Opening Hours
Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Manuscripts
Essai, et dissertation sur un moyen a employer avant quelques operations pour en diminuer la douleur
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Manuscripts
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Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
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Manuscripts
A typescript copy of Rep. Russell's remarks on the House floor regarding the centennial of the New Madrid earthquakes. Attached is a copy of the letter from Eliza Bryan (1780-1866) to Lorenzo Dow (1816, Mar. 22), one of the most important eyewitness accounts of the earthquakes. Russell requested that the letter that "was recently published in the Dunklin Count Democrat, but so far as I know has never been published in any history," be inserted in the Congressional Record "in order to preserve it for future generations and in the interest of correct history."
mssHM 69804
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Rare Books
"A notice seemingly published under the joint auspices of the 'Consuls- Gouverneurs' and the diocese of Arles in the South of France, and promoting a free and public course in midwifery ... The Avis invites neighbouring communities from outside of the diocese to send along suitable candidates to the course already established in Arles, and which has proven successful. ... The course lasts for one month, though three years of classes must be attended before a completion certificate will be awarded. Instruction in 'les maladies des femmes enceintes, en couche, et accouchées' was given by M. Paris 'Professeur Royal'. M. Pautrier delivered lectures on 'l'anatomie et le manuel des accouchemens'. Students will be taught the different cases in which the sacrament of baptism is to be administered, and it is expected that all midwives be of good Christian virtue."--Antiquarian bookseller's description.
647912
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Manuscripts
Diary kept by Frederick Moulton Shaw from approximately 1886-1891 while he was living in Laurel Canyon. His entries include notes on weather conditions, water supply, felling wood, bee keeping, quotes from various books, religious musings, a story about killing rattlesnakes that was later published in the Times, and a few sketches and maps. While these entries are pedestrian, Shaw's eccentricities frequently emerge. A recurring theme is his disputes with his neighbors, specifically a man named E.C. Watson, whom Shaw accuses of trying to a hire a man to have him killed, of shooting at Shaw several times, stealing his horses, trying to sell his bees, accosting him in the street, prowling around his house at night, and "threatening death and destruction...[Watson] Swears he will kill six or seven persons yet before he is done." Shaw also writes of run-ins with his other neighbor E.W. Doss, who "sympathize[ed] with me in my affliction of the head but could not stand any of my 'jaw.'" Another entry includes a drawing of a skull and crossbones and the note that he would place the image on his card until "they quit calling me Doctor...I do not object to being called physician but a doctor is another thing!! The paid Thugs of Society!!!" In the same entry Shaw also says that "I have been the means of saving many thousands of lives by my treatment." Also includes four photographs (1914) and a postcard of land in Laurel Canyon.
mssHM 75011
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Manuscripts
HM 58286: Charles du Val (Dieppois)'s account of his voyages in the South Seas with crews of French, English, and Dutch buccaneers. Among other entries, Charles describes his crew's ransacking of Grenada in 1687; their departure for California with Franc Roole, including their stay at Cabo San Lucas with descriptions of the native people and pearl fisheries; the capture of the Duchess de Lerma (ransomed in 1689); the scenery and wildlife of the Galapagos; experiments with cacao performed by Spanish doctors in South America; travels to the Strait of Magellan and the landscape of the area; and the crew's time in the South Atlantic with Roole. Also included in the manuscript are copies of two letters, the first from Jacques Marin to the Compte de Monclos, Viceroy of Lima (Don Melchor Portocarrero y Lasso de la Vega, conde de Monclova), written in Mexico in 1692, and the second from Francois de Colmenarez to an unknown recipient and sent from Madrid, also in 1692. The manuscript appears to be addressed to a Father Gravier, a Jesuit in Canada, on the recommendation of Esprit Cabart de Villermont (1628?-1707). The journal itself covers the years 1685-c.1694, but was compiled between 1696 and 1707; extracts undated, probably 18th century. Included with the Charles manuscript is a handwritten copy of a letter from Dom Juan de Yrayzoz at Arica, Bolivia, to the Compte de Monclos, Viceroy of Lima (Don Melchor Portocarrero y Lasso de la Vega, conde de Monclova), written after a voyage aboard the Santyoquil from Lima in 1693. The letter includes a description of a hostile encounter with a Corsaire (possibly that of Franc Roole). In French.
