Kent Family papers, 1785-1901

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Series I. Personal Correspondence, 1787-1881, undated

This series contains the personal correspondence of James Kent, William Kent, and James Kent, Jr. as well as their friends and family members. It is arranged chronologically in 101 folders.



Box 1 Folder 1 Transcription of letter from James Kent to N. Lawrence, 1787 December 22


Box 1 Folder 2 Transcription of letter James Kent to Simeon Baldwin, 1790 December 4


Box 1 Folder 3 Letter from James Kent to Elizabeth Bailey Kent, 1793 May 10


Box 1 Folder 4 Miscellaneous Calling Cards collected by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Pinckney, 1790s, 17 items


Box 1 Folder 5 Invitation to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas (and Elizabeth Motte) Pinckney from Jane Maxwell, the Duchess of Gordon, 179- March 29


Box 1 Folder 6 Invitation to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas (and Elizabeth Motte) Pinckney from Charles Jenkinson, the First Earl of Liverpool, 179- April 8


Box 1 Folder 7 Invitation to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Pinckney from "The Mrs. Pinckney", 179- September 5


Box 1 Folder 8 Note from Mr. and Mrs. Church, to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Pinckney, 179-


Box 1 Folder 9 Note from Mrs. Church to Thomas Pinckney, 179- July 19


Box 1 Folder 10 Recommendation letter from John Adams to Oliver Wolcott, 1799 August 9


Box 1 Folder 11 Letter of permission to sell land from Anne Louise Germaine Necker, Baronne de Staël-Holstein to Moss Kent, with a note from James Kent, 1806 July 8


Box 1 Folder 12 Note from Henry Dundas, the First Viscount Melville to Aaron Burr, 1809 February 17


Box 1 Folder 13 Letter from John Bristed to James Kent, 1818 April 4


Box 1 Folder 14 Request to meet for coffee from Sir Thomas Picton to Aaron Burr, 1808 November 24


Box 1 Folder 15 Letter from Barthold Georg Niebuhr to Aaron Burr, 1810 January 9


Box 1 Folder 16 Letter from John Quincy Adams to William Pinckney, 1816 June 12


Box 1 Folder 17 Letter from James Kent to Moss Kent, 1817 August 1


Box 1 Folder 18 Letter from James Kent to Benjamin Silliman, 1819 August 7


Box 1 Folder 19 Note from Isaac S. Hone to Philip Hone, 1822 February


Box 1 Folder 20 Letter from James Kent to Thomas Washington, Esq., 1828 October 6


Box 1 Folder 21 Letter from Joseph Parkes to James Kent, 1828 October 14


Box 1 Folder 22 Note from Henry Clay to James Kent, 1833 January 24


Box 1 Folder 23 Note from Daniel Webster to James Kent, 1833 January 28


Box 1 Folder 24 Letter of introduction from William Sampson to James Kent, 1833 March 30


Box 1 Folder 25 Letter from Robert Parker to James Kent, 1833 May 10


Box 1 Folder 26 Note from Francis Lieber to James Kent, 1833 August 8


Box 1 Folder 27 Letter from Francis Lieber to James Kent, 1833 September 12


Box 1 Folder 28 Note from John Church Hamilton to James Kent, 1834 May 18


Box 1 Folder 29 Letter from Andrew Jackson to Samuel Swartwont, 1834 November 10


Box 1 Folder 30 Letter from William Smith to James Kent, 1836 November 21


Box 1 Folder 31 Letter from Daniel Webster to James Kent, 1837 January 20


Box 1 Folder 32 Letter from Moss Kent to William Kent, 1837 February 5


Box 1 Folder 33 Letter from Henry Clay to James Kent, 1837 February 22


Box 1 Folder 34 Letter from John Quincy Adams to James Kent, 1837 March 2


Box 1 Folder 35 Letters of Catherine Maria Sedgwick, 1838 June 14


Box 1 Folder 36 Photostat of letter from Carper Pruyn to James Kent (re: the death of Stephen Van Rensselaer), 1839 January 28


Box 1 Folder 37 Condolence letter from James Kent to Cornelia Paterson Van Rensselaer, 1839 January 30


Box 1 Folder 38 Note from Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts, 1st Baroness Burdett-Coutts, to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel (and Caroline LeRoy) Webster, 1839 June 26


Box 1 Folder 39 Invitation from Sir Edward Hall and Lady Alderson to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel (and Caroline LeRoy) Webster, 1839 June 29


Box 1 Folder 40 Note from John Curteis to Caroline Le Roy Webster, 1839 July 6


Box 1 Folder 41 Note from Lady Catherine Pollok Manners Stepney to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel (and Caroline LeRoy) Webster, 1839 July 13


Box 1 Folder 42 Letter from John Kenyon to Daniel Webster, 1839


Box 1 Folder 43 Letter from Lady Georgiana Fane to Caroline Le Roy Webster, 1839


Box 1 Folder 44 Note from Thomas Whitmore to the London Horticultural Society, 1839


Box 1 Folder 45 Letter from Eliphalet Nott to William Henry Seward, 1840 January 26


Box 1 Folder 46 Letter from George Evans to James Kent, 1840 May 10


Box 1 Folder 47 Letter from Josiah Quincy to James Kent, 1841 March 16


Box 1 Folder 48 Letter of thanks from President John Tyler to Caroline Le Roy Webster, 1841 June 14


