Scope and Contents
This collection is composed of fragmented groups of papers pertaining to the interrelated Humphreys, Marvin, and Olmsted families; they date from the Revolutionary War era through the first half of the nineteenth century. The papers fall into five distinct and unrelated series, each devoted to a different family or group of families. For the convenience of the researcher, a detailed genealogicalchart has been provided, which identifies all family members represented in the collection.
By far the most important person having a place in this collection is David Humphreys, Revolutionary War officer and United States diplomat, whose papers make up the first and largest series (see the description of Series I). Humphrey's papers, which are concerned for the most part with his diplomatic activities in Spain from 1789 to 1808, are complemented by diplomatic papers of George William Erving, charge d'affaires in Madrid from 1804 to 1809 (Series II). These two sets of papers together thus provide a useful resource for the student of early American diplomacy.
Series III and IV contain correspondence, legal and financial papers, genealogical materials, and memorabilia of the Marvin and Lemuel Gregory Olmsted families. While neither series is very large or coherent, a picture does emerge of everyday life in Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania during the early 1800s.
The fifth series is composed of four separate small collections of papers pertaining to Joel Barlow, the Cary and Dwight families, and John Trumbull, and of a collection of miscellaneous autographs (see page 61). Since John Trumbull materials are also located in Series I and II, an index to all the Trumbull materials has been compiled.
The Humphreys-Marvin-Olmsted Collection (Manuscript Group Number 189) by Wolcott Griswold Lane, a descendant of the Griswold and Colt families.
By far the most important person having a place in this collection is David Humphreys, Revolutionary War officer and United States diplomat, whose papers make up the first and largest series (see the description of Series I). Humphrey's papers, which are concerned for the most part with his diplomatic activities in Spain from 1789 to 1808, are complemented by diplomatic papers of George William Erving, charge d'affaires in Madrid from 1804 to 1809 (Series II). These two sets of papers together thus provide a useful resource for the student of early American diplomacy.
Series III and IV contain correspondence, legal and financial papers, genealogical materials, and memorabilia of the Marvin and Lemuel Gregory Olmsted families. While neither series is very large or coherent, a picture does emerge of everyday life in Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania during the early 1800s.
The fifth series is composed of four separate small collections of papers pertaining to Joel Barlow, the Cary and Dwight families, and John Trumbull, and of a collection of miscellaneous autographs (see page 61). Since John Trumbull materials are also located in Series I and II, an index to all the Trumbull materials has been compiled.
The Humphreys-Marvin-Olmsted Collection (Manuscript Group Number 189) by Wolcott Griswold Lane, a descendant of the Griswold and Colt families.
Dates
- 1776-1867
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
The materials are open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright status for collection materials is unknown, though much of the material in this collection is likely in the public domain. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of the Griswold family and others. Gift of Margaret McCan, 2015.
Arrangement
Arranged by name of family member.
Extent
4.5 Linear Feet (9 boxes, 1 folio)
Language of Materials
English
Catalog Record
A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog
Persistent URL
Overview
A collection of unrelated papers, linked by the family connections of the major figures. The papers of David Humphreys, a diplomat in the service of the United States, document his activities in Spain, 1789-1808. Also included are personal papers including correspondence with David Bushnell and Ezra Lee about submarines and with James Madison on politics, and some family correspondence. The papers of George William Erving, who was chargé d'affaires in Madrid (1804-1809) during Humphreys' tenure, complement the Humphreys diplomatic papers. The Marvin and Lemuel Gregory Olmstead (also Olmsted) families are represented by correspondence concerning life in New York and Connecticut in the 19th century. Of particular interest is a series of some sixty letters from Sarah Lucy Olmstead to her father describing her life in Erie, Pennsylvania from 1860-1865. Also in this part of the collection is a family photograph album and a journal kept by Lemuel Gregory Olmstead of his travels in New York State during 1830.
Biographical / Historical
David Humphreys: soldier, statesman, poet; B.A., Yale, 1771, M.A., 1774; lieutenant colonel and aide-de-camp to Washington during the Revolution; appointed special secret agent in 1790 to gather information for Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson; appointed commissioner of Algerian states; in 1793 appointed minister plenipotentiary to Spain; in 1796, upon his return to the U.S., founded the Humphreysville Manufacturing Company.
For a chart outlining the genealogical relations of the Humphreys, Marvin, and Olmstead families, please consult the Genealogical Chart.
For a chart outlining the genealogical relations of the Humphreys, Marvin, and Olmstead families, please consult the Genealogical Chart.
Other Finding Aids
For an index of authors and the boxes in which their materials are located, please consult theAuthor Index.