mssHM 58286, HM 73056-73057
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Manuscripts
This collection consists of papers and manuscripts chiefly related to the history of Virginia, which were collected by historian R. A. Brock (1839-1914). The materials cover a period from 1582-1914, although the main bulk of the manuscripts come between 1780 and 1900 Brock's collection of papers and manuscripts relating to political, military, economic, religious, social, and genealogical history of the state of Virginia. Included are papers of prominent Virginia families, business firms and businessmen, religious and fraternal organizations, government offices and departments, politicians, statesmen, and administrators. The large group of individual items described by a misnomer Miscellaneous File and Miscellaneous Manuscripts apparently constituted the core of Mr. Brock's collection. Most materials concern history of Virginia, with items relating to other Southern States, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, New York, etc. Brock's own voluminous private and official correspondence, and papers of the Virginia Historical Society and the Southern Historical Society. United States presidents represented in the collection include: John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Chester A. Arthur, James Buchanan, Millard Fillmore, Andrew Jackson, James Madison, James Monroe, James K. Polk, Franklin Pierce, Theodore Roosevelt, John Tyler, and Martin Van Buren. See series container lists for item details, especially the Miscellaneous File series. The volumes are mostly: Account books, including a copy of George Washington's ledger Letter books Diaries Orderly books Sermons Parish records, including the original Mannakin Town register The single letters and documents are of all types – personal, commercial and political. They have been divided into sub-collections wherever there were enough papers of one individual, one family, or one institution, to justify such division. These sub-collections include about 25,000 manuscripts. Correspondence of Mr. Brock and other officers of the Virginia Historical Society, amounting to at least 15,000 pieces, has been arranged in a rough chronological order. A group of several hundred pieces of literary material is sorted alphabetically. The rest of the manuscripts have been arranged chronologically in a miscellaneous file of about 7,000 to 8,000 pieces. Subject matter consists of: A. The Land 1. Northern Neck Proprietary: 1721-1776 a. Rent rolls for the following counties: Berkeley (3 pieces); Culpeper (3 pieces); Dunmore (3 pieces); Fairfax (5 pieces); Fauquier (3 pieces); Frederick (4 pieces); King George (3 pieces); Lancaster (4 pieces); Loudoun (3 pieces); Northumberland (3 pieces); Prince William (11 pieces); Richmond (12 pieces); Stafford (6 pieces); Westmoreland (3 pieces) b. Survey warrants issued by Robert Carter, 1722-1730; William Fairfax, 1739-1752; Thomas Bryan Martin, 1760-1761 c. Correspondence of the Fairfax family 2. Other counties: grants, deeds, of sale, etc. 3. Virginia land office a. Survey warrants issued for bounty lands b. Correspondence of William Price, register of the land office B. Government and civil authority 1. State, county, and U.S. district court records 2. Board of trade 3. Treasury C. Military affairs 1. Board of war a. Scattered official papers b. Correspondence of William Davies, commissioner of the War office 2. Virginia regiments: orderly books, returns, lists, accounts, pay-rolls, muster rolls, etc. D. Business firms represented by 20 or more pieces (before 1800): Donald & Burton & James Brown (20 pieces); Freeland & Gillies (25 pieces); John Cunliffe (58 pieces); John Norton & Sons (225 pieces); Micajah Crew (150 pieces); Mutual Assurance Society (44 pieces); Robson & Harford (30 pieces); Williams Cuninghame & Company (100 pieces); William Prentiss & Company (20 pieces) E. Virginia families represented by 20 or more pieces (before 1800): Fairfax (100 pieces); Harrison (41 pieces); Lee (30 pieces); Pleasants (104 pieces); Randolph (27 pieces); Scott (Charles & Daniel) (20 pieces) F. Society of Friends: records and correspondence G. Freemasons (Virginia Grand Lodge): records and correspondence Some notable items include: Virginia. Council. Patent (with seal) to Richard Kempe for 840 acres of land called "The Meadows." 