Gibbons Family Papers Finding Aid

(also available as a PDF file)

Title: The Gibbons Family Papers

Quantity: 29 legal-size grey boxes, plus 14 oversized/custom enclosures; approx. 18 cubic ft.

Format of materials: eighteenth- and nineteenth-century paper documents, journals/notebooks, pamphlets, bound volumes, oversized material

Location: Drew University Library, University Archives, Room 312, Shelf D8-11

Processed by: Rebecca Rego Barry, February 2005

Biographical Note

Thomas Gibbons (Dec. 15, 1757- May 16, 1826) married Ann Heyward, c.1780.

Ann Gibbons Trumbull, (married John M. Trumbull 1810, died June 1, 1817)

Thomas Heyward Gibbons (married Mary Dayton, died 1825)

William Gibbons (Oct. 9, 1794 - Dec. 10, 1852) married Abigail Louisa Taintor (1791 - Oct. 5, 1844). Date of marriage Oct. 7, 1826.

Sarah Taintor Gibbons (Oct. 20, 1829, married Ward McAllister 1852, died 1909?)

William Heyward Gibbons (May 22, 1831- June 9, 1887). Unmarried.

Caroline Gilmour Gibbons (June 24, 1833- March 7, 1857). Unmarried.

Isabel Gibbons (Oct. 31, 1835, married Frank Lathrop)

Thomas Gibbons was born outside of Savannah, Georgia in 1757. During the Revolution, he remained a loyalist while other members of his family were patriots. When the war ended, the Gibbons family kept its large land holdings, and after some time, Thomas was granted clemency. He became a successful lawyer, a judge, and owner of several rice and cotton plantations, including the Mount Vernon estate, Shaftsbury, Mansfield, Fair Lawn, Orange Valley, White Hall, Moreland, Rose Dew and Tusculum. Gibbons entered politics as a campaign manager for General Anthony Wayne in a hotly contested congressional election. He himself served as mayor of Savannah in the years 1791-92, 1794-95, and 1799-1800, but he was often accused of unethical political tactics.

Around 1810, Gibbons purchased an estate in Elizabeth-town (now Elizabeth), New Jersey. He relocated his family and, in 1817, began to run steamboats between New York and New Jersey. He hired Cornelius Vanderbilt as the captain of one of his boats. After many legal battles (and a duel) involving exclusive rights on steamboat navigation between states, the case of Gibbons vs. Ogden went to the United States Supreme Court in 1824. Gibbons hired Daniel Webster as his lawyer, and he won in a famous verdict that declared steamboat monopolies null (i.e. exclusive rights to interstate navigation and commerce were illegal, and only Congress could regulate navigation when it involved trade). Thomas Gibbons died in New York in 1826.

William Gibbon

Thomas Gibbons and his wife, Ann Heyward, had three children. William Gibbons, the favored heir, withdrew from Princeton to become his father's business associate. Upon his father's death, William inherited the businesses and plantations (including more than 500 slaves). He sold the steamboats in 1829 and became involved in thoroughbred breeding and racing. In 1832, William bought nearly 1,000 acres in Bottle Hill (now Madison), New Jersey, where he built an antebellum style mansion (later known as Mead Hall of Drew University).

William Gibbons married Abigail Louise Taintor, with whom he had four children. Notably, daughter Sarah married Ward McAllister, writer and socialite. William Gibbons died in 1852. The only son, William Heyward, closed the mansion in the late 1850s and joined the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He lost much of the family fortune during the war and sold the Madison property in 1867 to Daniel Drew. William Heyward died in 1887.

Scope Note:

The Gibbons Papers at Drew University is a voluminous archival collection. The bulk of the material was created by Thomas Gibbons and his son, William Gibbons. The records include daily correspondence, financial receipts and ledgers, letterbooks, journals, legal documents and court proceedings, and miscellaneous family-owned ephemera that spans 1782-1860s, the bulk of which covers 1810-1845. Most of the records are financial and legal documentation of the Gibbons' businesses, including plantation management, steamboats, and horse racing. Records of family life - including those on the family home in Madison, NJ - occur in the 1830s-1840s period.

In regard to the collection's provenance, evidence suggests that Drew librarian S.G. Ayres recovered the material from the attic of the family's mansion (now Mead Hall) around 1900. It has since been stored in the Drew University Library. Smaller donations have been accepted and added to the collection over the years, including some from descendents of Isabel Gibbons Lathrop.

Note on Arrangement*

*Items which do not fit in standard archival document boxes are housed in appropriate custom enclosures and are designated oversized in the finding aid as "OVER-#." These items are shelved separately from the standard boxes.

Series I.Correspondence is divided into three subseries, reflecting three record creators: a) Thomas; b) William; c) William Heyward Gibbons. Letters are filed chronologically within each subseries. Exceptions occur in cases where the creator sewed a batch of letters together. Completely undated material is filed at the end of each subseries; in cases when only the year is known, the letter is placed at the end of that year's folder. Letters between father and son have been cross-referenced, with the original placed in the writer's file. In cases where a bulk of correspondence exists with one particular correspondent, the letters have been filed in a separate folder under that year.

Several sets of transcripts have been created over the years and are available for ease of reading. See Series VII. Secondary Research Materials/a. Research Correspondence, Notes, Transcripts.

A note on "major" subjects of the correspondence of William Gibbons.

  • The subject of horse and cattle breeding and/or horse racing appears in William Gibbons' correspondence from roughly 1829-1844.
  • The subject of plantation management appears particularly in the correspondence between William Gibbons and S.B. Parkman (beginning 1823); George H. Maner, (beginning1823); John J. Maxwell (beginning 1835); Elias Reed (beginning 1839); and Samuel Ballow (beginning 1847).

Series II. Financial Records is divided into three subseries: a) Thomas and William Gibbons; b) Ann Heyward Gibbons (one item); c) William Heyward Gibbons (one folder). Thomas and William were both major creators of financial records. However, due to their father-son business partnership in which one often acted as agent for the other, especially in Thomas' last years, the records are sorted only by format - e.g., account book or account statement/receipt - and then by date (generally speaking, the year 1826 is the breaking point between Thomas' and William's records). Dates are determined by the author's docket on the document whenever possible. This arrangement seeks to reflect the nature of their business relationship and accommodates the bulk of material. Completely undated material is filed at the end of each subseries; in cases when only the year is known, the letter is placed at the end of that year's folder.

