Byrd mss., 1794-1881
Summary Information
Repository
Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
Lilly Library
Indiana University
1200 E. Seventh St.
Bloomington, IN 47405-5500
Phone: 812-855-2452
Fax: 812-855-3143
Email: liblilly@indiana.edu
Creator
Byrd, Charles Willing,
1770-1828
TitleByrd mss.,1794-1881
Collection No.
LMC 1159
Extent
235 items
Language
Materials are in English.
Abstract
Consists of the papers of Charles
Willing Byrd. A member of the prominent Virginia family of that name, Byrd became
deeply interested in the Shaker movement, and one of his sons, William Silonwe Byrd,
joined the Shaker community at Pleasant Hill, Kentucky. For the years 1826-1828, a
considerable portion of the collection consists of letters from this son, dealing
with the beliefs of the Shakers and the affairs of Pleasant Hill. The collection
also includes letters to Charles Willing Byrd from members of his family, in regard
to family matters. Letters from an aunt refer to the death of Washington and to
conditions in Philadelphia during the War of 1812. Some light on medical practices
of the day is given in letters, 1826-1828, to Byrd from his physicians, prescribing
treatment for him.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research.
Biographical Note
The Byrd mss., 1794-1881, are papers of Charles Willing Byrd, 1770-1828, a member of
the prominent Virginia family of that name. He was born in Virginia, received his
academic and legal education in Philadelphia, and, in 1794, went to Kentucky to look
after Robert Morris' land interests there. He was appointed Secretary of the
Northwest Territory by President John Adams in 1799, and served as Acting Governor
from 1802 to 1803 following the removal from office of General Arthur St. Clair. He
was delegate to the convention which framed the first constitution for Ohio. Soon
thereafter President Thomas Jefferson appointed him Judge of the United States
District Court for Ohio, which office he held until his death in 1828.
Arrangement
Items are arranged chronological order.
Scope and Content Note
Byrd became deeply interested in the Shaker movement, and one of his sons, William
Silonwe Byrd, joined the Shaker community at Pleasant Hill, Kentucky. For the years,
1826- 1828, a considerable portion of the collection consists of letters from his
son, dealing with the beliefs of the Shakers and the affairs of Pleasant Hill.
Included also are letters to Charles Willing Byrd from Francis Voris, principal
deacon and business manager at Pleasant Hill, who was managing some business matters
for Byrd. The collection also includes letters to Charles Willing Byrd from members
of his family, including his mother, his brothers, and sisters, his children and
other relatives in regard to family matters. Letters from an aunt, Elizabeth Powel
of Philadelphia, refer to the death of Washington and to conditions in Philadelphia
during the War of 1812.
Some light on medical practices of the day is given in letters, 1826-1828, to Byrd
from his physicians, prescribing treatment for him. Included also are letters
relating to a mail robbery, 1828, during the trial of which Byrd died. Manuscripts
for the years following Charles Willing Byrd's death are principally those of one of
his sons by his second marriage, Samuel Otway Byrd of Sinking Springs, Ohio. The
first folder in the collection contains biographical material on Charles Willing
Byrd and some of the other persons represented.
Accompanying the collection is a computer print-out of
Letters
from a Young Shaker: William S. Byrd at Pleasant Hill, Kentucky,
edited
by Stephen J. Stein.
This collection has been used in the preparation of Gerald J. Geiger's "Charles Willing Byrd." Master's thesis, Indiana
University, February 1951.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
Acquired: 1948
Usage RestrictionsPrior arrangements are not necessary before coming to the Library, however,
patrons from out of town are encouraged to communicate with the Library in
advance of their visits to ascertain availability of materials.
Photocopying permitted only with permission of the Curator of Manuscripts, Lilly
Library.
Preferred Citation
[Item], Byrd mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Processing Information
Processed by staff.
Byrd mss., 1794-1881
Box 1
Biographical Information
Correspondence, 1794-1799
Correspondence, 1800-1810
Correspondence, 1811-1819
Correspondence, 1820-1825
Correspondence, 1826
Correspondence, 1827
Correspondence, 1828
Correspondence, 1829-1839
Correspondence, 1840-1881
Supplement,
Letters from a Young
Shaker,
Stein, Stephen J. (ed.), computer printout,
1983
