USA > New York > New York City > Guide to depositories of manuscript collections in New York state (exclusive of New York city) > Part 5
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Office of the Adjutant General: records of land grants to soldiers, 1817-18, military fines, 1836-46, and many Civil War records, including rosters of officers and enrollments, historical notes on various regiments, let- ters and telegrams respecting military mat- ters, claims for pay, bounties, and pensions, bounty ledgers, volunteer relief pay rolls, exemptions from military duty, and other data. Office of the State Treasurer: records of pay- monts, receipts, and deposits, treasurer's statements and accounts, daybooks, journals, cashbooks, letter books, records of loans, bonds, and mortgages, and general indexes. Office of the Attorney General: abstracts of legal matters, accounts of bonds and mort- gages and of lots to be sold, records of in- terest due on mortgages, miscellaneous let- ters and papers relating to sales of lands, mortgage sales, and disputed titles, reports to the Comptroller, registers of cases brought before the Attorney General, account books of costs of suits, and general indexes. State Conservation Commission: assessment rolls of towns in which the State owns land.
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Albany - New York State Library
(4D3 - 4E)
The Executive Chamber: records of correspond- ence, letter books, applications for various offices, titles of bills received and ap- proved by the Governor, communications on military affairs, ledgers, appointments, messages, and prison records. Department of Public Instruction: records of normal schools, appointments, and corre- spondence pertaining to institutions for the blind, deaf, and dumb.
3. Miscellaneous records of the New York-Pennsyl- vania Boundary Commission, including diary of operations, engrossed records, field book, financial papers, letter books, map of survey, and record of monuments.
E. Church and genealogical records. - The library has a very extensive collection of church records and biographical and genealogical materials. For a complete list of church records received to June 1917, with statement of contents and dates includ- ed, see New York State Library One-Hundredth Annual Report, 1917 (Albany, 1918, pp. 31-35). See sub- sequent reports for accessions.
There are more than 500,000 manuscripts, of which 75 percent are arranged: individual items by accession number; collections in general, chronologically, or by subjects with chronological arrangement thereunder - variations as needed. There are approx- imately 80,000 catalogue cards (3 x 5) which show persons, places, and subjects. The library uses the American Library Association book cataloguing rules as a basis, with modifications to suit man- uscript material. Manuscript calendars have been made for some collections. Material is available to users upon presentation of identification. Photostatic copies of unrestricted manuscripts are furnished at $0.20 and $0.40 each for positive and negative prints.
See: New York State Library, Calendar of Historical Manu- scripts (Dutch and English) (1865-66); Calendar of N. Y. Colonial Manuscripts Indorsed Land Papers (1864); Calendar of Council Minutes (1902); Names of Persons for whom Marriage Licenses were Issued . Prior to 1784 (1860); Library of Congress, Manuscripts in Public and Private Collections (1924); Annotated List of the Principal Manuscripts in the New York State Library, State Library Bulletin, History No. 3, June 1899 (Albany, 1899); Report of Director of State Library, 1911 --.
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Albany - New York State Medical Library
5. ALBANY. - NEW YORK STATE MEDICAL LIBRARY, State Education Building. Librarian, Miss Maude E. Nesbit. Winter hours (Sept. 16 - May 31) : 9 a.m. - 10 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday; summer hours (June 1 - Sept. 15) : 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. ~ 1 p.m., Saturday.
History and Purpose. - Founded in 1891 as a part of the New York State Library: At the time of its establishment it was the only state medical library supported by legislative appro- priation. Its purpose is to make the best medical literature available to every physician in the state. As a section of the New York State Library, it is not to be considered a depository of manuscripts, although it will accept outright gifts relating to medical history or associated with authors of medical works in the library.
Holdings
Frederick W. PUTNAM collection, 1803-1930, 12 v., re- lating mainly to the early history of medical edu- cation in America. Included are PUTNAM'S historical sketches and original correspondence, matriculation cards, diplomas, and much data on faculties, stu- dents, trustees, graduates, and activities of the following medical schools in New York and New Eng- land: Geneva Medical College, the forerunner of the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Syracuse Uni- versity; Vermont Medical College, Woodstock; Castle- ton (Vt.) Medical College; Berkshire Medical College, Pittsfield, Mass .; New York University Medical Col- lege; and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the Western District, Fairfield, New York. Three volumes, 1855-1928, contain original letters (600) dealing with medical topics, and another volume, 1866-1930, contains letters, prescriptions, canceled checks, and other data relating to physicians of Binghamton, New York.
