MG-96     The James Buchanan Collection, 1816-1994

3 boxes     86 folders      1.5 cubic ft.

Description: Material by and about James Buchanan, fifteenth president of the United States, who made his home in Lancaster. Includes correspondence, legal and personal documents relating to his estate, pamphlets, speeches, newspaper clippings, family genealogy, and materials written about Buchanan. Also, Charles Kessler’s manuscript for James Buchanan, the White House Years, 1931.

Box 1

Folder 1

1. Presidential appointment of Buchanan as Minister to Russia, January 4, 1832. Original in Oversized Box 17, Folder 1.

2. Recommendation of Andrew Jackson as to character of Buchanan for Russian post. Given full powers as the minister to Russia. Signature, Andrew Jackson. (2 handwritten copies, one framed in Museum Storage and other in MG folder. Both have Jackson's signature.) March 26, 1832.

3. Letter from Henry Buehler to Buchanan in St. Petersburg, Russia. 1833.

 

Folder 2 Two letters and a Certificate of Election to U. S. Senate. Wax seal of U. S. Senate with sheaf and plow. 1836,1843.

 

Folder 3 Photocopy of letter written by Buchanan to the Hon. Walter Franklin regarding candidates for the House of Representatives. 1821.

 

Folder 4

1. Letter written by James Buchanan from Washington, DC to William B. Fordney. He notes enjoying hearing about Lancaster news and talks about when he will be in Lancaster. 1828.

2. Letter from James Buchanan in Washington, DC to James A. Caldwell in Lancaster regarding pleasure at confidence bestowed on him by the Democratic party. 1836.

3. Short thank you written by Buchanan to William B. Fordney. 1837.

4. Transmittal letter from Buchanan to James A. Caldwell regarding matter of salary for Judge Hayes, Esq. 1840.

5. Letter from Buchanan in Washington, DC to Benjamin Champneys, Esq. regarding article in Globe magazine. Objecting to tariff on coal and iron. 1842.

6. From Buchanan at Wheatland to Christian Huber in Miamisburg, OH regarding matter settled with Mr. Ellmaker. 1849.

7. Private letter from Bro. Tyler in Philadelphia to Buchanan, relating to matters of possible appointment of Tyler to Clerkship of Supreme Court. Relates to political matters. 1852.

8. Letter of recommendation from Buchanan to Hon. Greene c. Bronson regarding appointment of H. L. Williams as "Weigher" in New York custom house. 1853.

9. From Mr. David Lynch to Buchanan requesting appointment of Col. S. W. Black to a vacancy occasioned by resignation of Gen. Lane. 1853.

 

Folder 5 Three letters relating to the expiration of Major Lynch's term as Postmaster of Pittsburgh, Pa. and the possible replacement by Major John K. Moorehead. One letter is to President Martin Van Buren. June and July 1840.

Folder 6 Two letters from Buchanan to Michael Carpenter, Esq. of Lancaster relating to Relief of Poor Widows in Lancaster. Donation of coal and wood to single women and widows of Lancaster. 1846. One letter written on back of 100 dollar stock certificate printed for City Council. 1849.

Folder 7 Appointment as Secretary of State. Signature of James K. Polk. (Original framed in Museum Storage) March 6, 1845.

Folder 8 Eight letters from Buchanan to William Mathiot, Esq. of Lancaster. All political in nature. 1846,1847,­1850-1852.

Folder 9 Original and photocopy of confidential letter from Department of State, from Buchanan to John Black, Esq., regarding treatment of Mexico. January 19, 1847.

Folder 10 Two letters from Buchanan in Washington, DC to A. Herr Smith regarding Mrs. Ann Johnson's pension certificate. 1848.

Folder 11 Photocopy of private letter from Buchanan to Col. A. H. Reeder plus typescript regarding Buchanan's desire to retire to private life. 1848.

Folder 12 Photocopies of two letters. One from Buchanan to Thaddeus Stevens. One is a typed copy of a letter to Dr. C. S. Kauffman of Ohio. 1850,1859.

