notebooks

This collection contains papers relating to the Duane family and associated families. The bulk of the collection concerns the papers of James Duane, a prominent New York lawyer, patriot, and land developer. James Duane (1733-1797) became the ward of Robert Livingston after his father's death around 1734 and married Livingston's daughter Mary in 1759. He made a number of profitable real estate investments and was a prominent lawyer by the time of the American Revolution.

Joseph Reed (1741-1785) was a lawyer, Revolutionary War soldier, and statesman born in Trenton, New Jersey. His wife, Esther De Berdt (1747-1780), organized aid for the Continental Army during the Revolution and was born in London, England.

Two autograph notebooks (1787 May 25-June 16 and 1787 June 18-July 10), containing John Lansing's notes taken during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Some contents include: transcriptions of various committee reports, including a transcription of Alexander Hamilton's plan ('Colonel Hamilton's System'); the text of Elbridge Gerry's committee report of July 5 1787; and a three-page list of the delegates of the convention arranged by state (excluding New Hampshire, since their delegates arrived after Lansing had left Philadelphia).