Maury Family Papers 1826-1857

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
170 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Special Collections Public Services & Reference Staff
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Restrictions:

Collection is open to research

Terms of access:

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred citation:

Maury Family Papers, Accession 6742-a, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Summary

Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Maury Family Papers, Accession 6742-a, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of fourteen letters, 1826-1857, chiefly to Ann Mauryin New York City, New Yorkand elsewhere, from other members of the extended Maury Family, concerning the publication and purchase of her new and enlarged edition of Memoirs of a Huguenot Family, compiled from the original autobiography of the Reverend James Fontaine, partially published in 1838. In the earliest letter, Ann Maurydescribes herself as busy transcribing the memoirs of her great-great grandfather, James Fontaine(1826 May 31). Most of the subsequent letters to Ann mention the ordering and purchasing of the Memoirs, but also include personal family news from the various related branches of the Maury familyfrom Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky.

Other topics include a description of the wounding and recovery of Dabney Herndon Maury(1822-1900) at Cerro Gordo, Mexico, during the Mexican War, and how he avoided the amputation of his arm (1847 May 24). The same letter also mentions that Matthew [Maury ?]is with Judge Mason and President James K. Polkon their way to a North Carolinacollege. Daniel Maurysupplies the names of his siblings' children, and argues that the name of the province his ancestor Mathew Mauryemigrated from was Bretagne, not Gascoigne(1853 Dec 31). Leonard H. Maurywrites concerning the death of his son, William Walker Maury, in 1854 (1855 April 20). John Fontainementions the deaths of his son, John Fontaine, in 1855, and his daughter, Nancy Fontaine, in 1856, and also refers to an article in Harper's Weeklyconcerning the Memoirs (1857 April 15).

Correspondents include: Edmund Fontaine, Richmond, Virginia, President of Central Railroad (1853 Feb 15); John Fontaine, Verona, Virginia(1857 Apr 15); Walter L. Fontaine, New Canton, Buckingham County, Virginia(1854 Mar 17); [Mary ?] Ludlow, Mobile, Alabama(1852 Nov 26); Maury, Ann, Seacombe(1826 May 31); Daniel Maury, Williamson City, Tennessee(1853 Dec 31); Leonard H. Maury, Dry Fork, Barren County, Kentucky(1855 Apr 20); R. H. Maury, Richmond, Virginia(1853 Feb 8); E. C. Owen and F. L. Owen, Mobile, Alabama(1852 Nov 20; 1854 Jan 20); E. B. Vass, Fredericksburg, Virginia(1853 Jan 22); P[hilip ?] Williams, Winchester, Virginia(1852 Dec 9)

Acquisition information:
This collection was purchased by the Library on February 14, 1991.
Processing information:

Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities

Physical location:
Physical description:
14 items