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Palfrey family papers, 1713-1915

Title: Palfrey family papers, 1713-1915

Papers of the Palfrey family of New England. The material of this collection encompasses over 150 years of American history and many items of interest besides those documenting the life and works of John Gorham Palfrey, who is its central figure. A few of these may be briefly mentioned here. The papers of William Palfrey include letters between John Wilkes and the Sons of Liberty and William Palfrey's personal correspondence with Wilkes at the time of the latter's imprisonment in 1769-1770, including Palfrey's description of the Boston Massacre. William Palfrey's business account and financial papers are extensive and range in subject from accounts of trade with Virginia in 1763 to the disposition of funds of the Continental Army during the time Palfrey was Pay Master General. His close association and correspondence with John Hancock should be noted. Several interesting items pertain to the dispute between Hancock and the Boston printer, John Mein, which resulted in Thomas Longman's suit against Mein and the latter's imprisonment. The papers of John Palfrey deal mainly with his business affairs and the management of his plantation at Attakapas. However, several letters by his sons, Edward, William Taylor, and Henry William give first-hand accounts of battles in the war of 1812. Letters to John Gorham Palfrey from over 1000 corespondents form the largest single section in the collection. Of special importance are 377 letters from Jared Sparks and 148 letters from Charles Sumner.

ArchivalResource: 60 linear feet (130 boxes and 9 volumes)

http://id.lib.harvard.edu/ead/hou00387/catalog View

Porter, Alexander, 1785-1844. Alexander Porter papers, 1811-1879 (bulk 1839-1844, 1879).

Title: Alexander Porter papers, 1811-1879 (bulk 1839-1844, 1879).

Thirteen items consist largely of correspondence, but include a 10-page biography of Alexander Porter, an 1821 certificate naming Porter to the Louisiana Supreme Court, and an 1811 certificate validating a land grant to a free person of color, Philip Boutee. Some letters discuss Porter's involvement with the slave trade, slave behavior, their treatment, and their value. Two letters discuss a slave in Kentucky named Charles who had taken a wife; letters were signed by Col. William R. Johnson (Aug. 23, 1839, Aug. 30, 1841). One letter mentions a will where it is discussed how the value of the bequeathed slaves will affect the estate (Dec. 3, 1823), and an unsigned letter (April 20, 1842) asks Porter to see after the writer's slaves, to not sell them, but exchange them to good owners. Two letters are written to James Porter (brother of Alexander) at Oaklawn from Patrick McGraw, not only discussing people's health and livestock, but the behavior of some slaves (Sept./Nov. 1844). Four letters discuss various lease agreements between the Porter and Leverich families over tenancy of Oaklawn Manor (1870, 1879).

ArchivalResource: 13 items.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/70781873 View

Porter, Alexander, 1785-1844. Alexander Porter letter, 1833.

Title: Alexander Porter letter, 1833.

Letter from Alexander Porter of St. Mary Parish, La., to Dr. John Ker of Natchez, Miss., commenting on the nature and spread of cholera as frustrating to the medical profession, the untimely death of U.S. Senator Josiah S. Johnston, and the political prospects of General Walter H. Overton of Rapides Parish, La.

ArchivalResource: 1 letter.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/303652906 View

Johnston, Josiah Stoddard, 1784-1833. Papers, 1821-1839.

Title: Papers, 1821-1839.

The correspondence and papers of a national leader in United States politics in the early part of the nineteenth century, containing information on the contest for the presidential nomination of John Quincy Adams, William H. Crawford, Henry Clay, and Andrew Jackson. Among the numerous correspondents are James Brown, United States Minister to France, Judge A. Porter, Edward Everett, Matthew S. Quay, R. W. Stoddard, William Shaler, Henry D. Gilpin, Nicholas Biddle, John H. Johnston, and others. Some of the topics and issues discussed in these papers are: the Antimasonic movement, the recharter of the United States Bank, Judge Peck's impeachment, French spoliation claims, tariff, sugar, expansion of territory, legislation before Congress, etc. A large portion of the material relates to political affairs in Louisiana, the building of roads and canals, land claims, memorials to Congress, cotton, slavery, requests for governmental positions, election to office, etc. Henry Clay's letters, 1824-1833, deal with his personal aspirations and his bitterness against Andrew Jackson; letter of Thomas Jefferson, 1825; Dr. John Sibley letters, 1821-1832; invitation to a reception tendered to Marquis de Lafayette, 1824; family letters disclosing Senator Johnston's personal affairs and financial transactions; there are also some personal items of William S. Johnston.

ArchivalResource: 6 linear ft.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/122633005 View

Wendell Holmes Stephenson Papers, 1820-1968

Title: Wendell Holmes Stephenson Papers, 1820-1968

ArchivalResource: Linear feet of space occupied: 34.6; Number of items: ca. 25,950

http://library.duke.edu/rubenstein/findingaids/stephen/ View