Box 1 Folder 49 Letter in French to James Kent from Unknown, 1841 June 15


Box 1 Folder 50 Letter from Henry Black to James Kent, 1841 November 28


Box 1 Folder 51 Note from Dorothea (Dolly) Payne Todd Madison (Mrs. James) to Daniel Webster, 1842 April 5


Box 1 Folder 52 From Dorothea (Dolly) Payne Todd Madison (Mrs. James) to Caroline Le Roy Webster, 1842 June 1


Box 1 Folder 53 Letter from Daniel Webster to James Kent, 1842 December 17


Box 1 Folder 54 Letter from James Kent to Daniel Webster, 1842 December 21


Box 1 Folder 55 Letter from Edward Everett to James Kent, 1843 December 26


Box 1 Folder 56 Letter from William G. Hocker to James Kent, 1844 May 20


Box 1 Folder 57 Letter from Edward Everett to James Kent, 1845 June 12


Box 1 Folder 58 Letter from George William Frederick Howard (Viscount Morpeth), 7th Earl of Carlisle, to James Kent, 1845 June 15


Box 1 Folder 59 Letter from Thomas Cowperthwait & Co. to James Kent, 1846 August 21


Box 1 Folder 60 Letter from Simon Greenleaf to James Kent, 1846 September 9


Box 1 Folder 61 Letter from Robert Greenhow to James Kent, 1847 April 19


Box 1 Folder 62 From James Kent to William Bradford Reed, 1847 July 4


Box 1 Folder 63 From William Pennington to William Kent, 1847 December 25


Box 1 Folder 64 Letter of condolence from the Supreme Court of Tennessee to William Kent, 1848 January 8


Box 1 Folder 65 From (photostat) from William Charles Macready to William Kent, 1848 December 7


Box 1 Folder 66 (Photostat) from William T.L. Smithy to Winfield Scott, 1848 December 16


Box 1 Folder 67 (Photostat) from William Charles Macready to William Kent, 1848 December 17


Box 1 Folder 68 From Samuel Miller to William Kent, 1848 January 29


Box 1 Folder 69 (Photostat) from William Charles Macready to William Kent, 1849 May 12


Box 1 Folder 70 (Photostat) from George Ticknor Curtis to William Kent, 1849 June 26


Box 1 Folder 71 (Photostat) from George Ticknor Curtis to William Kent, 1849 June 30


Box 1 Folder 72 From Abijah Hubbard Moss to William Kent, 1849 July 5


Box 1 Folder 73 From Hamilton Fish to William Kent, 1849 July 12


Box 1 Folder 74 From Abner Morse to William Kent, 1849 September 22


Box 1 Folder 75 Note from George I. Cornell to William Kent, 1849 October 1


Box 1 Folder 76 Letter from "T." O'Connell to William Kent, 1849 October 24


Box 1 Folder 77 Letter from William Pennington to William Kent, 1850 February 4


Box 1 Folder 78 Letter from James Walker to William Kent, 1853 February 15


Box 1 Folder 79 Letter from James Walker to William Kent, 1853 February 19


Box 1 Folder 80 Telegram from James Monroe & Co. to James Kent Jr., 1853 March 1


Box 1 Folder 81 Letter from Martin Van Buren to "G." Kemble, 1856 October 26


Box 1 Folder 82 Letter from Henry Codman Potter to Helen Riggs Kent, 1861 January 6


Box 1 Folder 83 Letter from Theodorus Bailey to Helen Riggs Kent, 1861 January 8


Box 1 Folder 84 Note from Nathaniel Prentiss Banks to James Kent, Jr., 1861 July 3


Box 1 Folder 85 Note from Joseph B. Bradley to James Kent Jr, 1876 February 8


Box 1 Folder 86 Note from Noah Davis to James Kent Jr, 1876 February 14


Box 1 Folder 87 Note from Charles O'Conor to James Kent Jr., 1878 July 30


Box 1 Folder 88 Note from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to James Kent Jr. (attached to an engraving of Longfellow), re: the word "lily pad", 1874 October 25


Box 1 Folder 89 Letter from Benjamin D. Silliman to James Kent Jr., 1877 November 3


Box 1 Folder 90 Note from William Ferdinand Morgan to Emilly Taylor Lorillard, 1881 April 30


Box 1 Folder 91 Note from Sydney Smith to Unknown person, undated


Box 1 Folder 92 Note from Sir and Lady John Nicholl to Mr. and Mrs. Pinckney, undated


Box 1 Folder 93 Note from William Charles Macready to unknown person, undated


Box 1 Folder 94 Note from William Charles Macready to William Kent, undated


Box 1 Folder 95 Letter from Mary Alsop King to Elizabeth Motte Pinckney, undated


Box 1 Folder 96 Letter from Mary Alsop King to Elizabeth Motte Pinckney, undated


Box 1 Folder 97 Letter from James Kent to "his cousin", undated


Box 1 Folder 98 From Lord Jeffrey Francis to James Kent, undated


Box 1 Folder 99 From Charles Gould to James Kent, December 20, undated


Box 1 Folder 100 Note from "Dupin" to James Kent (written in the third person), undated


Box 1 Folder 101 From Thomas Denman (Baron) to unknown, undated

Series II. Legal Opinions, Notes, and Correspondence Regarding Issues of the Law, 1791-1851, undated

Most items of correspondence in this series are of William Kent and James Kent but there are several without proprietary signatures or penned by other men of the law, for example Martin Van Buren and George S. Yerger as well as other individuals. This series is arranged chronologically in 82 folders.



