Guide to the Spicer Family Papers, 1809-1913

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Note

History --History, United States (excluding California) --History, New York Geographical (By Place) --United States (excluding California) --New York

Guide to the Spicer Family Papers, 1809-1913

Collection number: BANC MSS Z-Z 135

The Bancroft Library



University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, California

Contact Information:

Processed by:
The Bancroft Library staff
Encoded by:
Hernán Cortés
© 1997 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

Collection Summary

Collection Title: Spicer Family Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1809-1913
Collection Number: BANC MSS Z-Z 135
Creator: Spicer family
Extent: Number of containers: 3 boxes
Repository: The Bancroft Library
Berkeley, California 94720-6000
Physical Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Abstract: Miscellaneous business and personal papers, correspondence, letter books, and clippings, mostly relating to Brigadier General Peter W. Spicer (?-1834) and his son, John W. Spicer. An important part of the collection consists of correspondence and letters of recommendation assembled by General Spicer in his efforts to secure a federal appointment from President Andrew Jackson. A number of items, including warrants, commissions, and gold epaulets, relate to John W. Spicer's connection with the 7th Regiment of the New York National Guard. Papers relating to property owned in Illinois and Massachusetts also included.
Languages Represented: English

Information for Researchers

Access

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

Copyright has not been assigned to The Bancroft Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Bancroft Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Spicer family papers, BANC MSS Z-Z 135, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Scope and Content

The Spicer family papers were given to The Bancroft Library by John Spicer Smith in 1953. Covering the period 1816-1887, they consist primarily of papers of Peter W. Spicer, a New York merchant and Brigadier General in the New York State Artillery, who eventually became a land office examiner in Illinois; and papers of his son, John W. Spicer. Most of Peter Spicer's papers relate to his efforts to secure a federal appointment from President Andrew Jackson and to his service in the New York State Artillery. John Spicer's papers relate primarily to his service in the New York State National Guard and to property owned in Illinois and Massachusetts.

Box 1

Papers of Peter W. Spicer

 

Letters written by him, 1831-1833 and n.d.

Additional Note

Mainly copies, arranged chronologically, written to President Andrew Jackson and others concerning his attempt to secure a federal appointment.
 

Letters written to him and on his behalf

Additional Note

Arranged alphabetically by name of person or organization. Many are copies of letters of recommendation written to President Jackson, members of his cabinet and other prominent men concerning Spicer's attempt to secure a federal appointment. A copybook of letters of recommendation, mainly duplicate copies, is included. A partial list of correspondents follows the key to arrangement.
 

Letter written by Elizabeth Spicer, Feb. 7, 1834 [Mrs. Peter W. Spicer]

Additional Note

Copy, relating to receipt of salary due P. W. Spicer for service as land agent in Illinois.
 

Letter written to Elizabeth Spicer

Additional Note

Concerning payment of salary due Spicer for service as land agent in Illinois.
 

Papers relating to service with New York State Artillery, ca. 1816-1827.

Additional Note

Include appointment papers as Ensign, and Captain, and brigade orders issued while Brigadier General.
 

Legal papers

Additional Note

Copies of deeds and other items relating mainly to property in Alton, Illinois
 

Personalia

Additional Note

Includes copy of marriage license.
 

Miscellany

Boxes 2-3

Papers of John W. Spicer

Box 2

Letters written by him, 1853-1885.

Additional Note

Copies, arranged chronologically. Letter, Dec. 25, 1863, transmits resignation from the New York State Militia.
 

Letters written to Spicer

Additional Note

Arranged alphabetically by name of person or organization. Some letters relate to property in Illinois and Massachusetts. A partial list of correspondents follows the key to arrangement.
 

Letters written by Nellie F. Spicer, n.d. [Mrs. John W. Spicer]

Additional Note

Copies.
 

Letters written to Nellie F. Spicer

Additional Note

Arranged alphabetically by name of person or organization; relating to family business.
 

Papers re New York State National Guard. ca. 1849-1879.

Additional Note

Appointment papers, company rolls, by-laws, etc.
 

Diary, 1868

Additional Note

Also contains household accounts, 1892-1893, kept by Mrs. Spicer.
Box 3

Financial records

Additional Note

Include invoices, property tax receipts and miscellaneous receipts.
 

Miscellany

Additional Note

Includes wedding announcement for daughter, Edith May.
 

Clippings


Letters are written to P. W. Spicer, in Box 1, unless noted otherwise.
 

Branch, John, 1782-1863

 

Letter, Sept 24, 1829.

 

Brooks, James Gordon, 1801-1841

 

Letter, Mar 31, 1829. Signed also by James Lawson.

 

Cambreleng, Churchill Caldom, 1786-1862

 

7 letters, 1829-1833. Letter of recommendation (copy), Apr. 14, 1829, written to President Jackson.

 

Dix, John Adams, 1798-1879

 

Letter, Apr 29, 1831.

 

Donelson, Andrew Jackson, 1800-1871

 

Letter, Jan 28, 1830.

 

Gouverneur, Samuel L.

 

2 letters, 1829. Letters of recommendation (copies); not addressed to Spicer.

 

Johnson, Jeromus, 1775-1846

 

2 letters, 1829. Letters of recommendation (copies); not addressed to Spicer.

 

Kane, Elias Kent, 1794-1835

 

Letter, July 31, 1833.

 

Lawson, James, 1799-1880

See Brooks, James Gordon

 

McLane, Louis, 1786-1857

 

2 letters, 1833. Letter, Apr. 13, (copy) written to Elijah Hayward.

 

Morse, Charles W.

 

13 letters, 1872-1887. Written to John W. Spicer (Box 2).

 

Noah, Mordecai Manuel, 1785-1851

 

2 letters, 1829. Letter, June 18, (copy) is written to S. D. Ingham.

 

Reed, Whitmore & Davis

 

Letter, Apr 1, 1830.

 

Society of Tammany

 

2 letters, 1857-1858. Written to John W. Spicer (Box 2).

 

Swartwout, Samuel, 1783-1856

 

2 letters, 1829. Letters of recommendation (copies); not addressed to Spicer.

 

Upshur, John Henry, 1823-1917

 

Letter, Oct 3, 1883. Written to John W. Spicer (Box 2).

 

Van Buren, Martin, 1782-1862

 

4 letters, 1829-1833. Letters of recommendation (copies); not addressed to Spicer.

 

Wetmore, Prosper Montgomery, 1798-1876

 

8 letters, 1827-1833 and n.d. Letter of recommendation (copy), Apr. 6, 1833, written to President Jackson.

 

White, Campbell Patrick, 1787-1859

 

3 letters, 1829-1831. Letter of recommendation (copy), Apr. 6, 1829, written to President Jackson.