Resources in Early American History
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Abolition, emancipation, freedom (3)
Abolitionists -- United States -- Attitudes (1)
Adena culture -- West Virginia (1)
Advance (Brig) (1)
Africa, West -- Description and travel (1)
African American churches -- United States (1)
Agriculture (6)
Agriculture -- Study and teaching -- 18th century (1)
Algebra. (1)
American Academy of Music (Philadelphia, Pa.) (1)
American Colonization Society (1)
American Philosophical Society (2)
Anatomy -- 18th century (1)
Animal magnetism. (2)
Animals -- Habits and behavior of (1)
Anishinaabe (2)
Annuities. (1)
Antislavery movements -- Pennsylvania (1)
Archaeology -- Pennsylvania (1)
Architecture (1)
Arctic Regions -- Discovery and exploration (1)
Artifacts (1)
Astronomy (1)
Astronomy - Research - England (1)
Astronomy -- 18th century (3)
Astronomy -- Charts, diagrams, etc. (1)
Astronomy -- Mathematics. (1)
Astronomy -- Observations (1)
Astronomy. (8)
Audubon, John James, 1785-1851. Birds of America (1)
Auroras. (1)
Aztecs. (1)
Balloons. (1)
Banks and banking -- United States -- History -- 19th century. (1)
Banks and banking -- United States. (1)
Bartram's Garden (Philadelphia, Pa.) (1)
Beetles. (1)
Bible - Criticism, interpretation, etc. (1)
Biology, genetics, eugenics (1)
Birds -- Migration -- United States. (1)
Birds -- North America (1)
Birds -- Study and teaching (1)
Birds. (2)
Blowpipe. (1)
Boilers. (1)
Botanical chemistry (1)
Botanical gardens. (1)
Botanists (1)
Botany (2)
Botany -- 18th century (1)
 Author:  Adair, WilliamRequires cookie*
 Title:  William Adair meteorological notebook, 1776-1788     
 Dates:  1776-1788 
 Abstract:  This collection contains meteorological data for Lewes, Delaware from 1776-1788.

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 Call #:  Mss.551.5.Ad1 
 Extent:  1 volume(s) 
 Topics:  Science and technology 
 Subjects:  Meteorology -- Delaware -- Observations. | Weather. 
 Author:  Agassiz, Louis, 1807-1873Requires cookie*
 Title:  Louis Jean Rodolph Agassiz papers, 1833-1873     
 Dates:  1833-1873 
 Abstract:  The collection of Louis Agassiz correspondence consists of approximately fifty letters that discuss a wide range of topics at the fore of scientific thought in the mid to late nineteenth century. Many letters are short acknowledgements sent to various friends and acquaintances. Some letters are in French, although most are in English and are addressed to American correspondents. Topics of longer letters include his views on the origins of mankind and races, plant life in the Caribbean, and the possible scientific causes for "spiritual manifestations." Most letters date from 1850 onward and are thus outside the scope of this guide.

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 Call #:  Mss.B.Ag12.ms 
 Extent:  50 item(s) 
 Topics:  Religion | Science and technology 
 Subjects:  Fossils -- Collection and preservation. | Geology -- Research -- United States. | Mineralogy - Research - United States | Natural history museums -- Massachusetts. | Natural history. | Naturalists. | Scientific expeditions. | Zoological museums -- Massachusetts. | Zoology. 
 Author:  Airy, George Biddell, Sir, 1801-1892Requires cookie*
 Title:  Sir George Biddell Airy Papers     
 Dates:  1840-1890 
 Abstract:  This manuscript collection falls outside the geographic scope of the Early American guide (British North America and the United States before 1840). It may be of interest to scholars interested in global history, international relations, imperialism, or the U.S. in the world.

