Finding Aid to the Watson Family Papers, 1786-1874

The bulk of this collection pertains to John Fanning Watson, well known historian of Philadelphia and New York City, and his immediate relatives. Watson was born in Batsto, New Jersey, the son of William and Lucy Fanning Watson. A paternal ancestor, Thomas Watson, emigrated from Dublin, Ireland, and settled in Salem, New Jersey, in 1667. His maternal ancestors settled in Groton, Connecticut, about 1645. His maternal grandparents, John Fanning and Abigail Miner, moved their family of three sons and three daughters to New Jersey. One of the daughters married into the Backus family and was the mother of Azel Backus, D.D., first president of Hamilton College, New York. The third daughter, Lucy, married William Watson in 1772.

William Watson was a sea captain and owned several vessels prior to the Revolutionary War. When the war started he sold his vessels and volunteered on a private ship, General Mifflin. After the war the Watsons settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. William was involved in coastal trade. He and John's brother, Wesley, died in a shipwreck off Cape Hatteras in 1804.

Lucy Fanning was a Methodist mystic and poet. John had a good relationship with his mother and often spoke affectionately of her. Her interest in genealogy and stories of her own youth in New England probably fostered her son's appreciation for history. Although Lucy received suitors following the death of her husband, she never remarried.

The details of John Fanning Watson's education are not known, but he did obtain some business training in James Vanuxem's Philadelphia counting house. In 1798, he was dismissed because of his involvement with the Macpherson Blues militia company. He spent the next two years in Mount Holly, New Jersey. In 1800, he moved to Washington, D.C., to accept a clerkship in the War Department. Watson entered into a business deal in 1804 and moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. He returned to his native Philadelphia in 1806 and opened a mercantile house. By 1810, he was listed as a bookseller and stationer. He published American editions of English works and acted as an agent for foreign magazines. In 1814, Watson accepted a position as cashier of the Bank of Germantown and received a notary public commission. He worked with the bank until 1848. He then became the secretary-treasurer of the Philadelphia, Germantown and Norristown Railroad, where he remained until 1859.

Watson was also an amateur historian and a pioneer in the use of oral histories and public opinion questionnaires. He published, among other works, Annals of Philadelphia, Historic Tales of Olden Time Concerning the Settlement and Advancement of New York City and State, and Historic Tales of Olden Time Concerning the Early Settlement and Progress of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. In addition, he wrote newspaper and magazine articles that focused on history. Watson was a founder of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and the Society for the Commemoration of the Landing of William Penn.

In 1812, John Fanning Watson married Phebe Barron Crowell, daughter of Thomas Crowell of Elizabethtown, New Jersey. (The Crowells were lineal descendants of Oliver Cromwell.) Phebe had several brothers and sisters, including Esther (Mrs. James) Bogert with whom she frequently visited in New York State. The couple had seven children, of which three daughters, Lavinia Fanning, Selina, and Myra, and two sons, Barron Crowell and John Howell, survived to adulthood. Lavinia married Harrison Whitman of Maine, and Selina married Charles Willing of Philadelphia. After studying at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Barron became a physician in New England and married Julia Willis, the daughter of Hon. William Willis from Portland, Maine. John Howell was not married at the time of his father's death in 1860 and served as the executor of his father's estate.

The Winterthur Museum has a wooden box owned by John F. Watson, which was filled with relics, such as buttons and beads, which he is supposed to have collected. A description of the contents is available at this repository.

Diaries

Box 1

Travel diaries of John Fanning Watson

Folder 1

	58×29.1. “Diary of John F. Watson's Journey to New Orleans & Observations there in 1804-5.”
	In this volume, Watson comments on the cities and towns he passed through in his travels from Philadelphia to New Orleans and describes his stay in the latter city. While in Pittsburgh, he observed that the widespread burning of coal made the houses look more like forges than dwellings. In his entry of April 14, Watson notes that the boatmen had been reading his journal. Once in New Orleans, Watson was informed of the deaths of his father and brother. Of New Orleans, Watson noted that it was larger then he had expected and that the residents were more engaged in business than in Philadelphia. In addition, he witnessed a few high houses, rampant disregard for observing the Sabbath, many lizards, expensive tailors, a lot of shrimp and gumbo to eat, and people of different ancestries--French, Spanish, and American--keeping separate societies.

