Guide to the Ames Family Papers M0003

Processed by Special Collections staff; machine-readable finding aid created by Patricia White

Department of Special Collections and University Archives

1997 ; revised 2022

Green Library

557 Escondido Mall

Stanford 94305-6064

specialcollections@stanford.edu

URL: http://library.stanford.edu/spc

Language of Material: English

Contributing Institution: Department of Special Collections and University Archives

Title: Ames Family Papers

Identifier/Call Number: M0003

Physical Description: 0.5 Linear Feet (1 box)

Date (inclusive): 1782-1927

Conditions Governing Access

Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Judge Alden Ames in September, 1959.

Biographical / Historical

Fisher Ames (1758-1808) was a statesman, Federalist publicist, orator and Congressman. He was elected to Congress in 1789 and served until 1796. In 1805 he was offered the presidency of Harvard, but declined due to poor health and "advancing age" (47). His son Seth Ames married Margaret S. Bradford; their son Pelham Warren Ames served in the navy during the Civil War and was a lawyer.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item] Ames Family Papers, M003, Dept. of Special Collections, Stanford Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Scope and Contents

The papers of the Ames family include correspondence, notes, and financial records of Fisher Ames; correspondence of Margaret Bradford-Ames; military papers, letters, business papers, and notes of Pelham Warren Ames (San Francisco and Boston); and genealogical records.

Conditions Governing Use

While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns. Most material is believed to be in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use of public domain materials.

SERIES 1. CORRESPONDENCE AND MISCELLANY RELATING TO FISHER AMES

Box 1, Folder 1

Letter from Timothy Pickering, former Secretary of State, dated on the Gallatin report and Black Sea trade (3) April 9, 1806

Box 1, Folder 2

Note from Spencer Watkins, thanking Ames for money to buy wood (2) December 16, 1784

Box 1, Folder 3

Seven letters to Josiah Quincy on rights of neutrals and politics of the period 1805-1806

a. Dedham. British had condemned US commerce when laden with colony produce. Consideration of reprisals. Hopes for British treaty. (4) 1805 Nov 27

b. Dedham. Angry measures of commercial restriction would destroy objects of peace and commerce.(4) 1805 Dec 16

c. Dedham. Miscellaneous comments. Federalists cannot attend the legislative caucus. Jefferson will say anything Congress wants him to.(4) 1806 Jan 20

d. Dedham. Mourns death of Pitt. Questions about Randolph -- no statesman but no fool. Ames did not accept presidency of Harvard due to health.(3) 1806 Mar 19

e. Dedham. Condemnation of Randolph's anti-Federalist speech. Randolph, Burr and others have crawled "at the foot of Jefferson's throne."(2) 1806 Dec 5

f. Dedham. "Jefferson only takes care of his popularity, which forbids him to govern at all." General attack on Jefferson. (2) 1806 Dec 11

g. Dedham. The "Message" is criticized. It leaves the country without protection. Also, Ames is against repeal of salt tax. Non-importation act mentioned. (2) 1806 Dec 22

Box 1, Folder 4

Draft of letter to Professor Pearson refusing presidency of Harvard (4) 1805

Box 1, Folder 5

Fragment of letter, to Mr. Dwight on transfer of Congress from New York (2) 7-18-1790,

Box 1, Folder 6

Notes on a report of the Secretary of State on the codfishery question (8)

Box 1, Folder 7

16 bills and receipts (32) 1788-1817

Box 1, Folder 8

Four Harvard College bills of John and Nathaniel Ames, sons of Fisher (7) 1812-1813

Box 1, Folder 9

Letter from the Library of Congress to Mrs. R. Y. Fitz concerning portraits of Fisher Ames (2) 1907

Box 1, Folder 10

A.D. on the "Political Quack" (2)

SERIES 2. CORRESPONDENCE AND MISCELLANY OF PELHAM WARREN AMES

Box 1, Folder 11

Papers re: Civil War naval career (26), Includes letter from Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy (33) 1861-1913

Box 1, Folder 12

Five items re admission to Massachusetts Bar: (13)

a. Petition to be admitted as an atty. at law

b. Certificate of applicant

c. Letter from Judge James M. Seawell, SF, 1907 Nov 18

d. Letter from Ezra R. Thayer transferring move for Ames admission to Hollis R. Bailey, 1907 Nov 2

e. Letter from the Justices Chambers, Supreme Court of Calif. stating that records upon which the license of Mr. Ames might be renewed have been lost in fire (12-20-1907)

Box 1, Folder 13

Business Items & Receipts, including five items re: Spring Valley Water Works (SF water supply) and one re: purchase of Sutro Tunnel Co. (16)

Box 1, Folder 14

Biographical notes on Rear Admiral John G. Walker

Scope and Contents

Biographical notes on Rear Admiral John G. Walker and architect Henry H. Richardson, written by Ames. Paper on Adm. Nelson (by Ames) and 3 copies of a Spanish translation of Gray's Elegy. Speech by Ames before Commandery (SAR?) on Adm. Lord Nelson. Nelson was not responsible for English victory at Aboukir (sic) Bay. Entanglement with Lady Hamilton left stain on his character. Had propensity for fault-finding and boasting. Jealous of honores conferred upon companions. "All this is sickening." Mention of Caraciola incident. "His nature was hard and his heart was hard." Also violated a flag of truce.

Box 1, Folder 15

"In Memoriam", series printed in at death of Ames 1916

Box 1, Folder 16

Howard A. Clark L.S. to Pelham Ames, and address to National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution on J. P. Jones (6) 1908 May 8,

SERIES 3. CORRESPONDENCE OF MARGARET S. BRADFORD-AMES

Box 1, Folder 17

Six letters from her brother, George P. Bradford and one from her sister [Martha?] (25)

Box 1, Folder 18

Two letters to her sister, Sarah Ripley and one to Mrs. David Dana (10)

SERIES 4. FAMILY RECORDS

Box 1, Folder 19

Genealogical information on the Ames family and the related families of Bradford, Worthington, Alden, Edwards, Bates, Hodson, Townsend, Foster, Lee, Sale, and Hickling (13 items) (117)

Box 1, Folder 20

Abstract of Seth Ames' will and of Frances W. Howland's (sister of Fisher Ames) (4)

SERIES 5. MISCELLANY

Box 1, Folder 21

Typescript copy of a letter written by Abraham Lincoln to Mrs. Bixby and clipping re: Boston lecture by Pelham Ames (4) 11-21-1864,

Box 1, Folder 22

Clipping from London Times literary supplement entitled "The Way of Peace" (4) 9-8-1927

Box 1, Folder 23

Printed muster roll of Capt. Lincoln's company, 7th Mass. Regiment, of the US Army. Gamaliel Bradford was commissioned officer writing the report (2) Mar 1782