| | Author: | Billings, William, 1746-1800 | Requires cookie* | | Title: | Journals of the Ship Apollo, 1789-1791
| | | Dates: | 1789-1791 | | | Abstract: | These journals (three volumes) chronicle the voyages of Apollo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1789-1791. William Billings was the captain of this Philadelphia-based ship. The destinations were Oporto and Corunna, and trade was the purpose for the voyages. Nonetheless, the ship's captain, William Billings, used the opportunity to study the Gulf Stream. He made numerous observations about the ocean temperature and weather with the apparent intention of submitting his findings to the American Philosophical Society. He paid particular attention to marking and studying the Gulf Stream. The journals were partially published in with a note in Transactions of the American Philosophical Society shortly after they were received in 1793. The originals are much longer than those published and include additional observations not published and graphs that could not be replicated.
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| | | Call #: | Mss.656.B49 | | | Extent: | 2 volume(s) | | | Topics: | Business and Skilled Trades | International Travel | Trade | | | Genre: | Meteorological Data | Scientific Data | | | Subjects: | Meteorology -- Observations. | Voyages and travels. | |
| Author: | Bohlen, John | Requires cookie* | | Title: | John Bohlen Collection
| | | Dates: | 1889-1912 | | | Abstract: | John Bohlen was a prominent Philadelphia merchant in the nineteenth century, dying a millionaire. Bohlen, a Hollander, established a firm with his brother that specialized in trade with his native country. His greatest success came in the lucrative gin trade. As his business increased, so too did his connections. He served on the Board of the first Bank of the United States and was well-connected with highest the political and business leaders in the nation. Although John Bohlen was a prominent and successful businessman, these documents have little bearing on Bohlen himself. Instead, they are a series of letters (ten total) written by prominent Americans either to Bohlen or to his relatives.
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| | | Call #: | Mss.B.B63 | | | Extent: | 0.25 Linear Feet | | | Topics: | Business and Skilled Trades | International Trade. | Philadelphia History | Religion | Trade | | | Genre: | General Correspondence | |
| Author: | Bowen, Thomas Bartholomew | Requires cookie* | | Title: | Thomas Bartholomew Bowen Orderly Book
| | | Dates: | October 12, 1780 - November 11, 1780 | | | Abstract: | This orderly book tracks the orders, actions, and status of the Thomas Bowen's Company of the Pennsylvania Ninth Regiment, which was part of the Continental Army, from October 12 to November 11, 1780. The book contains a daily record of orders and movements the company took while in New Jersey. There are many references to courts martial trials. The orderly book also records actions taken by Commander-in-Chief, meaning George Washington. Finally, in the front and rear of the book are records on troop strength and supply levels.
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| | | Call #: | Mss.973.3.B67 | | | Extent: | 1 volume(s) | | | Topics: | American Revolution | Military History | | | Genre: | Military Records | | | Subjects: | Courts-martial and courts of inquiry | |
| Author: | Boykin, John | Requires cookie* | | Title: | Journal of the travels of Colonel John Boykin and Francis P. Lee from Morristown, New Jersey to Camden, South Carolina, August 15, 1833 - September, 1833
| | | Dates: | 1833 | | | Abstract: | This journal is a short but interesting account of travel in antebellum America. The author of the journal is Francis P. Lee. Lee appears to be a young adult or teenager at the time. The journal begins on August 15, 1833 in Morristown and ends in Camden, S.C. on September 5. The journal details this trip. The journal writer, Francis P. Lee, is traveling with his father and others. The group, which appears to have been composed of members of the same family, traveled on a mix of overland coaches and steamboats. There are many observations on the social and cultural life of areas they passed through as well as details on what travel was like in the 1830s. The daily entries are very detailed and recount both the personal dynamics between the travelers and observations about the towns and people they meet along the way.
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| | | Call #: | Mss.917.3.B69 | | | Extent: | 1 volume(s) | | | Topics: | Travel | | | Genre: | Travel Narratives and Journals | | | Subjects: | Morristown (N.J.) - Description and travel | Travel. | Voyages and travels. | |
| Author: | Braddock, Edward, 1695-1755 | Requires cookie* | | Title: | Manuscripts on Indian affairs, 1755-1792, [n.d.]
| | | Dates: | 1755-1792 | | | Abstract: | These volumes contain an assortment of documents relating to colonial Pennsylvania's relations with Indian groups. Most notably, the collection contains journals and treaty minutes from the Seven Years' War, including a journal by Conrad Weiser, a manuscript version of Charles Thomson's "Enquiry into the Alienation," and official government records from the war. There are other documents that do not bear directly on Indian affairs. Most notably, there is a manuscript essay by Lewis Evans on German immigration that details the often brutal experience of immigrants' journey to Pennsylvania and proposes a series of reforms. There is also a printed essay in the back of the volume that opposes capital punishment and was printed in Philadelphia in 1792.
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| | | Call #: | Mss.970.4.M415 | | | Extent: | 2 volume(s) | | | Topics: | Diplomatic History | Law | Native America | Pennsylvania History | Seven Years' War | Social Life and Custom | Travel | | | Genre: | Diplomatic Material | Manuscript Essays | Official Government Documents and Records | Printed Material | Travel Narratives and Journals | | | Subjects: | Braddock's Campaign, 1755. | Delaware Indians | Indians of North America -- Pennsylvania | Indians of North America -- Treaties | Pennsylvania -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775 | Shawnee Indians | |
| Author: | Breck, Samuel, 1771-1862 | Requires cookie* | | Title: | Recollections of my acquaintance with deceased members of the American Philosophical Society, 1862
| | | Dates: | 1862 | | | Abstract: | The Samuel Breck Collection consists of two separately-cataloged, bound volumes. The first, "Historical Sketch of the Continental Bills of Credit, from 1775 to 1781, with Specimens thereof" (332.5 B74h), is a long manuscript essay on Continental Bills of credit from 1775 – 1781, which reflects Breck's interest in historical matters. The second volume is a handwritten account of Breck at 92 years old reminiscing on prominent APS members he had met.
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| | | Call #: | Mss.920.B74 | | | Extent: | 1 volume(s) | | | Topics: | American Revolution | Business and Skilled Trades | Philadelphia History | | | Genre: | Business Records and Accounts | Manuscript Essays | |
| Author: | Brillon de Jouy, Anne Louise Boyvin d'Hardancourt, 1744-1824 | Requires cookie* | | Title: | Musical compositions, late 18th century
| | | Dates: | Circa 1775-1800 | | | Abstract: | This collection contains a number of musical compositions by Madame Anne Louise Boyvin d'Hardancourt Brillon de Juoy, a prominent Parisian salon hostess and musician. Her most famous composition, Le Marche des Insurgents, which was inspired by the American victory at Saratoga, is included in this collection. Many of these compositions are handwritten and appear to be from the eighteenth century, although it is unclear when they were written and who wrote them.
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| | | Call #: | Mss.781.508.B762 | | | Extent: | 26 item(s) | | | Topics: | Beyond Early America | Literature, Arts, and Culture | Women's History | | | Genre: | Foreign Language | Literature | Miscellaneous | | | Subjects: | Marches. | Music - France - 18th century | Sonatas. | Songs, French. | |
| Author: | Bruno, M. de | Requires 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. | |
| Author: | Bukaty, Franciszek, 1747-1797 | Requires cookie* | | Title: | Treatise on tobacco cultivation, circa 1790
| | | Dates: | 1790 | | | Abstract: | 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.
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| | | Call #: | Mss.Film.1169.a | | | Extent: | 1 microfilm_reel(s) | | | Genre: | Microfilm Collection | |
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