Resources in Early American History
Philadelphia History in topic [X]
Social Life and Custom in topic [X]
Sorted by:  
Results:  19 Items   Page: 1

Subject

Abolition, emancipation, freedom (1)
Apprentices -- Pennsylvania. (1)
Art -- United States. (1)
Business and politics -- Pennsylvania. (1)
Civil engineering -- United States. (1)
Commerce. (1)
Dance -- Societies, etc. (1)
Drawing. (1)
Engineering. (1)
Epidemics -- United States (1)
Genealogy. (1)
Germans -- United States. (1)
Horses (1)
Indentured servants -- Pennsylvania. (1)
Indians of North America (1)
Insurance agents -- United States. (1)
Land speculation (1)
Learned institutions and societies -- Pennsylvania. (1)
Locomotives. (1)
Medicine, Military. (1)
Medicine. (1)
Military supplies. (1)
Mineralogy. (1)
Natural history. (1)
Philology. (1)
Portraits, American. (1)
Prisoners -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia (1)
Prisons -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia (1)
Quaker businesspeople (1)
Quakers -- Missions. (1)
Real property -- Pennsylvania. (1)
Seneca Indians (1)
Slaves, slavery, slave trade (1)
Social conditions, social advocacy, social reform (1)
Societies. (1)
Technology. (1)
United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 (1)
United States -- History -- War of 1812 (1)
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783 (1)
United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1809 (2)
Washington, George, 1732-1799 (1)
Women prisoners -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia (1)
Yellow fever -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia (2)
Yellow fever -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia -- 18th century. (1)
Yellow fever -- United States. (1)
Yellow fever. (1)
1Author:  St. Andrew's Society of Philadelphia.Requires cookie*
 Title:  St. Andrew's Society of Philadelphia minutes and accounts, 1749-1843     
 Dates:  1749-1843 
 Abstract:  The minutes of St. Andrew's Society begin in 1749 and end in 1776. Included in the minutes are member lists, governing rules, and meeting minutes of the Society. The volume at the APS is a photocopy of an original that the St. Andrew's Society owns. The Minutes record various petitions the Society received and the charitable works of the Society.

View finding aid for a full description

 
 Call #:  Mss.361.Sa2 
 Extent:  1 volume(s) 
 Topics:  Philadelphia History | Social Life and Custom 
 Genre:  Institutional Records | Miscellaneous 
 Subjects:  Societies. 
2Author:  Philadelphia Assembly.Requires cookie*
 Title:  Philadelphia Assembly book of expenses, 1748-1749     
 Dates:  1748-1749 
 Abstract:  This volume contains the records of the Philadelphia Dancing Assembly for 1748-1749. John Swift served as treasurer of this group. This volume also contains some of Swift's personal expenses.

View finding aid for a full description

 
 Call #:  Mss.974.811.P33a 
 Extent:  1 volume(s) 
 Topics:  Philadelphia History | Social Life and Custom 
 Genre:  Business Records and Accounts | Institutional Records 
 Subjects:  Dance -- Societies, etc. 
3Author:  Vaughan ClubRequires cookie*
 Title:  Vaughan Club papers, 1838-1841.     
 Dates:  1838-1841 
 Abstract:  The Papers of the Vaughan Club (1828-1841) are various records of this informal social club at the APS. There are copies of correspondence among members, songs that were sung at meetings, and menus and other items from their gatherings.

View finding aid for a full description

 
 Call #:  Mss.Temp5.Misc Ms 
 Extent:  0.5 Linear Feet 
 Topics:  Philadelphia History | Social Life and Custom 
 Genre:  General Correspondence | Institutional Records 
4Author:  Philological Society (Philadelphia, Pa.)Requires cookie*
 Title:  Philological Society (Philadelphia, Pa.) papers, 1809-1811     
 Dates:  1809-1811 
 Abstract:  This collection contains various records from Philadelphia's Philological Society. Its contents lends insight into the literary culture of Philadelphia's polite society in the early nineteenth century (1809-1811). The collection contains many essays that discuss city life and problems. Other essays deal with issues such as ambition, avarice, literature, history, and the like. There is a detailed index with the title and topic of each essay. The Society's records also contain correspondence (often short) that documents its workings.

