Mayer, Brantz, 1809-1879

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Ms. note : (Author Hist. of Mexico).

From the description of Letter, 1863, April 23, Baltimore, to "Sir". (Brown University). WorldCat record id: 122615237

Lawyer, author, founder and president of the Maryland Historical Society.

From the description of Letter : Baltimore, [Md.], to F.J. Dreer, 1859 Nov. 13. (Newberry Library). WorldCat record id: 38873485

Lawyer, historian, and author, of Baltimore, Md.

From the description of Papers, 1634-1879. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 20030145

American lawyer and author.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Baltimore, to H.J. Gales, 1851 Dec. 2. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270636579

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Baltimore, to Messrs. Gales and Seaton, 1851 July 2. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270636575

Brantz Mayer was a prominent nineteenth-century Baltimore citizen, historian, and writer. He was born to Christian Mayer (1763-1842) and Anna Kat(h)erina (Baum) Mayer (1767-1843) in Baltimore, Maryland, on September 27, 1809, the youngest of ten children. His father came to the United States from Ulm, Württemberg, Germany, and settled in Maryland in 1784. After emigrating to the United States, Christian Mayer established himself as a trader. Later he became the president of a Baltimore insurance company. Eventually, he served as the consul-general of Württemberg to the United States. Brantz Mayer attended public school, as well as St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore but was primarily privately educated. He completed his study of law at the University of Maryland and was admitted to the bar in 1832. Throughout this period, he traveled extensively throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe. On September 27, 1835, Mayer married Mary Griswold (1817-1845). Before her death in 1845, Mary bore five daughters: Katherine Mary (Kate) (b. 1836), Beata (b. 1838), Anna Maria (b. 1841), Dora (b. 1844-1878), and Mary (b. 1845). On November 15, 1848, the widower married Cornelia Poor (b. 1818), with whom he had three daughters: Cornelia (Nellie) (b. 1849), Jane (b. 1851), and Fanny (b. and d. 1854).

Mayer left the practice of law in 1841 to take a position as the secretary of the United States legation in Mexico. Following his return from Mexico in 1844, Mayer began his life-long study of, devotion to, and preservation of history, especially local history. He was involved in the establishment of the Maryland Historical Society in 1844 and served as its president from 1867 to 1871. Additionally, he served as president of the Library Company of Baltimore and proved vital in the construction of the Antheneum Building in the city. He later encouraged the state of Maryland to establish an archives commission and depository, which was ultimately housed at the Historical Society. In 1844, Mayer published the first of many historical works, Mexico as It Was and as It Is. This first work was of particular importance, given the pending Mexican-American War. Other works by Mayer include Tah-Gah-Jute: or Logan and Captain Michael Cresap (1851), Mexico, Aztec, Spanish and Republican (1851), and Calvert and Penn (1852). He also edited several works, including the Journal of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, during His Visit to Canada in 1776 (1845), for the Maryland Historical Society, and Captain Canot; or Twenty Years of an African Slaver (1854). He continued to write and to publish until shortly before his death. In addition to books, Mayer regularly wrote editorials and columns for newspapers in the Baltimore area, especially the Baltimore News American.

During the Civil War, Mayer served as a brigadier-general with the Maryland volunteers and he assisted in recruiting for the state. In 1863, he received the post of additional paymaster. In January 1865, he was promoted to major and paymaster in the United States regular army. In 1866, he was promoted again, this time to lieutenant-colonel (retroactive to November 1865) for his service during the war. Mayer retired from the pay department in 1875 at the rank of colonel. He died on February 23, 1879 at the age of sixty-nine.

From the description of Brantz Mayer Papers, 1820-1853. (University of Maryland Libraries). WorldCat record id: 173147537

Brantz Mayer was a prominent nineteenth-century Baltimore citizen, historian, and writer. He was born to Christian Mayer (1763-1842) and Anna Kat(h)erina (Baum) Mayer (1767-1843) in Baltimore, Maryland, on September 27, 1809, the youngest of ten children. His father came to the United States from Ulm, Wörttemberg, Germany, and settled in Maryland in 1784. After emigrating to the United States, Christian Mayer established himself as a trader. Later he became the president of a Baltimore insurance company. Eventually, he served as the consul-general of Wörttemberg to the United States.

