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DeBerniere family. DeBerniere family papers, 1790-1930 (bulk 1790-1860).

Title: DeBerniere family papers, 1790-1930 (bulk 1790-1860).

Collection chiefly consists of correspondence of the family of John A. DeBerniere. Correspondence of Catherine DeBerniere Johnson includes a letter (1799) from M.A. Pollock in London concerning family and social life; letters from C. Read; and a letter (1810) from Elizabeth Longley, the mother-in-law of Henry DeBerniere, who writes of the death of her grandson, John Henry DeBerniere (1801-1809). Papers of Mary DeBerniere Johnson include a letter (ca. 1806) in rhyme from her brother, John Francis DeBerniere; letters (1816) concerning the death of her sister, Julia DeBerniere; letters from relatives in England, one of which (1848) concerns a political disturbance in London; and letters of recommendation (1851) for an English governess, a Miss Warmsford. Of note is a letter (9 July 1853) from Elizabeth Longley DeBerniere in which she relates her views on slavery, mentioning her father's acquaintance with William Wilberforce, Mr. Johnson's kind treatment of his slaves, their treatment by slave owners in general, and the system of slavery in America. Other correspondents include Sarah Dehon, Charlotte DeBerniere Hooper, Johnson Mallett DeBerniere, and J.B. Jones. Papers (1803-1839) of John Johnson consist of a few letters and miscellaneous items, including a list of slaves at his house, mills, and a place called The Furnace (probably an iron foundry). Letters to Louisa DeBerniere Lane written before 1799 are addressed to her in Wales (Ecclesham Hall, near Wrexham); after 1799 letters are addressed to her in Charleston, S.C. There are letters from her father John A. DeBerniere at the Grange (a plantation in North Carolina), Columbia, and elsewhere. Many letters to Louisa DeBerniere Lane are from Alice Hemans, who writes from London and other locations in Great Britain. In a letter dated Mar. 1803 she expresses religious consolations to Louisa on the loss of an infant child. In a similar letter of sympathy (3 July 1805), Mrs. Hemans relates a dream which her son had, in which he saw the faces of his deceased father and siblings. Mrs. Hemans's letters often mention her concerns for a son who is a soldier in active military service. Another of her letters (1808) mentions yellow fever in America, and an embargo, and describes her treatments by a "Doctor Grovesner or Grovener," who remedies "obstructions and contractions" by massage. Also of note is a letter (1817) in which she mentions "the esteemed boy Alfred" (possibly a son or brother) and the recently published poetry of his wife (Felicia Dorothea Browne Hemans). Other correspondents of Louisa DeBerniere Lane include her sisters, as well as Anna Jane Bingham and C. Wray. Papers of Robert Lane include a letter (1800) from John A. DeBerniere concerning the circumstances leading up to the suicide of a Mr. Faber, his daughter's fiance. McCrady family papers (1830-1930) include letters to Edward McCrady in Charleston, and a letter (1930) to Miss Jane McCrady in Saluda, N.C., from her cousin Bessie L. Whitaker. Papers of Louisa Lane McCrady include letters from her uncle Thomas Lane in Bath, England, one of which (1850) describes his use of heat to treat paralysis and other maladies, according to Dr. Day's "Thermic Practice." Also among her papers is a "Prayer against Melancholy and dejections of spirit."

ArchivalResource: 1 linear ft.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/79371972 View