James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 1 Papers of James Buchanan, Series 6 Miscellaneous Materials
Description
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 1, Papers of James Buchanan, Series 6 is arranged into three subseries of miscellaneous materials.
Subseries 1 is sheet music dedicated to James Buchanan, including the Wheatland Polka, The Schottisch, and Buchanan's Union Grand March.
Subseries 2 is published and print materials, including newspaper cartoons and illustrations, pamphlets for the 1824 election of John Quincy Adams, a tourist card, and meeting minutes.
Subseries 3 includes government documents, an act to alter and amend the several acts imposing tariffs, commercial treaties, supplementary acts, a document signed by Secretary of State William L. Marcy, a passport signed by James Buchanan, land grants, and other government documents, including some in French, Spanish, English, and German.
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]
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
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.
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 8 Papers of Others (Not Part of the Family), Series 4 Newspapers
Description
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 8, the Papers of Others (Not Part of the Family), Series 4 contains sections and pages of newspapers from Lancaster, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., New York, and White Pigeon, Michigan. The articles pertain to Lincoln's progress through Lancaster and Harrisburg on his way to Washington D.C. for his inauguration, obituaries for Abraham Breneman, and the state of the Democratic party in Philadelphia in 1878, as well as classified ads and wedding announcements. One newspaper has James Buchanan's State of the Union speech reprinted on the first two pages.
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
Charles S. Foltz, Surgeon of the Seas: The Adventurous Life of Surgeon General Jonathan M. Foltz In the Days of Wooden Ships, Told from His Notes of the Moment. Indianapolis, IN: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1931. Call # 923.5 F671f
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.
Front and back covers, and spine are heavily worn and damaged.
Spine bottom 5" is missing.
Pages are loosley bound with threads. Front and back pages hafe indication of water damage.
Page 74 has a miscellaneous piece piece of paper pined to the page. The pin could not be removed without possibly damaging the paper.
Object ID
MG0963_F021
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Notes
Preferred citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
NOTE: Index is by first name. Also, indexed name may appear on multiple pages.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Original documents may be used by appointment--contact Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to visit.
Copyright
Collection items may be photographed. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. 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.
There are no front or back covers. Pages are bound.
Object ID
MG0963_F027
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Notes
Preferred citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
NOTE: Index is by first name. Also, indexed name may appear on multiple pages.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Original documents may be used by appointment--contact Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to visit.
Copyright
Collection items may be photographed. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. 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.
Account book of David Harr or David Herr, Bart Township, Martic Township, Monor Township, Eden Townshp.
Description
Account book of David Harr or David Herr, Bart Township, Martic Township, Monor Township, Eden Townshp.
Contains 33 leaves, unruled, with vertical accounting lines, paginated only to page 6. The last three columns are titled "L", "S" and "D". 12 leaves are blank.
Book references purchases and payments for work done, whiskey, work done at mill, mending harrow, grains, beef, hauling wood and hay, walnut table, oats, iron tea ketel, etc.
Front and back covers are heavily worn and bare at spots. Back cover has a crease on upper corner and is missing part of its edge. Spine had worn through at 4 locations.
Leaves have foxing.
Object ID
MG0963_F031
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Notes
Preferred citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
NOTE: Index is by first name. Also, indexed name may appear on multiple pages.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Original documents may be used by appointment--contact Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to visit.
Copyright
Collection items may be photographed. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. 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.
Jeremiah Brown’s gristmill account book "B" Little Britain Township, Fulton Township
Description
Jeremiah Brown’s gristmill account book "B" Little Britain Township, Fulton Township
Book references itemized list of profits and expenses, and the employees of the mill and what they were being compensated for. The profits list ranges from selling and grinding corn, wheat, and rye as well as sawing boards. The recorded expenses for the mill include employee wages, transportation costs, and dry goods such as salt.
Contains 200 pages, plus a 12 page index of clients and what pages they appear on.
Front cover has a "B" written on it.
"LEDGER" is printed on spine.
Back cover inside has an "X" written on it.
This account book also contains several sections of estate planning for multiple individuals.
o Jeremiah Brown records his will and what his children are to inherit from his estate on page. 1.
o Jeremiah Brown later records a detailed list of what he gave to his daughter Sarah as she married Timothy Haines on page. 10.
o Vincent King estate on page. 102
o Richard Stedman real estate on page. 104.
Insert 1 - 2 loose items:
Item 1 Blue donor card
Item 2 "The Book Haven" description of book.
Insert 2 - 10 loose items:
Item 1 Judgment note dated 1805 containing the names James Arbuckle, Adam Arbuckle, Jeremiah Brown, Phillip James, Robert Maxwell, W. Tilton and W. Barton.
