DATABASES
William Cooper Business Papers [Judge William Cooper Papers Detailed Inventory]
1688, 1705, 1708, 1712-1892. 10 cu. ft. Chronological order. Good condition.
These papers include patents, indentures, deeds, accounts, mortgages, bonds, receipts, land ledgers, waste books, and memorandum books. The vast majority deal with land development and Cooper's role as land agent for numerous large patents in upstate New York. The records date past William Cooper's death in 1809 as his sons, Isaac, William, and Richard carried on his business dealings. There are numerous documents of land transactions negotiated by William Cooper for John Christopher Hartwick. Another item of special interest is an Army discharge notice signed by George Washington. A microfilm copy of this collection is available through interlibrary loan.
William Cooper Correspondence and Personal Papers [Judge William Cooper Papers Detailed Inventory]
1704-1809 (inclusive); 1786-1809 (bulk). 3 cu. ft. Chronological order. Good condition.
This series contains letters to and from William Cooper, as well as petitions and wills. For the most part, the correspondence relates to land requests, sales, payments, etc. and correspondence regarding Cooper's bids for Congress. There are a number of letters from Alexander Hamilton, Cooper's attorney in land deals, and from Aaron Burr, who purchased property from Cooper. Also included is the sermon by Father Nash at William Cooper's funeral. A microfilm copy of this collection is available through interlibrary loan.
This collection includes letters, deeds, account sheets, petitions and
maps relating to John Christopher Hartwick and Hartwick Seminary. The majority
of the documents deal with property rights, negotiations and sales between
John Christopher Hartwick, William Cooper, F.A. Muhlenberg, and Jeremiah
Van Rensselaer, and correspondence regarding Hartwick's estate after his
death. Included are several maps of Hartwick's patent. The microfilm copy
of this collection may be obtained through interlibrary loan.
Dudde Collection [Hartwick
Seminary Detailed Inventory]
1739-1878. 10 Volumes. Chronological. Fair condition.
Rev. John H. Dudde, graduate of the seminary and professor 1920-1924
compiled these volumes to constitute the original Archives of Hartwick
Seminary. They include the business papers of John Christopher Hartwick,
papers of the executors and agents of the Hartwick estate, and records
of the Seminary Board of Trustees. A microfilm copy of the collection is
available through interlibrary loan.
These documents are part of a collection of materials found in former
Hartwick attorney Arthur E. Seybolt's safe deposit box at Wilber National
Bank, Oneonta, and donated to Hartwick College in the Fall of 1999.
It includes contracts, deeds, indentures, correspondence, and bonds relating
to John Christopher Hartwick; and proposals, plans and agreements for building
and expanding the Seminary. Of particular importance are the 1750
deed from the Mohawk Indians to John Christopher Hartwick, the 1752 license
to purchase 24,000 acres, and the 1755 land grant to Hartwick.
Yale Collection [Hartwick
Seminary Detailed Inventory]
1796-1808. 71 documents. Chronological. Good Condition.
The Yale Collection is composed of letters, accounts, and legal briefs
relating to the estate of John Christopher Hartwick. The papers are dated
from 1796 to approximately 1808. Most of the documents seem to have belonged
at one time to the Rev. John C. Kunze, the first director of the Seminary.
The papers document early problems the executors and curators encountered
in establishing the institution and in defining the role of the trustees.
Also included in the collection are two long briefs relating to a legal
conflict between Jeremiah VanRensselaer, a former lieutenant governor of
the State of New York and a trustee of Hartwick's estate, and Rev. Kunze's
widow, Margaret and his assistant Rev. Anthony T. Brown. The microfilm
copy of this collection may be obtained through interlibrary loan.