William Tilghman papers, 1771-1838

Mss.B.T45

Date: 1771-1838 | Size: 58 item(s), 1 Volume
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Abstract

William Tilghman (1756-1827; APS 1805) was a jurist and chief justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. He held several positions as a judge and lawyer in the Philadelphia area and was active in the American Philosophical Society. He helped form and served as the head of the Committee of History, the Moral Sciences and General Literature for the APS and was elected the President of the APS in 1824, a position he held until his death.

Background note

William Tilghman (1756-1827; APS 1805) was a jurist and chief justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. He held several positions as a judge and lawyer in the Philadelphia area and was active in the American Philosophical Society. He helped form and served as the head of the Committee of History, the Moral Sciences and General Literature for the APS and was elected the President of the APS in 1824, a position he held until his death.

William Tilghman was born in 1756 in Talbot County, Maryland, to James and Anna (Francis) Tilghman. James Tilghman was a lawyer and Maryland Assembly member, and later secretary of the proprietary land office in Philadelphia. Having graduated from the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania) in 1772, William Tilghman read law with Benjamin Chew until the onset of the Revolution in 1776.

During the Revolution, the Tilghman family was split. William's older brother, Trench Tilghman, supported the Revolution, joined the Continental Army and was promoted to Washington's aid-de-camp until the end of the war. A younger brother, Philemon Tilghman, joined the British Navy, married a daughter of Admiral Milbanke, and moved to England after the war. William's father benefited from several appointments from the Royal government, and remained loyal, choosing to live quietly on his estate in Talbot County Maryland. William also quietly lived in Maryland, finishing his education, focusing primarily on law and classical literature, during the Revolution.

In 1783 Tilghman was admitted to the practice of law in Maryland. From 1788 to 1790 he served as a member of the Maryland Assembly and was a delegate to the Maryland convention to ratify the federal Constitution. He then moved to Philadelphia in 1791, where he was admitted to the bar and married Margaret Elizabeth. In 1801 John Adams appointed Tilghman chief justice of the third circuit court, one of the "Midnight Judges," Adams appointed at the end of his administration. Tilghman returned to private practice after this court was abolished in 1802. In 1805 he was appointed president judge of the court of common pleas for the area including and surrounding Philadelphia. This same year he was appointed to the Pennsylvania high court of errors and appeals. In 1806 he was commissioned chief justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, a position he held until his death. William Tilghman was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1805. He helped form, and served as the chairman for, the Committee of History, the Moral Sciences and General Literature. In 1816 he was elected Vice President of the APS and in 1824 he was elected president, a position he held until his death three years later.

Tilghman was a member of the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture. As a proponent of the development of home industry, he refused, during the last ten years of his life, to wear any garments not made in the United States. Starting in 1802 he was a trustee of the University of Pennsylvania. He was an early proponent of canals connecting the Susquehanna and Alleghany rivers. He died in Philadelphia in 1827.

Scope and content

These papers include letters on business and legal affairs, sales of land, payment of taxes, court sittings, and Dr. S. Bouchell. Also included is a volume of check stubs for expenditures from Tilghman's estate (1827-1838).

Collection Information

Physical description

1 volumes; 61 items.

1 volumes; 61 items.

Provenance

Purchased and accessioned, 1958 (1958 1364ms). See in-house shelf list for additional accession numbers.

Early American History Note

This collection consists of two different holdings. B.T45.2 is a small, bound volume that contains receipts from his checkbook. The second part of the collection is slightly richer and contains correspondence and receipts relating to the Tilghman family's various business interests. Land holdings and legal proceedings are discussed. Most of the correspondence dates to before 1800.

Indexing Terms


Genre(s)

  • Business Records and Accounts
  • Check stubs.
  • General Correspondence
  • Legal Records

Personal Name(s)

  • Bouchelle, Sluyter, 1719-1797
  • Drinker, Henry, 1734-1809
  • Goldsborough, Robert
  • Goldsborough, William
  • Lloyd, Richard
  • Meade, George, 1741-1808
  • Tilghman, Richard
  • Tilghman, William, 1756-1827

Subject(s)

  • Courts.
  • Land and Speculation
  • Law
  • Law.

Collection overview

 Tilghman, William (1756-1827).
Papers
1771-1837 

D. 58 items and one volume. Various sizes.



Detailed Inventory

 Tilghman, William (1756-1827).
Papers
1771-1837 

D. 58 items and one volume. Various sizes.

 Chaires, John.
Bond to John Cadwalader
Oct. 21, 1771 

A.D. 1p. with seal

 Goldsborough, Robert, 1733-1788.
Concerning a bond owned by John FauntLeRoy, sold to Edward Tilghman;
June, 177813-1/4x8-1/4

A.D.S. 2p.and end.with certifications signed by John FauntLeRoy and Joseph Bowley. (see William Tilghman papers.)

