Thomas Wistar journals
Scope and Contents
This collection is composed of five bound, handwritten journals by Thomas Wistar. Each volume includes daily entries interspersed with correspondence. Journal entries largely describe Wistar’s work as an Indian Commissioner, including visits to Washington D.C., the Seneca Nation, the Wichita Indian Agency, and other Native American Reservations. In addition to his work as a commissioner, entries detail social calls with family and friends, descriptions of Quaker meetings, and religious reflection and prayers.
Dates
- Creation: 1841-1875
Creator
- Wistar, Thomas (Person)
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research use.
Use Restrictions
Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17).
Biographical Note
Thomas Wistar (1798-1876) was born June 23, 1798, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Thomas Sr. and Mary (Waln) Wistar. Wistar was active in Native American affairs beginning in 1838, and was appointed as an Indian Commissioner in 1841. Thomas Wistar married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth Buckley Morris, whom he married in 1822. The couple had two children, and Elizabeth died in 1863. In 1867, Wistar married Mary Richardson, his second wife. Thomas Wistar died on January 16, 1876, in Philadelphia, at the age of 78.
Sources: Dictionary of Quaker Biography, Obituary in the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin.
Extent
0.42 linear ft. (5 volumes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Thomas Wistar's journal entries largely describe his work as an Indian Commissioner, including visits to Washington D.C., the Seneca Nation, the Wichita Indian Agency, and other Native American Reservations. In addition to his work as a commissioner, entries detail social calls with family and friends, descriptions of Quaker meetings, and religious reflection and prayers.
Acquisition
Unknown.
Processing Information
Processed by Kara Flynn; completed July, 2015.
Genre / Form
Topical
- Courtship -- Religious aspects -- Society of Friends
- Indians of North America -- Government relations
- Kickapoo Indians -- History
- Marriage -- Religious aspects -- Society of Friends
- Osage Indians -- History
- Quakers -- Diaries
- Quakers -- History
- Quakers -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia
- Seneca Indians
- Society of Friends -- Indian Affairs
- Title
- Thomas Wistar journals, 1841-1876
- Author
- Kara Flynn
- Date
- July, 2015
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
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