Brantz Mayer attended public school, as well as St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore but was primarily privately educated. He completed his study of law at the University of Maryland and was admitted to the bar in 1832. Throughout this period, he traveled extensively throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe. On September 27, 1835, Mayer married Mary Griswold (1817-1845). Before her death in 1845, Mary bore five daughters: Katherine Mary (Kate) (b. 1836), Beata (b. 1838), Anna Maria (b. 1841), Dora (b. 1844-1878), and Mary (b. 1845). On November 15, 1848, the widower married Cornelia Poor (b. 1818), with whom he had three daughters: Cornelia (Nellie) (b. 1849), Jane (b. 1851), and Fanny (b. and d. 1854).

Mayer left the practice of law in 1841 to take a position as the secretary of the United States legation in Mexico. Following his return from Mexico in 1844, Mayer began his life-long study of, devotion to, and preservation of history, especially local history. He was involved in the establishment of the Maryland Historical Society in 1844 and served as its president from 1867 to 1871. Additionally, he served as president of the Library Company of Baltimore and proved vital in the construction of the Antheneum Building in the city. He later encouraged the state of Maryland to establish an archives commission and depository, which was ultimately housed at the Historical Society.

In 1844, Mayer published the first of many historical works, Mexico as It Was and as It Is . This first work was of particular importance, given the pending Mexican-American War. Other works by Mayer include Tah-Gah-Jute: or Logan and Captain Michael Cresap (1851), Mexico, Aztec, Spanish and Republican (1851), and Calvert and Penn (1852). He also edited several works, including the Journal of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, during His Visit to Canada in 1776 (1845), for the Maryland Historical Society, and Captain Canot; or Twenty Years of an African Slaver (1854). He continued to write and to publish until shortly before his death. In addition to books, Mayer regularly wrote editorials and columns for newspapers in the Baltimore area, especially the Baltimore News American .

During the Civil War, Mayer served as a brigadier-general with the Maryland volunteers and he assisted in recruiting for the state. In 1863, he received the post of additional paymaster. In January 1865, he was promoted to major and paymaster in the United States regular army. In 1866, he was promoted again, this time to lieutenant-colonel (retroactive to November 1865) for his service during the war. Mayer retired from the pay department in 1875 at the rank of colonel. He died on February 23, 1879 at the age of sixty-nine.

