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W. Atlee Burpee Jr. collection of Lincoln papers

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Held at: Free Library of Philadelphia: Rare Book Department [Contact Us]Philadelphia, PA, 19103

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Free Library of Philadelphia: Rare Book Department. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

Call Number:
RBD.LINCOLN
Repository:
Free Library of Philadelphia: Rare Book Department
Extent:
1.0 linear feet
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
[Description and date of item], [Box number], W. Atlee Burpee Jr. collection of Lincoln papers, 1861-1865, Free Library of Philadelphia, Rare Book Department.
Date:
1861-1865 (inclusive)
Creator:
Burpee, W. Atlee (Washington Atlee), Jr., 1894-1966
Form:
Correspondence and Military commissions
Abstract:
Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) served as the 16th President of the United States from March 1861 until he was assassinated in April 1865. He led the United States through the American Civil War, preserving the Union and ending slavery. The Burpee collection of Lincoln papers covers the time period between 1861 and 1865 and consists of thirty-four items.

Washington Atlee Burpee Jr. was born on October 25, 1894. His father was the founder of the famous Burpee Seed Company, and he became vice-president and treasurer of the company after his father’s death. Burpee also served as president of the Philadelphia Flower Show. He was an avid collector of rare books and manuscripts, including the Lincoln papers, which he donated to the Free Library of Philadelphia in 1958. In 1963, he retired from the family business to devote more time to his other interests. He died on January 1, 1966.

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) served as the 16th President of the United States from March 1861 until he was assassinated in April 1865. He led the United States through the American Civil War, preserving the Union and ending slavery. During his life he served as a country lawyer, an Illinois state legislator, and a one-term member of the United States House of Representatives. He secured the Republican nomination and was elected president in 1860. As president he issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, and promoted the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, abolishing slavery.

The Burpee collection of Lincoln papers covers the time period between 1861 and 1865. It consists of thirty-four items, primarily letters received and annotated by Lincoln. Many of the letters concern appointments. There is also a Navy Commission signed by Lincoln.

The collection is arranged chronologically. File names include (in this order): who the letter is from, a general title of the letter, and finally a location if one is given. Each title is followed by a General Note about the item, usually information on when it was endorsed by Lincoln or any other signers.

Gift of W. Atlee Burpee Jr., 1958.

Finding aid entered into the Archivists' Toolkit by Garrett Boos.

People
Organization

Publisher
Free Library of Philadelphia: Rare Book Department
Finding Aid Date
2010.11.23
Sponsor
The creation of the electronic guide for this collection was made possible through generous funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, administered through the Council on Library and Information Resources’ "Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives" Project. Finding aid entered into the Archivists' Toolkit by Garrett Boos.
Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

The right of access to material does not imply the right of publication. Permission for reprinting, reproduction, or extensive quotation from the rare books, manuscripts, prints, or drawings must be obtained through written application, stating the use to be made of the material. The reader bears the responsibility for any possible infringement of copyright laws in the publication of such material. A reproduction fee will be charged if the material is to be reproduced in a commercial publication.

Collection Inventory

Multiple signatories. Copy of a letter to Abraham Lincoln recommending paymaster appointment, 2 pages, 1861.
General note

Endorsed by Lincoln. December 24, 1861.

Trumbull, L. Autographed letter signed, to Abraham Lincoln concerning Alex H. Hott. Washington, D.C., 2 pages with envelope, 1862 February 6.
General note

Endorsed by Lincoln. January 12, 1864.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865. Autographed document signed, Commission Chief Engineer of the Navy, 1 parchment leaf, 1862 March 31.
General note

Signed by Lincoln.

Noble, Warren Perry, 1820-1903. Autographed letter signed, to Abraham Lincoln concerning an appointment. Washington, D.C., 1 page, 1862 May 20.
General note

Endorsed by Lincoln. June 19, 1862.

Collamer, Jacob, 1791-1865. Autographed letter signed, to Abraham Lincoln asking for an appointment for Ira F. Payson of Colorado. Washington, D.C., 2 pages, 1862 July 17.
General note

Endorsed by Lincoln. "Upon the written statement of Senator Collamore I suppose Mr. Payson should be reappointed. A. Lincoln March 28, 1863."

Arnold, Isaac Newton, 1815-1884. Autographed letter signed, to Abraham Lincoln requesting information on arrest charges. Executive Mansion, Washington D.C., 1 page, 1862 June 19.
General note

Endorsed by Lincoln. June 19, 1862.

Kellogg, Francis William, 1810-1879. Autographed letter signed, to Abraham Lincoln asking for appointment. Washington, D.C., 1 page, 1862 July 22.
General note

Endorsed by Lincoln. July 23, 1862.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865. Autographed note signed, on envelope, 1 envelope, 1862 September 10.
General note

Concerning Mr. Cheever's appointment as Assistant Paymaster, with file notes.

Unknown. Autographed letter signed, to Abraham Lincoln seeking an appointment for James H. Thurston. Annapolis Junction, 1 page torn in half, 1862 September 22.
General note

Endorsed by Lincoln. February 8, 1864.

Henderson, John B. (John Brooks), 1826-1913. Autographed letter signed, to Abraham Lincoln introducing Captain O. A. Cutler. Louisiana, Missouri, 2 pages with envelope, 1862 October 16.
General note

Envelope endorsed by Lincoln. October 29, 1862.

Mangen, Jane. Autographed letter signed, to Abraham Lincoln asking for help to return to family after nursing an ill soldier. Washington, D.C., 2 pages, 1862 October 20.
General note

Endorsed. "Submitted to Sec. Of War and Paymaster General. A. Lincoln October 23, 1862."