	58×29.2. “Journal of a voyage from Orleans to Havannah & Charleston and land route from Charleston to Washington City and to New England 1805. Also Trip to Cape May, N.J. 1822.”
	Watson left New Orleans on November 10, 1805 and arrived in Cuba on the 26th. The first things he noticed in Havana were the forts and walls surrounding the city. Overall, he did not like the city, finding its streets dirty, crowded, and full of beggars. The buildings were constructed with oblong stones and featured little ornamentation. He felt that “living here is extremely unpleasant.” He did enjoy the Cuban countryside, describing it as “a perfect Paradise.” In the volume, Watson offers descriptions of the people encountered and local customs. (Further notes about this part of the diary are kept with this repository's copy of the finding aid.) After arriving in Charleston on December 15, 1805, Watson gave a brief description of the city, comparing it to Baltimore. He left five days later and traveled through Raleigh, Richmond, and Washington, D.C. He arrived at his home in Philadelphia on February 21st. On March 8th he left again to travel to New England with his mother. The two visited with relatives. At the end of the journey, Watson commented that he was sorry that he did not enter details about what he saw. In his writings on an 1822 trip to Cape May, Watson described his passage via steamboat, Aaron Bennett's boarding house, his activities at the shore, and socializing with other boarders, including Roger B. Taney.

	58×29.3. “John F. Watson's Trip to Sea Shore in 1823, Tuckerton Beach and Long Branch.”			Folder 2
	In this volume, Watson recorded his trip to and activities at Tuckerton Beach. He notes features of the landscape in Tuckerton and surrounding areas. He goes into particular detail about Little Egg Harbor, noting that is was a good refuge for privateers during the Revolutionary War. He also frequently comments on changes to the inlets and beach over 50 years.

	58×29.4. “Trip to Reading, 1825, to Delaware Canal, 1826, To Pennsbury and Point Breeze, 1826.”
	This volume opens with a list of 37 “Queries of aged Person of Philadelphia,” probably asked by Watson in compiling his Annals. The rest of the manuscript is devoted to three short trips. While traveling on the Schuylkill Canal with his daughter, Lavinia, he noted the scenery and he sketched the boat and another scene. He also sketched the dwellings and buildings along Market St. in Reading and commented on them. The Delaware Canal trip, leading from the Delaware River to the Chesapeake Bay, was a day journey undertaken on July 4, 1826 so that Watson could show his daughters the river scenery. Watson remarked on scenes that were significant during the Revolutionary War. On July 8, 1826 Watson and a friend, Reuben Haines, went to Pennsbury to see where William Penn lived. Included is a piece written about an incident in Pennsbury in 1701. The two left Pennsbury and went to Point Breeze, where they visited King Joseph and Prince Charles of Spain. He wrote about his impressions of them. Also featured is a detailed sketch of Robert Crozier's dwelling in Pennsbury and pages from Watson's account with the Louisiana Bank.

	58×29.5. “Tour to Niagara,” 1827.	1827.		Folder 3
	Watson traveled to Niagara by stagecoach and boat. He describes towns in which he stopped and views of mountains in New York State. He also sketched his impressions of what he saw. Watson was particularly impressed with Rochester, N.Y. and noted its architectural innovation. Watson was in awe at Niagara Falls and remarked on its splendor. He also sketched it from several vantage points. On the return trip, Watson stopped at Trenton Falls. He glued a copy of John Sherman's A Description of Trenton Falls, printed in 1827, into the volume. There are several engravings laid into the volume, including a picture of a boat on the Erie Canal, a post coach in New York, a portrait of Azel Backus, and views of Trenton Falls and Niagara Falls. (photocopy of this diary is in folder 4)

	58×29.6. “Summer Tour, 1829, to Union Canal, Pottsville, Mauch Chunk, Morris Canal, etc.”
	On the first leg of this trip, Watson went to Reading. He noted that most of its residents were German. He was distressed with their inability to speak English. Watson gives details on Pottsville's scenery, comparing it with Rochester. At Mauch Chunk, Watson observed the way railroad cars were used to move coal. He sketched the scene as he saw it from his hotel window. A newspaper clipping about Mauch Chunk was placed in the volume. On the trip home, Watson made remarks about Easton, Pa. and Morristown. Before boarding a steamliner for Philadelphia, Watson went to New York City and spent a day at Coney Island. The manuscript also contains a four page account of a trip to Pottsville on April 4, 1831. Although it is not very descriptive, Watson commented on the impact of the coal industry on the town.

