Permanent URL: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/zw12z529c
American Whig Society Records, 1802-1941: Finding Aid
AC011
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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 1997
©2006 Princeton University Library
Summary Information
- Creator:
- American Whig Society.
- Title and dates:
- American Whig Society Records, 1802-1941
- Abstract:
- The American Whig Society (1769-1941) served as a major political, debating, and literary force both on the Princeton campus and throughout the nation. The Whig records consist primarily of minutes, financial records, and correspondence of members.
- Size:
- 118 linear feet, 195 total containers: (77 boxes, 116 volumes, 2 oversize folders)
- Call number:
- AC011
- 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 American Whig Society
The American Whig Society has been a fundamental campus organization for over 200 years. As the world's second oldest literary and debating society, behind the Cliosophic Society, the American Whig Society flourished as the focal point of undergraduate life for decades. Although the society officially merged with the Cliosophic Society in 1941, Whig has a rich history.
The year 1765 marked the founding of the Plain Dealing Club, the predecessor to Whig. The Club's primary interest was literary activities. The Well-Meaning Society, the bitter rival of the Plain-Dealers, was a similar organization. Ironically, one of the main tenets of the Plain Dealing Society “was to outnumber the Well-Meaning [Society].” Unfortunately, the rivalry between the two clubs led to their downfall as the University Faculty decided to intervene in the bitter arguments.
Out of the remnants of the Plain Dealing Club, the American Whig Society was formed on 24 June 1769. The primary founders seem to have been Hugh Henry Breckenridge, later a Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court; Philip Freneau, a Revolutionary War Poet; William Bradford, later Attorney General of the United States; and James Madison, the future President of the United States. However, the extent of Madison's involvement in the creation of Whig has been questioned in Jacob Beam's letters to University President Harold Dodds.
The Society was not, as many believe, named for the political party called the Whigs. William Livingston, the editor of the Independent Reflector, used the pen-name The American Whig. Livingston became a trustee of the College of New Jersey in 1768 and in his recognition, the Society was so named.
The rivalry between Whig and the other campus literary organization, the Cliosophic Society, began immediately and was ferocious for many years. The Paper War of 1771 consisted of a series of derogatory letters exchanged between the members of the two societies. A testament to the importance of the societies, the whole college would assemble to hear the reading of these letters. Later Paper Wars, including that of 1781, were suppressed by the university faculty.
The rivalry between the two societies was deepened by the secrecy in the organization. The names, titles, and duties of the officers of Whig were kept in complete secrecy. In December 1839, a Whig clerk allowed a sheet of paper, containing the names and titles of Whig's officers, to blow out of an open window. A Clio member picked up this sheet. Later, another Clio man, John Crane, circulated this document. He was found guilty of numerous offenses by a joint committee of both Societies and severely censured.
The original Constitution of Whig was based on the organization of the Presbyterian Church. The principal officer was a Moderator, who was elected for a three week term. Among his many duties, the Moderator presided over all Whig meetings. The Clerk, the Treasurer, and two Critics were each elected for six-week terms. The responsibility of the Critics was to point out errors in debates and other spoken performances. There was also a powerful officer called the Censor whose duties were to supervise the conduct and morality of Whig members.
In 1840, a new Constitution was drafted, basing Whig's organization on that of the United States Government. All graduate members were formed into a Senate, headed by the President of Whig. The House of Undergraduates, led by a Speaker, was under complete control of the Senate. Officers of the Undergraduates included the Clerk, the Treasurer, the Librarian, the Secretary of Records, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Secretary of Diplomas, and the Secretary of Internal Affairs. In addition, Whig had an Auditor, a Historian, and a Comptroller. In 1913, the Constitution was simplified and lasted until the merger of the two Halls in 1941.
The society often fined members for not submitting essays, misbehaving, or failing to return library books. Among the most notable members, Woodrow Wilson accrued many fines for failing to submit his essays and forgetting to return library books. Many of the fines seem very archaic according to today's standards, for example, fines for standing too long in front of the fireplace.
Both Whig and Clio were initially located on the top floor of Nassau Hall. On 6 March 1802, a fire destroyed the interior of Nassau Hall and along with all of the records of Whig. After the reconstruction of Nassau Hall, the Societies began to meet there once again. In search of a larger structure, the Societies moved into Stanhope Hall in 1805. By 1836, the interior of Stanhope Hall was insufficient for meetings.