White, Lesley. Autographed letter signed, to Abraham Lincoln with a suggestion for expert marksmen in the war. Paisley, possibly UK, 2 pages, 1862 November 25.
General note

Endorsed. "Submitted to the Secretary of War. A. Lincoln. December 12, 1862."

New England Soldiers' Relief Association. Autographed letter signed, to Charles Sumner asking to restore Maurice Copeland to Ullman's staff. New York, New York, 4 pages on 2 folios, 1863 January 28.
General note

Endorsed by Lincoln. February 3, 1863.

Sewart, Robert. Autographed letter signed, to Abraham Lincoln regarding military appointment. Easton, Pennsylvanania, 2 pages, 1863 January 8.
General note

Endorsed by Lincoln. January 10, 1863.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865. Autographed note signed, on envelope on which various notes are written concerning an application for PayMaster, 1 envelope, 1863 February 20.
General note

Endorsed by Lincoln. "Submitted to Sec. Of War. A. Lincoln February 20, 1863."

Forbes, William A. Autographed letter signed, to Abraham Lincoln requesting influence for an appointment. Fort Snelling, Minnesota, 1 page, 1863 March 26.
General note

Endorsed by Lincoln. April 21, 1863.

Nixon, John T. (John Thompson), 1820-1889. Autographed letter signed, to Abraham Lincoln concerning recommendation for Brigadier General. Bridgeton, New Jersey, 1 page, 1863 June 16.
General note

Endorsed by Lincoln. July 20 1863.

Unknown. Autographed letter signed, to Abraham Lincoln requesting the appointment and commission of Thomas Crawford as Lieutenant in the regular army. Springfield, Illinois, 3 pages, 1863 July 16.
General note

Endorsed by Lincoln. "Application for Lieutenancy in regular army. Perhaps the class of applications should be kept together. Submitted to the Sec. Of War. A. Lincoln. August 19, 1863."

Camp, B. F. Autographed letter signed, to the Abraham Lincoln on behalf of petitioner's son, 1 page, 1863 July 24.
General note

Endorsed by Lincoln. "Please make the appointment, and if the young man shall not do well, remove him again. A. Lincoln. August 3, 1863.

Smith, Truman, 1791-1884. Autographed letter signed, to Edwin McMasters Stanton. New York, 1 page, 1863 September 30.
General note

Endorsed by Lincoln. October 5, 1863.

Goodwin, John Noble, 1824-1887. Autographed letter signed, to Abraham Lincoln seeking promotion for James H. Carleton. Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2 pages, 1863 November 20.
General note

Endorsed by Lincoln. February 8, 1864.

Curtin, Andrew Gregg, 1815-1894. Autographed letter signed, to Abraham Lincoln asking for a position for Colonel Collis. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 2 pages, 1863 December 12.
General note

Endorsed by Lincoln. January 7, 1864.

Advocate General's Office. Autographed note signed, to Abraham Lincoln from Judge Advocate General's office, 1 page, 1863 December 31.
General note

Endorsed by Lincoln. "Application denied. April 27, 1864."

Martin, William P. Autographed letter signed, to Abraham Lincoln requesting an appointment for Mr. Todd, 1 page, 1864 January 3.
General note

Endorsed by Lincoln. July 20, 1863.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865. Autographed note signed, on envelope with notes and file numbers with notations by Lincoln, 1 envelope, 1864 January 18.
General note

Mrs. Blanton Duncan. "Please let this lady have the pass requested. A. Lincoln." With File Notes.

Unknown. Autographed letter signed, to Brother Emett asking for Paymaster appointment. Portland, Maine, 3 pages, 1864 January 20.
General note

Endorsed by Lincoln. "Submitted to the Sec. of War. A. Lincoln January 28, 1864."

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865. Document on vellum appointing Howard Stockton 2nd lieutenant, 1 page, 1864 July 2.
General note

Signed by Lincoln & Stanton.

Schuylkill Co. Autographed letter signed, to Abraham Lincoln in favor of Captain Howard Edmonds. Pottsville, Pennsylvania, 3 pages, 1864 August 26.
General note

Endorsed by Lincoln. September 1, 1864.

Yates, Richard, 1815-1873. Telegram to Abraham Lincoln concerning appointment. Washington, 1 page, 1864 October 6.
General note

Endorsed by Lincoln." Submitted to the secretary of war. A. Lincoln. October 7, 1864."

Rafferty, Thomas. Autograph letter signed, to Abraham Lincoln concerning paymaster appointment. Washington, D.C., 3 pages, 1864 November 3.
General note

Endorsed by Lincoln. November 28, 1864.

Moore, W. Y. Autographed note signed, to Abraham Lincoln from War Department. Washington, D.C., 1 page, 1864 November 17.
General note

Endorsed by Lincoln. "Ought not there be an examination of the cases of these men. A. Lincoln November 28, 1864."

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865. Autographed note signed, on envelope. Washington, D.C., 1 envelope, 1865 January 13.
General note

Envelope originally contained a letter asking for reinstatement for Major W. F. Camp.

Bingham, John Armor, 1815-1900. Autographed letter signed, asking Abraham Lincoln to pardon a rebel prisoner. Executive Mansion, Washington D.C., 1 page, 1865 March 9.
General note

Endorsed. "Let this man take the oath of December 8, 1863, and be discharged. A. Lincoln. March 9, 1865."

Clarke, Sidney, 1831-1909. Autographed letter signed, to Abraham Lincoln regarding rebel wishing to take oath of allegiance. Washington, D.C., 1 page, 1865 March 14.
General note

Endorsed by Lincoln. "Let the man take the oath of December 8, 1863, and be discharged. A. Lincoln March 20, 1865."

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