Box 2 Folder 1 Statement on the state debt of New York and of the securities in the Treasury, in the hand of James Kent, 1791


Box 2 Folder 2 Legal opinion on debts for Sedgwick and Bleeker, in the hands of James Kent, 1805 July


Box 2 Folder 3 Claim of the Orphan Asylum Society of New York against his estate, Peter McCartee et. al executors, opposing the claim of his widow, Elizabeth Jacobs; addressed to James Kent and signed by Isaac A. Johnson and David Bayard Ogden, 1821 December 12


Box 2 Folder 4 Letter from Joseph Kinnicutt Angell to James Kent and separate notations in Kent's hand on Sir Matthew Hale and the Coin Law, 1828 February 23


Box 2 Folder 5 Agreement of Land: Eliza R. Armstrong to sell property to Nicholas Cruger, signed by Armstrong, 1828 April 25


Box 2 Folder 6 Letter from Martin Van Buren to Preserved Fish, 1829 September 19


Box 2 Folder 7 Letter from Martin Van Buren to Preserved Fish, 1829 October 2


Box 2 Folder 8 On Arkansas and Texas Land Co., unknown author, 1833


Box 2 Folder 9 Legal opinion on the will of George (?) Edwards, James Kent, 1833 February 14


Box 2 Folder 10 Legal opinion on Underhill vs. Van Cortlandt, James Kent, 1834 March 26


Box 2 Folder 11 Legal opinion on the will of Henry Churchill, related correspondence from Bate & McKissock, James Kent, 1838 March


Box 2 Folder 12 Legal opinion on Baltimore vs. White & Sons, James Kent, 1838 March 24


Box 2 Folder 13 Legal opinion for Commercial Bank of Florida, James Kent, 1838 September 7


Box 2 Folder 14 Legal opinion on Brown Bros. & Co. vs. Birkenhead & Co., James Kent, 1838 September 14


Box 2 Folder 15 Legal opinion for the Munn Illionois Land Co. land title, James Kent, 1838 December 4


Box 2 Folder 16 Draft of marriage settlement between the son of William Brown (Alexander) and the daughter of his brother, James Brown, 1838 December 19


Box 2 Folder 17 Legal opinion on Ohio Life Insurance & Trust Co. move to New York, James Kent, 1838 December


Box 2 Folder 18 Legal opinion on New York, Providence, and Boston Railroad Mortgage, James Kent, 1839 January 14


Box 2 Folder 19 Legal opinion on an Indian title and fraud, James Kent, 1839 February 13


Box 2 Folder 20 Legal opinion on Joseph S. Kennedy et al. vs. William Hall et al., James Kent, 1839 March 1


Box 2 Folder 21 Legal opinion on Markle heirs vs. Rapp heirs with related letter from Rose Chauncey, James Kent, 1839 July


Box 2 Folder 22 Legal opinion on John K. Boyer vs. the Illionois Canal Co., James Kent, 1839 September 24


Box 2 Folder 23 Letter from B'Nai Ishurun Congregation requesting legal opinion from James Kent, with notes in Kent's hand, 1839 September 29


Box 2 Folder 24 Legal opinion on the will of James D'Wolf with related letter from Jonathon Prescott Hall, James Kent, 1839 October


Box 2 Folder 25 Legal opinion on the will of James D'Wolf, James Kent, 1839 October 30


Box 2 Folder 26 Legal opinion on the Wisconsin Marine & Fire Insurance Co., James Kent, 1839 November 29


Box 2 Folder 27 Legal opinion on Seneca Indians vs. Ogden & Fellows, James Kent, 1840


Box 2 Folder 28 Request for legal opinion from David Sears to James Kent, 1840 December 22


Box 2 Folder 29 Letter from David Sears regarding advice given by James Kent, 1841 January 11


Box 2 Folder 30 Newspaper clippings regarding the Bank of Kentucky and a fraudulent stock issue with a note by James Kent, 1841 January 30


Box 2 Folder 31 Legal opinion on North American Trust and Banking Co. vs. R. M. Blatchfordet et. al., 1841 April 27


Box 2 Folder 32 Legal opinion on North American Trust and Banking Co. vs. R. M. Blatchfordet et al., 1841 May


Box 2 Folder 33 Legal opinion on North American Trust and Banking Co. vs. R. M. Blatchfordet et al., 1841 May 13


Box 2 Folder 34 Legal opinion on Whiton & Hulburt vs. Butterworth & Smith, James Kent, 1841 June 7


Box 2 Folder 35 Legal opinion on John W. Leavitt vs. North American Fire Insurance Co., James Kent, 1841 October 15


Box 2 Folder 36 Legal opinion on Trinity House of Quebec vs. the bark Miramiche, James Kent, 1841 November 1


Box 2 Folder 37 Legal opinion on Brigantine Xenophon vs. the bark Delia, James Kent, 1841 December 10


Box 2 Folder 38 Legal opinion on Gopher & Dakin vs. Southard & Emerson, James Kent, 1841 December 21


Box 2 Folder 39 Legal opinion on George M. Woolsey et al. vs. Edward Curtis, James Kent, 1841 December 23


Box 2 Folder 40 Legal opinion on the Public School Society, James Kent, 1842 April 11


Box 2 Folder 41 Legal opinion on the Tennessee Railroad with notes by James Kent, George S. Yerger, 1842 September 3


Box 2 Folder 42 Resolution on the Hiwapee Rail Road, from the minutes of the board, Union Bank of Tennessee, 1842 September 6


