William Blair Townsend letter and receipt books, 1743-1805, bulk 1744-1777

The collection consists of two volumes, which date from 1743 to 1805, spanning his whole career as a merchant. Volume one is a letter book containing Townsend's business correspondence from November 23, 1743 to December 12, 1774. Most of the letters were written to American (many in North Carolina) and British (predominately in London) merchants. His earliest letters document his efforts to establish himself as a trader. Over time his letters turn to illustrate the common problems faced by many merchants: damaged goods, overpriced goods, embargos, and high freight costs. Particularly enlightening are his comments on the challenges of doing business throughout the French and Indian War and the years leading up to the American Revolution. He most frequently corresponded with London merchants Champion & Hayley, Lane & Booth, Lane Son & Fraser, Harrison & Ansley, and Leeds merchant Samuel Elam. In addition he frequently corresponded with Eliakim Palmer, colonial agent and merchant in London, as well as Dr. Walley Chauncy of North Carolina. He dealt in a wide variety of goods including molasses, rum, tar, medicines, pitch, saddles, tallow, hides, skins, pickled beef and pork, and wine. The letters also document Townsend's involvement in the slave trade through his occasional purchases of slaves.

Student notes from medical lectures by Benjamin Rush, undated

The volumes contain student notes on a course of medical lectures given by Dr. Benjamin Rush (1746-1813) while he was Professor of the Institutes of Medicine and Clinical Practice at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, likely in circa 1800-1813. The notes indicate Rush often referenced the works or teachings of contemporaries such as Scottish physicians William Cullen, John Brown, John Gregory, and Robert Whytt, and Dutch physician Herman Boerhaave. He frequently included anecdotes and case histories of his own patients, as well as those of other doctors, to illustrate his lecture topics. He also advised students to take notes on the lectures after they ended to allow them to focus on what they were hearing. Volume 1 includes notes on: physician conduct during visits to patients; human and animal physiology; voice and speech; the nervous system; the five senses; and faculties of the mind. Volume 2 includes notes on: food, the sources of appetite and thirst, and digestion; the lymphatic system; secretions; excretions; theories of nutrition; differences in the minds and bodies of women and men; reproduction; pathology; a table outlining the stages of disease production; “disease and the origin of moral and natural evil”; contagions; the role of food, drink, and clothing in producing disease; worms; hereditary diseases; predisposition to diseases; proximate causes of diseases; and pulmonary conditions. Volume 3 includes notes on: the pulse; therapeutics, such as emetics, sedatives, and digitalis, and treatment of various illnesses like pulmonary consumption, kidney disease, palsy, and rheumatism; diagnosis and prognosis of fever; treatment of intermitting fever; and epidemics including plague, smallpox, and yellow fever, with an emphasis on the yellow fever outbreaks in Philadelphia in 1793 and 1797.

New England Coast : Newburyport, Massachusetts to Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Nautical Chart, 1776 (Image 1 of 2) (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the untitled, historic nautical chart: [A chart of the coast from Cape Elizabeth westwards to Newbury Harbour] (sheet originally published in 1776). The map is [sheet 25] from the Atlantic Neptune atlas Vol. 3 : Charts of the coast and harbors of New England, from surveys taken by Samuel Holland and published by J.F.W. Des Barres, 1781. Scale [ca. 1:130,000]. This layer is image 1 of 2 total images of the two sheet source map, representing the western portion of the map. Covers the coast of New England from Newburyport, Massachusetts to Kittery, Maine. The image is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the 'World Mercator' (WGS 84) projected coordinate system. All map collar information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows coastal features such as harbors, inlets, rocks, channels, points, coves, shoals, islands, and more. Includes also selected land features such as cities and towns, buildings, and roads. Relief is shown by hachures. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from The Harvard Map Collection. The entire Atlantic Neptune atlas Vol. 3 : Charts of the coast and harbors of New England has been scanned and georeferenced as part of this selection.

New England Coast, Nautical Chart, 1776 (Image 2 of 2) (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of a historic nautical chart entitled: The coast of New England (sheet originally published in 1776). The map is [sheet 2] from the Atlantic Neptune atlas Vol. 3 : Charts of the coast and harbors of New England, from surveys taken by Samuel Holland and published by J.F.W. Des Barres, 1781. Scale [ca. 1:534,000]. This layer is image 2 of 2 total images of the two sheet source map, representing the northern portion of the map. Covers the coasts of Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. The image is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the 'World Mercator' (WGS 84) projected coordinate system. All map collar information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows coastal features such as harbors, inlets, rocks, channels, points, coves, shoals, islands, and more. Includes also selected land features such as cities and towns. Relief is shown by hachures; depths by soundings and shading. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from The Harvard Map Collection. The entire Atlantic Neptune atlas Vol. 3 : Charts of the coast and harbors of New England has been scanned and georeferenced as part of this selection.

New England and Middle Atlantic States, 1671 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Novi Belgii, quod nunc Novi Jorck vocatur, Novae q[ue] Angliae & partis Virginiae : accuratissima et novissima delineatio. It was published by J. Meurs for Arnoldus Montanus' De Nieuwe en onbekende weereld, 1671. p. 122-123. Scale [ca. 1:3,500,000]. Covers the northeast Atlantic States from Maine to Virginia, and a portion of Canada. In Latin. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Mercator (world) projection. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as human settlements, Native American tribal lands, drainage, shoreline features, and more. Relief is shown pictorially. Includes illustrations and illustrative cartouche. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps of New England from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and purposes.

