Bailhache-Brayman Families papers
Title:
Bailhache-Brayman Families papers
Letters of Mason Brayman, 1833-1894, ca. 200 items are addressed to his parents Daniel and Nancy Brayman, his wife Mary, sister Sarah, daughter Ada, William H. Bailhache and his nephew, Frederick Staring. The letters, mailed from Buffalo, New York, Springfield, Chicago and Cairo, Ill., Little Rock, Camp Dennison, Natchez, Washington, Quincy, Boise, Ripon and Kansas City, discuss such topics as the printing business, various travels with descriptions, cholera, the Illinois and Michigan Canal, railroads, Baptist convention, slavery, Abraham Lincoln, siege of Corinth, military duty at Camp Dennison, corruption in the Army, his testimony at Fort Pillow, cruelties of Libby Belle Isle and Andersonville prisons, post-war violence, feminist movement and financial conditions. His letters always refer to family members and news. Many of his letters are to his daughter Ada and during her childhood and adolescence they are filled with fatherly advice and encouragement. Their correspondence shows how very close this father and daughter were. There are several letters from Spencer Waterman, while working for Brayman discussing business, his relationship with Ada, and apologizing for his behavior. Several letters from Waterman’s father discussing his son’s behavior. Also includes some poems written by Brayman, his 100-page handwritten report on the 1st Divisions performance at Fort Donnellson, his Special Order No. 64 written at Bolivar, Tenn. Regarding anti-union speech and the consequences of such, letters from Governor Yates re: promotion to Brigadier General, Brayman’s eulogy of U. S. Grant and some reminiscences.
John Bailhache, letters, 1829-1856, ca. 40 items, most of which are to his wife and concern personal and family business. His letters from Springfield, while in the legislature, refer to social events, and while visiting the Isle of Jersey, he sent letters from various stops along the way. He received letters from Episcopal ministers including: John Bausman, 1837-1854, in Middletown, Delaware; Philander Chase, 20 items, 1844-1855, regarding church business and Jubilee College; Samuel Chase regarding the education of Arthur Bailhache; Mary Callas and Jane Le Rosignol from the Isle of Jersey regarding family affairs, 1835-1844, with some written in French; in-laws Anne Heath, J. W. Heath, and William Heath regarding personal and financial affairs, 1849-1853; Henry Clay, sale of land, 1846; Charles Draper, Episcopal Church affairs in Springfield, 1850; Simeon Francis, Springfield, about Charles Lanphier, 1854; John Mason Peck, biographical information, 1854; and C. Wallace, from Chillicothe and Kenton, Ohio, re: business affairs, 1853.
William H. Bailhache letters, 1849-1901, ca. 200 items. Letters from 1852-1857, ca. 70 items, to his father at Alton, written while he was editor at the Illinois State Journal. He discusses the publishing business, politics, railroads, travels and current events. Letters 1858-1884, ca. 80 items, addressed from Springfield, New York, Knoxville, Chicago, Ripon, Washington, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Los Angeles, and San Diego are to his wife, Ada, and his father-in-law, Mason Brayman and refer to the state legislature, railroads, social events, travels, business affairs, appointments and his move west. His letters to his wife are full of love. His Civil War letters refer mainly to business of the quartermaster office, attaining food and goods for the troops. His incoming correspondence includes letters from: Ormat Y Andonaegui, Ensenada de Todos Santos, Baja, California, 1899-1900 about Chinese entrants; Edward L. Baker, 1865, re: state legislature; Newton Bateman, Galesburg, 1889-1894, about land; Shelby M. Cullom Washington, D. C., 1894-1901, politics and appointment as Chinese inspector; Max Frost, Bureau of Immigration, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1886-1901; W. B. Howell in Washington, D.C., 1987 regarding Chinese in California; J.D. Jones in Cincinnati, 1868, about the Lincoln national Monument; George C. Perkins, San Francisco, 1898-1900, customs department; William Vandever, Washington, D.C., 1888, about San Diego affairs; and Alex Weil, San Francisco, 1892-1893, business.
Sarah Adaline Brayman Bailhache letters, 1850-1904, ca. 75 items, to her parents and husband. Discuss her sadness at being sent away to school, cholera in St. Louis, sewing bees, social affairs in Springfield, Civil War news and how she and her small children are living during the war, riots in Chicago, trip to New York, the move to the west and always include family news. Some later letters include genealogical information.
Mary Williams Brayman letters, 1839-1884, ca 36 items to her husband and daughter Ada Bailhache. Among these are 26 written during the Civil War from Cairo, Illinois, Bolivar, Tennessee; Camp Dennison, Ohio; Vidalia, and New Orleans, Louisiana, and Natchez, Mississippi. She describes her experiences in these places, how she and a few other women are working to keep the soldiers fed, the cities, troubles her husband encountered at Bolivar, Tenn. And Camp Dennison, the beauty of Natchez and a ball she attended there and her trip to deliver papers to Mary Todd Lincoln.
Preston Bailhache letters, 1853-1916, ca. 30 items, to his father, brother William, and sister-in-law Ada. Discuss family news, his medical studies in Philadelphia, his practice in Springfield, his dissatisfaction with the army, and management of marine hospitals.
Arthur Bailhache letters, 1851, 1861, 12 items, concern his studies at Jubilee College, his social life and his duties at Pilot Knob and Federickstown, Missouri
Other family members: William and Ada’s children: Adaline “Birdie”, 1878-1889, 5 items plus an account of her efforts to attain the position of Postmaster at Coronado, Calif.; Arthur, 8 items, 1878-1920, John, 8 items, 1877-1922; Morgan H. Bailhache, cousin, 10 items, 1862-1887; Nicholas Bailhache, brother of John Sr., 2 items, 1824, 1856; Sara Brayman, sister of Mason, 4 items, 1851-1855; James Brayman, brother of Mason, 2 items, 1876, 1884; Nellie Brayman, Mason’s daughter, 4 items, 1869-1878; and Frederick Staring, nephew of Mason, 8 items, 1857-1863.
ArchivalResource:
1.5 Linear Feet (3 1/2 MS boxes + 1 oversize folder)
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