Stephen Girard papers, 1793-1857.

Mss.Film.1424

Date: 1793-1857 | Size: 600 microfilm_reel(s)
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Abstract

From the Board of Trustees of the Estate of Stephen Girard, these films are the complete archive of one of the largest mercantile and financial operations in the United States of his day. The collection includes correpondence, with translations of letters in French (139 reels). It also includes bank records, account books, ledgers, cash books, and journals; papers, documents, and records of trading voyages (arranged by vessel and date); records of Girard's country house, "The Place"; records of real estate, rents, etc.; prices current of ports of the world. There is a card index of correspondents and ships (14 reels). Included is a card file, a unique and invaluable research tool, this is an index of names and places and alphabetical abstracts of Philadelphia newspaper items and advertisements for the period covering ca. 1718-1795. Roach made a systematic search through eighteenth-century newspapers and several other sources, for biographical and subject information on Philadelphians and Pennsylvanians of the period. It is primarily biographical , but subject headings, such as "The Barracks," "Blue Lion, Sign of the," "Custom House," are scattered throughout. The source of each entry is cited, and there are brief annotations. There is also a miscellaneous assortment of volumes that were received with the Kane family papers.

Background note

Stephen Girard was a merchant, banker, and philanthropist.

Hannah Benner Roach was a professional genealogist and historical researcher.

Collection Information

Physical description

600 microfilm reels.

Provenance

Purchased from Girard College and accessioned, 1964.

Custodial history:

Deposited by Dr. Oliver Cope, 1967; presented, 1970.

Location of originals:

Originals in Girard College, Philadelphia, PA.

Alternate formats available

This collection is also available on microfilm (Film 1424).

General note

For an overall description of this collection, see Murphy D. Smith, "The Stephen Girard Papers," Manuscripts (Winter 1977):14-22.

Early American History Note

This is a microfilm of an early American collection that may be of interest to researchers at the APS and may complement an original manuscript collection at the APS.

Indexing Terms


Corporate Name(s)

  • Albany (Sloop of War)
  • American Philosophical Society
  • Bank of the United States
  • Brandywine (Ship)
  • Cumberland (Ship)
  • Edward O'Brien (Ship)
  • Girard Trust Corn Exchange Bank.
  • Girard's Bank.
  • Leesburg (Ship)
  • New World (Ship)
  • Peale's Museum (Philadelphia, Pa.)
  • Pennsylvania Literary Association of Philadelphia.
  • Philadelphia Society for the Employment and Instruction of the Poor.
  • Roderic (Ship)
  • Sandusky (Ship)
  • Savanah (Ship)
  • Society for the promotion of legal knowledge and forensic eloquence (P
  • Telegraph (Ship)
  • University of Pennsylvania.
  • Wings of the Morning (Ship)

Family Name(s)

  • Duncan, R. R.

Genre(s)

  • Commonplace books.
  • Journals (notebooks).
  • Ledgers.
  • Logbooks.
  • Microfilm Collection
  • Minutes.
  • Receipt books.

Geographic Name(s)

  • China -- Commerce -- 1644-1912.
  • Europe -- Commerce -- 18th century.
  • Europe -- Commerce -- 19th century.
  • Pennsylvania -- History -- 18th century.
  • Philadelphia (Pa.) -- Commerce.
  • Philadelphia (Pa.) -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783.
  • Philadelphia (Pa.) -- Social life and customs.
  • United States -- Commerce -- 18th century.
  • United States -- Commerce -- 19th century.

Personal Name(s)

  • Aykroyd, Henry, 1827-1890
  • Bache, A. D. (Alexander Dallas), 1806-1867
  • Bancker, Charles Nicoll, 1778-1869
  • Bolivar, George W.
  • Breese, Samuel L. (Samuel Livingston), 1794-1870
  • Bunker, Benjamin H.
  • Caster, A.
  • Davis, Amos
  • Donaldson, John
  • Girard, Stephen--Estate, 1750-1831
  • Harris, William
  • Kaspar, Peter
  • Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, Marquis de, 1757-1834
  • Leiper, Mary B.
  • Lovell, H. H.
  • Parker, F. A.
  • Rice, J. D.
  • Roach, Hannah Benner.
  • Roath, H. G.
  • Smith, Robert

Subject(s)

  • Astronomical observatories -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
  • Banks and banking -- United States.
  • Butchers.
  • Cargo ships -- United States.
  • Education -- Europe -- 19th century.
  • Law -- Societies, etc.
  • Museums -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia -- 19th century.
  • Shipping -- United States -- 18th century.
  • Shipping -- United States -- 19th century.
  • Ships -- United States.