Professor Joseph Henry prepared a plan for the reorganization of the campus in 1836. This plan included two buildings for the literary societies across Cannon Green from Nassau Hall. Whig Hall was completed in 1838 leaving the society with a sizable debt. Both stuccoed brick and wooden structures were based on temples in Ancient Greece. Around 1850, Whig decided to renovate the building in order to create better ventilation in the upper chambers. Unfortunately, the Hall building soon deteriorated and in 1890, two women taking shelter from a storm on the Whig steps fell through the rotting stairway. This embarrassment further necessitated the construction of a new building. On 20 June 1890, construction was started on the new, larger Whig and Clio buildings. The design of these buildings mimicked the original design of the buildings.
With the advent of the eating clubs in the late 1800s, Whig and Clio began a slow decline in membership which would end with the merger of the two societies in 1928. An agreement signed in that year united many of the Societies' functions. It was not, however, until 1941 when a joint Board of Trustees was created, that the merger became truly official. During its 172 year existence as an independent body, the American Whig Society produced many great leaders and political debates which stand highly in University history as well as American History.
Description
Consists of records of the American Whig Society (1769-1941). The materials document the growth and development of the oldest literary and debating society in the United States, from its inception in 1769, through its rivalry with the other campus literary organization, the Cliosophic Society, to its final merger with Clio in 1941. Included are minutes of meetings, financial records, and correspondence of members, as well as committee reports, membership lists, constitutions, and by-laws.
Arrangement
The records of the American Whig Society are divided into fifteen series, primarily by the hall officer who generated the documents.
- Series 1: Clerk's Documents
- Subseries 1A: Final Minutes
- Subseries 1B: Whig Council Minutes
- Subseries 1C: Senate Minutes
- Subseries 1D: Rough Minutes
- Subseries 1E: Resolution Books
- Subseries 1F: Division Book
- Subseries 1G: Roll Books
- Series 2: Treasurer's Documents
- Subseries 2A: Day Book
- Subseries 2B: Receipt Books
- Subseries 2C: Reports
- Subseries 2D: Small Fines Book
- Series 3: Librarian's Documents
- Subseries 3A: Reports
- Subseries 3B: Books Borrowed
- Subseries 3C: List of Books
- Series 4: Secretary of Foreign Affairs (SFA) Documents
- Subseries 4A: Report Books
- Subseries 4B: Judges for Debate Tournaments
- Subseries 4C: Letter Copy Books
- Series 5: Comptroller's Documents
- Subseries 5A: Reports
- Subseries 5B: Excuse Books
- Subseries 5C: Fine Excuse Books
- Series 6: Ways and Means Committee Documents
- Subseries 6A: Records
- Series 7: Secretary of Diplomas' Documents
- Subseries 7A: Reports
- Subseries 7B: Diplomas
- Series 8: Whig Historian's Documents
- Subseries 8A: Annual Histories
- Subseries 8B: Membership Lists
- Subseries 8C: Jacob Beam's Correspondence
- Subseries 8D: Jacob Beam's Notes
- Series 9: Secretary of Interior's Documents
- Subseries 9A: Reports
- Subseries 9B: Checks Written
- Subseries 9C: Letters Written
- Subseries 9D: Appointments
- Series 10: Auditor's Reports
- Series 11: Critic's Documents
- Series 12: The Construction of Whig Hall
- Subseries 12A: Record of Contributors
- Subseries 12B: General Documents Relating to Construction
- Series 13: Correspondence
- Series 14: Books of Members Signatures
- Series 15: General Documents
- Subseries 15A: Constitutions and By-Laws
- Subseries 15B: Inaugural Addresses
- Series 16: Miscellaneous Records
- Subseries 16A: Whig Speaker's Notebook
- Subseries 16B: Electioneering Trial
- Subseries 16C: 160th Anniversary Scrapbook
- Subseries 16D: College Honors
- Subseries 16E: Resolutions on Deceased Members
- Subseries 16F: Membership Lists
- Subseries 16G: Elections of Honorary Members
- Series 17: Publications
- Subseries 17A: Membership Catalogues
- Subseries 17B: Library Catalogues
- Subseries 17C: Single Publications
Access and 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.
