Nourse Family Papers 1751-1918

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
160 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Brenda Gunn
Phone: (434) 924-1037
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968

Summary

Creator:
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

31 manuscript volumes and ca. 1400 manuscripts of the Nourse family of Weston, Herfordshire, England; Berkeley County, W. Va.; Washington, D.C.; and Weston, Fauquier County, Va.; and of related Bull and Morris families.

The collection includes: letters, account books, commonplace books, day books, notebooks, ledgers, maps, music, newspaper clippings, sermons, recipe book, journals, and other family records.

The diary, 1846, 1850-1851, of James Burn Nourse describes an overland journey west, voyage around Cape Horn on the U.S. sloop of war "Preble", and his experiences in the California gold rush.

Ledgers, 1844-1848, record operations of a foundry, possibly the West Point Foundry, West Point, N.Y.

Ledgers of Joseph Nourse and letters to his wife, Maria Bull Nourse and his son, Charles Josephus Nourse chiefly relate to American finance during the Revolutionary and Confederation periods, his work as Register of the Treasury, campaigns in the War of 1812, the administration of the U.S. Army, 1819-1829, the effect of Jackson's spoils system; and to the Washington political and social scene and include mentions of James and Dolley Madison.

Letters of Charles Josephus Nourse to his wife, Rebecca Morris Nourse and others, describe life in London where he had been sent by Madison, the War of 1812, military actions, and Indian removals.

Letters from Anthony Morris to his children describe his life as an unofficial diplomat in Spanish society, his travels in Spain and personal matters.

In addition the papers contain correspondence of other family members.

Individual items of interest include a 1780 broadside regarding General Lafayette's orders regarding the proposed invasion of Canada, a note regarding entertainment for General Lafayette, and James Barbour's map of Washington, D.C.; a dinner invitation from George Washington; two dinner invitations from James Madison; three pieces of colonial Maryland currency, 1775-1776.

Correspondents include Nicholas Biddle, John C. Calhoun, Sir Augustus John Foster, Sam Houston, Joel Poinsett, Richard Rush, and Winfield Scott.

Acquisition information:

Accession 3490 was originally deposited in the library by Constance and Charlotte Nourse, Fauquier County, Va., 1950 June 21. It was purchased by the Library, 1950 August 15.

Accession 3490-a was deposited in the library by Constance and Charlotte Nourse, Fauquier County, Va., 1951 June 21.

Physical location:
Physical description:
153 items