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John Tyler Papers mssTyler

Melissa Haley The Huntington Library May 2021 1151 Oxford Road San Marino, California 91108 [email protected] URL: http://www.huntington.org

John Tyler Papers mssTyler mssTyler 1 Contributing Institution: The Huntington Library Title: John Tyler papers Creator: Tyler, John, 1790-1862 Identifier/Call Number: mssTyler Physical Description: 2.34 Linear Feet(2 flat boxes) Date (inclusive): 1838-1856 Abstract: This collection primarily consists of letters to John Tyler, from 1842 to 1852, many of them invitations to visit or attend various cities, clubs, societies, and celebrations. Language of Material: Materials are in English. Conditions Governing Access Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information. Conditions Governing Use The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher. Preferred Citation [Identification of item]. John Tyler papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California. Immediate Source of Acquisition Gift of Laurie and David Chaffey, December 2, 2004. Biographical / Historical John Tyler (, 1790-January 18, 1862), the tenth president of the , was born at the Greenway plantation, , the son of a judge, former , and enslaver. Tyler, a lawyer, served in the Virginia legislature and the executive council of the commonwealth. In 1816, he was appointed to the U.S. House of Representatives and in 1825 he became . Tyler was elected vice-president in 1840 on the Whig ticket of and became president in April 1841 following Harrison's death in office. During Tyler's tenure as president, boundary disputes with Canada in and Minnesota were settled through the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, negotiated with Great Britain by in 1842. The treaty also contained a commitment to ending the African slave trade. Tyler supported the annexation of Texas, inviting it to join the U.S. in 1844. Unpopular with his own party, the Democrats, Tyler removed himself from the 1844 presidential race, supporting candidate James K. Polk instead. Tyler owned several plantations in Virginia and enslaved around 30 laborers; he supported the rights of enslavers and states' rights, eventually supporting Southern secession. Tyler married Letitia Christian in 1813 who died during his presidency in 1842. In 1844, he married Julia Gardner. He had 15 children. Tyler retired to a plantation in Virginia named Sherwood Forest. He died in Richmond of a stroke at age 71. Scope and Contents This collection primarily consists of letters to John Tyler, from 1842 to 1852, many of them invitations to visit or attend various cities, clubs, societies, and celebrations. Correspondence also concerns the Democratic Party, politics; and the 1844 election, party division, and Tyler's withdrawal from the race. Also present are financial records of expenses while Tyler was in office in 1844, Tyler's opinion on the published correspondence of , and a document in Tyler's hand regarding the 1830s military leave of absence case of a Lieutenant Schamberg. In addition, the collection contains an 1838 copybook belonging to Benjamin Harker, the son of Benjamin Harker, founder of the Harker Pottery Company in East Liverpool, Ohio. Processing Information This collection was reprocessed in 2021 by Melissa Haley as part of the American Presidential Papers Project. Previously assigned item-level call numbers have been retained; material was rehoused during reprocessing. The number of pages for each item is noted in parentheses in item-level Scope and Contents notes. Page count for letters includes enclosures but not envelopes or addressed covers. Previously assigned legacy terminology regarding autograph status was retained; items marked autograph indicate the item is in the handwriting of the author of the letter or document. Related Materials

John Tyler Papers mssTyler mssTyler 2 The Huntington Library holds a number of individual John Tyler items, see library catalog for details. Arrangement This collection is arranged chronologically. Subjects and Indexing Terms Presidents -- United States -- Election -- 1844 United States -- Politics and Government -- 1841-1845 United States -- Politics and Government -- 1845-1849 Letters (correspondence) -- United States -- 19th century Democratic Party (U.S.)

