| | 1 | Author: | Patterson family. | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Patterson-Lord papers, [ca. 1809]-1876
| | | | Dates: | Circa 1809-1876 | | | | Abstract: | Previously catalogued with the Robert Patterson Collection, The Patterson-Lord Collection contains contains a range of documents that touch on many different topics, although most have to do with science and engineering. The largest portion of the documents relate to scientific correspondence to Robert Patterson, a member of the APS. Much of this correspondence is done under the cover of official APS business. Of particular note are a series of letters relating to nautical calculations that include complex equations used to determine longitude and latitude for nautical almanacs.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.B.P274.2 | | | | Extent: | 0.5 Linear Feet | | | | Topics: | Americans Abroad | Education | Science and technology | | | | Genre: | General Correspondence | Institutional Records | | | | Subjects: | Education -- Europe -- 19th century. | |
| 3 | Author: | Michaux, Francois André, 1770-1855 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Francois André Michaux papers, 1802-1911
| | | | Dates: | 1802-1911 | | | | Abstract: | The F.A. Michaux Collection is a large collection of correspondence. Francois Michaux was the son of Andre Michaux. He was, like his father, a botanist. Francois also was an active member of the APS. Michaux regularly corresponded with peers in Europe, and this collection captures the conveyance of news, information, and knowledge across the Atlantic. As an active member of the APS and other institutions, Michaux's correspondence also lends insight into the establishment and operation of many scientific institutions. The vast majority of the collection consists of outgoing correspondence from Michaux; his primary correspondent was John Vaughan of the APS. The correspondence is almost exclusively in French. Later documents reflect the APS's continued interest in silviculture, which was spurred by a bequest by Michaux. Included in this section is the APS's acquisition of books and involvement in forest preservation and development, including the planting and preservation of Michaux Grove in Fairmount Park.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.B.M58.1 | | | | Extent: | 0.25 Linear Feet | | | | Topics: | Science and technology | | | | Genre: | Foreign Language | General Correspondence | Institutional Records | Scientific Data | | | | Subjects: | Forests and forestry -- United States. | |
| 6 | Author: | Vaux, George, V, 1721-1803 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Vaux Family Papers, 1690-1996
| | | | Dates: | 1690-1996 | | | | Abstract: | The George Vaux Papers is a massive collection which is focused on the business and financial interests of a prominent Philadelphia family. What follows is a list of some of the more notable parts of this expansive collection:
- Correspondence: There is a massive amount of correspondence, much of which is personal and familial in nature. Nonetheless, the letters often discuss politics, current affairs, and society. The earliest records date to 1701, although the great bulk are focused on the revolutionary era to the first quarter of the nineteenth century.
- Almanacs, 1790-1870: The collection contains a large collection of small pocket almanacs from Philadelphia. Some of the earliest ones contain records of financial transactions and diaries.
- Charles Thomson Correspondence: The collection has a series of letters from Charles Thomson, the Secretary of the Continental Congress. These letters are from the 1780s, after Thomson had largely retired from the political arena.
- Legal and Estate Documents: This portion of the collection is extensive and difficult to summarize. The family owned a huge amount of property throughout the state. These papers contain deeds, information on rents, surveys of land, and other transactions. Moreover, the Vaux family had ties through marriage and friendship to other prominent families, and some of their estate business is included in this collection. Among the notable papers are documents pertaining to John and Sally Norris Dickinson's properties and the estates of the Emlens and the Sansoms. One document complements the Jane Aitken Collection, as it has an accounting of the Bible that she printed.
- Travel Accounts: Most notably, George Vaux VII made a trip to "Indian Country" in 1802-1803. He wrote numerous letters home and kept a small and incomplete travel journal.
- Philadelphia City Affairs: The Vaux were active in civic life. The collection contains information on city improvements, with specific letters and records relating to the water supply. The collection has letters that discuss building the Water Works, records of a Committee on the Sewers, and an agreement between the city and Peale's Museum.
- Business Affairs: The record of the Vaux's diverse business interests is contained in this collection. In addition to their land holdings, the Vaux's were very active in internal improvements, with records from numerous navigation companies held in the collection. The Vaux's were also involved in mining and mineralogy, including Pennsylvania's oil lands, which is also reflected in the content of this collection. Finally, there are partial records of some prominent Philadelphia institutions, such as the Bank of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Contributorship.
- Native American Documents - In addition to George Vaux's travels into Indian Country, there are extracts from Indian Treaties and some records of the Friendly Association in this collection.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.Ms.Coll.73 | | | | Extent: | 150 Linear Feet | | | | Topics: | African American | American Revolution | Antebellum Politics | Early National Politics | Marriage and Family Life | Native America | Pennsylvania History | Philadelphia History | Social Life and Custom | Surveying and Maps | Travel | | | | Genre: | Business Records and Accounts | Family Correspondence | General Correspondence | Institutional Records | Legal Records | Maps and Surveys | | | | Subjects: | Abolition, emancipation, freedom | Genealogy. | Land speculation | Mineralogy. | Quaker businesspeople | Quakers -- Missions. | Seneca Indians | Slaves, slavery, slave trade | Social conditions, social advocacy, social reform | Yellow fever. | |
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