Legacy Finding Aid for Manuscript and Photograph Collections

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Finding aids are narrative guides to archival collections created by the repository to describe the contents of the material. They often provide much more detailed information than can be found in individual catalog records. Contents of finding aids often include short biographies or histories, processing notes, information about the size, scope, and material types included in the collection, guidance on how to navigate the collection, and an index to box and folder contents.

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The following document is a legacy finding aid – a guide which has not been updated recently. Information may be outdated, such as the Historical Society’s contact information or exact box numbers for contents’ location within the collection. Legacy finding aids are a product of their times; language and terms may not reflect the Historical Society’s commitment to culturally sensitive and anti-racist language. This guide is provided in “as is” condition for immediate use by the public. This file will be replaced with an updated version when available.

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The Historical Society of Washington, D.C., is a community-supported educational and research organization that collects, interprets, and shares the history of our nation’s capital. Founded in 1894, it serves a diverse audience through its collections, public programs, exhibits, and publications. HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON, D.C.

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS FINDING AID

Title: MS 386 Greenleaf Family Papers, 1712-1820

Processor: Faith Hofstader

Scope and Content: The Greenleaf Family Papers, 1712-1802 (1786-1820), consist of the papers of Dr. Daniel Greenleaf (1762-1853), a physician and druggist of Quincy and , . The documents relate primarily to the legal and financial accounts of his brother (1765-1843), the controversial land speculator- financier who served as a government agent for the sale of public lots in the city of Washington. Daniel Greenleaf and his brother-in-law , Jr. were partly responsible for managing these accounts. The collection contains correspondence, legal and financial papers, and newspaper clippings. Correspondents include James and Daniel Greenleaf's brothers-in-law lexicographer , Jr., and jurist .

Donors: Lewis S. Greenleaf, III, 1987.081; Anonymous (through purchase), 1985.021

Size: 0.5 cubic foot (2 containers)

Restrictions: None

Preferred Citation: [Identified item], Greenleaf Family Papers, [container #, folder #]. The Historical Society of Washington, D.C./City Museum.

Related Materials: MS 129 Deed of James Greenleaf and William Cranch to Christian and Matthew Hines for property in Washington, D.C., September 2, 1835. MS 189 John Nicholson Papers, 1757, 1800 (includes agreement of Nicholson, Robert Morris, and James Greenleaf to purchase property in Washington and Prince George's County, MD.) Container List

Folder 1: Letters to Daniel Greenleaf, 1786-June 1797.

Folder 2: Letters to Daniel Greenleaf, July 1797-December 1797.

Folder 3: Letters to Daniel Greenleaf, January 1798-1810.

Folder 4: Correspondence of James Greenleaf, consisting of letters from Greenleaf to Thomas Greenleaf (cousin), 1797, and to Charles Lagarenne, 1797, and extract of letter to nephew Samuel Eliot, 1819; and to Greenleaf from John Coates of Boston, 1797, and Daniel Greenleaf, 1810.

Folder 5: Financial papers, 1789-1802, consisting of accounts and land and stock sales and purchases, receipts, and promissory notes.

Folder 6: Legal papers, 1712, 1791-1801, 1820, consisting of deeds and varied contracts relating to James Greenleaf's debts and financial holdings.

Folder 7: Legal papers, 1794, consisting of power of attorney from James Greenleaf to Sylvanus Bourne to act as his agent in the to secure a loan and to mortgage Washington public lots, July 24, 1794; and a power of attorney from Washington city commissioners , Gustavus Scott and William Thornton to James Greenleaf to negotiate those transactions, October 1794. In the latter document, James Greenleaf states that he has appointed Sylvanus Bourne to act on his behalf in .

Folder 8: Newspaper clippings, 1797, consisting of two notices relating to James Greenleaf and his creditors, which appear to have been taken from newspapers. (Note: the reverse sides of these clippings contain notices of runaway slaves.)

Container 2: Oversize items described above.