LancasterHistory Research Collections

Collection
Wheatland
Object ID
W.1995.107.109
  1 image  
Collection
Wheatland
Description
Sheraton-inspired mahogany veneer night table with satinwood inlay accents that outline the apron, drawer and keyhole, as well as the legs. The table top has eight sides and surmounts four saber legs that also support a lower inward-curved shelf.
Provenance
Dr. Alexander Speer
To Katherine Speer Powell (granddaughter)
To James Buchanan Foundation
LancasterHistory
Year Range From
1790
Year Range To
1820
Last Owner
Speer, Alexander
Storage Location
Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Northeast Bedchamber
Storage Wall
East Wall
People
Speer, Alexander Morrow
Subcategory
Need to Classify
Search Terms
James Buchanan Presidential Library
James Buchanan
Buchanan Collections
Object Name
Table, Night
Material
Mahogany/Mahogany veneer
Height (in)
28
Width (in)
21.75
Depth (in)
17
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-11-08
Object ID
W.1995.107.109
Notes
Dr. Alexander Speer was one of James Buchanan's maternal first cousins. Katherine Speer Powell was Dr. Speer's granddaughter.
Credit
Estate of Katherine Speer Powell
Accession Number
W.1995.107
Images
Less detail
Collection
James Buchanan Family Papers
Title
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 3 Papers of James Buchanan Henry,
Series 2 Financial and Legal Documents
Object ID
JBFP Part 3 Series 2
  1 document  
Collection
James Buchanan Family Papers
Title
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 3 Papers of James Buchanan Henry,
Series 2 Financial and Legal Documents
Description
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 3 Papers of James Buchanan Henry, Series 2 contains the financial and legal documents of James Buchanan Henry.
Subseries 1 includes bills, receipts, ledgers, and accounts with F. P. Freeman & Co., New York, Joseph Schell for footwear, and Lehigh University.
Subseries 2 contains the legal papers including a summons, deeds, and the marriage license of James Buchanan Henry and Mary Hagner Nicholson. The dates on these documents range from 1794 to 1905.
Admin/Biographical History
James Buchanan Henry, also known as Buck, was born on March 1, 1833. Just like his cousin, Harriet, Buck lost both of his parents and was taken in as James Buchanan's ward in 1840. During his early years, he attended several boarding schools and eventually graduated from the College of New Jersey. Though his interests remained with the arts, Buck went on to read law under an attorney named John Cadwalader. When James Buchanan assumed the presidency, he called for Buck to join him as his private secretary, a position known today as the Chief of Staff. While Buck worked at Washington, he found himself in frequent conflict with his Uncle. This conflict came to a head in 1858 when Buck proposed to his sweetheart, Mary Nicholson. Upset that Buck hadn't consulted him on the proposal, James Buchanan disapproved of the match. Buck left his position as private secretary and went on to marry Miss Nicholson. The couple would have two children, one of whom would survive into adulthood.
Soon after the birth of their second child, Mary Nicholson died of consumption, leaving Buck a widower. Later on, he married Louisa Anderson, and the two had six sons. After fourteen years of marriage, Louisa died. Buck would marry for a third time much later in his life to a woman named Margaret Grote Elliman. Buck was 71 and Margaret was 24. The two had no children and enjoyed 11 years of marriage before Buck died on February 17, 1915. [https://www.lancasterhistory.org/about-wheatland/, accessed 10/24/2019]
System of Arrangement
JBFP Part 3, Series 2 Financial and Legal Documents
Subseries 1 Bills, Receipts, Ledgers, Accounts
Subseries 2 Legal Papers
Year Range From
1794
Year Range To
1905
Creator
Henry, James Buchanan, 1833-1915
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
People
Henry, James Buchanan
Other Creators
James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland (Lancaster, Pa.)
Subjects
Finance, Personal
Legal documents
Search Terms
James Buchanan
Buchanan Collections
Finding aids
Manuscript groups
Finance, Personal
Legal documents
James Buchanan Presidential Library
Extent
1 box, 8 folders, 19 items, .2 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
JBFP Part 3 Series 2
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
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
Wheatland
Object ID
W.1995.107.110
  1 image  
Collection
Wheatland
Description
Named for its principle use, this mahogany table top, with its oblong top and bead molded edge, was typically found at the side of a bedstead. The table's skirt is three to four inches deep and contains a single drawer that is the full width of the skirt. The drawer has two original brass knob pulls and a top centered brass escutcheon keyhole. The table is supported by four round tapering legs with ring and ball turnings at the top and two sets of ring turnings approximately two inches above the tapered feet of the legs.