There are 12 volumes, arranged by subject. Seventy percent of the letters have been arranged by author. Manuscripts are available to researchers by permission of the librarian. Photostats may be obtained at standard rates upon application to the librarian.
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Albany - New York State Museum
6. ALBANY. - NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM, Stato Education
Building. Director, Dr. Charles C. ADAMS. Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., weekdays.
History and Purpose, - A division of the University of the State of New York, the New York State Museum is a general museum and research organization concerned with history and art as well as science. It has been collecting scientific materials for over a century. On April 15, 1836, the State of New York inaugu- rated a systematic investigation of its natural resources by the. State Geological and Natural History Survey. Later these collec- tions of natural history, and those relating to the Indians, his- tory, and art acquired by the State Cabinet of Natural History under the Regents of the University of the State of New York, be- came. the New York State Museum. The field of work has been made to include investigations of the geology, botany, zoology, entomology, Indian archeology, history, industry, and art of the State. At the same time exhibits have been prepared to portray the nature of these resources and accomplishments of the people of the State. addition, the New York State Museum initiated a systematic series of scientific and educational surveys of the natural resources of state parks and began a series of popular handbooks based largely on such studies.
Holdings
The New York State Museum is not to be considered a depository of manuscripts, as this is the function of the State Library, but it has countless notes and memo- randa indispensable to students of New York State history, These notes relate to the following: the Museum's unique collection of Indian wampum belts; objects illus- trating the history and industries of the Shakers; household and agricultural implements, particularly plows; objects associated with various state and national figures; and materials on the history of science in the State, and on the professions, with special reference to medicine and engineering. In addition, the Museum has: correspondence and miscellaneous memoranda relating to the life of Admiral Charles D. SIGSBEE, of the Battle- ship "Maine, " James HALL, State Geologist and Paleontol- ogist and Director of the State Museum, and Edward L. HENRY, famous artist and member of the National Academy Professor Rufus GRIDER'S catalogue of his powder horn drawings (A copy is also available in the New York His- torical Society Library); and the original Indian deed for the tract of land upon which Albany now stands, dated August 8, 1632 and bearing the signatures of Peter MINUIT, Director General of the Dutch West India Company, and others.
In
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Albany - Schuyler Mansion
(7 - 7A)
The number of manuscripts cannot be estimated. The material is entirely arranged according to subject. Persons interested in the material should communicate with the director. Photostat service may be obtained at current rates upon application to the official photographer of the State Education Department.
See: List of the Official Publications of the New York State Museum, by Clinton F. Kilfoyle, from New York State Museum Bul- letin 322, pp. 97-129, One Hundred Second Report of the New York State Museum, Albany, 1940; The New York State Museum's Histor- ical Survey and Collection of the New York Shakers, by Dr. Charles C. Adams, from New York State Museum Bulletin 323, pp. 77-141, One Hundred Third Annual Report of the New York State Museum, Albany, 1941; A Summary of the Accomplishments and Functions of the New York State Museum During the Past Century, 1836-1936, by Members of the Museum Staff, from New York State Museum Bulletin 317, pp. 69-118, One Hundred First Annual Report of the New York State Museum, Albany, 1939; A Chronological Sketch of the History of the New York State Museum, by Members of the Staff, from New York State Museum Bulletin 313, pp. 85-121, Thirty-first Report of the Director, Albany, 1937; and The Community Industries of the Shakers, by Dr. Edward D. Andrews, published as New York State Museum Handbook 15, Albany, 1933.
7. ALBANY. ~ SCHUYLER MANSION, Clinton and Catherine Streets. Custodian, Mr. Andres McMath. Hours: 10 a.m. - 12 m., and 1:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., daily.
History and Purpose. - The Schuyler Mansion, the home of General Philip Schuyler, was purchased by the State in 1911, restored, and opened to the public in 1917. It is controlled by the Division of Lands and Forests of the New York State Conservation Department in cooperation with the Board of Trustees of the Schuyler Mansion. Its collections and exhibits include the house and period furnishings and memorabilia of the Schuyler family. No manuscripts are purchased, sold, or exchanged, but gifts and deposits of mate- rials relating to the Schuyler family are accepted. It is housed in a two-story, nonfireproof, brick building, erected in 1762, with ample space for records.
Holdings
Small but choice collection of letters and other papers of Philip SCHUYLER and others prominently associated with him in the military and political history of the state and nation. Included are:
A. Address of Gen. Philip SCHUYLER to the tenants of lands at Hillsdale, derived through his wife from her father, John VAN RENSSELAER, Nov. 12, 1790.
