Guide to the Isaac Halstead Williamson and Benjamin Williamson Lawyers Papers 1772-1904 MG 330

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Descriptive Summary

Biographical Note

Scope and Content Note

Restrictions

Access Points


Related Material


Administrative Information

Bibliography

 

Container List

 

Williamson Papers

Guide to the Isaac Halstead Williamson and Benjamin Williamson
Lawyers
Papers
1772-1904

MG 330

 

The New Jersey Historical Society
52 Park Place
Newark, New Jersey 07102
Contact: NJHS Library
(973) 596-8500 x249

© 2006 All rights reserved.

The New Jersey Historical Society, Publisher

Processed by Bob Golon, December 2003, as part of the “Farm to City” project funded by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Finding aid encoded by Julia Telonidis. June 2006. Production of the EAD 2002 version of this finding aid was made possible by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Finding aid written in English.

Descriptive Summary

Creator: Williamson, Isaac Halstead.
Title: Isaac Halstead Williamson and Benjamin Williamson
Lawyers
Papers
Dates: 1772-1904
Abstract: Diary kept by the daughter of Reverend Ira Condict, late pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church at New Brunswick, New Jersey.
The diary covers January-September 1815. Miss Condict died at age seventeen on October 22, 1815.
Quantity: 3.5 linear feet (7 boxes)
Collection Number: MG 330

Biographical Note

Isaac Halstead Williamson and his son Benjamin Williamson were two of the most distinguished men who practiced law in New
Jersey during the 19th century.

Isaac H. Williamson was born in Elizabethtown in 1767. His brother Matthias Williamson was one of the leading lawyers in the
state, and Isaac studied with him, becoming licensed to practice law in 1791. He advanced to counselor in 1796 and to sergeant-at-law
in 1804. It was at this time that Isaac became involved in the state’s political process, and as a Democrat was elected to
represent Essex County in the New Jersey State Assembly in 1815. When Governor Dickerson resigned to accept his election to
the United States Senate, Williamson was elected Governor of New Jersey and was re-elected for 12 consecutive years. After
leaving the office of Governor in 1829, Williamson devoted the remainder of his career to the judiciary, becoming the Chancellor
of the State of New Jersey and a truly great equity judge. Isaac H. Williamson died on July 10, 1844, while he was still involved
in leading the convention to frame a new constitution for New Jersey as that convention’s president.

Benjamin Williamson was born in Elizabethtown in 1809 and attended the College of New Jersey at Princeton. After graduating
in 1827, he studied law and advanced to the bar in 1830, then was made a counselor in 1833. After setting up practice in Elizabeth,
he gained notoriety by becoming counsel for the Central Railroad of New Jersey. He served as prosecutor of the pleas in Essex
County for several years, and was appointed Chancellor of the State of New Jersey by Governor Fort in 1852, the same office
that his father Isaac had occupied. Under his guidance, the Chancery became one of the largest offices in the state.

Benjamin Williamson stepped down as Chancellor in 1859 and set up legal practice in Jersey City, N.J., maintaining that practice
for many years while serving in other capacities. In 1860, he was chosen as a delegate from New Jersey to the Democratic National
Convention, and in 1861 was one of the New Jersey delegates to the Peace Congress held in Washington D.C. in an effort to
avert the war between the states. He returned to Elizabeth late in life and died in 1892.

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Scope and Content Note

This collection consists mostly of legal documents and case records. Also included in this collection are incoming letters,
newspaper clippings, survey maps, and financial receipts. The correspondence consists of letters from Enoch Abel, James W.
Arrowsmith, Ezra Baker, John Colt, Roswell L. Colt, Silas Condit, Charles David, Smith Scudder, Samuel Shotwell, Charles Sitgreaves,
Elias Van Arsdale, Asa Whitehead, Thomas R. Wood and A. B. Woodruff.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Photocopying of materials is limited and no materials may be photocopied without permission from library staff.

Use Restrictions

This collection contains many fragile documents, please handle with care.

Researchers wishing to publish, reproduce, or reprint materials from this collection must obtain permission.

The New Jersey Historical Society complies with the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code), which
governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions and protects unpublished materials as well as published materials.

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Access Points

The entries below represent persons, organizations, topics, forms, and occupations documented in this collection.
Subject Names:
Abel, Enoch
W.
Arrowsmith, James.
Baker, Ezra, fl. 1765-1818.
Colt, John, 1786-1883.
Colt, Roswell L. (Roswell Lyman), 1779-1856.
Condit, Silas, 1778-1861.
David, Charles.
Scudder, Smith.
Shotwell, Samuel.
Sitgreaves, Charles, 1803-1878.
Van Arsdale, Elias, 1770-1846.
Williamson, Benjamin, 1809-1892.
Williamson, Isaac H. (Isaac Halsted), 1767-1844.
Subject Organizations:
Court of Common Pleas (Essex County)
Democratic Party (N.J.)