Provenance
Alexander Speer, maternal first cousin to James Buchanan
To - Katherine Speer Powell (granddaughter)
To - The James Buchanan Foundation
LancasterHistory
Year Range From
1785
Year Range To
1800
Last Owner
Speer, Alexander
Storage Location
Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Northwest Bedchamber
Storage Wall
North Wall
People
Speer, Alexander Morrow
Search Terms
Buchanan Collections
James Buchanan Presidential Library
Tables
Object Name
Table, Night
Material
Mahogany
Height (cm)
72.39
Height (ft)
2.375
Height (in)
28.5
Width (cm)
35.56
Width (ft)
1.1666666667
Width (in)
14
Diameter (cm)
67.945
Diameter (ft)
2.2291666667
Diameter (in)
26.75
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2023-01-29
Condition Notes
Table top has a crack running its length.
Object ID
W.1995.107.110
Credit
Estate of Katherine Speer Powell
Accession Number
W.1995.107
Images
Less detail
Collection
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 8 Others (Not Part of the Family)
Title
Certificate from William McCausland to the Court
Object ID
JBFP 8.2.3.002
Date Range
1798/04/20
  2 documents     2 images  
Collection
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 8 Others (Not Part of the Family)
Title
Certificate from William McCausland to the Court
Description
Certificate from William McCausland to the Court advising of settlement of his law suit against James Crawford and dismissing his action.
Date Range
1798/04/20
Creator
McCausland, William
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Container
JBFP Part 8, Box 1
People
McCausland, William
Crawford, James
Subjects
Legal documents
Search Terms
Legal documents
Buchanan Collections
James Buchanan Presidential Library
Extent
1 item, 2 pages to scan, 20 x 33.5 cm.
Object Name
Certificate
Language
English
Parent Object ID
JBFP Part 8 Series 2
Object ID
JBFP 8.2.3.002
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
JBMS1998.051
Other Number
JBFP Part 8, Series 2, Subseries 3, Folder 2
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 3 James Buchanan Henry
Title
Summons to James Crawford from William McCausland
Object ID
JBFP 3.2.2.001
Date Range
1794/04/05
  2 documents     2 images  
Collection
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 3 James Buchanan Henry
Title
Summons to James Crawford from William McCausland
Description
Summons to James Crawford from William McCausland to appear in the office of James Hopkins for the purpose of giving a deposition as a witness for the plaintiff. Lancaster.
Date Range
1794/04/05
Creator
Pennsylvania. Court of Common Pleas (Lancaster County)
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Container
JBFP Part 3, Box 4
People
Crawford, James
Hopkins, James
McCausland, William
Subjects
Summons
Search Terms
Summons
Buchanan Collections
James Buchanan Presidential Library
Extent
1 item, 2 pages to scan, 11 x 20 cm.
Object Name
Summons
Language
English
Condition Notes
Water damaged.
Parent Object ID
JBFP Part 3 Series 2
Object ID
JBFP 3.2.2.001
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 3, Series 2, Subseries 2, Folder 1
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 5 Other Members of the Buchanan Family
Title
A transcription of births and deaths taken from a family bible
Object ID
JBFP 5.2.4.003
Date Range
1761-1849
  2 documents     4 images  
Collection
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 5 Other Members of the Buchanan Family
Title
A transcription of births and deaths taken from a family bible
Description
A transcription of births and deaths taken from a family bible. The heading reads “An exact Copy of the Record contained in the Bible belonging to my Grandfather and Grandmother.” It starts with the births of James Buchanan, Sr. and Elizabeth Speer.
Date Range
1761-1849
Year Range From
1761
Year Range To
1849
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Container
JBFP Part 5, Box 1
People
Buchanan, Elizabeth Speer
Buchanan, James Sr.
Subjects
Genealogy
Search Terms
Genealogy
Buchanan Collections
James Buchanan Presidential Library
Extent
1 item, 4 pages to scan, 14.5 x 19 cm.
Object Name
Register, Family
Language
English
Parent Object ID
JBFP Part 5 Series 2
Object ID
JBFP 5.2.4.003
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
JBMS2001.005
Other Number
JBFP Part 5, Series 2, Subseries 4, Folder 3
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 8 Others (Not Part of the Family)
Title
William Reynolds received payment from Daniel McCausland
Object ID
JBFP 8.2.1.018
Date Range
1790/04/24
  2 documents     2 images  
Collection
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 8 Others (Not Part of the Family)
Title
William Reynolds received payment from Daniel McCausland
Description
William Reynolds received payment from Daniel McCausland via William Crawford in full "from the begginning of the world to this day."