Author Index
- Adams, John, 1735-1826, Box 3, Folder 68
- Amory, [Samuel?], Box 3, Folder 79
- Baccri, Micaiah, Box 3, Folder 72
- Baldwin, Abraham, 1754-1812, Box 4, Folder 119
- Barbe-Marbois, Francois, Marquis de, 1754-1837, Box 5, Folder 165
- Barlow, Joel, 1754-1812, Box 4, Folder 119
- Bulkeley (John) & Son, of Lisbon, Box 4, Folder 120
- Burney, Charles, 1726-1814, Box 4, Folder 121
- Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836, Box 7, Folder 288
- Bushnell, David, 1742-1824, Box 4, Folder 143
- Casa Calvo, ---, Marques de, Box 2, Folders 69
- Casa Yrujo, Carlos Martinez de Yrujo y Tacon, Marques de, 1763-1824, Box 4, Folder 114
- Cathalan, Stephen, Jr., Box 3, Folders 72-74
- Cevallos, Pedro, Box 2, Folder 42
- Chiappe, Franco [Francisco, Francesco], Box 3, Folder 75
- Correa [de Serra, Jose-Francesco], Box 4, Folder 123
- Culnan, John, Box 3, Folder 76
- Davis, Thomas Terry, d. 1807, Box 4, Folder 114
- Deane, Silas, 1737-1789, Box 7, Folder 290
- Decres, Dennis de Cres, Duc, 1761-1820, Box 5, Folder 169
- Derby, Mrs. M.C. [?], Box 4, Folder 124
- Dohrman, Jacob, Box 4, Folder 110
- Dwight, Timothy, 1752-1817, Box 4, Folder 124
- Erving, George William, 1769-1850, Box 5, Passim
- Evstafiev, A[lexsiei, Grigorevich, 1783-1857?], Box 4, Folder 126
- Eustis, W[illiam, 1753-1825?], Box 4, Folder 124
- Fig[ueirido?], Manuel de, Box 4, Folder 110
- [Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790?], Box 4, Folder 126
- Gallatin, Albert, 1761-1849, Box 4, Folder 145
- Gonzales [Gonzalez], Don Blas, Box 3, Folder 77
- [Miller?], Catherine [Littlefield?] Greene, [1755-1814?], Box 4, Folder 127
- Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804, Box 4, Folder 110
- Hawley, Daniel, Box 3, Folder 78
- Head and Amory (Messrs.) & Co., Box 3, Folder 79
- Hopkins, Lemuel, 1750-1801, Box 4, Folder 128
- Humboldt, [Alexander, Freiherr von, 1769-1859?], Box 4, Folder 129
- Humphreys, Daniel, 1740-1827, Box 4, Folder 130
- Humphreys, David, 1752-1818, Boxes 1-4, Passim
- Jaudenes, Josef de, Box 3, Folder 180
- Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826, Box 3, Folder 81; Box 4, Folder 110
- Johnson, Joshua, Box 4, Folder 110
- Johnston, Nathaniel, Box 4, Folder 144
- Jones, Evan, Box 3, Folder 82
- King, Rufus, 1755-1827, Box 2, Folders 46-47; Box 3, Folders 83-84
- [La Roche-Guyon, Louis Alexandre?], La Rochefoucauld [d’Anville, Duc de, 1743-1792?], Box 4, Folder 133
- [Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816?], Box 2, Folder 47
- Lee, Charles, Box 1, Folder 13
- Lee, Ezra, 1748/9-1821, Box 4, Folder 134
- Lincoln, Levi, 1749-1820, Box 1, Folder 15
- Livingston, Robert R., 1746-1813, Box 5, Folder 165
- Madison, James, 1750/1-1836, Box 1, Folder 16; Box 4, Folders 135, 145
- Marshall, John, 1755-1835, Box 1, Folder 14
- Mazzei, Philip, 1730-1816, Box 4, Folder 135
- Monroe, James, 1758-1831, Box 3, Folder 85; Box 5, Folder 165
- Montgomery, Robert, U.S. Consul at Alicante, Box 2, Folder 48; Box 3, Folder 86
- Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816, Box 2, Folder 49; Box 3, Folder 87
- Morris, Robert, 1734-1806, Box 3, Folder 88
- O’Brien [O’Bryen], Richard, Box 2, Folder 50; Box 3, Folder 89; Box 4, Folder 112-113
- Pinto de Souza, Luis; Box 2, Folder 54; Box 4, Folder 110
- [Pickering, John, 1777-1846?], Box 4, Folder 117
- Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829, Box 1, Folders 3-12; Box 2, Folder 51; Box 3, Folder 90-100; Box 4, Folders 113-114
- Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth, 1746-1825, Box 2, Folder 52; Box 3, Folder 101
- Pinckney, Thomas, 1750-1828, Box 2, Folder 53