View finding aid for a full description

 
 Call #:  Mss.405.P5o 
 Extent:  0.25 Linear Feet 
 Topics:  Literature, Arts, and Culture | Philadelphia History | Social Life and Custom 
 Genre:  Institutional Records | Manuscript Essays | Miscellaneous 
 Subjects:  Learned institutions and societies -- Pennsylvania. | Philology. 
5Author:  Wilson, James,1742-1798.Requires cookie*
 Title:  James Wilson account book and diary, 1773-1786     
 Dates:  1773-1786 
 Abstract:  The James Wilson collection consists of a printed almanac from 1773 that also served as diary for its owner, believed to be James Wilson, the signer of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. The diary notes daily activities, often financial transactions, within the calendar pages of the almanac, which was a common practice then. There is a second hand in the almanac that dates to a later period, believed to be from 1782-1786. This second diary records in graphic details the often shocking sexual exploits of its author.

View finding aid for a full description

 
 Call #:  Mss.B.W6915 
 Extent:  1 volume(s) 
 Topics:  Philadelphia History | Social Life and Custom | Women's History 
 Genre:  Business Records and Accounts | Diaries 
6Author:  State Penitentiary for the Eastern District of PennsylvaniaRequires cookie*
 Title:  State Penitentiary for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Records     
 Dates:  1819-1955 
 Abstract:  These two volumes record the admissions to Eastern State Penitentiary for the years 1839-1850 (excluding, apparently, 1844). The records contain a wealth of information about each prisoner admitted. The entries often contain a physical description of the inmate, a description of the crime(s) committed, and, occasionally, statements the prisoner made. Most entries contain a detailed biographical history of the prisoner that includes information on the background of the criminal, such as their family life, how they were raised, previous incarcerations, and the social habits of the prisoner, such as drinking in taverns or their religiosity.

View finding aid for a full description

 
 Call #:  Mss.365.P381p 
 Extent:  0.5 Linear Feet 
 Topics:  Government Affairs | Law | Philadelphia History | Social Life and Custom 
 Genre:  Legal Records | Official Government Documents and Records 
 Subjects:  Prisoners -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia | Prisons -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia | Women prisoners -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia 
7Author:  Pemberton, Israel, 1715-1779Requires cookie*
 Title:  Israel Pemberton, Letterbook D, 1744-1747     
 Dates:  1744-1747 
 Abstract:  The Israel Pemberton Letter book contains a range of data on Philadelphia shipping and trade. Pemberton was a merchant who had connections to Samuel Coates (Mss.B.C632 , Mss.C.632.1d , Mss.B.C632.1). These records precede Coates and pertain to trade in Philadelphia during the 1740s. They show a merchant with strong ties throughout the Atlantic World. His letters discuss a range of business matters, such as prices of commodities, costs of insurance, and general trade environment. Pemberton's letters discuss intercolonial trade with Maryland and Virginia (tobacco in particular), while others with matters in Europe and the Caribbean (sugar, rum, bar iron), reflecting his various trading interests. In addition to the business correspondence, Pemberton's letters occasionally discuss more quotidian matters, describing events in Philadelphia and relaying news he hears from abroad and on very rare occasions his family affairs.

View finding aid for a full description

 
 Call #:  Mss.380.P36 
 Extent:  1 volume(s) 
 Topics:  Business and Skilled Trades | International Trade. | Philadelphia History | Social Life and Custom | Trade 
 Genre:  Business Records and Accounts | General Correspondence 
 Subjects:  Commerce. 
8Author:  Hiltzheimer, Jacob, 1729?-1798Requires cookie*
 Title:  Jacob Hiltzheimer Diaries     
 Dates:  1765-1798 
 Abstract:  The Jacob Hiltzheimer Diary takes up twenty-eight volumes and offers insight into the social life and customs of Philadelphia. He describes a wide range of events, such as sleigh riding to ice skating to attending a large celebration of King George's Birthday on the banks of the Schuylkill attended by over 380 Philadelphians (before Independence). During the imperial crisis, Hiltzheimer's observations can provide an interesting perspective on the events happening within the city. He notes the arrival of dignitaries from other colonies and records some of the events happening in the city. Hiltzheimer's journal also records family and personal details, like the death of his thirty-year old son. He records the weather in Philadelphia on a nearly daily basis, and his account of the Yellow Fever epidemic in Philadelphia is fairly exhaustive.

