Charles Carroll (of Bellevue) PapersD.488

Transcription

1 This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on October 06, English Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Department Rare Books Special Collections Preservation Second Floor Map Rush Rhees Library Rare Books, Special Collections and Preservation Department, Rush Rhees Library Second Floor, Room 225 Rochester, NY

2 Table of Contents Summary Information... 3 Biographical / Historical Administrative Information... 5 Collection Inventory Page 2 -

3 Summary Information Repository: Title: Physical Description: Language of the Material: ID: D.488 Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Department Charles Carroll (of Bellevue) Papers 2 inches Linear Feet English ^ Return to Table of Contents Biographical / Historical Charles Carroll of Bellevue was a prominent figure in early 19th century politics. Cousin to Charles Carroll of Carrollton, signer of the Declaration of Independence, Carroll was a wealthy landowner and a personal friend to James Monroe and James Madison. His title is drawn from the name of his estate, Bellevue, located in Hagerstown, Maryland. In 1814, he was responsible for evacuating Dolly Madison from the White House prior to the British invasion and subsequent burning of Washington, D.C. during the War of 1812, taking refuge at his Bellevue estate. Throughout the course of the war, Carroll s eldest son, Henry, served as personal secretary to Henry Clay, and was the first messenger to deliver news of the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, the peace agreement between the United States and Great Britain, to Washington. After the war, Carroll set his sights on New York State, founding the city of Rochester in conjunction with William Fitzhugh and Nathaniel Rochester before buying further lands in the Genesee valley region. Though his role in Rochester s history is somewhat obscure, Carroll took an active role in helping develop the commercial center. He corresponded frequently with his co-founders on how to best develop the land, and travelled personally to research new milling methods which he brought back and implemented in Rochester. In 1811, he moved to Washington, D.C. with his family in tow, marking the start of their migration to north and, sure enough, by 1815 Carroll had sold Bellevue in Hagerstown and had established a new estate in Groveland, New York. After three years, James Monroe offered Carroll the position of Federal Registrar of Lands for Howard County in the Missouri Territory, which he accepted. While Charles was occupied with the Groveland estate and other affairs in the east, such as the development of Rochester as an important milling center, Henry Carroll went in his father s stead to the new territory to tend to his duties as federal Registrar of Lands. As was foreshadowed by the lack of direct Presidential appointment to a previously requested position, Henry proved unequal to this role, inciting the anger of locals who viewed him as corrupt. By this point, Charles had also arrived in - Page 3-

4 Franklin, Missouri with most of his family, notably Charles Holker (his second son) had remained behind in New York to tend to his fathers estate in his absence. However, it would seem that Charles arrival had little effect on the enmity of his son Henry s enemies, for on February 29, 1820 Henry was shot and killed by Major Richard Gentry. Though his father sought legal action for the murder, Gentry was able to avoid prosecution through the legal efforts of his lawyer Thomas Hart Benton. The death of his eldest son had a lasting effect on Carroll. By 1821, Charles had returned to New York and resigned from his position in Missouri, though his plan originally seemed to have been permamnently moving west. In his resignation he urged President Monroe to appointment a replacement quickly, giving firm evidence that he held no further interest in the title. He died in 1823, having never achieved justice for the murder of his son Henry. Upon the death of his father, the management of family affairs was handed to Carroll s second eldest son, Charles H. Carroll, who continued to operate and reside at the family s Groveland estate in Livingston County. Charles H. Carroll went on to become an important Whig politician, serving as a judge ( ), a state senator ( ), and a member of the House of Representatives ( ), going on to become New York state s candidate to the Electoral College (on the American Party s ticket) for the 1856 presidential election. Much of the correspondence in this collection pertains to Charles H. Carroll s career and family life. Both Charles and Charles H. Carroll are buried in Williamsburg Cemetery in Groveland, New York. ^ Return to Table of Contents Containing a total of 39 letters and documents, The Charles Carroll (of Bellevue) Papers span the latter years of Charles Carroll of Bellevue and the adulthood of his son Charles H. Carroll. The collection is divided into two sections: ephemera and correspondence, with the correspondence subdivided into those which pertain to family and political matters. Ephemeral items include a stereotype of Charles Carroll of Bellevue, newspaper clippings from the murder of his son Henry Carroll at the hand of Major Richard Gentry, expense records (some documenting purchases Henry made in London), and documents heralding the quality of Charles H. Carroll s imported bull Usurper. Henry Carroll s London purchases were an attempt to court Emily Caxtan, however,she did not return his advances, and married another man. The family correspondence mainly concern Charles Carroll of Bellevue and his son, Charles Holker Carroll. The topics of the correspondence vary and are at times light-hearted, but occasionally very serious, such as the letter in which Charles Carroll addresses Charles Holker to both congratulate him on his marriage and express his grief and anger at the murder of Henry. Correspondence which is neither from nor addressed to either Charles is also present, such as correspondence between Alida Carroll and Ann Carroll (daughter and mother in law, respectively). - Page 4-