Box 2 Folder 43 Request for legal opinion from the Public School Society of New York Executive Committee to James Kent, 1842 July 14


Box 2 Folder 44 Indictment in the case of Henry Harrison vs. The Robert & Ann, Vice Admiralty Court of Canada, 1842 August 20


Box 2 Folder 45 Request for legal opinion from Vincennes University board of Trustees, James Kent, 1843 November 15


Box 2 Folder 46 From the Board of Trustees of Vincennes University to the General Assembly of Indiana with corresponding Act of Incorporation document, 1843


Box 2 Folder 47 Legal opinion on the case of Vincennes University with letter from Vincennes University to James Kent, James Kent, 1843 December 4, 15


Box 2 Folder 48 Legal opinion on Follain, Bellocq, and Degelos vs. Jacques Dupre, James Kent, 1844 September 5


Box 2 Folder 49 Legal opinion on Richard Townings will with related letter from Charles Edwards, James Kent, 1844 December 26, 30


Box 2 Folder 50 Legal opinion on W. S. Wetmore vs. William Lejee & William Cooper, James Kent, 1845 May 5


Box 2 Folder 51 Legal opinion of the court in Union Bank of Tennessee vs. Solomon D. Jacobs and related letter from Jacobs to James Kent, James Kent and Supreme Court of Tennessee, 1845 September, December


Box 2 Folder 52 Legal opinion in Merchant of Apalachiola Florida vs. the city charter, James Kent, 1845


Box 2 Folder 53 Notes on "Duer's Lecture…on the branch of Neutrality," James Kent, 1846 October 15


Box 2 Folder 54 Legal opinion on the Apalachiola Florida inspection laws with related letter from A. Robertson Rogers, James Kent, 1846 February 5, 9


Box 2 Folder 55 Legal opinion on the duties of Trustees, William Curtis Noyes, in the hand of James Kent, 1846


Box 2 Folder 56 Notes on "Admissibility of paid evidence," William Kent, 1847 February 20


Box 2 Folder 57 Legal opinion on the case of the Brooklyn and Gowannus Toll Bridge Co., James Kent, 1847 February 25


Box 2 Folder 58 Notes on usage in law, William Kent, 1847 March 7


Box 2 Folder 59 Notes on duties of nations in peace, William Kent, 1847 March 9


Box 2 Folder 60 Notes on Reprisals, William Kent, 1847 March 12


Box 2 Folder 61 Notes on trading with the enemy, William Kent, 1847 March 15


Box 2 Folder 62 Notes on armed neutrality, William Kent, 1847 March 15


Box 2 Folder 63 Notes on contraband of war, William Kent, 1847 March 21


Box 2 Legal opinion on the mortgage of a railroad, William Kent, 1847 December 2


Box 2 Folder 64 Legal opinion on the mortgage of a railroad, William Kent, 1847 December 2


Box 2 Folder 65 (Draft) legal opinion on the rights of proprietors to redeemed land, William Kent, 1848 February 16


Box 2 Folder 66 Official legal opinion on the rights of proprietors to redeemed land, William Kent, 1848 February 29


Box 2 Folder 67 Agreement on the construction of a railroad under the title "Company of Panama" and related terms of business, signed by Winfield Scott, William Kent, and others, 1848 December 11


Box 2 Folder 68 Report on Committees of Examination, Harvard University Board of overseers and William Kent, 1849 March 20


Box 2 Folder 69 Legal opinion on the case of Phoenix vs. Whitney, William Kent, 1850


Box 2 Folder 70 Legal opinion on the case of Isaachinsssen vs. Newport Fire & Marine Insurance Co., William Kent, 1851 July 29


Box 2 Folder 71 Legal opinion on the case of Mark Anthony D'Wolf vs James D'Wolf, Jr., James Kent, circa late 1830s or early 1840s


Box 2 Folder 72 Legal opinion on Schuyler vs. Williams, James Kent, undated


Box 2 Folder 73 Legal opinion on the case of the murder of Samuel Adams by John C. Colt, William Kent, circa 1842


Box 2 Folder 74 Legal opinion on the Bankrupt Act of 1841 William Kent, undated


Box 2 Folder 75 Notes on Bankrupcy, William Kent, undated


Box 2 Folder 76 Notes on "Smith's Leading Cases, Wigglesworth vs. Dallison," William Kent, undated


Box 2 Folder 77 Notes on contracts, William Kent, 1847, undated


Box 2 Folder 78 Notes on promissory notes, William Kent, undated


Box 2 Folder 79 Notes on the Restraining Act of 1804 William Kent, undated


Box 2 Folder 80 Notes on the "Construction of the Constitution," William Kent, undated


Box 2 Folder 81 Miscellaneous legal papers and briefs, William Kent, undated


Box 2 Folder 82 Legal opinion on a case of Trust, William Kent, undated

Series III. Legal Documents and Other Items, 1820-1901, undated

This series contains diplomas, certificates to practice, certificates of membership, wills, executor documents, copyrights, and various memorabilia collected by the Kent family such as calling cards, stamps, clippings, engravings, currency, silhouettes, and many autographs of the Revolutionary period. This series is divided into 9 sub-series and arranged chronologically. There are 68 folders.