View finding aid for a full description

 
 Call #:  Mss.B.H56d 
 Extent:  28 volume(s) 
 Topics:  American Revolution | Medicine | Philadelphia History | Social Life and Custom 
 Genre:  Diaries | Meteorological Data 
 Subjects:  Horses | United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 | United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783 | United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1809 | Yellow fever -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia 
9Author:  Rush, Julia Stockton, 1759-1848Requires cookie*
 Title:  Julia Rush Letters, 1776-1809     
 Dates:  1776-1809 
 Abstract:  This small collection of Julia Rush correspondence is noteworthy for being one of the largest collections of letters between Julia and her husband Benjamin, the prominent Philadelphia physician. The collection begins in 1776 and continues into the early nineteenth century. There are a series of letters from Julia to Benjamin from 1793 at the height of the Yellow Fever epidemic in Philadelphia.

View finding aid for a full description

 
 Call #:  Mss.B.R894 
 Extent:  0.25 Linear Feet 
 Topics:  Marriage and Family Life | Medicine | Philadelphia History | Social Life and Custom | Women's History 
 Genre:  Family Correspondence 
10Author:  Philadelphia (Pa.).Mayor.Requires cookie*
 Title:  Record of indentures of individuals bound out as apprentices, servants, etc., and of German and other redemptioners, 1771 October 3 - 1773 October 5     
 Dates:  1771-1773 
 Abstract:  This large volume contains the records of those entering contracts of indentured servitude in Philadelphia from 1771-1773. The records not only list the name of the person, but contain details on their profession and on the terms of the indenture. Although the volume is described as the records of German immigrants, there are other indentures included, such as that of John Slour, "a free negro," records of those arriving from Ireland, and of young Philadelphians choosing to enter indentured contracts. The volume had been on loan to the City Archives until 1987. During that time, approximately twenty pages went missing. Otherwise, the volume appears to be complete and contains over 800 pages of records with each page containing information for about four to six individuals.

View finding aid for a full description

 
 Call #:  Mss.647.P53 
 Extent:  1 volume(s) 
 Topics:  African American | Business and Skilled Trades | Government Affairs | Philadelphia History | Social Life and Custom | Women's History 
 Genre:  Business Records and Accounts | Legal Records | Official Government Documents and Records 
 Subjects:  Apprentices -- Pennsylvania. | Germans -- United States. | Indentured servants -- Pennsylvania. 
11Author:  Bache, Catherine Wistar, 1770-1820Requires cookie*
 Title:  Catharine Wistar Bache Papers     
 Dates:  1788-1822 
 Abstract:  This relatively small collection contains rich correspondence often directed to Catherine Wistar Bache, the daughter of prominent doctor Caspar Wistar and wife of Richard Bache's son. The collection is one of the many to the Bache-Franklin collections at the APS. This specific collection contains numerous letters from other women, often wives and mothers, to Catherine. There are a few letters to Caspar Wistar and William Bache (Catherine's husband), which often discuss current events, specifically Anthony Wayne's victory at Fallen Timbers in 1794 and the Whiskey Rebellion. The letters to Catherine discuss current affairs, such as the Yellow Fever epidemic and the War of 1812. More often, however, the letters relate family and personal matters. The letters primarily discuss husbands, family activities, children, and other such topics. Some of the early letters also touch upon gender relations and courtship. For instance, a male correspondent wrote Catherine that he has not received any letters from his "female correspondents" and was thus hoping "to renew the friendly intercourse," and Mary Eddy discussed flirtations. The correspondence in this collection spans more than thirty years, and therefore also provides insight on the changing concerns of Catherine as a young single woman, wife, and mother. William Bache was sent to Louisiana in 1803 in an official post overseeing a hospital. Discussion of moving to Louisiana is included in the collection, during which references to "Captain Lewis" are made, likely Meriwether Lewis. Because of her position in society, these letters often provide portraits and anecdotes of prominent figures.