Date Range
1790/04/24
Creator
Reynolds, William
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Container
JBFP Part 8, Box 1
People
Reynolds, William
Crawford, William
McCausland, Daniel
Subjects
Finance, Personal
Receipts (Acknowledgments)
Search Terms
Receipts
Financial matters
Buchanan Collections
James Buchanan Presidential Library
Extent
1 item, 2 pages to scan, 17 x 8 cm.
Object Name
Receipt
Language
English
Parent Object ID
JBFP Part 8 Series 2
Object ID
JBFP 8.2.1.018
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 8, Series 2, Subseries 1, Folder 18
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 8 Papers of Others (Not Part of the Family), Series 3 Invitations, Broadsides, Visiting Cards
Object ID
JBFP Part 8 Series 3
  1 document  
Collection
James Buchanan Family Papers
Title
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 8 Papers of Others (Not Part of the Family), Series 3 Invitations, Broadsides, Visiting Cards
Description
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 8 Papers of Others (Not Part of the Family), Series 3 contains ephemera, including invitations, broadsides, calling cards, and poems. There are several tickets to various democratic conventions and rallies, calling cards, business cards, invitations to homes as well as to parties and balls, two poems, a World War I speech and a railroad scrip ticket book. The majority of the tickets in this series are for political conventions during the 1860s and 1870s from Baltimore, New York, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, as well as a few with no date or location. Invitations range from business sized cards requesting the recipient's company to printed cards for a ball and New Year's Eve Gala.
Admin/Biographical History
The majority of the items in this series are missing context and relationship with the other items in the collection. There is no clear connection with the items and who they belonged to or how they ended up in the collection. There are a few items that can be examined further, such as a ticket to the Eulogy on John Sergeant by Hon. William M. Meredith at the Musical Fund Hall on April 22, 1853. This eulogy was published as Eulogium on the Character and Services of the Late John Sergeant. The convention ticket in folder 1 labeled "L. Vallandingham" may refer to Louise Vallandingham the wife of Clement Vallandingham who was a states' rights advocate and an outspoken opponent to Abraham Lincoln.
System of Arrangement
JBFP Part 8 Series 3 Ephemera
Year Range From
1770
Year Range To
1866
Creator
James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland (Lancaster, Pa.)
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Subjects
Business cards
Ephemera
Invitation cards
Tickets
Visiting cards
Wheatland (Lancaster, Pa.)
Search Terms
Buchanan Collections
Ephemera
Invitations
Business cards
Tickets
Wheatland
Finding aids
Manuscript groups
James Buchanan Presidential Library
Extent
1 box, 26 folders, 32 items, .5 cubic feet
Object Name
Archive
Language
English, German, French
Object ID
JBFP Part 8 Series 3
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
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.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
James Buchanan Family Papers
Title
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 8 Papers of Others (Not Part of the Family), Series 2 Financial and Legal Documents
Object ID
JBFP Part 8 Series 2
  1 document  
Collection
James Buchanan Family Papers
Title
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 8 Papers of Others (Not Part of the Family), Series 2 Financial and Legal Documents
Description
James Buchanan Family Papers, Part 8 Papers of Others (Not Part of the Family), Series 2 contains financial and legal documents. Series 2 includes financial and legal documents within three subseries. Subseries 1 has bills, receipts, ledgers and accounts. Subseries 2 has deeds and land records. Subseries 3 has legal papers.
The financial and legal documents are arranged chronologically, spanning almost 100 years, from 1770 through 1866. The bulk of the items, dated between 1784 and 1790, are promissory notes, receipts of payment and rental slips. There is a large gap between 1790 and 1849. The items from the 1800s include bills of sale, accounts and receipts. The deeds and land records include one hand-drawn survey for an unknown location (1858) and a title report for property in Warren County, New York (1865). The legal papers include documents filed with the courts, transcriptions of a legislative act from Maryland, notes, purchase contract, as well as two foreign documents, possibly a German enlistment record and a Swedish passport, both for Eugene Francois Theodore de la Croix.
