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Aaron Burr (1756-1836) Collection, 1771-1958 (bulk 1782-1830): Finding Aid

C0089

Aaron Burr, 1756-1836

Published on September 7, 2005

©2005 Princeton University Library

Summary Information

Creator:

Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836.

Title and dates:

Aaron Burr (1756-1836) Collection, 1771-1958 (bulk 1782-1830)

Abstract:

Consists primarily of letters by Aaron Burr (Princeton Class of 1772) to members of his family and associates.

Size:

0.2 linear ft. (1 half-size archival box)

Call number:

C0089

Location:

Princeton University Library. Department of Rare Books and Special Collections.
Manuscripts Division.
Princeton, New Jersey 08544 USA

Language(s) of material:

English.

Storage note:

This collection is stored onsite at Firestone Library.

Biography of Aaron Burr (1756-1836)

Aaron Burr was born in Newark, New Jersey, on February 6, 1756, to Aaron Burr, a theologian and second president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), and Esther Edwards Burr, daughter of famous revivalist pastor and theologian Jonathan Edwards. The younger Burr’s parents died before he was three, and he was raised by his maternal uncle, Timothy Edwards. Burr entered the College of New Jersey at age thirteen, and graduated in 1772 with distinction. After graduation, he studied theology privately before switching his concentration to law.

Burr interrupted his studies when he enlisted in the American army attacking Boston in 1775. He rose quickly through the ranks because of his skills on the battlefield, but he did not get along well with George Washington. Although promoted to Washington’s secretarial staff, Burr transferred to the staff of Washington’s second-in-command, Israel Putnam, to avoid conflicts with the general. Burr was successful under Putnam, valiantly leading troops in combat and securing important camps, such as in Brooklyn Heights and later at the battle of Monmouth Courthouse in New Jersey in 1778.

Burr resigned from the army in 1779 due to poor health, which was aggravated by the high temperatures and humidity at Monmouth. He continued to study law after leaving the army and recovering from illness, and became a member of the bar of New York in 1782. He married Theodosia Prevost in the same year, with whom he had one child, Theodosia Burr. Professionally, Burr entered a rivalry with Alexander Hamilton, another prominent lawyer in New York.

Burr began his political career in 1784 when he was elected to the state assembly. He continued in politics to serve in the United States Senate and ultimately as Vice President of the United States under Jefferson. He was a controversial character in Albany and Washington, D.C., not siding clearly with any single faction and repeatedly being accused of self-interested legislation, political conspiracy, and generally unfair and dishonest practices, some of which can be confirmed. Burr’s political career was thus tumultuous, and he found himself regularly in and out of favor with the ruling powers. He ultimately lost his second candidacy for Vice President when he alienated Republican leadership with sympathies for the Federalists. In the same year, he lost a bid for the governorship of New York.

Burr blamed much of his political downfall on Alexander Hamilton and his compatriots. After failing to force Hamilton to apologize for statements made against Burr in the gubernatorial race, Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel. When Burr killed the prominent politician, popular opinion cast him as a cold-blooded murderer, and warrants were put out for his arrest in New York and New Jersey. Burr fled to Philadelphia and then the South to escape capture.

On these travels, Burr began dreaming of a new nation formed in the Southwest. Burr believed that conflict between Americans and the Spanish could encourage an occupation of Mexico, allowing a new nation to form. One of his allies in these plans, however, revealed the scheme to President Jefferson, and Burr was indicted for treason. He was acquitted by John Marshall, whose narrow interpretation of the Constitution’s definition of treason was influenced by the justice’s dislike of and disagreements with Jefferson.

In Burr’s later life, he lived abroad, attempting to gain support for his plan for a new nation in the Southwest. Upon returning to the United states in 1812, he began again to practice law in New York. He remarried to a wealthy widow, who divorced him for adultery. He died on September 14, 1836, the same day the divorce was granted.

Description

Consists of 54 letters and five documents of Burr (Princeton Class of 1772), one letter (1780) from Robert Troup, and assorted photostats and facsimiles of additional Burr material. Addressees of the letters include Jeremy Bentham, Theodosia Burr (his wife), Theodosia Burr (his daughter), Mrs. Payne (Dolley Madison’s mother), and George Washington. In the latter letter, dated 1779, Burr resigns his rank and command in the Continental Army; many of the other letters deal with legal cases and legal advice.

Arrangement

Organized into the following series:

• Series 1: Correspondence, 1771-1904
• Series 2: Documents, 1777-1803
• Series 3: Photostats/Facsimiles, 1771-1829
• Series 4: Printed Matter, 1802, 1875, 1958

Access and Use

Access

The collection is open for research.

Restrictions on Use and Copyright Information

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the Associate University Librarian for Rare Books and Special Collections. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.

Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

The collection is the result, over time, of a departmental policy of gathering together different small accessions relating to a specific author.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Related collections include C0090 (Aaron Burr, 1716-1757, Collection) and C0081 (Fuller Collection of Aaron Burr, 1756-1836).

Processing and Other Information

Works Cited

The Dictionary of American Biography (New York, 1977) was consulted during preparation of the biographical note.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Anna Bialek in July 2005. Finding aid written by Anna Bialek in July 2005.

Descriptive Rules Used

Finding aid content adheres to that prescribed by Describing Archives: A Content Standard.

Encoding

Machine-readable finding aid encoded in EAD 2002 by John Delaney on July 26, 2005.

Finding aid written in English.

Preferred Citation

Citations should be as follows: Aaron Burr Collection (1756-1836), Box #, Folder #, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Subject Headings

These materials have been indexed in the Princeton University Library online catalog using the following terms. Those seeking related materials should search under these terms.

• United States. Continental Army—Officers
• Lawyers—United States—18th century
• United States—History—Revolution, 1775-1783—Sources
• Legal correspondence--18th century
• Legal documents--18th century

Browse other finding aids related to the following terms:

• American history/Revolution
• American history/Early national

Contents List

1. Series 1: Correspondence, 1771-1904 (28 folders) Series Description Letters primarily written by Burr to others; several to him have been interfiled. Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by correspondent.

   Box , Item

2. Alston, Theodosia Burr (1783-1813), December 16, 1793 ALS, 3 pp., by Burr, describing the frequency of and manner in which Theodosia should write to her father as part of her lessons, including a sample letter on the third page. Includes small TD of unknown origin describing a man's pleasure upon receiving a portrait of Darwin.

   Box 1, Item 1

3. Beers, Mr., February 7, 1796 ALS, 3 pp., by Burr, regarding legal matters including the cases of Bennet and others. Also mentions the arrival of "Spanish Treaty" and "Jay's Treaty." Includes note describing the acquisition of the letter, written by Edward H. Sholl, M.D., Class of 1853, dated May 20, 1872.

   Box 1, Item 2

4. Benson, Egbert (1746-1833), undated ALS, 1 p., by Burr

   Box 1, Item 3

5. Bentham, Jeremy (1748-1832), November 29, 1819 ALS, 1 p., by Burr, regarding a German astronomer and requesting Bentham's works on [Religion]

   Box 1, Item 4

6. Burr, Sally, November 28, 1771 ALS, 1 p., by Burr, to his sister, Sally, written from Nassau Hall while he is a student at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton)

   Box 1, Item 4A

7. Burr, Theodosia, June 11, 1795 ALS, 1 p., by Burr, mentioning her "Odyssey" and requesting a letter from the recipient, despite the volume of letters Burr has sent for her to answer

   Box 1, Item 5

8. Colt, Peter (1736-1824), July 17, 1782 ALS, 3 pp., by Burr

   Box 1, Item 6

9. Craft, William D. (1787-1826), 1823-1828 ALS, 1 p., March 17, 1823, by Burr ALS, 1 p., April 29, 1823, by Burr ALS, 1 p., March 29, 1826, by Burr ALS, 2 pp.: January 12, 1827, by Burr ALS, 1 p., February 16, 1827, by Burr, regarding taxes and the Circuit Court of the U.S. ALS (initialed), 1 p., February 20, 1827, by Burr ALS, 1 p., March 3, 1827, by Burr ALS, 2 pp., March 4, 1827, by Burr, regarding Medina and [Gaibina] ALS, 1 p., March 18, 1827, by Burr ALS, 1 p., March 22, 1827, by Burr, including a "slip" to be delivered to "Mr. P."

   Box 1, Item 7

10. Duane, William (1760-1835), April 25, 1801 ALS, 1 p., by Burr

    Box 1, Item 8

11. Edwards, Timothy (1738-1813), July 9, 1790 ALS, 2 p., by Burr. Includes complete photocopy of the original.

    Box 1, Item 9

12. Edwards, Pierpont (1750-1826), January 8, 1792 ALS, 2 pp., by Burr

    Box 1, Item 10

13. Gait, Thomas, Dr., August 8, 1824 ALS, 1 p., by Burr. Includes complete photocopy of the original and TLS and photocopy of TLS from John F. Schenk, dated Christmas 1939, commenting on Burr's place in history.