Acquisition and Appraisal
Provenance and Acquisition
The contents of the records were acquired in 1941 in an agreement between the Princeton University and the Board of Trustees of the American Whig-Cliosophic Society. The library initially cataloged these records into the P Collection. Subsequently, an attempt to organize these records in 1975 at the item level failed to provide for their arrangement and description without regard to provenance and order. In the early 1980s the Rare Books Conservator boxed many of the volumes in the collection.
Appraisal
In the process of organizing the Whig records, several items were discarded, including numerous check stubs written by the Whig Treasurer. Records of these checks exist in the Treasurer's documents. In addition, The Clerk's Question Books, two volumes, were discarded because the debate topics exist in the Final Minutes.
Related Materials
Related Archival Material
Related Princeton University Archives collections most prominently include the Archives of the Cliosophic Society.
Processing and Other Information
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Bijan Salehizadeh in May 1992. Finding aid written by Bijan Salehizadeh in May 1992.
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 December 22, 2006.
Finding aid written in English.
Preferred Citation
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); American Whig 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.
- College students -- New Jersey -- Princeton -- Political activity.
- College students -- New Jersey -- Princeton -- Societies and clubs.
- Debates and debating -- New Jersey -- Princeton -- Societies, etc.
- Princeton University -- Societies, etc.
- Princeton University -- Students -- Societies and clubs.
- Archives.
- Records.
Browse other finding aids related to the following terms:
Contents List
Series 1: Clerk's Documents
Series Arrangement
Series 1: Clerk's Documents - chronologically arranged within sub-series.
Subseries 1A: Final Minutes
Subseries Description
Final Minutes were kept from 1802-1928. From 1916 through 1928, the regular meetings were divided into three separate books: Speaker's Council meetings, Literary Section meetings, Business meetings.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Final Minutes, 1802-1806
Box 1 Final Minutes, 1806-1808
Box 2 Final Minutes, 1808-1811
Box 3 Final Minutes, 1812-1815
Box 4 Final Minutes, 1815-1817
Box 5 Final Minutes, 1817-1819
Box 6 Final Minutes, 1819-1821
Box 7 Final Minutes, 1821-1824
Box 8 Final Minutes, 1824-1826
Box 9 Final Minutes, 1826-1828
Box 10 Final Minutes, 1828-1833
Box 11 Final Minutes, 1833-1837
Box 12 Final Minutes, 1837-1843
Box 13 Final Minutes, 1843-1847
Box 14 Final Minutes, 1847-1850
Box 15 Final Minutes, 1850-1853
Box 16 Final Minutes, 1853-1856
Box 17 Final Minutes, 1856-1858
Box 18 Final Minutes, 1858-1862
Box 19 Final Minutes, 1863-1868
Box 20 Final Minutes, 1868-1871
Box 21 Final Minutes, 1871-1874
Box 22 Final Minutes, 1874-1878
(2 vols.)
Box 23, 23A Final Minutes, 1878-1884
Box 24 Final Minutes, 1884-1892
Box 25 Final Minutes, 1892-1896
Box 26 Final Minutes, 1896-1902
Box 27 Final Minutes, 1902-1908
Box 28 Final Minutes, 1908-1924
Box 29 Final Minutes, 1924-1934
Box 30 Subseries 1B: Whig Council Minutes
Subseries Description
Whig Council Minutes were kept from 1865-1870 and 1914-1928. The Whig Council, a body composed of the Comptroller, the Treasurer, the Librarian, and the Sergeant at Arms, decided on the reversal of fines.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Council Minutes, 1865-1870, 1914-1928
Box 31 Speaker's Council Minutes, 1924-1927
Box 31 Subseries 1C: Senate Minutes
Subseries Description
Senate Minutes were kept from 1840-1941. The Whig Senate was a graduate body based upon the United State Senate which made major administrative decisions for the Hall.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Senate Minutes, 1840-1872, 1932-1939
Box 31 Senate Minutes, 1873-1941
Box 32 Subseries 1D: Rough Minutes
Subseries Description
Rough Minutes were kept from 1840-1924. The Rough Minutes contain a more descriptive record of the meetings than do the Final Minutes. In addition, these minutes were kept due to the significant omissions of voting records and rolls found in the Final Minutes. The Rough minutes range from 1840 through 1915 and are divided into three sections, as above, from 1916 through 1924.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Rough Minutes, 1840-1844
