James Buchanan Memorial, 1902-1915. Although James Buchanan is the subject; his Freemasonry is the focus of this scrapbook. The book contains information on the Masonic Home in Elizabethtown and Wheatland in Lancaster. The people mentioned in the scrapbook are H. T. Albert, William Uhler Hensel, and Jacob Hay Brown.
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.
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 (JBFP)
Historical Society of Pennsylvania microfilm in the LancasterHistory Research Library
LancasterHistory Library collection
Photograph collection
Curatorial collection
Wheatland Mansion
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images.
Original scrapbook may only 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.
To make a request, please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pa.
Other Numbers
MG-0434, Box 022
Other Number
MG-0434, Box 022
Classification
MG0434
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 scrapbook was cataloged as part of a project funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, ME60112, 2007-2008.
The Bicentennial of the First Settlement in Lancaster County, 1710-1910
Description
The scrapbook is composed of William Uhler Hensel's correspondence from 1910. These letters are responses to Hensel's invitation to the celebration of the 200th birthday of the first settlement in Lancaster County, near present-day Willow Street. The majority of the letters are handwritten. The book also contains programs describing the events of the celebration and an historical description of the first settlement in 1710.
Admin/Biographical History
William Uhler Hensel
William Uhler Hensel was born in Quarryville, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania on 3 December 1851. Hensel attended the local public school and a series of private academies before entering Franklin and Marshall College in 1866. Hensel was very active in the school including fraternities and clubs. He graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 1870.
After graduation, Hensel pursued a career in law and studied under Judge Isaac Hiester and David G. Eshleman. In 1873, Hensel was admitted to the Lancaster Bar and established his own practice in Lancaster. While studying law, he became interest in journalism and later maintained a dual career in journalism and law. After opening his law firm, Hensel became the co-owner of the Lancaster Intelligencer and also became editor of the newspaper.
Hensel was active in politics and helped in the efforts of the Democratic Party in Lancaster County. He compiled many writings that aided campaigns such as biographies of the Democratic candidates. In 1891, he became the attorney general of Pennsylvania.
As one of the founding members of the Lancaster County Historical Society, he wrote many articles for the historical society's journal that depict the county's history. Hensel was active in the community by giving lectures and presenting information to societies and clubs throughout Lancaster County. He was also president of the Pennsylvania-German Society.
Hensel married Emily Flinn; they had one daughter named Elizabeth. He practiced law throughout his life and received honorary doctorates from Dickinson College in 1909 and Franklin and Marshall in 1912. Hensel died on 27 February 1915 from cirrhosis of the liver while on vacation in Georgia.
First Settlement in Lancaster County
Lancaster County was officially established in 1729 out of Chester County. The first settlement began in 1709 and was established by Swiss Mennonites in 1710 around the area of present-day Willow Street. Hans Herr was the bishop of the founding group. The Hans Herr House is now the oldest building in Lancaster County dating back to 1719. The original inhabitants of the area included the Susquehannocks (also known as the Conestogas), Shawnee, Gawanese, Delaware, and Nanticoke. Huguenots, Scots-Irish, English, Welsh, and Rhineland Germans settled in Lancaster County after the Swiss Mennonites.
Ferree, Barr. William Uhler Hensel: An Appreciation. New York, New York: The Society, 1915.
Hensel, William Uhler. The Christiana Riot and the Treason Trials of 1851: An Historical Sketch. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: The New Era Printing Company, 1911.
The William Uhler Hensel Collection, 1870- 1915 (MG0076)
Musser, Wilma I. Village of West Willow, 1710- 1974, Lancaster County Pennsylvania: A History. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Schaff Library, Lancaster Theological Seminary, 1974.
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. Please request this item by contacting Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to your visit.
Copyright
This item 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.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-434
Other Number
MG-434, Box 26
Classification
MG0434
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Cataloged by CRB, October 2007. Added to database, 26 September 2023.
Previously housed in the Scrapbook Collection, Book 175.
This project was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, ME60112, 2007-2008.