New England and Middle Atlantic States, 1660 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Belgii novi, angliae novae, et partis Virginiae : novissima delineatio. It was published by Ioannes Ianssonius (Jan Jansson) between 1660 and 1663. Scale [ca. 1:2,450,000]. Covers the northeast Atlantic States from Maine to Virginia, and a portion of Canada. In Latin. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Mercator (world) projection. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as human settlements, forts, Native American tribal lands, drainage, shoreline features, and more. Relief is shown pictorially. Includes illustrations. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps of New England from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and purposes.

New England and Middle Atlantic States, ca. 1684 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Novi Belgii Novaeque Angliae nec non partis Virginiae tabula : multis in locis emendata, per Nicolaum Visscher. It was published by N. Visscher ca. 1684. Scale [ca. 1:2,250,000]. Covers the northeast Atlantic States from Maine to Virginia, and a portion of Canada. In Latin and Dutch. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Mercator (world) projection. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as human settlements, forts, Native American tribal lands, drainage, territorial boundaries, shoreline features, and more. Relief is shown pictorially. Includes decorative cartouche and inset view of Manhattan: Nieuw Amsterdam op t eylant Manhattans. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps of New England from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and purposes.

New England and Middle Atlantic States, ca. 1730 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Recens edita totius Novi Belgii in America Septentrionali siti, delineatio cura et sumtibus Matthaei Seutteri (Matthaeus Seutter). It was published ca. 1730. Scale [ca. 1:2,250,000]. Covers the northeast Atlantic States from Maine to Virginia, and a portion of Canada. In Latin. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Mercator (world) projection. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as human settlements, forts, Native American tribal lands, drainage, territory boundaries, shoreline features, and more. Relief is shown pictorially. Includes illustrations, illustrative cartouche, and inset view of Manhattan: Neu Jorck sive Neu Amsterdam. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps of New England from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and purposes.

New England and Middle Atlantic States, ca. 1690 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Belgii novi, angliae novae, et partis Virginiae : novissima delineatio. It was published by Petrum Schenk and Gerardum Valk, ca. 1690. Scale [ca. 1:2,450,000]. Covers the northeast Atlantic States from Maine to Virginia, and a portion of Canada. In Latin. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Mercator (world) projection. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as human settlements, forts, Native American tribal lands, drainage, territory boundaries, shoreline features, and more. Relief is shown pictorially. Includes illustrations and decorative cartouches. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps of New England from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and purposes.

New England, 1826 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: A map of the New England states : Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island & Connecticut, with the adjacent parts of New York & lower Canada, compiled and published by Nathan Hale ; engraved by J.V.N. Throop. It was published by in 1826. Scale [ca. 1:506,880]. Covers also a portion of the state of New York and the province of Quebec, Canada. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the USA Contiguous Albers Equal Area Conic projection (Meters). All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as roads, churches, drainage, state, county, and town boundaries, and more. Relief shown by hachures. Includes inset: Northern & eastern part of Maine and part of lower Canada and New Brunswick. Scale [ca. 1:1,267,200]. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps of New England from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and purposes.

New England, 1862 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: G. Woolworth Colton's railroad, township & distance map of New England : with adjacent portions of New York, Canada & New Brunswick, drawn, engraved & published by G. Woolworth Colton. It was published in 1862. Scale 1:900,000. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the USA Contiguous Albers Equal Area Conic projection (Meters). All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as roads, railroads, drainage, state, county, and town boundaries, and more. Relief shown by hachures. Includes table of distances and inset: The eastern portion of Massachusetts on an enlarged scale. Scale 1:350,000. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps of New England from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and purposes.

New England Railroads, 1838 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Sketch of the states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, and parts of New Hampshire & New York exhibiting the several rail road routes completed, constructing, chartered & contemplated : published by order of the Legislature of Massachusetts, drawn by A. Kennedy ; engraved by Morse & Tuttle. It was published in 1838. Scale [ca. 1:700,000]. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the USA Contiguous Albers Equal Area Conic projection (Meters). All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as roads, completed, chartered, and contemplated railroads, drainage, state and county boundaries, and more. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps of New England from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and purposes.

New England and Eastern New York Railroads, 1849 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Railroad map of New England & eastern New York : compiled from the most authentic sources, by J.H. Goldthwait. It was published in 1849 by Redding & Co. and Clark, Austin, & Co. Scale [ca. 1:700,000]. Covers Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and portions of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the USA Contiguous Albers Equal Area Conic projection (Meters). All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as railroads completed and in progress, drainage, state, county, and town boundaries, and more. Includes inset: Boston & vicinity showing the Grand Junction R.R. Scale [ca. 1:170,000]. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps of New England from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and purposes.

European and North American Railway, New England and Eastern Canada, 1850 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Map of the European and North American Railway : showing its connection with the railways of the United States & Canada, [by] A.C. Morton, engineer. It was published in 1850 by Bowen & Co. Scale [ca. 1:1,625,000]. Covers New England, eastern New York, and the Maritime Provinces. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the USA Contiguous Albers Equal Area Conic projection (Meters). All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as completed, in progress, and proposed railroads, selected towns, drainage, state boundaries, and more. Includes inset: Map showing the plan for shortening the transit between New York & London. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps of New England from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and purposes.

Troy & Greenfield Railroad, New York and New England, ca. 1855 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Map of the Troy & Greenfield Rail Road and its connections, [by] A.F. Edwards, chief engineer. It was published ca. 1855 by B.W. Thayer & Co.'s Lith. Scale not given. Covers Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and portions of Maine and New York.The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the USA Contiguous Albers Equal Area Conic projection (Meters). All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as railroads completed, chartered and under construction, drainage, selected cities, towns, and villages, state and county boundaries, and more. Relief shown by hachures.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps of New England from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and purposes.