Box 33 Rough Minutes, 1844-1855
Box 34 Rough Minutes, 1846-1849
Box 35 Rough Minutes, 1846-1849
Box 36 Rough Minutes, 1849-1851
Box 37 Rough Minutes, 1849-1852
Box 38 Rough Minutes, 1855-1858
Box 39 Rough Minutes, 1860-1862
Box 40 Rough Minutes, 1862-1871
Box 41 Rough Minutes, 1871-1876
Box 42 Rough Minutes, 1876-1881
Box 43 Rough Minutes, 1881-1887
Box 44 Rough Minutes, 1887-1890
Box 45 Rough Minutes, 1892-1897
Box 46 Rough Minutes, 1897-1901
Box 47 Rough Minutes, 1901-1905
Box 48 Rough Minutes, 1905-1913
Box 49 Rough Minutes, 1913-1924
Box 50 Subseries 1E: Resolution Books
Subseries Description
Resolution Books were kept from 1853-1908. These books include the by-laws and new statutes voted upon at regular meetings and the administrative items considered for weekly votes. These records span from 1853-1908 with many missing years because many of the items in the Resolution books were usually included in the Final Minutes.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Resolution Books, 1853-1889
Box 51 Resolution Books, 1891-1901
Box 52 Resolution Books, 1901-1939
Box 53 Subseries 1F: Division Book
Subseries Description
Division Book, one volume, was kept from 1881-1889. The Division book listed all of the members of Whig and each of their affiliations with the respective divisions. The members were separated into divisions by class year.
Division Book, 1881-1889
Box 53 Public Speaker's Forum, 1921-1924
Box 53 Subseries 1G: Roll Books
Subseries Description
These books contain the attendance records of members at the business and regular meetings.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically from 1865-1904.
Roll Books, 1865-1874
Box 54 Roll Books, 1876-1894
Box 55 Roll Books, 1891-1905
Box 56 Roll Books, 1896-1904
Box 57 Series 2: Treasurer's Documents
Series Arrangement
Series 2: Treasurer's Documents - chronologically arranged within subseries.
Subseries 2A: Day Book
Subseries Description
The Day Book was kept from 1864-1925. These books contain a daily record of the credits and debits of the Whig treasury.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Day Books, 1864-1878
Box 58 Day Books, 1875-1892
Box 59 Day Book, 1893-1894
Box 106 Day Book, undated
Box 107 Subseries 2B: Receipt Books
Subseries Description
Receipt Books were kept from 1845-1906. These books contain receipts of the withdrawals made by Whig secretaries from the treasury for Hall functions. In addition, one volume, from 1902-1906, contains a list of Whig's outstanding bills.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Receipt Books, 1904-1907, 1865-1880
Box 59 Receipt Books, 1889-1906
Box 60 Subseries 2C: Reports
Subseries Description
Reports were kept from 1810 through 1906. It was the function of the Treasurer to submit periodical reports upon the state of the Society's finances. From 1841-1906, these reports were also included in the Final Minutes because they were presented to members at every meeting. There is also one ledger book, from 1826-1828, which includes the Treasurer's reports for the librarian's account. In addition, the Pool Room Book, a report on the condition and finances of the Whig pool room was kept from 1900-1901. And, one volume, labelled the Budget Accounts Whig, including Treasurer's reports exists for 1923-1925.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Reports, 1810-1832
Box 60 Reports, 1832-1843
Box 61 Reports, 1844-1854
Box 62 Reports, 1862-1871
Box 63 Reports, 1872-1883
Box 64 Financial Letters etc., 1910-1939
Box 64 Reports, 1883-1919
Box 65 Subseries 2D: Small Fines Book
Subseries Description
The Small Fines Book was kept from 1816-1859, 1893-1896 and 1906. These books contain each member's fines for extended time periods and list all finable offenses. The Treasurer's Ledgers served the same purpose as the Small Fines books. These records were kept from 1860-1906.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Small Fines, 1816-1823
Box 66 Small Fines, 1825-1905
Box 67 Miscellaneous Unbound Documents, 1874-1932
Box 67 Ledger, 1902-1906
Box 68 Pool Room Book, 1900-1901
Box 68 Budget Accounts, 1923-1925
Box 68 Ledger, 1863-1866
