circa 1870

Sartan, John, fl. 1870

Engraving

Title: Prof. Samuel F. B. Morse. Inventor of the Magnetic Telegraph

Half-length engraving of Morse with his telegraph machine. Marked as after a photo from life.

GLC06329.02

circa February 1928

Edison, Thomas Alva, 1847-1931

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Interview responses about experiments to grow rubber plants in the United States]

A series of questions typed on the back of stationery from the Hotel Royal Palm, in Fort Meyers, Florida, with answers written by Edison in pencil. Most questions concern his experiments in trying to find alternative plant sources for rubber. Other topics include agriculture, and mobile electric power for farming. Each page numbered 1-18. Circa date inferred from telegram from Edison in Fort Meyers, Florida (see GLC05791.02). The written interview was given by Wheeler McMillan, an agrarian. See GLC05791.03 for McMillan's write-up on the interview.

GLC05791.01

20 February 1928

Edison, Thomas Alva, 1847-1931

Telegram

Title: [Telegram to Wheeler McMillan]

Western Union telegram sent from Edison in Fort Meyers, Florida, to McMillan with the following information, "Farm and Fireside 250 Park Ave New York NY." Edison ends with, "Will see you anytime - T A Edison."

GLC05791.02

circa 1928

McMillan, Wheeler, 1893-?

Typed manuscript

Title: [Write up of an interview with Thomas Edison on agriculture and rubber production]

Manuscript written after McMillan interviewed Edison on his new interest in agriculture. Describes how Edison became interested in farming and includes quotes from Edison. Also discusses Edison's experiments in manufacturing rubber. Contains some information gleaned from a talk with Henry Ford as well. See GLC05791.01 for the interview questions and answers. Includes corrections.

GLC05791.03

9 March 1857

Jones, William E., 1824-1864

Autograph document signed

Title: Contract with Henry H. Sibley, witnessed by H. P. Brewster.

Henry H. Sibley and William E. Jones agree that Jones will be the sole agent in the manufacture and sale of Sibley's patented "Improved Conical Tent." Contract states agreement.

GLC02711.23

1805/11/07

Evans, Oliver, 1755-1819

Letter signed

Title: to [Charles Willing Hare]

Addressed to "C.W. Hear." Acknowledges receipt of a notice to vacate a lot he had leased from William Bingham and agrees to vacate the property by May 1, 1806. American inventor Oliver Evans is credited with inventing the first high-pressure steam engine as well as other steam-driven machines. Bingham, former Continental Congressman and U.S. senator, had died the previous year. Hare was Bingham's nephew and lawyer.

GLC02480.06

1775/05/15

Fitch, John, 1743-1798

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt for Robert Stocton for payment in full]

Receipt to Robert Stocton [Stockton?] for payment in full. Accompanied by incomplete letter of the same date, apparently in a different hand, stating "The enclosed letter came to my Hands of," with monetary calculations. John Fitch designed and successfully launched the first steamboat in 1787. He received a U.S. patent for his steamboat in 1791. In the 1770's, Fitch made a living in Trenton as a silversmith, gunsmith, and provisioner of Continental Army troops.

GLC02480.07

1805/07/02

Fulton, Robert, 1765-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Philips

Encloses his remarks [not present] on a book by Richard Parkinson (1748-1815), which he has read at the request of Sir John Sinclair. Fulton explains that his remarks are written in the form of a letter to Sinclair. He also encloses "a Sketch of Philadelphia which maybe of use" [not present]. Fulton was then residing in England. Parkinson's 1805 book "Tour in America in 1798, 1799, and 1800: Exhibiting Sketches of Society and Manners, and a Particular Account of the American System of Agriculture, with Its Recent Improvements" was highly critical of American society and its "widely…

GLC02480.08

1898/03/25

Gray, Elisha, 1835-1901

Autograph letter signed

Title: re: a copy of an article

GLC02480.10

1792/05/11

Pearce, William, fl. 1783

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tobias Lear re: inviting President to see demonstration of his machine

"[I] should be glad to be informed when the President of the United States (George Washington) and his Lady, would be pleased to Honor me with their Company, to take a look at [my machinery]." Also notes: "Mr. [Alexander] Hamilton & Mr. [Thomas] Jefferson wishes to be there at the same time." Docketed on address leaf.