Sub-Series III.1: Diploma



Box 3 Folder 1 Diploma from Union College, William Kent, 1820 July 26


Sub-Series III.2: Certificates to Practice


Box 3 Folder 2 Certificate to practice law before the New York Supreme Court, William Kent, 1824 February 27


Box 3 Folder 3 Certificate to practice as councellor before the Supreme court of New York, William Kent, 1826 October 27


Box 3 Folder 4 Certificate to practice before the Chancery Court of New York, William Kent, 1826 March 13


Box 3 Folder 5 Appointment as Commissioner of Deeds and Notary, William Kent, 1827 April 23


Box 3 Folder 6 Certificate to practice as Judge Advocate for the 10th Brigade, William Kent, 1827 May 25


Box 3 Folder 7 Appointment as Judge Advocate for the 10th Brigade, William Kent, 1827 July 19


Box 3 Folder 8 Certificate of admission to practice as councilor for the Chancery Court of New York, William Kent, 1828 May 27


Box 3 Folder 9 Certificate of Admission to Practice Law, James Kent, Jr., 1852 February 26


Box 3 Folder 10 Certificate of Admission to practice law before the Southern District of New York, James Kent, Jr., 1854 May 20


Sub-Series III.3: Certificates of Membership


Box 3 Folder 11 Certificate of membership in the Jefferson County Society for Promoting Agriculture and Domestic Manufactures, James Kent, 1819 March 1


Box 3 Folder 12 Certificate of membership in the Albany County Society for Promoting Agriculture and Domestic Manufactures, James Kent, 1819 October 11


Box 3 Folder 13 Certificate of membership in the United Domestic Missionary Society, James Kent, 1826 May 1


Box 3 Folder 14 Certificate of membership in the American Philosophical Society, James Kent, 1829 April 17


Box 3 Folder 15 Certificate of membership in the Peithologian Society of Columbia College, William Stewart, 1842 October 7


Sub-Series III.4: Copyrights, Affidavits and Insurance regarding Commentaries on American Law by James Kent


Box 3 Folder 16 Copyright for "Commentaries" signed by Henry Clay, 1826 December 8


Box 3 Folder 17 Copyright for "Commentaries" vol. 2 signed by Henry Clay, 1828 January 9


Box 3 Folder 18 Copyright for Commentaries vol. 3 signed by Henry Clay, 1829 January 25


Box 3 Folder 19 Affadavits of the public notices of James Kent's application for copyright for Commentaries, 1826-1830


Box 3 Folder 20 Copyright for Commentaries vol. 4, signed by Martin Van Buren, 1830 June 30


Box 3 Folder 21 Copyright for Commentaries vol. 2 and 4, 2nd edition, with memorandum, 1832 August 21


Box 3 Folder 22 Copyright for Commentaries vol. 1-4, 4th edition, 1841 February 22


Box 3 Folder 23 Copyright for Commentaries, 1844 May


Box 3 Folder 24 Insurance policy on William Kent's edition of James Kent's "Commentaries" from the Lefarge Fire Insurance Co., 1854 June 12


Sub-Series III.5: Property Deeds and Agreements


Box 3 Folder 25 Auditors deed to John Fleming, Illionois Auditor of Public Accounts, 1830 April 7


Box 3 Folder 26 Property deed to John and Phebe Blackburn to James Kent, 1845 March 22


Box 3 Folder 27 Property deed to John and Phebe Blackburn to James Kent, 1845 May 15


Box 3 Folder 28 Property deed from Nicholas Dean to William Kent, 1849 June 25


Box 3 Folder 29 Property deed from Thomas Adis Emmet to William Kent, 1849 June 29


Box 3 Folder 30 Property deed from Thomas Adis Emmet to William Kent, 1849 June


Sub-Series III.6: Resignations and Dissolutions


Box 3 Folder 31 Acceptance of his resignation as the Judge Advocate of the 10th Brigade, William Kent, 1831 October 17


Box 3 Folder 32 Dissolution of the partnership of William Kent and William Samuel Johnson, 1841 September 6


Sub-Series III.7: Kent Family Wills, Executor Documents, and Estate Inventories


Box 3 Folder 33 Early will of James Kent, cancelled by a later will, 1841 September 11


Box 3 Folder 34 Codicil to James Kent will of September 11, 1841, 1844 February 9


Box 3 Folder 35 Final Will of James Kent and related Probate of Will, 1846 August 22


Box 3 Folder 36 Letters testamentary appointing William Kent as executor of the estate of James Kent, 1847 December 24


Box 3 Folder 37 Notice of inventory of the estate of James Kent, affidavit of service of the inventory, and note added to the affidavit, 1848 January 5, 7, 15


Box 3 Folder 38 Account of the estate of James Kent, 1861-1863


Box 3 Folder 39 Appointment of William Kent as executor of the estate of Moss Kent, in lieu of James Kent, 1848 June 1


Box 3 Folder 40 The will of William Kent recorded by Peter Doilaine, surrogate, originally created June 8, 1849 recorded January 15, 1861, 1849 June 8, 1861 January 15


Box 3 Folder 41 The will of Abigail I. Riggs, 1855-1861


Sub-Series III.8: Kent Family Resolutions


Box 3 Folder 42 Resolutions on the death of James Kent, New York Law Association, 1847 December 13


Box 3 Folder 43 Resolutions on the Death of James Kent, New York Bar Association, 1847 December 14


Box 3 Folder 44 Resolution on the death of James Kent, New York Historical Society, 1847 December 14


Box 3 Folder 45 Resolution on the death of James Kent, New York Historical Society, 1847 December


Box 3 Folder 46 Remarks of Mr. Godwin on the death of James Kent, 1847 December


Box 3 Folder 47 Resolution of the Bar Association of Texas on the death of James Kent with related letter to William Kent from Jonas Butler, 1848 January 3, 14


