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Collection
Wheatland
Object ID
W.1992.001.017b
  1 image  
Collection
Wheatland
Description
Set of four Renaissance Revival style side chairs. Top rail scroll curved with tight C-scroll at ends. Finger hole is triangular with arrow point inside. Flat finial hangs from bottom of rail. Stretcher is also curved out with scroll work and bell flower. Front legs turned.
Provenance
Harriet Lane Johnston
To - May Kennedy
To - Julia Kennedy Taylor
To - Julia's daughters
To - Edmund R. Taylor (Julia's grandson)
To - James Buchanan Foundation
LancasterHistory
Year Range From
1850
Year Range To
1880
Last Owner
Johnston, Harriet Lane
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Cabinet
Unit 45
Storage Shelf
Top
People
Johnston, Harriet Lane
Search Terms
James Buchanan Presidential Library
Object Name
Chair, Side
Material
Wood/Paint/Silk/Cloth
Height (cm)
83.98002
Height (ft)
2.75525
Height (in)
33.063
Width (cm)
43.18
Width (ft)
1.4166666667
Width (in)
17
Depth (cm)
41.91
Depth (ft)
1.375
Depth (in)
16.5
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-11-30
Condition Notes
Upholstery in poor condition
Object ID
W.1992.001.017b
Notes
Object ID is on a tag tied to each chair
Accession Number
W.1992.001
Images
Less detail
Collection
Wheatland
Object ID
W.1992.001.017c
  1 image  
Collection
Wheatland
Description
Set of four Renaissance Revival style side chairs. Top rail scroll curved with tight C-scroll at ends. Finger hole is triangular with arrow point inside. Flat finial hangs from bottom of rail. Stretcher is also curved out with scroll work and bell flower. Front legs turned.
Provenance
Harriet Lane Johnston
To - May Kennedy
To - Julia Kennedy Taylor
To - Julia's daughters
To - Edmund R. Taylor (Julia's grandson)
To - James Buchanan Foundation
LancasterHistory
Year Range From
1850
Year Range To
1880
Last Owner
Johnston, Harriet Lane
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Cabinet
Unit 45
Storage Shelf
Top
People
Johnston, Harriet Lane
Search Terms
James Buchanan Presidential Library
Object Name
Chair, Side
Material
Wood/Paint/Silk/Cloth
Height (cm)
83.98002
Height (ft)
2.75525
Height (in)
33.063
Width (cm)
43.18
Width (ft)
1.4166666667
Width (in)
17
Depth (cm)
41.91
Depth (ft)
1.375
Depth (in)
16.5
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-11-30
Condition Notes
Upholstery in poor condition
Object ID
W.1992.001.017c
Notes
Object ID is on a tag tied to each chair
Accession Number
W.1992.001
Images
Less detail
Collection
Wheatland
Object ID
W.1992.001.017d
  1 image  
Collection
Wheatland
Description
Set of four Renaissance Revival style side chairs. Top rail scroll curved with tight C-scroll at ends. Finger hole is triangular with arrow point inside. Flat finial hangs from bottom of rail. Stretcher is also curved out with scroll work and bell flower. Front legs turned.
Provenance
Harriet Lane Johnston
To - May Kennedy
To - Julia Kennedy Taylor
To - Julia's daughters
To - Edmund R. Taylor (Julia's grandson)
To - James Buchanan Foundation
LancasterHistory
Year Range From
1850
Year Range To
1880
Last Owner
Johnston, Harriet Lane
Storage Location
Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
People
Johnston, Harriet Lane
Search Terms
James Buchanan Presidential Library
Object Name
Chair, Side
Material
Wood/Paint/Silk/Cloth
Height (cm)
83.98002
Height (ft)
2.75525
Height (in)
33.063
Width (cm)
43.18
Width (ft)
1.4166666667
Width (in)
17
Depth (cm)
41.91
Depth (ft)
1.375
Depth (in)
16.5
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-11-30
Condition Notes
Upholstery in poor condition
Object ID
W.1992.001.017d
Notes
Object ID is on a tag tied to each chair
Accession Number
W.1992.001
Images
Less detail
Collection
Wheatland
Object ID
W.1992.001.017a
  1 image  
Collection
Wheatland
Description
Set of four Renaissance Revival style side chairs. Top rail scroll curved with tight C-scroll at ends. Finger hole is triangular with arrow point inside. Flat finial hangs from bottom of rail. Stretcher is also curved out with scroll work and bell flower. Front legs turned.
