John Russell Bartlett papers

Scope and Contents

The microfilmed John Russell Bartlet papers contain 31 watercolors and drawings by Henry Cheever Pratt; as well as 139 drawings, 2 sketchbooks, and 1 drawing book by John Russell Bartlett, all of which were created between 1850 and 1853 when Bartlett and Pratt were on expedition in Texas, New Mexico, California, Sonora, and Chihuahua. Also included are 8 drawings in pencil and Chinese white drawn from Bartlett sketches by the French artist, Oscar Bessau, who was working in Washington, D.C. in 1853; 13 watercolors drawn from Bartlett sketches by Seth Eastman in 1853 when Eastman was stationed at the Office of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C.; and 6 watercolors by Harrison Eastman, who was working in San Francisco, California during a period when John Russell Bartlett was also in that area. Five watercolors and drawings by unidentified artists; a pen and ink sketch of horses; and a self-portrait by Bartlett are also included.

Biographical / Historical

John Russell Bartlett (1805-1886) was a historian, linguist, and bibliographer in Providence, Rhode Island. From 1850 to 1853 Bartlett was the United States Boundary Commissioner responsible for surveying the US-Mexico border. During this time he traveled with Henry Cheever Pratt, and used the sketches from his travels to illustrate his Personal Narrative of Explorations and Incidents in Texas, New Mexico, California, Sonora and Chihuahua. Bartlett later worked for the John Carter Brown Library.

Related Materials

The John Carter Brown Library at Brown University holds the John Russell Bartlett papers (JRB Papers). The Rhode Island Historical Society holds the John Russell Bartlett papers.