John Torrey papers, 1819-1864

Mss.B.T63.1

Date: 1819-1864 | Size: 0.25 Linear feet
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Abstract

These papers include letters on natural history, metals and mineralogy, botany, insects, the geological survey of New York, and analyses of distilled liquors in the cause of temperance.

Background note

John Torrey was a botanist, and was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1835.

Digital objects note

This collection contains digital materials that are available in the APS Digital Library. Links to these materials are provided with context in the inventory of this finding aid. A general listing of digital objects may also be found here.

Collection Information

Physical description

15 items.

15 items.

Provenance

Purchased and accessioned, 1958 (1958 160ms). See in-house shelf list for additional accession numbers.

Naval History Note

The Torrey Papers contain at least two items which may be of interest to naval historians:

Wilkes, Charles, 1798-1877.
  1. Torrey, John. Letter to Charles Wilkes. 1848 January. Is afraid his work will suffer since the committee refused his request for aid. 2 pages.
  2. Torrey, John. Letter to Charles Wilkes. 1848 January 28. Concerning plants which he received from Charles Wilkes. 1 page.

Early American History Note

The John Torrey Papers consist of two separate collections. The first contains original documents, often from John Torrey, a prominent botanist in the nineteenth century. Torrey's letters often discuss natural history, books, and flora. Amos Eaton is his most regular correspondent, and the letters are often of a personal nature in which Torrey gives Eaton support for his scientific pursuits. Mention is also made of temperance. This portion of the collection is relatively small. The second part of the collection contains various notes and transcriptions Chapman Robbins made for a study she undertook on Torrey. This larger part of the collection consists of over two boxes of transcriptions of Torrey correspondence and provides a far more complete picture of Torrey.

Indexing Terms


Genre(s)

  • Scientific Correspondence

Personal Name(s)

  • Buckley, S. B., (Samuel Botsford), 1809-1884
  • Cleaveland, Parker, 1780-1858
  • Delavan, Edward C., (Edward Cornelius), 1793-1871
  • Durand, Elie M.
  • Eaton, Amos, 1776-1842
  • Torrey, John, 1796-1873
  • Wilkes, Charles, 1798-1877

Subject(s)

  • Botany.
  • Geology -- New York (State) -- Surveys.
  • Insects.
  • Mineralogy.
  • Natural history
  • Natural history.
  • Science and technology
  • Temperance.


Detailed Inventory

 Series I: Correspondence
  
 Torrey, John, 1796-1873.
Letter to Amos Eaton, Northampton, Mass.;
Nov. 1, 18177-3/4x6

New York, A.L.S. 2p.and add. Concerning a work on botany. Refers to LeConte's collection,and comments on Mitchill, and the Pursh collection.

General physical description: 7-3/4x6

 Torrey, John, 1796-1873.
Letter to Amos Eaton, Albany;
March 12, 1819 

New York, A.L. 3p., add. Comments on geological and botanical matters; particularly on grasses. Mentions Gibbs, Silliman, Cleaveland, Pomeroy, Pursh, Nuttall and Mühlenberg.

 Torrey, John, 1796-1873.
Letter to Dennis Cooley, Muddy-brook, Mass.;
May 4, 1819 

New York, A.L.S. 3p.add.end. Concerning collection/exchange of plants/minerals. Lyceum of Natural History of N.Y. pub. Torrey's "Catalogue... Asks for grasses, mosses,ferns. Mentions Dr. Ives,Mr. Hitchcock.

 Torrey, John, 1796-1873.
Letter to Amos Eaton, Troy;
May 18, 181910x8

New York, A.L.S. 3p.and add. (see John Torrey papers.) Concerning botanical matters. Concerning Rafinesque. Refers to Nuttall.

General physical description: 10x8

 Torrey, John, 1796-1873.
Letter to Amos Eaton, Troy;
Dec. 11, 181910-1/2x8

New York, A.L.S. 4p.,add.,end. (see John Torrey papers.) Mineralogy and botany of the U.S. Concerning the preservation of insects. Refers to Nuttall and Rafinesque.

General physical description: 10-1/2x8

 Torrey, John, 1796-1873.
Letter to Amos Eaton, Troy, New York;
March 7, 1820 

New York, A.L.S. 3p.add & end. Concerns geology and botany; esp. mosses & grasses. Critical of Akerly's book on Geology. Mentions Gibbs, Hosack, James, McClure, Mitchell, Muhlengerg, Paulding, & Pierce.

 Torrey, John, 1796-1873.
Letter to Parker Cle[a]veland, Bowdoin college;
Dec. 28, 182010x7-1/2

New York, A.L.S. 4p.,add.,end. (see John Torrey papers.) Mineralogical sources in the U.S. Refers to Jacob Bigelow.