- Randolph, Edmund, 1753-1813, Box 1, Folders 1-2; Box 4, Folders 111, 113
- Rees, James, Box 3, Folder 88
- Reinhard, Charles-Frederic, Count, 1761-1837, Box 4, Folder 114
- Remsen, Henry, Jr., Box 2, Folder 55; Box 4, Folder 110
- Rutledge, J[ohn, 1766-1819?], Box 4, Folder 137
- St. Vincent, John Jervis, Earl of, 1735-1823, Box 2, Folder 56
- Silliman, Benjamin, 1779-1864, Box 4, Folder 146
- Simcoe, John Graves, 1752-1812, Box 2, Folders 58-65
- Simpson, James, Russian Consul at Gibraltar, Box 2, Folder 57
- [Smith, John, 1735-1816?], Box 4, Folder 116
- Smith, William Loughton, 1758-1812, Box 2, Folders 58-65; Box 3, Folder 102; Box 4, Folder 138
- Thornton, William, 1759-1828, Box 4, Folder 147
- Trumbulll, John, 1750-1831, Box 7, Folders 287-295
- Valliere, ---, French Consul- General at Algiers, Box 2, Folder 66; Box 3, Folders 103-104
- [Venegas?] de Saavendra, Francesco [Xavier?], 1754-1838, Box 2, Folder 67
- Washington, George, 1732-1799, Box 3, Folders 105-109; Box 4, Folders 110, 148, 159-160
- Webster, Noah, 1758-1843, Box 4, Folder 149
- Adams, John, 1735-1826
- Armed Forces
- Autobiographies
- Barlow, Joel, 1754-1812
- Barlow, Samuel L. M. (Samuel Latham Mitchill), 1826-1889
- Beecher, Henry Ward, 1813-1887
- Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836
- Bushnell, David, 1740-
- Cary, Christopher, 1763-1837
- Clay, Henry, 1777-1852
- Clinton, DeWitt, 1769-1828
- Colt, Judah, 1761-1832
- Connecticut -- Social life and customs
- Deane, Silas, 1737-1789
- Diaries
- Diplomats
- Dwight family
- Dwight, Timothy, 1726-1777
- Dwight, Timothy, 1752-1817
- Dwight, Timothy, 1811-1842
- Dwight, William T. (William Theodore), 1795-1865
- Ely family
- Erie (Pa.) -- Social life and customs
- Erving, George William, 1769-1850
- Families
- Howe, Joseph, 1746/7-1775
- Humphrey family
- Humphreys, David, 1752-1818
- King, Rufus, 1755-1827
- Marvin family
- Marvin, Elizabeth, 1767-1834
- Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816
- Morse, Jedidiah, 1761-1826
- Music
- New England -- Description and travel
- New England -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800
- New York (State) -- Description and travel
- New York (State) -- Social life and customs
- Olmstead family
- Olmstead, Aaron Barlow, b. 1812
- Olmstead, Almira, b. 1807
- Olmstead, Lemuel Gregory, 1808-1880
- Olmstead, Sarah Lucy, 1840-1871
- Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829
- Randolph, Edmund, 1753-1813
- Ryan, Samuel
- Science
- Smith, William Loughton, 1758-1812
- Spain -- Foreign relations -- United States
- Submarines (Ships)
- Trumbull, John, 1750-1831
- Trumbull, Jonathan, 1710-1785
- United States -- Description and travel
- United States -- Foreign relations -- Spain
- United States -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775
- United States -- History -- War of 1812
- United States -- Politics and government
- Washington, George, 1732-1799
- Webster, Noah, 1758-1843
- Yale University -- History
- Title
- Guide to the Humphreys-Marvin-Olmstead Collection
- Status
- Under Revision
- Author
- by C. A. Myrans Completed ad interim by Susan Grigg and Janet Elaine Gertz
- Date
- April 1979
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Created In Accordance With Manuscripts And Archives Processing Manual
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository
Contact:
Yale University Library
P.O. Box 208240
New Haven CT 06520-8240 US
(203) 432-1735
(203) 432-7441 (Fax)
beinecke.library@yale.edu
Yale University Library
P.O. Box 208240
New Haven CT 06520-8240 US
(203) 432-1735
(203) 432-7441 (Fax)
beinecke.library@yale.edu
Location
Sterling Memorial Library
Room 147
120 High Street
New Haven, CT 06511