Announcement of the death of former-President James Buchanan
Description
Special Order from the Navy Department announcing the death of former-President James Buchanan. With the official message from President Andrew Johnson and instructions from Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy. 2-3 June 1868.
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, Pennsylvania.
Accession Number
2012.MG0096.F69
Other Numbers
MG-96, Folder 69
Other Number
MG-0096, Folder 069
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.
This collection contains a sketchbook and copybook of Jacob Stauffer and his son, David McNeely Stauffer. The sketch of a log house and watercolor of the Mathiot House are both attributed to David McNeely Stauffer. Letters written to D. M. Stauffer refer to The Intelligencer, genealogy related to a portrait, and his collection of signatures.
Admin/Biographical History
David McNeely Stauffer (1845-1913)
Stauffer's extraordinary life began in 1845, in Mount Joy. His father was Jacob Stauffer and his mother was Mary Ann McNeely. He was raised by his stepmother since his mother passed when he was only a year old. His childhood home had somewhat of a local legend which claimed it was haunted by the unpleasant pirate who built it.
Around 1858, economic trouble forced the Stauffers to relocate to Lancaster City. His father took a job at the Lancaster Athenaeum library (on the 3rd floor of the old city hall) for small pay with the arrangement that he could establish his patent office there. David was inseparable from his father and spent more time at the library than he did at his home on North Duke Street.
From a young age David was enormously successful in school, no doubt due to his long hours at the library and absorbing the teachings of his father who was interested in natural sciences. He graduated from high school at an accelerated pace and earned his diploma at the age of 16. From there, he attended Franklin and Marshall college on a scholarship.
A crisis strikes Lancaster in 1862 with the invasion of the confederate army into Maryland. David, along with fellow classmates, were raised into a slapdash and disastrously ill prepared unit. They were eventually involved in the battle of Antietam if one uses the term "involved" loosely. Having virtually no experience or training they were kept out of the fight. After the short-lived adventure David returned to school for another year but, possibly hoping to see more action, he rejoined the service as an artillery man. Later, he accepted a job on the railways before he was offered an appointment as Master's Mate in the navy and he once again joined the military.
After his service, he returned to railroad work where he was determined to become an engineer. By 1870 he had achieved this goal, being appointed head engineer for construction of a Philadelphia street bridge. David was 25 years old. He worked diligently as an engineer for many years and finally opening his own business in New York as a consulting engineer in 1882. Stauffer was in high demand as he was considered an expert in his trade and was widely known. He was the second American to ever become a member of the Institute of Civil Engineers in London. He also became part-owner and chief editor for "Engineering News" for 23 years.
He was very active socially, largely invested in civic improvement, and belonged to numerous societies and clubs. He was also well-traveled. Appreciative of many arts, he took a particular interest in engravings which he collected. He even published a book which is critical to many collectors today: "American Engravers upon Copper and Steel".
Stauffer married rather late in life, at the age of 47, but his meeting with his wife is so extraordinary it sounds more like a sketch from a Melville novel. A shipwreck is the romantic occasion upon which these two lovers met, David and his future wife, Florence Scribner. David had been asked on an assignment for the Engineering News and Florence had been accompanying her father on a steamship when it wrecked in the Caribbean. They were married no more than a year later and set up residence in Yonkers, New York where he died in 1913.
Stauffer's passion for sketching was no doubt due to his father whose botanical sketches are still widely admired today. Of note is David's bookplate design used by Lancaster County Historical Society, which is one of many that he designed. He also left a legacy of no less than 70 drawings of early Lancaster City buildings, an unparalleled collection. Some buildings he documented still stand today; some weren't even standing when he drew them. He drew some earlier buildings that had been destroyed using only the descriptions from those who remembered them and historical documents.
Sources:
"David McNeely Stauffer". Elizabeth Clarke Kieffer. Papers of the Lancaster County Historical Society, vol. 56. 1952 no.7David McNeely Stauffer could be called many things: scholar, soldier, traveler, engineer, artist, collector, author. Clearly a man of many talents and many pursuits, in his life he seemed determined to collect a wide variety of experiences.
"Biographical Sketch of David McNeely Knox Stauffer". John W. Jordan. The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, vol. 37. (Philadelphia : PA).
"David McNeely Stauffer: The Little-Known Legacy He Left to Lancaster." A Talk to the Lancaster County Historical Society by C. Eugene Moore. May 7th, 1996.
"David McNeely Stauffer Aids Today's Scholars" in Artists' Album/Lancaster County. Gerald S. Lestz. Science Press, 1983.
See also: David McNeely Stauffer drawings in the Curatorial Collection
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment. Patrons must make an appointment with the Director of Archival Services to view the sketchbook in Folder 1. Please contact research@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-369
Other Number
MG-369
Classification
MG0369
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Processed and finding aid prepared 2010; revised 2014, 2015.
This collection contains four letters from Henry Seiger to Anna Roland in Marietta, Pennsylvania and one letter in German that was either to or from Anna Roland. Henry Seiger was in the 12th Pennsylvania Reserve Regiment, which was also known as the 41st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He served in Company D, the Kepner Fencibles, under the command of Captain Samuel Wilt. Folder 1 contains the transcriptions, Folder 2 contains the original letters.
