Manuscripts
This collection contains the papers of French-American jurist John Bouvier (1787-1851) and his family in Pennsylvania, including Bouvier's daughter astronomy writer Hannah Mary Bouvier Peterson (1811-1870), his son-in-law Robert Evans Peterson (1812-1869) and the Petersons' son-in-law Philadelphia publisher George William Childs (1829-1894). The papers include letters, documents, and photographs document the family history; personal affairs of John Bouvier; political affairs, including charges of corruption against Pennsylvania Governor William Findlay (1817-1820); Democratic-Republican politics in Pennsylvania (1820-1824), correspondence and business papers Robert Evans Peterson and his wife Hannah Mary Bouvier Peterson (1811-1870), including correspondence concerning Hannah Peterson's astronomy works and her text on astronomy from people eminent in the field. Some of the letters contain corrections of information found in the book; there are also incoming correspondence and documents pertaining to the personal affairs of George William Childs. In addition, there is one box of photographs of military figures, primarily American, and Presidents. Correspondents include James Todd, Alexander James Dallas, Joseph Ritner, Samuel Austin Allibone, James Thomas Fields, Frederick Edwin Church, Charlotte Saunders Cushman, George William Curtis, Henry Martyn Hoyt, and others. There are 29 pieces of John Bouvier and 30 pieces of James Todd Some notable items include:
Bouvier, John. Entry regarding the War of 1812 in his journal. June 1, 1813.
Dallas, Alexander James. Letter to John Irvine giving professional opinion about a legal document.
Todd, James. Letter to John Bouvier defending Governor William Findlay against the charges of corruption. Feb. 2, 1820.
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