Resources in Early American History
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 Author:  Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798Requires cookie*
 Title:  Benjamin Franklin Bache diary, 1782-1785     
 Dates:  1782-1785 
 Abstract:  This is a translation of Benjamin Franklin Bache's diary that he kept while in Europe during the American Revolution. Bache traveled there as a young child when his grandfather, Benjamin Franklin, served as the American envoy to France. Bache spent nine years in Europe and during that time, received schooling in Passy and Switzerland. The journal begins with an account of his time in Switzerland and ends with his time with his grandfather in Passy. There are numerous stories and anecdotes in this journal. Some bear only on Bache's experience as a child and teenager in Europe. In Switzerland, among other things, Bache witnessed an execution by firing squad, saw a seven-foot tall giant, and was attacked by a watchdog at a Chateux. While in Passy, Bache received instructions on printing, witnessed numerous ballooning experiments, visited famous sites in Paris, and recorded some comings and goings of prominent guests. Some of these entries from Passy provide insight into Franklin's time in Paris, including a detailed account of the well-known scientific examination Franklin conducted on animal magnetism (hypnosis). Originally in French, this English translation of his journal along with the Benjamin Franklin Bache Collection (Mss.B.B122) provides a clear account of Bache's time in Europe during the Revolution.

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 Call #:  Mss.B.B122d 
 Extent:  1 volume(s) 
 Topics:  American Revolution | Americans Abroad | Diplomatic History | Education | International Travel | Printing and Publishing | Travel 
 Genre:  Diaries | Travel Narratives and Journals 
 Author:  Franklin, William Temple, 1760-1823Requires cookie*
 Title:  William Temple Franklin appointment books: diaries, 1785-1803     
 Dates:  1785-1803 
 Abstract:  This collection of William Temple Franklin material contains copies, often typescript, of Benjamin Franklin's grandson, who also served as his secretary in France. Some but not all of the originals are housed in the APS already. These documents contain annotations of Claude-Anne Lopes, the former editor of the Benjamin Franklin Papers.

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 Call #:  Mss.B.F86d.tr 
 Extent:  1 volume(s) 
 Topics:  American Revolution | Diplomatic History 
 Genre:  Business Records and Accounts | Diaries 
 Author:  Franklin, William Temple, 1760-1823Requires cookie*
 Title:  William Temple Franklin diary, 1785     
 Dates:  1785 
 Abstract:  This item is part of the William Temple Franklin Collection. The Franklin Collection contains a range of correspondence, but this item is a diary William Temple Franklin kept in a French almanac for much of 1785 while serving in France.

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 Call #:  Mss.B.F86d 
 Extent:  1 volume(s) 
 Topics:  American Revolution | Americans Abroad | Diplomatic History 
 Genre:  Diaries | Diplomatic Material | Travel Narratives and Journals 
 Author:  Hiltzheimer, Jacob, 1729?-1798Requires cookie*
 Title:  Jacob Hiltzheimer Diaries     
 Dates:  1765-1798 
 Abstract:  The Jacob Hiltzheimer Diary takes up twenty-eight volumes and offers insight into the social life and customs of Philadelphia. He describes a wide range of events, such as sleigh riding to ice skating to attending a large celebration of King George's Birthday on the banks of the Schuylkill attended by over 380 Philadelphians (before Independence). During the imperial crisis, Hiltzheimer's observations can provide an interesting perspective on the events happening within the city. He notes the arrival of dignitaries from other colonies and records some of the events happening in the city. Hiltzheimer's journal also records family and personal details, like the death of his thirty-year old son. He records the weather in Philadelphia on a nearly daily basis, and his account of the Yellow Fever epidemic in Philadelphia is fairly exhaustive.

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 Call #:  Mss.B.H56d 
 Extent:  28 volume(s) 
 Topics:  American Revolution | Medicine | Philadelphia History | Social Life and Custom 
 Genre:  Diaries | Meteorological Data 
 Subjects:  Horses | United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 | United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783 | United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1809 | Yellow fever -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia 
 Author:  Hutchinson, James, 1752-1793Requires cookie*
 Title:  James Hutchinson diary, February 26, 1777 - March 16, 1777     
 Dates:  February 26-March 16 
 Abstract:  This diary contains the journal James Hutchinson kept during his trans-Atlantic passage from England to America in 1777. The back of the journal includes an essay defending the attacks on Quakers by revolutionaries. The essay, signed "A Friend to the Liberty of Conscience," appears to have been intended for publication, although it is not clear if it ever was published.