General physical description: 13-1/4x8-1/4

 Bonchell, S..
Letter to W[illia]m Tilghman;
Aug. 19, 17847-3/4x6-1/4

Bohemia, A.L.S. 1p.and add.,end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Can pay one bond in silver. Refers to Abel James.

General physical description: 7-3/4x6-1/4

 Bonchell, S..
Letter to William Tilghman, Chester;
Sept. 8, 12, 17847-3/4x6-1/4

Bohemia, A.L.S. 1p.and add.,end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Concerning money forwarded to pay a bill.

General physical description: 7-3/4x6-1/4

 Drinker, Henry, 1734-1809.
Letter to William Tilghman, Chestertown, Maryland
Sept. 9, 178412-1/2x8

Philadelphia, L.S. 1p.and add.,end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Business matters.

General physical description: 12-1/2x8

 Banthram, Lewis.
Promissory note to Edward Tilghman;
Jan. 14, 17856x7-1/4

D.S.: Attest: Rich.Tilghman. 1p.and end. (see William Tilghman papers.)

General physical description: 6x7-1/4

 Drinker, Henry, 1734-1809.
Power of attorney to William Tilghman
Feb. 5, 178512-3/4x8

D.S. Witnessed: Thos.Ewing and Robert Anderson. Certified by Thos.Van Dyke. 2p.and end. (see William Tilghman papers.)

General physical description: 12-3/4x8

 Bonchell, S..
Letter to W[illia]m Tilghman, Chester Town;
March 28, 17858x6-1/4

Bohemia, A.L.S. 1p.and add., end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Is sending payment for debts.

General physical description: 8x6-1/4

 Bonchell, S..
Letter to Wil[lia]m Tilghman, Chester Town, Md.;
Aug. 1, 17858x6-1/2

Bohemia, A.L.S. 1p.and add., end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Will send money on debt.

General physical description: 8x6-1/2

 Bonchell, S..
Letter to W[illia]m Tilghman;
Dec. 1, 17857-1/2x6

Bohemia, A.L.S. 1p.and add.,end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Business matters.

General physical description: 7-1/2x6

 Hubey, William.
Letter to W[illia]m Tilghman;
Dec. 5, 17853-1/2x7-1/2

A.L.S. 1p.and end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Has deposited money for him.

General physical description: 3-1/2x7-1/2

 Hubey, William.
Letter to W[illia]m Tilghman;
Dec. 5, 17854x8-1/4

A.L.S. 1p.and end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Business.

General physical description: 4x8-1/4

 Hubey, William.
Account of money to William Tilghman;
Jan. 6, April 19, 1786 

A.D.S. 3 leaves. Various sizes. (see William Tilghman papers.)

 Bonchell, S..
Letter to W[illia]m Tilghman, Chester Town, Md.;
April 3, 17867-1/4x6-1/4

A.L.S. 1p.and add.,end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Business.

General physical description: 7-1/4x6-1/4

 Hubey, William.
Letter to W[illiam] Tilghman;
April 8, 17868-1/2x8-1/4

A.L.S. 1p.and end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Business.

General physical description: 8-1/2x8-1/4

 Hubey, William.
Letter to W[illia]m Tilghman;
May 2, 17869-1/4x8

A.L.S. 1p.and add.,end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Concerning business of Mr.Drinker.

General physical description: 9-1/4x8

 Hubey, William.
Memorandum of the settlement of Benjamin Wilke's bond;
June 2, 178613-1/4x7-3/4

A.D.S. 1p.and end.by William Tilghman. (see William Tilghman papers.)

General physical description: 13-1/4x7-3/4

 Hubey, William.
Letter to W[illia]m Tilghman;
Sept. 30, 17865x8-1/4

A.L.S. 1p.and end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Business.

General physical description: 5x8-1/4

 Hubey, William.
Letter to W[illia]m Tilghman;
Nov. 13, 17866x6

A.L.S. 1p.and end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Business.

General physical description: 6x6

 Earle, James, Sir, 1755-1817.
Bill of cost for W[illia]m Tilghman;
June 12, 17873-1/4x7-1/2

A.D.S. 1p.and end. (see William Tilghman papers.) For court costs for a case.