Photocopy of the diary of the trip to Niagara Falls, 1827 (58×29.5, above)

1827

Folder 4

	83×174.7. “Summer Excursions of year 1831--Trip to Wilmington; Trip to Burlington and Mt. Holly, July 1831; Trip through Chester County & [illegible]; Reminiscence of New York Harbor; Trip to Poetquessink and Bake House, July 1832.”			Folder 5
	This volume contains descriptions of four short trips taken by Watson with various members of his family. He traveled to Wilmington in 1831 so that his son, Barron, could experience transportation by steamboat. During the journey, he reflected upon his youth and changes in perceptions of distances. He also sketched the Old Swede Church and noted houses with significance to him. Watson headed to Burlington and Mt. Holly on July 4, 1831. He noted that Burlington retained its “peaceful, graceful `Green bank'.” At Mt. Holly, he addressed the issue of people aging, while “the houses and streets seemed to have renewed their age by improvements, and the glare of paint and ornament.” While on his way to Chester County, Watson remarked on a number of historic sites and villages. He noted that the farms around West Chester were indicative of a great deal of wealth. This section also contains a list of nine properties he inherited along with what he called “memoranda of relatives--Chester Co.” He listed relatives of his father's first wife, Ann Beeson. Watson devoted two pages to the New York harbor, remarking that “I can conceive of nothing more lovely.” He depicts the surrounding land and ocean. Watson's trip to Poetquessink on July 4, 1832, afforded him with the opportunity to reflect on the spot that was once chosen as the location of Philadelphia. While he was there with Dr. Gibbon, he was entertained at the Bake House, which he described in detail. He also visited the estate of Benjamin Rush and sketched the homestead. The volume closes with a two page record of his trip to Franconia Township in May 1833. He commented on the history of the area and German settlers.

	58×29.7. “Traveling Notes of J.F. Watson: Trip to Manahawkin, July 1833; Trip to Cape May Island, July 1834; Trip to Harrisburg, etc., Jany 1835.”
	On the way to Manahawkin, Watson and his wife stopped in Burlington and Mt. Holly. He continued to be impressed with the Green bank. Watson drew the “Mansion of Health,” where he stayed in Manahawkin. He described experiencing sun burn, plunging in the surf, and sailing down the sound. From July 4 to July 10, 1834, Watson journeyed to and stayed in Cape May. He described the Bennett boarding house in words and with a small illustration. In 1835, Watson ventured to Harrisburg because he had never been there. Passing through Lancaster, he claimed the place was “very primitive in its appearance, having still many brick and frame houses...” He found Harrisburg to be “prettily situated along the Susquehanna River.” He noted that the business of legislation pervaded everything. He described and sketched the chair that John Hancock sat in when he signed the Declaration of Independence. Watson commented on the churches, public square and market in Carlisle and also visited Duncan Island. The diary concludes with two pages describing a return visit made to Harrisburg in March 1835.

	58×29.8. “Excursion to Trenton, 1835; Conflagration of New York, Dec. 1835.”			Folder 6
	Watson ventured to Trenton on a newly built railroad with his son, Barron, in 1835 for the Fourth of July celebration. In Trenton, he wrote about John Adams' 1798 residence at the Trent family house. He reflected upon the Battle of Trenton and expressed dismay at not being able to find any persons that could provide him with local particulars of the Hessian battle. In his comments, Watson reveals himself to be an admirer of old fashioned social relations. Watson arrived in New York City about eight days after the great fire in December, 1835 and reviewed the remains. The area that had burned had recently been rebuilt “in costly grandeur,” said Watson, having been the site that the Dutch had originally occupied. According to Watson, the only building standing was owned by John Benson, a cooper, located at 83 Water Street. Many out-of-towners were touring the area, while the wonder of native New Yorkers had subsided. Watson thought that much of the destruction was due to inferior construction methods that featured walls that were too thin and cheap lime from New England. Watson included a diagram of the area of the fire.

	83×174.5. “Journey of JFW to Greenwich, N.J., July 1843.”
	Watson undertook this journey to see the home of his forefathers and for recreation. He met some of his relatives in Greenwich and went to the graveyards to record the birth and death dates of family members buried there. He provides brief biographical sketches of many of his ancestors.