A change occurs in 1846, in which "House Accounts" are separated from William's general accounting, probably due to the hiring of Mrs. Ingraham, who handled a separate household account.

Subseries b contains one document of household finances written by Ann Heyward Gibbons. Subseries c contains one folder of miscellaneous financial records belonging to William Heyward Gibbons.

Series III. Notebook, Letterbooks, and Journal. This series contains 4 items, all described in the container listing to follow.

Series IV. Legal Documents is a broad category, separated into two subseries. Subseries A contains the earliest documents - indentures, land agreements, and deeds - in the collection, dated 1778-1810. Many are in very fragile condition, and some are damaged. Item-level processing in this subseries furthers preservation efforts and prevents unnecessary handling.

Subseries B contains: Acts/Legislative Documents, Business Agreements, Court Documents, Employment Agreements, Estate Documents, Horse Purchases and Pedigrees, Memorials/Petitions, Notes on legal cases, Pardons, and Rent/Lease Agreements. The Court Documents consist of juror lists, subpoenas, affidavits, injunctions, depositions, etc., which have been filed by case whenever possible. Within each folder, the documents have been filed chronologically to the extent that it is possible; many items are undated.

Series V. Court Proceedings and Litigation Pamphlets. All printed and sewn pamphlets. Some with signature of Thomas or William Gibbons on title page. Listed by title in chronological order. Each item is individually wrapped in acid-free paper and enclosed within an acid-free folder. In some cases, more than one copy of each title is available.

Series VI. Family Ephemera/Miscellaneous. This series contains miscellaneous material created by or owned by the Gibbons family. It is organized into four subseries: a) Manuscript documents; b) Printed documents; c) Books/Periodicals; d) Art (1 item). The manuscript and printed documents are further classified by subject matter. The books/periodicals are listed by title.

Series VII. Secondary Research Materials. This series contains only secondary source material that pertains to the Drew University Gibbons Papers or the Gibbons family in general. These records were created by researchers, writers and several Drew University Library staff members over the past 75 years. There are three subseries: a) Research notes/miscellaneous/transcripts; b) Publications; c) Photos. The research notes are further classified by subject matter. The publications are listed by title. The photos are organized by subject matter.

Further Research Resources

In the Drew University Archives:

  • Mead Hall photos and documentation, Buildings & Campus Features files, Rm. 315.

Other known manuscript and archival repositories that contain Gibbons family material:

  • New Jersey Historical Society
  • Rutgers University Library
  • Georgia Historical Society
  • Clements Library, University of Michigan

Container Listing

Series I. Correspondence  
  a.      Thomas Gibbons Correspondence
    1:1 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence 1782-1786
    1:2 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence  1801-1806
    1:3 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence  1809-1810
    1:4 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence  1811
    1:5 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence--
Letters between Gibbons and George Johnston (Gerald Smith) 
1881
    1:6 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence 1812
    1:7 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence--
Letters between Gibbons and George Johnston
1812 (Jan.-June)
    1:8 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence--
Letters between Gibbons and George Johnston
1812 (July-Dec.)
    1:9 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence  1813
    1:10 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence  1814
    1:11 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence-- 
"Letters from Aaron Ogden to Thomas Gibbons, Esq."
Sewn packet of letters, 5th Sept. 1814 to 24th January 1816.
1814-1816
    1:12 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence 1815
    1:13 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence--
"Correspondence in 1815 between T. Gibbons and Aaron Ogden
between July and October 1815 - Gardenier friend of Gibbons."
Sewn packet of letters, 4th Aug. 1815 to 12th Oct. 1815.
Three loose fragments enclosed.
1815
    1:14 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence 1816 (Jan-June)
    1:15 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence 1816 (July-Dec.)
    2:1 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence 1817
    2:2 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence 1818 (Jan-June)
    2:3 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence    1818 (July-Dec.)
    2:4 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence  1819 (Jan.-March)
    2:5 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence  1819 (April-June)      
    2:6 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence  1819 (July-Sept.)
    2:7 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence  1819 (Oct.-Dec)
    2:8 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence  1820 (Jan.-March)
    2:9 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence  1820 (April-June)
    2:10 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence  1820 (July-Sept.)
    2:11 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence 1820 (Oct.-Dec.)
    2:12 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence 1821 (Jan.-March)
    2:13 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence 1821 (April-June)
    2:14 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence 1821 (July-Sept.)
    2:15 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence 1821 (Oct.-Dec.)
    3:1 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence 1822 (Jan.-March)
    3:2 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence 1822 (April-June)
    3:3 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence 1822 (July-Sept.)
    3:4 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence 1822 (Oct.-Dec.)
    3:5 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence 1823 (Jan.-March)
    3:6 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence 1823 (April-June)
    3:7 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence 1823 (July-Sept.)
    3:8 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence 1823 (Oct.-Dec)
    3:9 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence 1824
    3:10 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence 1825
    3:11 Thomas Gibbons Correspondence Undated
  b. William Gibbons Correspondence
    3:12 William Gibbons Correspondence  1815-1817
    3:13 William Gibbons Correspondence 1818-1822
    4:1 William Gibbons Correspondence 1823 (Jan.-June)
    4:2 William Gibbons Correspondence 1823 (July-Dec.)
    4:3 William Gibbons Correspondence
Letters between Wm. Gibbons and S.B. Parkman
1823
    4:4 William Gibbons Correspondence 1824
    4:5 William Gibbons Correspondence
Letters between Wm. Gibbons and S.B. Parkman
1824 (Jan.-June)
    4:6 William Gibbons Correspondence
Letters between Wm. Gibbons and S.B. Parkman
1824 (July-Dec.)
    4:7 William Gibbons Correspondence 1825-1826
    4:8 William Gibbons Correspondence 1827
    4:9 William Gibbons Correspondence
Letters between Wm. Gibbons and S.B. Parkman
1827
    4:10 William Gibbons Correspondence 1828
    4:11 William Gibbons Correspondence
Letters between Wm. Gibbons and S.B. Parkman
1828
    4:12 William Gibbons Correspondence 1829
    4:13 William Gibbons Correspondence 1830
    4:14 William Gibbons Correspondence
Letters between Wm. Gibbons and S.B. Parkman
1830
    4:15 William Gibbons Correspondence 1831
    4:16 William Gibbons Correspondence
Letters between Wm. Gibbons and S.B. Parkman
1831
    5:1 William Gibbons Correspondence 1832
    5:2 William Gibbons Correspondence--
Letters between Wm. Gibbons and S.B. Parkman
1832
5:3 William Gibbons Correspondence 1833
5:4 William Gibbons Correspondence--
Letters between Wm. Gibbons and S.B. Parkman
1833
5:5 William Gibbons Correspondence 1834
5:6 William Gibbons Correspondence 1835
5:7 William Gibbons Correspondence-- Letters between William Gibbons and John J. Maxwell (includes a sewn packet of letters  and accounts placed at back of file folder) 1835
5:8 William Gibbons Correspondence--
Letters between Wm. Gibbons and S.B. Parkman
        
