Daniel M. Tredwell papers
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Abstract
The Daniel M. Tredwell papers contain manuscripts of histories, essays, lectures, and reminiscences by Daniel Melancthon Tredwell (1826-1921). Dating from circa 1870s through circa 1910s, these manuscript writings primarily concern Long Island, especially Kings, Nassau, and Suffolk counties, with the towns of Flatbush and Hempstead appearing most frequently. The collection includes three major manuscripts, one on Kings County history, another on Native Americans of Long Island, and the last dating from circa 1888 concerning Tredwell's personal reminiscences of nineteenth century Long Island. There are also many shorter pieces on history, ethnography, philosophy, and other matters of intellectual inquiry. Topics of local historical interest include Melrose Hall in Flatbush, the organization of the Brooklyn Philosophical Society, and a history of the Apprentices Library Association. Other writings range from women's rights to metaphysics to biographical notes.
Biographical note
Daniel Melancthon Tredwell (1826-1921) was a lawyer, Chief Clerk of the Supreme Court of Brooklyn, officer of the Home Title Insurance Company of Brooklyn and, most relevant for this collection, author of local histories concerning Brooklyn and Long Island. He was born near Freeport, L.I. and died in Brooklyn. He was a member of the Long Island Historical Society (now the Brooklyn Historical Society), the Kings County Historical Society and the American Ethnological Society, among other organizations. (Source: New York Times obituary, November 12, 1921.)
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in order of the five accessions that comprise it. The three major manuscripts appear first, followed by two sets of shorter pieces. Each of these two sets is arranged by topic, moving from specific matters of local history to those concerning broader subjects, each set closing with a folder of miscellaneous writings, clippings, and fragments. There is some overlap in topics and multiple versions of material across the accessions.
Scope and Contents
The Daniel M. Tredwell papers contain manuscripts of histories, essays, lectures, reminiscences, and notes by Daniel Melancthon Tredwell (1826-1921). These primarily concern Long Island, especially Kings, Nassau (formerly part of Queens), and Suffolk counties, with the towns of Flatbush and Hempstead appearing most frequently. The collection includes three major manuscripts. One of these concerns Kings County's history and includes discussion of topography and its development from the mid-nineteenth to early twentieth centuries; Indians and Dutch, including their traditions, cultures, agriculture, and influence; and the American Revolution. Native Americans of Long Island are also a subject of a second major manuscript. A third manuscript of personal reminiscences dating from circa 1888 is based on a journal maintained by Tredwell for over 50 years, beginning in 1838. This manuscript progresses in roughly chronological order until early 1845, with personal reflections on Indian relics, meteor showers, the destruction of an old oak tree during a storm, his visit to a Millerite encampment near Hempstead, riding the Long Island Railroad, the Amistad affair, sheep herding and parting, and marshing, among other topics.
In addition to the three major manuscripts, there are many shorter pieces on history, ethnography, philosophy, and other matters of intellectual interest. Topics of local historical interest include pieces on Melrose Hall in Flatbush, the organization of the Brooklyn Philosophical Society, and a history of the Apprentices Library Association. The subjects of other writings range from women's rights to metaphysics to biographical notes on Gabriel Harrison (actor, photographer, and artist; 1818-1902) and Gilbert Vale (writer; 1788-1866).
Tredwell's writings, especially his histories and reminiscences, seem to be a product of his own recollections, "rambles," inquiries, and readings. Most of the material is undated but appears to range from the 1870s to 1910s. Accordingly, the writings often combine first-hand observations of mid-nineteenth century Long Island, with commentary on developments in the later part of the century, with attempts to understand the history of Long Island in a broader intellectual context.
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Conditions Governing Access
Open to researchers without restriction.
Conditions Governing Use
The material in the collection is in the public domain.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date (if known); Daniel M. Tredwell papers, ARC.188, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Historical Society.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The source of the three major manuscripts and the smaller set of essays is unknown, but quite possibly came from Tredwell himself, a member of the Long Island Historical Society (now Brooklyn Historical Society), or through the Society's acquisition of the records of the Kings County Historical Society. The bulk of the essays (accession 1974.071) were purchased from G.A. Baker and Co. in 1938.
About this Guide
Processing Information note
The collection is comprised of five accessions: 1974.066, 1974.067, 1974.071, 1974.192, and 1978.161. Accession 1974.071 was processed in March 2011 by Weatherly Stephan. The other accessions were processed and added to the collection by Larry Weimer in December 2011.
