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The collection consists of a small archive of correspondence, documents, and printed matter relating to Newell, acquired by Bruce Willsie (Princeton Class of 1986). Much of the material dates from the Civil War period when Newell, finishing his term as the eighteenth governor of New Jersey, was appointed by President Lincoln as superintendent of the Life-Saving Service of New Jersey. Correspondents include professor (later president of Princeton) John Maclean, Philip Kearny, Union general and leader of the 1st New Jersey Brigade, and Newell's brothers, W. D. and J. W. Newell.
The Newell material is arranged chronologically in two bound volumes; the printed material fills an additional folder.
The collection is open for research.
Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under
Was Deposit, made gift by Bruce Willsie '86 in March 1990 (AM1990-99). Geneological Notes AM2000-45.
No appraisal information is available.
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Bruce C. Willsie Collection of William A. Newell, Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.
Folder Inventory added by Hilde Creager (2015) in 2012.
William A. Newell, a member of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine Class of 1839, was a physican and politician. Newell was a member of the United States House of Representatives (1847-1851, 1865-1867) and, during his first term, was responsible for the Newell Act, which established the United States Life-Saving Service. Following his first two terms in Congress, Newell served as the 18th governor of New Jersey (1857-1860). In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln appointed Newell superintendent of the Life-Saving Service of New Jersey. Following his third term in Congress, Newell practiced privately as a physican until he was appointed governor of the Washington Territory by President Rutherford B. Hayes, a position which he held during the years 1880-1884.
Letters to "Dear Ellie" (Mrs. John N. Jordan), letters to Captain J. N. Jordan (SC) USN 1882-1928 (William Augustus Newell's son-in-law).