1835
5:9 William Gibbons Correspondence 1836
5:10 William Gibbons Correspondence--
Letters between William Gibbons and John J. Maxwell
(includes a sewn packet of letters and accounts placed at back of file folder)
1836
5:11 William Gibbons Correspondence--
Letters between Wm. Gibbons and S.B. Parkman
       
1836
5:12 William Gibbons Correspondence  1837
5:13 William Gibbons Correspondence--
Letters between William Gibbons and John J. Maxwell
(includes a sewn packet of letters and accounts placed at back of file folder)
1837
5:14 William Gibbons Correspondence--
Letters between Wm. Gibbons and S.B. Parkman
    
1837
5:15 William Gibbons Correspondence  1838
5:16 William Gibbons Correspondence--
Letters between William Gibbons and John J. Maxwell
(includes a sewn packet of letters and accounts placed at back of file folder)
1838
6:1 William Gibbons Correspondence 1839
6:2 William Gibbons Correspondence--
Letters between William Gibbons and John J. Maxwell
(includes a sewn packet of letters and accounts placed at back of file folder)
1839
6:3 William Gibbons Correspondence--
Letters between William Gibbons and Elias Reed
1839
6:4 William Gibbons Correspondence   1840
6:5 William Gibbons Correspondence--
Letters between William Gibbons and John J. Maxwell
(includes a sewn packet of letters and accounts placed at back of file folder)
1840
6:6 William Gibbons Correspondence--
Letters between William Gibbons and Elias Reed
1840
6:7 William Gibbons Correspondence   1841
6:8 William Gibbons Correspondence--
Letters between William Gibbons and John J. Maxwell
(includes a sewn packet of letters and accounts placed at back of file folder)
1841
6:9 William Gibbons Correspondence--
Letters between William Gibbons and Elias Reed
1841
6:10 William Gibbons Correspondence   1842
6:11 William Gibbons Correspondence--
Letters between William Gibbons and John J. Maxwell
(includes a sewn packet of letters and accounts placed at back of file folder)
1842
6:12 William Gibbons Correspondence--
Letters between William Gibbons and Elias Reed, Elias Reed's son
1842
6:13 William Gibbons Correspondence   1843
6:14 William Gibbons Correspondence--
Letters between William Gibbons and John J. Maxwell
(includes a sewn packet of letters and accounts placed at back of file folder)
1843
6:15 William Gibbons Correspondence--
Letters between William Gibbons and Elias Reed, Elias Reed's son
1843
7:1 William Gibbons Correspondence   1844
7:2 William Gibbons Correspondence--
Letters between William Gibbons and John J. Maxwell
(includes a sewn packet of letters and accounts placed at back of file folder)
1844
7:3 William Gibbons Correspondence   1845
7:4 William Gibbons Correspondence--
Letters between William Gibbons and John J. Maxwell
(includes a sewn packet of letters and accounts placed at back of file folder)
1845
7:5 William Gibbons Correspondence 1846 (Jan.-March)
7:6 William Gibbons Correspondence 1846 (April-June)
7:7 William Gibbons Correspondence 1846 (July-Sept.)
7:8 William Gibbons Correspondence 1846 (Oct.-Dec.)
7:9 William Gibbons Correspondence--
Letters between William Gibbons and John J. Maxwell
(includes a sewn packet of letters and accounts placed at back of file folder)
1846
7:10 William Gibbons Correspondence 1847 (Jan.-March)
7:11 William Gibbons Correspondence 1847 (April-June)
7:12 William Gibbons Correspondence 1847 (July-Sept.)
7:13 William Gibbons Correspondence 1847 (Oct.-Dec.)
7:14 William Gibbons Correspondence
Sewn packet of letters and accounts with Samuel  S. Ballow
1847
7:15 William Gibbons Correspondence 1848 (Jan.-March)
7:16 William Gibbons Correspondence 1848 (April-June)
8:1 William Gibbons Correspondence 1848 (July-Sept.)
8:2 William Gibbons Correspondence 1848 (Oct.-Dec.)
8:3 William Gibbons Correspondence
Letters between William Gibbons and Samuel S. Ballow
(includes two sewn packets of letters and accounts, 1848-49, placed at back of file folder)
1848-49
8:4 William Gibbons Correspondence 1849
8:5 William Gibbons Correspondence
Letters between William Gibbons and Samuel S. Ballow (includes sewn packet of letters and accounts placed at back of file folder)
1849
8:6 William Gibbons Correspondence  1850
8:7 William Gibbons Correspondence  Undated
c.    William Heyward Gibbons Correspondence
8:8 William Heyward Gibbons Correspondence 
[Note: typed transcripts available in 26:4]
1847-1866
Series II. Financial Records
  a. Thomas and William Gibbons
    8:9 Account Book: Morris and Essex Turnpike 1802-1807
    8:10 Account Book: "William Gibbons - Trustee of Thos Gibbons Trumbull" account book. (Eight folded letters within.) 1819-1823
    8:11 Account Book: Thomas Gibbons, Hannah Gibbons 1823-1837
    OVER-1 Account Book: "Receipt book of monies paid by William Gibbons, executor, in accordance with Thomas Gibbons' will."
1826-1839
    8:12  Account Book: Family Account Book
(William Gibbons, Isabel Gibbons Lathrop, Frank Lathrop)    
1850-1860s
    9:1 Stock Certificate  1797
    9:2 Account Statements, Receipts  1803-1805
    9:3 Account Statements, Receipts  1806-1809
    9:4 Account Statements, Receipts  1810-1811
    9:5 Account Statements, Receipts 1812-1813
    9:6 Account Statements, Receipts 1814
    9:7 Account Statements, Receipts - Two-page document attached with wax seal. 1814-1816
    9:8 Account Statements, Receipts 1815
    9:9 Account Statements, Receipts - Booklet of accounts 1815-1819
    9:10 Account Statements, Receipts 1816
    9:11 Account Statements, Receipts - Booklet of accounts 1816-1818
    9:12 Account Statements, Receipts 1817
    9:13 Account Statements, Receipts 1818
    9:14 Account Statements, Receipts 1819 (Jan.-June)
    9:15 Account Statements, Receipts 1819 (July-Dec.)
    9:16 Account Statements, Receipts - Booklet, "Money - for Bellona" (damaged) 1819-1820
    9:17 Account Statements, Receipts - Booklet, account with Freeman's Market. 1819-1821
    9:18 Account Statements, Receipts  1820
    9:19 Account Statements, Receipts 1821 (Jan.-June)
    9:20 Account Statements, Receipts 1821 (July-Dec.)
    9:21