1638/9, Mar. 4. Byrd, William II. Notebook containing drafts of addresses, petitions, etc., representative of Byrd's activities in London while agent for the colony of Virginia, 1697-1702. -----. Journal, in shorthand, 1709-1712. -----. Secret history of the Dividing Line, 1726-1729. -----. Description of the Dismal Swamp, and proposals for draining the swamp, 1729. "Registre Contenant le Baptesme qui se sont fait Dans L'Eglise Des francois Refugiée a Mennekintown," 1721-1754. The Mannakin Town Register. Virginia. Proprietors Office. To George Washington: Warrants to survey certain lands. (27 pieces, mostly signed by George William Fairfax; nearly all endorsed by Washington, and many in his handwriting), 1749-1752. Rose, Robert. Diary of Reverend Robert Rose, 1746-1751. (Note: this manuscript is a copy made ca. 1850; the original was destroyed by fire in Richmond, Virginia, during the Civil War). "Dinwiddianae; or, Select Poems Pro Patria." Anonymous, ca. 1757. St. Ann's Parish, Albemarle County, Virginia. Vestry books, 1772-1785. Armand, Charles Tuffin, Comte de la Rouerie. Letter to Theodoric Bland. "…As you had showed me great politeness and some friendship during my sickness, I Expected that I was authorized to tell you with frankness my trouble and my case in general – and as the resolve from Congress hurted my reputation and my hart…I wished that you could have influenced in the House for not render this resolve publick in inscribing in on the Journal" [ca. 1779]. Laurens, Henry. Letter to James Lovell. "…Tomorrow I proceed to Paris having now a prospect that our Negotiations for a solid Peace will be brought to a speedy and I trust happy Issue – but mark what I say prospect, the greatest adepts in Weather and Politics are sometimes mistaken…." London, 1783, Apr. 7. Toulmin, Harry. Journal of a voyage to North America (together with descriptive and statistical information concerning various counties in Virginia and Kentucky), 1793-1794. (Note: this manuscript is a copy. If the original exists, its whereabouts is unknown.) Richmond (Virginia). City Assessor. Assessment of Houses and Lotts in the City of Richmond for 1799.
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Manuscripts
This collection contains family correspondence and a few miscellaneous items, chiefly addressed to Joel and Ruth Barlow, Clara Baldwin Bomford, and her daughter Ruth Bomford Paine. Correspondents include Elizabeth Whitman and George William Erving (1769-1850), an American diplomat. The letters discuss the Baldwin family affairs and contain only occasional references to political affairs. Also included are a few documents and 1 manuscript poem. The collection chiefly reflects the children of Michael Baldwin (1719-1787) of New Haven, including Abraham Baldwin (1754-1807), American statesman and founder of the University of Georgia; Henry Baldwin (1780-1844), justice of the United States Supreme Court; Ruth (Baldwin) Barlow (1756-1818) and her husband, Joel Barlow (1754-1812), American poet and statesman; Clara (Baldwin) Bomford (1782-1856), wife of George Bomford (1782-1848), chief of ordnance of the army; and the descendants of George and Clara Bomford. About one-sixth of the letters are addressed to Joel and/or Ruth Barlow, 1779-1816; about one-half to Ruth's sister, Clara (Baldwin) Bomford, 1803-1855; about one-sixth to Clara's daughter, Ruth (Bomford) Paine, 1856-1891; and the remainder to others. Perhaps the collection as a whole is best described as the remnant of a family archive which has passed through a number of generations. Subject matter include Baldwin family affairs; social life in New Haven, Connecticut; the Kalorama property in Washington, D.C., purchased by the Barlows in 1807; sold to the Bomfords in 1818 and subsequently sold by them in 1846; society in Washington, D.C., from 1803 to 1815; the Barlow's social life in Paris in 1811 and 1812; and description and travel in Europe, with letters by George W. Erving describing