Resources in Early American History
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1Author:  Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790Requires cookie*
 Title:  Franklin-Bache Papers     
 Dates:  1707-1799 
 Abstract:  The Papers of Benjamin Franklin are a rich source as varied and expansive as Dr. Franklin's storied life. The Collection has been calendared, catalogued, and much of it is available online at franklinpapers.org and in printed volumes. The APS inventory in MOLE is extraordinarily detailed. The aim of this entry is not to reproduce what is already readily accessible, but to focus on material that is unavailable in printed or online sources.

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 Call #:  Mss.B.F85.ba 
 Extent:  4 Linear Feet 
 Topics:  Colonial Politics | Colony and State Specific History | Pennsylvania History | Philadelphia History | Printing and Publishing 
 Genre:  Business Records and Accounts | Miscellaneous 
 Subjects:  Postal service -- United States | Printing -- France 
2Author:  Montgomery family.Requires cookie*
 Title:  Montgomery family papers, ca. 1650-1900     
 Dates:  Circa 1650-1900 
 Abstract:  This collection consists of an assortment of documents relating to the Montgomery Family that settled in New Jersey around 1701. The documents include items from the 1680s written in England relating to property in New Jersey, a series of letters from the eighteenth century, and a couple of letters from the revolutionary era. The correspondence deals with a range of issues, including trade and business, but they are more often family letters. John Burnett and John and Anna Forbes are the most frequent correspondents. The letters are written variously from Aberdeen, Scotland, Perth Amboy, and even some from Barbados. The remaining collection deals with genealogical material, much of which was written in the nineteenth century, although some was also done in the eighteenth century.

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 Call #:  Mss.B.M763 
 Extent:  0.5 Linear Feet 
 Topics:  Business and Skilled Trades | Colony and State Specific History | International Trade. 
 Genre:  Business Records and Accounts | Family Correspondence | Miscellaneous 
 Subjects:  Genealogy. 
3Author:  New York (State). Canal CommissionersRequires cookie*
 Title:  New York (State). Canal Commissioners. Records     
 Dates:  1825-1826 
 Abstract:  This collection contains official documents and correspondence of the New York State Canal Commission for the years 1825-1826. Although a small collection, it does contain some interesting documents, including correspondence among officials who discuss building new canals, a petition from inhabitants near Seneca Lake that offers their opinion on the best route for a canal near them, and official reports of the commissioners.

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 Call #:  Mss.629.9.N47d 
 Extent:  7 volume(s) 
 Topics:  Business and Skilled Trades | Colony and State Specific History | Engineering | Government Affairs | Trade 
 Genre:  Business Records and Accounts | Miscellaneous | Official Government Documents and Records 
 Subjects:  Canals -- New York (State) 
4Author:  Dawes, Elizabeth F.,collector.Requires cookie*
 Title:  Dawes Collection of Documents on American History     
 Dates:  1681-1921 
 Abstract:  This is a collection of miscellaneous documents from early America. The earliest documents come from the early 18th century and the latest from the Civil War era. The collection contains a few documents from the revolutionary period, most of which are official governments documents or deal with business transactions. There is one long letter from Robert McPherson, a member of the Pennsylvania Flying Camp, that describes his experience. Perhaps reflecting her ancestral home, the collection contains a small but notable collection of materials from South Carolina, including a very early letter from Francis Le Jau and letters from the Marquis de Lafayette about an expected trip to South Carolina. There are a significant number of documents from Pennsylvania, especially legal documents, from the early republic. The letters from Clement Biddle, a former revolutionary war soldier, also provide insight on early national Indian relations Finally, there are also some significant autographs collected, including a Massachusetts legal form with the signature of John Adams, a letter from James Madison to the Mississippi Territory around the time of the Louisiana Purchase, and letters from Civil War era figures like John Calhoun (a rich letter in which Calhoun discusses his views on tariffs and nullification), James Buchanan, and William Seward.

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 Call #:  Mss.973.D32 
 Extent:  0.25 Linear Feet 
 Topics:  American Revolution | Colony and State Specific History | Early National Politics | Native America | Pennsylvania History 
 Genre:  Business Records and Accounts | General Correspondence | Miscellaneous | Official Government Documents and Records 
 Subjects:  Publishers and publishing. 
5Author:  Smith FamilyRequires cookie*
 Title:  Smith-Houston-Morris-Ogden Family papers, 1659-1985     
 Dates:  1659-1985 
 Abstract:  The Smith-Houston-Morris-Ogden Collection is the APS's largest collection. It has a vast array of materials from early America. The APS has on file a 303-page survey of the collection that scholars may want to consult before beginning their research. In general, the collection contains information on business, politics, family and social life, Philadelphia history, land expansion, and estates. A good part Morris portion of the collection comes from Governeur Morris and his wife. The bulk of this material begins with his time as an emissary to France during the early republic and continues to his death. There is also a fairly extensive collection of his wife's correspondence, most of which follows Governeur's death. Her letters touch on issues relating to his estate and to other affairs. It includes discussions of slavery in Virginia and contains correspondence from memebers of the extended Jefferson family. The Ogden's were surveyors and land speculators in the late colonial and early national period. This portion of the collection contains discussion of land, business, politics, and family matters. A significant amount of these papers focus on the operations of a grist mill in New York. There are papers from numerous other prominent families, such as the Clemsons, Morgans, and Lewises, who were related through marriage.

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 Call #:  Mss.Ms.Coll.76 
 Extent:  350 Linear Feet 
 Topics:  Business and Skilled Trades | Colony and State Specific History | Diplomatic History | Early National Politics | International Affairs | Land and Speculation | Pennsylvania History | Philadelphia History | Surveying and Maps | Trade 
 Genre:  Business Records and Accounts | Diplomatic Material | Family Correspondence | Miscellaneous | Political Correspondence 
 Subjects:  Land speculation 
6Author:  Feinstone, Sol,1888-1980,colleRequires cookie*
 Title:  The Sol Feinstone Collection of the American Revolution, ca. 1760s-1850s     
 Dates:  Circa 1760s-1850s 
 Abstract:  The Sol Feinstone Collection of the David Library contains a wide array of original documents relating especially to the American Revolution. The collection is particularly strong in military affairs and contains a variety of original letters from generals and prominent officers from both British and American forces. The collection has a notable number of items relating to George Washington and his family, including a deed from 1604 to Laurence Washington that contains an original seal from James I.

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 Call #:  Mss.B.F327 
 Extent:  27 Linear Feet 
 Topics:  American Revolution | Business and Skilled Trades | Colonial Politics | Colony and State Specific History | Diplomatic History | Early National Politics | Military History | Pennsylvania History 
 Genre:  Family Correspondence | General Correspondence | Military Records | Miscellaneous | Official Government Documents and Records | Political Correspondence | Printed Material