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 Call #:  Mss.B.Ai7p 
 Extent:  0.25 Linear Feet 
 Topics:  Beyond Early America | Science and technology 
 Genre:  Scientific Correspondence 
 Subjects:  Artifacts | Astronomy - Research - England | Electricity - Experiments | Geology - Research - England | Geology, Structural | Magnetism - Experiments | Magnets | Observatoire de Paris | Pendulum | Stars -- Magnitudes. | Telescopes 
 Author:  Alexander, William, 1726-1783Requires cookie*
 Title:  Variation of the compass, 1773     
 Dates:  1773 
 Abstract:  This slender volume is an essay by William Alexander, a prominent figure in New Jersey politics and business. Alexander wrote this essay with the hope that it would spur the American Philosophical Society to support the study of variations in compasses. Alexander's interest in this subject likely had to do with his background as a merchant. He realized compass variations created inefficiencies and risks for captains and the merchants that relied on them. Alexander appeals specifically to the APS's mission by stating that such a study would be "useful to mankind." Alexander's essays shows that he is conversant in many of the current theories about variations. He also proposed a plan for the APS to facilitate a systematic study of compass variations that he believed would produce a clear general law for variations in compasses.

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 Call #:  Mss.522.76.Al2 
 Extent:  1 item(s) 
 Topics:  Science and technology | Surveying and Maps | Trade 
 Genre:  Scientific Correspondence | Scientific Data 
 Subjects:  Astronomy -- 18th century | Compass. | Learned institutions and societies. 
 Author:  AnonymousRequires cookie*
 Title:  Astronomy workbook, 1821     
 Dates:  1821 
 Abstract:  This notebook on astronomy from 1821 contains a range of information on astronomical calculations and general scientific knowledge from the early nineteenth century.

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 Call #:  Mss.520.As83 
 Extent:  1 volume(s) 
 Topics:  Education | Science and technology 
 Genre:  Educational Material 
 Subjects:  Astronomy -- Mathematics. 
 Author:  AnonymousRequires cookie*
 Title:  [Eclipses of the sun and moon, 1820-1838], n.d.     
 Dates:  Circa 1820-1838 
 Abstract:  This collection of astronomical calculations from 1786-1838 consists of various loose notes on eclipses and solar/lunar calculations, including information on an eclipse as witnessed in Canton and Philadelphia. The collection also has a folio size bound volume that diagrams (sometimes with color added) eclipses for the years 1818, 1820, 1822, 1823, 1824, 1829, 1838, as observed in Philadelphia.

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 Call #:  Mss.521.8.Ec6 
 Extent:  1 volume(s) 
 Topics:  Science and technology 
 Genre:  Scientific Data 
 Subjects:  Astronomy. | Eclipses. 
 Author:  AnonymousRequires cookie*
 Title:  Scientific copybook, [n.d.]     
 Dates:  Circa 19th c. 
 Abstract:  This scientific copybook is like a commonplace book. It has various essays on a range of scientifc topics. The essays had been printed in various journals that were then copied in manuscript form in this notebook. Some entries note the source from which they were copied. The partially filled notebook was likely compiled sometime in the early nineteenth century.

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 Call #:  Mss.500.Cop79 
 Extent:  1 volume(s) 
 Topics:  Science and technology 
 Genre:  Commonplace Book | Educational Material | Manuscript Essays | Notebooks | Scientific Data 
 Subjects:  Astronomy. | Natural history. | Zoology. 
 Author:  AnonymousRequires cookie*
 Title:  Traité de la physique, [17--]     
 Dates:  Circa 18th century 
 Abstract:  Written during the 18th century, this volume describes some of the principles of physics. The text is in French and there are occasional diagrams and sketches next to the text.

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 Call #:  Mss.530.T68t 
 Extent:  1 volume(s) 
 Topics:  Science and technology 
 Genre:  Educational Material | Foreign Language | Notebooks | Scientific Data 
 Subjects:  Physics. 
 Author:  AnonymousRequires cookie*
 Title:  Traité de physique et de chymie, ca. 1800     
 Dates:  Circa 1800 
 Abstract:  This beautifully bound volume contains numerous essays on scientific developments that occurred in the 18th century. The text of the notebook is written so that the manuscript appears like a published work. Among the topics discussed are electricity, physics, balloons, pharmacology, and an invention by Peter Woulfe. The notebook is in French.

