Summary Information

Title: William M. Darlington Fort Pitt Copybooks
Collection Number: DAR.1925.12
Creator: Darlington, William M. (William McCullough), 1815-1889

Collection Dates: 1752-1782
Extent: 0.42 linear feet (1 box)

Language: English

Abstract:

These copybooks were hand written by William Darlington, a nineteenth century collector of American history, in 1839. The volumes contain records about Fort Pitt, business transactions from 1752 to 1782, a list of names of some inhabitants at the fort, and some unrelated notes about Darlington's observations of birds in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Digital reproductions of the collection are available electronically by following the respective "Digitized Folder Contents" links within the finding aid.

Publisher:

ULS Archives Service Center
University of Pittsburgh Library System
7500 Thomas Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA, 15260
412-648-3232
archives-ref@mail.pitt.edu

Date Published:

February 2008

Author:

Finding aid prepared by Nicole Mader.

Revision Description:

November 2009:

Controlled access terms revised (dar)

Collection Scope and Content Notes

The first volume contains information about the trading of goods at Fort Pitt between 1752 and 1782. William M. Darlington used this volume to copy records from various sources in the mid-nineteenth century. The volume is in no particular sequential order nor does it include a citation of sources. Included among these records are letters about events at Fort Pitt, along with pages of transactions. One page contains a list of payments made with the name of customers and goods purchased. Darlington was also interested in ornithology and a portion of the journal is dedicated to bird sightings in Allegheny County. The second volume contains a list of names of some inhabitants of Fort Pitt during the mid to late eighteenth century. The business transactions in the second volume are more voluminous and detailed than in the first. The items being sold were a variety of goods such as lead, flints, animal skins, powder, saddles, beans, baths, alcohol, and various household wares. The volumes are in good condition, although some of Darlington's handwriting is difficult to discern.

Subject Terms

Topics

• Birds -- Pennsylvania -- Allegheny County

Personal Names

• Darlington, William M. (William McCullough), 1815-1889 -- Finance, Personal -- Finance, Personal
• Darlington, William M. (William McCullough), 1815-1889

Locations

• Fort Pitt (Pa.) -- Commerce
• Fort Pitt (Pa.) -- History

Genres/Forms

• Copybooks
• Ledgers (Account books)

Access and Use

Access Restrictions:

No restrictions.

Acquisition Information:

Part of the original donation of William M. Darlington’s family library to the University of Pittsburgh in 1918 and 1925 by his daughters, Edith Darlington Ammon and Mary Carson Darlington.

Alternate Format:

Digital reproductions of the collection are available electronically by following the respective "Digitized Folder Contents" links within the finding aid.

Custodial History:

This collection was located in the Darlington Memorial Library in the University’s Cathedral of Learning until 2007 when it was moved to the ULS Archives Service Center for processing, storage, preservation and service. However, it remains in the custodianship of the ULS Special Collections Department.

Preferred Citation:

William Darlington Fort Pitt Copybook, 1753-1782, DAR.1925.12, Darlington Collection, Special Collections Department, University of Pittsburgh

Processing Information:

This collection was processed by Nicole Mader in May 2008.

Copyright:

No copyright restrictions.

Collection Inventory

Box 1

Volume

1

Ledger Fort Pitt, 1752-1791

• Digitized Content [PDF - 17.81 MB]

Volume

2

Ledger Fort Pitt, 1765-1782

• Digitized Content [PDF - 26.16 MB]