New Jersey.

New Jersey. Court of Chancery.
Subject Topics:
Court cases–New Jersey.
Justices–New Jersey.
Lawyers–New Jersey.
Subject Places:
Elizabeth (N.J.)
Jersey City (N.J.)
Document Types:
Clippings.
Judicial Records.
Letters (Correspondence)
Maps.
Receipts.

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Related Material

Manuscript Group 92, William W. Morris Biographical Sketches of Newark Mayors, The New Jersey Historical Society.

Manuscript Group 189, Isaac Williamson Legal Notebook, The New Jersey Historical Society.

Manuscript Group 636, John Colt Letters, The New Jersey Historical Society.

Manuscript Group 904, John Drew Papers, The New Jersey Historical Society.

 

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

This collection should be cited as: Manuscript Group 330, Isaac Halstead Williamson and Benjamin Williamson
Lawyers
Papers, The New Jersey Historical Society.

Acquisition Information

Gift, in part, of Francis Bazley Lee, ca. 1912.

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Bibliography

Biographical encyclopedia of New Jersey. Philadelphia: Galaxy Publishing Company, 1877.

Shaw, William H. History of Essex and Hudson Counties New Jersey. Volume II. Philadelphia: Everts and Peck, 1884.

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Container List

Williamson Papers

Box Folder Title Date
1 1 Documents 1836 May-1844
1 2 Documents 1836 May-1844
1 3 Documents 1836 May-1844
1 4 Deeds and bonds 1808-1867
1 5 Deeds and bonds 1808-1867
1 6 Bills and receipts 1801-1868
1 7 Williamson, Isaac – Letters received n.d.
1 8 Louis Atterbury to Isaac H. Williamson 1844 Feb. 17
1 9 Isaac Williamson to Rev. William Rudd n.d.
1 10 Court cases 1834-1844
1 11 Court cases 1834-1844
Box Folder Title Date
2 1 Isaac Williamson – Accounts 1772-1835
2 2 Legal papers 1786 Apr.-1835 Nov.
2 3 Legal papers 1786 Apr. 13-1835 Nov.
2 4 Isaac Williamson – Letters received 1806-1844
2 5 Isaac Williamson – Letters received 1806-1844
2 6 Benjamin Williamson – Letters received 1837-1846
2 7 Benjamin Williamson court cases: Liddel v. McVickers (1834);Townley v. Prudden (1834); Salter v. Grant (1836); Flatt v. Ludlum
(1836); Salter v. Smith (1837); Price v. Maltty (1837); Burtis v. Broadwell (1838); Salter v. Vreeland (1838); Price v. Baker
(1839); Iacot v. Berry (1840); Falks v. Elizabethtown & Somerville Railroad (1840); Huntman & Royburry Adson. H. Johnson
(1840); Leonard v. W.D. Williamson (1840); Hadley v. Reeve (1841); Freeholders of Essex v. Peck (1841); Woodruff v. Tuers
(1843); Associates of Jersey Court v. Kenedy et al (1843); Tuers v. Woodruff (1843); Tuers v. Woodruff (1843); The People
v. Williams (1844)
1834-1844
2 8 Miscellaneous 1800-1836
2 9 Court cases: Hallet v. Thomas, n.d. (1782?) NJ Supreme Ct.; R. Thomas v. Dennis (1796) Middlesex Pleas; Crane v. Crane (1796)
Essex Pleas; Sheppard v. Rogers (1797); Lewis v. Dubois (1799) Borough Pleas; Thomas et al. v. Prudben et al (1799) NJ Supreme
Ct.; Haines v. Goble (1795) Somerset Pleas; R. Thomas v. J. Hallet (1799) Essex Circuit; Lyell v. Sharp (1799) Supreme Ct.
1782-1789
2 10 Court cases: McDonald v. Hunt (1800); Shinning v. Crane (1800); McDonald v. Boylan (1800); Skinner c. Marsh (1800); Haines
v. Stilwell (1800); Brinckerhoff v. Tuttle (1800); M. Williamson v. Lee (1800); Stiles v. Stiles (1800); McDonald v. Petton
(1801); Deun v. Kifsarn (1801); I.H. Williamson v. Anderson (1801); Stiles v. ? (1801); Derrin v. Bowers (1802); M. Williamson
v. G. Bidliman (1803); Crockeson v. Dubois (1804); State v. Kob (1805); Denendem v. Boun (1806); Parker v. Pheonix (1806);
Williamson v. Edwards (1806); State v. Reeves (1806); ? v. ? Morris County Pleas (1807); Dickey & Dickey v. Saddle River (1807);
