Cadwalader family papers
The Cadwalader family papers document the Cadwalader family through four centuries in America. This influential family made an indelible mark on the history and growth of Pennsylvania. There are twelve series in this collection, most of which are organized around a specific person from each genera...
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Main Author: | |
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Collection: | Cadwalader Family Papers |
Collection Number: | 1454 |
Format: | Manuscript |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | Link to finding aid |
Physical Description: |
242.2 Linear feet 606 boxes, 233 volumes, 18 flat files |
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Summary: |
The Cadwalader family papers document the Cadwalader family through four centuries in America. This influential family made an indelible mark on the history and growth of Pennsylvania. There are twelve series in this collection, most of which are organized around a specific person from each generation or a person that was in some way associated with the Cadwaladers, either through business, marriage, or friendship. Five family members in this collection have their own series: John Cadwalader (1742-1786), Thomas Cadwalader (1779-1841), John Cadwalader (1805-1879), George Cadwalader (1806-1879), and Charles E. Cadwalader (1839-1907). Other family-related series include Phineas Bond, Esq., Joshua Francis Fisher (1807-1873), and Peter McCall (1809-1880). Additional series include the papers of Indian trader and British Consul George Croghan (d. 1792), miscellaneous deeds and correspondence, later additions to the collection, and maps.
The collection contains correspondence, estate papers, business papers, legal papers, deeds, genealogical material, land papers, military papers, financial materials, printed material, bound volumes, portraits, photographs, and maps. Nearly all the materials are in English, with a few in Spanish, French, or German.
The papers of General John Cadwalader include: material on the Trenton-Princeton campaign; letters of George Washington, 1776-1778; Cadwalader's memorandum book, 1776-1777; letters of Thomas Wharton; documents relating to the Cadwalader-Reed controversy; James McHenry letters, 1781; an Alexander Hamilton letter, 1783; revolutionary matters; family papers; papers of Cadwalader Evans, 1735, and Joseph Rose, 1737; and an account book.
The correspondence of General Thomas Cadwalader is broad in scope and embraces letters of many prominent persons. It is rich in family letters and contains material on the Port Folio, the Assembly, clubs. Included are letter books, 1812-1840. His military papers relate mainly to the War of 1812, covering the services of Philadelphia troops, Aug.-Dec. 1814. In 1817 he took over the management of the Penn family affairs in America. Material collected by earlier agents was placed in his hands. This included many of William Penn's own files on the lower counties, as well as manuscripts collected later to substantiate Penn's claims. Many of the Penn family's original deeds relating to their interests in Pennsylvania are included here, as well as agreements for the Mason-Dixon surveys. The coverage of the Penn agency is very broad. Included in it is voluminous correspondence of the Penns starting with Thomas Penn. Many drafts, surveys, and maps are in the collection.
Another large category of General Thomas Cadwalader's papers reflects his career as a lawyer. Richest of all the material preserved here are the George Croghan papers, 1744-1782. These papers deal with Croghan's life as Indian trader, Indian agent, and land speculator. They include a number of his journals, and letters from Sir William Johnson, the Franklins, Gates, Gage, Monckton, Trent, the Whartons, Lord Dunmore and many soldiers and traders of the frontier. Many other cases dealing with the affairs of prominent persons and concerns of General Cadwalader's times are included, notably those concerning the American Iron Company and the West Jersey Society.
Judge John Cadwalader's papers relate principally to the law cases he handled prior to his elevation to the bench. In addition, there is material of interest relating to President Buchanan. Present also are Judge Cadwalder's letter books, 1830-1859.
Phineas Bond, the British consul, is represented by papers, much of biographical interest, Revolutionary material primarily relating to the affairs of Judge William Moore of Moore Hall, as well as many law cases. Bond represented English concerns having interests in this country. Many of these cases he passed on to his nephew, General Thomas Cadwalader.
General George Cadwalader's papers furnish information on military subjects, 1834-1865, are rich in militia affairs, include information on the "Awful Riots of 1844," day-by-day coverage of the Mexican War, and much excellent Civil War material. His interests as a sportsman in yachting and duck shooting are well represented, as are his extensive farming and cattle-raising activities in Maryland. Business interests include papers relating to the Baltimore and Philadelphia Steamboat Company, 1840-1878; estate papers, many inherited from his father, General Thomas Cadwalader; and railroad and mining interests.
Dr. Charles E. Cadwalader's papers consist principally of extensive historical and genealogical notes on the Cadwalader and allied families, as well as photographs of family portraits, relatives, and family houses.
Among certain miscellaneous items not included in the above items are account books of John Moore, 1710-1717; John Kearsley, 1711-1720; John Cadwalader, 1711-1724; Patient Usher, 1737-1741; Dr. Phineas Bond, 1758-1759, 1762-1769; and Dr. Thomas Cadwalader, 1767-1768.
Also included is the correspondence of Richard Peters. The correspondence includes incoming letters and drafts of Peter's outgoing letters, concerning the editorial projects, legal and political affairs. The major correspondent is Joseph Story, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, but there is correspondence with many other judicial and public figures, including Henry Clay, John Marshall, Charles Sumner, and Roger Brooke Taney.
Unprocessed additions to the collection (not accessioned as of 8/6/09), dating from 1844 to 1926, include deeds and correspondence mostly pertaining to the family's burial vaults in Christ Church Cemetery. There are also a few notes on the family's history, including a handwritten family tree showing the descendants of John Cadwalader and Mary Binney; an unidentified photograph; and a 1919 letter and medal from the United States Treasury Department. |