From the guide to the Brantz Mayer papers, 1820-1853, 1842-1853, (State of Maryland and Historical Collections)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Mayer, Brantz, 1809-1879,. Autograph letter signed from Brantz Mayer, Baltimore, to Richard Grant White [manuscript], 1859 December 16. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Morris, George Pope, 1802-1864. Letters, poem, and song by George Pope Morris, 1842-1860. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
creatorOf Mayer, Brantz, 1809-1879. Manuscritos Mexicanos, 1715-1842. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Parkman, Francis, 1823-1893. Francis Parkman papers, 1565-1903. Massachusetts Historical Society
creatorOf Mayer, Brantz, 1809-1879. Mexico in 1841 & 1842 / by Brantz Mayer, 1841-1842. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Atocha, Alejandro Jose de. Letters, 1843-1855. Indiana University
referencedIn Henry, Joseph, 1797-1878. Letters, 1836-1878. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn E.G. Squier papers, 1809-1888 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Steuart, G. H. G.H. Steuart letters to Brantz Mayer, 1888. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thomas J. Watson Library
creatorOf Clay, Henry, 1777-1852. Papers of Henry Clay [manuscript], 1798-1934. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Mayer, Brantz, 1809-1879. Brantz Mayer papers, 1832-1865 Detroit Public Library, Detroit Main Library
referencedIn Letters to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1761-1904 (inclusive), 1820-1888 (bulk) Houghton Library
referencedIn Eastman, Seth, 1808-1875. Letters : to Brantz Mayer / by Seth Eastman, 1856. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Willis, Nathaniel Parker, 1806-1867. Nathaniel Parker Willis collection, 1813-1866. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Neal, John, 1793-1876. Papers, 1803-1880 Houghton Library
creatorOf Mayer, Brantz, 1809-1879. Autograph letter signed : Baltimore, to H.J. Gales, 1851 Dec. 2. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Dobbins, Stephan Decatur. Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma : Fought the former May 8th and the latter May 9th 1846 between the U.S. Army of occupation and the Mexican grand army of veteran troops, both battles resulting in the complete triumph of the U.S. Army. / Drawn by S.D. Dobbins, U.S.A. 1st Lt. Adv. Ga. ; Copied by Brantz Mayer. University of California, Bancroft Library, ARL
creatorOf Mayer, Brantz, 1809-1879. Papers, 1634-1879. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
referencedIn Mexico collection, 1522-1915 (inclusive), 1770-1865 (bulk). Yale University Library
referencedIn Thompson, Waddy, 1798-1868. Waddy Thompson papers, 1799-1978. University of South Carolina, System Library Service, University Libraries
creatorOf White, Richard Grant, 1821-1885,. Autograph letter signed from Richard Grant White, Ravenswood, L.I., to Brantz Mayer [manuscript], 1859 September 6. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Ralph Waldo Emerson letters from various correspondents, ca. 1814-1882. Houghton Library
creatorOf Mayer, Brantz, 1809-1879. Mayer's History of the Mexican War: book third / in a typed transcript produced by Henry Raup Wagner, 1914 May 26. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Mayer, Brantz, 1809-1879. Brantz Mayer correspondence, 1875-1876. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Parkman, Francis, 1823-1893. Francis Parkman papers III, 1761-1932. Massachusetts Historical Society
creatorOf Mayer, Brantz, 1809-1879. Letter : Baltimore, to Major [Frank Marx] Etting, Washington, D.C., 1861 Jan. 15. Texas Christian University
creatorOf Eastman, Seth, 1808-1875. Autograph letter signed : Washington, D.C., to Brantz Mayer, 1852 Feb. 12. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896,. John A. McAllister Papers, 1820-1885 (bulk 1860-1866). Porterville Public Library
referencedIn Benjamin, Park, 1809-1864. Letter, 1843. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
creatorOf Wynne, Thomas Hicks, 1820-1875. Papers, 1848-1901, [microform]. Library of Virginia
creatorOf Mayer, Brantz, 1809-1879. Letter, 1863, April 23, Baltimore, to "Sir". Brown University Archives, John Hay Library
referencedIn War of 1812 mss., 1776-1879 Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
referencedIn Cortes, John F. Statement concerning conduct of Brantz Mayer while secretary of the United States legation to Mexico, 1843 Jan 21. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Mayer, Brantz, 1809-1879. Brantz Mayer letters to Charles Mayer and John Bigelow, 1862, undated. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thomas J. Watson Library
creatorOf Mayer, Brantz, 1809-1879. Autograph letter signed : Baltimore, to Messrs. Gales and Seaton, 1851 July 2. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Hoffman, David. David Hoffman's power of attorney naming Brantz Mayer, 1853. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thomas J. Watson Library
