mss0098_0147.xml Finding aid for Caleb S. Layton papers1845-1881 University of Delaware Library, Special Collections University of Delaware Library
Newark, Delaware 19717-5267 Phone: 302-831-2229 Fax: 302-831-6003 URL: http://www.lib.udel.edu/ud/spec/
Date encoded (2010 September 23) Finding aid encoded 2010 September 23 English Caleb S. Layton papers1845-1881 Special Collections Department, University of Delaware Library
Newark, Delaware 19717-5267 Phone: 302-831-2229 Fax: 302-831-6003 URL: http://www.lib.udel.edu/ud/spec/
 Layton, Caleb S., 1798-1882. Caleb S. Layton papers1845-1881 MSS 098, F147 12 items Consists of ten letters, one receipt, and one account book belonging to nineteenth-century Delaware attorney, legislator, and judge Caleb S. Layton (1798-1882), reflecting his legal career and personal life and finances. Materials entirely in English. University of Delaware Library - Special Collections Source

Purchase, November 2009.

 Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

 Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Use of materials from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. Please contact Special Collections Department, University of Delaware Library, http://www.lib.udel.edu/cgi-bin/askspec.cgi

 Citation

MSS 098, F147, Caleb S. Layton papers, Special Collections, University of Delaware Library, Newark, Delaware.

 Shelving Summary Box 6, F147: Shelved in SPEC MSS 098 manuscript boxes Processing

Processed by Theresa Hessey, April 2004. Encoded by Lora J. Davis, September 2010

 Biographical Note

Caleb S. Layton (1798-1882), was a Delaware attorney, judge, and legislator.

Layton was born in Sussex County, Delaware, on April 12, 1798. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Milton, where his father founded a mercantile business. Following schooling, Layton joined his father's business. In 1819, he married Penelope Rodney and began to hold public office. In 1820, he was appointed Clerk of the Peace for Sussex County, a position he held until he resigned in 1822 to pursue a legal education. While studying law with Thomas Cooper Esq. of Georgetown, Delaware, Layton served as Clerk of the Assembly from 1824 to 1825. In 1826, he was admitted to the bar and was also elected a member of the Assembly. Layton continued to be re-elected to the Assembly until 1830, when he successfully ran for a Senate seat. He served as Secretary of State for the state of Delaware, under Governor David Hazzard from 1830 until 1833. In 1836, he was reappointed to this position by Governor Charles Polk. Also in that year, he was appointed associate justice of Superior Court. He served in this capacity until his resignation in 1844. Among his many accomplishments during his legislative career were the introductions of a bill establishing a free school system and the first bill to abolish slavery in the state. Layton died on October 3, 1882, leaving nine children, who continued his example of public service to the state of Delaware.

Conrad, Henry C. History of the State of Delaware. Wilmington, Del: The author, 1908.

 Scope and Content Note

The Caleb S. Layton papers consist of eight letters, one account book, one bond, and one receipt belonging to nineteenth-century Delaware attorney, legislator, and judge Caleb S. Layton (1798-1882), reflecting his legal career and personal life and finances. Much of the material relates to a land dispute involving Solomon and A.W. Prettyman.

The bulk of the correspondence found in Series I. Letters and documents pertains to the case of Sarah Collins and, later, Priscilla Rust v. Reverend Solomon Prettyman. The case centered around a dispute over rental fees for a piece of land rented by Sarah Collins to Solomon Prettyman, with Collins subsequently transferring her interest in this land to Priscilla Rust. Five of the eight letters found in the collection were written by Prettyman, with four addressed to Layton and the fifth to Prettyman's brother, A. W., of Lewes, Delaware. Also included is one reply from Layton to Prettyman, and a letter to Prettyman from A. W.

Also in Series I. are a few miscellaneous items including a handwritten copy of the bond between Solomon Prettyman and Sarah Collins; one envelope addressed to Layton and postmarked "Albertsville;" and one receipt for the printing of a temperance address.

Series II. includes one account book for Layton's account with the Farmers Bank of Georgetown, Delaware, spanning the dates 1871 to 1881.

