Gerry family papers, 1737-1955.

A collection of family papers of Elbridge Gerry (1744-1814, signer of the Declaration of Independence and Vice-President of the United States) and his descendents, including his grandson Elbridge T. Gerry (1837-1927) and his wife Louisa Livingston and their children Peter Goelet Gerry (1879-1957) and Robert L. Gerry (b. 1900). Includes a letter from John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 1800 June 13, concerning the new capitol: "I have taken a view of the federal city and its environs as far as Mount Vernon and am well pleased with the whole. I think Congress will very soon be better here than in Philadelphia." Includes 74 items concerning the method of capital punishment in New York (1888-94); family genealogical material; several Livingston family documents related to land ownership; minor letters of Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and several other presidents; a 1661 document signed by Peter Stuyvesant; and printed documents and photographs.