referencedIn Ellis, Powhatan, 1790-1863. Powhatan Ellis letter to Brantz Mayer, 1842. New-York Historical Society Library
creatorOf Mayer, Brantz, 1809-1879. Brantz Mayer letters to F.B. Mayer, 1847-1869. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thomas J. Watson Library
referencedIn Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852. Letter, 1843 January 30, Washington, to Waddy Thompson [n.p.]. Dartmouth College Library
referencedIn Draper, Lyman Copeland, 1815-1891. Letter : Rose Hill, [Md.], to Brantz Mayer, [Baltimore, Md.], 1845 Dec. 30. Newberry Library
referencedIn Willis, Nathaniel Parker, 1806-1867. Nathaniel Parker Willis collection, 1813-1866. Yale University Library
referencedIn Wynne, Thos. H. (Thomas Hicks), 1820-1875. Brock Collection: Papers of Thomas Hicks Wynne, 1848-1901. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
creatorOf Benton, Thomas Hart, 1782-1858. Franked envelope: Washington, D.C., to Brantz Mayer, Baltimore, Maryland, [1854] Aug. 30. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
creatorOf Mayer, Brantz, 1809-1879. Letter : Baltimore, [Md.], to F.J. Dreer, 1859 Nov. 13. Newberry Library
referencedIn Benson John Lossing Collection, 1843-1917 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
referencedIn Henry Bryan Hall letter to Brantz Mayer Archives of American Art
referencedIn Houghton Library. Houghton Library printed book provenance file, L-Q. 1942. Houghton Library
creatorOf Clay, Henry, 1777-1852. Henry Clay letter to Brantz Mayer [manuscript], 1832 January 17. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Mexico collection, 1529-1907 (inclusive), 1741-1800 (bulk). Yale University Library
creatorOf Mayer, Brantz, 1809-1879. Brantz Mayer Papers, 1820-1853. University of Maryland (College Park, Md.). Libraries
referencedIn Carroll collection, 1776-1867. Johns Hopkins University, Sheridan Libraries and the Milton S. Eisenhower Library
referencedIn Duane Family Collection, 1764-1933 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Bartlett, John Russell, 1805-1886. Letter : New York, [N.Y.], to Brantz Mayer, Baltimore, Md., 1845 Oct. 1. Newberry Library
creatorOf Morris, George Pope, 1802-1864. Papers of George Pope Morris [manuscript] 1830-1860. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf White, Richard Grant, 1821-1885,. Autograph letter signed from Richard Grant White, New York, to Brantz Mayer [manuscript], 1861 August 30. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Mayer, Brantz, 1809-1879. The military topography of the U.S. : ms., circa 1861-1865. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Prescott, William Hickling, 1796-1859. Letter to Brantz Mayer. Boston, MA. 1846 Jan. 17 and 22. University of Iowa Libraries
creatorOf Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850. LS, 1849 June 11 : Washington, to Brantz Mayer. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
referencedIn Squier, E. G. (Ephraim George), 1821-1888. The papers of Ephraim George Squier, 1841-1848. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Mayer, Frank Blackwell, 1827-1899. F.B. Mayer letters to Brantz Mayer, 1857-1873. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thomas J. Watson Library
referencedIn Autograph File, M Houghton Library
referencedIn Donaldson, James Lowry, 1814-1885. Letter : Santa Fe, New Mexico Territory, to Brantz Mayer, Baltimore, Maryland, 1860 May. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826. Letters of Thomas Jefferson [manuscript] 1791-1826. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Donaldson, James Lowry, 1814-1885. Letter : Santa Fe, New Mexico Territory, to Brantz Mayer, Baltimore, Maryland, 1860 May. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Mayer, Eliza. Commonplace book, ca. 1864. Northern Illinois University
referencedIn Ghillany, Friedrich Wilhelm, 1807-1876. Martin Behaim's globe, and Humboldt's essay on the oldest maps of America : with a special notice of Juan de la Cosa's map of America : manuscript, dated in 1500, 1852. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Sparks, Jared, 1789-1866. Jared Sparks collection of American manuscripts, 1582-1843 Houghton Library
referencedIn Joseph Henry letters, 1836-1878, 1836-1878 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn E.G. Squier papers, 1809-1888 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Cortes, John F. Statement concerning conduct of Brantz Mayer while secretary of the United States legation to Mexico, 1843 Jan 21. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Mayer, Brantz, 1809-1879. Letter to John McAllister. Baltimore, MD. 1857 Sept. 18. University of Iowa Libraries
creatorOf Simms, William Gilmore, 1806-1870. Papers of William Gilmore Simms [manuscript], 1839-1870. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Willis, Nathaniel Parker, 1806-1867. N.P. Willis letters, poems, and carte-de-visite, 1831-1864. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