Box 69 Ledger, 1866-1867
Box 70 Ledger, 1867
Box 71 Ledger, 1868
Box 72 Ledger, 1869
Box 73 Ledger, 1870
Box 74 Ledger, 1871
Box 75 Ledger, 1872
Box 76 Ledger, 1873
Box 77 Ledger, 1874-1875
Box 78 Ledger, 1876
Box 79 Ledger, 1877-1878
Box 80 Ledger, 1879
Box 81 Ledger, 1880
Box 82 Ledger, 1881
Box 83 Ledger, 1882
Box 84 Ledger, 1883
Box 85 Ledger, 1884
Box 86 Ledger, 1885
Box 87 Ledger, 1887
Box 88 Ledger, 1888
Box 89 Ledger, 1889
Box 90 Ledger, 1890-1891
Box 91 Ledger, 1891-1892
Box 92 Ledger, 1892-1893
Box 93 Ledger, 1893
Box 94 Ledger, 1893-1894
Box 95 Ledger, 1894-1895
Box 96 Ledger, 1895-1896
Box 97 Ledger, 1896-1897
Box 98 Ledger, 1897-1898
Box 99 Ledger, 1898-1899
Box 100 Ledger, 1899-1900
Box 101 Ledger, 1900-1901
Box 102 Ledger, 1901-1902
Box 103, 68 Ledger, 1904-1906
Box 104 Ledger, 1908-1919
Box 105 Series 3: Librarian's Documents
Series Description
Series 3: Librarian's Documents - The Whig Librarian was responsible for keeping the Whig reading room and Library in order.
Subseries 3A: Reports
Subseries Description
Reports were kept from 1825-1906. These books contain the Librarian's Reports presented at Whig meetings. They include lists of new books purchased for the library and lists of library fines accrued by members.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Reports, 1825-1839
Box 108 Reports, 1840-1850
Box 109 Reports, 1850-1873
Box 110 Reports, 1873-1906
Box 111 Report, 1903-1906
Box 131 Subseries 3B: Books Borrowed
Subseries Description
Books Borrowed were kept from 1813-1906. These books include lists of members' borrowing activities. The 1878-1880 volume includes a list of Woodrow Wilson's book borrowing records.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Books Borrowed, 1813-1814
Box 112 Books Borrowed, 1815-1817
Box 113 Books Borrowed, 1817-1818
Box 114 Books Borrowed, 1817
Box 115 Books Borrowed, 1818
Box 116 Books Borrowed, 1818-1819
Box 117 Books Borrowed, 1818
Box 118 Books Borrowed, 1820
Box 119 Books Borrowed, 1821-1830
Box 120 Books Borrowed, 1821-1822
Box 121 Books Borrowed, 1823
Box 122 Books Borrowed, 1824
Box 123 Books Borrowed, 1825
Box 124 Books Borrowed, 1826
Box 125 Books Borrowed, 1827
Box 126 Books Borrowed, 1828
Box 127 Books Borrowed, undated
Box 128 Books Borrowed, 1831-1871
Box 129 Books Borrowed, 1877-1880
Box 130 Books Borrowed, 1898-1908
Box 131 Subseries 3C: List of Books
Subseries Description
The List of Books was kept intermittently from 1820-1890. These books include a complete audit of the Whig Library.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Books in Library, 1870
Box 131 Books in Library, 1821-1840
Box 132 Books in Library, 1851-1924
Box 133 Series 4: Secretary of Foreign Affairs (SFA) Documents
Series Description
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs was in charge of Whig's external relations with other literary societies, most prominently with the Cliosophic Society. Furthermore, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs was responsible for organizing debate tournaments sponsored by Whig and finding suitable judges for these debates.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically within subseries.
Subseries 4A: Report Books
Subseries Description
Included in these books are the cash accounts of the SFA.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically from 1875-1883 and 1893-1905.
Reports, 1875-1906
Box 134 Subseries 4B: Judges for Debate Tournaments
Subseries Description
This single volume was kept from 1893-1899 and contains a list of possible judges for Whig-organized debates.
Judges List Book, 1893-1905
Box 134 Subseries 4C: Letter Copy Books
Subseries Description
Letter Copy Books were kept from 1874-1893. These books contain hand written copies of the SFA's correspondence with other debate clubs among others.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Letter Copy Books, 1874-1893
Box 135 Series 5: Comptroller's Documents
Series Description
The Whig Comptroller's duty was very specific. He was responsible for receiving the weekly fine lists from the Hall Officers and submitting those lists, with any additional changes, to the Treasurer. The Comptroller also occasionally kept a record of absentees in his book of records.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically within subseries.