Provenance
Harriet Lane Johnston
To - May Kennedy
To - Julia Kennedy Taylor
To - Julia's daughters
To - Edmund R. Taylor (Julia's grandson)
To - James Buchanan Foundation
LancasterHistory
Year Range From
1850
Year Range To
1880
Last Owner
Johnston, Harriet Lane
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Cabinet
Unit 45
Storage Shelf
Top
People
Johnston, Harriet Lane
Subcategory
Furniture
Search Terms
James Buchanan Presidential Library
Object Name
Chair, Side
Material
Wood/Paint/Silk/Cloth
Height (in)
33.063
Width (in)
17
Depth (in)
16.5
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-11-30
Condition Notes
Upholstery in poor condition.
Object ID
W.1992.001.017a
Notes
Object ID is on a tag tied to each chair
Accession Number
W.1992.001
Images
Less detail
Collection
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 6 Hiram B. Swarr
Title
Pearsol & Geist received payment from H. B. Swarr
Object ID
JBFP 6.2.1.028
Date Range
1868/11/02
  1 document     2 images  
Collection
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 6 Hiram B. Swarr
Title
Pearsol & Geist received payment from H. B. Swarr
Description
Pearsol & Geist, publishers of the Daily Evening Express, received payment from H. B. Swarr for advertising the sale of town lots for Mrs. H. L. Johnston and others on September 8. Lancaster.
Date Range
1868/11/02
Creator
Pearsol & Geist
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Container
JBFP Part 6, Box 1
People
Johnston, Harriet Lane
Swarr, Hiram Behm
Subjects
Receipts (Acknowledgments)
Real property
Advertising
Search Terms
Receipts
Pearsol and Geist
Daily Evening Express
Advertising
Real estate
Harriet Lane Johnston
Buchanan Collections
James Buchanan Presidential Library
Extent
1 item, 2 page to scan, 35.25 x 3 in. and 25 x 8.25 in.
Object Name
Receipt
Language
English
Parent Object ID
JBFP Part 6 Series 2
Object ID
JBFP 6.2.1.028
Associated Material
James Buchanan Papers, Dickinson College Archives & Special Collections,
http://archives.dickinson.edu/collection-descriptions/james-buchanan-papers
James Buchanan and Harriet Lane Johnston Papers, Library of Congress,
https://www.loc.gov/collections/james-buchanan-and-harriet-lane-johnston-papers/
James Buchanan Papers, Historical Society of Pennsylvania,
http://www2.hsp.org/collections/manuscripts/b/Buchanan0091.html
James Buchanan Papers, Penn State University Libraries,
https://libraries.psu.edu/findingaids/1458.htm
Related Item Notes
James Buchanan Family Papers
MG-96 James Buchanan Collection
Historical Society of Pennsylvania microfilm
Photograph collections
Curatorial collections
Wheatland Mansion
Notes
May 2020 PastPerfect Conversion
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Some items are photocopies from other collections--researchers must obtain permission for reproduction and publication from the owner of the original material.
Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Accession Number
JBMS1996.150
Other Number
JBFP Part 6, Series 2, Subseries 1, Folder 28
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
The James Buchanan Family Papers were collected by the James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland. This collection was relocated from the Wheatland mansion to the LancasterHistory archives in the Spring of 2009. Digitization of the James Buchanan Family Papers was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 201808013051, 2019-2020.
Images
Documents
Less detail
Collection
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 6 Hiram B. Swarr
Title
H. G. Smith & Co. received payment from H. B. Swarr
Object ID
JBFP 6.2.1.029
Date Range
1868/11/02
  1 document     2 images  
Collection
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 6 Hiram B. Swarr
Title
H. G. Smith & Co. received payment from H. B. Swarr
Description
H. G. Smith & Co. received payment from H. B. Swarr for printing bills for and advertising sale of building lots for Mrs. H. E. Johnston and E. E. Lane in the Lancaster Intelligencer. Lancaster.
