MSS 0098. Delaware Miscellaneous Historical Manuscripts

One handwritten set of rules and regulations governing the schedule, behavior, and proceedings of the Delaware Blues military company. Also included are forty signatures of the members of the company.

Autograph letter from Delaware Senator, Martin Waltham Bates, to Joseph Boyd, complying with his request for an autograph on January 30, 1858.

A printed document signed by American physician and Delaware Governor Gove Saulsbury, appointing James B. Bell of Boston, Massachusetts, to be a Commissioner for the state of Delaware, on January 28, 1870.

Handwritten document from James Booth, later Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court and Delaware Secretary of State, to Sheriff of New Castle County and future Governor of Delaware, John Clark, certifying Peter Stallup's appointment as a constable of New Castle Hundred for 1777.

Autograph documents produced by lawyer, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and U. S. Senator from Delaware, George Read. One document concerns payments in relation to the will of Ebenezer Howell. The other concerns the sale of Howell's tavern and land in Newark, Delaware, to Henry Darby, and subsequently to John Evans.

Autograph letter from Pennsylvania politician Thomas McKean to James Rogers about a farm possibly purchased in his name at a Sheriff's sale. He also requests that a deed be drawn and presented to the Sheriff for execution. Thomas McKean served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and governor of Pennsylvania.

Autograph letter from Delaware lawyer John Fisher to Continental Congressman from Delaware and signer of the Declaration of Independence, Caesar Rodney, regarding a libel case against the ship, Superior, on October 6, 1812. John Fisher also served as Delaware politician and United States District Court Judge.

Autograph letter from Henry Fisher, prominent Delaware figure in the American Revolution, to Robert Morris, a Founding Father often referred to as the financier of the American revolution, requesting payment to William Ware for the transport of naval cannons and other naval goods. Ware's signature acknowledges receipt of payment from Morris.

Brief autograph letter from Robert Taylor of Wilmington, Delaware, to Philadelphia merchant and banker, John Reynell, requesting 12 small loaves of loaf sugar.

Founder of the Pennsylvania colony William Penn sent these instructions to William Keith appointing him as Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania and the Counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex upon Delaware, on November 29, 1716. This is a handwritten copy on parchment recorded from Patent Book A, No. 5, pages 229-232, affixed with the seal of the Land Office of Pennsylvania and signed by Secretary of said office, James Brady, on June 16, 1823.

Land grant in New Castle County to Henry Ward affixed with the Land Commissioners of Pennsylvania Colony's seal. James Claypoole and Robert Turner serve as witnesses for this parchment document dated December 26, 1684.

Diploma granted to Caroline Virginia Hieskell by the Wesleyan Female Collegiate Institute in Wilmington, Delaware, on July 17, 1850.

U.S. Representative and Governor of Delaware, Benjamin T. Biggs, wrote a temperance speech, two love poems, and a letter to an editor. Also included is a bill from the Portsmouth, Virginia, Y.M.C.A. to a B.T. Biggs in 1917.

Written copy of speech delivered by Deputy Governor of Colonial Pennsylvania, Charles Gookin, to the Delaware Assembly, on March 27, 1716, together with the response from the Assembly's Speaker, Jasper Yeates. Also included is a written copy of a speech delivered by Gookin to the Assembly on May 2, 1716. The speeches and the response concern difficulties between Gookin and the Assembly.

A typed letter from Alice Coleman du Pont to her daughter, Ellen du Pont Meeds, concerning an enclosed book on the geneaology of the Du Pont family.

Land survey conducted by John McClughan, for land belonging to Delaware politician Thomas Duff in Newport, New Castle, Delaware, on February 2, 1750.

A typescript document on Taft League of Delaware letterhead petitioning the formation of Seventh Ward Taft League containing signatures of citizens and their corresponding addresses who favor the election of William H. Taft as President of the United States, accompanied by a "Taft Reception Committee 1908" ribbon.

U.S. Army discharge document for William G. Robelen, after three years of service in the G Company, 6th Regiment of the U.S. Cavalry, at age 18, on August 4, 1864.

Five receipts or notes made out to Wilmington, Delaware, cabinetmaker John Ferris from John Lea, Isaac Andrews, Henry Stidham, and Nathan Miller, as well as one note written by Ferris all spanning from 1775 to 1779.

One handwritten land deed between Benjamin Enoch, his wife, Mary Enoch, and John Stapler for a tract of land in New Castle County, Delaware.

Handwritten letter by U.S. Commissioner and Supervisor of Elections for Delaware Henry C. Conrad to an unidentified recipient offering gratitude for two photographs of an old church and inquiring whether more information about said church is available, dated November 22, 1897.

Delaware Senator Thomas F. Bayard wrote this handwritten letter to John Otto concerning the difficulty of procuring clerical vestis for women on February 12, 1881.

Signed Christmas card with original art work by Stanley Arthurs, an autograph letter of appreciation to "Dick," and half of a signed check comprise the collection with dates ranging from 1921 to 1939.

Handwritten letter from Provincial Secretary of Pennsylvania Richard Peters to Chief Justice Richard McWilliam asking him to affix a seal to the appointment of Mr. Joseph [Chandler] as Sheriff and to the Governor's Commission in 1789.

Document appointing Stephen Green as trustee of Sussex County, Delaware, replacing resignee David Hazzard, signed by Governor of Delaware William H. Ross on April 16, 1851.