[Americana] [Biddle Family] Archive of Letters and Documents Related to the Biddle Family

Early Archive of the Biddle Family of Philadelphia

Locations vary, ca. largely 18th and 19th centuries. Includes 32 manuscript and/or printed letters and/or documents, as well as six books, all related to members of the Biddle family of Philadelphia, including Owen Biddle, Clement Biddle, Charles Biddle, John Biddle, Anna Biddle Wilkinson, James Biddle, Thomas Parke, Rudolph Tellier, and more. Size and condition varies although generally well preserved. Condition report upon request.

This archive is related to the branch of the Biddle family descended from John (1707-1789) and Sarah (1711-1773) Biddle. The couple migrated to Philadelphia in the 1720s from West New Jersey, where William Biddle (1630-1712) first established the family in America in the 1680s (see Lot 34). The first generation of the Philadelphia Biddles were instrumental in shaping the mercantile, cultural, and political landscape of both Pennsylvania and the early United States.

Books:

1. (Hippocrates)
Hippocratis coi medicorum omnium sine controversia...
Paris: Joannem Roigny, 1545. First edition. 12mo. Full cream morocco; all edges trimmed; vellum wrappers bound in; dampstaining to most leaves. Vellum wrappers annotated with Biddle family genealogy, from 1681-1884.

2. (Young, Arthur)
Rural Oeconomy: Or Essays on the Practical Parts of Husbandry...
Philadelphia: Re-printed and sold by James Humphreys, Junr. 1776. Second edition. 12mo. Quarter brown calf over marbled paper-covered boards; all edges trimmed; moderate scattered foxing and browning; some underlining to text in black ink; two ownership signatures on title-page: John Biddle (1763-1815), and his son, Owen Biddle (1737-1799), who adds "1779" on the first page of text.

3. Bulstrode, Richard
Memoirs and Reflections Upon the Reign and Government of King Charles the Ist and K. Charles the IId
London: Printed by N. Mist, 1721. First edition. 12mo. Quarter brown morocco over marbled paper-covered boards; all edges trimmed; scattered foxing; ownership signature of Biddle ancestor, John Morton, Jr., dated 1794, on title-page; additional of same on original front blank, as well as separate inscription: "Presented to John Biddle by his aunt Margaret Morton."

4. Journals of Congress...
Philadelphia: Printed and sold by R. Aitken, 1777, First edition. Volume 1. 8vo. 302 pp.; defective with large portions lacking. Quarter brown morocco over marbled paper-covered boards; all edges trimmed; a few scattered stains.

5. Journals of Congress...
Philadelphia: Printed by David C. Claypoole, 1783. First edition. Volume 8. 12mo. 483 pp. Quarter brown morocco over marbled paper-covered boards; all edges trimmed; a few scattered stains.

6. (Darton, William)
Jack of All Trades, for the Use of Good Little Boys
Philadelphia: Johnson and Warner, 1815. First edition. 12mo. 48 pp. Printed stiff wrappers, with very old repairs, moderately soiled; all edges untrimmed; almost all pages torn across middle crease, partially restitched. Inscription on title page, "Samuel Biddle to his brother John Biddle."

Documents:

7. London, October 15, 1771. Autograph letter, signed. From physician Thomas Parke (1749-1835) to his brother-in-law Owen Biddle (1737-1799), regarding his medical studies abroad in London and Edinburgh.

8. London, October 15, 1771. Autograph letter, signed. From Parke to Owen, discussing monetary issues incurred during his time studying abroad.

9. London, July 4, 1772: Autograph letter, signed. From Parke to his sister Sarah "Sally" Biddle, describing the events of his time abroad.

10. London, July 15, 1772. Autograph letter, signed. From Parke to Owen, discussing mutual friends and inquiring how the summer has been in Philadelphia.

11. Mole (Caribbean), February 1, 1777. Autograph letter, signed. From Charles Biddle (1745-1821) to his cousin Owen, explaining the reason for his delayed return to America, and sending money.

12. Urabanna (Virginia), February 21, 1777. Autograph letter, signed. From Alex Hunter to Owen, discussing the harsh treatment of Charles, who was presumably being held captive by British forces in Jamaica. "Charles was treated Cruelly in Jamaica on accts. of them Knowing he was Brother to Capt. Nicholas Biddle...the damd. Old Adml. he asked Capt. Chas. was he Br. to that William who commanded one of the America (sic) frigates on which he told him he had a brother who had the honour to Comd. one of them but never new (sic) him by the name of a villain on which he began to abuse him and Ordered him to be put in Irons..."

13. "Camp Near Morristown" (New Jersey), March 1, 1780. Autograph letter, signed. From John Biddle (1763-1815) to Gen. Edward Hand (1744-1802), requesting a discharge from the Continental Army on account of his fractured leg.

14. Baltimore, June 21, 1780. Autograph letter, signed. From Charles to Owen, sending thanks, and mentioning their slaves.

