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Charles Graff Papers

 Collection
Identifier: LAC-276-x

Scope and Contents

The Charles Graff Papers consist of Charles Graff's letter book kept from 1829-1848. The letters are both personal and professional. They include correspondence to his brother, Frederick Graff, and to Henry Seybert, known for his bequest to the University of Pennsylvania that resulted in the Seybery Commission, which investigated and uncovered fraud among Spiritualist mediums.

Dates

  • Creation: 1827-1848

Biographical / Historical

Charles Graff (b. 1779) was a Philadelphia merchant; in the 1830 Desilver's Philadelphia Directory, he is listed as a "gentleman" living at 265 Arch St. Charles was the grandson of Jacob Graff (1727-1780), a German immigrant, bricklayer, and builder who was the landlord of the house on Market St. where Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence. Charles Graff's brother, Frederick, was a hydraulic engineer responsible for the development of the Fairmount Water Works. Charles Graff's letter book indicates that he was active in financial organizations such as the Union Insurance Company of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Bank. He served as president of the Union Canal Company from 1825 to 1845.

Extent

TBD Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Author
Lydia Hessel-Robinson
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the The Athenaeum of Philadelphia Repository

Contact:
219 S. 6th St.
Philadelphia PA 19106 United States
215-925-2688