Switzerland, Italy, and France. Includes biographical material for: Abraham Baldwin; Ruth (Baldwin) Barlow and Joel Barlow; Clara (Baldwin) Bomford and George Bomford; George William Erving; Robert and Harriet Fulton; and other members of the Baldwin family and descendants of George & Clara Bomford. Of particular note are the letters of Elizabeth Whitman to Joel Barlow; the letters of Ruth Barlow; and the extensive series of letters from George William Erving (1769-1850), American diplomat, to Clara Bomford. Erving's letters are perhaps the most substantial part of the collection and the earlier ones are particularly interesting. He never married, occupied several diplomatic posts in Europe, travelled about a good deal, and lived for many years in Paris. The letters contain nothing about his diplomatic work as such, but are full of reflections and observations on a number of subjects and some of them run to a considerable length--there is one of twenty-nine pages. In the earlier part of the collection there are references to Joel Barlow and a number of letters addressed to him, but only one document and several postscripts in his handwriting, and copies of his will and one poem. There are occasional references to political affairs, but the primary importance of the collection is for the picture it presents of the social and day-to-day life of the time, and for the information it contains about the individuals noted below. Persons represented by 3 or more pieces (Figures in square brackets indicate number of letters addressed to the individual)" Baldwin, Abraham (24 pieces, 1789-1807 [2]) Baldwin, Henry (8 pieces, 1813-1816) Baldwin, William D. (4 pieces, 1882) Barlow, Anica (Preble) (4 pieces, 1812-1855) Barlow, Joel (3 pieces, 1797-1812 (38)) Barlow, Ruth (Baldwin) (67 pieces, 1795-1816 [41]) Bishop, Victor (7 pieces, 1845-1852) Bomford, Clara (Baldwin) (21 pieces, 1811-1827 [236]) Bomford, George (7 pieces, 1844-1848 [10]) Bomford, James V. (6 pieces, 1883-1887) Bomford, Mattie (4 pieces, 1856-1883) Dall, Caroline Wells (Healey) (7 pieces, 1884-1892) Derby, Richard C. (5 pieces, 1882-1886) Erving, George William (116 pieces, 1812-1850 [1]) Eyre, Wilson (4 pieces, 1882) Gaines, Edmund Pendleton (10 pieces, 1812-1814) Lafayette, Marquis De (4 pieces, 1789-1827) Linwood, Mary (3 pieces, 1805-1812) Madison, Dolly (Payne) Todd (4 pieces, 1811-1842) Maguire, Bernard (3 pieces, 1844-1848) Marbois, Comte De (6 pieces, 1812-1814) Maulsby, A. M. (5 pieces, 1882) Moore, Margaret Jane (King), Countess Mountcashell (4 pieces, 1812) Olmstead, Lemuel G. (11 pieces, 1854-1855) Riddle, John S. (4 pieces, 1844) Seymour, Louisa (5 pieces, 1886-1891) Smith, J. B. H. (5 pieces, 1851-1856) Thornton, Anna Maria (Brodeau) (17 pieces, 1812-1855 [18]) Whitman, Elizabeth (15 pieces, 1779-1782) Williams, Helen Maria (6 pieces, 1812-1815) Some notable items include: Baldwin, Abraham. To Ruth Barlow. 1789, July 3. "These Politicians Keep Such A Talking Round My Ears, That I Cannot Write You Any More At Present." To Joel Barlow. 1791, Mar. 13. "Many Of The Atlantic Settlers Wish The Western Country Not To Be Settled, And Take All Opportunities To Throw Blocks In The Way...." Will. 1807, Mar. 1. Barlow, Joel. Will. 1797, Apr. 15. Certified Copy, Dated 1813. Barlow, Ruth (Baldwin). To Clara Bomford. 1810, Mar. 10 abd 14. Re: Clara'S Change Of Name; Mrs. Madison; Mme. Bonaparte; Napoleon'S Divorce; Etc. To Clara Bomford. 1812, Sep. Letters Describing Her Visit To Mme. De Villette. Will. 1813, Aug. 24. To Clara Bomford. 1814, Mar. 13. "...Yet The World Suppose Him [Robert Fulton] Swimming In Wealth, Whilst In Reality He Is Oppressed With Debts Which He Can Hardly Find The Means Of Meeting. How Little My Dear Clara, We Know Of Peoples Real Situations & Feelings." Bomford, Clara (Baldwin). To Anna Maria (Brodeau) Thornton. 1811, Nov. 13. Re: Paris Opera, Joel Barlow'S Presentation To The Emperor, Etc. To Anna Thornton. 1814, Dec. 11. Our [Connecticut] neighbors are mostly people of fortune or independant farmers, all delighted to see their friends & acquaintance, they call a visit from 2 in the afternoon till 9 in the evening--about 4 they have a table groaning with the weight of all the good things they can muster--chickens sausages, apple sauce, sweet meats, bread & butter cakes & pies & in the evening cider apples & nuts. Erving, George William. To Joseph Gales. 