Date Range
1868/11/02
Creator
H. G. Smith & Co.
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Container
JBFP Part 6, Box 1
People
Lane, Elliott Eskridge
Johnston, Harriet Lane
Swarr, Hiram Behm
Subjects
Receipts (Acknowledgments)
Real property
Advertising
Search Terms
Receipts
Real estate
Advertising
Harriet Lane Johnston
Buchanan Collections
Lancaster Intelligencer
James Buchanan Presidential Library
Extent
1 item, 2 page to scan, 9 x 20 cm.
Object Name
Receipt
Language
English
Parent Object ID
JBFP Part 6 Series 2
Object ID
JBFP 6.2.1.029
Associated Material
James Buchanan Papers, Dickinson College Archives & Special Collections,
http://archives.dickinson.edu/collection-descriptions/james-buchanan-papers
James Buchanan and Harriet Lane Johnston Papers, Library of Congress,
https://www.loc.gov/collections/james-buchanan-and-harriet-lane-johnston-papers/
James Buchanan Papers, Historical Society of Pennsylvania,
http://www2.hsp.org/collections/manuscripts/b/Buchanan0091.html
James Buchanan Papers, Penn State University Libraries,
https://libraries.psu.edu/findingaids/1458.htm
Related Item Notes
James Buchanan Family Papers
MG-96 James Buchanan Collection
Historical Society of Pennsylvania microfilm
Photograph collections
Curatorial collections
Wheatland Mansion
Notes
May 2020 PastPerfect Conversion
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Some items are photocopies from other collections--researchers must obtain permission for reproduction and publication from the owner of the original material.
Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pa.
Other Number
JBFP Part 6, Series 2, Subseries 1, Folder 29
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
The James Buchanan Family Papers were collected by the James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland. This collection was relocated from the Wheatland mansion to the LancasterHistory archives in the Spring of 2009. Digitization of the James Buchanan Family Papers was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 201808013051, 2019-2020.
Images
Documents
Less detail
Collection
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 6 Hiram B. Swarr
Title
W. Carpenter & Son received paymenrt from H. B. Swarr
Object ID
JBFP 6.2.1.030
Date Range
1868/11/17
  1 document     2 images  
Collection
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 6 Hiram B. Swarr
Title
W. Carpenter & Son received paymenrt from H. B. Swarr
Description
W. Carpenter & Son received paymenrt from H. B. Swarr for various services in connection with the sale of lots of Mrs. Harriet Lane Johnston and the minor children of James B. Lane deceased. Lancaster.
Date Range
1868/11/17
Creator
W. Carpenter & Son
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Container
JBFP Part 6, Box 1
People
Lane, James Buchanan
Johnston, Harriet Lane
Swarr, Hiram Behm
Subjects
Receipts (Acknowledgments)
Real property
Search Terms
Real estate
Receipts
W. Carpenter & Son
Harriet Lane Johnston
Buchanan Collections
James Buchanan Presidential Library
Extent
1 item, 2 page to scan, 7.5 x 20 cm.
Object Name
Receipt
Language
English
Parent Object ID
JBFP Part 6 Series 2
Object ID
JBFP 6.2.1.030
Associated Material
James Buchanan Papers, Dickinson College Archives & Special Collections,
http://archives.dickinson.edu/collection-descriptions/james-buchanan-papers
James Buchanan and Harriet Lane Johnston Papers, Library of Congress,
https://www.loc.gov/collections/james-buchanan-and-harriet-lane-johnston-papers/
James Buchanan Papers, Historical Society of Pennsylvania,
http://www2.hsp.org/collections/manuscripts/b/Buchanan0091.html
James Buchanan Papers, Penn State University Libraries,
https://libraries.psu.edu/findingaids/1458.htm
Related Item Notes
James Buchanan Family Papers
MG-96 James Buchanan Collection
Historical Society of Pennsylvania microfilm
Photograph collections
Curatorial collections
Wheatland Mansion
Notes
May 2020 PastPerfect Conversion
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Some items are photocopies from other collections--researchers must obtain permission for reproduction and publication from the owner of the original material.
Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Accession Number
JBMS1998.045
Other Number
JBFP Part 6, Series 2, Subseries 1, Folder 30
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
The James Buchanan Family Papers were collected by the James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland. This collection was relocated from the Wheatland mansion to the LancasterHistory archives in the Spring of 2009. Digitization of the James Buchanan Family Papers was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 201808013051, 2019-2020.
Images
Documents
Less detail
Collection
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 6 Hiram B. Swarr
Title
J. Mercer received payment from H. B. Swarr
Object ID
JBFP 6.2.1.046
Date Range
1869/12/24
  1 document     2 images  
Collection
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 6 Hiram B. Swarr
Title
J. Mercer received payment from H. B. Swarr
Description
J. Mercer, clerk, received payment from H. B. Swarr, trustee of Harriet Lane Johnston Trust, for Order of Court approval of investments made for said trust. Lancaster.
Date Range
1869/12/24
Creator
Pennsylvania. Orphans' Court (Lancaster County)
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Container
JBFP Part 6, Box 2
People
Mercer, J.
Swarr, Hiram Behm
Johnston, Harriet Lane
Subjects
Receipts (Acknowledgments)
Trusts and trustees
Probate records
Search Terms
Receipts
Trusts and trustees
Probate records
Buchanan Collections
Harriet Lane Johnston
James Buchanan Presidential Library
Extent
1 item, 2 pages to scan, 7.2 x 8 in.
Object Name
Receipt
Language
English
Parent Object ID
JBFP Part 6 Series 2
Object ID
JBFP 6.2.1.046
Associated Material
James Buchanan Papers, Dickinson College Archives & Special Collections,
http://archives.dickinson.edu/collection-descriptions/james-buchanan-papers
James Buchanan and Harriet Lane Johnston Papers, Library of Congress,
https://www.loc.gov/collections/james-buchanan-and-harriet-lane-johnston-papers/
James Buchanan Papers, Historical Society of Pennsylvania,
http://www2.hsp.org/collections/manuscripts/b/Buchanan0091.html
James Buchanan Papers, Penn State University Libraries,
https://libraries.psu.edu/findingaids/1458.htm
Related Item Notes
James Buchanan Family Papers
MG-96 James Buchanan Collection
Historical Society of Pennsylvania microfilm
Photograph collections
Curatorial collections
Wheatland Mansion
Notes
May 2020 PastPerfect Conversion
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Some items are photocopies from other collections--researchers must obtain permission for reproduction and publication from the owner of the original material.
Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Accession Number
JBMS1996.046a
Other Number
JBFP Part 6, Series 2, Subseries 1, Folder 46
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
The James Buchanan Family Papers were collected by the James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland. This collection was relocated from the Wheatland mansion to the LancasterHistory archives in the Spring of 2009. Digitization of the James Buchanan Family Papers was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 201808013051, 2019-2020.
Images
Documents
Less detail
Collection
James Buchanan Family Papers
Title
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 1 Papers of James Buchanan, Series 1 Correspondence
Object ID
JBFP Part 1 Series 1
  1 document  
Collection
James Buchanan Family Papers
Title
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 1 Papers of James Buchanan, Series 1 Correspondence
Description
The James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 1, Papers of James Buchanan, Series 1 Correspondence, Subseries 1 contains letters to James Buchanan and Subseries 2 contains letters from James Buchanan. Within these subseries, the letters are arranged chronologically, dating from 1819-1868.
This collection contains letters, both to and from James Buchanan. The letters from Buchanan range from the different periods of his life-as a private citizen and lawyer, senator, and ambassador to Russia and Britain; his Presidential term from 1857 to 1861; and his later years until his death in 1868. The earlier letters include details of his travels, political matters and the military, social engagements and responsibilities, his responsibilities as a political figure, and accounts of family chatter and gossip. He also discusses at length, in his letters to and about Harriet Lane, his opinions of whom she should marry, his opinions about her social encounters and interactions, her living situations, and her livelihood. Buchanan also often wrote about his Christian beliefs, especially during the later years of his life. Letters from his later years detail the day-to-day life at home in Wheatland, including some of his guests, his servants, and his illnesses as the end of his life neared.
