William Smith letter, to Rev. Dr. William West, 1789 November 9 : manuscript.

Format:

Manuscript

Author/Creator:

Smith, William, 1727-1803, author.

Contributor:

West, William, 1737-1791, Rev. Dr., addressee.

Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection (University of Pennsylvania)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

St. John's College (Annapolis, Md.).

Genre:

correspondence.

Manuscripts, English -- 18th century.

Manuscripts, American -- 18th century.

Physical Description:

1 item (1 leaf) : paper ; 21 x 31 cm

Production:

Annapolis, 1789 November 9.

Contained In:

Miscellaneous Manuscripts. Box 25 Folder 31

Biography/History:

William Smith was born in 1727 in Aberdeen, Scotland, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Duncan) Smith. In 1751 he emigrated to the British North American colonies. It was in 1755 that he was chosen as the first provost of the College of Philadelphia, which became the University of Pennsylvania. Smith was also a founder of St. John’s College and Washington College. He married Rebecca Moore (1733-1793) in 1758 and together they had eight children. Pennsylvania tax records show that Smith owned one enslaved person in 1769. He died in 1803 in Philadelphia.

Summary:

Autograph Letter, signed, dated Nov. 9th 1789, from William Smith to Rev. Dr. William West of St. Paul's in Baltimore, via Mr. Hollingsworth. The letter is an invitation to attend the opening and dedication of the seminary at St. John's College.

Cited as:

William Smith Letter, to Rev. Dr. West, 1789 November 9 (Misc Mss Box 25 Folder 31). Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania.

OCLC:

1430723764