Catalog of Manuscript Collections

Creators: Roger Sherman (1721-1793); Roger Sherman, Jr. (1768-1856); Roger Sherman Prescott (1799-1856); Roger Minott Sherman (1773-1844) Extent: 225 items Description: The collection contains records of a New Haven family, including material on Roger Sherman (1721-1793), singer of the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution; legal documents, a few papers from his surveying work, and ledger (1761-1770) from his mercantile business (there are no papers having to do with his political activities except for notes in his almanacs); daybooks (1788-1848) of his son, Roger Sherman, Jr. (1768-1856); ledger (1832-1841) of Roger Sherman Prescott (1799-1856), merchant; notebook compiled by Henrietta F. Thatcher on the Roger Sherman memorial in Grove Street Cemetery, New Haven, and on Sherman's descendants; and other genealogical and miscellaneous Sherman family papers, including a few papers of Roger Minott Sherman (1773-1844), nephew of Roger Sherman; and a letter to General William T. Sherman of Civil War fame, a distant relative. Additions to the collection include a complaint against Benedict Arnold and warrant signed by Sherman for Arnold's arrest; Revolutionary War papers including a receipt for money for New Haven troops in the Continental Army; and a report of a committee investigating Walter Livingston. Research Topics: History of law in CT; 18th century New Haven business activities (does not contain Roger Sherman’s political papers); Benedict Arnold in New Haven