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 Call #:  Mss.537.G18 
 Extent:  1 volume(s) 
 Topics:  Education | Science and technology 
 Genre:  Educational Material | Foreign Language | Manuscript Essays | Notebooks | Scientific Data 
 Subjects:  Balloons. | Chemistry -- Experiments. | Electricity -- Early works to 1850. | Gases. | Hydraulics. | Pharmacology. | Science -- History. | Technology -- History. 
 Author:  Audubon, John James, 1785-1851Requires cookie*
 Title:  John James Audubon Papers     
 Dates:  1821-1845 
 Abstract:  This fairly large collection (over 200 letters) of John James Audubon material consists primarily of John's correspondence with his wife Lucy and son Victor. The collection shows a personal side of Audubon who kept his wife and son informed of all aspects of his work and travels. The letters to his wife – "my dearest friend" – are particularly affectionate and open.

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 Call #:  Mss.B.Au25 
 Extent:  0.75 Linear Feet 
 Topics:  Business and Skilled Trades | Literature, Arts, and Culture | Natural history | Printing and Publishing | Science and technology 
 Genre:  Art | Business Records and Accounts | Family Correspondence | General Correspondence 
 Subjects:  Birds -- North America | Natural history -- North America | Naturalist | Ornithologist | Ornithology -- North America 
 Author:  Bache, A.D. (Alexander Dallas), 1806-1867Requires cookie*
 Title:  A. D. Bache Collection     
 Dates:  1833-1873 
 Abstract:  This collection consists of a wide-range of general correspondence to and from Alexander Dallas Bache from 1833-1865. The correspondence includes letters to many prominent scientists, such as Louis Agassiz, Maria Mitchell, and Charles Babbage. The content reflects the wide range of Bache's scientific activity and his extensive contacts. Topics range from cartography to lighthouses to education reform to phrenology.

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 Call #:  Mss.B.B123 
 Extent:  0.25 Linear Feet 
 Topics:  Antebellum Politics | Early National Politics | Science and technology 
 Genre:  General Correspondence | Official Government Documents and Records | Scientific Correspondence 
 Subjects:  Cooper Union | Education | Geological Survey of the State of New Jersey | Geology | Girard College | Lighthouses | National Academy of Sciences | Natural history | United States Coast Survey 
 Author:  Baldwin, Loammi, 1780-1838Requires cookie*
 Title:  Loammi Baldwin diary, 9 September 1823 - 29 November 1823     
 Dates:  1823 
 Abstract:  The Diary of Loammi Baldwin (September 9 – November 29, 1823) chronicles a portion of Baldwin's trip to Europe where he observed European canals and other internal improvements. Baldwin was a leading civil engineer in antebellum America, and he traveled to Europe to learn about tested methods and good practices that he could bring back to America. The journal begins with Baldwin departing London for Dover and follows his trip through Holland and France. The diary contains numerous sketches of machinery, including carriages, canals, locks, boats, and steam-engine parts. There are also observations on European cities, towns, and customs. Many of the canal sketches are elaborate and detailed.

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 Call #:  Mss.B.B189 
 Extent:  1 volume(s) 
 Topics:  Americans Abroad | Business and Skilled Trades | Engineering | International Travel | Science and technology | Travel 
 Genre:  Art | Scientific Data | Sketchbooks | Travel Narratives and Journals 
 Subjects:  Canals -- Belgium. | Canals -- Design and construction. | Canals -- England. | Canals -- France. | Canals -- Netherlands. | Technology - History 
 Author:  Barton, Benjamin Smith, 1766-1815Requires cookie*
 Title:  Violetta Delafield-Benjamin Smith Barton Collection     
 Dates:  1783-1817 
 Abstract:  The extensive Benjamin Smith Barton collection contains six sections: Correspondence, Bound Volumes (including notebooks), Subject Files, and Graphic Materials. The material includes numerous images, sketches, notes, printed material, and other correspondence. The collection also has numerous copper plates that were used to print images drawn by Barton. Although a collection this large touches on a variety of interesting and important subjects, the collection's strength is its wealth of data on nineteenth century medical, botanical, and Native American studies.

