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JOHN STEVENS COLLECTION, 1808 - 1881
#333
(.66 cu. ft.: 2 DB)
by: Don Darroch & Robert Harding, June 1989
History
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
propeller. He
established the world's 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 -- also were prominent engineers
and developers of transportation equipment who collaborated with their father.
Scope and Content
The main component of this collection is a double-spaced typed document of 858 pages compiled
by J. Elfreth Watkins, curator of the Section of Transportation and Engineering in the U.S. National
Museum from 1895 to 1903. The document, which is arranged in roughly chronological order,
includes copies of John Stevens' correspondence as well as newspaper articles, technical papers,
legal documents and other material relating to Stevens' professional work, 1808-1830. There is no
table of contents or index and there is some repetition. The correspondence includes letters to and
from rival inventors such as Robert Fulton (commonly credited with building the first steamboat),
and to several famous figures, including Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Martin Van Buren.
Other documents in the collection are the original 1831 articles of incorporation of the Danville and
Pottsville Railroad and a carefully detailed survey and cost estimate of the Camden and Amboy
Railroad done in 1830 by civil engineer John Wilson. Although there is no reference to John
Stevens in these documents, he had actively campaigned for local railroads in New Jersey and
Pennsylvania.
Provenance
This Collection was transferred from the Division of Transportation to the Archives Center in June
1989. Acquisition of this collection was never recorded by the Division. On June 15, 1989 the
Archives Center requested John Stine supply memo to Harding on provenance.
| Box |
Folder |
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| 1 |
1 |
pp. 1-73 Letters by and to John Stevens from Robert Fulton and others; excerpted
newspaper articles, patents, proposals, specifications, articles of incorporation,
drafts of legislation (state of New Jersey); all relating to steamboats and their
components and projects of John Stevens. 1808-1812. |
|
2 |
pp. 74-144 Correspondence of John Stevens with William J. Duane of
Pennsylvania State Legislature and others relative to a project for elimination of a
sandbar that obstructed navigation of the Delaware River below Trenton, NJ. A
20 page letter ("statement of facts") of Robert Fulton to Cadwallader Colden,
Esq. detailing alleged misdeeds and false claims of John Stevens relevant to
steamboats. Also draft agreements between John Stevens and Robert Fulton and
others regarding rights of steamboat navigation on the Delaware, Chesapeake,
Santee, Savannah and Connecticut Rivers and between Providence and Newport,
1813. |
|
3 |
pp. 145-208 Letters of John Stevens to Cadwallader Colden, including a 52 page
reply (apparently never sent to Colden) to Robert Fulton's "statement of facts"
(see folder 2), detailing Stevens' negotiations with Fulton and Livingston over
rights to operate steamboats and Stevens' history of inventions and improvements
in developing the steamboat. 1813. |
|
4 |
pp. 209-279 Correspondence of John Stevens with Robert L. Stevens (his son)
regarding manufacture of steamboats and with James A. Stevens (son) including
notes by John Stevens on possible steamboat routes and resulting revenues in
Europe. Application to James Monroe, U.S. Secretary of State, for a patent on
methods for propelling boats (the U.S. Patent Office at that time was in the
Department of State). Correspondence of John Stevens and Louis Condit, U.S.
Representative from New Jersey, regarding Congressional action to extend
Stevens' patents. Letter by Stevens stating his intention to sue "the owners of the
Burlington boat" for infringement of Stevens' and Fulton's patents. Letter by
Stevens to W.A. Duer on principles of hydro-dynamics of paddle-wheels. Report
of NC legislature's committee on claims of Robert Fulton and Oliver Evans
which were in conflict with Stevens' patents regarding navigation by steamboats
in NC and other states. 1814-1818 |
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5 |
pp. 280-343 Several documents asking relief by the legislatures of New York
and Pennsylvania from grants of exclusive rights of steamboat navigation to
Fulton and Livingston. Proposals for improving navigation above tide-water on
the Susquehanna and Delaware Rivers by a new system of locks invented by John
Stevens. An act by the Pennsylvania Legislature authorizing construction of such
locks. An agreement between three of Stevens' sons to establish the Union Line
of steamboats to run from Philadelphia to Trenton and New Brunswick in New
Jersey. 1819-1825. |
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6 |
pp. 344-374 Philadelphia newspaper account of first run of new steamboat
Burlington on Delaware and testimonials to John Stevens. Secretary of Treasury
Samuel D. Ingham's letter to John Stevens inviting suggestions for means of
preventing explosions of steam boilers. Extract from 7th edition of
Encyclopedia Britannica on American development of steam navigation giving
large credit to Robert L. Stevens. Letter of Stevens' four sons offering for
exhibition a replica of John Stevens' 1804 steamboat. Opinion of three judges
appointed by the American Institute who after examining Stevens' 1804 replica,
attested to its validity as to time of manufacture and to design of screw-propeller.