Subseries 5A: Reports
Subseries Description
Reports were kept from 1842-1907. Often included in these books is a copy of the Auditor's reports and Sub-Committee of Advice reports.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Committee Reports, 1841-1846
Box 139 Committee Reports, 1846-1851
Box 139 Committee Reports, 1850-1853
Box 140 Committee Reports, 1853-1857
Box 141 Committee Reports, 1857-1866
Box 142 Committee Reports, 1866-1870
Box 143 Committee Reports, 1870-1877
Box 144 Committee Reports, 1877-1882
Box 145 Committee Reports, 1879-1883
Box 146 Committee Reports, 1873-1906, 1883-1895
Box 147 Committee Reports, 1895
Box 148 Committee Reports, 1893-1905
Box 149 Committee Reports, 1904-1907
Box 150 Subseries 5B: Excuse Books
Subseries Description
Excuse Books were kept from 1879-1900. These books contain the excuses of undergraduate members for missing Whig meetings. The excuses were submitted to the Whig Council headed by the Comptroller.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Excuse Books, 1886-1892
Box 136 Excuse Books, 1881-1900
Box 137 Excuse Books, 1897-1903
Box 149 Subseries 5C: Fine Excuse Books
Subseries Description
Fine Excuse Books were kept from 1889-1898. These books contain members' requests to be released from paying fines.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Excuse Books, 1896-1898
Box 138 Series 6: Ways and Means Committee Documents
Series Description
The Ways and Means Committee was a graduate body in charge of approving the payments of the Treasurer. All proposed administrative changes and changes in the by-laws or the constitutions first had to be approved by the Ways and Means Committee. The function of this committee was closely related to the Comptroller and the Treasurer.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically within subseries.
Subseries 6A: Records
Subseries Description
Records were kept from 1875-1907. These records include voting records relating to constitutional changes and treasury payments.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Records, 1883-1907
Box 151 Series 7: Secretary of Diplomas' Documents
Series Description
Series 7: Secretary of Diplomas' Documents - The Secretary of Diplomas was responsible for acquiring the medals awarded for the annual prize debates and acquiring the diplomas given to the graduating class and year-end ceremonies. In addition, the Secretary of Diplomas had to make certain that graduating members had no outstanding fines.
Subseries 7A: Reports
Subseries Description
Reports were kept from 1852-1870 and 1896-1906. These reports, usually presented at regular meetings, include the activity of acquiring medals and diplomas. In addition a record of Whig debating contests from 1896-1906 is found in one volume.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Reports, 1852-1906
Box 152/195 Subseries 7B: Diplomas
Subseries Description
Diplomas were kept from 1785-1925. These diplomas provide a representative sample of the Whig diplomas over an extended period of time. The 1785 diploma is the oldest existing Whig document. It, along with all of the other diplomas, was returned to the university by the estate of a deceased member.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Whig Diplomas, 1785-1925
(stored in Mudd Library basement)
Box 197 Series 8: Whig Historian's Documents
Series Description
On a periodic basis, Whig contracted with a historian, often a university professor, to produce a history of the Hall.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically within subseries.
Subseries 8A: Annual Histories
Subseries Description
Annual Histories were presented at the beginning of each academic year and retold the story of Whig from its beginning through the previous year. These records include University President James Carnahan's report covering 1789-1801 and University President Ashbel Green's famous history which spanned from 1761-1789. Also, the constitutions of 1830 and 1832 include Annual Histories for those years.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically for 1761-1933.
Annual Histories, 1789-1810
Box 152 Annual Histories, 1802-1816
Box 153 Annual Histories, 1870-1909
Box 154 Dr. Green's Annual History, 1766-1789
Box 196 Subseries 8B: Membership Lists
Subseries Description
Jacob Beam, class of 1896 and Whig Historian in the mid 1900s and a university professor, compiled pages of the names of each member of Whig and his perspective division affiliation.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically for 1914-1942.
Membership Lists, 1914-1942
Box 153 Subseries 8C: Jacob Beam's Correspondence
Subseries Description
These letters include several letters from the University president, Harold Dodds.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically from 1934-1946.