General physical description: 3-1/4x7-1/2

 Tilghman, Richard.
Letter to W[illia]m Tilghman;
April 29, 17884x7-1/4

A.L.S. 1p.and end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Concerning a court case.

General physical description: 4x7-1/4

 Ricketts, John Thomas.
Letter to Simon Wilmer and William Tilghman;
May 14, 15, 178813-1/4x8

Chestertown, Md.; Big Elk, Md., A.L.S. 2p.and add.,end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Business of a law suit.

General physical description: 13-1/4x8

 Bauldon, Jacob.
Letter to William Tilghman, Chester Town;
Aug. 14, 178912-1/2x7-1/2

A.L.S. 1p.and add. (see William Tilghman papers.) Concerning some real estate.

General physical description: 12-1/2x7-1/2

 Keene, John Y..
Letter to W[illia]m Tilghman;
March 26, 17904-1/4x6-1/2

Long Marsh, A.L.S. 1p.and add.,end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Business.

General physical description: 4-1/4x6-1/2

 Thompson, Richard.
Letter to William Tilghman;
April 8, 17908-1/4x6-1/2

Philadelphia, L.S. 1p.and add.and end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Asks him to care for a law suit.

General physical description: 8-1/4x6-1/2

 Vansant, John. Trustees.
Receipt to William Tilghman;
Jan., 17913x8-1/2

D. 1p.and end. (see William Tilghman papers.)

General physical description: 3x8-1/2

 Porter, Benjamin.
Letter to William Tilghman;
March 5, 179113-1/4x8-1/4

A.D.S.: Benja[min] Porter for Rebecca Price. 1p.and end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Pertaining to the estate of Joseph Price.

General physical description: 13-1/4x8-1/4

 Scott, James.
Letter to William Tilghman, Philadelphia;
July 6, 17959-1/4x8

Chester, A.L.S. 3p.and add.,end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Business.

General physical description: 9-1/4x8

 Scott, James.
Letter to William Tilghman;
Sept. 21, 17959-1/4x8

Chester, A.L.S. 4p.,end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Business.

General physical description: 9-1/4x8

 Gibbs, Joshua W..
Letter to W[illia]m Tilghman;
Nov. 18, 17957-3/4x4-1/2

L.in 3rd.P.: J.W.and W.Gibbs. 1p.and add.,end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Business.

General physical description: 7-3/4x4-1/2

 Gibbs, Joshua W..
Letter to William Tilghman;
Nov. 23, 17957-1/4x4-1/2

L.S.: Josh.W.and Wm.Gibbs. 1p.and add., end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Business.

General physical description: 7-1/4x4-1/2

 Tilghman, William, 1756-1827.
Memorandum of Messrs. Joshua W. and William Gibbs proposal;
Nov. 25, 17957x5

A.D.S.with initials. 1p.and end. (see William Tilghman papers.)

General physical description: 7x5

 Scott, James.
Letter to William Tilghman, Philadelphia;
Sept. 10, 17969-1/4x7-1/2

A.L.S. 1p.and add.,end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Business.

General physical description: 9-1/4x7-1/2

 Scott, James.
Letter to William Tilghman, Philadelphia;
Oct. 9, 17969-1/4x7-1/2

A.L.S. 5p.and add.,end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Concerning unfinished legal business.

General physical description: 9-1/4x7-1/2

 Field, John.
Letter to William Tilghman;
Feb. 12, 17988-3/4x8

A.L.S. 1p.and end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Business.

General physical description: 8-3/4x8

 Scott, James.
Letter to William Tilghman, Philadelphia;
May 4, 17989-1/4x7-3/4

A.L.S. 3p.and add.,end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Concerning the collection of debts through legal action.

General physical description: 9-1/4x7-3/4

 Watson, William.
Receipt to John Lare, jr. on account of William Tilghman;
Dec. 10, 18003-1/2x8-1/4

A.D.S.: W[illia]m Watson for James Watson 1p.and end. (see William Tilghman papers.)

General physical description: 3-1/2x8-1/4

 Meade, George, 1741-1808.
Letter to William Tilghman;
April 1, 18019x7-1/4

A.L.S. 3p.and add.,end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Business. Friendly letter.

General physical description: 9x7-1/4

 Wilson, William.
Receipt to John Lare, jr. on account of W[illia]m Tilghman;
Feb. 18, 18023x7

A.D.S.: W[illia]m Wilson for James Wilson 1p.and end. (see William Tilghman papers.)  Not Found: 2/7/2011

General physical description: 3x7

 Wilson, James.
Receipts to Fr[e]d[eric]k Beisel for William Tilghman;
Nov.-Dec., 18035x8

A.D.S. 1p.and end. (see William Tilghman papers.)