General physical description: 10x7-1/2

 Torrey, John, 1796-1873.
Letter to Parker Cleaveland, Brunswick;
Jan. 11, 18279-1/2x8

West Point, A.L.S. 2p.and add.,end. (see John Torrey papers.) Concerning mineralogy. Refers to Nuttall.

General physical description: 9-1/2x8

 Torrey, John, 1796-1873.
Letter to ----;
April 10, 18287-3/4x4-3/4

New York, A.L.S. 1p. (see John Torrey papers.) Forwards package of pamphlets. Friendly letter.

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

 Torrey, John, 1796-1873.
Letter to T. A. Greene, New Bedford, Mass;
Sept. 10, 183110x8

New York, A.L.S. 2p.and add. (see John Torrey papers.) Concerning botanical specimens of the U.S. Orders certain items.

General physical description: 10x8

 Torrey, John, 1796-1873.
Letter to Professor A[mos] Eaton ;
Oct. 29, 1831 

New York, ... fungi published by A.P.S. 1. Botany--Kentucky. 2. Eaton, Amos, 1776-1842. 3. Le Conte, John Lawrence, 1825-1883. 4. Lindley, John, 1779-1865. 5. Rafinesque- Schmaltz, Constantine Samuel, 1783-1840. 6. Schweinitz, Lewis David von, 1780-1834.

 Torrey, John, 1796-1873.
Letter to E[lie Magliore] Durand, Philadelphia;
Feb. 1, 183410x7-3/4

New York, A.L.S. 1p.and add.,end. (see John Torrey papers.) Concerning certain botanical specimens which they have studied. Refers to Nuttall.

General physical description: 10x7-3/4

 Torrey, John, 1796-1873.
Letter to E[dward] C. Delavan, Albany;
Feb. 19, 183410x8

New York, A.L.S. 1p.and add.,end. (see John Torrey papers.) Concerning his analysis of whiskeys for the temperance cause.

General physical description: 10x8

 Torrey, John, 1796-1873.
Letter to Prof. Henry
June, 1836 

Photo of A.L.S. 1p. and add. From original in University of Amsterdam Library.  Item previously cataloged as: B T63.2

 Torrey, John, 1796-1873.
John Torrey to John Vaughan,
July 3, 18388" x 10"

New York, 1 p. and address. A.L.S. Introducing Mr. H. J. Jones Brydges, of England, "an interesting scientific traveller." At work with Dr. [Asa] Gray upon The Flora of North America.

General physical description: 8" x 10"

 Torrey, John, 1796-1873.
Letter to W. W. Treadway, Albany;
April 4, 184010x7-1/2

New York, A.L.S. 1p.and add.,end. (see John Torrey papers.) Forwards his account for serving as botanist in the geological survey.

General physical description: 10x7-1/2

 Torrey, John, 1796-1873.
Letter to J. W. Bailey, West Point;
April 6, 184010x8

New York, A.L.S. 4p.,add. (see John Torrey papers.) Concerning natural history and how it should be written up. Refers to Henry and Gray. Concerning certain laboratory experiments on metals.

General physical description: 10x8

Access digital object:
https://diglib.amphilsoc.org/islandora/object/text:175283

 Torrey, John, 1796-1873.
Letter to Jo[h]n K[irk] Townsend, Philadelphia;
Feb. 2, 184110x8

New York, A.L.S. 1p.and add. (see John Torrey papers.) Concerning a possible subscriber to the expedition. Refers to Nuttall.

General physical description: 10x8

 Torrey, John, 1796-1873.
Letter to S[amuel] B. Buckley, Allentown, Ala.;
March 10, 184110x7-3/4

New York, A.L.S. 3p.and add. (see John Torrey papers.) Concerning botanical matters of the U.S Concerning his forthcoming publication.

General physical description: 10x7-3/4

 Torrey, John, 1796-1873.
Letter to ----;
Jan. 28, 18487-1/4x4-1/2

New York, A.L.S. 1p. (see John Torrey papers.) Concerning plants which he received from Charles Wilkes.

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

 Torrey, John, 1796-1873.
Letter to Ch[arles] Wilkes;
Jan., 18487-1/4x4-1/2

New York, A.L.S. 2p. (see John Torrey papers.) Is afraid his work will suffer since the committee refused his request for aid.

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

 Torrey, John, 1796-1873.
Letter to ----;
Oct. 15, 18648x5

New York, A.L.S. 1p. (see John Torrey papers.) General news. Refers to Henry.

General physical description: 8x5

 Series II: Photographs