Box 3 Folder 48 Resolution on the death of James Kent, New Jersey Bar Association, 1848 January 8


Box 3 Folder 49 Resolutions on the death of James Kent, Detroit Bar Association, 1848 January 4


Sub-Series III.9: Miscellaneous


Box 3 Folder 50 Customs Certificate for the importation of wine, New York Port Authority, 1794 July 27


Box 3 Folder 51 Military Pass issued to James Kent Jr., signed by James Kent Jr. and Drake De Kay, 1861 July 4


Box 3 Folder 52 Recipes in the hand of James Kent, undated


Box 3 Folder 53 Table of contents from the original bound scrapbook of the Kent manuscripts, unsigned, undated


Box 3 Folder 54 Currency and postage stamps, 1861-1901, 5 items


Box 3 Folder 55 Newspaper clippings, 1831, 1843, 1852, 1854, 1876, 1879, 1881, 1892


Box 3 Folder 56 Autographs of the Revolutionary period, 24 items


Box 3 Folder 57 Map of the land about Gramercy Park belonging to Samuel B. Ruggles to be sold at auction, 1833 December


Box 3 Folder 58 Ticket of admission to an assembly at Haberdashers Hall issues to William (?) Pinckney from Thomas Raikes, 1799 March 28


Box 3 Folder 59 Prospectus of the Morse Geneaology, Abner Morse, 1848 July 1


Box 3 Folder 60 Bank checks made out to and endorsed by William Kent, 1854 January


Box 3 Folder 61 Package express receipts from the Adams & Co. Express, James Kent, 1845 September


Box 3 Folder 62 Engraved portrait of Thomas Hamilton, printed by Illman and Pilbrow, undated


Box 3 Folder 63 Kent Family Tree from the descent of John Moss to William Kent II, undated


Box 3 Folder 64 Kent family crest impression in sealing wax, undated


Box 3 Folder 65 Engraved portrait of Edward Law (Lord Ellenborough), undated


Box 3 Folder 66 Chinese Water Colors and silhouettes of James Kent and others, 1833, undated


Box 3 Folder 67 Circular, membership, rules and schedule of the Kent Club, undated


Box 3 Folder 68 Membership list and notes on the Union Club of New York, 1838, 1901

Series IV. Journals and Catalogs, 1797-1847

This series contains the journals and library catalog of James Kent and John Seely Stone. There are 9 Items, arranged chronologically.



Box 4 Folder 1 "Memoir of a Journey I made from New York to the Eastern States," James Kent, 1797 August 9


Box 4 Folder 2 Journal of the Napoleonic Campaigns of 1807 and 1808 and sketch of Germany, James Kent (sketch created in 1780), 1780, 1807-1808


Box 4 Folder 3 Journal of the Napoleonic Campaigns of 1809-1812, James Kent, 1809-1812


Box 4 Folder 4 Journal of a European Tour, John Seely Stone, 1826


Box 4 Folder 5 Journal of a European Tour, unknown author, 1826


Box 4 Folder 6 Catalog of James Kent's Library, 1842


Box 4 Folder 7 Diary of James Kent, 1839, 1842-1843


Box 4 Folder 8 Diary of James Kent, 1842-1847


Box 4 Folder 9 Diary of James Kent, 1847

Series V. Lecture Notes and Reading Notes, 1783-1860, undated

This series is comprised of notes and transcriptions of various authors, philosophers, and scholars taken predominantly by James Kent and William Kent. It is divided into 5 sub-series that vary in arrangement (organized alphabetically by author or topic). There are 78 folders in this series.


Sub-Series V.1: Notes on the works of published single authors



Box 5 Folder 1 Blackstone, W., & Stewart, J. (1839). The rights of persons: According to the text of Blackstone : incorporating the alterations down to the present time. London: E. Spettigue., in the hand of William Kent, 1846


Box 5 Folder 2 Belknap, J. The History of New Hampshire... by Jeremy Belknap. Boston: the author., 1791


Box 5 Folder 3 Bynkershoek, C. . (1674). Probabilium juris civilis liber 1. Lugd[uni] Batavorum: Drucker:] Lopez., in the hand of James Kent, undated


Box 5 Folder 4 Catteau-Calleville, J. -P. (1790). A general view of Sweden: Containing, besides a geographical description of the country, an account of its constitution, religion, .... Together with the manners and customs of its inhabitants, ... Translated from the French of Mr. Catteau. London: printed for G. G. J. and J. Robinson., in the hand of James Kent, undated


Box 5 Folder 5 Notes from "Cicero volume 2", in the hand of James Kent, 1795


Box 5 Folder 6 Notes on Cicero's De Natura Deorum, in the hand of James Kent, 1801


Box 5 Folder 7 Chesterfield, P. D. S., Stanhope, P., & Readex. (1775). Letters written by the late Right Honourable Phillip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield, to his son, Philip Stanhope, Esq; late envoy extraordinary at the Court of Dresden: Together with several other pieces on various subjects. : Published by Mrs. Eugenia Stanhope, from the originals now in her possession. : In four volumes. : Vol. I[-IV]. New York: London, printed: New-York, re-printed by J. Rivington and H. Gaine., in the hand of James Kent, undated


Box 5 Folder 8 Colquhoun, P. (1796). A treatise on the police of the metropolis: Containing a detail of the various crimes and misdemeanors by which public and private property and security are, at present, injured and endangered: and suggesting remedies for their prevention. The third edition, revised and enlarged., By a magistrate. London: printed by H. Fry, for C. Dilly., in the hand of James Kent, undated


