Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804. Correspondence and memoirs, 1696-1803.
Title:
Correspondence and memoirs, 1696-1803.
Folders 1-6 contain original Priestley letters and documents, arranged chronologically, beginning with Priestley's July 19 1791 broadside "To the Inhabitants of the Town of Birmingham," written after his house and laboratory were destroyed by rioters. Folder 2 contains an A.L.S. to an unidentified correspondent dated March 14, 1792 and an engraving of Fair-hill, Dr. Priestley's house, by William Ellis, n.d. (2 items, 2 leaves). Folder 3 contains a document giving power of attorney to John Vaughan of Philadelphia, August 27, 1792 (1 item, 2 leaves). Folders 4-6 contain letters from Joseph Priestley to National Assembly of France, September 13, 1792, in response to a letter from M. François, September 10, 1792, inviting Priestley to become a French citizen and to join the Convention Nationale (2 items, 2 leaves); and two letters to Samuel L. Mitchill, dated June 14, 1798 (1 item, 2 leaves), and to George Thacher, dated March 13, 1803 (1 item, 1 leaf). Folders 7-11 contain Priestley family memoirs and documents, including a diary of Joseph Priestley, merchant, cousin of Joseph Priestley, chemist, dated January 7, 1759-November 1, 1759, with additions by his daughter Phebe, August 24, 1772-December 12, 1772; "Memoirs of the Priestley family by Jonathan Priestley and his grandson Nathaniel Priestley 1696 to 1791," a copy made by Joseph Hunter of York, June 22, 1808; and an "Extract from Watson's History of Halifax" regarding White Windows (Priestley homestead) with bookplates of a George Priestley and a drawing of the Priestley arms. Folder 12 contains 2 items signed by Dr. Priestley's son, Joseph Priestley, Jr., a deed pole to lot 56, Northumberland, Pa., January 5, 1803, and a legal agreement with Robert Lambert, December 23, 1808 (2 items, 2 leaves). Folders 14-15 contain photostats of Joseph Priestley letters to Benjamin Franklin, dated December 24, 1780, December 10, 1781, and June 24, 1782 (3 items, 5 leaves) and to Thomas Jefferson dated from January 30, 1800 to December 12, 1803 (7 items, 19 leaves). These discuss Jefferson's proposed college in Virginia, Priestley's defense of his pamphlet on Socrates, and the dedication of his Church History to Jefferson. Folders 15-27 contain photostats of Joseph Priestley letters to John Wilkinson, his brother-in-law, and others (1789-1802). There is an index to this correspondence (Folder 15). Items 1 through 64 are photostats of Priestley correspondence including 51 letters (185 leaves) from Priestley to J. Wilkinson, with 3 letters (items 52-54, 9 leaves) to Wilkinson's secretary, Watson, with a reply from Wilkinson (item 55, 4 leaves), and 2 documents (items 56-57, 6 leaves) concerning a land purchase scheme in America. These letters discuss the riots in Birmingham, Priestley's emigration to American, relations between France and England, Priestley's publications and preaching, his observations on America, the land scheme, Priestley's children and other family matters. Items 58 through 62 include letters from Mrs. Mary Priestley to William Vaughan, W. Vaughan to J. Wilkinson, Galton to Priestley, and Priestley to Benjamin Vaughan, dated 1794, the year the Priestleys moved to Pennsylvania.
ArchivalResource:
106 items (383 leaves).
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