Finding aid for the Rudolphus Edwards Papers

Biography of Rudolphus Edwards

Rudolphus Edwards (1759-1840) was a merchant from Herkimer County, New York. He settled in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1798 after arriving there as part of a surveying party. He was elected as Township Chairman in 1802, and chaired the first town meeting of Cleveland that same year. He owned a tavern and several pieces of property throughout the Western Reserve area near Cleveland where he farmed. He lived in the area now known as the Buckeye Neighborhood of Cleveland, where his tavern was also located.

Scope and Content

The Rudolphus Edwards Papers, 1794-1869, consist of deeds to tracts of land (mostly in Cleveland, Ohio), 1794-1814; Edwards' docket book while serving as a justice of the peace, 1815-1818; and a biographical sketch (1869) of Edwards.

This collection will be useful for researchers studying the early history of Cleveland, Ohio, and real estate and legal issues there from the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth century. Genealogists might find the docket book useful. Those studying Rudolphus Edwards, his family, and the property he owned will find this collection useful. Those studying early governance of Cleveland, Ohio, will find this collection useful.

Statement of Arrangement

Restrictions on Access

None.

The Western Reserve Historical Society History Museum has the round metal dial that was part of a compass used by Rudolphus Edwards in the late eighteenth century.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 466 Rudolphus Edwards Papers, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Gift of Rudolphus Edwards II, in 1868.

Detailed Description of The Collection