Resources in Early American History
Philadelphia History in topic [X]
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1Author:  unknownRequires cookie*
 Title:  Wills, 1790-1822, of signers of the Declaration of Independence     
 Dates:  1790-1822 
 Abstract:  This collection consists of the wills of prominent Philadelphians, many of whom signed the Declaration of Independence, that the APS holds. Their content varies, and sometimes their content may be of interest beyond the antiquarian.

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 Call #:  Mss.B.B122.w 
 Extent:  0.25 Linear Feet 
 Topics:  American Revolution | Marriage and Family Life | Philadelphia History 
 Genre:  Legal Records 
2Author:  Jones, Robert Strettel,1745-17Requires cookie*
 Title:  Robert Strettel Jones papers, 1761-1779     
 Dates:  1761-1779 
 Abstract:  The Robert Strettell Jones Collection contains an assortment of small, but potentially interesting documents. Jones' notes from a course on metaphysics and rhetoric at the University of Pennsylvania are included in a bound notebook. Also from his college days, Jones apparently ran into trouble receiving his degree, crossing paths with Doctor Francis Allison, the vice provost. Jones' appeal and supporting documents are also included in the collection. During the British occupation of Philadelphia, Jones was accused of treason for helping raise arms and there are depositions taken to rebut this charge, including statements from prominent Philadelphians like Joseph Shippen.

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 Call #:  Mss.B.J732 
 Extent:  0.25 Linear Feet 
 Topics:  American Revolution | Education | Philadelphia History 
 Genre:  Educational Material | General Correspondence | Legal Records 
 Subjects:  Metaphysics. | Rhetoric. | Treason -- United States. 
3Author:  VariousRequires cookie*
 Title:  Pennsylvania Stamp Act and Non-Importation Resolutions Collection     
 Dates:  1765-1775 
 Abstract:  This collection contains a range of documents on the imperial crisis in Philadelphia. Specifically, the documents focus on the Stamp Act and the Non-importation agreements of 1773. For the Stamp Act, there are many letters from John Hughes, the Stamp Tax collector. The letters detail his tribulations. There is also a large, oversize letter from John Hughes to the Commissioners of the Stamp Office in London defending his actions and outlining his experiences during the Stamp Act controversy (first page missing). The documents surrounding the 1773 boycott of tea in Philadelphia include detailed reports from commissioners appointed by residents to negotiate with the East India company officials and the testimony of the firm of James and Drinker who were designated distributors of the tea.

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 Call #:  Mss.973.2.M31 
 Extent:  2 volume(s) 
 Topics:  American Revolution | Colonial Politics | Government Affairs | Pennsylvania History | Philadelphia History 
 Genre:  Legal Records | Official Government Documents and Records | Political Correspondence | Printed Material 
 Subjects:  Non-importation agreements, 1768-1769 | Sons of Liberty | Stamp Act, 1765 | Tea tax (American colonies) 
4Author:  Vaux, George, V, 1721-1803Requires 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.