Scope and Content Note
The papers of William Thornton (1759-1828) span the years 1741-1865 and consist chiefly of writings, correspondence, diaries, notebooks, papers of his wife Anna Maria Brodeau Thornton, and miscellaneous material. The collection is organized in five series: Correspondence and Other Material , Writings , Miscellany , an Addition , and Oversize .
Items in the Correspondence and Other Material series concern Thornton's interest in the development of the steamboat, his dispute with Benjamin H. Latrobe over designs for the United States capitol, his efforts to free slaves through African colonization, and his appointments as a commissioner of Washington, D.C., and as superintendent of patents for the State Department. Other subjects include his writings, paintings, and architectural interests outside of Washington.
The Writings series includes drafts of Cadmus: or, a Treatise on the Elements of the Written Language and ten volumes of writings on various topics, two of which are titled “Julia” and “Lucy.” Other writings concern African colonization, religion, sleep, and government.
The Miscellany contains commissions, a diploma, expense books, invitations, a petition from William Thornton, and others to Joseph Lewis, and printed matter.
The collection also includes correspondence concerning Anna Maria Brodeau Thornton's efforts to settle the Thornton estate, personal letters with the Adams family and other friends, her visiting book and bank book, and printed matter.
Correspondents include John Quincy Adams, Louisa Catherine Adams, Joseph Banks, Daniel Carroll, Andrew Ellicott, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Fulton, Thomas Jefferson, John Coakley Lettsom, James Madison, George Washington, Thomas Wilkinson, William Wirt, and Caspar Wistar.