23 February 1876 • Hartford, Conn. (MS: PHi, UCCL 01309)
I accept with pleasure your invitation of the 19th inst., to attend at Independence Hall July 2d & bring with me a brief biographical Sketch of Francis Lightfoot Lee of Virginia.1explanatory note
Frank Marx Etting (1833–90) had served during the Civil War as chief paymaster of the Union army and had retired as a lieutenant-colonel in 1870. He now was custodian of Independence Hall, in Philadelphia, and chairman of its restoration committee. He also was chairman of “the celebration of the Centennial anniversary of the adoption by the Colonial Congress of the resolution declaring the thirteen colonies free and independent States,” to be held on 1 July 1876 (“Centennial Anniversary,” Philadelphia Public Ledger, 3 July 1876, 1). His letter inviting Clemens to bring an essay on Francis Lightfoot Lee (1734-97), Virginia legislator and signer of the Declaration of Independence, is now lost. It was probably similar to the following summons, printed in the Monmouth (Freehold, N.J.) Inquirer:
Philadelphia, Nov. 25th, 1875.
B. W. Throckmorton, Esq:—Sir:—The Committee on the Restoration of Independence Hall have resolved to invite the presence of the American Historians, Biographers and Literati, at that place on the second day of July, 1876. They desire that a biographical sketch of every individual whose memory is associated with this Building during the early days of the Republic may be prepared and deposited at that time among the archives of the National Museum.
You are respectfull[y] requested to be present at Independence Hall, on the day above mentioned, and to bring with you a sketch of the life of
john hart,
or in case of a preference for another subject, to communicate the fact.
An early answer is requested, the invitations being strictly limited.
With Great Respect,
Frank M. Etting,
Chairman of Committee.
Barberio Wood Throckmorton (1844–82), was a lawyer and prominent New Jersey Republican politician. John Hart (1711?–79), a New Jersey farmer and judge was a member of the Continental Congress and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence (“John Hart at the Centennial,” Monmouth (Freehold, N.J.) Inquirer, 2 Dec 75; Heitman 1903, 1:408; McCabe 1876, 744; Stern 2012, 67; “Killed by Morphine,” New York Times, 20 Nov 82, 5). See also 8 June 1876 to Ettingclick to open link.
MS, Frank M. Etting Collection, PHi.
MicroPUL, reel 1.
The collection was an 1891 gift of the Frank M. Etting estate to PHi, with additional items later acquired by purchase.
More information on provenance may be found in Description of Provenanceclick to open link.