1814, Oct. 22. Re: the misinterpretation by the British press of American news. To Clara Bomford. 1819, Oct. 6-20. Re: his life in Paris; Mrs. Decatur (she is a charming woman; she was not absolutely a flame, but a little flamelet of mine many years ago, but all calculations duly made, I thought it most prudent to withdraw.); Lafayette (he is one of those in whom hope will never die, who will always see 'couleur de rose' tho affairs be as black as ink,--he thinks that good principles & a good heart is every thing,--tho a soldier he does not calculate well the power of bayonets...) To the same. 1825, Nov. 20. I am glad that you like Mr Vaughan, but I neither presume or desire that you see much of him;--tho' he is a very estimable man, perhaps more respectable (morally speaking) than ministers are in general, yet I shoud not have given him a letter to you (for this is against my rules) but that he almost compelled me to do so:-- with all Vaughans apparent simplicity & frankness, put this well into your head, that he is as thorough an Englishman as any of them; nor could they find in all England a more fit man to send to Washington; for his modesty, his want of all pretension,--his 'bonhommie' & his moderate calm manner, are the very qualities suited to our gullibility;... To the same. 1826, June 8. Monroe... demands great 'swads' of our money without even the shadow of any right at all; thinking no doubt that as the mouth of the publick purse has opened for poor Lafayette, he may as well thrust his big fist into it; before the delicate paw of Madam Decatur shall have quite exhausted it, for the sake of her future husband.... [In Washington] You live precisely in the centre, the best position for observation--look about you,--probably you will not find one man excepting your good husband, who is devoid of this mania; look at their gray or bald foreheads--laden with care; see all the younger ones--rushing--& jostling & fighting & worrying each other, their hearts full of bitterness & envy; their nights sleepless; see what a proportion leave their families, neglect their business, impair their fortunes & ruin their constitutions, for the gratification of empty vanity--called 'ambition':--for do not mistake, not one in an hundred is there to 'serve his country' as a duty. Poor Rufus King!--he has been minister & Senator, & not being able to arrive at the Presidency for which he has been struggling all his life, must needs be minister again; well he dies in the effort! Poor Monroe! he arrived by dint of perseverance, he retires, health & fortune ruined, reputation in not much better condition,--he is to be consumed by mortification! Poor Crawford! the best years of his life sacrificed, his estate & profession neglected;--all his prospects defeated,--he vegitates!--so of the rest. To the same. 1835, Mar. 18. You & I who knew so well must sympathize in the loss of that most excellent friend Mr Crawford; I have never seen in publick life anyone of such perfect & disinterested patriotism, or in private of more pure integrity. Fulton, Robert. To Joel Barlow. 1809, Mar. 1. Re: Explanation of his moving away from Kalorama; Barlow's interest in the steamboat (you had little faith in the success or profits of the boat); Barlow's financial affairs; and getting The Columbiad reviewed in London. Gaines, Edmund Pendleton. To Clara Bomford. 1812, Jan. 20. Re: death of his wife, Frances. Lafayette, Marquis de. Dinner invitation to Joel Barlow. 1789, Feb. 9. Thornton, Anna Maria (Brodeau). To Clara Bomford. 1812, Mar. 15. Re: Count Crillon. Whitman, Elizabeth. To Joel Barlow, 14 letters, 1779-1780; and one letter to Ruth Barlow, 1782. The tragic life of Elizabeth Whitman served as the basis for the popular early American novel by Hannah Webster Foster, The Coquette, or, the history of Eliza Wharton, 1797. These letters were published (inaccurately) by Mrs. Caroline Dall in The Romance of the Association..., Cambridge, 1875.
mssBR
mssBN 1-475