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Guide to the Silvanus Titus Surveying Field Notebooks
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Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator | Titus, Silvanus | |
| Title | Silvanus Titus Surveying Field Notebooks, | |
| Dates: | 1825-1869 | |
| Abstract: | There are eight surveying field notes in this collection, all small volumes. Unfortunately, since almost every entry in these volumes was written in pencil, the graphite-lead has in most cases decomposed to a stage where most entries are illegible. Because the volumes were apparently only rough notebooks, most of the jottings in them are rather point less today for the measurements of the various lots are simply identified by an individual's name without too much other detail. Apparently, the volumes were also (primarily used?) used as account books for next to post surveying entries are found prices (presumably charges for the service). There is also a strong possibility that much of this surveying was done on an official basis for the Commissioners of Highways of the Town of Hempstead, since this name appears occasionally. Dates are not too plentiful, but most likely judging from the few which are found, these volumes were maintained ca. 18481869. | |
| Extent: | 1 box, .2 cubic feet | |
| Identification: | T-2 | |
| Location: | The material is located in the Archives at Queens Library. | |
Historical/Biographical Note
We have been unable to locate much biographical back ground on Silvanus Titus. The Titus family was a very well-known one in the Suffolk County area, but we are not sure from which branch the individual in question originated. He probably was a farmer as well as surveyor and, judging from occasional name-paces mentioned in this notebook (Glen-Cove, Bethpage, Hempstead) probably lived in Nassau County. An account book found among the surveying volumes has one page, page 40) devoted to a chronological listing of births, deaths, and marriages of the family, presumably maintained by Mr. Titus. In it we find that he was born on January 17, 1792. He probably died in the early 1870s.
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Scope and Content Note
There are eight surveying field notes in this collection, all small volumes. Unfortunately, since almost every entry in these volumes was written in pencil, the graphite-lead has in most cases decomposed to a stage where most entries are illegible. Because the volumes were apparently only rough notebooks, most of the jottings in them are rather point less today for the measurements of the various lots are simply identified by an individual's name without too much other detail. Apparently, the volumes were also (primarily used?) used as account books for next to post surveying entries are found prices (presumably charges for the service). There is also a strong possibility that much of this surveying was done on an official basis for the Commissioners of Highways of the Town of Hempstead, since this name appears occasionally. Dates are not too plentiful, but most likely judging from the few which are found, these volumes were maintained ca. 18481869.
Besides the aforementioned, this collection contains a miscellaneous account book containing several types of accounts including more surveying accounts, as well as accounts apparently dealing with labor provided for (repairing? of sloops, and accounts which appear to be household accounts.
Probably, the volume was maintained by other members of the Titus family besides Silvanus. It is this volume which makes much mention of Commissioners of Highways of Hempstead and leads one to believe that Mr. Titus may have been one of the Commissioners, and this volume perhaps an official town record. This item is dated 1825-1860.
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Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Creator of item, date of item (if known), identification of item, if a photograph its control number. The Silvanus Titus Surveying Field Notebooks, Archives at Queens Library, Queens Borough Public Library.
Access Restrictions
Open for research without restrictions. Manuscripts are only available in the Archives at Queens Library, please call (718) 990-0770 for hours. Manuscript users will be required to complete the division's Manuscript Usage Form and deposit their photograph identification or Queens Borough Public Library card with a staff member. The identification will be returned to the user after she/he has returned the material. Manuscript users will deposit all their personal items behind the reference desk. Manuscript users must use the division's loose sheets of paper for note taking. To reiterate, no pen of any type is permitted. Paper and a pencil are available upon request. Manuscript users may be required to use special handling procedures depending on the conditions of the material.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
- Archives at Queens Library
- Queens Borough Public Library
- 89-11 Merrick Boulevard
- Jamaica, NY 11432
- Phone: (718) 990-0770.
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Access Points
Subject Names:
- Titus, Silvanus
Subject Places:
- Hempstead (N.Y.)
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Inventory
[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]
