Permanent URL: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/td96k249w
Nassau Hall Bible Society Records, 1813-1877: Finding Aid
AC038
Princeton University Shield
65 Olden Street
Princeton, New Jersey 08540 USA
Phone: 609-258-6345
Fax: 609-258-3385
mudd@princeton.edu
http://www.princeton.edu/~mudd
Published in 1998
©2006 Princeton University Library
Summary Information
- Creator:
- Nassau-Hall Bible Society.
- Title and dates:
- Nassau Hall Bible Society Records, 1813-1877
- Abstract:
- The Nassau Hall Bible Society was a student religious organization at the College of New Jersey, active from 1813 through the 1840s and from 1864 through the 1880s. It distributed Bibles and New Testaments throughout New Jersey and across the country. These records contain minutes and financial records of the Society's work.
- Size:
- 0.85 linear feet (1 archival box and 1 custom box)
- Call number:
- AC038
- Location:
- Princeton University Library. Department of Rare Books and Special Collections.
Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library.
Princeton University Archives.
Princeton, New Jersey 08540 USA - Language(s) of material:
- English.
- Storage note:
- This collection is stored onsite at the Mudd Manuscript Library.
History of the Nassau Hall Bible Society
In February 1813, students of the College of New Jersey at the encouragement of college president Ashbel Green founded the Nassau Hall Bible Society, the first college Bible society. Its task was to distribute Bibles and New Testaments to those who did not have them; the students concentrated on Navy Ships and New Jersey's poor. The Society raised money on campus and in the community to buy and distribute the Bibles. In 1827, in a nationally-noted campaign, they distributed copies to five thousand of the seven thousand New Jersey households without Bibles.
The Society's influence spread beyond New Jersey. In 1816, two members of the Society participated in the founding of the American Bible Society. It donated Bibles to settlers in the West, and received financial support from the British and Foreign Bible Society of London. By the mid-1840s, however, student interest in the Society waned, and its work fell dormant.
In 1864, an agent of the American Bible Society living in Princeton urged the revival of the Society. The student members continued giving Bibles to the local poor and to missionary Sunday Schools, as well as raising money for the American Bible Society. The Princeton Society operated as an arm of the Philadelphian Society; the two groups held their annual meetings at the same time. The Bible Society went out of existence by the late 1880s.
Description
These materials record the Society's work during both phases of its existence. Bound volumes contain minutes of the Society's annual meetings–including reports from its managers (during the early years)–and of its board (1864-1866). Several pamphlets recount the semi-annual meeting of the Society; others give the reports of the Nassau Hall Bible, Tract, and Education Societies. The remainder consists of ledgers, donation records, and receipts from the Society's earliest years. A few historical notes conclude the collection.
Access and Use
Access
Collection is open for research use.
Restrictions on Use and Copyright Information
Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the University Archivist. Copyright is held by the Trustees of Princeton University.
Processing and Other Information
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Daniel Sack in July 1995. Finding aid written by Daniel Sack in July 1995.
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 Techbooks and Cristela García-Spitz on October 20, 2006.
Finding aid written in English.
Preferred Citation
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Nassau Hall Bible Society Records, Box and Folder Number; University Archives, 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.
- American Bible Society.
- International Bible Society.
- Nassau-Hall Bible Society.
- Nassau-Hall Tract Society.
- Philadelphian Society (Princeton University)
- Princeton University -- Students -- Societies, etc. -- 19th century.
- Bible -- Publication and distribution -- New Jersey -- Princeton -- Societies, etc.
- College students in missionary work -- History -- 19th century.
- Student volunteers in social service -- New Jersey -- Princeton -- 19th century.
Browse other finding aids related to the following terms:
Contents List
Constitution and address (pamphlet), 1813
Box 1, Folder 1 Minutes (bound volume), 1813-1836
Box 1, Folder 2 Bound volume:
Box 1, Folder 3 Constitution, 1864
Box 1 Society minutes, 1864-1877
Box 1 Board minutes, 1864-1866
Box 1 Proceedings of semi-annual meeting (pamphlet), 1814
Box 1, Folder 4 Proceedings of semi-annual meeting (pamphlet), 1818
Box 1, Folder 5 Proceedings of semi-annual meeting (pamphlet), 1821
Box 1, Folder 6 Annual reports of the Bible, Tract, and Education Societies, 1822
Box 1, Folder 7 Annual reports of the Bible, Tract, and Education Societies, 1823
Box 1, Folder 8 Annual reports of the Bible, Tract, and Education Societies, 1824
Box 1, Folder 9 Annual reports of the Bible, Tract, and Education Societies, 1825
Box 1, Folder 10 “Statement of what has recently been done…”, 1828
Box 1, Folder 11 Correspondence, 1822-1826
Box 1, Folder 12 Ledger (bound volume), 1813-1816
Box 1, Folder 13 Ledger (bound volume), 1819-1825
Box 1, Folder 14 Receipts, 1822-1827
Box 1, Folder 15 Receipt notebook, 1824
Box 1, Folder 16 History, 1879, 1908, 1917, 1955
Box 1, Folder 17 Donation Record (bound volume), 1814-1824, 1840-1841
Box 2
Permanent URL: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/td96k249w