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 Call #:  Mss.B.B284d 
 Extent:  10 Linear Feet 
 Topics:  Business and Skilled Trades | Education | Language and Linguistics | Literature, Arts, and Culture | Medicine | Native America | Natural history | Printing and Publishing | Science and technology | Travel 
 Genre:  Art | Family Correspondence | General Correspondence | Language Material | Notebooks | Political Correspondence | Sketchbooks | Travel Narratives and Journals 
 Subjects:  Bartram's Garden (Philadelphia, Pa.) | Botanists | Botany -- Study and teaching -- 19th century | Botany -- Virginia | Chemistry -- 18th century | Cherokee Indians | Cherokee language | Choctaw Indians | Dysentery. | Electricity -- 18th century | Ethnobotany | Geology -- 18th century | Gout | Indians of North America | Indians of North America -- Agriculture | Indians of North America -- Languages | Kaigana Indians | Kaskaskia Indians | Mammals -- Classification | Mandan Indians | Mastodons | Materia medica | Medicine -- Practice -- 18th century | Medicine -- Study and teaching -- 18th century | Meteorology -- United States -- 18th century | Meteors | Mineralogy | Natural history -- 18th century | Natural history -- 19th century | Osage language | Physicians -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia | Physics | Rittenhouse, David, 1732-1796 | Seminole Indians | Seneca Indians | Tuscarora Indians | University of Pennsylvania -- Faculty | Venereal disease | Yellow fever | Yellow fever -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia -- 1793 | Zoology -- 18th century 
 Author:  Bartram, John, 1699-1777Requires cookie*
 Title:  Collinson-Bartram Papers, 1732-1773     
 Dates:  1732-1773 
 Abstract:  While the APS has a number of Collinson collections on microfilm, it primary source holdings contain only thirty-seven letters written to Peter Collinson. The majority of the letters discuss natural history. There is a letter written about the culture of bathing in Wales in the 1730s. There is also extended correspondence between Collinson and Lady Petre on the botanical gardens on the Petre's estate and a series of letters from Spanish officials in the Caribbean relaying information to Collinson. There is also notable amount of correspondence between Collinson and various nobility discussing horticultural issues.

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 Call #:  Mss.B.C692.1 
 Extent:  0.25 Linear Feet 
 Topics:  Natural history | Science and technology 
 Genre:  Scientific Correspondence 
 Subjects:  Gardening -- England. | Gardens -- England. | Horticulture -- England. | Horticulture -- United States. | Plants, Cultivated. | Seed industry and trade -- England. | Seed industry and trade -- United States. 
 Author:  Bartram, William, 1739-1823Requires cookie*
 Title:  William Bartram meteorological diary, January 1, 1790 - September 13, 1791     
 Dates:  1790-1791 
 Abstract:  The William Bartram meteorological diary is part of the Barton collection. It is a small journal that contains weather records for Philadelphia, 1790-1791.

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 Call #:  Mss.B.B284.d.vol.15 
 Extent:  1 volume(s) 
 Topics:  Natural history | Science and technology 
 Genre:  Meteorological Data 
 Subjects:  Ice on rivers, lakes, etc. -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia. | Icing (Meteorology) -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia. | Meteorology -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia -- Observations. | Weather. 
 Author:  Beccaria, Giambatista, 1716-1781Requires cookie*
 Title:  Ex Phisicis Institutionibus, 1769     
 Dates:  1769 
 Abstract:  Giovanni Battista Beccaria was a leading scientist in eighteenth century Italy. In addition to the manuscript collection, the APS also has a bound handwritten volume of Beccaria entitled Ex Phisics Institutionibus. This volume has the feel of a textbook with chapters on different subjects, most dealing with electricity. The back of the book contains fourteen plates. These plates contain diagrams on weights and measures, mechanics, astronomy, and mathematics.

