| | 7 | Author: | Byrd, William, 1674-1744 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | The history of the dividing line between Virginia and North Carolina, 1728
| | | | Dates: | 1728 | | | | Abstract: | The collection of William Byrd's writings consists of two leather bound, handwritten copies of Byrd's History of the Dividing Line Run in the Year 1728 (Mss.975.5.B99h) and A Secret History of the Dividing Line (Mss.975.5.B99s). The former was likely written for public audiences and contains the details of drawing the lines, interactions with Indians, observations of the flora and fauna of the area, the health and culture of settlers, and the official actions of the commissioners. Byrd regularly wrote Peter Collinson, an English scientist, about his journal and his hope that it would be of interest and benefit to a wide audience. The Secret History, on the other hand, contains a wealth of the more personal, private, and often humorous anecdotes of the trip. Neither manuscript was published in Byrd's lifetime, although both were eventually published.
View finding aid for a full description
| | | | Call #: | Mss.975.5.B99h | | | | Extent: | 1 volume(s) | | | | Topics: | Colony and State Specific History | Exploration. | Native America | Natural history | Surveying and Maps | | | | Genre: | Manuscript Essays | Travel Narratives and Journals | | | | Subjects: | Boundaries, State. | |
| 8 | Author: | Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Thomas Jefferson, letters to and from various persons, 1791-1840
| | | | Dates: | 1791-1840 | | | | Abstract: | This is a particularly rich collection of Thomas Jefferson's letters from his retirement years. The letters primarily cover the years 1813-1820s, although there are some from earlier. Most of the letters are outgoing, and L. H. Girardin is the primary recipient. The letters to Girardin often discuss Virginia's history and sometimes Jefferson's own recollections of events, including letters on Virginia during the American Revolution and a supposed attempt to create a dictatorship in Virginia in 1776. Some letters also convey information on contemporary events and offer a window into Jefferson's personal and family life. A few letters from 1791 discuss Jefferson's memory of Benjamin Franklin, including anecdotes of Franklin in France. One document is a draft of a profile of Baron Humboldt. A series of letters to Peter Du Ponceau discuss Thomas Jefferson's attempt to acquire a copy of William Byrd's "A Secret History of the Line" and, once acquired, his interpretation of it. Another portion discusses the journals of Lewis and Clark.
View finding aid for a full description
| | | | Call #: | Mss.B.J35.Le | | | | Extent: | 63 item(s) | | | | Topics: | American Revolution | Colony and State Specific History | Exploration. | Native America | War of 1812 | | | | Genre: | General Correspondence | Political Correspondence | |
| 9 | Author: | Nuttall, Thomas, 1786-1859 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Thomas Nuttall diary, 1810
| | | | Dates: | 1810 | | | | Abstract: | Thomas Nuttall's travel narrative tracks his journey from Philadelphia to Detroit during the spring and summer of 1810. Nuttall makes a range of observations, including discussions of the weather, plant life, rivers, and the various people he meets, including Native peoples. The last portion of the narrative, which takes place around Detroit, discusses Indians a fair amount – their history in the area, the various groups he met (Chippewa in particular), and their customs.
View finding aid for a full description
| | | | Call #: | Mss.B.N96 | | | | Extent: | 1 volume(s) | | | | Topics: | Exploration. | Native America | Natural history | Travel | | | | Genre: | Travel Narratives and Journals | | | | Subjects: | Botany -- North America. | Goiter. | Indians of North America | Voyages and travels. | Zoology -- North America. | |
|