View finding aid for a full description

 
 Call #:  Mss.B.B124 
 Extent:  0.75 Linear Feet 
 Topics:  Early National Politics | Marriage and Family Life | Native America | Philadelphia History | Social Life and Custom | War of 1812 | Women's History 
 Genre:  Family Correspondence 
 Subjects:  United States -- History -- War of 1812 | United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1809 | Yellow fever -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia 
12Author:  Bache, Sarah Franklin, 1743-1808Requires cookie*
 Title:  Sarah Franklin Bache Papers     
 Dates:  1768-1807 
 Abstract:  The Sarah Franklin Bache Papers, along with the various other Bache family papers, provides great insight into the family relations of the extended Franklin family. The correspondence in this collection ranges from 1768-1807 and thus traverses a number of significant historical events. Much of the correspondence relates to family life and is personal in nature. The letters provide a clear picture of Sally as the central figure in the Franklin family, corresponding with all members of the family, including her brother William after he had been disowned by his father. Notably, most of the letters are to and from other women, showing that Sally was also a central figure in a network of prominent women in the Atlantic World and early republic who corresponded about their lives and current events.

View finding aid for a full description

 
 Call #:  Mss.B.B1245 
 Extent:  0.25 Linear Feet 
 Topics:  American Revolution | Early National Politics | International Affairs | Marriage and Family Life | Medicine | Philadelphia History | Social Life and Custom | Women's History 
 Genre:  Family Correspondence | Political Correspondence 
 Subjects:  Yellow fever -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia -- 18th century. 
13Author:  Peale-Sellers families.Requires cookie*
 Title:  Peale-Sellers Family Collection, 1686-1963     
 Dates:  1686-1963 
 Abstract:  The Peale-Sellers Collection is an extensive collection that contains various records of the extended Peale family. MOLE contains an extensive inventory.

View finding aid for a full description

 
 Call #:  Mss.B.P31 
 Extent:  19 Linear Feet 
 Topics:  Business and Skilled Trades | Early National Politics | Literature, Arts, and Culture | Marriage and Family Life | Philadelphia History | Social Life and Custom 
 Genre:  Family Correspondence | General Correspondence | Maps and Surveys | Political Correspondence 
 Subjects:  Art -- United States. | Civil engineering -- United States. | Drawing. | Engineering. | Locomotives. | Medicine, Military. | Natural history. | Portraits, American. | Technology. | Washington, George, 1732-1799 
14Author:  unknownRequires cookie*
 Title:  John Pershouse correspondence and papers, 1749-1899     
 Dates:  1749-1899 
 Abstract:  This collection contains five volumes of data relating to John Pershouse and his family. The collection contains two volumes of genealogical data from the later eighteenth century; the remaining three volumes all date to the early republic and consist of a travel journal and two letter books thought to belong to his nephew Henry. Of particular interest are the letters from Pershouse in Philadelphia to his brother in England. His letters often discuss many of the major political and social events happening in the early republic. He discusses immigration, Jefferson's administration, and the culture of Philadelphia during this period.

View finding aid for a full description

 
 Call #:  Mss.B.P43 
 Extent:  5 volumes;_62_items. 
 Topics:  Diplomatic History | Early National Politics | International Travel | Philadelphia History | Social Life and Custom | Travel 
 Genre:  Business Records and Accounts | Family Correspondence | General Correspondence | Political Correspondence | Travel Narratives and Journals 
15Author:  Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813Requires cookie*
 Title:  Travels through life:or an account of sundry incidents and events in the life of Benjamin Rush...written for the use of his children, [1800]     
 Dates:  Circa 1800 
 Abstract:  Benjamin Rush's Travels Through Life is his multi-volume autobiography. This manuscript copy is in his own hand and takes up eight volumes of notebooks. The APS also has another manuscript copy of the work that was written by someone other than Rush, likely in preparation for its publication. Rush wrote the autobiography for his children. The APS published portions of the diary, but segments have not been published. Notations suggest that portions that would be "offensive to surviving relatives" be omitted from publication. Other sections were crossed out but are readable and contain pertinent information. This is especially true on the section where Rush records his thoughts on prominent individuals from the American Revolution.