Item 2 Account note dated 1811; Timothy Haines to David Nivine
Item 3 Account note dated 1812 for 5 Sales of Jeremiah Brown signed by T. Hollingsworth & son,
Item 4 Account note dated 1816 with names Hugh Pennell, Jeremiah Brown and John Kirk.
Item 5 Account note dated 1810 containing names James Davison and Jeremiah Brown.
item 6 Shad Account for the year 1810; John Leek, Jonathan Hough, Oliver Caldwell and Jeremiah Brown.
Item 7 Account note dated 1816; Slater Brown, Jeremiah Brown
Item 8 Note dated 1814 outlining the transition of the mill from Jeremiah Brown, to his son Slater.
Item 9 Settlement State Account dated 1809; Charles Daugherty to Jeremiah Brown, John Kirk, Hugh Bush, and James Davidson.
Item 10 Account Note dated 31 December 1810; James Davidson to Jeremiah Brown.; Oliver Caldwell, Samuel White and John Kirk.
Insert 3 - 10 account loose items:
Item 1 Account note dated 1800 and 1801; A. Hopkins, Philip Baker Adams, Andrew Porter, William Porter, David Scott, Roger Kirk, Jeremiah Brown, Arthur Howell, W. Montgomery.
Item 2 Account note, 1809, Jeremiah Brown
Item 3 Account note, 10 Dec 1805, Stephen Cooper estate, John Kirk, Jeremiah Brown & Son.
Item 4 Account note, 15 May 1805, Philip James, Thomas Moore, Timothy Haines.
Item 5 List of Hugh Burks property sold by Jesse Brabs on 17 July 1919; Jeremiah Brown, Thomas Burk.
Item 6 Note dated Jun 1820, damage done by Jeremiah Brown, James A. Caldwell.
Item 7 Settlement dated 1 April 1810, Thomas Burk with Jeremiah Brown.
Item 8 Sales note dated 15 May 1806, account of James Morrison by Levi Hollingsworth & Son, Jeremiah Brown.
Item 9 Sales note dated December 1803, Flour by Levi Hollingsworth for Morrison, M. Gryder.
Item 10 Sales note dated 1 August 1797, Flour by Levi Hollingsworth & Son for account of James Morrison, M Gryder, to Adam May and Thomas Bristol.
Insert 4 - 10 loose items:
Item 1 Account note dated 1811 and 1812, Charles Heston with Jeremiah Brown.
Item 2 Account note dated 1811, Elizabeth & Thomas Steel with Jeremiah Brown.
Item 3 Account note dated 1811, Elizabeth Steel & Son Thomas, Robert Clark.
Item 4 Bank Papers note, dated 1815 and 1816, Jeremiah Brown, Skater Brown, James McConkey.
Item 5 Bills note, undated, Jeremiah Brown, Levi Brown Mill.
Item 6 Account note, dated 30 December 1805, Jeremiah Brown Mill.
Item 7 Account note dated 1810, Charles Daugherty in account with Jeremiah Brown; R. King, Stwart Jamison, John Jamison.
Item 8 Account note dated 1805, by Levi Hollingsworth for Jeremiah Brown.
Item 9 Account note dated 1793, 1797 and 1799, James Morrison, Levi Hollingsworth.
Item 10 Account note, undated, R Maxwell.
Insert 5 - 10 loose items:
Item 1 Freight Account note, 1812, Timothy Haines to David Nivin, other names Jeremiah Brown.
Item 2 Statement, 1 October 1812, of Andrew Porter with R. Kick.
Item 3 Lancaster County account note, August 1800, Jeremiah Brown, Roger Kirk, Andrew Porter.
Item 4 Account note, 1812, Francis Scott, Slater Brown.
Item 5 Account note, 1813, C. Hefton.
Item 6 Account note, 1812, John Kirk, Jeremiah Brown, George MCaslin, Katy Morrisson, Moses Rankin, John Evans, Thomas Hule, Baker Bevans.
Item 7 Account note, undated, Kirk and MConkey.
Item 8 Account note, 1823, Isaac Stubbs and Vincent Stubbs.
Item 9 Bill, July 1812, Hugh Cooper by Jeremian Brown
Item 10 Account note, no date or name.
Insert 6 - 10 loose items:
Item 1 Order, 22 April 1811, John Kirk, George Dockes, Jeremiah Brown.
Item 2 Receipt, 21 January 1801, C. Carpenter, Jeremiah Brown, Andrew Porter, William Porter.
Item 3 Note, 25 March 1799, Williamson, J. W.
Item 4 Note, 29 Jun 1802, Jeremiah Brown, Coln. Jas. Morrison, David Nivin, Samuel Nivin.
