The David Deforest Ely Manuscript Collection

Collection

Identifier: SCM 078

Staff Only

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a bound volume of Reverend Ely's personal notes. The majority of the text is a diary, which Reverend Ely maintained from January 1831 to February 1833. The latter portion of the volume contains sermon notes. Upon delivering the volume to the Seminary library in August of 1979, Dr. Arthur Byers, former secretary of the Seminary, described the diary as of, "an introspective kind, but containing numerous comments on the scene roundabout him, including life in the Seminary, sermons, and addresses by the professors and life in the town of Princeton."

Dates

1831 - 1833

Language of Materials

English

Access:

There are no special restrictions to access of this collection. It may be examined by library patrons under the normal rules and conditions of Special Collections.

Preferred Citation

The following is the acceptable citation for publication:

The David DeForest Ely Manuscript Collection. Special Collections, Princeton Theological Seminary Library.

Chronology

1802 September 25
: Born, Lebanon, Connecticut
1830-1832
: Student, Princeton Theological Seminary
1834 July 24
: Ordained, evangelist, Second Presbytery of Philadelphia
1834-1838
: Seaman's chaplain, Havre and Marseilles, France
1844
: Teacher, Rahway, New Jersey
1846
: Teacher, Bridgeport, Connecticut
1847
: Teacher, Trenton, New Jersey
1848 January 21
: Died, Trenton, New Jersey

Biographical Information

David DeForest Ely was born in Lebanon, Connecticut on September 25, 1802. He attended Princeton Seminary, 1830-32, but did not graduate. Subsequent to his education Reverend Ely served as an ordained Presbyterian evangelist, a seamen's chaplain in France, and a school teacher. He died in Trenton, New Jersey on January 21, 1848.