Contents and Arrangement Collection View
Description:

Concerning memorials laid before him by the Council of the colony of New Jersey.

Organized by form--correspondence is first--and then arranged chronologically

Description:

Acknowledging receipt of news of the death of his father, Jonathan Belcher, and overpowering Ogden to act for him in any way necessary.

Organized by form--correspondence is first--and then arranged chronologically

Description:

He is questioning Ogden's succeeding to the governorship of NJ, and mentions Messrs. Hatfield, Mathies, Crane, Stephen, Woodruff and William Smith of Elizabethtown, president of the college.

Organized by form--correspondence is first--and then arranged chronologically

Description:

Relating to a dress worn by Madame Belcher.

Organized by form--correspondence is first--and then arranged chronologically

Description:

Organized by form--correspondence is first--and then arranged chronologically

Description:

Organized by form--correspondence is first--and then arranged chronologically

Description:

Organized by form--correspondence is first--and then arranged chronologically

Description:

Organized by form--correspondence is first--and then arranged chronologically

Description:

In reference to the arrival of Gen. Braddock, and to refusal of NJ Assembly to grant sum of money

Organized by form--correspondence is first--and then arranged chronologically

Description:

About the Sloop Tyrol and a load of fish.

Organized by form--correspondence is first--and then arranged chronologically

Description:

Organized by form--correspondence is first--and then arranged chronologically

Description:

Organized by form--correspondence is first--and then arranged chronologically

Description:

Praising his nephew and giving advice about his plans, etc.

Organized by form--correspondence is first--and then arranged chronologically

Description:

Organized by form--correspondence is first--and then arranged chronologically

Description:

Organized by form--correspondence is first--and then arranged chronologically

Description:

Organized by form--correspondence is first--and then arranged chronologically

Description:

Organized by form--correspondence is first--and then arranged chronologically

Description:

Organized by form--correspondence is first--and then arranged chronologically

Description:

Organized by form--correspondence is first--and then arranged chronologically

Description:

Organized by form--correspondence is first--and then arranged chronologically

Description:

Organized by form--correspondence is first--and then arranged chronologically

Description:

Organized by form--correspondence is first--and then arranged chronologically

Description:

Organized by form--correspondence is first--and then arranged chronologically

Scope and Contents

The collection contains correspondence and documents of Jonathan Belcher, dating from his early years in Massachusetts to his days as colonial governor of New Jersey. Correspondents include Rev. Mather Byles, Nathaniel Chauncey, Lewis Morris, Sir William Pepperrell, Richard Waldron, and John Walley. Two letters by his sons, Andrew and Jonathan Jr., to Robert Ogden confirm their father's death. The collection also includes an autograph marriage license, a deed of land sale, other official documents, a family tree compiled in 1950, and a photograph and a drawing of a dress worn by Belcher's first wife, Mary Partridge Belcher.

Arrangement

Organized by form--correspondence is first--and then arranged chronologically

Collection Creator Biography:

Belcher, Jonathan, 1682-1757

Jonathan Belcher, a merchant and colonial governor, was the son of a cloth maker from London, who came to Cambridge, Mass., in the mid 17th century. He graduated from Harvard in 1699, traveled extensively in Europe, came back to Boston where he established himself as a merchant and made a great fortune. His political career began when he was elected to the Massachusetts Council in 1718. In 1729 Belcher was in London on an official visit when he got news of the death of Gov. William Burnet of Massachussetts, and was able to secure the position for himself. His commission was dated 1729/30, appointing him governor of Masachussetts and New Hampshire, and he was re-elected for several terms. Certain factors led to his downfall, one of which was his conflicts with the British royal authorities, and on May 7, 1741, he was dismissed from both governorships. A few years later he went back to England, and in July 1746 he was appointed governor of New Jersey. He was very interested in establishing the College of New Jersey (now Princeton), and on his death bequeathed his library of 374 volumes to it. There was a proposal to name the present Nassau Hall "Belcher Hall," but he declined the honor and suggested the name now in use.

Acquisition:

Various AM.

Custodial History

The collection was formed as a result of a Departmental practice of combining into one collection material of various accessions relating to a particular person, family, or subject.

Appraisal

No appraisal information is available.

Processing Information

Finding aid written by James Flannery on January 11, 2006. Folder Inventory added by Hilde Creager (2015) in 2012.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

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. For instances beyond Fair Use, 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:

Jonathan Belcher Collection; Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/c534fn934
Location:
Firestone Library
One Washington Road
Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
(609) 258-3184
Storage Note:
  • Firestone Library (scamss): Box 1