Guide to the Papers of the Bissell Family, 1803-1958
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Papers of the Bissell Family
- Creator
- Bissell family
- Collection Number
- MSS#230
- Extent
- 1.00 cubic feet (2 boxes)
- Date
- 1803-1958
- Abstract
- The Bissell family, traceable to European roots and early settlers of Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1640, was an early Pittsburgh family involved in various local financial concerns. This collection consists of correspondence, diaries, indentures, newspaper clippings and stock certificates.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Sponsor
- This finding aid has been encoded as a part of the Historic Pittsburgh project a joint effort of the University of Pittsburgh and the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Funding for this portion of the project has been donated by the Hillman Foundation.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
Biographical Sketch of the Bissell Family (1803-1958)
The Bissell family can be traced back to sixteenth century Normandy, France and Somersetshire England. They were some of the original settlers of Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1640. Over the next 150 years, the Bissells inhabited various parts of the New England region and eastern Canada. John Partridge Bissell (1757-1811) was one of the first in this long line of Bissells to move West. He worked as a surveyor helping to lay out the Western Reserve and eventually settled in Youngstown, Ohio. However, his children did not choose to stay in the Reserve moving east to Pittsburgh. His second son John (1797-1865) managed a sheet iron manufacturing plant before selling off the mill in 1855. John Bissell was also involved in various financial concerns in Pittsburgh. He served as director of the Bank of Pittsburgh, The Mechanics National Bank and the Exchange National Bank as well as Western Pennsylvania Hospital. He was also an experienced draftsman and sold many of his drawings of buildings. Another son of John Partridge was William Semple Bissell (1822-1885), who also settled in the Western Pennsylvania region. He was a farmer and merchant in Sewickley. His son, David Shields Bissell (1859-c.1939) lived at 717 Amberson Avenue in what is now the Shadyside area of Pittsburgh.
Scope and Content Notes
The papers include correspondence, diaries, indentures, newspaper clippings and stock certificates. The materials are derived from a variety of family members, but the primary contributors were William Semple Bissell (1822-1885), David Shields Bissell (1859-c.1939) and Leet Wilson Bissell. Their diaries make up the bulk of the collection. Their journals document many of their day to day activities of work, travel and recreation. The similarities in style between these men is quite apparent and appears that each passed on the journal entry technique from father to son spanning three generations. Some significant accounts include: William Semple's ten days of sorrow as he watched his wife slowly die from an unmentioned ailment in 1857; David's European vacation in 1904; and Leet Wilson's meticulous weather records. Other materials include various stock certificates from the Sewickley Valley Land Company, a myriad of failed utility companies and the Reliance Gold Mining and Milling Company. Perhaps the most significant materials include photographs taken at Johnstown, Pennsylvania one month after the great flood of 1889.
Arrangement
The Bissell Family Papers are housed in two archival boxes and arranged alphabetically by folder title.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
These materials were received in one accession, 1991
Acc# 1991x -- Gift of Nancy Bissell Turpin, (Papers. Daughter of Leet Wilson Bissell, granddaughter of David Shields Bissell).
Preferred Citation
Papers of the Bissell Family, 1803-1958, MSS #230, Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Stephen Doell in March 26, 1996.
Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Janie Weaver on January 19, 2000
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or publish, please contact the curator of the Archives.
Subjects
- Bissell, John Partridge, 1757-1811.
- Bissell, William Semple, 1822-1885.
- Bissell, David Shields, 1859-1939.
- Bissell, Leet Wilson.
- Agriculture--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh.
- Floods--Pennsylvania--Johnstown.