Archive of material related to Daniel Dunscomb Bradford, of New York, New York, Consul at Paris, France, and a great-grandson of William Bradford, Pennsylvania's first printer, 1824-1838

Hardcover. Very Good. The archive includes: 16 letters, 45 manuscript pages, dated 1824-1838, with 11 manuscript pages of documents and papers, dated 1827-1836, plus 162 manuscript page genealogy book of the Bradford family, dated 1825; and a 76 page manuscript "Friendship Book" of Mary Ann Rodgers Bradford, c. 1828-1838. Daniel Dunscomb Bradford (1808-1837) Daniel Dunscomb Bradford was born on 14 May 1808, the son of Jacob Bradford (1771-1816) and Elisa Dunscomb, of New York City. He was baptized at Trinity Church, New York City. Daniel was the second great grandson of William Bradford (1658-1752), the first printer in Pennsylvania, and also the printer of the first book and newspaper in New York City. Daniel's father was first cousin to William Bradford (1755-1795), the second Attorney General of the United States (1794-1795). His grandfather Cornelius Bradford was the brother of the Revolutionary War printer William Bradford (1791-1791), the printer for the first Continental Congress. Daniel was one of five children, the other four being: Margaret D., Cornelius (died young), Cornelius (second of this name), and David Dickson. At the age of 19, Daniel, or "Dunscomb" as he was called, commenced studying law and was admitted to the practice of law in 1831. He sailed for Europe after visiting England and proceeded to France, where he was appointed the American Vice-Consul at Paris, which office he held until his death, in Paris, on 5 December 1837 at the age of thirty years old. While in Paris as Consul, Dunscomb was one of two non-family members present during the burial of General Lafayette in 1834. Bradford was also appointed the secretary of a committee of Americans in Paris who organized an appropriate expression of sorrow by the American people for Lafayette's death. David Dickson Bradford (1806-?), brother of Daniel Dunscomb, married Mary Ann Rogers, daughter of Dr. George Rogers of New York City, by whom he had at least three children: Margaret Gage, George Rogers, and Mary Elizabeth. David Dickson Bradford became a seaman, and eventually captain of his own vessel. Correspondence: 11 letters (34 pp.) of Daniel Dunscomb Bradford, written to his brother, sea captain David Dickson Bradford, and his sister-in-law Mary Ann Bradford, dated New York and Paris, 29 October 1828 - 6 April 1836. One of the letters is incomplete, and two others are torn, with loss of text, with general browning, and wear. These letters mainly concern family matters, though bigger issues do intrude. In one letter (2 Jan. 1830), Dunscomb breaks the news of Cornelius Bradford's death in Jerusalem, a later letter congratulates Dickson on his forthcoming marriage, another discusses the welfare of their mother, another writes of the family fortune, or rather the lack thereof, and their careers and aspirations such as sea-captain employment possibilities for Dickson, etc. Dunscomb Bradford enjoyed writing on such subjects as how to behave as a gentleman and how to be happy in love and marriage. Dunscomb Bradford took his brother Cornelius Bradford's place as Consul in Paris on the latter's death in August 1830. Dunscomb too died young, on 5 December 1837, and was buried in Pére Lachaise. 5 miscellaneous letters (11 pp.) include: 1 letter of Capt. E.M. Donaldson to David Dickson Bradford, dated Philadelphia 22 May 1824, discussing travel plans for "Mrs. Hall" and "the children." 1 letter copy of David Dickson Bradford to his brother Dunscomb Bradford, dated New York 24 February 1833; 1 letter of David Dickson Bradford to his wife Mary dated 5 March 1834. 2 letters of Robert Dumont to David Dickson Bradford, dated New York 3 Sept. 1836 and 16 Jan. 1838, the latter written at the request of Bradford's mother, informing Dickson of the death of his brother Dunscomb in Paris. The correspondence generally soiled, browned, and worn. Some sheets torn at wax seals, etc. But it is in generally good legible con