Box 5 Folder 9 Coke, E. (1642). The second part of the Institutes of the lawes of England: Containing the exposition of many ancient, and other statutes : whereof you may see the particulars in a table following. London: Printed by M. Flesher, and R. Young, for E.D., R.M., W.L., and D.P., in the hand of James Kent, undated


Box 5 Folder 10 Dalrymple, J. (1758). An essay towards a general history of feudal property in Great Britain: Under the following heads, I. History of the introduction of the feudal system into Great-Britain : II. History of tenures : III. History of the alienation of land property : IV. History of entails : V. History of the laws of succession or descent : VI. History of the forms of conveyance : VII. History of jurisdictions, and the forms of procedure in courts : III. History of the constitution of Parliament. London: Printed for A. Millar., in the hand of James Kent, undated


Box 5 Folder 11 Darwin, E. (1789). The botanic garden: A poem, in two parts : with philosophical notes. London: printed for J. Johnson., in the hand of James Kent, undated


Box 5 Folder 12 Eggestein, H (1472) Libri feudorum. Strassburg, in the hand of James Kent, undated


Box 5 Folder 13 Fleury, C., In Beaver, J., & Argou, G. (1724). The history of the origine of the French laws: Translated from the French. London: Printed for D. Browne and Clay, in the hand of James Kent, undated


Box 5 Folder 14 Frederick, . (1787). The art of war: A poem in six books. Tr. from the French of the King of Prussia. London: s.n.., from the Critical Review in the hand of James Kent, undated


Box 5 Folder 15 Notes on the characters of Herodotus from Gillies, J. (1790). The History of Ancient Greece, Its Colonies, and Conquests, from the earliest accounts till the division of the Macedonian empire in the East: Including the history of literature, philosophy, and the fine arts. Basil., in the hand of James Kent, undated


Box 5 Folder 16 Godwin, W. (1793). Enquiry concerning political justice and its influence on morals and happiness: 1. London: Robinson., in the hand of James Kent, 1796


Box 5 Folder 17 Polybius, ., & Hampton, James (1772). The general history of Polybius: In five books. London: Printed by H.S. Woodfall for J. Dodsley., unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 18 "Notes on Washington Irving's works from an English Review," unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 19 Lambardus, . (1568). Archaionomia., in the hand of James Kent, undated


Box 5 Folder 20 Le, C. G. L., & Smellie, W. (1785). Natural history, general and particular, by the Count de Buffon, Translated into English. Illustrated with above 300 copper-plates, and occasional notes and observations, by William Smellie. London: W. Strahan & T. Cadell., unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 21 Notes "On Philosophy and Logic extracted from a jumble of matter heaped together at college" includes notes on mineral and natural philosophy from John Locke (1632 – 1704 October 28)., unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 22 Notes on the works of Machiavelli, unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 23 Mathias, T. J. (1798). The pursuits of literature: A satirical poem in four dialogues : with notes. Dublin: Printed by P. Byrne., unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 24 Necker, J. (1791). Historical review of the administration of Mr. Necker: Written by himself. Translated from the French. London: printed for G. G. J. and J. Robinson., unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 25 Paley, W. (1796). Horæ Paulinæ: Or, the truth of the scripture history of St. Paul evinced. .... By William Paley. London: printed for R. Faulder., written in the hand of William Kent, 1847


Box 5 Folder 26 Pennant, T. (1792). Introduction to the Arctic zoology. London: Printed for Robert Faulder., unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 27 Priestley, J. (1788). Lectures on history and general policy; to which is prefixed an essay on a course of liberal education for civil and active life, unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 28 Notes on Institutio Oratoria by Marcus Fabius Quintilianus (ca. 35 – ca. 100), unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 29 Notes from the works of Guillaume Thomas Raynal (1713 –1796), unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 30 Reeves, J. (1863). Reeves' History of the English law from the time of the Romans to the end of the reign of Elizabeth. London: Reeves and Turner, unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 31 Transcription of David Rittenhouse "An Oration on Astronomy (1783), unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 32 Roscoe, W. (1822). Illustrations, historical and critical, of the life of Lorenzo de' Medici, called the Magnificent: Illustrations. London: Printed for T. Cadell, ... and W. Blackwood, Edinburgh., unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 33 Russell, W. (1802). The history of modern Europe: With an account of the decline and fall of the Roman empire: and a view of the progress of society, from the rise of the modern kingdoms to the peace of Paris, in 1763. Philadelphia: Printed for William Young Birch and Abraham Small. And notes from the writings of James Beattie (1735-1803)., unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 34 Salmon, J. (1798). A description of the works of art of ancient and modern Rome: Particularly in architecture, sculpture & painting. To which is added, a tour through the cities and towns in the environs of that metropolis. .... By J. Salmon. London: printed for the author, by J. Sammells, unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 35 Savary, ., Le, M., Williams, J., G. G. J. and J. Robinson (Paternoster-Row, London, England), New York Society Library., New York Society Library., & New York Society Library. (1788). Letters on Greece: Being a sequel to Letters on Egypt, and containing travels through Rhodes, Crete, and other islands of the Archipelago; with comparative remarks on their Ancient and present State, and observations on the Government, Character, and Manners, of the Turks, and Modern Greeks. London: Printed for G. G. J. and J. Robinson, Paternoster-Row., unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 36 Savigny, M. C. D. (1855). Traite De Droit Romain. Paris: Firmin Didit Freres., in the hand of William Kent, 1847


