Robert Morris papers

id
5337
origination
Morris, Robert, 1734-1806
date statement
1759-1802
key date
1759
identifier (local_mss)
2066
org unit
Manuscripts and Archives Division
call number
MssCol 2066
b-number
b11974876
total components
50
total series
0
max depth
1
boost queries
(none)
component layout
Default Layout
Extended MARC Fields
false
Extended Navigation
false
created
2013-04-01 15:05:17 UTC
updated
2026-08-16 02:20:22 UTC
status note
(missing)
Display Aeon link
true

Description data TOP

unitid
{"value"=>"2066", "type"=>"local_mss"}
{"value"=>"b11974876", "type"=>"local_b"}
{"value"=>"MssCol 2066", "type"=>"local_call"}
unitdate
{"value"=>"1759-1802", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1759/1802"}
unittitle
{"value"=>"Robert Morris papers"}
physdesc
{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"1.1 linear feet", "unit"=>"linear feet"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"4 boxes, 1 oversized folder", "unit"=>"containers"}], "supress_display"=>true}
repository
{"id"=>"MSS", "value"=>"Manuscripts and Archives Division"}
abstract
{"value"=>"Robert Morris (1734-1806) was a Founding Father of the United States, a businessman, and statesman. As a Philadelphia merchant, Morris helped to finance the American Revolution with the wealth he acquired through his real estate and shipping business. He was one of the rare Founding Fathers to have signed all three of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution. The Robert Morris papers, dated 1751-1802, consist of correspondence, financial and legal papers. The correspondence pertains mostly to Morris's business affairs. Other letters concern his Revolutionary War activities, his service as Superintendent of Finance of the United States and as Chairman of the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety, and some personal matters. The financial and legal papers include receipts, accounts, stock certificates, and land records."}
prefercite
{"value"=>"<p>Robert Morris papers, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library</p>"}
origination
{"value"=>"Morris, Robert, 1734-1806", "type"=>"persname", "role"=>"creator"}
bioghist
{"value"=>"<p>Robert Morris (1734-1806) was a Founding Father of the United States, a businessman, and statesman. As a Philadelphia merchant, Morris helped to finance the American Revolution with the wealth he acquired through his real estate and shipping business. He was one of the rare Founding Fathers to have signed all three of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution. He went on to represent Pennsylvania in the United States Senate from 1779 through 1785. In 1781, Congress appointed him the first Superintendent of Finance of the United States. He later invested much of his fortune in land speculation in western New York but went bankrupt after the Panic of 1796-1797. He was imprisoned for debt in Philadelphia from February, 1789 to August, 1801. His release was a result of Congress passing the Bankruptcy Act of 1800. Upon his release, Morris spent a quiet life of retirement until his death in 1806.</p>"}
custodhist
{"value"=>"<p>Portions of this collection were purchased from Stan Henkels on January 16, 1917. These papers were inherited by Morris's granddaughter, Mrs. Edward Waln, and later sold by her family through Henckels. Additional pieces were purchased from Henkels on June 13, 1919.Much of the material pertaining to Morris's activities in Genessee County, NY was purchased from Walter R. Benjamin on July 23, 1963. Also included are Robert Morris letters that were transferred from both the Ford and Emmet Collections.</p>"}
scopecontent
{"value"=>"<p>The Robert Morris papers, dated 1751-1802, consist of correspondence, financial and legal papers. The bulk of the correspondence pertains to Morris's business affairs. Other correspondence within the collection concerns his Revolutionary War activities, his service as Superintendent of Finance of the United States and as Chairman of the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety, and some personal matters. Financial and legal papers include receipts, accounts, land records, and a stock certificate for the Delaware and Schuylkill Navigation Company. Significant records of Morris's land ventures In Genessee County, NY are also included. Other items of note included papers pertaining to the Asylum Company, a company started by Robert Morris and John Nicholson that attempted to purchase and resell tracts of land in western Pennsylvania.</p>"}
acqinfo
{"value"=>"<p>Purchased from Stan Henckels, 1917-1919 and various other purchases, gifts, and donations from multiple sources.</p>"}
processinfo
{"type"=>"processing", "value"=>"<p>Compiled by <span class=\"name\">Casey Babcock</span>, <span class=\"date\">2015</span></p>"}
altformavail
{"value"=>"<p>Available on microfilm.</p>"}
note
{"type"=>"sponsor", "value"=>"Digitization was made possible by a lead gift from The Polonsky Foundation."}
sponsor
{"value"=>"Digitization was made possible by a lead gift from The Polonsky\n Foundation."}
dsc_type
combined
date_start
1759
keydate
1759
date_end
1802
date_inclusive_start
1759
date_inclusive_end
1802
extent_statement
1.1 linear feet (4 boxes, 1 oversized folder)

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https://nyplorg-data-archives.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/collection/pdf_finding_aid/morrisr.pdf

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Title Filename Document type Description Index only
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