Admin/Biographical History
The origination of many of the items contained in this part of the collection are unknown. It is also unclear of the relationship they have with James Buchanan. In the first subseries, there are two names that reappear often from 1770 to 1790, Daniel McCausland and James Crawford. All of these items are either promissory notes, receipts of payment of loans or letters from Daniel to James requesting that he pay a certain sum to the bearer of the note and the reverse would show the receipt of payment of that loan. There is some mention of a Revolutionary War Colonel James Crawford from Lancaster and Daniel addresses one of the notes to "Col. Crawford" so this may be the same individual. (See 8.2.1.001) There is a gap in the receipts and promissory notes from 1790 to 1849. This is also where we see the money on the documents change from pounds and shillings to dollars and cents. There is a bill of sale of the Lancaster Intelligencer newspaper from Edwin W. Hutter by a S. Boyd Hamilton in July 1849, as well as some follow up correspondence regarding that sale. However, in an article published in the Intelligencer on August 7, 1849, Mr. Hutter states that his successor is Captain George Sanderson of Carlisle, Pennsylvania (Lancaster Intelligencer, August 7, 1849, p. 2), which is confirmed in the December 4, 1849 edition which names the editor as "Geo. Sanderson (Lancaster Intelligencer, December 4, 1849, p. 1). The name McCausland reappears in the next subseries for legal papers, however, it is not a William McCausland, Jr. This is in reference to a law suit he filed against James Crawford and William McCausland for money due to him in outstanding rents and profits. There is a deposition notice addressed to "Col. Crawford" so it is likely to be the same James Crawford who had business dealings with Daniel McCausland.
An interesting piece in this subseries is a large transcript of the Court Papers filed in the action by the stockholders of the Marietta & Susquehanna Trading Company against five of their Trustees. The Trustees were entrusted to resolve the company and collect all outstanding debts. However due to a robbery at the bank wherein all of the notes were stolen, they were unable to collect any of the debts. The background of this case is illustrated in Francis Lyman's A Mysterious Bank Robbery (LCHSR 905.748 HSP v. 94, p. 384-385), where it is alleged that one of the Trustees/Defendants, Jacob Grosh, committed the crime. The remaining items are random and vague in the origination and contextual relationship.
1 Ellis, F & Evans, S. (1883). History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Everetts & Peck. Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?id=WsQxAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA52&dq=%22James+Crawford%22+Lancaster,+PA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CDkQ6AEwBWoVChMIhPb155rHyAIVAV0eCh2FDgt6#v=onepage&q=%22James%20Crawford%22%20Lancaster%2C%20PA&f=false
System of Arrangement
JBFP Part 8 Series 2 Financial and Legal Documents
Subseries 1 Bills, Receipts, Ledgers, Accounts
Subseries 2 Deeds and Land Records
Subseries 3 Legal Papers
Year Range From
1770
Year Range To
1866
Creator
James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland (Lancaster, Pa.)
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
People
Buchanan, James
Cameron, Simon
Curtis, George Ticknor
Drayton, John Grimke
Foltz, Jonathan Messersmith
Foster, Stephen Collins
Foster, Morrison
Johnston, Harriet Lane
Muhlenberg, Henry Augustus
Subjects
Letters
Wheatland (Lancaster, Pa.)
Personal correspondence
Search Terms
Correspondence, Personal
Letters
Wheatland
Finding aids
Manuscript groups
Buchanan Collections
James Buchanan Presidential Library
Extent
1 box, 36 folders, 39 items, .5 cubic feet
Object Name
Archive
Language
English, German, Swedish
Object ID
JBFP Part 8 Series 2
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
Archives of Maryland Online. Session Laws 1862. (Vol 532. Pg. 267). Retrieved from: http://aomol.msa.maryland.gov/000001/000532/html/am532--267.html
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
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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.
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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
Wheatland
Object ID
W.89.161
Date Range
1798
Collection
Wheatland
Description
White linen tablecloth. Lightweight damask, woven design, checkered squares and crosses. Marked by owner: '[?] E 1798' in ink.
Date Range
1798
Year Range From
1
Subcategory
Food Service T&E
Search Terms
James Buchanan Presidential Library
Object Name
Tablecloth
Material
Linen
Makers Mark
E 1798
Length (in)
72
Width (in)
70
Object ID
W.89.161
Accession Number
W.89.161
Less detail
Collection
Wheatland
Object ID
W.1939.015.001
  1 image  
Collection
Wheatland
Description
Bow front chest of drawers, 4 drawers, brass hardware. Hepplewhite Style, Old accession form dates artifact as being 1850
Provenance
James Buchanan
To Edward Y. Buchanan
To Alice Cunygham Buchanan Ewing
To Cornelia Lausdale Ewing Brooke
To Jack Brooke
To James Buchanan Foundation
LancasterHistory
Year Range From
1785
Year Range To
1810
Last Owner
Buchanan, James
Storage Location
Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Northwest Bedchamber
Storage Wall
Northeast Wall
People
Buchanan, James
Subcategory
Furniture
Search Terms
James Buchanan Presidential Library
Object Name
Chest of Drawers
Material
Brass/Mahogany
Height (in)
38
Width (in)
42.5
Depth (in)
21.75
Condition
Excellent
Condition Date
2023-01-26
Object ID
W.1939.015.001
Accession Number
W.1939.015
Images
Less detail
Collection
Wheatland
Object ID
W.1995.111.107
  1 image  
Collection
Wheatland
Description
Bowfront mahogany veneer chest of drawers in the Hepplewhite style. Four drawers have progressing depths from the top to the bottom, each with overpressed drawer pulls two per drawer. At the top center of each drawer is a brass escutcheon keyhole. The top of the chest and each drawer are decorated with satin wood inlay. Chest is supported at its base by four french feet which feature a slightly outswept bracket foot combined with a valence skirt.
