Daniel Webster Andrews letters and family papers, 1792-1990, bulk 1810-1870

Printable guide [HTML]
Request items

Summary

Abstract:
Letters of Union naval officer Daniel Webster Andrews, with related family papers.
Extent:
503 items in 3 boxes (1.2 linear feet)
Language:
The material is predominantly in English, however there are a few items in German, French and Italian.

Background

Scope and content:

The first series includes correspondence and documents belonging to Daniel Webster Andrews and his family, chiefly his father John Andrews and his mother Susan Masson Andrews. The material is organized alphabetically by family member. In the letters by John Andrews to his brother William Andrews (who apparently was killed on August 23, 1814 in the explosion of Gunboat #146), he talks about the frigates Constitution and Independence, other ships in the Navy Yard in Charleston, and news of battles between the US troops and the British including the Battle of York (April 1813). In the letters of Daniel Webster Andrews, he talks about his experiences as a naval officer on the ship Ino. He also talks about Fort Monroe, Virginia (one of his letters is written on a pictorial lettersheet of "Fortress Monroe") and witnessing the USS Minnesota almost get hit by a torpedo as well as the sinking of the USS Patapsco. Also included is a letter from Frank Hull to Lizzie Blood describing a trip to Central City, Colorado in August 1863 as well as an 1817 commission to George Manners signed by George IV. There are also two letters by Olivia Peyton Murray Cutting, wife of William Bayard Cutting of New York, to her niece Jane Murray; one of her letters states "I feel sure that Professor [Max] Farrand will do everything possible in showing you the treasures of the Huntington Museum." Max Farrand was the Huntington Library's first director.

The second series contains miscellaneous items related to the genealogy of several families including: Andrews, Blaisdell (Blasdale), Blood, Howland, St. Medard, Masson (Mason), Stimpson, and Farrington. The material includes research material, family trees, notes, photographs, autograph albums and ephemera.

Organized in the following series: Correspondence and documents (Boxes 1-2) and Genealogy and miscellaneous material (Box 3).

Biographical / historical:

Daniel Webster Andrews of Boston joined the Navy as an acting ensign aboard the USS Ino in 1863, moved to the USS Orvetta in late 1864, and after the Civil War served on the USS Don. He was the son of Boston merchant John Andrews (1790-1872) and Susan Masson Andrews (1795-1876). His siblings were Peter Andrews (b. 1819), Sarah Andrews Turner (b. 1821), and Charles J. Andrews (1830-1905).

Acquisition information:
Purchased by William Reese Company on behalf of The Huntington at Swann Galleries auction, Sale 2455, Lot 91, September 28, 2017. Material formerly part of the estate of Elizabeth Blaisdell Andrews (1911-2004), granddaughter of Charles J. Andrews, brother of Daniel Webster Andrews.
Rules or conventions:
Finding Aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Website