27 April 1825

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathaniel Bowditch

Thanks Bowditch for the extract of his review from the North American and asks him to lecture at the University of Virginia. Bowditch, an astronomer and mathematician, turned down a position at the University in 1818, but kept in contact with Jefferson over the years.

GLC03415

17 August 1811

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush re: thanks for lectures on medicine, mathematics; health, etc.

Signed twice on address leaf with Free frank written in another hand. Ford, Jefferson's Works, 11:211-13 and Butterfield, Rush Letters, 2:1073-76, 1098-1100. Written in Poplar Forest.

GLC03248

1952

Object

Title: Collector Perforation Gauge, Millimeter Scale & Ruler

One ruler entitled, "Collector Perforation Gauge, Millimeter Scale & Ruler."

GLC10004.04.01.01

circa 1735

Haid, Johann J., 1704-1767

Engraving

Title: Engraving of Alphonsus des Vignoles

One engraving of Alphonsus des Vignoles dated circa 1735. Bust portrait of Vignoles.

GLC08878.0647

circa 1806

Weitsch, Friedrich Georg, 1758-1828

Engraving

Title: Engraving of Alexander von Humboldt

One engraving of Alexander von Humboldt circa 1806. Portrait of Humboldt based on the painting by Friedrich Georg Weitsch.

GLC08878.0662

30 October 1862

Lovell, Mansfield, 1822-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Lovell

Confederate Major General Lovell writes to his son concerning his belief that the Emancipation Proclamation would create dissension in the North and ultimately aid the Confederacy. "I think Lincoln's proclamation will produce dissensions and trouble at the North, and will thus indirectly benefit our Cause. The Democratic party there is not willing to go headlong into any abolition war." Comments on Joseph's improvements in arithmetic and tells him to be a good boy and take care of his mother.

GLC03790

1850

Longacre, James Barton, 1794-1869

Engraving

Title: David Rittenhouse

One engraving of David Rittenhouse. Engraved by James Barton Longacre from an original painting by Charles Wilson Peale. Includes his signature.

GLC08878.2072

1878

Lock & Whitfield (photographers), fl. 1850-1890

Photograph

Title: George Biddell Airy

One photograph of George Biddell Airy, a mathematician, dated 1878, taken by photographers Lock and Whitfield.

GLC08878.1759

1845-1849

Porterfield, George A., 1822-1919

Diary

Title: Mexican War and post-war diary

Part one, crudely bound, includes vignettes about people Porterfield encountered, a pen and ink sketch of Rancho Buena Vista, and a rudimentary genealogy. Part two, unbound, begins in April 1848 and records his travels and activities after the war ends. Mentions being in love with Miss Ybarra and is saddened to leave. By September 1849 he has become the editor of the Gazette in Martinsburg and is studying to become a lawyer. He is relieved his wife, possibly Miss Ybarra, is enjoying living in the United States. Part three consists of a receipt, a list of deceased relatives, a note…

GLC06299

9 January 1831

Lincoln, Thomas, 1812-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bela Lincoln [incomplete]

Writes to his brother in Dennysville, Maine. Briefly mentions sleigh riding in the winter. Informs that he went to Washington on the railroad [Baltimore and Ohio Railroad] and describes how the trains run, "the difference between a rail-road and any other is that the carriages run on a bar of iron or rail instead of running on the ground." Includes illustrations of train tracks, a wheel, and a train crossing a bridge on page two. He is happy to hear that Bela's town is setting up a small library and he has some books to give. Another brother named Ben [Benjamin] continues the letter on…

GLC06052

circa 1585-1763

Book

Title: Guide to handling money and finances [incomplete with fragmented pages]

The book contains instructions on how to fulfill various financial transactions, such as "Multiplication of Money," "Reduction," and the "Rule of Three." Extensive explanations and examples are given for each lesson.

GLC03107.04828

1862-1865

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Header Record

Title: [Collection of John F. Weeks, K company, 36th regiment, Illinois, infantry] [decimalized .001-.143]

The John F. Weeks collection consists of approximately seventy-five letters written by Weeks to his family during his service. These letters include accounts of the battles of Pea Ridge, Perryville, Stone River, and Mission Ridge. Along with descriptions of life at camp and news about fellow soldiers from home, Weeks often mentions his desire to join the order of Free Masons;. Letters dated after Weeks' discharge in September of 1864, are primarily from individuals in Weeks' Company who write to him with news from the Company/Regiment. Also included in this part of the correspondence are…

GLC06728

February 5, 1825

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Document signed

Title: [Certifying copyright for the 1825 enlarged edition of Nathan Daboll's Schoolmaster's Assistant].

Notes that Samuel Green, stereotype printer, is granted copyright to Nathan Daboll's Schoolmaster's Assistant a "plain, practical system of arithmetic,... adapted to the United States." Marked "No. 687." Written while Adams was Secretary of State.