	83×174.8. “Excursions and Notes by the Way by John F. Watson. Trip to Cape Island, 1 to 10 August 1839; Trip to Mansion of Health, Long Beach, 1844; A Drive through the Neck to Penrose's Ferry, `45; Visit to Tinicum Island, 1852; Trip to New York and Long Island, May `55.”			Folder 7
	In this volume, Watson reflects on and contemplates incidents that occurred on five trips. He noted at the outset: “Having before experienced the benefits of preserving recollections of incidents seen and noticed in travel, I still incline to continue the practice.” In each of these reminiscences, Watson remarked about other passengers and hotel guests, methods of transportation used, scenery, houses, and the cities and towns visited. In Tinicum, he met with members of the local historical society. He noted the rebuilding of the house in which Gov. Printz resided. (It had burned in 1822.) While on the New York City trip, Watson took notice of many changes en route. He found that “former towns had grown into cities.” He mentioned that Long Island had always seemed little visited until the railroad made transportation easier. After recalling memories from his youth, Watson noted that the New York of his old age was a busy, pushy, noisy, vainglorious show where there were abundant riches and palatial expenditures. “I felt,” Watson confided,” that New York was a place to visit & see wonder, but not to abide.”

	83×174.6. “Excursion Notices: Trip to Atlantic City Surf, 1855; Trip to Batsto and Bass River, 1856; Trip to Cape Island Surf, 1856; Tour to New England, 1856; Visit to Mount Holly, 1858; Visit to Morristown, N.J., 1858.”
	This volume consists of brief reflections on six short trips taken by Watson. In 1856, he ventured to Batsto to visit his birth place. He found the town full of family associations. After a vacation in Atlantic City, he determined that the place was destined to become great. At Cape Island, he commented on the “aspiring vanity.” The trip to Morristown was taken to see his son, Barron. There he had an opportunity to view Washington's headquarters. He discussed the significance of the location. A sketch of Barron's house is also included. The pages devoted to the Mount Holly trip merely records the people with whom Watson visited. In 1856, Watson had the opportunity to visit New England and Plymouth Rock. Along the way, he stayed with Sister Bogert in New York. During the trip, Watson expressed concern over the lack of curiosity on the part of other passengers. He noted changes in the region since his last excursion. He was particularly fond of Bridgewater and sketched several houses in it.

Commonplace book of John Fanning Watson

Folder 8

	83×174.2. Memorandum and Common-place book, 1809-	1809-
	Watson stated that his intention for this volume was to record his impressions of the signs of the times. The first entries from October, 1809 record Watson's opinions of the Napoleonic Wars and Bonaparte's activities in Spain and Germany. He then addressed the differences between Tories and Whigs, the death of a friend, and Rousseau's death. The remainder of the volume is devoted to extracts from books, articles, and sermons read by Watson. He occasionally includes his own comments after citing other works verbatim. The extracts are religious in nature and focus on such topics as preaching, extravagance in religion, faith, Christian courage, Methodism, and John Wesley. Watson also discussed the nature of the bookselling trade.

	83×174.10. “Bible thoughts.”			Folder 9
	After completing this volume, Watson wrote a note to his children and descendants on the first page stating that he had spent a great deal of time informing himself on numerous subjects in theology and wanted them to benefit from his work. In the 457 pages of this volume, he covers such topics as worship, fanaticism and enthusiasm, capital punishment, inconsistencies of Calvinism, marriage, divorce, “what I must do to be saved,” the Book of Revelations, revivals, religious educations, suicide, baptism, original sin, the evil of grief, woman's duty, etc. Watson also included several pages of family reminiscences and copied the “familiar” letters (i.e. letters to family members) of Rev. Azel Backus, as well as a few other letters. There is an index to the topics covered in the back of the volume. After John F.'s death, the book became the property of his son John H. Watson; his name appears in front.

Travel diary of Selina Watson

Box 2: Folder 1

	58×29.10. “Selina Watson: Journey to New York, 1837.”
	This account was written when Selina was a young girl and documents her first trip to New York City in October, 1837. She reports on walks that she took on Broadway and other streets in the city, visits with relatives and family friends, and church attendance. She noted her impression of Castle Garden, remarking that “it was surprising that a man could invent anything so magnificent,” but generally did not offer substantive comments on her activities. Returning to her home in Germantown, Pa., she wrote of New Jersey: “The scene from Brunswick to Bordentown was nothing worth mentioning...” The volume also includes pencil sketches of views of New York City and Philadelphia.