General physical description: 5x8

 Tilghman, William (1756-1827).
Agreement with John Handshoe's Estate for the sale of land;
June 20, 1808 

D.S.: Wm.Tilghman and two others. Witnessed. 1p. On same sheet is agreement of sale of same land to Jacob Mock(?); Dec. 14, 1808. 1p. (see Tilghman papers.) Item previously cataloged as: T45.1 No. 1.

 Tilghman, William, 1756-1827.
Calculations on a bond due;
July 15, 18104x8

A.D.S.with initials. 1p.and end. (see William Tilghman papers.)

General physical description: 4x8

 Tilghman, William (1756-1827).
Letter to William Goldsborough, Frederick Town, Maryland;
June 23, 1813 

Philadelphia, A.L.S. 1p.and add.,end. (see Tilghman Papers.) Concerning the Coxe family's land claims.  Item previously cataloged as: T45.1 No. 2.

 Saeger, Daniel & Jacob.
Letter to W[illia]m Tilghman, Philadelphia;
March 13, 181910x8

L. 1p.and add.,end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Business.

General physical description: 10x8

 Grosshof, James.
Promise to pay William Tilghman;
April 9, 18213-1/2x8

A.D.S. 1p.and end. (see William Tilghman papers.)

General physical description: 3-1/2x8

 Letter to Richard Lloyd, Providence, Penna.;
Aug. 6, 1821 

Philadelphia, A.L.S. 1p.and add. (see Tilghman Papers.) Is satisfied with his statement. Will write when he returns from the west.  Item previously cataloged as: T45.1, no. 3

 Tilghman, William, 1756-1827.
Monies paid for road taxes;
Dec. 12, 182112-3/4x8

D. 1p.and end. Receipted by G. Hewitt and R.H. Rose. (see William Tilghman papers.)

General physical description: 12-3/4x8

 Tilghman, William (1756-1827).
Letter to Bishop [William] White;
July 18, 1825 

Philadelphia, A.L.S. 1p.and add.,end. (see Tilghman Papers.) Gives his opinion on church matters. Item previously cataloged as: T45.1 No.4

 Tilghman, William. Estate.
List and account of articles taken by James Tilghman;
May 18, 18278-1/4x8-1/4

D. Certified by Will[ia]m Baker. 1p. and end. (see William Tilghman papers.)

General physical description: 8-1/4x8-1/4

B T45.2 Account book
1827-1837 1 volume(s) volume 1

Account book showing expenses, 1827-1837, and blank pages.

Other Descriptive Information: Not found 5/2011

 Payne, John.
Letters to Samuel [Rowland] Fisher, Philadelphia;
April 23-May 3, 1831-184516-3/4x13

London, L.S.: John Payne and Samuel Spackman. 9p.and end. Copies. (see William Tilghman papers.) Concerning the settlement of Henry Drinker's estate.

General physical description: 16-3/4x13

 Elliott, Isaac.
Receipt to the estate of William Tilghman;
July 21, 18354x8

D.S. 1p. (see William Tilghman papers.)

General physical description: 4x8

 Price, Eli K. (Eli Kirk), 1797-1884.
Check to Mr. Keslin;
March 28, 18372-1/2x6-1/2

Philadelphia, Printed D.filled in in ms.S. 1p.and end. (see William Tilghman paper

General physical description: 2-1/2x6-1/2

 Bonchell, S..
Letter to [William Tilghman].
Undated7-3/4x6-1/4

A.L.S. 1p. (see William Tilghman papers.) Business.

General physical description: 7-3/4x6-1/4

 Bouldon, Jacob.
Letter to William Tilghman,
Undated13x7-1/4

Chester Town. A.L.S. 1p.and add.,end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Business.

General physical description: 13x7-1/4

 Cooke, W..
Letter to W[illia]m Tilghman, Chester Town;
Undated8x6-1/4

Sunday morning. A.L.S. 2p. and add., end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Business.

General physical description: 8x6-1/4

 Cooke, W..
Letter to William Tilghman,
Undated12-1/2x8

Chester Town. A.L.S. 2p.,add.,end. (see William Tilghman papers.) Business.

General physical description: 12-1/2x8

 Copy of Mr. Tilghman's bill
Undated 

A.D. 1p.

 Tilghman, William (1756-1827).
Letter to Edward S. Burd;
Undated 

Monday, A.L.S. 1p.and add. (see Tilghman Papers.) Must refuse invitation, since court is sitting.