Manuscripts
[Unknown author]. "On the eve of parting from my family…:" [copy of the will of Sir Francis Beaufort, dated Jan. 21, 1817], followed by: "Nine years additional experience…:" [copy of a codicil to the will of Sir Francis Beaufort, dated July 11, 1826]
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[Unknown author]. [Legal notes on the will and codicil of Sir Francis Beaufort]
Manuscripts
(52 p.). Written in various hands; originally tied together with string.
FBA 25
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Beaufort, Francis, Sir, 1774-1857. "Whereas my wife Honora and I are on the eve of a journey…:" [codicil to a will Beaufort signed on June 2, 1843]
Manuscripts
[London, Eng.] (2 p.). With red wax seal.
FBA 8
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[Upton, Archer Thomas, -1875]. "I have read the will and codicil…:" [copy of statement by Upton regarding Sir Francis Beaufort's will]
Manuscripts
London, Eng. (4 p.)
FBA 22
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Sir Francis Beaufort papers
Manuscripts
This collection contains the papers of British admiral and hydrographer Sir Francis Beaufort and members of the Beaufort and Edgeworth families dating from 1710-1953 (bulk 1780-1890) and consisting of diaries, journals, account books and correspondence. Subject matter includes the Beaufort and Edgeworth families; British naval history of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, in particular the period of the Napoleonic Wars; geography and hydrography, particularly of the Eastern Mediterranean; Irish affair of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, particularly related to economic and commercial issues; and the Royal Society and scientific affairs in England in the early 19th century. The bulk of the collection is comprised of the papers of Sir Francis and includes journals of his naval service (1791-1812); journals, notes, and working papers for his survey of Karamania (or Caramania), along the southern coast of Turkey (1813-1817); his professional diaries as hydrographer to the British Navy (1840-1857); and 854 letters by Sir Francis. Notable topics included in the correspondence of Sir Francis includes a letter-journal of his first sea-voyage, to Indonesia (1789, July 24); a description of the Battle of San Joseph, in which he was critically wounded (1800, Oct. 28); letters to Richard Lovell Edgeworth detailing the construction of the Dublin-Galway telegraph (1803) and later discussing various projects for navigation mensuration (1808, May 5); commentary at length on the death of Lord Nelson (1805, Nov. 9); a voyage to Cape of Good Hope (1806, May 16-22); Malta (1808, Oct. 21); Quebec and French Canada (1809, Oct.-Nov.); and an explanation of a naval cause celebre in which he opposed the Admiralty by asserting that an escaped slave that had served 2 years on his ship was by definition enfranchised (1814, Feb. 3); a visit with Sir Walter Scott (1821, Apr. 23); the intellectual community in Paris (Laplace, Cuvier, etc.) (1825, Nov. 4); an eyewitness description of the Coronation of William IV (1831, Sep. 9); Sir Francis's knighthood ceremony (1848, May 7); and attempts to locate Sir John Franklin by balloon (1850, Jan. 9). Notable correspondence about science written to Beaufort includes: Brinkley, John. Letters describing astronomical research 1824-1829. Dalrymple, Alexander. Series of letters concerning activities of the Hydrographical office, etc. 1805-1808. Franklin, Sir John. Two letters from northern Canada describing his explorations. 1825, Apr. 21; 1826, Feb. 6 Hall, Basil. Series of letters to Sir Francis Beaufort describing efforts to salvage the Royal George using a diving bell. 1839, Sep.-Oct. Herschel, Sir John Frederick William. Letter discussing his career, his election as president of the Royal Society, and issues facing the Society. 1830, Nov. 26. Parry, Sir William. Letter from Davis Strait describing problems of mensuration in polar regions. 1824, July 1. Ussher, Henry. Letter discussing astronomical research. 1789, Nov. 6. In addition to the papers of Sir Francis, the collection also includes the papers of other members of the Beaufort family including thirty-seven letters and four diaries of Sir Francis's father, Daniel Augustus Beaufort; seventeen letters and a journal of family history by Sir Francis's first wife, Alicia Magdalena Wilson Beaufort (d. 1834); a volume of original botanical watercolor paintings by Frances Anne Beaufort Edgeworth (1769-1865); and correspondence with and about writer Maria Edgeworth, including a series of letters from her to Sir Francis discussing literary maters and the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, dating from 1814-1827. There are also two letters by Sir Francis describing in detail the critical response to Maria Edgeworth's Patronage (1814, Feb. 3), and a letter discussing details of the publication of Edgeworth's novel Ormond (1817, June 12). Additional family correspondents include: William Lewis Beaufort (21 letters); Frances Anne Beaufort Edgeworth (3 letters); and Richard Lovell Edgeworth (7 letters). The oldest item in the collection is a grant of nobility to Francis de Beaufort (Sir Francis's ancestor) from Holy Roman Emperor Joseph I Hapsburg, dated March 4, 1710. Some interesting or important items include: Allott, Anna Maria. Memoirs of Edward Gibbon's residence in Switzerland [fragment]. c. 1794. Beaufort, Emily Anne and Beaufort, Rosalind Elizabeth. Manuscript entitled Anecdotes of Captain Beaufort, R.N., compiled by his daughters. 1840-42. Blennerhasset, Jeanne. Series of letters giving fascinating insight into the early life of Daniel Augustus Beaufort. 1764-1775. Hillyar, Mary Taylor. Letter describing last days of Sir James Hillyar. 1843, Oct. 29. Accompanied by three letters of Sir James Hillyar. Lennon, Maria. Series of letters chronicling her dramatic rescue by Sir Francis Beaufort and her loyalty to his memory decades afterwards. 