Series 2: Personal and Social Matters, 1823-1918, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
This series primarily concerns the private, social, educational, and cultural pursuits of various Pierreponts, principally Henry Sr. Some important documents concern the Pierreponts's commercial and property interests; an example of this is an 1845 letter from Henry concerning Brooklyn Heights and Montague Street land transactions. Much of the correspondence in the series concerns the various civic committees and religious or cultural institutions supported by the Pierreponts, including the Long Island Historical Society, Astronomical Society of Brooklyn, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Committee on the University, and St. John's Church. Some correspondence and other documents concern the two Anna Maria Pierreponts (Constable and Jay); among these is an 1848 letter discussing the impact of a large fire in Brooklyn.
Also found here are materials concerning Henry's elementary education and intellectual interests, family history and genealogy, and material concerning deaths and burial monuments. Among the historical notes is 1863 correspondence from Henry Sr. to Henry Stiles discussing the history of Brooklyn Heights. Some financial records are included in the series, such as the details of a 1845 wharf and land purchase and Henry's personal cash book (1825-1832). Also included is a 1907-08 series of National Photographic Library Postcards presented to the LIHS by Henry E. Pierrepont.
Arrangement
The series is arranged by document form and subject matter in roughly chronological order.
Henry E. Pierrepont: early education (2 folders), 1823-1824, inclusive
General
Includes the book Key to the exercises calculated to enable private learners to become their own instructors in grammar and composition. Includes the Yearly distribution of premiums for the pupils of the Lyceum.
Notebook of H.E. Pierrepont containing mathematical exercises, sketches, and essays, circa 1830, inclusive
Barometric record kept by H.E. Pierrepont, 1839-1840, inclusive
Article by H.E. Pierrepont on the tides of the Great Lakes, 1839, inclusive
List of Subscribers to the Brooklyn Assembly, 1832, 1873, inclusive
Washington and Montague Park proposals published in local newspapers, also includes correspondence, 1845-1848, 1860, inclusive
Astronomical Society of Brooklyn: subscription book for the construction of an observatory, constitution, 1850, inclusive
General
One piece of correspondence is in French.
Act concerning French Spoliation Claims, 1850, 1885, inclusive
Passport, H.E Pierrepont, Jr., 1863, inclusive
Correspondence: Henry and Henry Jr. (5 folders), 1832-1895, inclusive
General
These folders include correspondence to and from the Henry Pierreponts. Most likely concern Henry Sr., though Henry Jr. is also represented. Correspondence to a Henry from one of the Anna Maria Pierreponts is included in a later folder.
Correspondence: John J., 1918, inclusive
Correspondence and other documents: Anna Marias (Constable and Jay), 1826-1902, inclusive
General
This folder includes documents likely related to both Anna Maria (Constable) Pierrepont (Hezekiah's wife) and to Anna Maria (Jay) Pierrepont (Henry Sr's wife).
Correspondence: to Seth (Low Pierrepont?), 1909-1910, inclusive
H.E. Pierrepont's personal cash book, 1825-1832, inclusive
Financial Documents, 1817, 1838, 1845, 1865-1870, inclusive
General
Includes financial details of a 1845 wharf and land purchase and a receipt for an 1817 survey.
Contents of H.E. Pierrepont, Jr.'s wallet, 1875-1902, inclusive
General
The wallet itself was removed from this collection to BHS's museum collection. The contents include genealogical notes, correspondence, financial notes, and clippings.
Social cards, circa 1890, inclusive
Ellen Low Pierrepont: death and estate, 1872-1905, inclusive
Pierrepont Family History prepared by John Jay Pierrepont (photocopy), 1904, 1921, inclusive
Typescript recollections concerning Peter and Nancy (both blind from smallpox), children of Pierre Jay, circa 1880s, inclusive
Notes concerning history of plate once owned by Nathan Beers, circa 1900, inclusive
National Photographic Library Postcards and certificate presented to LIHS by Henry E. Pierrepont, 1907-1908, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Contains 1908 certificate of membership for Henry E. Pierrepont to the National Photographic Library, a placard declaring that it was presented by Pierrepont to the Long Island Historical Society, and several placards with photographs and descriptions on the back. The 1907 photographs are of natural phenomena in Alaska and the Southwestern United States such as Yellowstone Park, anthropological images of Southwestern Native peoples, and images of archeological sites. The images have detailed descriptions of what they depict on the backs of the individual placards.
Processing Information
Archival material found in repository added to collection by Lena Evers-Hillstrom in October 2018.
