Historical Society of Delaware Collection: Finding Aid mssDelaware
Finding aid prepared by Huntington staff in 1979, re-keyed by Brooke M. Black, June
1, 2013.
The Huntington Library
2013
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Note
Finding aid last updated on May 21, 2024 by Mari Khasmanyan.
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Historical Society of Delaware collection
Identifier/Call Number: mssDelaware
Physical Description:
6.25 Linear Feet
(5 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1660-1929, bulk 1700-1799
Abstract: This collection contains photostat
reproductions of original letters and documents held by the the Historical Society of
Delaware, including state and county records, military documents, and about 350 letters,
mostly from the time of the American Revolution. The inclusive dates are 1660 to 1929, with
an emphasis on the 18th century.
Language of Material: Materials are in
English.
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
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responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining
necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
[Identification of item]. Historical Society of Delaware collection, The Huntington
Library, San Marino, California.
The photostats were acquired through E. Terry in 1939 from the Historical Society of
Delaware. The originals at the Historical Society of Delaware were gifts of Willard S. Morse
in 1923, 1928 and 1929.
The Delaware Historical Society is located in Wilmington, Delaware. It changed its name in
from the Historical Society of Delaware in 2008.
The collection contains photostat reproductions of original letters and documents in the
Historical Society of Delaware, including state and county records, military documents, and
about 350 letters, mostly from the time of the American Revolution. The inclusive dates are
1660 to 1929, with an emphasis on the 18th century.
Within the correspondence, virtually all the governors and holders of important offices of
Delaware are represented. Many of the letters have to do with with local government and many
concern Delaware's part in the American Revolution. A few have no value beyond
autograph-collector interest
The state records consist of: executive orders by Presidents and Governors of Delaware
(1798-1908), court records (1738-1898); documents and letters of the General Assembly
Council and House (1775-1849); State Treasurer's papers (1779-1869); and State Auditor's
papers (1789-1898).
The county records reflect Kent County (1679-1849); New Castle County (1706-1849); and
Sussex County (1748-1877).
Finally, the military returns (1775-1808) include the Delaware Line of the Continental
Army and Delaware Militia.
Notable authors represented by 4 or more pieces are: James Asheton Bayard (4 pieces),
Benjamin Chew (4 pieces), Joshua Clayton (7 pieces), John Dagworthy (5 pieces), John
Dickinson (4 pieces), David Hall (5 pieces), John Jay (4 pieces), Thomas Jefferson (6
pieces), Thomas McKean (6 pieces), John McKinly (4 pieces), Allan McLane (4 pieces), Samuel
Osgood (4 pieces), Samuel Patterson (4 pieces), Timothy Pickering (8 pieces), Edmund
Randolph (5 pieces), George Read (4 pieces), Caesar Rodney (9 pieces), and Thomas Rodney (7
pieces).
The collection was formerly known as the Delaware State Archives Collection. The name of
the collection was changed in 1979.
Former call number: mssDelaware historical society
This material is made up of all photostats in 5 boxes:
- Boxes 1-3: Correspondence (arranged alphabetically)
- Box 4: State and county records
- Box 5: Military documents
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Governors -- Delaware -- Correspondence
Delaware -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775 --
Sources
Delaware -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources
Delaware -- History -- Sources
Delaware -- History, Military.
Delaware -- Militia.
Delaware -- Politics and government.
United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 --
Sources
United States -- Politics and government -- 18th century --
Sources
County government records Delaware.
Letters (correspondence) Delaware.
Military records Delaware.
State government records Delaware
Historical Society of Delaware.
Bayard, James A. (James Asheton), 1767-1815
Chew, Benjamin, 1722-1810
Clayton, Joshua, 1744-1798
Dagworthy, John, 1721-1784
Dickinson, John, 1732-1808
Hall, David, 1752-1817
Jay, John, 1745-1829
Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826
McKean, Thomas, 1734-1817
Osgood, Samuel, 1748-1813
Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829
Randolph, Edmund, 1753-1813
Read, George, 1733-1798
Rodney, Caesar, 1728-1784
Rodney, Thomas, 1744-1811
Box 1
Correspondence, A-G
Box 2
Correspondence, H-Q
Box 3
Correspondence, R-Y
Box 4
State and county records
Box 5
Military documents