Brief guide to manuscripts collections| William L. Clements Library The University of Michigan Christopher Van Deventer Papers |
Christopher Van Deventer, born in New York, joined the United States Army in 1809. During the War of 1812 he served as deputy quartermaster with the rank of major. Stationed at Sackett's Harbor and on the Niagara frontier, Van Deventer was taken prisoner at the battle of Stony Creek, June 6, 1813, and transported to Quebec. After the war he continued in the army and was appointed chief clerk in the War Department in 1817, a post he held for 10 years. He became involved in national politics, particularly as a supporter of John C. Calhoun for presidential candidacy in 1824.
Papers of Christopher Van Deventer, United States Army officer, War Department official.
This collection contains 126 items related to Van Deventer's service in the War of 1812, primarily correspendence with government officials to secure his release from prison in 1813-1814; 150 items dated during his tenure in the War Department, including 25 items concerning the election of 1824 and Calhoun's candidacy; the remainder of the manuscripts deal with farming and New York politics.
Gift of Christopher Van Deventer, 1961, and Robert R. Van Deventer, 1979 and 1982
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