Travel diary of Esther Bogert

Folder 2

	58×29.18. “Diary of a Western Tour,” 1839.	1839.
	This volume describes a short trip taken by the Bogert family from their home at 46 Bleeker St., New York City, to Niagara Falls in the summer of 1839. They traveled through Albany, Utica, Syracuse, Auburn, Geneva, and Rochester on their route. Mrs. Bogert recorded their modes of transportation (she disliked the railroad and fast carriages), friends met along the way, and hotel accommodations. She also noted her impressions of the falls from the Canadian side.

Diary of Lucy Fanning Watson

Folder 3

	58×29.9. `Mrs. Lucy Watson's memory and account of New Settlers in the American woods, in 1762, chiefly at Walpole, N.H.”
	Lucy Watson was 71 when she dictated her childhood experiences to her son, John Fanning Watson, and asked that he write them down. In 1860, John copied his original manuscript into this small volume. (Apparently the original was given to Ferdinand J. Dreer). In 1762, Lucy Fanning left Stonington, Connecticut, with her family to settle in Walpole, New Hampshire. The volume opens with an account of the move, on which the family traveled by sloop up the Connecticut River and then switched to a wagon and oxen for the remainder of the journey. When they arrived at Walpole, the Fannings purchased 150 acres of land and constructed a house. The family raised corn and wheat, fished, hunted, tapped maple trees for sugar, picked berries, and made their own clothes. Lucy recounted the details of village life and described buildings in town. After four years, the Fannings moved to Batsto, New Jersey to take advantage of the warmer climate.

	58×29.14. “Experiences & Incidences in the Life of Mrs. Lucy Watson, who died at Germantown, Pa. 5th June 1834, aged 79 years.”			Folder 4
	This manuscript contains three sections. The first is a narrative of the life of Lucy Watson, the second a diary she kept intermittently between 1805 and 1828, and the third a copy book containing some of her letters. The volume was assembled sometime after 1834 by her son, John Fanning Watson. The orientation of all of her writings is religious. She dwells on her spiritual development. As a child she was deeply religious, believing God spoke to her. She lost sight of God after moving to Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, a town she considered ungodly, and then marrying. Eventually a country minister persuaded her to rejoin a church; she become an active member of a Methodist church. In her diary, Lucy revealed her morbid preoccupation with death. As a child she believed that she was close to death at least four times, and as an adult she experienced the loss of her husband, William, and a son, Wesley, as the result of a shipwreck. She regularly dreamed of her dead relatives and wrote in her diary about conversations with them.

Loose items from the diary in Folder 12, including letters and historical notes.

Folder 5

Series 2: Family History/Genealogy

Folder 6

	58×29.12. “Wesley M. Watson Family History, By his Mother in 1803.”
	This manuscript is a genealogical account of the Fanning family compiled by Lucy Watson. The geographic orientation of the account is primarily New England and the few dates that are mentioned are from the late 18th century. Most of the account concentrates on familial relationships without the benefit of any record of time periods. The last page contains a description of the Watson coat of arms.

	83×174.11. Family tree and genealogy
	Traces the origins of the Watson, Fanning, Crowell, Barron, and Willing families in the 17th and 18th centuries in Great Britain, Ireland, and Scotland. It also includes a description of arms, the crest, and the motto for each family.

	83×174.25. Mrs. Phebe Watson's death, 1859.	1859.
	A list of family activities on the day preceding Phebe's death, some accounts associated with her state, and a copy of her tombstone inscription.

Family History/Genealogy

Folder 7

	83×174.9. “Watson family and Cognate branches, including Fanning & Backus, Crowells & Cromwell, Barrons et als.”
	The material in this volume was collected by John Fanning Watson in 1856. It consists primarily of responses to letters Watson wrote to relatives in an effort to collect data on family members. Among the papers is a 1685 order for Thomas Watson to survey and lay out a town in Cohanzey (now Greenwich, N.J.). Biographical sketches of members of the Fanning family are included. There are a few pages labeled pedigree of the Crowell family done in 1850 by Andrew Cotheal. There is also a significant amount of material related to Oliver Cromwell. The Crowells traced their early origins back to the Cromwells.

	83×144.46. “Life of Charles Backus.”
	A newspaper article from The Genesee Evangelist, May 14, 1852, describing Charles Backus' life. It discusses the role he played in establishing religious education in Connecticut.

