James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 5 Papers of Other Members of the Buchanan Family, Series 1 Correspondence
Description
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 5 Papers of Other Members of the Buchanan Family, Series 1 Correspondence contains papers from members of the Buchanan family, excluding James Buchanan, Harriet Lane Johnston, James Buchanan Henry and Edward Young Buchanan. Subseries 1 is correspondence from members of the Buchanan Family and Subseries 2 is correspondence to members of the Buchanan Family. The letters span over one hundred years, from 1809 through 1925, with the bulk of the items from 1845 to 1873.
The earliest items are excerpts of letters written by James Buchanan and his parents at the beginning of his law career and from his early political years. There is a collection of typed transcripts of letters to Maria Lois Buchanan, affectionately known as "Lodie," from her family who was taking care of James Buchanan at Wheatland from March through June 1868. The remaining letters are between various family members concerning the family and their well-being, as well as the purchasing of homes and financial matters.
Admin/Biographical History
Many additional members of James Buchanan's family are included in this part of the collection. Including the following relations: James Buchanan (1761-1821) and Elizabeth Speer (1767-1833) James Buchanan's parents; Harriet Buchanan (1802-1840), James Buchanan's sister; James Buchanan Lane (1814-1863), James Buchanan's nephew and Harriet Lane's older brother; Jessie Magaw, James Buchanan's niece from his sister, Maria Buchanan Magaw (1795-1849); Mary Nicholson Henry, James Buchanan Henry's first wife; and Louisa Anderson Henry James Buchanan Henry's second wife; Reginald E. Henry (Louisa and James' son) and Robert Edward Henry, Jr. (Louisa and James' grandson); Edward Y. Buchanan's wife, Ann Elizabeth Foster, and his daughters, Anne Buchanan (1838-1927), Harriet Buchanan (1841-1912), Henrietta ("Netsie") Buchanan (1844-1906) and Maria Lois Buchanan Cassatt (1847-1920) (referred to as "Lois" or "Lodie"), and Alexander J. Cassatt (Lois Buchanan's husband). The letters to Maria Lois Buchanan show a good chronological history.
System of Arrangement
JBFP Part 5 Series 1 Correspondence
Subseries 1 Letters from Members of the Buchanan Family
Subseries 2 Letters to Members of the Buchanan Family
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 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]
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.
Account Book of James Finley, Donegal, Colerain Township, Rapho Township.
Description
Account Book of James Finley, Donegal Township, Colerain Township, Rapho Township.
There are 2 sections; a front and back separated by 39 blank leaves.
Contains 118 leaves, that includes 2 front leaves, 1 back leaf and a 12 leaf index. 1st page has "James Finly (sic)" written on it with some German writing. Body pages are partially paginated to page 24, are not ruled but have vertical accounting lines. 81 pages are blank including 78 middle pages and 3 front leaf pages.
Book referencesbushel of clover, whiskey, work performed at the mill, bushel of corn, bushel of rye, cash paid, hay, day of reaping, payment received, flour, cow, Cash lent, purchase of property from Henry McLaughlin (see p. 19), etc.
Book is intact. Front and back covers are heavily worn on the outside and has foxing on the inside. Front cover bottom right corner is loose but attached.
One page is torn out; 10 leaves back from the front part.
Object ID
MG0963_F023
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
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.
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.
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 pg. 1.
o Jeremiah Brown later records a detailed list of what he gave to his daughter Sarah as she married Timothy Hanes on pg. 10.
o Vincent King estate on pg. 102
o Richard Stedman real estate on pg. 104.
Insert 1 - Blue donor card and "The Book Haven" description.
Insert 2 - Nine account loose pieces of paper and a note dated 1814 outlining the transition of the mill from Jeremiah to his son Slater that was found on pg. 171.
Insert 3 - Ten account loose pieces of paper.
Insert 4 - Ten account loose pieces of paper.
Insert 5 - Ten account loose pieces of paper.
Insert 6 - Ten account loose pieces of paper.
Insert 7 - Ten account loose pieces of paper.
Insert 8 - Ten account loose pieces of paper.
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. Nine pages 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 verticle 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 - Blue donor card and 2 page Biographical sheets.
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.
Account book of Slater Brown’s gristmill store (from 1815-1835).
Contains 86 paginated ruled leaves with vertical column lines. Additionally there are 123 blank unpaginated ruled leaves with vertical column lines following page 86. In addition, there is a 22 page tabbed index and 4 front leaves (blank) and 3 end leaves (blank).
Spine - "Ledger A" and "LG&Co" written, and, "LEDGER" stamped on spine.
Book references an index of clients and what pages they appear on, an itemized list of their profits and expenses, and an agreement between Neal Hambleton and John J. Poole. The profits range from unspecified ‘merchandise’ and ‘sundry accounts.’ The recorded expenses include employee wages and sundry accounts.
Insert 1 - Blue donor card.
Insert 2 - 2 page handwritten agreement between Neal Hambleton and John J. Poole with a 3/4" embossed stamp in the upper left corner containing picture of a government building with "CONGRESS" above it and "CAREW CO" below it.
Insert 3 - 11 loose sheets.
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 intact with front page no attached. Red rot on cover.
Back Cover - Outside as burn mark ~ 6" long at the top.
First page is unattached.
Object ID
MG0963_F013
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Related Item Notes
Slater Brown has a writ of habeas corpus against him from Letitia Kennedy. 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).
Additional Notes
See Allied Materials.
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.
William Brown’s blacksmith account from Fulton Township
Contains 119 paginated leaves plus 5 end unpaginated pages, and a 2 page index.
Front Cover - Outside: "William Brown" written upside down; Inside: ""LEDGER OF WILLIAM BROWN; BLACKSMITH, QUAKER; FULTON TWNSHP; $175--/Sum" written at top and miscellaneous account information on rest of cover.
Spine has a faint "13" written on it.
Back Cover - Inside: Has miscellaneous account information.
Front 2 leafs - First leaf is an index; second leaf has account information.
The book references an itemized list of profits and expenses. The profits list ranges from selling steel shoes, hinges, smithing tongs, nails, chains, steel point shears as well as listing out repairs made to equipment and carriages. The recorded expenses for the mill include cloth, steel from Baltimore, and goat milk.
Insert 1 - A donor card and "The Book Haven" description.
Insert 2 - Right cover front corner of book cover.
Insert 3 - Three sheets pieces.
Admin/Biographical History
From: Donor Card
William Brown was a Quaker and a blacksmith, probably from Fulton Township.
Book is intact. Front cover missing upper right corner (4" diagonal measurement). Front and back covers heavily worn on edges.
Spine has red rot.
Front inside cover is peeling.
Page 36: Bottom 2" are torn off.
Page 120 has been torn out.
Object ID
MG0963_F011
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).
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.
