William Campbell letters, 1825

Summary

Creator:

Campbell, William, d. 1844

Abstract:

This collection contains 28 letters written to William Campbell in 1825 regarding ongoing efforts to survey land for the construction of a road in southeastern New York. Surveyors reported on their progress from various locations, including distance traveled, opinions of local residents, and reports on survey-related finances.

Extent:

28 items

Language:

English

Authors:

Collection processed and finding aid created by Meg Hixon, December 2011

Background

Scope and Content:

This collection contains 28 letters written to William Campbell in the second half of 1825 regarding ongoing efforts to survey land for the construction of a road in southeastern New York. Campell was chief engineer for the project and received surveyors' reports about their progress.

The various agents primarily wrote from towns in southeastern New York such as Cooperstown and Red Hook. Many correspondents recorded the distance they traveled in a week, often between 18 and 25 miles, provided updates on their finances, and noted recent drafts made on behalf of the survey. Several mentioned moving along the "Windham Route," and many commented on regional geographic features, residents' opinions about local navigation, and possible route variations. Two of the letters contain small manuscript maps of natural features: November 20, 1825 (unsigned letter) and November 28, 1825 (letter by Ira Davenport).

Biographical / Historical:

William Campbell, the oldest son of Revolutionary War Colonel Samuel Campbell, was born around 1767 and narrowly escaped being killed at his family's home in Cherry Valley, New York, during a British attack in November 1778. Campbell served several terms in the New York State Legislature and was chief engineer for a state road survey in 1825. In his later years, he served as surveyor-general of New York. He died on October 27, 1844.

Acquisition Information:

2000. M-4090 .

Processing information:

Cataloging funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). This collection has been processed according to minimal processing procedures and may be revised, expanded, or updated in the future.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged chronologically.

Rules or Conventions:

Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Related

Additional Descriptive Data:

Bibliography

The American Almanac and Repository of Useful Knowledge, for the Year 1846. Boston: James Munroe & Co., 1845.

Subjects

Click on terms below to find any related finding aids on this site.

Subjects:

Roads--Surveying.
Surveying--New York (State)
Surveyors--New York (State)
Surveying--United States--History--19th century.

Formats:

Letters (correspondence)

Places:

New York (State)--Description and travel.