MenuInventory of the James Martin Bell Papers, 1768-1870 and undated
Abstract
Lawyer, political leader, ironmaster, railroad promoter, and banker, of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania.
Correspondence and business papers reflecting the major part played by Bell and his family in the economic development of central Pennsylvania and other areas. Among the subjects dealt with are the building of internal improvements, the charcoal iron industry in the Juniata Valley, land titles and speculation, and early growth of the Pennsylvania Railroad under J. Edgar Thomson and others, tariff bills, the economic cycle of booms and depressions, the evolution of the monetary and banking system, telegraph companies, coal mining, Lake Superior copper mining, and Bell’s active interest in Whig and Republican Party politics. Papers of the Civil War period illustrate the impact of the conflict on the business community in the North, and on the people of Pennsylvania during Confederate raids and invasions. Some papers relate to tests of Pennsylvania iron made at the Washington Navy Yard by Captain Dahlgren, to Bell’s service as agent of Jay Cooke in floating Federal loans in Pennsylvania, and to the effect of the war on the banking system. Included are two early railroad broadsides from Bellefontaine and Indiana Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad (1856 and 1867).
Descriptive Summary
- Repository
- David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
- Creator
- Bell, James Martin.
- Title
- James Martin Bell Papers, 1768-1870 and undated
- Language of Material
- English
- Extent
- 13,604 Items
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Collection Overview
Correspondence and business papers reflecting the major part played by Bell and his family in the economic development of central Pennsylvania and other areas. Among the subjects dealt with are the building of internal improvements, the charcoal iron industry in the Juniata Valley, land titles and speculation, and early growth of the Pennsylvania Railroad under J. Edgar Thomson and others, tariff bills, the economic cycle of booms and depressions, the evolution of the monetary and banking system, telegraph companies, coal mining, Lake Superior copper mining, and Bell’s active interest in Whig and Republican Party politics. Papers of the Civil War period illustrate the impact of the conflict on the business community in the North, and on the people of Pennsylvania during Confederate raids and invasions. Some papers relate to tests of Pennsylvania iron made at the Washington Navy Yard by Captain Dahlgren, to Bell’s service as agent of Jay Cooke in floating Federal loans in Pennsylvania, and to the effect of the war on the banking system. Included are two early railroad broadsides from Bellefontaine and Indiana Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad (1856 and 1867).
Administrative Information
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Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Contents of the Collection
Browse List of Series
Collapse All
Expand AllCorrespondence, 1768-1870
Legal Papers, 1755-1896 and undated
Printed Material
Bills and Receipts, 1765-1870s
Volumes Series
Oversize Materials
Two railroad broadsides: opening of Union Pacific westward line to San Francisco, prob. 1867 (large); announcement for Bellefontaine and Indiana Railroad/Penssylvania Railroad, 1856 (small). Both are in black, white, and red print.
Subject Headings
- Thomson, J. Edgar (John Edgar), 1808-1874.
- Republican Party (Pa.).
- Whig Party (Pa.).
- Railroads--Pennsylvania.
- Iron industry and trade--Pennsylvania.
- Public works--Pennsylvania.
- Telegraph--Pennsylvania--History.
- Banks and banking--United States.
- Coal mines and mining--Pennsylvania.
- Copper industry and trade--Superior, Lake.
- United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Economic aspects.
- Pennsylvania--Economic conditions.
- Pennsylvania--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], James Martin Bell Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Provenance
The James Martin Bell Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library in 1956.
Processing Information
Processed by Rubenstein Library staff
Encoded by Paula Jeannet Mangiafico, May 2008
Accession from 1956 is described in this finding aid.
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.