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 Call #:  Mss.B.H97d.1 
 Extent:  1 volume(s) 
 Topics:  American Revolution | Americans Abroad | International Travel | Religion 
 Genre:  Diaries | Manuscript Essays | Travel Narratives and Journals 
 Subjects:  Voyages and travels. 
 Author:  Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813Requires cookie*
 Title:  Travels through life:or an account of sundry incidents and events in the life of Benjamin Rush...written for the use of his children, [1800]     
 Dates:  Circa 1800 
 Abstract:  Benjamin Rush's Travels Through Life is his multi-volume autobiography. This manuscript copy is in his own hand and takes up eight volumes of notebooks. The APS also has another manuscript copy of the work that was written by someone other than Rush, likely in preparation for its publication. Rush wrote the autobiography for his children. The APS published portions of the diary, but segments have not been published. Notations suggest that portions that would be "offensive to surviving relatives" be omitted from publication. Other sections were crossed out but are readable and contain pertinent information. This is especially true on the section where Rush records his thoughts on prominent individuals from the American Revolution.

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 Call #:  Mss.B.R89t 
 Extent:  8 volume(s) 
 Topics:  American Revolution | Early National Politics | Marriage and Family Life | Medicine | Philadelphia History | Social Life and Custom 
 Genre:  Autobiography | Diaries 
 Subjects:  Epidemics -- United States | Indians of North America | Medicine. | Yellow fever -- United States. 
 Author:  Strahan, William (1715-1785)Requires cookie*
 Title:  William Strahan journals and accounts, 1751-1777     
 Dates:  1751-1777 
 Abstract:  This large and rich collection chronicles the daily activity of William Strahan during his travels through Scotland in 1751, 1759, 1760, 1766, 1768, 1773, 1777. Strahan was one of the largest printers and exporters of printed material in Great Britain. The journal records his daily activities and observations and also lends insight into his business connections and relations. Volumes two and four also contain business records.

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 Call #:  Mss.B.St83.St83x1 
 Extent:  4 volume(s) 
 Topics:  American Revolution | International Travel | Printing and Publishing 
 Genre:  Business Records and Accounts | Diaries | Travel Narratives and Journals 
 Author:  Sullivan, Thomas, 1755-Requires cookie*
 Title:  Journal of the operations of the American War     
 Dates:  1778-1779 
 Abstract:  In beautiful script, these two volumes track the history of Thomas Sullivan, a non-commissioned British soldier, during his time fighting in the American Revolution. Sullivan's journal records the evacuation of Boston, the New Jersey campaign, and the occupation of Philadelphia. Sullivan often gives detailed accounts of various towns he visits, such as Halifax, Boston, Princeton, and Brunswick. The journal ends in 1778, when Sullivan deserted the British Army and joined the Continental Army, serving under Nathanael Greene.

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 Call #:  Mss.973.3.Su5 
 Extent:  1 volume(s) 
 Topics:  American Revolution | Military History 
 Genre:  Autobiography | Diaries | Military Records | Travel Narratives and Journals 
 Subjects:  Brandywine, Battle of, 1777 | Bunker Hill, Battle of, 1775 | Germantown, Battle of, 1778 | Great Britain. Army -- Regiment of Foot, 49th (1743- ) | Irish -- United States | Long Island, Battle of, 1776 | Monmouth, Battle of, 1778 | New Jersey Campaign, 1776-1777 | Philadelphia Campaign, 1777-1778 | Red Bank, Battle of, 1777 | United States -- History -- Revolution, 1776-1783 | White Plains, Battle of, 1776 
 Author:  Wistar family.Requires cookie*
 Title:  Eastwick Collection, 1746-1929     
 Dates:  1746-1929 
 Abstract:  This large and rich collection contains a range of documents including travel journals, diaries, business records, and personal correspondence. The largest portion of the collection is of correspondence among members of the extended Wister family and their network of friends in the early nineteenth century, which provides insight into early nineteenth century Germantown and Philadelphia culture and society. These often long letters lend insight into all aspect of nineteenth century life, including politics, courtship, friendship, family, and manners. Poetry of Elizabeth, Sarah, and Charles Wister is included, as are daybooks and journals of Sarah.

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 Call #:  Mss.974.811.Ea7 
 Extent:  3.5 Linear Feet 
 Topics:  American Revolution | Business and Skilled Trades | Land and Speculation | Literature, Arts, and Culture | Marriage and Family Life | Social Life and Custom | Surveying and Maps | Women's History 
 Genre:  Diaries | Family Correspondence | General Correspondence | Literature | Maps and Surveys | Travel Narratives and Journals 
 Subjects:  Agriculture -- United States. | Bees. | Gardening -- United States.