/2

Sunday afternoon A.L.S. 1p. (see R. Frazer papers. Correspondence...; 1814. no. 13.) Asks a favor.

General physical description: 7-3/4x6-1/2

 Roberdeau, Isaac, 1763-1829.
Letter to Robert Frazer, Philadelphia;
[1814]7-3/4x6-1/2

Sunday evening, A.L.S. 2p.and add. (see R.Frazer papers. Correspondence..; 1814. no. 12.) Friendly letter. Concerning preparations for the defense of Philadelphia.

General physical description: 7-3/4x6-1/2

 Roberdeau, Isaac, 1763-1829.
Letter to Robert Frazer, Philadelphia;
[1814]10-1/4x8

A.L.S.with initials. 1p.and add. (see R.Frazer papers. Correspondence...; 1814. no.15.) Friendly letter. Refers to J.Williams.

General physical description: 10-1/4x8