GLC02794.025

1795/07/25

Gardner, H.H., fl. 1777-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tobias Lear re: "hoisting machine"

Gardner, a self-described millwright, explains the capabilities of his heavy load "hoisting machine."

GLC02794.038

[1800 ca.]

Young, Arthur, 1741-1820

Document

Title: Detailed description of a plow

George Washington introduced Tobias Lear to Young, a prominent British agriculturalist.

GLC02794.178

[1800 ca.]

Document

Title: "Demention [sic] of a Thrashing Machine"

Detailed description of James Tod's threshing machine.

GLC02794.177

1807/10/18

Fulton, Robert, 1765-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Livingston

Hopes to be able to obtain exclusive rights to navigate the Mississippi River for another two years. Also gives a detailed report on the vessel "Clermont." Written two months after the maiden voyage.

GLC05808

1808/06/11

Fulton, Robert, 1765-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles W. Peale

Fulton writes to prominent American painter Charles Willson Peale, enclosing $120, apparently in payment of a debt. He also details the success of his steamboat business and mentions the "virtuous exertions and enterprising spirit" of Peale's son, Rembrandt, also an artist. Fulton may have studied miniature painting with the elder Peale early in his life; both studied with Benjamin West in England. Peale had painted Fulton's portrait the previous year; and Fulton was involved in the artist's efforts to start an art museum in Philadelphia. Rembrandt Peale had also painted Fulton's portrait…

GLC05817

1807/01/25

Fulton, Robert, 1765-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Robert Livingston] re: discussion of the steam boat

Fulton writes a letter to describe the innovations of the steam boat, and how he has calculated its certain success. Docketed on p.12.

GLC03107.04464

1812/01/30

Fulton, Robert, 1765-1815

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Oliver Evans

Requests that Evans try out his engine against Watt's and promises that if Evan's's is in any way superior, there will be a good deal of interest in the engine.

GLC04331

1811/11/23

Evans, Oliver, 1755-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Pitkin

Hopes Congress will pass new laws that will help him to extend his steam engine patent. Argues that by protecting patents the government will be aiding the public good, and encouraging innovation.

GLC04265

1811/08/28

Fulton, Robert, 1765-1815

Document signed

Title: [Renunciation of claim by N. Roosevelt against Robert R. Livingston & John Stevens]

Roosevelt renounces his shipping-related claim against Livingston and Stevens. Signed by Nicholas Roosevelt and by Robert Fulton, as a witness. Document lacks original seal at right hand side. Nicholas J. Roosevelt (1767-1854) had gone into joint venture with Robert Livingston and John Stevens in 1797 to build a steamboat. Roosevelt proposed a vertical wheel design for that vessel. In the spring of 1802, Livingston commuicated Roosevelt's plan to Fulton; the next year, Livingtson and Fulton launched a steamboat propelled by Roosevelt's vertical wheel design. The "New Orleans," piloted by…

GLC04266

1825/11/03

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Document signed

Title: Patent issued to Robert Dennis for improvement to steam engine (c/s Clay)

Countersigned by Henry Clay. Joined with a yellow ribbon.

GLC07020

1818/05/07

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Document signed

Title: Certifying copy of patent issued to Nathaniel and Philip W. Miller

For improvements in weaving (attached patent clerically signed for James Madison).

GLC07021

1860/08/17

Ericsson, John, 1803-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown re: design repairs, possibly for ironclad

GLC07010

February 18, 1822

Dey, Anthony, 1777-1859

Manuscript letter

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Circular letter from Anthony Dey sending a flax sample (not included) processed by "his new Machine," which would be on exhibit in Washington, D.C.

GLC06313.04.158

1896/11/04

Edison, Thomas Alva, 1847-1931

Autograph note signed

Title: Note reporting NJ election return with McKinley carrying state by 50,000 votes

Dated 1:30 AM.

GLC03143

1836/06/25

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Document signed

Title: Patent issued to Gould Thorp for inventing an improvement to the cooking stove

GLC07718