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Albany - Schuyler Mansion
(73 - 7E2)
Offers concessions for the sake of peace. Should they refuse to accede to his terms, he threatens "without delay, to institute suits for the recovery of my property, and to pros- ecute them with unremitted attention to a final decision, not doubting but that in a State, and under a Constitution where laws and not Men are to govern, " he will obtain satis- faction.
B. Letters and papers in reference to the building of SCHUYLER'S house in Albany, 1761-67, 7 items. Correspondence relating to the shipment of supplies, workmen's bills and time reports, and itemized accounts and financial extracts from his books bearing on the construction of his home.
C. Gen. Phil. SCHUYLER'S itemized list of sundries bought in London, May 31, 1762.
D. Letter from Philip SCHUYLER, "President of the board of Commissioners for Indian affairs, " to the chairman of the General Committee of the County of Tryon, dated "Caghnayaga, " Mar. 11, 1778. Refers to complaint that Tryon County inhab- itants had "Instigated some of the Indians In Alliance with the United States to commit dep- redations on the property of some of the In- habitants under pretence of their being Tory's," which conduct "tends to Create Anarchy and Confusion, and is dangerous to the property even of the warmest friends of the Country." Some also "have taken away Sundry Effects from the Mohawks of the upper Castle,"which conduct "has a tendency to allienate the affections of the Indians and is in It self unjust." SCHUYLER requests that steps be taken to put a stop to both these practices.
E. Letters from Philip SCHUYLER to Robert R. LIVINGSTON:
1. Fort George, May 12, 1776: Comments on move- mont of troops; refers to smallpox among sol- diers; expresses chagrin to see many soldiers returning at the expiration of their service and thinks "this raising troops for one Campaign only" very dangerous to the cause; refers to disorder in the army, and suggests desirable maneuvers against the enemy.
2. Albany, Oct. 7, 1776: Says he receives "fresh Insults from Congress - Insults of such a Nature, that if I could for a Moment forget the Duty I owe my Country - I would leave this and fly to Philadelphia to confound my Enemies. "
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Albany - Schuyler Mansion
(7E3 - 731)
3. Albany, Oct. 13, 1776: Mr. CLYMER and Mr. STOCKTON are ordered to "Tyonderoga" to confer with General GATES. They dined with SCHUYLER "but have not opened their Lips on any public Business that is to be transacted with my in- ferior officer under my very Nose - a more bru- tal Insult could not be offered, an Insult which I will not bear with Impunity from any Body of Men on Earth - Altho' I am fired with the high- est resentment at the ill Usage, I must entreat you not to be alarmed as I shall steadily make the Good of my Country my first object and thus heap more coals on the heads of my Enemies. "
F. Letters of Philip SCHUYLER to Stephen VAN RENSSELAER: 1. Albany, Sept. 18, 1781: Encloses letters of recommendation to friends in Boston and advises him to stay clear of bad company and to overcome any "improper backwardness" by associating with men of reputation and virtue.
2. New York, May 16, 1790: Advises him that the President has been dangerously ill with a violent fever and inflammation of the lungs; refers to prospective legislative action on the debts con- tracted by the states and the attitude of South Carolinians torard assumption and the removal of the seat of government.
G. Letter of Philip SCHUYLER to John LANSING, Jr., dated Saratoga, Oct. 23, 1777.
The carpenters under Capt. THAYRE having been ordered to join Col. BALDWIN, SCHUYLER asks LAN- SING to proceed to Schenectady and hire as many carpenters and masons as possible; suggests he allow the masons "extraordinary wages" rather than not procure them.
H. Letter of Gen. SCHUYLER to Governor George CLINTON, Albany, Apr. 8, 1781.
Asks him to favor Dr. WILLARD as surgeon to one of the regiments to be raised for the defense of the frontiers.
I. Letter of Philip SCHUYLER to Col. READ, commanding the Troops in the Northern Department, dated Albany, June 20, 1782.
Suggests he might use Pierre CHARLANT in secret service work.
J. Letters to Philip SCHUYLER:
1. From William SMITH, Jr., dated N. Y., May 30, 1776.
Refers to a mortgage transaction and comments on public affairs. "Poor Britain, Commerce raised and commerce will destroy her." Refers to a widespread spirit of migration from Eng- land, lured to this country by "An American
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Albany - Schuyler Mansion
(7J2 - 7K)
Parliament and the continuance of religious Liberty. " 2. From William SMITH, Jr., Elizabeth LIVINGSTON, Robert J. LIVINGSTON, Robert R. LIVINGSTON, and Peter R. LIVINGSTON, N. Y., Apr. 21, 1768. Agree to sell their shares of land near Saratoga.