Account Statements, Receipts
- Enclosed Packet, "Bill of Account with William Hyer, May 4, 1821."

1821
    9:22 Account Statements, Receipts - Booklet,account with Jonathan Harrison. 1821-1824
    9:23 Account Statements, Receipts 1822 (Jan.-March)
    9:24 Account Statements, Receipts 1822 (April-June)
    10:1 Account Statements, Receipts 1822 (July-Aug.)
    10:2 Account Statements, Receipts 1822 (Sept.-Dec.)
    10:3 Account Statements, Receipts 1823 (Jan.-March)
    10:4 Account Statements, Receipts 1823 (April-June)
    10:5 Account Statements, Receipts 1823 (July-Aug.)
    10:6 Account Statements, Receipts 1823 (Sept.-Dec.)
    10:7 Account Statements, Receipts - Account with S.B. Parkman 1823
    10:8 Account Statements, Receipts -
Booklet, account with Henry Freeman (bound in steamboat flyer). 
1823
    10:9 Account Statements, Receipts 1824 (Jan.-March)
    10:10 Account Statements, Receipts 1824 (April-June)
    10:11 Account Statements, Receipts 1824 (July-Aug.)
    10:12 Account Statements, Receipts 1824 (Sept.-Dec.)
    10:13 Account Statements, Receipts - Account with S.B. Parkman 1824
    11:1 Account Statements, Receipts  1825 (Jan.-June)
    11:2 Account Statements, Receipts  1825 (July-Dec.)
    11:3 Account Statements, Receipts  1826
    11:4 Account Statements, Receipts - Account with S.B. Parkman 1826-1828
    11:5 Account Statements, Receipts  1828-1829
    11:6 Account Statements, Receipts  1830-1831
    11:7 Account Statements, Receipts 1832-1833
    11:8 Account Statements, Receipts 1834-1835
    11:9 Account Statements, Receipts 1836
    11:10 Account Statements, Receipts 1837 (Jan.-March) 
    11:11 Account Statements, Receipts 1837 (April-June)
    11:12 Account Statements, Receipts 1837 (July-Sept.)
    11:13 Account Statements, Receipts  1837 (Oct.-Dec.)
    11:14 Account Statements, Receipts  - Daniel W. Allen 1837
    11:15 Account Statements, Receipts -  Packets (presumed original organization) of receipts, Daniel W. Allen
1837
    12:1 Account Statements, Receipts 1838 (Jan.-March)
    12:2 Account Statements, Receipts 1838 (April-June)
    12:3 Account Statements, Receipts 1838 (July-Sept.)
    12:4 Account Statements, Receipts 1838 (Oct.-Dec.)
    12:5 Account Statements, Receipts - Daniel W. Allen
(including tied packet of Allen receipts)
1838
    12:6 Account Statements, Receipts 1839 (Jan.-March)
    12:7 Account Statements, Receipts 1839 (April-June)
    12:8 Account Statements, Receipts 1839 (July-Sept.)
    12:9 Account Statements, Receipts 1839 (Oct.-Dec.)
    12:10 Account Statements, Receipts 1840 (Jan.-March)
    12:11 Account Statements, Receipts 1840 (April-June)
    12:12 Account Statements, Receipts 1840 (July-Sept.)
    12:13 Account Statements, Receipts 1840 (Oct.-Dec.)
    13:1 Account Statements, Receipts 1841 (Jan.-March)
    13:2 Account Statements, Receipts 1841 (April-June)
    13:3 Account Statements, Receipts 1841 (July-Sept.)
    13:4 Account Statements, Receipts 1841 (Oct.-Dec.)
    13:5 Account Statements, Receipts - Account with F. S. & D. Lathrop 1841
    13:6 Account Statements, Receipts 1842 (Jan.-March)
    13:7 Account Statements, Receipts 1842 (April-June)
    13:8 Account Statements, Receipts 1842 (July-Sept.)
    13:9 Account Statements, Receipts 1842 (Oct.-Dec.)
    13:10 Account Statements, Receipts - Account with Israel Losey (including packets of Losey receipts for lime purchases) 1842
    13:11 Account Statements, Receipts - Packet (presumed original organization) of receipts relating to coal.  1842
    14:1 Account Statements, Receipts 1843 (Jan.-March)
    14:2 Account Statements, Receipts 1843 (April-June)
    14:3 Account Statements, Receipts 1843 (July-Sept.)
    14:4 Account Statements, Receipts 1843 (Oct.-Dec.)
    14:5 Account Statements, Receipts 1844 (Jan.-March)
    14:6 Account Statements, Receipts 1844 (April-June)
    14:7 Account Statements, Receipts 1844 (July-Sept.)
    14:8 Account Statements, Receipts 1844 (Oct.-Dec.)
    14:9 Account Statements, Receipts - Booklet, receipts with Ashbel Bruen (work at the Gibbons' Grainery) 1844
    14:10 Account Statements, Receipts 1845 (Jan.-March)
    14:11 Account Statements, Receipts 1845 (April-June)
    15:1 Account Statements, Receipts 1845 (July-Sept.)
    15:2 Account Statements, Receipts 1845 (Oct.-Dec.)
    15:3 Account Statements, Receipts 1846
    15:4 Account Statements, Receipts - Account of House Expenses with bundled receipts (presumed original organization)   1846 (Jan.-March)
    15:5 Account Statements, Receipts - Account of House Expenses with bundled receipts (presumed original organization)   1846 (April-June)
    15:6 Account Statements, Receipts - Account of House Expenses with bundled receipts (presumed original organization)   1846 (July-Sept.)
    15:7 Account Statements, Receipts - Account of House Expenses with bundled receipts (presumed original organization)   1846 (Oct.-Dec.)
    15:8 Account Statements, Receipts 1847 (Jan.-March)
    15:9 Account Statements, Receipts 1847 (April-June)
    16:1 Account Statements, Receipts 1847 (July-Aug.)
    16:2 Account Statements, Receipts 1847 (Sept.-Dec.)
    16:3 Account Statements, Receipts - Account of House Expenses with bundled receipts (presumed original organization)   1847 (Jan.-March)
    16:4 Account Statements, Receipts - Account of House Expenses with bundled receipts (presumed original organization)   1847 (April-June)
    16:5 Account Statements, Receipts - Account of House Expenses with bundled receipts (presumed original organization)   1847 (July-Sept.)
    16:6 Account Statements, Receipts - Account of House Expenses with bundled receipts (presumed original organization)   1847 (Oct.)
    16:7 Account Statements, Receipts - Expenses and bundled receipts (presumed original organization) with Patrick Cummins 1847 (April-July)
    16:8 Account Statements, Receipts - Expenses and bundled receipts (presumed original organization) with Patrick Cummins 1847 (Aug.-Dec.)
    16:9   Account Statements, Receipts 1848 (Jan.-June)
    16:10 Account Statements, Receipts 1848 (July-Dec.)
    17:1

