Peter Force (1790-1868)

Mayor of Washington D.C., and Collector of Americana

He was born in Passaic Falls, New Jersey. He learned the printer's trade while living in New York City and, in 1815, he moved to Washington, D.C. As a printer and publisher, he became known for his interest in early American history and for his 60,000-volume library of books, manuscripts, and other materials, which he sold to the Library of Congress in 1867. He is recognized for his efforts to collect and edit historical documents. One of his most important projects was American Archives, a published version of primary source materials related to the American Revolution; the project was only partially completed after Congress pulled Force's funding in 1853. He served as mayor of Washington, D.C., from 1836 to 1840.

Parents (2)

William Force

of Hackensack, Bergen Co., New Jersey; Corporal in the Continental Army

1752-1826

Sarah (Ferguson) Force

Mrs Sarah (Ferguson) Force

1765-1801

Spouse (1)

Hannah (Evans) Force

Mrs Hannah (Evans) Force

1798-1857

Children (8)

Mary Isabel (Force) Jones

Mrs Mary Isabel (Force) Jones

1818-1870

William Quereau Force

of Washington D.C., Publisher & Head of Meteorology at the Smithsonian

1820-1880

Gen. Manning Ferguson Force

Brigadier-General in the Union Army & Recipient of the Medal of Honor

1824-1899

Charles Fairchild Force

M.D., of "White Cottage" Selma, Dallas Co., Alabama

1827-1884

Edward Leggett Force

Died at Fort Wayne, Indiana; unmarried

1829-1863

Henry Clay Force

Lieutenant of Engineers in the Confederate States Army

1832-1874

Samuel Southard Force

Died in early adulthood, unmarried

1835-1856

Marion Evans Force

Died in early adulthood, unmarried

1838-1861

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