Jacob Beam Correspondence, 1934-1946
Box 155/194 Subseries 8D: Jacob Beam's Notes
Subseries Description
These notes constitute the bulk of Beam's research for his historical analysis of the Society, The American Whig Society.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically from 1932-1946.
Jacob Beam Notes, 1932-1946
Box 155/194 Series 9: Secretary of Interior's Documents
Series Description
The Secretary of Interior was generally responsible for Whig's internal affairs and intramural debates including the annual Junior Division Debate.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically within subseries.
Subseries 9A: Reports
Subseries Description
Reports were kept from 1897-1908. These volumes contain the periodical reports which the Secretary presented at Whig meetings.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically within subseries.
Reports, 1903-1908
Box 156 Reports, 1897-1905
Box 157 Subseries 9B: Checks Written
Subseries Description
Checks Written were only kept in 1910. This volume lists the checks which the Secretary of Interior wrote according to his various functions in the Hall.
Checks Written, 1910
Box 156 Subseries 9C: Letters Written
Subseries Description
Letters Written were only kept in 1911. This volume contains hand-made copies of the letters which the Secretary wrote to other Whig members.
Letters Written, 1911
Box 156 Subseries 9D: Appointments
Subseries Description
Appointments were kept from 1901-1903. These books contain a listing of members appointed to various offices within the Society. The voting record of the members is duly noted.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Appointments, 1901-1904
Box 156 Series 10: Auditor's Reports
Series Description
The Whig Auditor was responsible for conducting periodical audits of the Whig finances. Most Auditor's Reports are incorporated into the Final Minutes.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically from 1881-1906.
Reports, 1881-1895
Box 156 Reports, 1896-1906
Box 158 Series 11: Critic's Documents
Series Description
Critic's Documents were kept from 1875-1914. The Whig Critic's Books contain the Critic's analyses of the previous week's debates. The debates were judged on content and style.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Reports, 1878-1907
Box 159 Reports, 1903-1911
Box 160 Reports, 1912-1914
Box 161 Series 12: The Construction of Whig Hall
Series Description
The original Whig Hall was constructed in 1836 after a shortage of space in Whig's previous location, Stanhope Hall. A new building was constructed in the same location in 1892 after the original building was found to be unfit for meetings.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically within subseries.
Subseries 12A: Record of Contributors
Subseries Description
The Record of Contributors was kept in one volume from 1837-1870. This book lists all of the contributors to the construction of the original Whig Hall and its furnishing.
Contributors, 1837-1870
Box 161 Subseries 12B: General Documents Relating to Construction
Subseries Description
These documents include a circular letter mailed to all graduated members in 1836 soliciting funds for the construction of Whig Hall. In addition, the records include architectural plans for the 1892 building and plans for refurbishment of the Hall circa 1850.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically from 1836-1893.
General Documents, 1836-1892
Box 161 Series 13: Correspondence
Series Description
These letters include requests from graduated members for information, requests from businesses for outstanding debts, and general correspondence of Hall members to others. These letters include a correspondence to James Madison from James Imbrie in 1832 as well as a letter from Martin Van Buren to the Hall president, from which the signature has been torn out. In addition there is a book containing copies of letters dispatched to graduate members with outstanding debt.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically, from 1850-1939.
Correspondence, 1814-1939
Box 162 Letter Dispatched to Members, 1852-1878
Box 162 Letters to Honorary Members, 1893-1902
Box 163 Letters From Honorary Members, 1841-1869
Box 164 Series 14: Books of Members Signatures
Series Description
These volumes include the signatures of most undergraduate and graduate members of the Hall. Unfortunately, many signatures, such as that of Woodrow Wilson, have been torn out of the pages.
Series Arrrangement
Arranged chronologically, from 1850-1934.
Books of Members' Signatures, 1850-1880
Box 165 Graduates, 1876-1907
Box 166 Adopted Graduates, 1905
Box 167 Members, 1878-1934
Box 168 Series 15: General Documents
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically within subseries.
Subseries 15A: Constitutions and By-Laws
Subseries Description
Constitutions and By-Laws, arranged chronologically, from 1841 to 1903. These volumes contain the constitutions and statutes of the Society. The statutes contain very detailed descriptions of each Secretary's duty.