Account Statements, Receipts - Account of House Expenses with bundled receipts (presumed original organization)

1848 (Jan.-June)
    17:2 Account Statements, Receipts - Account of House Expenses with bundled receipts (presumed original organization) 1848 (July-Dec.)
    17:3 Account Statements, Receipts - Account of House Expenses with bundled receipts (presumed original organization) with Patrick Cummins 1848 (Jan.-March)
    17:4 Account Statements, Receipts - Account of House Expenses with bundled receipts (presumed original organization) with Patrick Cummins 1848 (April-June)
    17:5 Account Statements, Receipts - Account of House Expenses with bundled receipts (presumed original organization) with Patrick Cummins 1848 (July-Sept.)
    17:6 Account Statements, Receipts - Account of House Expenses with bundled receipts (presumed original organization) with Patrick Cummins and John Lyon 1848 (Oct.-Dec.)
    17:7 Account Statements, Receipts 1849 (Jan.-June)
    17:8 Account Statements, Receipts 1849 (July-Dec.)
    18:1 Account Statements, Receipts - Account of House Expenses with bundled receipts (presumed original organization) 1849 (Jan.-March)
    18:2 Account Statements, Receipts - Account of House Expenses with bundled receipts (presumed original organization) 1849 (April-June)
    18:3 Account Statements, Receipts - Account of House Expenses with bundled receipts (presumed original organization) 1849 (July-Sept.)
    18:4 Account Statements, Receipts - Account of House Expenses with bundled receipts (presumed original organization) 1849 (Oct.-Dec.)
    18:5 Account Statements, Receipts 1850
    18:6 Account Statements, Receipts - Account of House Expenses with bundled receipts (presumed original organization) 1850 (Jan.-March)
    18:7 Account Statements, Receipts - Account of House Expenses with bundled receipts (presumed original organization) 1850 (April-June)
    18:8 Account Statements, Receipts - Account of House Expenses with bundled receipts (presumed original organization) 1850 (July-Sept.)
    18:9 Account Statements, Receipts Undated
  b.    Ann Heyward Gibbons
    18:10 Household Financial Statement   1811
  c.  William Heyward Gibbons
    18:11 Account Statements, Receipts 1854-1881
Series III. Notebook, Letterbooks and Journal
     OVER-2 Notebook of Thomas Gibbons (containing law abstracts).
Two loose items at front.
1788
    OVER-3 Letterbook/Copybook of correspondence of  
Thomas Gibbons and William Gibbons
1811-1824
    OVER-4 Letterbook/Copybook of correspondence of William Gibbons 1827-1833
    19:1 Journal of William Gibbons, personal horse breeding journal. 1829
Series IV. Legal Documents
  a. Indentures, Land Agreements, Deeds
    19:2 Indenture: Zubly and Vanderplank [1760]
    19:3 Rent/Land Agreement: Kesee  1767
    19:4 Indentures: Zubly and Miller (3 items) 1767
    19:5 Indentures: Dressler and Ducker (2 items)  1769
    19:6 Indenture: Zubly and Rae 1770
    19:7 Indenture: Williams and Ravot 1774
    19:8 Indenture: Ravot 1775
    19:9 Indenture: Hudson and Ravot 1775
    19:10 Indenture: Hershman and Gibbons  1778
    19:11 Indenture: Elbert & Rae, Wylly & Habersham for Platt 1785
    19:12 Indenture: Ravot (2 items) 1790
    19:13 Survey map of Ravot's Land 1790
    19:14 Indentures: Greenwood and Haist (2 items) 1791
    19:15 Indenture: Waldhauer and Gibbons 1793 
    19:16 Indenture: Owens and Gibbons  1795
    19:17 Indenture: Cunningham, McCradie and Mein 1799
    19:18 Deed: Gibbons, Ogden and Dayton (partial) 1803
    19:19 Indentures: Gibbons and Ogden (3 items)  1804 
    19:20 Indenture: Gibbons and Shoobred  1807
    19:21 Indenture: Stutz and Mein 1807
    19:22 Indenture: Gibbons and Scott 1810
    19:23 Indenture: Gibbons and Pearce (3 items) 1810 
    19:24 Indenture: Ann Trumbull and Ogden (2 items) 1814
    19:25 Indenture: Gibbons and Howell 1815
    19:26 Indenture: Livingstons and Cutting (Fulton),
Ogden and Morris (2 items)
1815
  b. Acts/Legislative Documents, Business Agreements, Certificates of Birth and Marriage, Court Documents, Deeds, Employment Agreements, Estate Documents, Horse Purchases and Pedigrees, Memorials/Petitions, Notes on legal cases, Pardons, Rent/Lease Agreements
    20:1 Acts/Legislative Documents (related to steamboats, water rights) 1798-1820
    20:2 Acts/Legislative Documents (related to steamboats, water rights) 1821-1822
    20:3 Acts/Legislative Document (related to juror selection) Undated
    20:4 Business Agreements: General  1818-1834
    20:5 Business Agreements: Steamboat-related 1819-1822
    20:6 Certificate of Birth (Sarah Taintor Gibbons) 1829
    20:7 Certificate of Marriage (Thomas H. Gibbons and Molly Dayton)  1810
    20:8 Certificate of Marriage (John Trumbull and Ann Gibbons) 1815
    20:9 Certificate of Marriage (William Gibbons and Abigail Louise Taintor) 1826
    20:10 Court Document: Job Bolles  1810
    20:11 Court Documents: Thomas Gibbons Trumbull and others vs. Thomas Gibbons, Aaron Ogden and others 1811-1821
    20:12 Court Documents: Thomas Gibbons vs. Benjamin Maurice 1811-1822
