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James Broderick Letter

 Collection
Identifier: MS-3416

  • Staff Only

James Broderick of Lauzon County wrote this letter to Isaac Wilson in Sussex County on April 14, 1792. In it, he discusses Robert Morris's recent purchase of land from Native Americans in Tennessee, saying that "Mr. Barten tells me that he has accomplished his ends concerned Mr. Morrises land at the Tennesseees. He was on his way to Philadelphia with fifty Indians agoing to Congress. Call upon him and he will give you a full account of Morrises land and how the Indians has mad[e] out. Mr. Street and Mr. Barten has give me great encouragement of purchasing of them ..." Both James and Mary Broderick signed the letter.

Dates

  • 1792 April 14

Conditions Governing Access

Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Conditions Governing Use

The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet

Abstract

James Broderick of Lauzon County wrote this letter to Isaac Wilson in Sussex County on April 14, 1792. In it, he discusses Robert Morris's recent purchase of land from Native Americans in Tennessee, saying that "Mr. Barten tells me that he has accomplished his ends concerned Mr. Morrises land at the Tennesseees. He was on his way to Philadelphia with fifty Indians agoing to Congress. Call upon him and he will give you a full account of Morrises land and how the Indians has mad[e] out. Mr. Street and Mr. Barten has give me great encouragement of purchasing of them ..." Both James and Mary Broderick signed the letter.

Biographical/Historical Note

Robert Morris was born in Liverpool, England on January 20, 1734. He emigrated to the United States in 1747 and settled in Oxford, Maryland before attending school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Morris worked as a merchant in Philadelphia before entering politics, where he served as a member of the Pennsylvania Council of Safety (1775), Member of the Continental Congress (1775-1778), Member of the State Assembly (1778-1781), and United States Senator (1789-1795) in addition to signing the Declaration of Independence. He also worked as the National Superintendent of Finance (1781-1784) and earned the nickname Financier of the American Revolution. Although his land speculations had made him one of the richest men in America, Morris eventually became involved in several unsuccessful schemes and was incarcerated in debtor's jail from 1789 to 1801. He died in Philadelphia on May 8, 1806 and is buried in the churchyard of Christ Church.

Arrangement

This collection consists of a single folder.

Acquisition Note

Special Collections purchased this letter in 2010.

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480