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Finding aid for the General Historical Manuscripts and Ephemera collection

Finding aid prepared by Sue Luftschein, 2011 November

Summary Information

Repository
USC Libraries Special Collections
Creator
Blair, Montgomery, 1813-1883
Creator
Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889
Creator
Chase, Salmon P., (Salmon Portland), 1808-1873
Creator
Debs, Eugene V., ((Eugene Victor)), 1855-1926
Creator
Dennison, William, 1815-1882
Creator
Fessenden, William Pitt, 1806-1869
Creator
Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826
Creator
Raymond, Henry J., (Henry Jarvis), 1820-1869
Creator
Roosevelt, Franklin D., (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945
Creator
Seward, William Henry, 1801-1872
Creator
Smith, William Stephens, 1755-1816
Title
General Historical Manuscripts and Ephemera collection
Collection no.
6004
Date
1790-1928, undated
Extent
0.21 Linear feet, 1 box
Language
English
Abstract
This artificially created collection consists of notes, letters, documents, and photographs created by and for important American historical figures, 1790-1928 and undated. Of particular historical interest are the letters written by Thomas Jefferson, William Smith, and Eugene Debs, and the 1850 Los Angeles Justice of the Peace election results document.

Preferred Citation

[Box/folder# or item name], General Historical Manuscripts and Ephemera collection, Collection no. 6004, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

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Scope and Content

This artificially created collection consists of notes, letters, documents, and photographs created by and for important American historical figures. Arranged chronologically, the collection includes letters written by Thomas Jefferson and William S. Smith; a document certifying the results of the 1850 Los Angeles Justice of the Peace election; autographed notes and letters penned by members of Abraham Lincoln's Cabinet; a stock certificate signed by Grover Cleveland; letters sent to Ruth LePrade from Eugene Debs en route to and from prsion; a letter signed by Franklin Roosevelt; and locks of George and Martha Washington's hair. Of particular interest, for their content, are the Thomas Jefferson, William Smith, and Eugene Debs letters, and the election results document.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

USC Libraries Special Collections
2011 November
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California, 90089-0189
213-740-5900
specol@usc.edu

Conditions Governing Access

Advance notice required for access.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Acquisition

The documents in this collection were acquired from a number of sources. The William S. Smith letter was donated by Harris Woods, April 1982. The Lincoln Cabinet members autographs were donated by Dr. Edward M. Pallette, February 1954. The Los Angeles election manuscript was purchased from the Historical Society of Southern California, 1988.

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Controlled Access Headings

Genre(s)

  • Letters
  • Manuscripts
  • Photographs

Geographic Name(s)

  • Los Angeles (Calif.)--History--19th century--Archival resources
  • United States--History--18th century--Archival resources
  • United States--History--19th century--Archival resources

Personal Name(s)

  • Blair, Montgomery, 1813-1883 -- Correspondence
  • Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889 -- Correspondence
  • Carrillo, Jose Antonio, 1796-1862 -- Archives
  • Chase, Salmon P., (Salmon Portland), 1808-1873 -- Correspondence
  • Cleveland, Grover, 1837-1908 -- Archives
  • Debs, Eugene V., ((Eugene Victor)), 1855-1926 -- Correspondence
  • Dennison, William, 1815-1882 -- Correspondence
  • Fessenden, William Pitt, 1806-1869 -- Correspondence
  • Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826 -- Correspondence
  • Le Prade, Ruth -- Archives
  • Lindbergh, Charles A., (Charles Augustus), 1902-1974 -- Photographs
  • Raymond, Henry J., (Henry Jarvis), 1820-1869 -- Correspondence
  • Roosevelt, Franklin D., (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945 -- Correspondence
  • Sepulveda, Juan Capistrano, 1814-1898 -- Archives
  • Seward, William Henry, 1801-1872 -- Correspondence
  • Smith, William Stephens, 1755-1816 -- Correspondence
  • Washington, George, 1732-1799 -- Archives
  • Washington, Martha, 1731-1802 -- Archives

Subject(s)

  • Elections--California--Los Angeles--19th century--Archival resources

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Collection Inventory

Box Folder

 Jefferson, Thomas 1780, 1822, 1826, 1842 

Scope and Content

Three letters signed by Thomas Jefferson, two in his hand. Letter dated November 2, 1780 discusses the dispensing of military aid from counties north of Rappahanock. Letter dated December 12, 1822 (bound in folder) sends salutations, in third person, to Dr. Cutting, and discusses his age, physical infirmities, and mental clarity. Letter dated March 22, 1826 is a letter of introduction for his grandson, Thomas Jefferson Randolph, to Governor Clinton. Latter two letters sent from Monticello. Accompanied by facsimile of Henry Clay letter, dated September 13, 1842. Authentication of the letters performed by Huntington Library, 1960.

 1 1

 Smith, William S. 1790 May 15 

Scope and Content

Letter from Smith, John Adams' son-in-law, discussing George Washington's health and the status of Senate business at that time.

 1 2

 Los Angeles election returns for Justice of the Peace 1850 November 4 

Scope and Content

Manuscript of certification of election results for Justice of the Peace for Los Angeles. Signed by Judges of Election Jose Antonio Carrillo, Juan Sepulveda (the election winner), John Ricord, Francisco J. Alvarado, and J.S. Mallard [?]. Participating in the election were Sepulveda, William B. Osburn, and Francisco Alvarado.

 1 3

 Members of Abraham Lincoln's Cabinet 1855-1881 

Scope and Content

Autographs, generally in the form of signed notes and letters. Some engravings are also included. Blair, Cameron, Fessenden, and Chase letters dated prior to Lincoln administration; Seward and Dennison letters dated after Lincoln administration. Also includes a letter from prominent New York Republican and journalist Henry Jarvis Raymond.

 1 4

 Blair, Montgomery 1855 June 9 

 Chase, Salmon P. 1861 February 6 

 Cameron, Simeon 1860 November 12 

 Dennison, William 1881 April 14 

 Fessenden, William Pitt 1860[?] August 15 

 Raymond, Henry Jarvis 1858 April 2 

 Seward, William H. 18[?]5 October 11 

 Cleveland, Grover 1877 April 1 

Scope and Content

Stock certificate for one share of the Beaver Island Club, signed by Cleveland.

 1 5

 Debs, Eugene V. circa 1919 

Scope and Content

Letters from Debs to Ruth LePrade, sent en route to and from prison.

 1 6

 Lindbergh, Charles A. 1928 May 6 

Scope and Content

Autographed photograph of Lindberg, addressed to J.B. Lyman, V.P. of Maddox Air Lines, Inc.

 1 7

 Roosevelt, Franklin D. 1928 September 14 

Scope and Content

Copy of letter to Mr. John Elliot, Los Angeles, in which he inquires about Elliot's decision about supporting Governor Smith as a presidential candidate.

 1 8

 Washington, George and Martha undated 

Scope and Content

Locks of hair.

 1 9

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