The collection consists of family papers, including the business records and personal correspondence of four Norfolk families in the Rose-Tunstall lineage. The bulk of the collection includes material related to Commander Robert M. Rose. While most of the papers consists of original documents, copies of documents are found throughout the collection.
The collection is arranged into four series: Series I: Commander Robert M. Rose; Series II: Dr. Robert W. Rose; Series III: Dr. Robert B. Tunstall; and Series IV: Charles and Jane B.P. Tunstall.
Open to researchers without restrictions.
Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, and the holder of the copyright, if not Old Dominion University Libraries.
Mrs. Caroline Heath Tunstall
Gift. Accession #A77-86
Other papers related to Robert M. Rose were given to the U.S. Naval Academy Museum in Annapolis, Maryland in 1950.
[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Born in the last quarter of the eighteenth century, Robert M. Rose was the son of a Norfolk, Virginia family. Apparently there was something of the sea tradition in the Rose family. There was an uncle, Alexander F. Rose who captained his own ship and under whom, Robert's brother Alexander began his career in 1830. Much earlier than this, Robert Rose enlisted in the U.S. Navy as midshipman on board the USS Independence in 1809. While serving on the Independence, Rose attained the rank of lieutenant and continued in this capacity in subsequent assignments on the USS Columbus and the USS Terrier. By 1815 Rose had married his wife Mary, a woman also from the Norfolk area. As a naval officer, Rose of course was away from his family for many months out of the year. Indeed his son Robert W. Rose was born in the summer of 1823 while he was stationed in Key West with the Terrier. The anxiety caused by these extended periods of separation runs throughout Mary's letters. Aside from maintaining several rental properties belonging to the family, Mary attended to the duties of her own household. Periodic outbreaks in the community of diseases such as yellow fever were always a source of concern for a mother with a young child. There is also some evidence that Robert financially supported his brother Alexander while he was in school. This went contrary to Mary's way of thinking. She felt that Alexander was given too much to study and too little honest work. Sometime in 1830, Mary and their son Robert began living in Portsmouth near Fort Nelson with the family of Lieutenant Joseph Smoot. In April of that same year, Rose had been promoted to Commander. References in Mary's letters dated immediately after this time indicate that Rose had visited with his family prior to taking command of the USS Erie. Within three months of his new command, Rose contracted yellow fever and died at a West India Station on August 27, 1830. The last letter in the collection from Mary was written the day before her husband's death and is especially poignant as it contains the welcome news of their son's recovery from the same malady.
Note written by Susan E. Yates
Although Series I does not contain correspondence written by Robert Rose, there are multiple letters from his wife, Mary, and from several naval and business acquaintances. Those letters authored by Mary provide an insight into the Rose family, containing personal reminiscences as well as daily accounts of household and local affairs. There are, in addition, frequent references to the families and ship assignments of other naval officers.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 1, Mary Rose, 1823 April 12, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 2, Mary Rose, 1823 April 30, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 3, Mary Rose, 1823 June 14, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 4, Mary Rose, 1823 June 30, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 5, Mary Rose, 1830 July 19, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 6, Mary Rose, 1830 August 15, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 7, Mary Rose, 1830 August 25, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 8, S. Hambletori (?), 1820 February 19, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 9, James H. Henry, 1815 September 21, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 10, James H. Henry, 1817 November 8, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 10A, James H. Henry, 1818 September 12, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 11, J.K. May, circa 1813-1820, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 12, J.K. May, 1820 February 10, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 13, George W. Stover, 1818 October 19, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 14, William P. Taylor, undated, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 15, William P. Taylor, 1819 February 14, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 16, M.B.M. (?), 1830 May 8, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 17, M.B.M., 1830 June 8, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 18, M.B.M. to Lt. Joseph Smoot, 1830 July 10, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 19, M.B.M. to Lt. Joseph Smoot, 1830 August 22, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 20, M.B.M. to Lt. Joseph Smoot, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Robert M. Rose Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 21, Certificate of Membership, Naphtali Lodge, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Robert M. Rose Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 22, Estate of Major Alexander F. Rose, 1817, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 23, Receipts, circa 1830, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 24, U.S. Naval Records of Officers: Entries for Rose (Photocopy), undated, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 25, U.S. Naval Records of Officers: Pension File for Mary Rose (Photocopy), undated, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 26, U.S. Naval Academy Museum: Documents Addressed to R.M. Rose and Others (Typescript), undated, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Series II contains the correspondence and business papers of Commander Rose's son, Dr. Robert W. Rose. Although there are letters from family members and friends, here as in the first series, there is no correspondence written by Dr. Rose. What could be considered as an exception to this is a copy of a legal document written on behalf of Dr. Rose and addressed to the 1893 Provisional Congress of the Confederate States (Folder 32). The document concerns the loss of six runaway slaves for whom Dr. Rose seeks financial redress from the Provisional Congress. From the remaining correspondence and papers. numerous genealogical references to the Rose family can be found.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 27, J.R. Carter, undated, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 28, J.R. Carter, 1856 December 1, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 29, J.R. Carter, 1857 April 4, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 30, J.R. Carter, 1857 July 11, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 31, W. Menkins, 1818 March 17, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 32, Provisional Congress of the Confederate States From Dr. Rose, 1863 May 14, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Includes list of missing enslaved persons owned by Robert M. Rose with the monetary value for each
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 33, Susan Turner, 1855 October 24, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 34, Henry Wiekinton(?), 1855 December 21, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 35, John L. Hargrave to Catherine Jamesson, 1851 March 22, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 36, Signed "Your Truly Attached Aunt, M.E.J." to Mollie (Hodge), undated, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Return address is 56 Library/Savannah
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 37, Receipts, Bank Loans, 1848-1867, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 38, Receipts, Household, 1844-1866, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 39, Receipts, Building and Property, 1846-1851, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 40, Succession and Legacy Returns for Rose Estate, 1869 January 9, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
This series includes receipts, account books, and other business papers of Dr. Robert B. Tunstall.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 41, Check Receipts, 1883-1886, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 42, Promissory Notes, 1871-1883, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 43, Property, 1881-1884, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 44, Receipts and Invoices, 1883, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 45, Receipts and Invoices, 1884, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 46, Receipts and Invoices, 1885, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 47, Receipts and Invoices, 1886, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 48, Stocks and Bonds, 1880-1884, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 49, Taxes, 1883-1884, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 50, Deed of Land, 1857 April 15, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 51, Family Document Appointing Alexander and Richard Tunstall as Executors of Dr. Tunstall's Estate, 1883 April 6, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 52, Partial Inventory of the Tunstall Estate, 1883 April 18, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 53, Record of Debts Paid, 1883-1887, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 54, Summary of Debts Paid, 1884 March 19, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 55, Cash on Hand Statement, 1884 April 15, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 56, Richard H. Baker and Son Lawyer's Statement, 1884 October 9, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 57, Bank of Commerce Account Book, Alexander and Richard Tunstall, circa 1883, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 58, Miscellaneous Notes, undated, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
This series contains a World War I ration book and war bond, as well as callling cards and a copy of The Citizen, a World War II era publication.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 59, World War I War Bond, 1947, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 60, World War II Ration Book, 1944, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 61, Assortment of Printed Calling Cards, Two with Photographs, undated, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 62, The Citizen: A Democratic Weekly (Printed Copy), 1944 December 1, Rose-Tunstall Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.