Provenance
Dr. Alexander Speer (James Buchanan maternal cousin)
To: Katherine Speer Powell (granddaughter)
Year Range From
1780
Year Range To
1810
Last Owner
Speer, Alexander
Storage Location
Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
South Middle Bedchamber
Storage Wall
South Wall
People
Speer, Alexander
Search Terms
James Buchanan Presidential Library
Object Name
Chest of Drawers
Material
Mahogany
Height (cm)
104.14
Height (ft)
3.4166666667
Height (in)
41
Width (cm)
118.11
Width (ft)
3.875
Width (in)
46.5
Depth (cm)
62.865
Depth (ft)
2.0625
Depth (in)
24.75
Condition
Fair
Condition Date
2022-08-04
Condition Notes
Front left leg broken
Object ID
W.1995.111.107
Accession Number
W.1995.111
Images
Less detail
Collection
Wheatland
Object ID
W.1995.107.108
  1 image  
Collection
Wheatland
Description
Shaving stand is comprised of a mahogany veneer; the mirror attached to the top has a veneered bull-nose frame supported by ring and vase-turned stiles set into the top with tenons at a backward cant. The skirt has two half-drawers; however, the brass knob drawer-pulls are missing. The stand is supported by four ring and ball turned feet
Provenance
Dr. Alexander Speer, Washington, DC.
To Katherine Speer Powell (granddaughter)
To James Buchanan Foundation
LancasterHistory
Year Range From
1785
Year Range To
1800
Last Owner
Speer, Alexander
Storage Location
Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Northwest Bedchamber
Storage Wall
North Wall
People
Speer, Alexander
Subcategory
Furniture
Search Terms
James Buchanan Presidential Library
Object Name
Stand, Shaving
Material
Mahogany, Glass
Height (in)
20.5
Width (in)
19.5
Depth (in)
9
Dimension Details
Height includes mirror. Base alone is 5.5' in height.
Condition
Fair
Condition Date
2022-11-08
Condition Notes
Drawer--pulls missing. Small amount of veneer missing on base. Indication of heat damage to the item.
Object ID
W.1995.107.108
Notes
Dr. Alexander Speer was one of James Buchanan's maternal first cousins. Katherine Speer Powell was Dr. Speer's granddaughter.
Credit
Estate of Katherine Speer Powell
Accession Number
W.1995.107
Images
Less detail
Collection
Wheatland
Object ID
W.1938.001.001
  1 image  
Collection
Wheatland
Description
Lignum vitas wood caster with round, bowl-like top, pierced for shaking out pounce. Base is ring-turned tapers smaller to broad top, flat bottom. Small, shallow dotted pattern in two bands near bottom. Lip at top has thin groove. Top screws onto base that would be filled with pounce, which is a fine powder made from powdered cuttlefish bone. Pounce was used both to dry ink and to sprinkle on a rough writing surface to make it smooth enough for writing.
Central America
Provenance
James Buchanan
To - Esther Parker
To - Carrie Steckman
To - James Buchanan Foundation
LancasterHistory
Year Range From
1790
Year Range To
1830
Last Owner
Buchanan, James
Storage Location
Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Library
Storage Wall
South Wall
Storage Cabinet
Desk
Storage Shelf
Writing Surface
People
Buchanan, James
Parker, Esther "Miss Hetty'"
Subcategory
Need to Classify
Search Terms
James Buchanan Presidential Library
Object Name
Shaker, Sand
Material
Lignum Vitae Wood
Height (in)
3.625
Dimension Details
top diam: 2.187 bottom diam: 3.062
Condition
Excellent
Condition Date
2023-05-02
Object ID
W.1938.001.001
Notes
Esther 'Hetty' Parker, James Buchanan's housekeeper, chose this among several other household items that Buchanan noted she was to be allowed to choose after his death. Miss Hetty gave this to the daughter of her neighbor. Miss Steckman donated this to the Wheatland collection in 1938.
Accession Number
W.1938.001
Images
Less detail