System of Arrangement
Folder 1 contains the transcriptions, Folder 2 contains the original letters.
Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact research@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. 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.
Other Numbers
MG-570
Other Number
MG-570
Classification
MG0570
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Letters transcribed by WP, 2010; Processed by PP, 8 December 2010.
Preferred citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
This collection has not been cataloged. Original documents may be used by appointment--contact Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to visit. Please use digital images and transcriptions when available.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Black painted canvas knapsack with "F. / 1st. P.V. / J. Conner" stencilled in white on outside. Belonged to John Conner of Co. F, 1st Pennsylvania Volunteers (Three Months), a company which originated in April 1861 from the Lancaster Fencibles.
Canvas with black waterproof finishe on outside. Machine sewn, squared corners with flaps at top sides that can be tied together to cover top opening. On back are four strips under which belts can be slid. Belt like a "Y"--two ends with holes from one strip that has 2 buckles at its end.
33" x 23.25" hemmed piece, centered along one long (33") edge and sewn to top back of case. Two 8.5-inch strips of twill tape sewn 7 inches apart in center of both 23.25" edges so this piece can fold over, completly covering the case and can be secured with ties.
Letter box with slant front, hinged-lid, and multi-compartment interior. Exterior is done in silver, ebony, ivory, and mahogany inlay in a cube and flower design. Interior is wood with circular inlay design with ivory, silver, jade, and red material. Key included.
Brought from Siam in the 1860s by Admiral William Reynolds, brother of General John Fulton Reynolds.
Cane made of maple owned by James Buchanan. Long, tapered with tip and 2-part handle of ivory. Handle grip is in the shape of a lily or trumpet flower. Lower section is elaborately carved w/ high-relief eagle on a background of leaves, stars and banner w/ "E PLURIBUS UNUM". Inscribed in black on side of handle in script is "James Buchanan / from E.C.L." Believed to be gift of Elizabeth Chapman Lawrence, friend of Buchanan and Harriet Lane.
Provenance
Descent from Buchanan to James B. Lane, grand nephew, then to donor's husband, grandson of J. B. Lane.
Cracks in handle and separation. Stains on wood. Ivory tip scarred.
Object ID
W.89.58
Notes
The cane was owned by James Buchanan and at his death given to James B. Lane, his grand nephew. It was passed down to the donors husband as grandson of James B. Lane.
Cane or walking stick of hardwood with engraved gold handle. Shaft is round, tapered, ebonized wood. Handle is 3" long, tapered and 8-sided with a rounded crown. Metal fitted tip is missing.
Engraving on all sides of handle. Crown reads "Presented to Genl. Simon Cameron by the Employees of the LOCHIEL IRON WORKS as a mark of their high Appreciation of his Valuable Services in Favor of PROTECTION to American Industry." One facet of side depicts the U.S. Capitol with the slogan "LIBERTY AND PROTECTION." Opposite facet shows the Lochiel Iron Works building above the words "JUSTICE AND EQUALITY TO ALL MEN."
Lochiel Iron Works was organized in 1864. Cameron was one of the owners of the factory located along S. Cameron St. in Harrisburg. Cameron apparently championed some legislative protection for the iron industry, perhaps during his 2nd tenure as U.S. Senator, 1866-1877.
Provenance
Possession of the portrait by the Slaymaker family is probably due to the intermarriage of the Slaymaker and Cameron families. Cameron's niece (Jane Elizabeth Cameron Redsecker) married Colonel S.C. Slaymaker (1828-1894) on May 28, 1862. Then descent to widow of S.R. Slaymaker II.
Metal handle has multiple small dents, one split where the side meets the crown, and some light corrosion. Wood has moderate wear, esp. around tip. Wood has minor splitting near bottom. Tip is missing, adhesive residue remains.
Object ID
G.98.12.9
Notes
Simon Cameron became a strong advocate for the protection of the U.S. steel and iron industry against foreign imports. In appreciation, the workers at Lochiel Iron Works commissioned this cane as a gift for Cameron. The iron works was named Lochiel by Cameron to honor the Cameron family's ancestral Scottish home.
Credit
Gift of Mrs. S.R. Slaymaker II, Heritage Center Collection
Walking cane used by Congressman Thaddeus Stevens late in life. Made of a tree branch with irregularities and smoothed knots; unusual wood with pronounced grain. Grip end curves into a burled knob. Glossy finish.
Silver cap on tip of grip is engraved: "This cane / was the property / of Hon. Thaddeus Stevens / during his latter days. / Presented to H.A. Zug, 1868." Bottom end wrapped with a 1.25" wide brass collar and an iron tip.
Provenance
Zug's relationship to Stevens is unknown. Henry A. Zug (22 Aug 1825 - 22 Apr 1890) married Fannie Hershey (5 Jul 1819 - ??) on 19 Nov 1844. Resided in Lancaster City.
In 1871 Henry Zug was a pharmaceutist at 44 E. Chestnut.
In 1873-74 Zug was a custom house inspector at 41 W. Orange St.
1880 Census says Zug was a "dealer in produce".
Death ceritificate of 1890 notes occupation as "druggist supplies".
His daughter, donor Lola Zug (9 Dec 1861 - 28 Jul 1952), was unmarried and a teacher in city.
