Banks, Daniel Chapman (1782-1844) Papers, 1790-1932

Held by The Filson Historical Society 

Creator:  Banks, Daniel Chapman, 1782-1844 

Title:  Papers, 1790-1932 

Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Collections Department. 

Size of Collection:  0.33 cubic feet 

Location Number:  Mss. A B218 

Scope and Content Note 

Correspondence, diary, legal papers, ephemera, etc. pertaining to Banks, a Louisville Presbyterian minister. The diary and some of the letters chronicle his 1815-1816 trip from Connecticut to Louisville in which he travels through New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio; his 1821 trip to Indiana; and his 1822 trip to New Orleans. He describes his travel experiences including his activities, the land, and the people. He also pays particular attention to religious matters. Other letters describe his activities in Louisville, including religious matters, and residents. Collection also includes sermon notes, poems, a circular letter about the effort to establish The Kentucky Historical Society, and miscellaneous material. 

Biographical Note 

Daniel Chapman Banks (1782-1844) was a Presbyterian clergyman who traveled as a missionary from Connecticut, through New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, to Louisville, Ky. in search of a ministerial position. In Louisville, Banks was asked to form the First Presbyterian Church in the city. He was released from the church ca. 1822 and traveled as a missionary and sold Bibles. One of Louisville’s prominent citizens he helped to organize other Presbyterian churches, and other civic affairs. Banks was buried in Western Cemetery. 

Folder List 

Folder 1: Correspondence, 1814-1816 

Folder 2: Correspondence, 1817-1819 

Folder 3: Correspondence, 1820-1854 

Folder 4: Diary,1815-1816 (journey from New England to Kentucky), 1821 (missionary trip to Indiana), 1822 (trip to New Orleans), 1828-1838 (scattered entries) Sermon Subjects, 1832 to 1842 

Folder 5: Legal Documents, Deeds, Bills, 1790-1844 

Folder 6: Printed Material, 1821-1840 

Folder 7: Sermon notes and poems, 1817, no date 

Folder 8: Miscellaneous Material, 1916-1932