    Box 1, Item 11

14. Harison, Richard, June 2, 1791 ALS, 1 p., by Burr

    Box 1, Item 12

15. Hauterive, Alexandre Maurice Blanc de Lanautte, comte d' (1754-1830), July 27, 1790 ALS, 1 p., by Burr

    Box 1, Item 13

16. Henry, John V., April 17, 1799 ALS, 1 p., by Burr

    Box 1, Item 14

17. Hopkins, Miles, 1793 ALS, 2 pp., July 15, 1793, by Burr, regarding the acquisition of books for the recipient's library; ALS, 3 pp., November 2, 1793, by Burr, regarding books acquired and to be acquired for the recipient's library, including a list of books

    Box 1, Item 15

18. Ireson, William, August 1798 ALS, 1 p., by Burr

    Box 1, Item 16

19. Lathrop, Gurdon William (1790-1832), 1814 ALS, 3 pp., March 28/29, [n.y.], by Burr, regarding various lawsuits ALS (initialed), 1 p., January 27, 1814, by Burr

    Box 1, Item 17

20. Martin, Luther (1748-1826), December 27, 1813 ALS, 2 pp., by Burr

    Box 1, Item 18

21. Monroe, James (1758-1831), November 10, 1794 ALS, 1 p., by Burr

    Box 1, Item 19

22. Montanye, Vincent, March 23, 1785 ADS (incomplete), 1 p., by Burr regarding the estate of the recipient

    Box 1, Item 20

23. Morris, Robert (1734-1806), February 14, 1787 ALS, 1 p., by Burr

    Box 1, Item 21

24. Nicholson, John (1757-1800), March 31, 1794 ALS, 1 p., by Burr, requesting a few more "Certificates of Population Shares" signed by the recipient

    Box 1, Item 22

25. Payne, Mrs., May 8, 1795 ALS, 2 pp., by Burr, regarding failure to see her before traveling and advice about money

    Box 1, Item 23

26. Pelletreau, John, 1827 ALS, 1 p., January 11, 1827, by Burr, regarding a trip by stagecoach and legal cases ALS, 1 p., January 14, 1827, by Burr ALS, 1 p., January 17, 1827, by Burr, regarding legal cases

    Box 1, Item 24

27. Peters, Henry and Roosevelt, James G., undated ALS, 1 p., by Burr to regarding an application to the Court of Chancery to compel the recipients to exhibit accounts and estate records

    Box 1, Item 25

28. Pichon, L. A. (Louis André), baron (1771-1850), February 13, 1803 ALS (in French), 3 pp., to Burr.

    Box 1, Item 26

29. Prévost, Augustine, Maj., 1784-1790 ALS, 2 pp., January 9, 1784, by Burr ALS, 3 pp., April 25, 1789, by Burr ALS, 3 pp., August 24, 1789, by Burr ALS, 3 pp., May 7, 1790, by Burr

    Box 1, Item 27

30. Remsen, Henry (1762-1843), October 2, 1799 ALS, 1 p., by Burr, authorizing payment of $420 to the Honorable E. Boudinot, Esq

    Box 1, Item 28

31. Riggs, E. W., March 9, 1904 ALS, 1 p., to Mr. Collins, requesting relabelling and transfer of "Aaron Burr's letter" to University Library

    Box 1, Item 29

32. Rhoades, Julius, August 15, 1821 ALS, 1 p., by Burr, letter accompanying papers giving a notice of legal motion "to enlarge publication"

    Box 1, Item 30

33. Sergeant, John (1747-1824), 1772 ALS, 1 p., June 12, 1772, by Burr, requesting the sum of $4.10, carried by George Merchant and with an endorsement verifying that the sum was received ALS, 1 p., August 15, 1772, by Burr, requesting the recipient to send "a considerable sum" as he sees fit by "the bearer George", includes endorsement that $4 was received Folder includes 3 TDs describing and labeling the letters in a small envelope by an unknown author.

    Box 1, Item 31

34. "Stirling, Lord", April 10, 1778 ALS, 1 p., by Burr, regarding "Capt. Tom" returned absent without leave, questioning his proper punishment

    Box 1, Item 32

35. Troup, Robert (1757-1832), February 14, 1780 ALS, 3 pp., to Burr, regarding Troup's resignation from his office, the move to Princeton from Philadelphia, and his fears about the changes

    Box 1, Item 33

36. Van der Lyn, John, undated ALS, 1 p., undated, by Burr ALS, 1 p., undated, by Burr Folder includes small typed note by unknown author, describing Burr's handwriting or signature.

    Box 1, Item 34

37. Van Schaack, Peter (1747-1832), October 20, 1790 ALS, 1 p., by Burr

    Box 1, Item 35

38. Washington, George (1732-1799), February 25, 1779 ALS, 1 p., by Burr, describing the reasons for his leave from his rank and command in the Army and his actions to ensure a replacement will be ready before he leaves Folder includes a typed transcript of the letter.

