Gideon Wanton letters (RLC.Ms.014)

This collection is comprised of letters sent by Gideon Wanton detailing his experiences as a young man learning the mercantile trade in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The majority of his correspondence was to his sister Polly, often written in French, in which he candidly expressed his homesickness for his family and Newport and his impressions of Philadelphia’s social life and customs. Letters sent to his parents, brother-in-law, Daniel Lyman, and other family acquaintances were often more serious in nature and describe his work with French merchant, M. LeMaigre, and his travels to West Indies and other Unites States cities to conduct business. Also present is a letter sent to Wanton from Daniel Lyman and a letter sent to Gideon’s parents from John Bringhust expressing his condolences after Gideon’s untimely death.

This collection also contains transcriptions of each letter and translations of letters written in French, which were provided by the donor.