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Tyler (John) Papers
mssTyler  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Conditions Governing Access
  • Conditions Governing Use
  • Preferred Citation
  • Immediate Source of Acquisition
  • Biographical / Historical
  • Scope and Contents
  • Processing Information
  • Related Materials
  • Arrangement

  • 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 (March 29, 1790-January 18, 1862), the tenth president of the United States, was born at the Greenway plantation, Virginia, the son of a judge, former governor, 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 governor of Virginia. Tyler was elected vice-president in 1840 on the Whig ticket of William Henry Harrison and became president in April 1841 following Harrison's death in office.
    During Tyler's tenure as president, boundary disputes with Canada in Maine and Minnesota were settled through the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, negotiated with Great Britain by Daniel Webster 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 White House expenses while Tyler was in office in 1844, Tyler's opinion on the published correspondence of Henry Clay, 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

    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.)