Series 3: Correspondence

Folder 8

	58×29.15. Letterbook, 1798-1815.	1798-1815.
	The volume contains 33 items. It opens with the coat of arms of Capt. Thomas Fanning and a poem by Lucy Watson. There are drawings of Havana and Baltimore, followed by Crowell family history. The volume also has a specimen of John Watson's writing as a 10 year old. The bulk of the manuscript consists of a series of letters between John and his mother, Lucy Watson. John's letters describe his impressions of Washington, D.C., and Pittsburgh and send notice of his arrival in New Orleans. He also told her about preachers he heard and a visit with his father. After the death of his father and brother, John wrote a letter to his mother in an effort to console her that is very spiritual in nature. Lucy's letters to her son contain family news and religious materials. A poem Lucy wrote about the death of her husband and son is also included. The compilation also contains material relating to John Watson's business activities. There are two letters from J. Coke concerning Watson's desire to reprint his commentaries on the Old Testament and New Testament as part of his publishing venture. There is a paper that documents his election as Cashier of the Bank of Germantown and another that certified him as a notary public. The volume also has an engraving of Azel Backus in it.

Correspondence

Folder 9

	83×174.1. Letterbook, 1812.	1812.
	Contains 26 letters between John Watson and Phebe Crowell during their courtship and first months of marriage. Their correspondence began when John sent Phebe some religious tracts that his publishing firm reprinted. John included a lengthy explanation on why he sent them. Many of the letters from Phebe are brief, covering the arrangements of a visit or responding to a letter. In one of the letters to Phebe there is a watercolor sketch of the book shop Watson owned at the southwest corner of Third and Chestnut in Philadelphia, noted as “a picture of your intended residence.” Two letters written to Phebe from a friend, Margeretta, in 1806 were laid in. In addition to exchanging niceties, Margeretta discussed a man she liked, but did not love and how this impacted their future together.

	PH 1241, Mic. 2671. Letters.			Folder 10
	Copies of letters to John Fanning Watson in the Huntington Library (San Marino, Ca.) The photocopies include 12 letters from Lucy Watson dated from 1804 to 1806. Many are responses to John's letters that are in the letterbook described above. In addition to describing her activities, including painting and repapering the parlor, she offered him advice. She also provided him with information on her financial situation after her husband's death. Five letters from Lavinia to her parents, John and Phebe, record her activities while staying in Genesee and Rochester, N.Y. in 1839; her sister Selina was with her. The two stayed with the Backus family for the summer and traveled throughout New York State. The remaining photocopies are of letters from Anthony Benezet and Benjamin Chew, both of whom were business associates. Benezet was also a doctor and wrote about trying to establish a medical practice. Chew's letters are brief and pertain to a note issued from the Bank of Germantown. The reel of microfilm contains letters to Watson from Frederick F. Backus (22), Frederick W. Backus (8), James Barrow (8), Thomas Crowell (4), James Eakin (14), and Edmund Fanning (9). The letters from Backus are full of references to New York State, various Protestant denominations, and family history. Backus also worked with Watson on publishing his father's (Azel Backus) sermons. In his letters, Edmund Fanning discussed publishing some of the diaries of Watson's voyages. The remainder of the letters concern general business and family matters.

	83×174.23. John F. Watson to his family, Sept. 15, 1856.	Sept. 15, 1856.		Folder 11
	Describes Watson's activities during a trip to Bridgewater. Lavinia accompanied him on the trip.

	88×204. John F. Watson to Wilkins Updike, Jan. 11, 1847.	Jan. 11, 1847.
	Watson wrote to Updike to comment on a manuscript prepared by Updike. He offered suggestions based on historical anecdotes he had collected. Watson also included part of his family genealogy in the letter.

	83×174.46. John H. Watson to his sisters. January 30, 1840.	January 30, 1840.		Folder 12
	John wrote this letter to his sisters, Lavinia and Selina, while they were in New York staying with the Bogerts. In addition to sharing family news, John described a meeting in the Reformed Church.

	83×174.16-.18. J.B. Lippincott & Co. correspondence, 1867.	1867.
	These three documents pertain to an agreement that John H. Watson made with Lippincott to reprint his father's Annals of Philadelphia. Watson supplied the plates and engravings, in exchange for 75 cents for each copy of the book sold.

	83×174.19. “My dear H,” September 23, 1876	September 23, 1876
	The letter is about Minor and Fanning family crests.