Marsh v. Marsh (1807); Murrey v. Boudinot (1808); M. Williamson v. ? (1808); Wintermute v. Miller (1808); Dickerson v. ? (n.d.);
Williamson v. Meekar (1809)
1800-1809
2 11 Court cases: Morris v. Holloway (1810); Puckman v. Goffrey (1810); Murray v. Murray (1810); Graham v. Northrup (1811); Brig
“Ocean” v. USA (1811); Justin v. Williamson (1811); B. Williamson v. Bruen (1811); Harris v.Ayers (1812); Stewart v. Eustin
(1812); Thompson v. Smiley (1812); M. Williamson v. J. Kinney (1814); Dew v. Fitz Randolph (1815); Mickseh v. Luayze (1815);
Shute v. Qurtin (1815); M. Williamson v. M. Edwards (1819)
1810-1819
Box Folder Title Date
3 1 Court cases: H. Ogden v. Gibbons (1820); Pinkerton v. Pinkerton (1821); Lloyd v. Parker (1822); Trumbull v. Gibbons (1823);
C. Rott v. J. Smith (1823); NJ v. Williams Jones (1824); Ridgeway v. Brick (1825); Smith v. Axtell (1825); Roff v. Axtell
(1825); J. Smith v. S. Axtell (1827); Lee v. Baker (1828); Growley et al. v. Darcey (1828); Knowlton Township (Warren County)
v. J. Newman (1828); Mathias Williamson v. Oliver Johnston (1829); Mathias Williamson v. Oliver Johnston (1829)
1820-1829
3 2 Court cases: President of State Bank of Elizabeth v. King (1830); Mathias Williamson v. Daniel Hill (?) (1830); Roff v.
Axtell (1830); Price v.Bell (1831); Dew v. Fen (1831); Conklin v. Styin (1831); Williamson v. Edwards (1831); Edwards v. Williamson
(1831); Pettee & Smith v. Stevens & Sloan (1831); Williamson v. Edwards (1831); Trumbull v. Mead (1831); Morris Circuit Subpoenas
for Mason, Hurd, Kott & Kelly, 1831; Losey v. Bearcuber(?) 1831; President of Bank of Elizabeth v. Trumbull (1832); Burhaus
v. Vaness (1832); Trumbull v. Meas (1832); Johnson v. Seaman (1832); Prudden v. Van Houten (1832); Trumball v. Mead, (n.d.);
Trumball v. Mead, (n.d.); Trumball v. Mead, (n.d.); Trumball v. Mead, (n.d.); Williamson & Rutgers v. Egbert (1833); Browning
v. Thomas (1833); Leddel v. Vicker(?) (1833); Davis v. Agnew (1833); Morris v. Collet (1833)
1820-1829
3 3 Correspondence 1845 Jan.-1884 Aug.
3 4 Correspondence 1845 Jan.-1884 Aug.
3 5 Correspondence n.d.
3 6 Correspondence n.d.
3 7 Benjamin Williamson – Correspondence 1837
3 8 Correspondence 1836-1839
3 9 Correspondence 1836-1839
3 10 Correspondence and legal papers 1844-1846
Box Folder Title Date
4 1 Correspondence and legal papers 1840-1843
4 2 Correspondence and legal papers 1840-1843
4 3 Correspondence and legal papers 1840-1843
4 4 Legal papers 1865-1870
4 5 Legal papers 1865-1870
4 6 Legal papers 1865-1870
4 7 Legal papers 1871-1877
4 8 Legal papers and correspondence 1878
4 9 Legal papers and correspondence 1879-1883
Box Folder Title Date
5 1 Legal papers and correspondence 1879-1883
5 2 Legal papers and correspondence 1884-1904
5 3 Legal papers and correspondence 1884-1904
5 4 Documents n.d.
5 5 Correspondence and legal papers n.d.
5 6 Correspondence and legal papers n.d.
5 7 Correspondence and legal papers n.d.
5 8 Correspondence and legal papers n.d.
Box Folder Title Date
6 1 Correspondence and legal papers n.d.
6 2 Correspondence and legal papers n.d.
6 3 Correspondence and legal papers n.d.
6 4 Correspondence and legal papers n.d.
6 5 Correspondence and legal papers n.d.
6 6 Newspaper clippings n.d.
6 7 Survey maps 1811, 1817
6 8 Receipts n.d.
6 9 Printed material n.d.
6 10 Miscellaneous n.d.
6 11 Correspondence and legal papers 1847-1851
6 12 Correspondence and legal papers 1847-1851
6 13 Correspondence and legal papers 1852-1859
6 14 Correspondence and legal papers 1852-1859
Box Folder Title Date
7 1 Correspondence and legal papers 1860-1864
7 2 Correspondence and legal papers 1860-1864
7 3 Correspondence and legal papers 1860-1864

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