Box 1, Folder 1 Benjamin Harker copybook, Ohio HM 71041 1838 November 28 Scope and Contents Bound volume. School copybook belonging to Benjamin Harker of East Liverpool, Ohio, the son of Benjamin Harker, the founder of the Harker Pottery Company. Primarily math problems; also includes sketches, handwriting. Date taken from front page, which reads "B, Harker, Tipton, Novr 28th 1838." Relationship to John Tyler unclear. (32 pages)

Box 1, Folder 2 Charles Yancey, Buckingham County, Virginia, letter to John Tyler HM 71061 1842 July 22 Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed. Regarding Whig and Democratic parties. (7 pages)

Box 1, Folder 3 Sandy Harris, Philadelphia, letter to John Tyler HM 71042 1843 April 13 Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed. Regarding the Democratic Party. (2 pages)

Box 1, Folder 4 John Tyler, , D.C., letter to Sandy Harris, Philadelphia HM 71055 1843 April 29 Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed. Thanking him for the present. (1 page)

Box 1, Folder 5 George Barstow, Boston, letter to John Tyler, Washington, D.C. HM 71027 1843 May 18 Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed. Regarding Bay State Association of Democratic Young Men. (2 pages)

Box 1, Folder 6 M. Lee et al, Philadelphia, letter to John Tyler HM 71048 1843 May 23 Scope and Contents Letter signed. From a committee desiring to make arrangements for Tyler's visit to Philadelphia; signed by 16 committee members. (2 pages)

Box 1, Folder 7 John Knowlton et al, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, letter to John Tyler HM 71047 1843 June 1 Scope and Contents Letter signed. Letter from the Selectmen of the town of Portsmouth; signed by five individuals. Marked "Duplicate." (2 pages)

Box 1, Folder 8 Henry Snyder et al, Baltimore, Maryland, letter to John Tyler HM 71050 1843 June 2 Scope and Contents Letter signed. Regarding Tyler's visit to Baltimore; signed by seven individuals. (1 page)

John Tyler Papers mssTyler mssTyler 3 Box 1, Folder 9 William G. Bryan, Batavia, New York, notice HM 71032 1843 June 10 Scope and Contents Autograph document signed. Notice of the Board of Trustees of the Corporation of the Village of Batavia, New York regarding John Tyler's visit. Marked "Copy." Meeting date is June 10, 1843; item is undated. (1 page)

Box 1, Folder 10 Chester W. Chapin, Springfield, Massachusetts, letter to John Tyler, New York HM 71034 1843 June 10 Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed. Regarding Tyler's visit to Massachusetts. (1 page)

Box 1, Folder 11 Archer Gifford et al, Newark, New Jersey, letter to John Tyler HM 71040 1843 June 14 Scope and Contents Letter signed. Resolution from the Common Council of Newark inviting Tyler to visit Newark; signed by six individuals. (1 page)

Box 1, Folder 12 J.S. Rowland et al, Detroit, letter to John Tyler HM 71052 1843 June 14 Scope and Contents Letter signed. Regarding First Battalion of Frontier Guards committee invitation to visit Detroit; signed by 12 individuals. (2 pages)

Box 1, Folder 13 Selah Mathews, Rochester, letter to John Tyler, Boston HM 71053, HM 71028 1843 June 14 Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed, with addressed cover. Letter regarding invitation to visit Rochester, enclosing city clerk copy of Common Council resolution regarding invitation, 1843 June 13. (3 pages)

Box 1, Folder 14 R.G.? Heacock, J. Bates, Jr., Chicago, letter to John Tyler HM 71045 1843 June 20 Scope and Contents Letter signed. Regarding invitation to visit Chicago. (1 page)

Box 1, Folder 15 John R. Williams et al, Detroit, letter to John Tyler, Cleveland HM 71060 1843 June 22 Scope and Contents Letter signed, with addressed cover. Regarding invitation to visit Detroit. (3 pages)

Box 1, Folder 16 Alexander L. Botts, New York, letter to John Tyler HM 71031 1843 June 25 Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed. Regarding Cabinet, politics. (4 pages)

Box 1, Folder 17 W. Callan?, Jr., Washington, D.C., letter to John Tyler HM 71033 1843 June 26 Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed. Invitation to visit Baptist Church. (1 page)

Box 1, Folder 18 Henry W. Edwards, William H. Ellis, New Haven, letter to John Tyler HM 71037 1843 June 27 Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed. Invitation to visit New Haven. In hand of Edwards. (1 page)

