Collections

The Johnson, J. mss., ca. 1740-1759, consists of materials devised by Jane (Russell) Johnson primarily for the instruction of her son, George William Johnson. The materials consist of 438 items and are arranged in 24 groups. Included are alphabet cards, religious and secular lesson cards, all hand-made. Some contain colored illustrations and are decorated with multi-colored Dutch paper.

The Ricketts mss., 9th-19th cent., are illuminated medieval and renaissance manuscripts assembled by Coella Lindsay Ricketts, 1859-1941, calligrapher, of Chicago, Illinois. Most of the material relates to religious matters.

The Near Eastern mss., 700-1915, consist of a collection of individually acquired manuscripts pertaining to the region formerly known as the Near East, now referred to as the Middle East.

The Medieval and Renaissance mss., 700-1600, consists of individual items acquired from time to time either as a gift or purchased from a variety of sources.

The Miscellaneous mss., 2100 BCE-1970, consist of individual items acquired individually either as a gift or purchased from a variety of sources.

The Poole mss. are a collection of 137 ancient, medieval and renaissance manuscripts and single leaves ranging from the 3rd to the 16th century. The collection was formed by George Amos Poole, 1907- , printer, of Chicago, whose interest was in the development of scripts which have had a direct influence on the design of Western printing types, rather than in illumination and decoration. Most of this material relates to religious matters.

The Adomeit mss., 2000 BCE - 1995 CE, consists of miniature manuscripts collected by Ruth Elizabeth Adomeit, 1910-1996.

The Williams, Samuel mss., 1796-1919, consist of letters and papers of Samuel Williams, 1786-1859, and his son, Samuel Wesley Williams, 1827-1928.

Consists of the papers of Charles Willing Byrd. A member of the prominent Virginia family of that name, Byrd became deeply interested in the Shaker movement, and one of his sons, William Silonwe Byrd, joined the Shaker community at Pleasant Hill, Kentucky. For the years 1826-1828, a considerable portion of the collection consists of letters from this son, dealing with the beliefs of the Shakers and the affairs of Pleasant Hill. The collection also includes letters to Charles Willing Byrd from members of his family, in regard to family matters. Letters from an aunt refer to the death of Washington and to conditions in Philadelphia during the War of 1812. Some light on medical practices of the day is given in letters, 1826-1828, to Byrd from his physicians, prescribing treatment for him.

The Ellison mss., 1790-1949, consist of materials compiled by Robert Spurrier Ellison.

The Latin American mss. British Honduras, 1774-1778, consist of two pieces.

The Latin American mss. British Honduras, 1774-1778, consists of a large, detailed map by Juan de Dios González and a report from El Pardo in 1778.

The Niles mss., 1765-1916, are the law office papers and family correspondence of John Barron Niles, 1808-1879, lawyer of LaPorte, Indiana.

The Latin American mss. --Dominican Republic, 1765-1803, consists of individual items acquired separately either as a gift, purchase, transfer, or removal from a variety of sources, relating to Dominican Republic. Additions continue to be made.

The Latin American mss. Peru II, ca. 1760-1820, consists of 25 documents which describe living conditions, roads, local Indians, etc. in Peru.

The India mss., 1757-1947, consist of letters, writings, business, and other documents relating to India, accumlated from various sources by Glenn Horowitz.

The Philippine mss. consist of original documents and transcripts relating to the Philippine Islands and the Spanish Roman Catholic missions in East Asia.

The Uriarte mss., 1729-1790, consists primarily of the correspondence of Manuel Joaquín Uriarte, 1720-1802, and his diary of missionary life in the province of Mainas.

The Indiana History mss., 1725-1973, consists of individual items related to the history of the state of Indiana, acquired separately either as a gift, purchase, transfer, or removal from a variety of sources.

The Latin American mss. --Uruguay, 1723-1835, consists of individual items acquired separately either as a gift, purchase, transfer, or removal from a variety of sources, relating to Uruguay. Additions continue to be made.