Glimpses of colonial society and the life at Princeton College, 1766-1773

The following documents belonged to William Paterson. He was a graduate of New Jersey College in 1763, succeeding the famous William Livingston as Governor of New Jersey. William Paterson was an American revolutionary, New Jersey statesman and signed the United States Constitution. William Paterson was also an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court and the second governor of New Jersey. It is hoped that Paterson's papers will reach all true connoisseurs of the United States' past. They are as unique as the portrayal of New Jersey colonial life by a Princeton alumnus. William Paterson's twenty-three letters to John MacPherson bear witness to the student friendship of two prominent Americans. The earliest teachings of the famous Cliosophic Society, preserved at Princeton University, are dated July 2, 1792. Princeton should be proud of his famous son. His dedication to college was astounding and lasted until the end of his active life. Along with his great accomplishments for his state and federal government, his long hidden records of his early life at Princeton are posted. In his final days, in the fall of 1806, his thoughts were often about college. His life path took him to heights and surrounded him with friends, but Princeton and long-lost college classmate John McPherson were his dearest memories.