GLC05320

May 15, 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Marquis de Lafayette

Marked "Copy." Letter in a secretarial hand. Says that Joel Barlow, later known as one of the Connecticut Wits, will deliver this letter. Knox identifies Barlow as the author of "The vision of Columbus," a long epic poem in heroic couplets. Barlow went to Europe as an agent for a company that wanted to sell western lands to French emigrants. Knox says Barlow is traveling with the son of Nathanael Greene, George Washington Greene, who is to study with Lafayette in France. Says Catharine Greene and Colonel Wadsworth have written him on the subject of "Master Washington's education," and he will…

GLC02437.03874

8 March 1794

Knox, Henry Jackson, 1780-1832

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses his displeasure about college and requests his father not to force him to attend. Discusses becoming a merchant and believes he only needs to know mathematics and arithmetic. Writes the only thing needed to become a merchant is "to understand Mathematick's [sic] & Arithmetic perfectly, which can be obtained without going College, the place of all evils." Explains he borrowed money from Mr. Hossman because he did not have enough money to travel from New York, New York to Boston, Massachusetts. Comments he looks forward to seeing him and the rest of the family in May.

GLC02437.06059

4 October 1805

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Mentions positive reports concerning his son's progress in mathematics and also his improved health. Notes that his own skin disorder, identified as "ascorbatic Erysipelas, or St. Anthony's fire," may not improve as easily. A postscript indicates how to fold letters so that the seal does not cover the writing. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was Collector of the Port of Newport from 1790 until 1820.

GLC02300.12

12 November 1805

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Comments on George's experience seeing the invisible lady, an acoustical illusion of the Enlightenment that appeared to trick the senses by transforming mundane voices into divine utterances. Reassures his son that their is more reality than magic in the device, and explains that it is the invisible lady's inscrutable mode of operation that makes it a popular curiosity. Explains his point through an oppositional example, telling the story of how Christopher Columbus balanced an egg on its small end by using an obvious…

GLC02300.14

January 10,1806

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Is glad to hear that George's academy increases in numbers, and believes that it will rival the Greenwich Academy. Advises George to master one concept in arithmetic before moving on to the next. Critiques George's composition against dueling, telling him "to adduce all the arguments," and noting that "[s]hort and sweet is good, but long and sweet is better." Complains the winter cold aggravates his bad humour because it checks his perspiration. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William…

GLC02300.16

February 12, 1806

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Berates him for his delay in answering his previous letter. Tells George about the importance of mathematics and neat handwriting for his expected career working in the Customhouse. Critiques George's spelling and grammar. Hopes George will be able to finish his education at Wickford within six months. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was Collector of the Port of Newport from 1790 until 1820.

GLC02300.17

4 March 1806

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Discusses general subjects of study in mathematics, astronomy and geography. Also makes reference to the re-election of President Thomas Jefferson and related celebrations. He remarks: "Public days are not celebrated with such animation as they formerly were..." Asks George to ask Mr. Updike to look out for a servant for Ellery. He would like "a black boy about 14 years old, who is good tempered, active, and tractable, who knows how to take care of a horse or cow, and how to milk, and who is faithful and honest. I…

GLC02300.18

26 March 1806

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School, Wickford, Rhode Island. Thanks him for his letter. Is glad that Mr. Updike has furnished George with a scale and dividers; he has sent him money to purchase a geography book for him. Is glad to hear that "the inoculation for the small pox did not take on those who had been inoculated for the swine pox; not because I in the least doubted the latter being a perfect security against the former, but because it will inspire the Wickfordians with faith, and induce them to undergo vaccine inoculation." Corrects his spelling and grammar. Happy that…

GLC02300.20

1871-1881

Hemans, Daniel Wright, fl. 1872-1881

Header Record

Title: Letters with wife Nancy, to Rev. & Mrs Shiras [decimalized]

Letters by missionaries from north of the Missouri River, 38 miles north of Santee Mission in South Dakota, describing teaching English, arithmetic, and bible to Yankton Sioux Indians. The collection was written to Rev. and Mrs. Alexander Shiras of the Bureau of Education in Washington, D.C., mostly by either Daniel Hemans or his wife, Nancy Hemans, with the greatest concentration of letters in the early 1870s and early 1880s. Both Nancy and Daniel were Santee Sioux Indians. Daniel joined the mission to the Yankton Sioux as an interpreter and a teacher, and eventually became a preacher.…

GLC02429

21 October 1868

Hunt, Henry Jackson, 1819-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox Craig

Hopes Craig will consider spending future summers in Eastport, if he (Hunt) remains stationed there. Discusses the upcoming presidential election (won by Ulysses S. Grant). "So the October Elections are over and we are beaten on all the fields - This settles the November Election beyond doubt; they may cry fraud as much as they please and I have no doubt that the states all three were carried by fraud - but the result will be to send a host of those who worship success - the great Wobble party in a Mass into the radical ranks. We are only demonstrating the truth of an old American theory. '…

GLC02382.044

1786

Little, William, fl. 1780-1786

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: [Navigational journal]

Contains numerous charts and geometric diagrams in water color. Includes meticulous information on the navigational aspects of geometry. Contains a Mercator's chart created by Little in Newburyport under the tutelage of Bartholomew Horace Burgess dated 1 March 1786. Journal entries document the "Ship Juno ... William Little Commander On a Voyage from England Towards Madeira 1786."

GLC02119

April 28, 1791

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Smith

Jefferson writing to Smith of the College of Philadelphia, Jefferson describes John Wales Eppes's (his son-in-law's) knowledge of mathematics, the sciences, and natural philosophy. Tells him that when Smith's courses cover an area known to Eppes, Eppes will be reading materials given to him by Jefferson.

GLC01724