View finding aid for a full description

 
 Call #:  Mss.B.R89t 
 Extent:  8 volume(s) 
 Topics:  American Revolution | Early National Politics | Marriage and Family Life | Medicine | Philadelphia History | Social Life and Custom 
 Genre:  Autobiography | Diaries 
 Subjects:  Epidemics -- United States | Indians of North America | Medicine. | Yellow fever -- United States. 
16Author:  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.

View finding aid for a full description

 
 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. 
17Author:  Bancker familyRequires cookie*
 Title:  Charles Nicoll Bancker family papers, 1733-1894     
 Dates:  1733-1894 
 Abstract:  This extensive collection (13 boxes) contains a range of correspondence, although the bulk of it relates to Charles Nicoll Bancker, a prominent Philadelphia businessman in the 1800s. The letters provide a picture of the family life and business career of Bancker from his earliest beginnings to his success later in life. Aside from the Charles Bancker portion of the collection, the holdings contain a wide variety of other documents, ranging from colonial era documents written in Dutch in Albany to letters from James Madison to Thomas Jefferson from the nineteenth century on religious education.

View finding aid for a full description

 
 Call #:  Mss.B.B22.c 
 Extent:  3.25 Linear Feet 
 Topics:  American Revolution | Antebellum Politics | Business and Skilled Trades | Colonial Politics | Colony and State Specific History | Early National Politics | Education | Land and Speculation | Literature, Arts, and Culture | Marriage and Family Life | Pennsylvania History | Philadelphia History | Social Life and Custom | Trade | Travel | Women's History 
 Genre:  Business Records and Accounts | Family Correspondence | General Correspondence | Literature | Manuscript Essays | Political Correspondence | Sketchbooks | Travel Narratives and Journals 
 Subjects:  Insurance agents -- United States. 
18Author:  unknownRequires cookie*
 Title:  Shippen family papers, 1733-1878     
 Dates:  1733-1878 
 Abstract:  The Shippen Family Collection is composed of two boxes of loose-lead correspondence and other documents. This collection is part of the larger Shippen-Burd Papers. What distinguishes this collection from the others is the large amount of female letter writers. Elizabeth Shippen is the largest single writer in this collection and her correspondents include members of the family and other prominent women, such as Jane Galloway Shippen.

View finding aid for a full description

 
 Call #:  Mss.B.Sh61f 
 Extent:  0.5 Linear Feet 
 Topics:  American Revolution | Literature, Arts, and Culture | Marriage and Family Life | Philadelphia History | Seven Years' War | Social Life and Custom | Women's History 
 Genre:  Business Records and Accounts | Family Correspondence | Literature | Military Records 
19Author:  Shippen, EdwardRequires cookie*
 Title:  Edward Shippen letters and papers, 1727-1781     
 Dates:  1727-1781 
 Abstract:  The Edward Shippen Collection is composed of two discrete sections: two boxes of manuscripts and ten letter books. What follows is an overview of some of the most notable documents and themes in the correspondence.

View finding aid for a full description

 
 Call #:  Mss.B.Sh62 
 Extent:  10 volume(s) 
 Topics:  American Revolution | Americans Abroad | Business and Skilled Trades | Colonial Politics | Education | International Travel | Marriage and Family Life | Military History | Pennsylvania History | Philadelphia History | Seven Years' War | Social Life and Custom | Surveying and Maps | Trade | Travel 
 Genre:  Business Records and Accounts | Family Correspondence | General Correspondence | Maps and Surveys | Military Records | Political Correspondence | Travel Narratives and Journals 
 Subjects:  Business and politics -- Pennsylvania. | Military supplies. | Real property -- Pennsylvania.