Box 2, Folder 1 Calvin Blythe et al, Philadelphia, letter to John Tyler HM 71029 1843 June 28 Scope and Contents Letter signed. Invitation from a committee to attend 4th of July celebrations in Philadelphia. Signed by five individuals. (3 pages)

John Tyler Papers mssTyler mssTyler 4 Box 2, Folder 2 Charles A. Jackson, Brooklyn, letter to John Tyler HM 71046 1843 June Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed. Inviting Tyler to visit Brooklyn. Date taken from docket. (1 page)

Box 2, Folder 3 John Tyler, Washington, D.C., letter regarding invitation to Philadelphia HM 71056 1843 July 1 Scope and Contents Autograph letter. Declining invitation to 4th of July celebrations. (4 pages)

Box 2, Folder 4 Citizens of Cincinnati, Ohio, invitation to John Tyler HM 71035 1843 September Scope and Contents Manuscript signed. Invitation to visit Cincinnati; signed by approximately 200 individuals.

Box 2, Folder 5 , Washington, D.C., letter to John Tyler HM 71051 1844 January 23 Scope and Contents Letter signed. Regarding the appointment of midshipman. (2 pages)

Box 2, Folder 6 John Tyler expenses of house and family from February 26 to March 4, 1844 HM 71057 1844 March Scope and Contents Autograph document. Not in hand of Tyler. (3 pages)

Box 2, Folder 7 A. Barbour, Washington, D.C., receipt to James Wilkins HM 71026 1844 March 4 Scope and Contents Document signed. Receipt for attendance at president dinner. (1 page)

Box 2, Folder 8 John Tyler expenses of house and family from March 11 to March 18 1844 HM 71058 1844 March Scope and Contents Autograph document. Not in hand of Tyler. (3 pages)

Box 2, Folder 9 W. Marshall receipt to James Wilkins HM 71049 1844 March 14 Scope and Contents Autograph document signed. Receipt for White House corkscrew. (1 page)

Box 2, Folder 10 Abraham Hatfield et al, New York, letter to John Tyler HM 71044, HM 71036 1844 August Scope and Contents Autograph letter. Is sending resolutions passed at the Conference of Democrats of the City and County of New York, 1844 August 6, regarding presidential election and party division. Includes copy of resolutions. Letter signed by eight individuals. (3 pages)

Box 2, Folder 11 Calvin Blythe, Philadelphia, letter to John Tyler HM 71030 1844 August 27 Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed. Regarding meeting in Philadelphia about presidential election and Tyler's withdrawal from the race. (3 pages)

Box 2, Folder 12 John W. Shrock, Millersburg, Ohio, letter to John Tyler, Washington, D.C. HM 71054 1844 August 31 Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed, with addressed cover. Regarding Democratic Hickory Club's resolution on Tyler's withdrawal from presidential race. (3 pages)

John Tyler Papers mssTyler mssTyler 5 Box 2, Folder 13 Alexander Gardiner, New York, letter to John Tyler, Sherwood Forest, Virginia HM 71039 1849 November 15 Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed, with addressed cover. Regarding Kentucky coal mines. (1 page)

Box 2, Folder 14 William S. Harrison bill to John Tyler for January to November HM 71043 1849 Scope and Contents Autograph document. (1 page)

Box 2, Folder 15 Stephen C. Fowler, New York, letter to John Tyler HM 71038 1852 February 21 Scope and Contents Autograph letter signed. Regarding needing funds to send his son to California. (2 pages)

Box 2, Folder 16 John Tyler opinion on The Private Correspondence of Henry Clay HM 71058 1856? Scope and Contents Autograph manuscript. Tyler's opinion on publication of Clay's correspondence. With two clippings attached. (4 pages)

Box 2, Folder 17 Lieutenant Schamberg case document HM 71059 undated Scope and Contents Autograph document. John Tyler document regarding leave of absence, resignation from army case of Schamberg in 1834, 1836. (4 pages)

John Tyler Papers mssTyler mssTyler 6