Papers of the Baker family [manuscript], 1781-1893 and 1917-1921.

ArchivalResource

Baker, William M., fl. 1864. Papers of the Baker family [manuscript], 1781-1893 and 1917-1921.

Papers of the Baker family [manuscript], 1781-1893 and 1917-1921.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/647821398

The collection contains correspondence, business and legal papers, land surveys, and genealogical material of the Baker and related Mills, Quarles and Swift families. Correspondence is chiefly that of Martin Baker, Sr., and Martin Baker, Jr. Most of the letters discuss family and local news. Of interest are letters discussing slaves and freedmen, particularly illness and deaths of family slaves and African-Americans seeking office during Reconstruction. Civil War letters are chiefly by civilians conveying sentiments and second hand news. A July 1864 letter mentions destruction by nearby Union troops and a family member taken prisoner at Spotsylvania, and an August 1864 letter from William Baker, Jr., discusses camp life. Other topics include temperance and the physical abuse of Lucinda Baker Ellett by her husband. Business and legal papers of Martin Baker, Jr., include an account book, 1818-1833, with the Farmers Bank of Virginia, a will, 1835, a document re: a slave sale, and papers re: the estates of Martin Baker Sr., and Jr.

250 (ca.) items.

University of Virginia. Library