Box 5 Folder 37 Translations of sections of Savigny, Traite De Droit Romain in the hand of William Kent, 1847


Box 5 Folder 38 Notes from the works of Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755), unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 39 Notes on Emperor Antoninus taken from the works of John Selden (1584-1654), in the hand of William Kent, undated


Box 5 Folder 40 Sherlock, M., & Duncombe, J. (1780). Letters from an English traveller [Martin Sherlock, esq.]. London: Printed for J. Nichols; T. Cadell; H. Payne; and N. Conant., unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 41 Miscellaneous notes on the works of Thomas Spence (1750 –1814), unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 42 Notes from Thomas Spence on the construction of contracts, William Kent, 1846


Box 5 Folder 43 . Stewart, J. (1796). An inquiry into the principles of political economy being an essai on the science of domestic policy in free nations. Basil., unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 44 Temple, W. (1673). Observations upon the United Provinces of the Netherlands. London: Printed by A. Maxwell for Sa. Gellibrand., in the hand of James Kent, undated


Box 5 Folder 45 Notes on the works of Sir William Temple (1628-1699), in the hand of James Kent, undated


Box 5 Folder 46 Thomas, A.L., & Aguesseau, H.(1826). [Éloge de H. d'Aguesseau.] The Eulogy of D'Aguesseau, Chancellor of France, with historical illustrations. Translated from the French, etc. Cheltenham, in the hand of James Kent, undated


Box 5 Folder 47 Notes on the essays of Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford (1753 –1814), in the hand of James Kent, undated


Box 5 Folder 48 Voltaire, . (1728). La Henriade. [Ten cantos.]. London, in unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 49 Voltaire, . (1759). An essay on universal history, the manners, and spirit of nations: From the reign of Charlemaign to the age of Lewis XIV. London: Printed for J. Nourse. unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 50 Watteville, A. L. (1754). Histoire de la Confédération helvétique, par M. Alexandre Louis de Watteville. Se vend à Berne: chez Gottschall et c., unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 51 Whitaker, J. (1771). The history of Manchester: In four books. By John Whitaker. London: Sold by Mess. Dodsley in Pall-Mall, White and Lowndes, Payne, Cadell, Davis, Baker and Leigh, and Brotherton and Sewell; by Parker at Oxford, and Merrils at Cambridge; and by Newton, Clarke, and Harrop at Manchester., unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 52 Notes on the doctrine of feuds, presumably from. An introduction to the law of tenures: By Martin Wright (1750), unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 53 Young, A. (1893). A Tour in Ireland, 1776-1779 by Arthur Young. London-Paris-Melbourne: Cassell., unknown transcriber, undated


Sub-Series V.2: Notes on the Works of Published Multiple Authors


Box 5 Folder 54 Notes on historical tracts, reading the classics and various philosophers from various unidentified authors and Basil Kenneth's "The Antiquities of Rome" (1767), James Kent, undated


Box 5 Folder 55 Notes on the Roman Constitution taken chiefly from René-Aubert Vertot (1655-1735) and Livy. unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 56 Notes on Voltaire's History of the War of 1741 (1756), Newton, and Adam Ferguson's "An Essay on the Hisory of Civil Society" (1767), unknown transcriber, undated


Box 5 Folder 57 Notes on Chemistry and Mineralogy taken from an encyclopedia, unknown transcriber, undated


Sub-Series V.3: Notes by Subject


Box 5 Folder 58 Notes on the Berlin and Milan Degrees, William Kent, 1846


Box 5 Folder 59 Notes on Aaron Burr, William Kent, 1855


Box 5 Folder 60 Notes on Chivalry, William Kent, 1847


Box 5 Folder 61 Notes on Domicil, William Kent, 1847


Box 5 Folder 62 Notes on Easement, William Kent, 1852


Box 5 Folder 63 Notes on the East India Company, James Kent, undated


Box 5 Folder 64 Notes on the Geography of Hindoostan, James Kent, 1798


Box 5 Folder 65 Notes on Interpretation taken from Elementary principles of interpretation (Ernesti, 1842), William Kent, 1847


Box 5 Folder 66 Notes on Interpretation taken from Introduction to sacred philosophy and interpretation (Planck, 1834), William Kent, undated


Box 5 Folder 67 Notes on Interpretation taken from Institutes of natural law (Rutherforth, 1832), William Kent, undated


Box 5 Folder 68 Notes on Interpretation," William Kent, 1847


Box 5 Folder 69 "Notes on the Doctrine of Interpretation," William Kent, undated


Box 5 Folder 70 Notes on the Law of Nations, William Kent, 1847


Box 5 Folder 71 Notes on Off-Shore Land, William Kent, 1845


Box 5 Folder 72 "A Conversation on Religion," James Kent in the hand of Helen Kent, 1845


Box 5 Folder 73 Notes on Salvage, William Kent, 1846


Box 5 Folder 74 Notes on Wills, William Kent, 1847


Sub-Series V.4: Public Addresses


Box 5 Folder 75 Address to the Scotch Presbyterian Church, John Mitchell Mason, with notes by James Kent, 1810


Box 5 Folder 76 Address for the New England Anniversary Dinner, James Kent, 1834


Sub-Series V.5: Poems in Manuscript


Box 5 Folder 77 Lines from Wordsworth, in the hand of Anna Brownell Jameson, undated


Box 5 Folder 78 "Beacon Side" and "Count Not the Hours" by unknown author, undated