 Selected Search Terms Personal Names Layton, Caleb S., 1798-1882. Prettyman, Solomon--Correspondence.Prettyman, A. W.--Correspondence. Topical Terms Lawyers--Correspondence.Lawyers--Delaware--19th century--Sources. Geographic Names Georgetown (Del.) Wilmington (Del.) Form/Genre Terms Correspondence. Account books. Occupation Lawyers. Personal Contributors Prettyman, Solomon, correspondent.Prettyman, A. W., corespondent. Related Materials in this Repository

This item forms part of MSS 098 Delaware Miscellaneous Historical and Literary Manuscripts.

 Detailed Contents List Series I. Letters and documents1842-1856, undated 11 items 6 F147 Copy of bond from S. Prettyman to Sarah Collins/$60 per annumcirca 1845 2 p.

Autograph copy of the bond between Solomon Prettyman and Sarah Collins originally dated March 30, 1830, and witnessed by Henry Little and John Gibbons. Also includes a later amendment to the bond dated December 6, 1834, and witnessed by Davis Hazzard, and a handwritten copy of the property transfer from Sarah Collins to Priscilla Rust, dated March 22, 1842, and witnessed by David Hazzard and Peter N. Rust.

 6 F147 Autograph letter signed, S. Prettyman, Wilmington, Delaware, to C.S. Layton, Georgetown, Delaware1845 October 11 3 p.

Letter from Reverend Solomon Prettyman to Caleb S. Layton, his attorney in the matter of Solomon Prettyman v. Priscilla Rust, a case regarding a dispute over rental fees for a piece of land rented by Sarah Collins to Solomon Prettyman. Sarah Collins subsequently transferred her interest in the said piece of land to Priscilla Rust. Folded letter, stamped, postmark Wilmington [Oct. 13], hand noted "Paid charged box 112."

 6 F147 Autograph letter signed, S. Prettyman, Wilmington, Delaware, to C.S. Layton, Georgetown, Delaware1846 February 21 1 p.

Folded letter, noted "Paid charge box 112."

 6 F147 Autograph letter signed, S. Prettyman, Wilmington, Delaware, to C.S. Layton, Georgetown, Delaware1847 October 5 2 p.

Folded letter, postmark Wilmington [Oct. 7].

 6 F147 Autograph letter signed, C.S. Layton, Georgetown, Delaware, to Rev. S. Prettyman, [Wilmington, Delaware]1849 August 24 1 p.

Folded letter.

 6 F147 Receipt for printing of temperance address by Sam Kemmy? to C.S. Layton1849 November 22 6 F147 Autograph letter signed, S. Prettyman, Wilmington, Delaware, to A.W. Prettyman, Lewes Town, Delaware1849 November 22 3 p.

Letter from Solomon Prettyman to his brother A.W. Prettyman stating that he would not be able to travel to Sussex County for his trial and would like A.W. Prettyman to attend in his place. Folded letter, postmark Wilmington [Nov. 23].

 6 F147 Autograph letter signed, S. Prettyman, Wilmington, Delaware, to unknown recipient1849 November 28 2 p.

Folded letter.

 6 F147 Autograph letter signed, Covvy? Chambers, Wilmington, Delaware, to C.S. Layton, Georgetown, Delaware1856 June 23 2 p.

Letter to Layton from Covvy? Chambers regarding legal assistance. Folded letter, torn, with envelope.

 6 F147 Miscellaneous envelope addressed to Caleb S. Layton, Georgetown, Delaware1850s

Postmarked Albertville, [Aug. 30], 185?

 6 F147 Autograph letter signed, A.W. Prettyman, to C.S. Layton, [Georgetown, Delaware]undated

Letter from A.W. Prettyman to Caleb Layton regarding a legal issue. Folded partial letter.

 Series II. Account books1871-1881 1 item 6 F147 Farmers Bank, Georgetown, account book1871-1881 56 p.

Includes one account book labeled: "Farmers Bank, Georgetown, in a/c with C. S. Layton, Esq. 1871."