Item 5 Account note, 5 May 1802, Levi Hollingsworth, Jeremiah Brown, William Bell.
Item 6 Account note, 31 March 1813, Jeremiah Brown.
Item 9 Account note, 4 March 1819, Wm. Brown, Wm. Jenkins, Samuel King, Jeremiah Brown, Wm. Barker & Son.
Item 10 Account note, May 1805, Meason Shank Don, Thomas Moore, Timothy Haines, Jeremiah Brown.
Insert 8 - 10 loose items:
Item 1 Account note, 21 February 1799, Jeremiah Brown, John Singer, Abram Singer.
Item 2 Account note, undated, Neal Harrisbaugh.
Item 3 Bond, 6 April 1810, paid 20 August 1812, no names.
Item 4 Receipt, 1816, Jeremiah Brown, Montgomery (no first name).
Item 5 Receipt, 1823, Fred Steele, Thomas Buck, Jeremiah Brown, Thomas Steele.
Item 6 Receipt, 15 September 1809, Joseph Steel, Jeremiah Brown.
Item 7 Account note, 20 May 1809, John Kirk, Jeremiah Brown.
Item 8 Account note, 1812, O. Caldwell.
Item 9 Account note, 1810, Hains & James.
Item 10 Account note, 5 February 1811, Jerry Brown, Elizabeth Steel, Samuel Neeper.
Admin/Biographical History
From: Donor Card and "The Book Haven" description card
Jeremiah Brown was born 1750, descended from Joshua Brown. He received his father's mill in 1775. Jeremiah’s business became quite prosperous and with the help of other prominent figures in Lancaster County, he helped establish the Farmers Bank of Lancaster. Jeremiah’s fathered several children including the honorable Judge Jeremiah Brown and Slater Brown, later leaving the mill to Slater. At the time of his death in 1831, he was thought to be one of the largest stockholders, if not the largest, of the Farmers Bank of Lancaster at 1,000 shares.
Book is in poor condition. Front and back covers are unattached with most of the leather worn off. Spine is completely worn through at places. Paper has foxing and some pages have water damage. Eight leaves, two of which the first two of the index, are unattached. Index tabs A-B, C-D, N-O, W-X and W-Z are missing.
There is no page 2. Pages 201 to 206 are not paginated.
Object ID
MG0963_F010
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Notes
Preferred citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Edmond is recorded as "Black Edmond"
Hannah is recorded as "Black Hannah"
Patrick is recorded as "Black Patrick"
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions. Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact Research@LancasterHistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Collection items may be photographed. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. 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.
Account book of Slater Brown, Little Britain Township, Fulton Township
Description
Account book of Slater Brown, Little Britain Township, Fulton Township.
Contains 197 paginated pages with vertical column lines, plus a 22 page front index and a 22 page up-side-down back index (blank), the tabs of both indexes were cut from the book pages. Also, 3 unpaginated leaves in front of the back index have account information from 1818, 1819 and 1821, plus 9 blank unpaginated in front of the back index.
Front Cover - Inside: "EARLY 19TH CENTURY; GRIST MILL LEDGER OF; SLAYTER BROWN, SON OF;THE QUAKER LEADER; JEREMIAH BROWN OF; PEACH BOTTOM" is written on bottom half.
Front Leaves: Are a 21 tabbed page index. The back sides of each tab are blank.
End Leaves: Are a 20 page tabbed index, The tabs are upside down and the pages are blank.
Back Cover - "Ledger A" is written on the outside of the back cover, back contains an index of clients and what pages they appear on.
Book references an itemized list of client profits and expenses, and the employees of the mill and what they were being compensated for. The profits list ranges from selling and grinding corn, wheat, clover seed, and rye as well as sawing boards. The recorded expenses for the mill include employee wages, transportation costs, and rent. The last page of the account book lists the work done at the schoolhouse in 1818 by helpers Peter and James. Three pressed ferns were also found within the account book (Pages. 1, 19, & 130).
Insert 1 - 4 loose items:
Item 1 - Blue donor card
Item 2 to 4 - 3 Brown family biographical pages, James Brown, William Brown, Jeremiah Brown, Patience Brown, Jeremiah Brown, Joshua Brown, Isaac Brown, Elisha Brown, Hannah Gatchell, Marry Brown, Mary King, Vincent King, Jeremiah Brown, Isaiah Brown, Joshus Brown, Joshua Brown, Sarah Brown, Levi Brown, Hannah Brown, Deborah Brown, Slater Brown, Timothy Haines, Isaac Stubbs, Dr. J. B. Stubbs, Ann Kirk, Roger Kirk, Rachel Kirk, George B. Porter, Francis James, John Edwards, Levi Kirk Brown, Rev, John M. Dickey, Lewis Brown, Henry Carter, Lewis Haines, Hannah C. Moore, William H. Moore, Jacob K. Moore, Charles E. Moore, Theodore F. Moore, Mary L. Havaland, Annie S. Havaland, Jacob Brown, Sarah Lamborn, Mary Edna Brown, Chester L. Brown, Edith Brown.
