Papers of Dunning McNair and Dunning Robert McNair, 1793-1857.

ArchivalResource

Papers of Dunning McNair and Dunning Robert McNair, 1793-1857.

Dunning McNair's papers consist of approximately 450 items of correspondence, legal agreements, accounts and receipts. This collection relates to the rapid expansion of land sale and development in the decade following the Revolutionary War. The papers include manuscript maps of land plots. Although specific geography is not indicated, it is likely that these plots are in or around the modern Wilkinsburg Township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. These manuscripts describe life on the frontier. Dunning was well known in his day, and the collection includes letters from William Wilkins, Ebenezer Denny, Hugh Henry Brackenridge, Henry Marie Brackenridge and Alexander Addison. Dunning McNair's papers also detail his involvement in the development of western Pennsylvania. The collection includes Dunning's correspondence with the Pennsylvania Population Company from 1796 to 1815. Transportation was another of Dunning's business interests; one letter details a contract with the United States Government to transport munitions and other supplies to Erie in 1801, and another shows that he transported military equipment for General Wilkinson. Some correspondence also relate to early stage coach lines in the region. Dunning Robert McNair's papers from 1835 to 1840 contain letters, financial statements, bids for carrying mail, and contracts for transporting guns and supplies for the United States Army. Some papers contain information concerning the stage lines in western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Perhaps a dozen sketches of land plots are present. These materials are mostly undated, and therefore cannot be attributed to either father or son. A selection of the correspondence has been transcribed by an unknown researcher.

0.84 linear ft. ( 2 boxes)

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 7320231

University of Pittsburgh

Related Entities

There are 4 Entities related to this resource.

McNair, Dunning, 1762-1825.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6pr9f1v (person)

Dunning (Dunnen) McNair was born July 23, 1762 to a Scottish and Irish family in West Pennsboro Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. McNair was an officer in the Pennsylvania state militia. Later as a state legislator in Pennsylvania, he introduced a bill to abolish slavery. In 1788, he settled with his wife, Anne Stewart, near Rippeyville, east of Pittsburgh. Dunning and Anne had six children. McNair purchased 266 acres in various lots and built his mansion, Dumpling Hall. Dunning was an ...

Pennsylvania Property Company

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6450nq2 (corporateBody)

As Robert Morris became more and more involved in land speculations, he was forced to pyramid his holdings to form new companies in which stock could be sold to pay taxes and mortgage interest. The assets of the Pennsylvania Property Company included large and small parcels of land throughout the state. From the description of Articles of agreement, 1797 Mar. 18, Philadelphia. (Rosenbach Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122524890 ...

McNair, Dunning R. (Dunning Robert)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6n02qwt (person)

Resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. From the description of Receipts, 1824-1839 (inclusive). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122510454 ...

McNair family.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w65z18pp (family)