Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the John Stevens Collection, 1808-1881

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0333
Creators:
Watkins, J. Elfreth (John Elfreth), 1852-1903
Stevens, John, 1749-1838
Dates:
1808-1881
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
0.5 Cubic feet
2 boxes
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The main component of this collection is a double-spaced typewritten document of 858 pages transcribed (apparently in 1903) from original records and consisting of correspondence, newspaper articles, technical descriptions, legal documents, and other material relating to John Stevens, his professional work and career. Some of the correspondence is between Stevens and his rival inventors, such as Robert Fulton, credited with producing the first steamboat.
Other documents in the collection are the orginal papers incorporating the Danville and Pottsville RR in 1831 and a carefully detailed survey and cost estimate of the Camden and Amboy RR in 1830.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
John Stevens (1749 1838) of New York, inventor and engineer, graduated from King's College (now Columbia University) in 1768. Admitted to the New York Bar in 1771, he served as treasurer of New Jersey during the Revolutionary War. He became interested in steam powered navigation in 1787 and for the next fifty years was active in building and promoting steam boats and trains, securing numerous patents, and inventing such important developments as the screw propellor. He established the worlds first steam ferry, between New York City and Hoboken, New Jersey and later built the first operating steam locomotive in the United States Stevens secured a charter from the Legislature of Pennsylvania for the Pennsylvania Railroad, from Philadelphia to Lancaster County. Two of John Stevens' seven sons, Robert and Edwin were also prominent engineers and developers of transportation equipment who collaborated with their father.

Administration

Author
Don Darroch and Robert Harding
Custodial History
This collection was transferred from the Division of Transportation (now Division of Work and Industry) to the Archives Center in June 1989.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Immediate source of acquisition unknown.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Don Darroch and Robert Harding, 1989.

Using the Collection

Preferred Citation
John Stevens Collection, 1808-1881, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Pennsylvania Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Steam engineers Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
New Jersey Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Steam engineering Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Steam-engines Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Locomotive builders Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Correspondence -- 1930-1950 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Steamboats Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Railroads -- 19th century Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Locomotives Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Camden and Amboy Railroad. Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Danville & Pottsville Railroad Company Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Transportation Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
archivescenter@si.edu