    20:13 Court Documents: "The Case of Mrs. Trumbull  & Her Children" 1815
    20:14 Court Documents: John M. Trumbull vs. Thomas Gibbons 1816-1822
    20:15 Court Documents: Thomas Gibbons vs. Aaron Ogden, folder 1 of 2 1816-1823
    20:16 Court Documents: Thomas Gibbons vs. AaronOgden, folder 2 of 2  
    20:17 Court Documents: John R. Livingston vs. Thomas Gibbons 1817-1824
    20:18 Court Documents: Thomas Gibbons vs. IsaacMorse (Decided: 1821)  1818-1819
    20:19 Court Documents: Thomas Gibbons vs. John J. Vanderpool 1819
    21:1 Court Documents: John R. Livingston vs. Aaron Ogden and Thomas Gibbons 1819-1822
    21:2 Court Documents: Robert M. Livingston vs. Thomas Gibbons 1820-1821
    21:3 Court Documents: Thomas Gibbons vs. Aaron Ogden and Peter Kean 1820-1822
    21:4 Court Documents: Elias Williams vs. Thomas Gibbons 1821
    21:5 Court Documents: Thomas Gibbons vs. Washington Fountain 1822
    21:6 Court Documents: John M. Trumbull vs. Thomas Gibbons Trumbull, John Heyward Trumbull, Ann Heyward Trumbull, Sarah Bachas Trumbull, Thomas Gibbons, Aaron Ogden, William Gibbons, Joseph Trumbull, Daniel W. Coit and others 1821-1822
    21:7 Court Documents: Thomas Gibbons vs. Jacob Coursen 1822-1823
    21:8 Court Documents: Oliver Wade and Elias Wade vs. Thomas Gibbons (Decided 1826) 1823
    21:9 Court Documents: Cornelius Vanderbilt vs. John R. Livingston  [1823]
    21:10 Court Documents: Miscellaneous  
    21:11 Court Documents: Miscellaneous, related to steamboats, water rights; no specific case  
    21:12 Court Documents: Permission to Occupy (William H. Gibbons) 1865
    21:13 Deed: Ira C. Whitehead, guardian of Isabel Gibbons, to William H. Gibbons 1854
    21:14 Deed: Robert T. Wilson and Augustus W. Cutler to Caroline Gibbons 1854
    21:15 Employment Agreements/Memoranda 1802-1814
    21:16 Employment Agreements/Memoranda 1816-1817
    21:17 Employment Agreements/Memoranda 1818-1819
    21:18 Employment Agreements/Memoranda 1820-1822
    21:19 Employment Agreements/Memoranda 1823-1824
    21:20 Employment Agreements/Memoranda  1839-1847 
    21:21 Employment Agreements/Memoranda Undated   
    21:22 Estate Documents: Thomas Gibbons
[Note: photocopy available in 25:4]
1825
    21:23 Estate Documents: William Gibbons 1847
    21:24 Estate Documents: Thomas Gibbons [1848]
    21:25 Estate Documents: Isabel Gibbons Lathrop 1856-1872
    21:26 Estate Documents: Caroline G. Gibbons 1858
    21:27 Horse Purchases/Pedigrees 1807-1839
    22:1 Memorials/Petitions 1813-1820
    22:2 Memorials/Petitions 1821-1822
    22:3 Notes on Livingston case  
    22:4 Notes on Morse case  
    22:5 Notes on Ogden cases  
    22:6 Notes on Trumbull cases  
    22:7 Notes, Miscellaneous on legal subjects  
    OVER-5 Pardon (William H. Gibbons) 1865
    22:8 Pardon (William H. Gibbons) 1865
    22:9 Rent/Lease Agreements 1803-1819
    22:10 Rent/Lease Agreements 1820-1822
    22:11 Rent/Lease Agreements 1823-1825
    22:12 Rent/Lease Agreements 1838-1848
    22:13 Rent/Lease Agreements Undated
Series V. Court Proceedings and Steamboat Pamphlets 
      OVER-7 New-Jersey. Aaron Ogden and Thomas Gibbons, vs. Walter Rutherford. [1803]
    OVER-7 A History of the Steam-Boat Case, Lately Discussed Before the Legislature of New-Jersey. 1815
    OVER-7 Memorial of Ferdinando Fairfax, Against The Extention of the Patents Granted to Robert Fulton, For Improvements in PropellingVessels by Steam. 1816
    OVER-7  A Letter, Addressed to Cadwallader D. Colden, Esquire. 1817
    OVER-7 A Vindication by Cadwallader D. Colden, of theSteam Boat Right Granted by the State of New-York; in the Form of an Answer to the Letter of Mr. Duer, Addressed to Mr. Colden. 1818
    OVER-7 In the Court for the Trial of Impeachments And the Correction of Errors. Between ThomasGibbons, Appellant, and Aaron Ogden, Respondent (5 copies) [1818]
    OVER-8 Steam-Boat Navigation. Decrees of Chancellor Kent, of New York; Deciding the Navigation of New Jersey, To the Waters Thereof (6 copies) 1819
    OVER-8 State of New York in The Court For The Trial Of Impeachments and The Correction of Errors, Between Thomas Gibbons, Appellant, and Aaron Ogden, Respondent (2 copies) 1819
    OVER-8 A Reply to Mr. Colden's Vindication of the Steam-Boat Monopoly 1819
    OVER-8 Steam Boat Navigation of New-Jersey, Decided, By Chancellor Kent, of New-York. In Chancery- John R. Livingston, vs. Aaron Ogden and ThomasGibbons. (2 copies) [1819]
    OVER-8 Circuit Court of the United States, For The Southern District of New-York. The Opinion ofHis Honour Brockholst Livingston, Esq. October28th, 1820. Thomas Gibbons, vs. John R. Livingston. 1820
    OVER-9 State of New York in The Court For The Trial Of Impeachments and The Correction of Errors, Between Thomas Gibbons, Appellant, andAaron Ogden, Respondent 1821
    OVER-9 In the Supreme Court Case of the United States Between Thomas Gibbons, Plantiff in Error, and Aaron Ogden, Defendant in Error
[Note:photocopy available in 25:4]
1822
    OVER-9 In the Supreme Court of the United States.
Between Cornelius Vanderbilt, Plantiff in Error,And John R. Livingston, Defendant in Error.