3. From John JAY!
Philadelphia, Dec. 8, 1778; Was "happy to find your acquittal confirmed by Congress." Suggests that "the army is your proper Field. " Should military operations cease during the winter, "it will be in your Power to render essential Services to your Country in this House. By no means think of Resignation. " Philadelphia, Mar. 21, 1779: Rofors to the uncertain fate of letters during the War; Con- gress has refused to accept SCHUYLER'S resig- nation. Urgos him not to "hesitate a Moment to continue in the Service. I have the best Authority to assure you that the Commander in Chief wishes you to retain your Commission
. . You have Talents to render you conspic- uous in the Field, and Address to conciliate the affections of those who may now wish you ill . . . Gather laurels for the sake of your Country and your Children. You can leave them a sufficient Share of Property - leave them. also the Reputation of being descended from an incontestibly great Man - A Man who unin- fluenced by the Ingratitude of his Country was unremitted in his Exertions to promote hor Happiness."
Cadiz, Feb. 19, 1780: Offers to keep SCHUYLER informed on world politics; but to do so moro effectually, he asks SCHUYLER to send "a Plan and explanation of the Cypher you once showed me at Rhynebeck, " suggesting that "the Key- word" be the name of the negro butler in the Schuyler home, written backwards. Doubts his correspondence would pass uninspected, and suggests he send his letters to Philadelphia under cover to "our friend," Robert MORRIS, who will take proper care to forward them. (Also duplicate copy.)
K. Letter from Benjamin FRANKLIN, N. Y., May 27, 1776. Writes after a visit with Charles CARROLL of Carrollton and Silas DEANE to the Schuyler Mansion and a drive to New York over stony roads. Congrat- ulates SCHUYLER "on the very valuable Prize made at Boston. They threaten us with a mighty Force from England and Gormany. I trust that before the end
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Albany - Schuyler Mansion
(7L - 7M5)
of the Campaign, its inefficiency will be appar- ont to all the World, and our Enomics becomo sick of their Projects, and the Freedom of America be established on the surest Foundation. "
L. Letter from. George WASHINGTON after his inauguration as President of the United States, dated, N. Y., May 9, 1789. Thanks him for his congratulations and good wishes "upon my entrance on a new and arduous task. It is only from the assurances of support which I have received from the respectable and worthy characters in every part of the Union, that I am enabled to overcome the diffidence which I have in my own abilities to execute my great and important trust to the best interest of our coun- try. An honest zeal and an unremitting attention to the interest of United America is all that I dare promise." The good dispositions which seem at present to pervade every class of people afford reason for SCHUYLER'S observation that "the clouds which have long darkonod our political hemisphere are now dispersing, and that America will soon feel the effect of her natural advantages. That invis- ible hand which has so often interposed to save our country from impending destruction, seems in no instance to have been more remarkably exerted than in that of disposing the people of this extensivo Continent to accept, in a peaccable mannor, a Con- stitution, which, if woll administered, bids fair to make America a happy nation."
M. Other holdings include:
1. Dood of partition of ostate of Stephanus VAN CORTLAND in Westchester County by his heirs, Oct. 27, 1732.
2. SCHUYLER Family Bible with genealogical notes for the years 1723-78 (in Dutch).
3. Will of John LANYAN, innholder of N. Y., May 8, 1733.
4. Letters (2) of Alexander HAMILTON to his wife Elizabeth Schuyler HAMILTON, 1781, 1795, the first written after hearing of the raid of Tories and Indians on the Schuyler Mansion and their unsuccessful attempt to capture General SCHUYLER for ransom.
5. Letter (in Dutch) from Dirck TEN BROECK and Philip SCHUYLER to Mossrs. Jan WIMPEL, Arent BRAEDT, Johannes MYNDERSE, and Jacob GLEN at "Schonegh- tado, " datod Albany, Fob, 25, 1727-28: Hoard a rumor that "our enemies are planning to have our friends at the Falls march tomorrow in or- der to prevent them from coming here to vote." Urge that "a couple of good friends with a sleigh drive post-haste to the Falls to bring
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Albion - Orleans. D. A. R. and Historical Society
(7M6 - 8B2)
them all here, even if it were to take the en- tire week . . . The persons who go to get the friends from above Schenechtady and the Falls will be paid. The polling can be adjourned from day to day, so that they must come down. If possible let no one remain behind. We shall reimburse you. "
6. Miscellaneous papers, including some 700 letters, 1911-21, addressed to Mrs. Daniel MANNING, president of the trustees of the Schuyler Mansion, pertaining to the furnishing, main- tonance and repair of the Mansion, bids for work, bills and accounts, committee mootings, and donations of furniture and manuscripts by individuals and historical societies.
