Manuscripts: "Collection of Old Manuscripts belonging to Minshall and Jacob Painter", ca. 1699- 1858

Before his death, Minshall Painter worked with Gilbert Cope to mount and bind selected documents in a large scrapbook, and Cope prepared a ms index. As was the fashion of the times, the scrapbook includes items that Painter regarded as highlights of his collection, including family marriage certificates, Bible records, wills, and deeds. Of interest is the deed for the school lot in Middletown, assigned in 1744. A letter dated Nov. 26, 1766, from John Salkeld, Jr., to Jacob Minshall (cousin) describes the physical advantages of the New Orleans area. The subscription list to build a meeting house at Middletown, 1770, Thomas Minshall, treasurer. Subscription list to build a graveyard wall, 1773. Letter dated July 16, 1783, from same John Salkeld, this from St. Augustine. Plans to move to Charleston with his daughter-in-law and African American slaves; happy to have avoided war and especially the Spanish. An account of property taken from Jacob Minshall and others during the American Revolution, 1779-1789; subscription for school house in Middletown Meeting. Family letters (most from South) from Townsend, Morgan, Salkeld, Painter, Carter, etc., to Jacob Minshall. Letter from John Carter, June 1799, Philadelphia, mentions extreme heat and possible yellow fever breakout. Receipt of Middletown Friends with financial support of fellow member Joseph Thomas. Ms copy account of Moses Patterson's conversation with the Native Americans enroute from Philadelphia to Bethlehem. A letter from Abraham Pennock, 10 mo, 2, 1808, endorsing the candidacy of James Ross.