referencedIn Duane family. Papers, 1770-1933. American Philosophical Society Library
creatorOf Mayer, Brantz, 1809-1879. Brantz Mayer Papers, 1820-1853. University of Maryland (College Park, Md.). Libraries
creatorOf Clay, Henry, 1777-1852. Letter to Brantz Mayer, 1832 January 17. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Mexico collection, 1522-1915, 1770-1865 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Allen, Bennet. person
associatedWith Atocha, Alejandro Jose de. person
associatedWith Ayala. person
associatedWith Bancroft, Hubert Howe, 1832-1918. person
correspondedWith Bartlett, John Russell, 1805-1886. person
associatedWith Benjamin, Park, 1809-1864. person
associatedWith Benton, Thomas Hart, 1782-1858. person
correspondedWith Bigelow, John, 1817-1911 person
associatedWith Bodega. person
associatedWith Butler-Gunsaulus Collection (University of Chicago. Library) corporateBody
associatedWith Church of England corporateBody
associatedWith Claiborne. person
associatedWith Clay, Henry, 1777-1852. person
associatedWith Cortes, John F. person
associatedWith Croix, Teodoro de. person
associatedWith Dobbins, Stephan Decatur. person
associatedWith Donaldson, James Lowry, 1814-1885. person
correspondedWith Draper, Lyman Copeland, 1815-1891. person
correspondedWith Dreer, Ferdinand J. (Ferdinand Julius), 1812-1902 person
associatedWith Duane family family
associatedWith Duane family. family
associatedWith Eastman, Seth, 1808-1875. person
associatedWith Edward E. Ayer Manuscript Collection (Newberry Library) corporateBody
associatedWith Ellis, Powhatan, 1790-1863. person
correspondedWith Emerson, Ralph Waldo, 1803-1882 person
associatedWith Etting, Frank M. (Frank Marx) person
associatedWith Gales, H. J., person
associatedWith Gálvez, José de, 1720-1787. person
associatedWith Greenhow, Robert. person
associatedWith Greenhow, Rose. person
associatedWith Hall, Henry Bryan, 1808-1884. person
associatedWith Hazeta. person
associatedWith Henry, Joseph, 1797-1878. person
associatedWith Hoffman, David. person
associatedWith Houghton Library. person
associatedWith Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826. person
associatedWith La Harpe. person
associatedWith León, Alonso de. person
correspondedWith Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth, 1807-1882 person
associatedWith Lossing, Benson John, 1813-1891 person
associatedWith Madison, James. person
associatedWith Mangino, Father. person
associatedWith Maryland Historical Society. corporateBody
correspondedWith Mayer, Charles person
associatedWith Mayer, Charles F. person
associatedWith Mayer, Eliza. person
correspondedWith Mayer, Frank Blackwell, 1827-1899 person
associatedWith McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, person
associatedWith Mézières, Athanase de, d. 1779. person
associatedWith Morris, George Pope, 1802-1864. person
correspondedWith Neal, John, 1793-1876 person
associatedWith Newberry Library. corporateBody
associatedWith Palóu, Father. person
associatedWith Parkman, Francis, 1823-1893. person
associatedWith Peña, Juan Antonio de la. person
associatedWith Pérez. person
associatedWith Porter, T.O. person
associatedWith Prescott, William Hickling, 1796-1859. person
associatedWith Ramón, Domingo. person
associatedWith Revilla Gigedo, Juan Francisco Güemes y Horcasitas, conde de, 1682?-1766. person
associatedWith Ripperdá. person
associatedWith Saint Denis. person
associatedWith Sawkins, James Gay, 1806-1878. person
associatedWith Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. person
associatedWith Simms, William Gilmore, 1806-1870. person
associatedWith Sparks, Jared, 1789-1866 person
correspondedWith Squier, E. G. (Ephraim George), 1821-1888. person
correspondedWith Steuart, G. H. person
associatedWith Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850. person
correspondedWith Thompson, Waddy, 1798-1868. person
associatedWith Ugarte y Loyola. person
associatedWith Wagner, Henry Raup, 1862-1957. person
associatedWith Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852. person
correspondedWith White, Richard Grant, 1821-1885, person
associatedWith Willis, Cornelia. person
associatedWith Willis, Mary. person
associatedWith Willis, Nathaniel P. person
associatedWith Willis, Nathaniel Parker, 1806-1867. person
associatedWith Woodworth, F.A. person
associatedWith Wynne, Thomas Hicks, 1820-1875. person
correspondedWith Wynne, Thos. H. (Thomas Hicks), 1820-1875. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Texas
Peru
Texas
United States
Middle Atlantic States
Maryland--Baltimore
Maryland--Baltimore
Ulm (Germany)
Mexico
Mexico
Maryland
Atlantic Coast (U.S.)
West (U.S.)
Maryland--Baltimore
Mexico
Maryland
United States
Mexico
Subject
Authors
Autographs
Historians
Historians
Historians
Lawyers
Manuscripts, American
Meteorology
Mexican War, 1846-1848
Military topography
Texan Santa Fe Expedition, 1841
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1809-09-27

Death 1879-02-23

Americans

English

Information

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