The thirty-odd Schuyler manuscripts are on exhibit, and are entirely arranged and catalogued. The 700 miscellaneous papers regarding the furnishing, maintenance, and repair of the Schuyler Mansion are unarranged and uncatalogued. The material is avail- able to users upon application to the custodian and upon payment of a $0.25 fee. There is no photostat or copy service.
8. ALBION. - ORLEANS D. A. R. AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY, North Main St. Custodiam, Mrs. Bert Larwood. Hours: Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., during June, July and August.
History and Purpose. - Founded in September 1929 to gather and preserve historical documents and relics relating to Orleans County, and to serve as a meeting place for D. A. R. and S. A. R. organizations. Gifts and loans are accepted; no purchases, sales, or exchanges are made. The building was erected in 1849, of stone and brick construction, and is nonfireproof.
Holdings.
A. Land records, 1820, 1831-37, 6 items. 1. deeds (5), four executed by Wilhelm WILLINK, Holland Land Company official, to carly set- tlers, 1831-37.
2. discharge of mortgage by Wilhelm WILLINK to Henry NORTON, Jr., 1820.
B. . Military records, 1813-64.
1. appointments involving William NOBLE (1841), William KENYON (1861), Levi HALE (1816), and John B. MILLER (1862).
2. discharges issued to Henry NORTON (1813), Joseph BORDWELL (1865), and William NOBLE (1845).
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Albion - Swan Library
(8B3 - 9A)
3. Civil War soldiers1 memorial records (3), citing company, officers and privates, and engage- ments, with remarks as to where mustered and when discharged or killed; also one muster roll of Independent Sharpshooters, 1862.
c. Miscellaneous records
1. diplomas: one to Mrs. A. R. Patterson LIDY from Orleans Agricultural Society, 1859; another to Annette L. NOBLE from Phipps Union Seminary, 1863.
2. appointment of William NOBLE as aide to Collector of Revenue for the District of Niagara, 1852.
3. teaching certificate to Anner DURKEE by the In- spectors of Common Schools for the Town of Ridgeway in Genesoe County, 1815.
4. miscellaneous minutes of the trustees of the town of Royalton, 1823. 5. certificate of membership in the Time Telegraph Association given to Robert B. BULLOCK, 1843. 6. receipt to trustees of Gaines Academy from David M. GASLEY, 1831.
There are 28 pieces in a show case, unarranged and uncata- logued. The collection is available to properly qualified por- sons under supervision of attendant. There is no photostat service.
9. ALBION. - SWAN LIBRARY, State and Main Streets, Librarian, Miss Lillian A. Achilles. Hours: 2 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., wockdays.
History and Purpose. - Founded in January 1900, the Swan Library specializes in local and rural school work. It docs not buy, sell, or exchange manuscripts, but gifts are accepted and restrictions may be specified by the donor. The library building was erected in 1855 of stone and brick construction and is non- fireproof. It is used as a meeting place for various societies and has ample room for the storage of manuscripts.
Holdings
A. Rufus B. BULLOCK'S "Carpet Bagger Bills, " 1862-65, 20 items.
Bills to BULLOCK in Augusta, Georgia, from C. A. PLANT & Co., C. V. WALKER & Co., W. E. WHEELOCK, G. A. WYMAN, B. F. TUTT, R. C. CLARK, Loon GUERIN & Co., R. G. WARD, and E. B. LONG & Co., all Augusta merchants, citing pricos paid for merchan- dise.
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Alfred - Alfred University Library
(93 - 10A1)
B. Certificate, May 15, 1867, from W. W. BERRY, Clerk of the U. S. Circuit Court, Richmond, Va., stating that he has presented to Rufus B. BULLOCK the pen used by Jefferson DAVIS, Horace GREELEY, Gerrit SMITH, Cornelius VANDERBILT and others in signing the bail bond by which DAVIS was set at liberty May 13, 1867.
c. Photostat of a letter from Abraham LINCOLN to Grace BEDELL, a young girl, Oct. 19, 1860.
There are 23 pieces with no arrangement or index. The col- lection may be used by researchers under the supervision of attend- ant. There is no photostat service available.
10. ALFRED. - ALFRED UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, Main Street. Librarian, Ruth P. Greene. Hours during school year: 8:30 a.m. - 12 m., 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., and 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; 8:30 a.m. - 12 m., 3 p.m. - 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Summer hours: 8:30 a.m. - 12 m., 1:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Monday through Friday; 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.
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