"Reminiscence of an Old Traveler" describing career of John Stevens. New York
World newspaper account of development of Hoboken ferry service by John
Stevens and his sons, including the "horse boats" (paddle-wheel ferries driven by
horses). 1830-1879. |
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7 |
pp. 375-402 John Stevens' technical descriptions of steam pipes, boilers and
other components of steam engines. ca. 1826-1829. |
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8 |
pp. 403-431 John Stevens' "Essay on High Pressure Steam Engines" including
disasters resulting from explosion of steam boilers. (no date). |
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9 |
pp. 432-444 Sketch of John Stevens' life and work from Prof. Robert H.
Thurston's "Growth of the Steam Engine." This contains detailed descriptions of
Stevens' technical improvements in steamboats and trains. c. 1850. |
|
10 |
pp. 445-525 "Pamphlet on Railroads" by John Stevens, originally released in
1812 and republished with a preface by Charles King in 1852. This pamphlet
proposed the construction of a railroad from Lake Erie to Albany in lieu of a
canal which had been proposed by a New York State Commission. Stevens'
railroad, which would have propelled a 100-ton cargo at four miles per hour
using a 20-horse power steam engine, was estimated by him to cost only
one-third the projected outlay for the canal. Stevens' proposal was rejected by a
New York State government committee which had doubts about the feasibility of
the scheme. |
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11 |
pp. 526-553 Letters and statements by John Stevens proposing the construction
of railroads between various points in New Jersey. 1812-1815. |
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12 |
pp. 554-577 Letter to President James Madison dated 3/9/1816 from John
Stevens proposing construction of a combined railroad-water transportation
system from Providence, RI to Savannah, Georgia, a distance of more than 1,000
miles. Stevens argued this route would reduce transit time by half and would
have important national defense benefits by avoiding the risks of enemy naval
interference with commerce on the open seas (as in the war of 1812). A letter
(unsigned) to Senator Calhoun (1/22/1817) seeking U.S. Government support for
a Trenton-New Brunswick (NJ) railroad. John Stevens' letter to President
Monroe (10/21/1818) further supporting railroads. Letter to W.H. Crawford,
Secretary of the Treasury (10/31/1818) further asking public support for railroads.
Letter to Thomas Jefferson (11/7/1818) and a reply from Jefferson (11/23/1818)
pleading "infirmities of age" for not reading Stevens' papers, but supporting
generally "every improvement which may better the condition of mankind". A
similar reply from James Madison (11/17/1818). A letter to W.H. Crawford
(11/27/1818) and reply (12/4/1818) stating that no money was available to
support Stevens' plans. |
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13 |
pp. 581-593 Letters by Stevens to John Jay and William Duane proposing
railroad construction in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Letter to John Stevens
from his son, James A. Stevens, raising questions about feasibility of using
wooden railway tracks. 1819-1920. |
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14 |
pp. 595-678 Letters and memorials to state legislatures of New York and
Pennsylvania proposing construction of railroads including routes from
Philadelphia or Harrisburg to Pittsburgh, and from Utica to Albany. Text of a bill
introduced in Pennsylvania Legislature to authorize construction of a
"Pennsylvania Railroad" from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh by John Stevens. A paper
written by Stevens to induce sales of Pennsylvania Railroad stock. "Journal of
Route of Railroad" begun by Stevens on 7/14/1823 which was a survey of the
proposed route from Philadelphia to the Susquehanna. 1821-1823. |
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15 |
pp. 679-702 Letter to John Stevens from Timothy Dewey in Liverpool, England
on railroad construction problems and railroad stock prices there. Stevens letter
to director of Pennsylvania Railroad and letter to Matthew Carey. Patent granted
to Stevens for method of railroad construction (tracks elevated on pillars).
1823-1824. |
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16 |
pp. 703-760 Letters and memoranda of John Stevens relating to construction of
railroads and comparison of efficiency of using horses or steam as motive power.
Letters promoting the concept of railroads and the bright economic future for
them. 1824-1826. |
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17 |
pp. 761-802 Letters to DeWitt Clinton and others promoting the proposal of a
railroad from Albany to New York City. A description of Stevens' proposed
"Improvements in the construction of railways, steam-carriages and steam
engines adapted thereto". Additional descriptions of Stevens' proposal for
improving steam-driven "inclined planes" and the engines for powering them.
Letter to Martin Van Buren, Secretary of State, outlining improvements Stevens
foresaw in railroads. 1826-1830. |
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18 |
pp. 803-858 Papers by Stevens on various subjects, including: the superiority of
railroads over canals and steamboats; elevated railways; high pressure steam
engines; comparison of Stevens' engines with those used in England. Finally, a
eulogy of Stevens by Senator Stockton of New Jersey in 1852. 1822-1852 |
| 2 |
1 |
Handwritten documents recording establishment of Danville and Pottsville
Railroad, 1831. |
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2 |
Detailed survey and cost estimates for construction of the Camden and Amboy
Railroad submitted by John Wilson, civil engineer, 1830. |
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3 |
Original folders (4 in number) of 858 page document. |
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4 |
Duplicate pages for 858 page document. |
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