5 With the exception of several letters dated prior to 1823, such as Charles Carroll s letter to James Monroe resigning his position in the Missouri territory as Federal Registrar of Lands, the political correspondence in the collection pertain to the career Charles H. Carroll led as a judge and member of the New York State and federal legislature (both as a member of the Senate and the House of Representatives). The dinner invitation extended to Charles Holker came from friends within the Whig party and includes signatures from David Graham, J.S. Woodhall, Jas. VanMostrand, Jas. Thayer, and Marshall Roberts on behalf of the Whig corresponding committee. Other notable figures in this collection include Henry Clay, James Madison, and Thurlow Weed (see collection A.W39), the latter two being correspondents. Henry Clay is not a correspondent, but a copy of his legal act which changed compensation for employees at federal land offices is included. ^ Return to Table of Contents Administrative Information Publication Statement Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Department Rare Books Special Collections Preservation Second Floor Map Rush Rhees Library Rare Books, Special Collections and Preservation Department, Rush Rhees Library Second Floor, Room 225 Rochester, NY rarebks@library.rochester.edu ^ Return to Table of Contents Collection Inventory Title/Description Instances Correspondence and Ephemera, ( ) Box 1 Stereotype of Charles Carroll (of Bellevue), undated box 1 Folder 1 Newspaper clippings, murder of Henry Carroll, c box 1 Folder 2 - Page 5-

6 This folder contains the newspaper clipping referring to the murder of Henry Carroll, Charles eldest son. Legal retainer, 1816 box 1 Folder 3 Expense Records, 1814; 1859 box 1 Folder 4 This folder contains an advertisement for an auction sale held by the Carroll family in 1859 and 1814 receipts from London from purchases made by Charles Carroll s first son Henry. Imported Bull Usurper: Diploma and Pedigree, 1856 box 1 Folder 5 These documents pertain to an imported bull that Charles H. Carroll owned. They attest to the bull s quality and breeding. Ann Carroll to Alida Van Rensselaer, 1821 box 1 Folder 6 Within this letter, Ann expresses her grief over the death of her Aunt. Alida Carroll to Ann Carrol; Charles Carroll to "Beloved Aunt", 1820 box 1 Folder 7 In this letter, both Charles and Alida speak of the passing of their nephew, who died as an infant. Henry Carroll to Charles Carroll, 1805 box 1 Folder 8 Charles Carroll to Charles H. Carroll, 1820 box 1 Folder 9 In this folder, Charles Carroll addresses Charles H. Carroll on several topics including business, Charles impending marriage, and the death of Henry Carroll. In the letter dated May 8th, Charles outlines the family s current financial situation, explaining to his son to whom money is owed and which lands he intends to sell in order to pay the debts. Charles Carroll to Henry Carroll, 1818 box 1 Folder 10 In this letter, Charles writes to Henry about his application for the position of Receiver of Public Monies in Missouri. - Page 6-

7 Charles urges Henry to attain the position based upon his own merits and informs him that he will not use his influence to achieve the position for his son through favors Charles Carroll (of Bellevue) PapersD.488 V. R. Carroll to Cornelia Carroll, 1840 box 1 Folder 11 Maria Carroll to Charles H. Carroll, 1829 box 1 Folder 12 Maria Carroll writes Charles,informing him of the health and status of several of the presidential cabinet members, including Henry Clay. Elizabeth Woodsworth to Charles H. Carroll, February 8 box 1 Folder 13 Charles Carroll to James Monroe, 1820; 1821 box 1 Folder 14 In the first of two letters, Charles writes President (?) James Monroe formally requesting the appointment of Col. John Miller as Registrar of St. Louis. The second letter is a resignation of Charles post as Registrar of Lands in Missouri Land Offices Compensation Act (contemporary copy), 1818 box 1 Folder 15 James Cochrane to Charles H. Carroll, 1843 box 1 Folder 16 In this letter, James Cochrane writes Charles discussing tariffs and currency Postmaster General Francis Granger, 1820; 1829; 1844 box 1 Folder 17 When Henry Carroll was murdered, Charles Holker was managing the family affairs in Groveland. As such, he was informed by the first letter in this folder in which were enclosed the newspaper clippings found in this collection. Washington Hunt to Charles H. Carroll, 1842 box 1 Folder 18 In this letter, Washington Hunt informs Charles that he will be traveling to try settling a dispute in New York. He also plans for a visit with Charles, either in Rochester, New York City, or somewhere in between the two cities. James Madison to Henry Carroll, 1818 box 1 Folder 19 - Page 7-

8 This card expresses good wishes towards the Carroll family on behalf of the president. John Mason to Charles Carroll, 1819 box 1 Folder 20 This letter is chiefly financial in nature Jeremiah Van Rensselaer to Charles H. Carroll, 1820 box 1 Folder 21 Samuel Sprigg to Charles H. Carroll, 1841 box 1 Folder 22 The first part of this letter is a copy of a different piece of correspondence which was sent by Samuel to a business partner. On the third page is Sprigg's letter to Charles Holker in which he briefly addresses the previous contents. Thurlow Weed, 1853 box 1 Folder 23 Invitation from Whig friends, 1851 box 1 Folder 24 This is a dinner invitation from the Whig Corresponding Committee to Charles H. to be hosted by John Young and his Whig friends Union General James Wadsworth, 1833; 1838; 1856 box 1 Folder 25 - Page 8-