American naturalist, artist, inventor, business man, pioneer in anthracite coal development, author and U. S. Postmaster. The collection includes personal and business letters, documents, agreements, memoranda, clippings and records as postmaster of Wilkes-Barre, Pa. His accounts as treasurer of the Wilkes-Barre Bridge Co. are included and records of activities as a founder and officer of Luzerne County Agricultural Society, and as a Commissioner from his county to the Pennsylvania Commission for Internal Improvement. His tax accounts as County Treasurer, with supplementary letters give details of the procedures in vogue during that era. Includes some typescript and some facsimile copies.