John Lorimer Graham papers, 1786-1875

Collection context

Summary

Creators:
Graham, John Lorimer, 1797-1876
Abstract:
John L. Graham was a lawyer and New York City civic leader. This collection consists of Graham's political, professional, and personal papers from 1786 to 1875.
Extent:
10.9 Linear Feet (9 boxes)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. John Lorimer Graham papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The John Lorimer Graham collection consists of Graham's political, professional, and personal papers from 1786 to 1875. The letters concern Graham's legal practice, business affairs, political career, and social life; government and politics of New York and New York City; religious life, banking, construction, and real estate in New York City. Included are letters relating to the case of Alexander Slidell MacKenzie, and orders and other documents of the New York state militia. Also included are a few items relating to John Andrew Graham. Correspondents include: John Tyler, Ambrose Spencer, James Fenimore Cooper, Daniel Webster, Millard Fillmore, Martin Van Buren, Elisha Whittlesey, Charles Anderson Wickliffe, John C. Calhoun, Henry Clay, Stephen A. Douglas, Hugh Swinton Legaré, Levi Woodbury, and John Adams Dix; see container list for locations of presidential letters.

Collection also contains John Quincy Adams signed passport to John Lorimer Graham, 1820 March 9 (GM 1); James Monroe land grant signed to heirs of William Warner, 1823 March 11 (GM 297); John Tyler appointment signed of John Lorimer Graham as Deputy Postmaster for New York City, 1842 March 14 (GM 444).

Biographical / historical:

John Lorimer Graham was a lawyer and New York City civic leader. He was son of John Andrew Graham, a successful criminal lawyer in New York. John Lorimer Graham was admitted to the New York Bar in 1821. From 1842 to 1845, he served as Postmaster of New York City, and in 1834 was appointed regent of the state university. In 1861 Graham received an appointment in the Treasury Department. He was a member of the American Bible Society, St. Andrew's Society, the New York Historical Society, and the Metropolitan Club. He also held various posts at the New York State Militia and was a member of the council of the University of the City of New York.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Philip S. Graham, June 1958.
Processing information:

Processed by Huntington staff, circa mid-20th century. In 2020, Gina C Giang created a finding aid derived from a legacy summary report. In 2022, Melissa Haley enhanced description of the presidential material present in the collection as part of the American Presidential Papers Project.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Terms of access:

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 Lorimer Graham papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191