Sir Alexander Cuming papers
Scope and Contents
Commonplace books, memorials, note, and military appointment of Sir Alexander Cuming, 1734-1767, mainly concerning Cuming's attempts during 1755 to extricate himself from debtors' prison and his past services to the crown. In addition to the many draft letters and memorials noting Cuming's efforts to bring the Cherokees under British sovereignty, signs of royal favor, etc., there are numerous versions of insolvency claim statements listing properties in South Carolina and the Cherokee region, and variously dated essays and notes on such diverse topics as the conversion of pagans and Jews, visions, national banks, and sums of infinite mathematical series. Correspondents include Stephen Theodore Janssen (Lord Mayor of London), the Lords of the Regency, the Earl of Harrington, William Morehead, and George Lewis Scott. The 1734 military appointment, possibly signed by the first Duke of Newcastle, designates Cumings a captain in an independent company of foot in Jamaica.
Dates
- Creation: 1734-1767
Creator
- Cuming, Alexander, Sir, 1691-1755 (Person)
Biographical / Historical
Second baronet of Culter, eccentric Scottish promoter and visionary, Royal Society member, and self-proclaimed king of the Cherokees. Born in Scotland around 1690 and briefly a member of the Scottish bar (1714-1718), Sir Alexander Cuming is best known for his unofficial mission (1729-1730) to the Cherokees, which resulted in his crowning as king and return to England accompanied by seven Cherokee chiefs. Cuming then spent several years hoping to be confirmed as overlord of the Cherokees, advocating various banking and settlement plans, and experimenting with alchemy. Following a lengthy imprisonment for debt and ten years as a poor brother of the Charterhouse, Cuming died in 1775.
Extent
0.2 Linear Feet (7 items in 1 box and 1 oversize folder)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Commonplace books, memorials, note, and military appointment of Sir Alexander Cuming, 1734-1767, mainly concerning Cuming's attempts during 1755 to extricate himself from debtors' prison and his past services to the crown. In addition to the many draft letters and memorials noting Cuming's efforts to bring the Cherokees under British sovereignty, signs of royal favor, etc., there are numerous versions of insolvency claim statements listing properties in South Carolina and the Cherokee region, and variously dated essays and notes on such diverse topics as the conversion of pagans and Jews, visions, national banks, and sums of infinite mathematical series. Correspondents include Stephen Theodore Janssen (Lord Mayor of London), the Lords of the Regency, the Earl of Harrington, William Morehead, and George Lewis Scott. The 1734 military appointment, possibly signed by the first Duke of Newcastle, designates Cumings a captain in an independent company of foot in Jamaica.
Ownership and Custodial History
Forms part of the Edward E. Ayer Manuscript Collection (Newberry Library).
Bibliographic References
Butler, R.L. Check list of the mss. in the Ayer Coll., 204.
Processing Information Note
Commonplace books, 1739-1765 and 1755 (17 p.) formerly known as Ayer MS 204a. Memorials and note formerly known as Ayer MS 204.2. Military appointment, printed form filled in, on vellum, with revenue stamps and evidence of seal formerly known as Ayer MS 204.1. Commonplace book, 1755 (59 p.), has cover-title: Georgia and the Cherokees (Sir A. Cumming [sic.]).
Subject
- Harrington, William Stanhope, Earl of, approximately 1690-1756 -- Correspondence (Person)
- Cuming, Alexander, Sir, 1691-1755 -- Correspondence (Person)
- Scott, George Lewis, 1708-1780 -- Correspondence (Person)
- Janssen, Stephen Theodore, Sir, -1777 -- Correspondence (Person)
- Morehead, William, Esquire -- Correspondence (Person)
- Newcastle, Thomas Pelham-Holles, Duke of, 1693-1768 (Person)
- Edward E. Ayer Manuscript Collection (Newberry Library) (Organization)
- Great Britain. Army -- Appointments and retirements -- Specimens (Organization)
- Great Britain. Army. Independent Company of Foot (Jamaica) (Organization)
Geographic
Topical
- Cherokee Indians -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
- Debt, Imprisonment for -- England -- London -- History -- 18th century -- Sources
- Indians of North America -- Southern States -- History -- 18th century -- Sources
- Indigenous peoples -- Great Britain -- Colonies -- History -- 18th century -- Sources
- Status
- Catalog Record Only
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts and Archives Repository
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512
reference@newberry.org