MenuInventory of the Ezekiel Skinner papers, 1834-1836
Abstract
Ezekiel Skinner (1777-1855) was a missionary and physician who worked in Monrovia, Liberia for the American Colonization Society during the 1830s. Although almost 60 years old, Skinner believed it was his duty to continue the work of his son, Benjamin Rush Skinner, who had died in Liberia a few years before. He returned to the United States in 1837.
This collection consists of 15 letters and other related documents (with typed transcripts) written by Dr. Ezekiel Skinner during his time working for the American Colonization Society in Liberia. Skinner travelled to Africa twice beginning in 1834 and finally returning to the United States in 1837. These letters cover both trips and provide information about the day-to-day challenges faced by the emigrants from the United States. The majority of the letters are addressed to his family and written in the style of a journal, but there are also retained copies of Skinner's official correspondence as an officer of the Society. The contents of the letters touch upon various topics such as living conditions, missionary work, interaction with native Africans, and medical care of the emigrants.
Descriptive Summary
- Repository
- David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
- Creator
- Skinner, Ezekiel, 1777-1855
- Title
- Ezekiel Skinner papers, 1834-1836
- Language of Material
- English
- Extent
- 1.0 Linear Foot, 40 Items
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Collection Overview
This collection consists of 15 letters and other related documents (with typed transcripts) written by Dr. Ezekiel Skinner during his time working for the American Colonization Society in Liberia. Skinner travelled to Africa twice beginning in 1834 and finally returning to the United States in 1837. These letters cover both trips and provide information about the day-to-day challenges faced by the emigrants from the United States. The majority of the letters are addressed to his family and written in the style of a journal, but there are also retained copies of Skinner's official correspondence as an officer of the Society. The contents of the letters touch upon various topics such as living conditions, missionary work, interaction with native Africans, and medical care of the emigrants.
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 AllSeries contains original letters from Skinner to his family and his correspondence on behalf of American Colonization Society.
Series includes typed transcripts of each family letter and of the American Colonization Society correspondence in the collection.
Historical Note
Ezekiel Skinner (1777-1855) was a missionary and physician who studied medicine under Benjamin Rush in Philadelphia. During the time period covered by this collection, Skinner was in Monrovia, Liberia working for the American Colonization Society. His first trip to Africa in 1834 was inspired by the death of his son Benjamin Rush Skinner, who was serving as a minister in Monrovia when he succumbed to illness in 1831. Although almost 60 years old, Skinner believed it was his duty to continue the work of his son. During his second trip he was appointed as an agent of the United States government to oversee settlement of new Liberian citizens arriving from the United States. He returned to the United States in 1837.
Subject Headings
- Skinner, Ezekiel, 1777-1855
- American Colonization Society--History.
- Slave trade--Liberia.
- Slave traders--Africa--History--19th century.
- Medical care – History—19th century.
- Missionaries--Africa--History--19th century.
- Missionaries, Medical--Liberia – History – 19th century.
- Temperance and religion--United States--History--19th century.
- African Americans--History--19th century.
- Monrovia (Liberia)--History.
- Liberia--Colonization--American influences.
- Liberia--Emigration and immigration--History--19th century.
- Liberia--History--To 1847.
- John Hope Franklin Research Center for African and African American History and Culture.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Ezekiel Skinner papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
Provenance
The Ezekiel Skinner papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a purchase in April 2012.
Processing Information
Processed by Bob Malme, July 2012
Encoded by Bob Malme, July 2012
Accession(s) described in this finding aid: 2012-0073
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.