1809-1843. Melville, Sir Peter Melville (also spelled Melvill). Series of letters describing his travels from India to Egypt, Turkey, Vienna. 1832, Jan. 5-Aug. 23. Some additional significant persons represented in the collection include: Sir Thomas Dyke Acland (2 letters); Thomas Arnold (7 letters); Sir Joseph Banks (3 letters); Sir John Barrow (9 letters); William Bligh (1 letter); Robert Cadell (3 letters); Stratford Canning (7 letters); Charles Robert Cockerell (4 letters); Cuthbert Collingwood (2 letters); John Wilson Croker (12 letters); Sir Roger Curtis (2 letters); Sir Humphrey Davy (1 letter); James Gambier, Baron Gambier (1 letter); Davies Gilbert (5 letters); Sir Charles Hamilton (4 letters); Sir William Rowan Hamilton (1 letter); Sir John Frederick William Herschel (1 letter); John Jervis, Earl of St. Vincent (1 letter); Alicia Le Fanu (1 letter); Edward Hawke Locker (2 letters); Sir Thomas Erskine May (2 letters); Sir James Nicoll Morris (2 letters); Sir Roderick Impey Murchison (1 letter); Horatio Nelson (1 letter); Sir William Edward Parry (2 letters); Sir Edward Pellew (7 letters); Lady Jane Spencer-Wilson Perceval (2 letters); Sir Henry Prescott (2 letters); James Rennell (29 letters); George Cecil Renouard (4 letters); Elisabeth-Paul-Edouard, Chevalier de Rossel (3 letters); Sir James South (4 letters); Thomas Spring-Rice (1 letter); Leslie Stephen (1 letter); Sir Robert Stopford (4 letters); Victoria, Queen of Great Britain (2 letters); Robert Walpole (7 letters); Sir John Borlase Warren (2 letters); John Washington (4 letters); William Wellesley-Pole, 1st Baron Maryborough (2 letters); Joseph Blanco White (1 letter); Lestock Wilson (12 letters).
mssFB
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Burton, Richard Francis, Sir, 1821-1890. "The Sentiment of the Sword. A Country-House Dialogue: Appendix:" [early draft], A.MS.S. (32 p.), ([before 1890 Oct.]). Kirkpatrick Catalogue: 107, Box 1
Manuscripts
Note: two separate gatherings titled "Appendix," including "The Fencing School (Ancient and Modern)" and "The Manchette or Forearm Play;" includes some illustrations and pages in another hand. Also enclosed: printed receipt from The Field to A. Forbes Sieveking, Apr. 12, 1910 (1 p.). Cataloger's Note: this material not included in Sieveking's printed version of 1911; material might have been intended for use in "The Book of the Sword" Vols. II-III.
RBL 35(6)
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Alexander D. Miner Correspondence
Manuscripts
The correspondence of Alexander Douglas Miner consists almost entirely of letters sent by Miner addressed to his daughter, Martha Matilda Miner, a college student attending Oberlin College in Ohio. The letters sent from Miner to Martha span from 1852 to 1872. Some of the letters include a postscript from Martha's mother, Abby E. Miner. The letters begin in Lima, New York in June 1852. Martha's mother, Abby E. Miner, begins the letter with an update on her father's health. The majority of these letters cover news on family members and friends, including church and social activities along with Martha's studies. Illnesses and deaths of friends and family are also commonly reported by Miner. Cholera morbus (gastroenteritis), erysipelas, and measles are some of the illnesses mentioned. Besides the common updates on family and friends, there are a couple of highlights in Miner's letters including a trial for perjury and a shooting during a sermon about slavery. Although Miner did not fight during the Civil War, he mentions several friends who did, including a boy who participated in the First Battle of Bull Run. In regards to the war, he writes, "I am more than ever convinced that this war, before we see its termination, will be felt and realized as the direst calamity which has ever befallen our beloved country" ([after 1860], July 24). There is a strong moral and religious tone in Miner's writing. In a letter dated October 1, 1858, Miner writes "We may set about any worldly enterprise, with firm health, and with every advantage for accomplishing the object of our pursuit, and yet...all these advantages may be removed from us, and if destitute of this trust in God, we shall be left to struggle alone unaided against the adversities of life." Miner also appears to have been deeply concerned about his daughter's moral development, as seen throughout his letters. "Avoid also a sort of stiffness of behavior, be familiar, not distant and cold, not waiting to be approached always by others, but prompt to do your part in exhibiting the courtesies and civilities of life" (1856, Mar. 17). In another letter dated February 1, 1859, Miner writes "I am afraid I have encouraged you in pride, in thinking of yourself more highly than you ought, in drawing comparisons between yourself and others ... in respect to smartness." Martha's younger sister, Nellie W. Miner, appears to have been adopted. Miner reports, "She was found alone on the tow path of the canal by a lady of Rochester, who took her to the home. She says that her Mother put her there, and told her to stay till she came for her, and to tell people that her name was Helen Wells, and that she was six years old, she says that she came on a boat, and that her mother's name is Julia Wells. This is about all we know" ([1856], Sep. 29). Nellie was not the only abused and neglected child mentioned by Miner. In another letter, Miner writes about visiting another girl that needed a home on September 23, [1857]. In Miner's later letters, it appears that Nellie eventually moves to Oberlin, Ohio to attend college as well. Also included with the collection are miscellaneous manuscripts and notes by John Gaius Fraser on religion, a receipt, and a carte-de-visite of Alexander D. Miner. There are also three volumes: an autograph book, notebook, and an album. These volumes contain various sentimental messages from friends. There are also two empty volumes where the original letters were contained.
mssHM 80846-80948