Folder 13 Five letters from Buchanan to William Carpenter, Esq. One has a U. S. Seal, wax, with the eagle holding arrows and palm leaves. 1857,1859,1860.

Folder 14 Five letters to and from P. B. Rhett in Charlestown, SC regarding slavery. Includes LCHS Journal by W. U. Hensel regarding Buchanan's attitude toward slavery. 1858.

Folder 15 Five photocopied letters from Buchanan to H. M. North, Esq. One from Mrs. Harriet Lane Johnston. Regarding pallbearers for Buchanan. 1862, 1864, 1865, 1866, 1868.

 

Folder 16

1. Telegram to Buchanan from T.J. Bowan declining agency in Liberia. 1858.

2. Telegram from Buchanan to Mr. John Seys regarding appointment as agent on the Coast of Liberia under the Slave Trade Laws. Sending slaves from Charlestown, SC back to Liberia. 1858.

3. Acceptance from Mr. John Seys regarding above. 1858.

4. To Postmaster, dispatching Mr. Seys. 1858.

 

Folder 17 Two legal notes of definitions of legal terms. No dates.

Folder 18 Nomination to Presidency of U.S. at Convention in Baltimore, MD from the State Conven­tion of Pennsylvania. Signed by the PA delegates. 1852.

Folder 19 Letter from Buchanan at Wheatland February 1866 to Mr. J. S. Geist. Noting has no copy of the Pacific Railroad Report. LCHS Journal article, Vol. 56, 1952 by Oliver Sprout on "James Buchanan, Big Wheel of the Railroad". 3 items. 1866,1962.

Folder 20 Two photocopies of a letter and a newspaper article relating to bequests for the care of the poor and indigent females. 1846, 1986.

Folder 21 Three page article written by Buchanan relating to the use of the Hall of the House of Representatives for worship. (The article is written partially in the third person but the handwriting is that of Buchanan.)

 

Folder 22

1. A typescript Remarks by Buchanan related to the Statuary for the U.S. Captitol. 1836.

2. An invitation to Mr. Buchanan from a committee (Camp Brandywine) "to effect the organization of a Military Encampment to be held at the village of Ephrata, Lancaster County....to lay the cornerstone of a Monument..."

 

Folder 23 Speeches of James Buchanan in print. They are old publications. Subjects are Bills imposing additional duty on public officers, Remarks before Democratic State Convention in 1840, Independent Treasury speech in 1840, Speech delivered before mass meeting of the Democracy of Western PA, newspaper article photo­copy of speech delivered at the dinner of the PA Historical Society in 1852, Message of Buchanan to the two houses of Congress in 1860. 6 items. 1837 to 1860.

 

Folder 24 Photocopy of a Bounty Land Warrant to Philip Noel from Ohio granted for service in the War of 1812. Signature of Buchanan.

Photocopy of a prosecutors' bill for payment. 1822, 1823.

 

Folder 25 Booklet printed in Lancaster in 1856 called The Life of James Buchanan as Written by Himself. It is a satire of his set to music.

 

Folder 26

1. Broadside of Public Sale for the James Buchanan property on Orange and Lime Streets, December 6, 1851.

2. Conditions of Sale by James Buchanan of the Property and agreement of Abraham W. Russell, purchaser.

3. Deed from James Buchanan to Abraham W. Russell for property in city at Orange and Lime St., March 15, 1852.

4. Release from James Buchanan to A.W. Russell. 1857.

5. Mortgage from Jacob F. Kurtz and Barbara Kautz, wife, to James Buchanan for property on West King and Manor Streets, 1864.

6. Bond to secure $1,500 for same as number 3 above. 1864.

 

Folder 27 Bond between Margaret Hamilton and George B. Hamilton of Salisbury Twp. and John Clark of Donegal Twp. and Molton C. Rogers and James Buchanan. 1822.