	83×174.13-15,.21,.22, and others. Miscellaneous correspondence, 1795-1850.	1795-1850.		Folder 13
	Seven letters are related to John F. Watson's efforts to compile his family's history.

Table of contents
Background note Scope and content Organization Administrative information Restrictions Provenance Additional descriptive information Added entries Contact information Inventory Diaries Series 2: Family History/Genealogy Series 3: Correspondence Series 4: Photographs: Series 5: Miscellaneous: Return to Winterthur Library homepage

	58×29.17a. “John Fanning Watson, taken when about in his 80th year,” written on the back in pencil.
	“J.E. McClees, Artist, 910 Chestnut St., Philadelphia,” printed on the back. The photograph show his head only.

	58×29.17b. Crayon photograph of John Fanning Watson in a seated pose, also taken when he was about 80.
	“J. Haldt, Agt., Crayon Gallery,” is printed on the back along with a description of the process used to make crayon photographs.

	68×186.1 John Fanning Watson, ca. 1850-ca. 1860.	ca. 1850-ca. 1860.
	The photographer was William F. Spieler of Spieler's Photograph Room, No. 720 Chestnut St., Philadelphia.

	[no acc. number]. Notebook
	The notebook contains a typed list of John F. Watson's diaries, and excerpts from some of them.

	83×174.42. Scraps and seals.
	Three fragments of documents containing impressions from seals. One is dated 1841 and bears Thomas Crowell's signature.

	83×174. Watson's seal as a notary public in Germantown, Pa.
	Round metal seal, engraved “John F. Watson, Notary Pub., Germantown,” with a coat of arms in the middle.

	83×174.43. Card addressed to Harriet Willing.
	The card has a decorative border and contains a poem entitled “The Gift.”

	83×174.9. Sacred Music, 1793.	1793.
	A book of hymns with accompanying music written down by John Fanning Watson when he was a boy. He notes that they were sung by his mother, Lucy, whose name appears inside the front cover of the volume. Many of the names of the tunes are the names of towns in the United States.

	58×29.13. Lucy Watson's Hymns and poems, 1786.	1786.
	Consists of poems and verses written by Lucy Watson with religious themes. The dates 1789 and 1790 also appear in the volume, which was probably home-made and is covered with wallpaper.

	58×29.11. “Family Medecines and Recipes.”
	Most of this volume is devoted to remedies and cures for such illnesses as dropsy, toothaches, stammering, cancer, dog bites, dysentery, dyspepsia, scalds and burns, weak stomachs, warts and corns, gout pains, bleeding of the lungs, lock jaw, cholera, asthma, consumption, rheumatism, frost bite. Hints for destroying cockroaches and driving away rats are also given. In addition, advice for keeping apples, potatoes, tomatoes, and peaches is provided. Several recipes, including one for stuffing birds, are laid in.

	83×174.3. Copy of A Memoir of John Fanning Watson by Benjamin Dorr, 1861.	1861.
	This copy was presented to Charles Willing by Lavinia F. Whitman in 1861. Two silhouettes, one labeled Phebe B. Watson, are laid in. Mr. Dorr prepared this volume at the request of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. It was printed in Philadelphia by Collins.

	83×174.20. Passport from Philadelphia to Charleston, S.C. for Mrs. Elizabeth Tilghman and her family, November 5, 1800.	November 5, 1800.
	Mrs. Tilghman was the wife of Edward Tilghman; she traveled with her children Elizabeth, Anne Mary, and Edward, and with a servant, Hannah Stille.

	83×174.44. Four copies of issue number 20 of Watson's Annals of Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania.
	These numbers contain pages 577-633, plus an index. One copy was presented to Phebe B. Watson by the author, her husband. Another copy has two documents laid in, one an account from 1771 signed by William Fisher, the other a certificate signed by Jno. Lukens in 1789.

	71×109.1-.2. Lithographs from Watson's Annals
	One is of Arch Street Bridge at Front Street and the other is the Slate Roof House, the residence of William Penn, 1700. Both were done in Philadelphia in 1830.

	83×174.24. Deed, July 1857 between John F. Watson, trustee of Thomas Crowell's estate and Phebe Watson.	July 1857
	The deed grants Phebe Watson the right to collect ground rent for property that was owned by her father.

	83×174.12. Certificate of the “National Museum,” in Independence Hall.
	Issued to John H. Watson in 1874 for his contribution of the “William Penn” chair given to his father by Deborah Logan. (The certificate is in four pieces.)