    Box 1, Item 36

39. Williamson, Isaac H. (Isaac Halsted, 1767-1844), February 27, 1830 ALS, 1 p., by Burr accompanying papers enclosed with the letter

    Box 1, Item 37

40. Yates, William (1792-1845), June 7, 1818 ALS, 1 p., by Burr, inquiring after the character and merit of Isaac Truax before employing him

    Box 1, Item 38

41. Unidentified ("Just a fortnight?"), 1822 ALS, 1 p., by Burr, replying to the recipient's inquiry about legal action

    Box 1, Item 39

42. Unidentified ("Mr. [France]?"), undated ALS, 1 p., to [Burr]

    Box 1, Item 40

43. Series 2: Documents, 1777-1803 (3 folders) Series Description Documents regarding financial and legal matters. Arrangement Arranged alphabetically by the name of the associated person, either author or recipient.

    Box , Item

44. Brewer, Elizabeth (1758-1821), April 24, 1777 ADS, 1 p., affidavit declaring the author, Brewer, saw William Butler Lynch in Brunswick on the "15th"

    Box 1, Item 41

45. Gelston, David, June 22, 1796 ADS, 1 p., promissory note written by Burr to pay recipient $2,000 dollars sixty days after date

    Box 1, Item 42

46. Green, Timothy, Dr., 1794-1803 AD, 1 p., December 15, 1794 - January 1, 1797, account sheet for Burr's account with the author ADS, 1 p., January 15, 1796, receipt ADS, 1 p., December 2, 1799 - March 20, 1800, account sheet for Burr's account with the author

    Box 1, Item 43

47. Series 3: Photostats/Facsimiles, 1771-1829 (6 folders) Series Description Consists of photostats and facsimiles of letters and documents. Arrangement Arranged alphabetically by recipient (or author, when not Burr).

    Box , Item

48. Alston, Theodosia Burr (1783-1813), January 7, 1794 ALS (facsimile), 2 pp., by Burr, providing comments and corrections on her most recent letter

    Box 1, Item 44

49. Reeve, Sally Burr (1754-1787), November 28, 1771 ALS (facsimile), 1 p., by Burr to his sister Sally

    Box 1, Item 45

50. Unidentified ("I understand from your letter?"), July 27, 1793 ALS (photostat), 1 p., by Burr

    Box 1, Item 46

51. Unidentified ("His stature is about?")), undated AMs (photostat), 4 pp., unknown writer's impression of Burr. Includes note that original is in New York Public Library.

    Box 1, Item 47

52. Various letters, 1792-1829 ALS (photostat, 2 copies), 1 p., November 12, 1771, by Burr to his sister Sally ALS (photostat), 1 p., June 20, 1789, by Burr to unknown recipient ALS (facsimile), 3 pp., September 12, 1792, by Burr to Timothy Edwards ALS (facsimile), 2 pp., [1792], by Burr to Jacob De Lamater ALS (facsimile), 1 p., April 17, 1795, by Burr to [Mr. Henry Dinker] ALS (facsimile), 2 pp., July 15, 1800, by [Harman Blinerth] to D. Woodbridge ALS (facsimile), 2 pp., January 5, 1802, by Burr to [Sam Brook] ALS (facsimile), 1 p., March 25, 1802, by [W Hampton] to Burr ALS (facsimile), 4 pp., March 24, 1806, by Burr to unknown recipient ALS (facsimile), 2 pp., December 23, 1806, by [Kherr] to General Wilkinson ALS (facsimile), 3 pp., April 14, 1807, by unknown person to James Wilkinson ALS (facsimile), 2 pp., August 2, 1813, by Timothy Pickering to Daniel Clark ALS (facsimile), 2 pp., January 15, 1816, by [Jackson] to John Armstrong ALS (facsimile), 2 pp., February [28], 1828, by Burr to Captain A. Partridge ALS (photostat), 1 p., July 17, 1829, by Burr to Rev. Dr. John Maclean ADS (facsimile), 8 pp., undated, "Our Treatment of Aaron Burr", signed "A. [Rittoe]" TLS, 1 p., October 2, 1903, by W. K. Bixby to Hon. Judge Jacob Klein requesting printing/distribution of Burr's private European journals

    Box 1, Item 48

53. Series 4: Printed Matter, 1802, 1875, 1958 (2 folders) Series Description Series consists of an engraving, a newspaper article describing Burr's funeral, and part of a pamphlet.

    Box , Item

54. Miscellaneous, 1771-1958 Engraving (two copies), 1802, of Aaron Burr; part of a January-February 1958 pamphlet, The Month at Goodspeed's, containing a reference to a document written by Burr as aide to Gen. Israel Putnam, 8 pp.

    Box 1, Item 49

55. Macdonald, J. M., Rev., May 26, 1875 Macdonald's newspaper article, "Confession of Aaron Burr," discussing details of Burr's funeral

    Box 1, Item 50

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Permanent URL: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/kw52j8069

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