Folder 28 Two receipts from Amos Ellmaker, 1810 and W. Christian Leman [Lehman, Leam­an]. 1819.

 

Folder 29 Masonic Lodge folder.

1. Two facsimiles of Petition to join Masons, Lodge 43, 1816

2. Two booklets of the 100th Anniversary of the Making of a Mason in Lodge 43 of James Buchanan. 1916.

3. Magazine article & program honoring J. Buchanan at ceremony on July 8, 1961.

4. Newspaper clipping on the 175th Anniversary to Lodge 43.

5. Photocopy of newspaper political article written by Buchanan. 1830.

 

Folder 30 Five photoprints of Buchanan and two recent letters written regarding the prints. One of the photographs is his last.

Folder 31 Photocopies of newspaper clippings of Buchanan's funeral. Envelope from funeral notice sent to Buchanan. 1868.

Folder 32 Original will. 1866, 1867.

Folder 33 Two documents relating to the legal transfer of will from Lancaster County Court House to the Lancaster County Historical Society and related newspaper clippingss. 1971.

Folder 34 Inventory and Appraisal of the Buchanan estate, 1868.

Folder 35 Four original documents relating to the Buchanan estate. 1869, 1870.

Folder 36 Photocopies of estate papers. 1868.

 

Folder 37 Four letters about James Buchanan's romances written by a relative in 1927 to Frank Rawle. Very interesting observations relating to the relationship between the Coleman family and J. Buchanan. 1927.

Photocopy of typescript from a letter relating to Coleman's.

Newspaper article on story of tragic romance of James Buchanan and one on girl friend, Letitia Duncan.

 

Folder 38 Correspondence related to Harriet Lane Johnston with her tombstone inscription and drawing, 1929.

Folder 39 Invitation for a party to James Buchanan party. Also political ribbon for Buchanan's Presidential campaign.

Folder 40 Three speeches about James Buchanan. 1937

Folder 41 Address about James Buchanan by S. K. Stevens called “The Neglected Statesman,” 1949.

Folder 42 Three magazine articles about Buchanan. 1935.

 

Box 2

Folder 43 Two booklets, Short Answers to Reckless Fabrications Against the Democratic Candidate for President, James Buchanan. The Fearfull Issue to be Decided in November Next! Shall the Constitution and the Union Stand or Fall? Fremont, the Sectional Candidate of the Advocates of Dissolution! Buchanan, the Candidate of Those Who Advocate One Country! One Union! One Constitution and One Destiny!

Folder 44 Three booklets written on James Buchanan. 1900-1908.

Folder 45 Five booklets with speeches on Buchanan. 1912-1945.

Folder 46 The magazine The Historical Review, vol. 27, no. 4, p. 709, "Slidell and Buchanan,” The Macmillan Co., NY. 1922

Folder 47 Two issues of Tyler's Quarterly Historical and Genealogical Magazine, vol. XX, no. 3, January 1939, p. 154-166, "James Buchanan, The Bachelor of the White House.” Continued in vol. XX, no. 4, April 1939, p. 218-234.

Folder 48 Klein, Philip Shriver, "James Buchanan and Ann Coleman," Pennsylvania History, Pennsylvania Historical Association, vol. 21, no. 1, January 1954, p. 1-20.

Folder 49 Five booklets of article written about James Buchanan. One is written in German. 1828-1957.

Folder 50 Typescript "The Old ‘Buck Cannon’.” Also Journal of the Lancaster County Historical Society, 1960.

Folder 51 Updike, John. Buchanan Dying, performed at the Green Room at Franklin and Marshall College. Includes newspaper reviews. 1976.

Folder 52 Memorabilia and materials related to the dedication of the James Buchanan Monument in Buchanan park. 8 items. 1928.

Folder 53 Manuscript of address delivered by the late Judge J. Hay Brown at the unveiling of the statue of James Buchanan in Buchanan Park. 1928.

