%eadnotat; ]> Say, Thomas, 1787-1834. Papers, 1821-1896. Phillips Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia Text converted and initial EAD tagging provided by Apex Data Services, March 2001. ENG Say, Thomas, 1787-1834. Papers, 1821-1896. Phillips Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 1963 Descriptive Summary Collection 455 Archives of the Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway Philadelphia PA 19103-1195 Phone: 215-299-1075 Email: archives@ansp.org
SAY, THOMAS, 1787-1834. Papers, 1821-96. 104 items. Collection 455

A naturalist and enthusiastic collector, with special interests in shells and insects, Thomas Say began his studies in Philadelphia. He was one of the founders of the Academy of Natural Sciences and remained active in the society until he moved to New Harmony, in 1825, with William Maclure, Charles Alexander Lesueur and Gerard Troost. There he married Lucy Way Sistare, a nature teacher and artist, who joined him in the publication of his American Conchology, Mrs. Say making the illustrations. He had already published in Philadelphia his American Entomology, for which Titian R. Peale did most of the drawings.

The collection includes biographical information and family documents, scientific correspondence, annotations to various published books, study notes and bibliographical insect references, as well as papers concerning Say's connection with the Academy.

Gifts of the author, Mrs. Lucy Say, her great niece Elvira Way Sistare, and others.

[UNK] [UNK] 1833

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Contents of the Collection.

Coll. 455

Say, Thomas

 PAPERS- A. Biographical items 1. Photograph of T. Say's monument in New Harmony, Ind. and manuscript transcription of the inscriptions on each of the four sides. Signed A. M. [Alexander Maclure] 2. The 1841 copy of the wedding register of Thomas and Lucy Say, married Jan. 4, 1827 3. Obituary of T. Say, (News clipping, Oct. 10, 1834) 4. Letterpress pamphlet, 1830 “List of the Linnaean Society of London” [When elected T. Say was the only American Foreign Member of the Society 5. Genealogical notes brought down to 1960, of part of the Say family. ALSO a typescript transcription of “The Say Burying Grounds” from the Philadelphia Sunday Times, Jan. 17, 1892. [Donated by Anna L. Newbold, a descendent] 6. Notes for personal non-scientific information, four in number. 7. Personal accounts of money matters. n.d. 8. Coates, Benjamin H. Biographical sketch of the late T. Say. 1835. B. Correspondence and lists of specimens sent to various correspondents. 12 pieces, 1825-27 ALS to Titian R. Peale, 1833. C. Scientific aspects of Say's endeavors. 1. Annotations to Melsheimer's Pennsylvania insects, 1806 2. Bibliographical references to insect literature (9 pieces on scraps of paper) 3. Study notes on various scraps of paper, 19 in all. Includes descriptions of new species and records of animals. Some were published, but most are not. 4. Identifications & Index to the legends for the 29 plates (incl. species 1-173) of Stoll's Cicaden. (5 pieces) D. Academy relationships 1. List of the library of Thomas Say which was donated by Mrs. Say after his death, 2 February 17, 1835. Manuscript list in the hand of J. Carson, the Academy's librarian 2. Committee reports on communications submitted for publication, 1821-1825. Mostly in [UNK] hand, as Chairman. 40 pieces 3. List of “Animals in keg” [Snakes, mice, shells, etc.] 4. List of materials (mss. books, pamphlets, pistols, drawing books, laboratory mounting equipment); possibly stuff lost on Long's expedition. Various items are assigned to Major Long, T. Say, A.N.S., and T. Peale. 5. account of [UNK] ANSP, 1817. [UNK] in [UNK] book Jan. 14, 1817. Marginal annotations in Stoll's Cicaden; handwritten index. Identifications & Index to the legends for the 41 plates (incl. species 1-298) in Stoll's Wantzen (incomplete); marginal annotations.