15. Philadelphia, December 29, 1781. Autograph document, signed. Acknowledgment of a sale by John Earle, selling 1/16th of the Brig Minerva, to Owen.

16. Bethlehem (Pennsylvania), June 15, 1786. Autograph letter, signed. From Rudolph Tillier to his nephew John Biddle, discussing a recent arduous journey.

17. Kentucky, September 26, 1786. Autograph letter, initialed. From Anna Wilkinson (nee Biddle) to her father John Biddle (1707-1789), lamenting her current living situation with her husband, Gen. James Wilkinson (1757-1825), near hostile Indian lands on the American frontier.

18. New York, July 25, 1788. Autograph letter, signed. From Tillier to John Biddle (1763-1815), apologizing for leaving his residence so quickly without properly saying goodbye.

19. New York, August 7, 1788. Autograph letter, signed. From Tillier to John (1763-1815), discussing the purchase of land in Pennsylvania.

20. New York, August 9, 1788. Autograph letter, signed. From Tiller to John Biddle (1763-1815), in French (not translated).

21. Berne (Switzerland), January 15, 1789. Autograph letter signed. From Tillier to John Biddle (1763-1815), being a lengthy letter discussing family matters, business dealings, and the ongoing ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

22. Berne, February 12, 1789. Autograph letter, signed. From Tillier to John Biddle (1763-1815), discussing ongoing business dealings with Clement Biddle (1740-1814).

23. Berne, May 2, 1789. Autograph letter, signed. From Tillier to John Biddle (1763-1815), discussing family matters and recent business ventures.

24. Berne, July 28, 1789. Autograph letter, signed. From Tillier to John Biddle (1763-1815), discussing family matters, recent business ventures, and "...the extraordinary and unexpected Revolution in France..."

25. Lexington (Kentucky, no date, but ca. 1785-91). Autograph letter, initialed. From Anna Wilkinson to her father John (1707-1789), discussing the well-being of her two sons, John and James. Also including a small lock of hair of her third child, Joseph.

26. Lexington, May 23, (ca. 1785-91). Autograph letter, initialed. From Anna to her father John, informing him she will make a long journey even though her health is not in a good state, and she is unsure what her fate will be.

27. Lexington (ca. 1785-91). Autograph letter, initialed. From Anna to her father John, apologizing for her long delay in writing, and updating him and the rest of her family on the health of her children.

28. Pittsburgh, February 1, 1793. Autograph letter, signed. From John Wilkins, Jr. (1761-1816) to Clement, requesting the payment of wages and rations for two men of the Pennsylvania State Militia. Endorsed by Clement at bottom.

29. Wilmington, (Delaware), September 19, 1796. Manuscript document, signed. Marriage certificate on vellum, for John (1763–1815) and Sarah (nee Canby) Biddle. Signed by 56 individuals who were present, mostly members of their families, including Thomas A. Biddle (1776-1857), Anna Biddle (1742-1807), Clement Biddle, Jr. (1778-1856), Owen Biddle, Jr. (1774-1806), et al.

30. Philadelphia, August 21, 1800. Autograph letter, signed. From Charles to "Messrs. Governier & Kimble", requesting the proceeds of a bill given to them by Commodore (Thomas) Truxton be sent to him once paid.

31. "Camp near St. Louis" (Missouri), January 21, 1806. Autograph letter, signed. From Tillier to John Biddle (1763-1815), discussing Tillier's recent journey west, interactions with Native Americans, and inquiring about the health John's family.

32. "B(randy) W(ine). Mills 2 Mo (February) 19, 1809: Autograph letter, signed. From Samuel Canby (1751-1832) to his son-in-law John Biddle (1763–1815), discussing a recent horse ride he had taken.

33. Philadelphia, May 24, 1832. Partially-printed document, signed. Entitling Edward C. Biddle (1808-93) to the estate of a John Biddle, signed by Clement Biddle, Jr.

34. Aboard the Ship Columbus, August 16, 1845. Manuscript letter, signed. From Commodore James Biddle (1783-1848) to an unknown naval superior, discussing the use of Brazilian midshipmen aboard his flagship.

35. Philadelphia, February 27, 1868. Partially-printed receipt, signed. Issued by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, certifying Edward has paid into the publication fund.

36. Harrisburg, September, 8, 1874. Autograph letter, signed. From a John Linn to Edward, enclosing autographs and other records from the Pennsylvania State Archives.

37. Harrisburg, October 31, 1878. Autograph letter, signed. From Linn to Edward, enclosing a letter from the Pennsylvania State Archives.

38. Philadelphia, 1866-1895. Large group of partially-printed Library Company of Philadelphia receipts, adhered to one sheet, for shares issued to many people; one additional of same, loose.

Passed down within the Biddle family and never before offered for sale.

Provenance

From the collection of Edward Biddle Clay