Charles Peck Bush papers, circa 1800 -- 1880

Creator:
Bush, Charles P. (Charles Peck), 1813-1880
Abstract:
Charles Peck Bush was the District Secretary of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions for New York and alumnus of Union Theological Seminary, class of 1840. The collection contains a stylus from an Indian Hindu scribe, along with Indian palm leaf correspondence.
Extent:
0.25 linear feet (0.25 linear feet; 1 box)
Language:
Tamil .
Scope and content:

This collection contains a stylus, including a knife, from an Indian Hindu scribe, along with Indian palm leaf correspondence in Tamil, and former gallery tags. Also included are two cards describing the materials and explaining their significance. (Palm leaf manuscripts date back as early as the 5th century BCE. The palm leaves were cut to size, traditionally 1 by 1.5 inches, and the text was inscribed with the metal stylus. Soot or coal powder was then mixed with oil and rubbed into the inscriptions so that the letters could be seen more easily. The material was wrapped and had specific meaning in the manner in which it was wrapped.)

Biographical / historical:

Charles Peck Bush was born in Brighton, NY on November 11, 1813 to David and Laura Peck Bush. In 1835 he served as a delegate to the State Anti-Slavery Convention in Utica, NY. He attended New Haven Theological Seminary from 1837-1839, and completed his Masters of Divinity degree at Union Theological Seminary in 1840. Bush served a number of appointments as pastor, including Tenth Presbyterian Church in New York, NY, Fourth Congregational Church in Norwich, CT, New England Congregational Church in Chicago, IL, and First Presbyterian Church in Beloit, WI. Rev. Dr. C. P. Bush married Elizabeth Bradford Homer and they had a daughter in 1847, Caroline C. Bush, who went on to serve as a missionary in Harpoot, Turkey for over thirty years. In 1860, Bush became District Secretary of the American Tract Society in New York City until 1863 when he moved to Rochester. He then served as District Secretary for the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM), a position he held for the remainder of his life. In 1867 Hamilton College conferred upon him an honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree. Bush returned to New York City in 1871, where he continued to serve as District Secretary to the ABCFM until his death in 1880. Dr. Bush's keen interest in history and mission work is evidenced by his numerous biographical publications and speeches.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection may contain some restricted material. Restrictions related to specific material are listed in the detailed contents list.

Onsite storage.

Terms of access:

Some material in this collection may be protected by copyright and other rights. Information concerning copyright, fair use, and reproduction requests can be consulted at Columbia's Copyright Advisory Office.

Preferred citation:

Item description, MRL3: Charles Peck Bush papers, circa 1800-1880, box #, The Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University in the City of New York.

Location of this collection:
Burke Home Page
Before you visit:
Researchers must book an appointment at least 5 business days in advance to view special collections material in the reading room. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to one item per hour of appointment time.
Contact:
burke@library.columbia.edu