[Note: photocopy available in 25:4]
1823
    OVER-9 Reports of Cases Argued and Adjudicated in the Supreme Court of Judicature, of the State of New Jersey. Volume II. 1835
    OVER-9 Reports of Cases Decided in the Supreme Court of Judicature of the State of New-Jersey. Volume I, part I. 1838
    OVER-10 Reports of Cases Argued and Adjudicated in the Supreme Court of Judicature, of the State of New Jersey. Volume III. 1838
    OVER-10 Harrison's Reports of the Cases Determined in The Supreme Court of Judicature of the State of New-Jersey. Volume II, part I. 1839
    OVER-11 Reports of Cases Decided in the Supreme Court of Judicature of the State of New-Jersey. Volume II. 1840
    OVER-11 Petition, & c. To the Honorable The Legislative Council, and General Assembly of the State ofNew Jersey. 1841
    OVER-11 The Treasurer's Report to the Legislature of New Jersey. 1846
    OVER-11 Opinions of The Judges of the Supreme Court, of the United States, in the Cases of "Smith vs. Turner," and "Norris vs. The City of Boston." 1849
    OVER-11 Report of the Law Committee on Ferry Rights. 1858
    OVER-11 Report of the Law Committee on Ferry Rights. 1858
    OVER-11 Debates in the Eighty-Ninth General Assemblyof the State of New Jersey, on the Bill to Ratify An Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. 1865
    OVER-12 Concerning Steam Boats. Documents WithoutComments. (2 copies) Undated
    OVER-12 Concerning Steam-Boats. (4 copies)  Undated
    OVER-12 The Committee appointed to inquire into the expediency of repealing the supplement to the act to preserve and support the jurisdiction of this state, or of modifying the same so as better  to answer the object intended thereby. Undated
    OVER-12 In Chancery. To the Honorable James Kent, Chancellor of the State of New-York, humbly  Complaining shew unto your Honor. Undated
Series VI. Series VI. Contemporary Ephemera/Miscellaneous
  a. Manuscript
    23: 1 Brant family documents  
    OVER-5  Drawing of "Mrs. Sally Jefferson"  
    23:2 Home inventories, furniture  
    23:3 Horses  
    23:4 Land and plantation life  
    23:5 Miscellaneous  
    23:6 Notes/Memoranda (miscellaneous, presumed of Thomas Gibbons)  
    23:7 Poetry  
    23:8   Steamboats  
  b. Printed
    23:9 Horses and cattle  
    23:10 Horses and cattle sale catalogues 1829-1831
    23:11 Horses and cattle sale catalogues  1839
    OVER-5  Horse races and sales handbills/posters (three folders)  
    23:12 Miscellaneous  
    23:13 Steamboats  
    23:14 Steamboats: Bellona handbill (1 original)  
    23:15 Steamboats: Ogden handbill (3 originals)  
    OVER-5 Steamboats: "Improvements in the Construction of Steam-Vessels" 1837
  c. Books/Periodicals
    23:16 An Authentic History of the Celebrated Horse American Eclipse. New York: 1823.  
    23:17 The Courtship, Merry Marriage, and Picnic Dinner of Cock Robin & Jenny Wren. London: undated.
(Children's book given to William Gibbons from Caroline Gibbons)
 