The letters that are addressed to James Buchanan range in different topics, concerning military affairs, political and legal information, and family chatter. Other letters include details of Buchanan's financial matters that are in reference to loans, Buchanan's investments and purchases, deeds and bonds. There are also a number of thank-you letters and notes of recommendation.
Many of the letters are to his niece, Harriet Lane and nephew, James Buchanan Henry. Other correspondents are H. B. Swarr, Henry A. Muhlenberg, family members, Francis Scott Key, Riggs & Co., James L. Reynolds, and many political colleagues.
Admin/Biographical History
James Buchanan was born on April 23, 1791 to James Buchanan and Elizabeth Speer. He was the second child born out of ten children, and he would go on to outlive all but one of his siblings. Most popularly remembered as Pennsylvania's only President and as a lifelong bachelor, Buchanan committed a lifetime to politics. In 1821, he left his law practice and embarked on his political career after having been voted into the U.S. House of Representatives. He would remain in the House for five consecutive terms before serving as the U.S. Minister to Russia, a Senator in the U.S. Senate, the U.S. Secretary of State, the U.S. Minister to Great Britain, and finally, the 15th President of the United States. He died in his bedchamber at Wheatland at 8:30 AM on June 1, 1868. He was 77 years old. [https://www.lancasterhistory.org/about-wheatland, accessed 10/24/2019]
System of Arrangement
JBFP Part 1 Series 1 Correspondence
Subseries 1 Letters from James Buchanan
Subseries 2 Letters to James Buchanan
Year Range From
1819
Year Range To
1868
Creator
Buchanan, James, 1791-1868
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
People
Buchanan, James
Johnston, Harriet Lane
Henry, James Buchanan
Swarr, Hiram Behm
Other Creators
James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland (Lancaster, Pa.)
Subjects
Letters
Personal correspondence
Search Terms
Letters
Correspondence, Personal
James Buchanan
Harriet Lane Johnston
Buchanan Collections
James Buchanan Presidential Library
Extent
4 boxes, 365 folders, 2 cubic ft.
Object Name
Correspondence
Language
English, French
Object ID
JBFP Part 1 Series 1
Associated Material
James Buchanan Papers, Dickinson College Archives & Special Collections http://archives.dickinson.edu/collection-descriptions/james-buchanan-papers
James Buchanan and Harriet Lane Johnston Papers, Library of Congress https://www.loc.gov/collections/james-buchanan-and-harriet-lane-johnston-papers/
James Buchanan Papers, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, http://www2.hsp.org/collections/manuscripts/b/Buchanan0091.html
James Buchanan Papers, Penn State University Libraries, https://libraries.psu.edu/findingaids/1458.htm
Related Item Notes
James Buchanan Family Papers
James Buchanan Collection, MG0096
Historical Society of Pennsylvania microfilm in the LancasterHistory Research Library
Photograph collections
Curatorial collections
Wheatland Mansion
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available.
Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes only.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Some items are photocopies from other collections--researchers must obtain permission for reproduction and publication from the owner of the original material. Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Description Level
Series
Custodial History
The James Buchanan Family Papers were collected by the James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland. This collection was relocated from the Wheatland mansion to the LancasterHistory archives in the Spring of 2009. Digitization of the James Buchanan Family Papers was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 201808013051, 2019-2020.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
James Buchanan Family Papers
Title
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 2 Papers of Harriet Lane Johnston, Series 1 Correspondence
Object ID
JBFP Part 2 Series 1
  1 document  
Collection
James Buchanan Family Papers
Title
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 2 Papers of Harriet Lane Johnston, Series 1 Correspondence
Description
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 2 Papers of Harriet Lane Johnston, Series 1 contains the correspondence of Harriet Lane Johnston.
