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African American Studies

Primary and selected secondary sources for research in African American Studies at Princeton University.

Slavery - Manuscript Collections

William E. Potter Diary, 1859-1862: Finding Aid

Creator:

Potter, William E., 1905-

Abstract:

This diary was written by William E. Potter during his years at Harvard (law degree, 1861) and Princeton (B.A., 1863). For the most part the entries are daily with astute and observant comments on many of the public figures and events of this time. Among the more interesting entries are comments and descriptions of the Women's Rights Convention in Boston in 1860, the Massachusetts state prison; the election and inauguration of Abraham Lincoln; the surrender of Fort Sumter; the Battle of Bull Run; “pumping” (dunking) of Princeton students favoring secession; his religious awakening; and a final entry that reads simply “Enlisted.”

Location:

Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library. Princeton University Archives.

Call Number:

AC323

 


 

Samuel Stanhope Smith Collection, 1794-1817: Finding Aid

Creator:

Smith, Samuel Stanhope, 1750-1819.

Abstract:

Consists of works, correspondence, and documents of Samuel Stanhope Smith, covering, for the most part, the years (1795-1812) he served as president of the College of New Jersey, now Princeton.

Location:

Manuscripts Division.

Call Number:

C0028

 


 

Throop and Martin Family Papers, 1693-1951: Finding Aid

Creator:

Throop, Enos T. (Enos Thompson), 1784-1874.

Abstract:

Contains manuscripts, correspondence, documents, and photographs concerning the Throop and Throop Martin families of New Jersey. In addition to the family correspondence, there is an autograph collection and other miscellaneous items.

Location:

Manuscripts Division.

Call Number:

C0055

 


 

Archives of Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1786-2003 (bulk 1880s-1970s): Finding Aid

Creator:

Charles Scribner's Sons.

Abstract:

This collection consists of virtually all of the surviving records of Scribners (1846-1984), the New York City publisher, and reflect aspects of all of its publishing functions (soliciting and acquiring books, editing manuscripts, printing and manufacturing books, advertising and publicizing publications) and business concerns (book and magazine publisher, retail bookstore, subscription books department, educational books department, printing press and bindery, rare books department). Included are files of editorial correspondence with authors, manufacturing records about book production, advertising records, author contracts, a collection of dust jackets, book catalogs, ledgers, and photographs. While there are gaps in most of the series or record groups, there are records representative of all of the firm's former permutations: Baker & Scribner, Charles Scribner & Co., Scribner, Armstrong & Co., Scribner, Armstrong & Welford, Scribner & Co., Charles Scribner's Sons. The bulk of the material (1880s-1970s), however, dates from the period when the publisher bore its most familiar name, “Charles Scribner's Sons.” There is also material related to early publishers' organizations and international copyright.

Location:

Manuscripts Division.

Call Number:

C0101

 


 

M. L. Parrish Collection of Victorian Novelists, 1806-1958 (bulk 1830s-1930s): Finding Aid

Collector:

Parrish, Morris Longstreth, 1867-1944.

Abstract:

The Morris L. Parrish Collection of Victorian Novelists, consisting of the library of books, manuscripts, photographs, artwork, and ephemera as collected by Morris Longstreth Parrish, Class of 1888, came to Princeton University in 1944 as a bequest. This finding aid focuses on Parrish's original collection of manuscripts, both bound and unbound, and includes his correspondence (related to his collecting activities) and letters both to and from many of the Victorian authors, as well as the manuscript and related (non-book) items given to and/or acquired for the collection by the Princeton University Library in subsequent years.

Location:

Manuscripts Division.

Call Number:

C0171

 


Winans Collection of New Jersey Documents, 1703-1883: Finding Aid

Collector:

Winans, Samuel Ross.

Abstract:

The Winans Collection of New Jersey Documents consists of almost 200 18th-century documents, mostly deeds to land, relating to several towns in Essex County, New Jersey, particularly Westfield, collected by Winans (Princeton Class of 1874).

Location:

Manuscripts Division.

Call Number:

C0234

 


Thomas Jefferson Wertenbaker Papers, 1910-1959: Finding Aid

Creator:

Wertenbaker, Thomas Jefferson, 1879-1966.

Abstract:

Thomas Jefferson Wertenbaker was an American historian who taught at Princeton from 1910 to 1947. He was internationally recognized and wrote a number of important historical works. In 1947, he was president of the American Historical Association. His papers consist of Wertenbaker’s works, correspondence, photographs, miscellaneous material, and printed matter.

Location:

Manuscripts Division.

Call Number:

C0359

 


Sidney P. Clay Collection, 1783-1846 (bulk 1800-1844): Finding Aid

Creator:

Clay, Sidney P. (Sidney Payne), 1800-1834.

Abstract:

The Sidney P. Clay Collection consists of correspondence, documents, and photographs of Clay (Princeton Class of 1821) and members of his family, and includes some correspondence of the Reed family.

Location:

Manuscripts Division.

Call Number:

C0404

 


Guild Family Collection, 1787-1823: Finding Aid

Creator:

Guild family.

Abstract:

Consists of correspondence and documents of the Guild family of Hunterdon County, New Jersey, including papers of brothers Benjamin and Ralph Guild.

Location:

Manuscripts Division.

Call Number:

C0435


 

Woodruff Family Collection, 1795-1896 (bulk 1803-1850): Finding Aid

Creator:

Woodruff, George, 1765-1846.

Abstract:

Consists of selected papers of George Woodruff (Princeton Class of 1785), a lawyer, and various members of his family of Trenton, N.J.

Location:

Manuscripts Division.

Call Number:

C0740

 


Lydia Maria Child Collection, 1857-1878: Finding Aid

Creator:

Child, Lydia Maria Francis, 1802-1880

Abstract:

Consists of selected correspondence, manuscripts, and photographs of the nineteenth-century American author and abolitionist Lydia Maria Francis Child.

Location:

Manuscripts Division.

Call Number:

C1032


 

Thomas Nast Manuscript Collection, 1860-1922 (bulk 1860-1896): Finding Aid

Creator:

Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902.

Abstract:

Consists of selected correspondence of American political cartoonist Thomas Nast. Nast's popular artwork influenced presidential elections in the latter half of the nineteenth century, and the letters in this collection reflect both the professional and personal sides of his life.

Location:

Manuscripts Division.

Call Number:

C1135


 

William Denton Correspondence, 1633-1893 (bulk 1830-1893): Finding Aid

Creator:

Denton, W. (William), 1815-1888.

Abstract:

Consists of about a hundred autograph letters by nineteenth-century British politicians, clergymen, and men of letters to clergyman and reformist William Denton.

Location:

Manuscripts Division.

Call Number:

C1185

 


Sergeant Family Collection, 1746-1843: Finding Aid

Creator:

Sergeant, Jonathan, 1712-1777.

Abstract:

Consists of selected correspondence and documents by and about three members of the Sergeant family and their relationship with the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) during the Colonial period: Jonathan Sergeant, his son Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant, and his grandson John Sergeant.

Location:

Manuscripts Division.

Call Number:

C1192

 


Robert Anderson Family Papers, 1790-1858 (bulk 1835-1858): Finding Aid

Creator:

Anderson, Robert, 1781-1859.

Abstract:

Consists of correspondence and documents of various members of the Anderson family, particularly Robert Anderson (1781-1859) of Yorktown and Williamsburg, Virginia.

Location:

Manuscripts Division.

Call Number:

C1230