Constitutions and By-Laws, 1820
Box 169 Constitutions and By-Laws, 1821
Box 170 Constitutions and By-Laws, 1822-1841
Box 171 Constitutions and By-Laws, 1828
Box 172 Constitutions and By-Laws, 1845-1851
Box 173 Constitutions and By-Laws, 1853-1859
Box 174 Constitutions and By-Laws, 1871
Box 175 Constitutions and By-Laws, 1875-1876
Box 176 Constitutions and By-Laws, 1867-1939
Box 177 Constitutions and By-Laws, 1903
Box 178 Constitutions and By-Laws, 1879-1892
Box 179 Constitutions and By-Laws, 1914
Box 179a Statutes, 1890-1903
Box 180 Treasurer's Extract of Constitution, 1874
Box 180 Subseries 15B: Inaugural Addresses
Subseries Description
These speeches were given by the Hall president to the new members at the beginning of the academic year.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically from 1818-1902.
Inaugural Addresses, 1818-1902
Box 181 Initiation Ceremonies, 1836-1902
Box 181 Series 16: Miscellaneous Records
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically within subseries.
Subseries 16A: Whig Speaker's Notebook
Subseries Description
Whig Speaker's Notebook, one volume, 1896. This book contains the Whig speaker's notes taken during meetings.
Speaker's Notebook, 1896
Box 181 Subseries 16B: Electioneering Trial
Subseries Description
Electioneering Trial, one volume, 1879. This book contains the report of a joint Whig-Clio committee which tried a recruitment scandal between the two Societies.
Electioneering Trial, 1879
Box 181 Subseries 16C: 160th Anniversary Scrapbook
Subseries Description
160th Anniversary Scrapbook, one volume, 1929. Contains a record of the anniversary celebrations commemorating the founding of Whig.
Placards, undated
Box 181 Anniversary Orations, 1855-1861
Box 182 160th Anniversary Book, 1929
Box 183 Subseries 16D: College Honors
Subseries Description
College Honors, two volumes, 1769-1832. These books contain lists of members and the honors they accrued from the university. The Literary Status Book also includes similar information. These volumes are dated 1895-1909.
Literary Status Book, 1895-1896
Box 189 Literary Status Book, 1900-1906
Box 190 Literary Status Book, 1900-1909
Box 191 College Honors, 1769-1810
Box 192 College Honors, 1769-1832
Box 193 Subseries 16E: Resolutions on Deceased Members
Subseries Description
Resolutions on Deceased Members, one volume, 1839-1873. This volume contains honorary resolutions passed upon the death of Whig members.
Resolutions on Deceased Members, 1839-1873
Box 188 Subseries 16F: Membership Lists
Subseries Description
These volumes contain lists of all Whig members, sub-graduate, graduate, and honorary.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically in two volumes, 1839-1906.
Membership Lists, 1839-1878
Box 185 Membership Lists, 1845-1902
Box 186 Membership Lists, 1902-1906
Box 187 Subseries 16G: Elections of Honorary Members
Subseries Description
Elections of Honorary Members, one volume 1893-1923. This book contains the results of a Whig election to determine the granting of honorary membership.
Elections of Honorary Members, 1893-1923
Box 184 Series 17: Publications
Series Description
This series contains the materials published solely by the American Whig Society. Materials which were published jointly by Whig and Clio prior to 1928 can be found in the archives of the archives of the Cliosophic Society, Series XI: Joint Documents with Whig.
Series Arrangement
Arranged according to subseries.
Subseries 17A: Membership Catalogues
Subseries Description
This subseries contains the lists of the Society which Whig periodically published. They contain all the members of the Society from 1769 to the date of publication. Until 1883, most members are listed by date of admission to the Society rather than their date of graduation from the College.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically from 1837-1914.
Membership catalogues, 1837-1914
Box 194 Subseries 17B: Library Catalogues
Subseries Description
This subseries contains the published lists of what was in the Hall library.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically from 1853-1870.
Library catalogues, 1853-1870
Box 194 Subseries 17C: Single Publications
Subseries Description
This subseries consists of the documents published by the Society for the purposes of commemorating significant events in its history and also for fund-raising.
Series Arrangement
Arranged chronologically from 1869-1919.
Single publications, 1869-1919
Box 195
Permanent URL: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/zw12z529c