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Collection Overview

Creator:
Pyne, M. Taylor (Moses Taylor), 1855-1921
Collector:
Princeton University. Library. Special Collections
Title:
Pyne-Henry Collection
Repository:
Princeton University Archives
Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/jm214p130
Dates:
1747-1947
Size:
3 boxes
Storage Note:
  • Mudd Manuscript Library (scamudd): Box 1-3
Language:
English

Abstract

The Pyne-Henry Collection is a diverse group of documents, letters and writings relating to Princeton University, covering an array of topics primarily concerning student life and administrative activities. The collection consists of letters, essays and orations, reports, memoranda, minutes, proclamations, accounts and class lists, and other documents written by students, faculty and administrators which, along with other administrative records and Trustee Minutes, constitute the earliest records and documentary history of the University. Most of these papers and records were amassed by Princeton alumni Moses Taylor Pyne (Class of 1877) and Bayard Henry (Class of 1876) during the latter half of the nineteenth century.

Collection Description & Creator Information

Scope and Contents

The Pyne-Henry Collection is a diverse group of documents, letters and writings relating to Princeton University, covering an array of topics primarily concerning student life and administrative activities. The collection consists of letters, essays and orations, reports, memoranda, minutes, proclamations, accounts and class lists, and Trustee Minutes.

Collection Creator Biography:

Pyne, M. Taylor (Moses Taylor), 1855-1921

Moses Taylor Pyne (1855-1921), graduate of the Princeton Class of 1877, was a longtime trustee and benefactor of Princeton, and did much to usher the school's transition from a college to a university by way of his donations and financial support. Among other projects, in conjunction with fellow trustee Bayard Henry, Pyne amassed a sizable collection of records, letters, and writings documenting the early history of the University. Upon its donation in 1894 the Pyne-Henry Collection formed the cornerstone of the University Archives.

Pyne's family wealth was originally accumulated by his maternal grandfather, Moses Taylor, who served as the first president of the National City Bank of New York and the principal stockholder in the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company.

A year after receiving his LL.B. at Columbia Law School in 1879, Moses Taylor Pyne married Margaretta Stockton, a great-great-granddaughter of Richard Stockton (1730-1781), and became general counsel for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company. In 1891, he resigned from this office in order to give more time to his other interests, particularly Princeton. For a period of time, Pyne's estate, "Drumthwacket," served as the center of social life for many Princeton residents and those affiliated with the university; the state and the surrounding land was sold to the state of New Jersey in 1966 and was designated the governor's mansion in 1982.

Collection History

Acquisition:

These papers were originally part of the Pyne-Henry Collection, much of which is housed in the Manuscripts Division of the Special Collections section of Firestone Library. Moses Taylor Pyne was one of the most prolific benefactors to Princeton. His gifts of a vast collection of alumni papers, institution records and rare books, many collected in conjunction with his fellow Trustee Bayard Henry, became the origins of the University's Special Collections, University Archives.

Appraisal

No appraisal information is available.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by John S. Riddle in 1994-1995. Finding aid written by John S. Riddle in 1994-1995.

Access & Use

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. The Trustees of Princeton University hold copyright to all materials generated by Princeton University employees in the course of their work. For instances beyond Fair Use, if copyright is held by Princeton University, researchers do not need to obtain permission, complete any forms, or receive a letter to move forward with use of materials from the Princeton University Archives.

For instances beyond Fair Use where the copyright is not held by the University, while permission from the Library is not required, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

Credit this material:

Pyne-Henry Collection; Princeton University Archives, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/jm214p130
Location:
Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library
Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library
65 Olden Street
Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
(609) 258-6345
Storage Note:
  • Mudd Manuscript Library (scamudd): Box 1-3

Find More

Existence and Location of Copies

Digital images of the collection, created in 2009, are accessible in the contents list.

Related Materials

The Pyne-Henry Collection of manuscripts relating to Princeton and its alumni was formed in 1894. While some documents focused on the history of the University, many related to the careers of significant alumni, and these remain a part of the Manuscripts Division of Firestone Library. The Library assigned PH numbers to each document, and continued to do so until 1909 (PH2082) when the Librarian changed the numbering of manuscripts to AM (for autograph manuscript). At some point other documents relating to Princeton's early history from other sources were added to what came to be known in the University Archives as the Pyne-Henry Collection.

While many of the manuscripts and small collections of University records from the original Pyne-Henry donations remain in the Pyne-Henry Collection, other series of records are now part of the following records:

Librarian Records

Inspector's Records

Treasurer's Records

Steward and Refectory Records

Subject Terms:
College Students -- New Jersey -- Princeton -- Social conditions -- 18th century.
College Students -- New Jersey -- Princeton -- Social conditions -- 19th century.
Student Aid -- New Jersey -- Princeton -- 19th century.
Universities and colleges -- Administration -- New Jersey -- Princeton -- 18th century.
Universities and colleges -- Administration -- New Jersey -- Princeton -- 19th century.
Universities and colleges -- Business management -- New Jersey -- Princeton -- 18th century.
Universities and colleges -- Business management -- New Jersey -- Princeton -- 19th century.
Names:
Princeton University
Henry, Bayard, 1857-1926