    23:18 Holy Bible. Oxford: 1845. (Owned by Caroline Gibbons)  
    OVER-13 Music Book (one of two unique bindings of piano scores, owned by Caroline Gibbons)  
    OVER-14 Music Book (one of two unique bindings of piano scores, owned by Caroline Gibbons)  
    OVER-5 Newspapers (two folders)  
    24:1 Notes, Historical and Biographical, Concerning Elizabeth-town. Elizabeth-town: 1844.  
    24:2 Transactions of the American Art-Union, For The Year 1846. (Owned by William Heyward Gibbons)  
  d. Art
    OVER-6 Framed color lithograph of Peytona and Fashion   (horse race, 1845).  
Series VII. Secondary Research Materials
  a.  Research Correspondence, Notes, Transcripts
    24:3 Correspondence between Drew Library and researchers regarding Gibbons collection 1931-1941
    24:4 Correspondence between Drew Library and researchers regarding Gibbons collection 1963-1993
    24:5 Maps of Gibbons land  
    24:6 Misc./Notes on Gibbons-related art  
    24:7 Misc./Notes on Gibbons' barn (in Chatham, NJ) and the National Historic Registry  
    24:8 Misc./Notes on the Gibbons collection donations/ provenance  
    24:9 Misc./Notes on Gibbons genealogy  
    24:10 Misc./Notes on Gibbons home furnishings  
    24:11 Misc./Notes on Gibbons home and New Jersey Historical Sites application  
    25:1 Misc./Notes on Gibbons land archaeology, presumed collection of research materials of James Briscoe [Note: see below Publication by James Briscoe]  
    25:2 Misc./Notes on Gibbons land archaeology, presumed collection of research materials of James Briscoe [Note: see below Publication by James Briscoe]  
    25:3 Misc./Notes on Gibbons steamboats  
    25:4 Photocopies of selected material (as noted in the container listing)  
    25:5 Photocopies of selected Vanderbilt-related material  
    25:6 Transcripts (partial) of Gibbons collection, handwritten, created c. 1940s, folder 1 of 5.  
    25:7 Transcripts (partial) of Gibbons collection, handwritten, created c. 1940s, folder 2 of 5.  
    26:1 Transcripts (partial) of Gibbons collection, handwritten, created c. 1940s, folder 3 of 5.  
    26:2 Transcripts (partial) of Gibbons collection, handwritten, created c. 1940s, folder 4 of 5.  
    26:3 Transcripts (partial) of Gibbons collection, handwritten, created c. 1940s, folder 5 of 5.  
    Shelf F11 Transcripts (partial) of Gibbons collection, typed, in binders, created c. 1970s-80s   1780-1825 (inc.)
    26:4   Transcripts, typed, of William Heyward Gibbons correspondence, created 2004. 1847-1860
      Transcripts - See Also Publication by Arthur P. Whitney below  
  b.. Publications
    26:5 An Official Register of the Deaths Which Occurred Among the White Population in the City of Savannah." 1820 [1967 reprint]. Booklet.  
    26:6 Baxter, Maurice. The Steamboat Monopoly, Gibbons v. Ogden, 1824. New York: Knopf, 1972. Bound volume.  
    26:7 Briscoe, James. The William Gibbons Estate: Historical Archaeological Perspective. Thesis, 1980. Unbound typescript.  
    27:1 Churchill, Ruth Pierson. "The Gibbons Mansion and Interesting Facts Pertaining to Gibbons Family." Paper written for the Madison Branch of the American Association of University Women, 1946.Presented to Drew University, 1976. [Note: Originally housed in binder. Entire contents rehoused. Included some original manuscript material donated by Mrs. Churchill, which was photocopied and placed as bound. Originals were then interfiled in the regular collection.]  
    27:2 Churchill, Ruth. "Gothic House Once Belonged to Lathrop Family." The Madison Eagle, Aug. 29, 1985. Photocopy.  
    27:3  Coombe, Philip. The Life and Times of James P. Allaire, Early Founder and Steam Engine Builder. Diss., 1991. UMI bound volume.  
    27:4   Coyne, Judith Ann. A Critical Evaluation of the Restoration Problems of Mead Hall, Madison, New Jersey. Thesis, 1978. Unbound typescript.  
    27:5 Cruddas, Nola Beth. "William Gibbons and The Management of Whitehall Plantation." Student paper, 1977. Unbound typescript.  
    27:6 Cunningham, John. "Madison's Queen of the Turf." The Madison Eagle, April 9, 1964. Photocopy.  
    27:7 Dangerfield, George. "The Steamboat's Charter of Freedom." American Heritage, Oct. 1963. Photocopy.  
    27:8  Doremus, Sharon. "Mansion in Forest." The County Circular, vol.5, no.1, 1981. Full issue.  
    27:9 "Drew's Southern Mansion Designated Historic Place." The Drew University Report, February-March 1977. Clipping.  
    28:1 Gamble, Thomas. Savannah Duels and Duellists, 1733-1877. Savannah: Review Publishing & Printing Company, 1923. Bound volume.  
    28:2 "The Heyward Family of South Carolina," South Carolina Historical Magazine, vol. 59, no. 3 and 4, July and October, 1958. Offprint.  
    28:3 Holbrook, Alfred. "James Jackson and Thomas Gibbons: Two Lawyer Statesmen of Early Georgia." Georgia Bar Journal, n.d. Photocopy.  
    28:4 Jones, Franklin T. "The Gibbons Family in Georgia Before 1800." Seminar paper, 1932. Unbound typescript.  
    28:5 Jones, Franklin T. "Loyalism in Georgia, 1765 to 1782." Seminar paper, 1932. Unbound typescript.  
    28:6 Kelley, Frank Bergen. Historic Elizabeth, 1664-1914. Elizabeth, NJ: Elizabeth Daily Journal, 1914. Bound volume.  
    28:7 Lamplugh, George. "Up From the Depths: The Career of Thomas Gibbons, 1783-1789." The Atlanta Historical Journal, vol. 25, no. 3, 1981.  
    28:8 "Whitehall Plantation I." The Georgia Historical Quarterly, vol. 25, no.4, Dec. 1941. Full issue.  
    28:9 "Whitehall Plantation II." The Georgia Historical Quarterly, vol. 26, no. 1, March 1942. Full issue.  
    28:10 "Whitehall Plantation III." The Georgia Historical Quarterly, vol. 26, no. 2, June 1942. Full issue.  
    28:11 Whitney, Arthur P. William Gibbons, 1794-1852. Thesis, 1933. [Mostly typed transcriptions of William Gibbons' Letterbook, 1827-1830.] Library bound volume.  
    29:1 Winslow, Carlette. "Forest and Mansion for Methodists." Suburban Life, May 1968. Photocopy.  
  c. Photos
    29:2 Asbury Hall  
    29:3  Fashion (racehorse)  
    29:4  Gibbons, Thomas  
    29:5 Gibbons, William  
    29:6 Gibbons Family burial plot and headstones,
Madison NJ
 
    29:7 Gibbons Mansion (Mead Hall)  
    29:8 Sycamore Cottage  

 

Last updated 05/16/2007 by Cheryl Oestreicher