{"value"=>"<p>The bulk of the papers (ca.1774-1818) of Hannah Lawrence Schieffelin consist of manuscripts and two notebooks of her occasional poems signed with her nom de plume \"Matilda\" which were often written in response to a family or public event. They are arranged in chronological order. Included are several poems reflecting her anti-slavery views, and an ode on the death of George Washington. One of the poems,, a vindication of Edward Rushton's advice to Washington on his relations with his slaves, was written for The Time Piece and Literary Companion. Another poem was written as a tribute to a brother, Richard Lawrence, who died (1798) in an epidemic. There is also one letter (1784) to her from a London friend, William Roberts.</p> <p>There is also a manuscript account (incomplete,, 32 leaves) entitled \"Narrative of events and observations that occurred during a journey through Canada in the years 1780-81\" which records her voyage from New York to Detroit with her husband in the months following her marriage. The narrative which is written in a flowing literary style describes in abundant detail the events of her long journey through the wilderness of Canada, the places visited, including Quebec, Montreal, Niagara Falls, Fort Niagara, Fort Schlosser, and Detroit, encounters with Indians, social life and conditions at the frontier outposts, reports of atrocities and massacres, and military expeditions conducted by British troops. There are lengthy descriptions of the character and dress of the Indians including the Mohawk Chief, Joseph Brandt (1742-1807) and his wife. A transcript copy of her journal (1780) kept during the period of her courtship is filed in the papers of Jacob Schieffelin (Container 11, folder 3).</p> <p>Included also are a few items of correspondence (1780-1818) including a letter (1790) by her at Montreal to her parents; two letters (1780) to her from Jacob Schieffelin written just prior to their marriage; and two receipts signed by the American artist Archibald Robertson (1765-1865). There are also a few miscellaneous papers and handwritten copies of poems by others.</p>"}