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 Call #:  Mss.537.B38exp 
 Extent:  1 volume(s) 
 Topics:  Natural history | Science and technology 
 Genre:  Educational Material | Foreign Language | Manuscript Essays | Scientific Data 
 Subjects:  Copernican system | Cosmography. | Education | Electricity -- Early works to 1850. | Electricity -- Experiments. | Mathematics -- Research -- Italy. | Physics -- Research -- Italy. 
 Author:  Beccaria, Giambatista, 1716-1781Requires cookie*
 Title:  Giambatista Beccaria Papers     
 Dates:  1766-1780 
 Abstract:  The Beccaria Collection consists of a folio size volume of collected letters and essays. Giovanni Battista Beccaria was a leading scientist in eighteenth century Italy. The collection includes letters Beccaria wrote to Franklin as well as drafts of essays he prepared for publication. The topics of the letters include discussions of electricity, meteorology, and astronomy.

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 Call #:  Mss.B.B385 
 Extent:  0.75 Linear Feet 
 Topics:  Beyond Early America | Science and technology 
 Genre:  Foreign Language | Manuscript Essays | Scientific Correspondence 
 Subjects:  Auroras. | Earthquakes -- Early works to 1800 | Electricity -- Early works to 1800 | Electricity -- Experiments | Lightning | Lightning rods | Meteorology -- Italy -- Observations | Phosphorescence | Physics -- Early works to 1800 | Scientific apparatus and instruments -- 18th century | Sunspots 
 Author:  Bonaparte, Charles Lucian, 1803-1857Requires cookie*
 Title:  Charles Lucien Jules Laurent Bonaparte letters, 1825-1857     
 Dates:  1825-1857 
 Abstract:  The Charles Lucien Bonaparte collection is noteworthy for its ornithological content and for the exchanges with William Cooper, a fellow ornithologist who had a large collection of bird specimens. The majority of the correspondence surrounds Bonaparte's American Ornithology. The letters are all from Bonaparte to Cooper. Their content shows Cooper to be an engaged and active ornithologist who provided Bonaparte with critical advice on his proofs. Copper founded the Lyceum of Natural History in New York and studied zoology in Europe. He is credited with helping edit Bonaparte's last two works. Bonaparte, for his part, repaid his friend by naming a new species of hawk Cooper's Hawk.

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 Call #:  Mss.B.B642.1.7 
 Extent:  0.25 Linear Feet 
 Topics:  Literature, Arts, and Culture | Natural history | Science and technology 
 Genre:  General Correspondence | Scientific Correspondence 
 Subjects:  Learned institutions and societies. | Ornithology. | Science -- Societies, etc. 
 Author:  Bruno, M. deRequires cookie*
 Title:  Essai metaphysique, physique et phisiologistique relativement à la découverte de M. Mesmer, 1786     
 Dates:  1786 
 Abstract:  This is a handwritten essay on Franz Mesmer and his claims to have healing and other metaphysical powers. Mesmer is today thought of as an early user of hypnosis. Throughout the 1770s and 1780s, he captivated French society. Marie Antoinette was particularly interested in his abilities. Finally, King Louis convened a scientific body in 1784 to examine the claims of Mesmer and his disciples. Benjamin Franklin, still in France as an American envoy, headed the committee, which debunked Mesmerism. The report can be found in the Papers of Benjamin Franklin and in the Diary of Benjamin Franklin Bache, both of which are at the APS.

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 Call #:  Mss.134.B83 
 Extent:  1 volume(s) 
 Topics:  Beyond Early America | Medicine | Natural history | Science and technology 
 Genre:  Manuscript Essays 
 Subjects:  Animal magnetism. | Hypnotism. | Mesmerism. 
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