Subseries 1 contains letters written by Harriet to James Buchanan, Lily Macalester and Charles Macalester, Lois Buchanan, Hiram B. Swarr, Mary Speer, and others from 1848-1902.
Subseries 2 contains letters written to Harriet from Captain W. R. Palmer, Alfred Pleasanton, Laura Pleasanton, Isaac E. Hiester and others from 1854 to 1897, including several describing Washington, D.C. in 1861.
Admin/Biographical History
Born on May 9, 1830, Harriet Lane was the youngest surviving child of Elliot Toll Lane and Jane Buchanan Lane. When both of her parents died of consumption, now known as tuberculosis, Harriet went on to be her Uncle James Buchanan's ward in 1841. A well-educated lady, Harriet attended several boarding schools before graduating from the Georgetown Academy of Visitation Convent at the age of 18. When James Buchanan served as the U.S. Minister to Great Britain, Harriet Lane joined him for a time and served as a hostess. During her time in England, which she noted as "the realization of a beautiful dream," she befriended none other than Queen Victoria. When her Uncle assumed the presidency, Harriet Lane assumed her role as hostess. She is considered the first First Lady, as the title had initially been given to the president's hostess during Harriet's time in Washington.
After Buchanan's presidency, Harriet Lane married Henry Elliot Johnston, a banker from Baltimore, on January 11, 1866. She was 35 years old. The couple went on to have two sons, both of whom would pass away from rheumatic fever in their early teenage years. Two years after losing her youngest son, Harriet lost her husband to pneumonia. By 1884, Harriet was a childless widow. She would go on to leave a legacy for generations to come, including establishing a children's hospital in Baltimore called The Harriet Lane Home for Invalid Children (today the Harriet Lane Clinic at the John's Hopkins Children's Hospital), preserving her Uncle's letters and manuscripts, bestowing her art collection to the Corcoran Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C., and constructing the St. Alban's School, a school for choir boys. She died on July 3, 1903. [ https://www.lancasterhistory.org/about-wheatland/, accessed 10/24/2019]
System of Arrangement
JBFP Part 2 Series 1 Correspondence
Subseries 1 Letters from Harriet Lane Johnston
Subseries 2 Letters to Harriet Lane Johnston
Year Range From
1848
Year Range To
1902
Creator
Johnston, Harriet Lane, 1830-1903
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
People
Buchanan, James
Johnston, Harriet Lane
Other Creators
James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland (Lancaster, Pa.)
Subjects
Baltimore (Md.)
Lancaster (Pa.)
Letters
Personal correspondence
Washington (D.C.)
Wheatland (Lancaster, Pa.)
Search Terms
Baltimore, Maryland
Buchanan Collections
Correspondence
Correspondence, Personal
Harriet Lane Johnston
James Buchanan
Lancaster
Letters
Washington, DC
Finding aids
Manuscript groups
James Buchanan Presidential Library
Extent
1 box, 71 folders, .20 cubic ft.
Object Name
Correspondence
Language
English
Object ID
JBFP Part 2 Series 1
Associated Material
James Buchanan Papers, Dickinson College Archives & Special Collections http://archives.dickinson.edu/collection-descriptions/james-buchanan-papers
James Buchanan and Harriet Lane Johnston Papers, Library of Congress https://www.loc.gov/collections/james-buchanan-and-harriet-lane-johnston-papers/
James Buchanan Papers, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, http://www2.hsp.org/collections/manuscripts/b/Buchanan0091.html
James Buchanan Papers, Penn State University Libraries, https://libraries.psu.edu/findingaids/1458.htm
Related Item Notes
James Buchanan Family Papers
James Buchanan Collection, MG0096
Historical Society of Pennsylvania microfilm
Photograph collections
Curatorial collections
Wheatland Mansion
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available.
Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
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Please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Description Level
Series
Custodial History
The James Buchanan Family Papers were collected by the James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland. This collection was relocated from the Wheatland mansion to the LancasterHistory archives in the Spring of 2009. Digitization of the James Buchanan Family Papers was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 201808013051, 2019-2020.
Documents
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