William Nisbet papers
Scope and Contents
The bulk of this collection consists of about 60 letters written by William Nisbet to his mother and sister during his travels abroad in the 1860s. He traveled to countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa. The places he wrote from include: Paris, France; Cairo, Egypt; Thebes, Upper Egypt; Alexandria; Jerusalem; Damascus; Constantinople; Pesth, Alugary [?]; London, England; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Copenhagen, Denmark; Kristiansund, Norway; Stockholm, Sweden; St. Petersburg and Moscow, Russia; Venice, Rome, and Naples, Italy; Malaga and Cadiz, Spain; Zurich and Lucern, Switzerland; Glasgow and Edinburgh, Scotland; Bombay, Nagpur Central, Delhi, and Lahor, India; Srinagar and Islamabad, Vale of Kashmir; Calcutta; Hong Kong; Shanghai; Peking (Beijing); Rio de Janeiro; Rio Grande do Sul; Buenos Aires; and while on a boat in transit. In addition to these letters, there are also some about travels in South America and some about his inquiries into the genealogy of his family. There are also certificates and legal documents pertaining to William Nisbet and other family members. There are documents inside the folder "Correspondence from Travel to South America" from Michael Brown Rare Books that give additional information about the collection and provide a selected amount of transcription from the correspondence.
Dates
- Creation: 1772-1881
Creator
- Nisbet, William F. (Person)
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research use.
Use Restrictions
Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17).
Biographical Note
William F. Nisbet was a retired businessman and travelor from a wealthy New York family. In 1865, at the age of 30, he retired in order to travel. In 1858, he traveled to South America, and from 1865 to 1868, he traveled around the globe. During his travels, he wrote letters and sent artifacts and artwork back home to his family in New York. His obituary reads:
"William F. Nisbet of 400 West End Avenue, a well-known resident of this city, died yesterday of apoplexy, aged 71 years. On his mother's side he was of old Dutch stock. His father was a Presbyterian clergyman of Scotch descent. In early life he was interested in the Architectural Iron Works, but in 1865, retired from business and became an extensive traveler and art collector. He resided in Yonkers for many years, where for a long time he was President of the Board of Education. Mr. Nisbet was of striking and magnetic personality, and a gentleman of the old school. He leaves a wife and two sons." (Information from his obituary in the New York Times, February 6, 1906)
Extent
.2 linear ft. (1 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The bulk of this collection consists of about 60 letters written by William Nisbet to his mother and sister during his travels abroad in the 1860s. William F. Nisbet was a retired businessman and travelor from a wealthy New York family. In 1865, at the age of 30, he retired in order to travel. In 1858, he traveled to South America, and from 1865 to 1868, he traveled around the globe. During his travels, he wrote letters and sent artifacts and artwork back home to his family in New York.
Arrangement
This small collection is arranged into six folders. They are arranged into: Certificates & Legal Documents, Genealogical Correspondence, Correspondence from Travel to South America, Correspondence from Travel Around the World, and Correspondence and Financial Documents.
Processing Information
Processed by Madison Arnold-Scerbo; completed, May 2018.
- Title
- William Nisbet papers
- Author
- Madison Arnold-Scerbo
- Date
- May, 2018
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Find It at the Library
Most of the materials in this catalog are not digitized and can only be accessed in person. Please see our website for more information about visiting or requesting repoductions from Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections Library
