Elswick, Albert. Albert Elswick collection, 1639-1966.
Title:
Albert Elswick collection, 1639-1966.
Consists of ms. and printed material on a variety of subjects, transcriptions of records used in genealogical research, and newspaper clippings about topics related to Bridgeport history. The file headings used by the donor (Elswick) were retained. Newspaper clippings were copied and disposed. Ms. materials include the shipping and personal papers (1845-1863) of John Gould of Fairfield (1801-1871). The bulk of the material consists of bills of lading for a variety of vessels, including the schooner Lynchburg, and a receipt for a burial plot. Also includes the railroad investment records of H. Nichols (1847-1851); an inventory of the estate of Charlotte Staples (1872); the account book (1794-1804) of the carpenter Jonathan Smith; and a daybook (1834) recording the voyages of the schooner Hero, of Bridgeport, Conn., which carried a cargo of corn, oats, and rye, to Boston, New York (City), Fall River, and Providence, R.I. Incomplete records of several Bridgeport organizations are arranged alphabetically. The Bridgeport Historical Society is represented by newsletters and clippings (1958-1959). Correspondence and membership records (1891-1899), illustrate the activities of the Bridgeport Scientific Society. The records of the Fairfield County Historical Society (1881 and 1893) consist of articles of association, a fundraising letter, and a handwritten genealogy of the Wheeler family. A volume of transcriptions of the records of Stratfield Congregational Church (1695-1838) are followed by transcriptions of headstones in the Stratfield Cemetery. A third volume is entitled, "Families residing within the present limits of the City of Bridgeport, 1639-1860." An oversized volume contains copies of the registers of the Episcopal churches in Tashua (1753-1894), Stratford (1706-1884), and Fairfield (1785-1825; including the Episcopal Society). The collection also contains two Edwards family photograph albums and two Bible records. Other materials include file cards arranged alphabetically by name of deceased and copies of birth and death records for people buried in one of four cemeteries in Bridgeport. Birth, death, and marriage dates are also recorded in a separate volume. Historical information gathered by Rev. Elswick consists of newspaper clippings (1945-1965), unless otherwise noted. Articles about various associations and clubs are supplemented by published booklets concerning the Franco-American Social Club, the Auxiliary Foreign Mission Society (1826) and the Bridgeport Fresh Air Association (1903). These are followed by articles about the Barnum Museum and Phineas T. Barnum, obituaries, and other articles of a biographical nature, information about Bridgeport businesses and industries, churches (including some brochures), ethnic groups, the fire department, and four folders of "generic" history. The history folders include photographs, postcards, maps, and lists of train bands. Two folders of "landmarks" that probably fell to urban renewal include photographs taken by Elswick. Additional folders contain information on libraries, the Museum of Art, Science, and Industry, the police department, the railroad, schools (including a few photographs), and theaters. A map of Bridgeport, a city manual, and directory are also filed with the articles. Two folders on the Wheeler Mansion include swatches of fabric and wallpaper salvaged from the building when it was razed.
ArchivalResource:
2.5 linear ft. (3.5 document boxes and 3 file boxes)
http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/192102704 View
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