Insert 2 - 10 loose items:
Item 1 Account note, 1813-1814, John Hase, Slater Brown, John Burns, John Brown, John Suton, John Sprout, Timothy Haines.
Item 2 Account note, 1814, John Sprout, Slater Brown.
Item 3 Account note, 10 April 1823, Slater Brown, Joseph Brown, John Sprout.
Item 4 Account note, undated, Joshua Brown.
Item 5 Account note, 16 April 1823, John Sprout, Samuel Johnson, Slater Brown.
Item 6 Account note, 1820-1825, Jeremiah Brown, T. Haines, John Kirk, John Ballanee, Andy Monky, John Ivey, Samuel Hess, Qrindsey Hawling, Joseph Penny, Robert Pennell, John Watson.
Item 7 Account note, 1819 and 1828, Andrew Marten, John Muoat, Francis Pearsan, Slater Brown, David Montgomery, John Sproat.
Item 8 Account note, 1823, John Sprout, John Ballance, Sybles Estate, J. Haines.
Item 9 Peach Bottom account note, 8 November 1822, Peter Jackson, Brown, J. Haines.
Item 10 Account of work don at School House, undated, Peter and James, J. MIller, Hugh Buck, Georg Velest
Insert 3 - 7 loose items:
Item 1 Account note undated.
Item 2 Account note, 2 April 1823, from D. Montgomery to Slater Brown.
Item 3 Account note, undated, Jas King Book.
Item 4 Account note, undated, John Watson.
Item 5 Account note, 1820, John Watson, Jeremiah Brown.
Item 6 Account note, 8 February 1820, Jeremiah Brown, Haines and Kirk.
Item 7 Account note, Lewis Reynolds, James King, Isaac Wetesten.
Insert 4 - 2 items:
Items 1 and 2 Transparent pages containing 3 fern stems.
Admin/Biographical History
From: Donor Card
Son of Jeremiah Brown and brother of Judge Jeremiah Brown, Slater Brown was born in 1787 and inherited his father's mill in 1820. After continuing to grow the family mill and business, Slater died in 1855, leaving the mill to his son, Jeremiah Brown Jr.
Binding is damaged, top of back cover is not attached and top of spine has worn to the pages, cover has red rot; the last 33 pages are not attached at the top half of the pages.
Page in front of the back index is missing the bottom ~1".
Object ID
MG0963_F012
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Related Item Notes
Habeas Corpus paper of Letitia Kenady (Habeas 1814 F025)
Notes
Preferred citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Slater Brown has a writ of habeas corpus against him from Letitia Kennedy.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions. Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact Research@LancasterHistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Collection items may be photographed. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. 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.
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
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 1 Papers of James Buchanan is arranged into six series.
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) https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/lhdo3760
Historical Society of Pennsylvania microfilm
Photograph Collection
Curatorial Collection
Wheatland Collection
Wheatland Mansion
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Part #, Series #, Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
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.
Letter in which James Buchanan replies to Gabriel Hiester’s request for a date to attend to business and/or legal matters in Lancaster, PA. Buchanan describes how he cannot leave Washington until a final disposition shall be made on the tariff, which is a subject of great interest in PA and to the Union. He continues to describe that the Senate may amend the bill and that it will return to the House for concurrence and that he must be present for any votes. 26 April 1828.
James Buchanan Papers, Penn State University Libraries,
https://libraries.psu.edu/findingaids/1458.htm
Related Item Notes
James Buchanan Collection (MG0096) https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/lhdo3760
James Buchanan Family Papers
Historical Society of Pennsylvania microfilm
Photograph Collection
Curatorial Collection
Wheatland Collection
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
MG-0096, Folder 076
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Digitization of the James Buchanan Collection was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 201808013051, 2019-2020.
One of eleven pieces from James Buchanan's French Parisian Pink dinner service. Designed and decorated by Jean-Pierre Feuillet in Paris at his studio on rue de la Paix no. 20.
The cup has a painted winter scene of a man and dog with a bridge and house in background. The sides and back are pink with a gilt rim, cup interior, handle and foot trim. Bottom has designer's signature.
Made by the Nast or Darte Freres factory. Jean-Pierre Feuillet, designer.
Provenance
French Ambassador, Louis Adolphe Aimé Fourier, comte de Bacourt
