The collection includes Isaac Bronson’s correspondence, 1792-1839, undated; accounts, 1818-1838, undated; pension papers relative to Isaac Bronson’s claims of service in the Second Regiment of Light Dragoons of the Connecticut Line during the American Revolutionary War, 1828-1846, undated; estate papers, 1842; bills, receipts, contracts, land, legal, and miscellaneous papers, 1792-1861, undated.
The Clarke also has the original papers of Frederic and Arthur Bronson, Isaac’s sons, and the Bronson Family Papers (See those finding aids.). These collections include some additional papers of Isaac Bronson.
On microfilm, the Clarke has the Bronson Family Papers deposited at NYPL (Mss. Micro F-40, 30 reels of positive microfilm). Here, amidst papers of numerous Bronson family members, are found Isaac’s letters, 1802-1838 (reels 1-2), 1820-1832 (reels 11-12), 1833 (reel 19), 1760-1838 and 1814-1836 (reels 20-21). Also available at the Clarke on microfilm are selected papers of Isaac Bronson which are deposited at NYPL (3 reels of negative microfilm, no Acc#). These papers were filmed at the NYPL in 1970 and donated by Dr. John Hager.
Biography:
Isaac Bronson (1760-1838) was a New York banker, businessman, land speculator, money-lender, and promoter of westward expansion. He served in the Second Regiment of Light Dragoons of the Connecticut Line during the American Revolutionary War as a surgeon’s mate. After returning from India and Europe, Isaac married Anna Olcott (1764?-May 1-1850). Together they had ten children: 1) Oliver (died in infancy); Maria (died in infancy); 3) Maria (1793-1854); Harriet (1796-1853); Caroline (1798-1853); Oliver (1799- ); Arthur (1801-1844); Frederick (1802-1868); Mary (1806- ); and Ann (1810-1840). With his son, Frederick (1802-1868), and grandson, also named Frederic (1849-1900), Isaac opened a bank in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Thirty years before his death Isaac became an avid, devote Christian. He died of neuralgic affection of the heart at Greenfield, Illinois, on May 19, 1839. (This information is from reel 1 of 30 Bronson Family Papers, filmed at the New York Public Library (NYPL) in 1971, a copy of which is available at the Clarke Historical Library.)