 

Folder 54

1. Newspaper clipping about the unveiling of the James Buchanan monument in Washington, DC, 1930.

2. Program from unveiling of monument, 1930.

3. Invitation to unveiling of the Washington, DC monument. 1930.

 

Folder 55

1. 158th Birthday Anniversary Commemoration program for James Buchanan held at Woodward Hill Cemetery, 1949.

2. Proclamation for celebration by Mayor of Lancaster, Dale E. Cary. 1949.

3. Annual Buchanan Memorial Program sponsored by the American Legion, Post 3. The program was held at Woodward Hill Cemetery, 1950.

 

Folder 56

1. Invitation from Pilot Club Of Lancaster for memorial service at Buchanan grave in Woodward Hill Cemetery, May 22, 1960. Wreath Laying Ceremony Program, April 21, 1991.

2. Two copies of Memorial Dedication to James Buchanan, 1960.

 

Folder 57 Four photocopies of newspaper articles about James Buchanan statue unveiling, 1928. Letters on exhibit at Dickinson College, 1975 and on Buchanan papers found at Wheatland Junior High School. 1988.

Folder 58 Photocopies of newspaper clippings related to Tombstone. 1957-1978.

Folder 59 Photocopy of certificate of ownership of plot on Woodward Hill Cemetery for Charles Smith who was coachman for James Buchanan, donated by Charles R. Eichelberger 1883.

Folder 60 Sheet music of the Wheatland Polka composed and respectfully dedicated to James Buchanan, President of the United States by Ellen C. Morant, 1857.

Folder 61 Three commemorative stamp caches of Buchanan and Wheatland, 1957-1959.

Folder 62 Five magazine articles about Wheatland, 1954-1960.

Folder 63 Newspaper clippings about Wheatland, no dates.

Folder 64 Programs and and magazine pictures of Wheatland, 1928-1979.

 

Box 3

Folder 65 11 small items related to Wheatland, its membership cards, invitations and events.

Folder 66 Two pieces related to the Wheatland Centennial Celebration celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the election of James Buchanan as President, 1956

Folder 67 Photocopies of Buchanan Family Papers, some are duplicates of those already in Box 2.

Folder 68 Genealogy of the Clan Buchanan done by Edward F. Sise in 1857 with transcript and letter of transmittal from Sise to President Buchanan. (The genealogy is rather general to the clan and should not be assumed it is James Buchanan's line.) 1856.

Folder 69 Buchanan genealogy information including an article starting on page 254 pub­lished in The American Genealogist, vol. 1, no. 8, October 1899. This folder includes several other Buchanan genealogy charts.

Folder 70 Photocopies of the frontice pages of the Buchanan Bible, 1793

Folder 71 Photocopies of newspaper clippings related to James Buchanan.

Folder 72 Scrapbook of old newspaper clippings related to James Buchanan. 1917-1930.

Folder 73 Old newspaper clippings, 1857.

Folder 74 Old newspaper clippings, 1914-1917.

Folder 75 Old newspaper clippings, 1920-1929.

Folder 76 Old newspaper clippings, 1930-1939.

Folder 77 Old newspaper clippings, 1940-1949.

Folder 78 Old newspaper clippings, 1950-1959.

Folder 79 Old newspaper clippings, 1960-1969.

Folder 80 Old newspaper clippings, 1956 to 1984.

Folder 81 Photocopies of newspaper clippings about Wheatland, 1848-1984.

Folder 82 Magazine. The Pennsylvania Freemason, February, 1991; A Souvenir of the Exhibition: James Buchanan, 1991.

Folder 83 Newspaper clipping of the Buchanan Exhibit at the Lancaster County Historical Society; Volksmarch Club brochure celebrating President Buchanan's 200th birthday; 2 Commerative Envelopes.

Folder 84 Original manuscript for book, James Buchanan: the White House Years, by Charles H. Kessler. 1991.

Folder 85 Programs from memorial ceremonies. 1994.

Folder 86 Photocopy of genealogy for Buchanan’s immdeiate family.