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Bagg (John Sherman) Papers
mssBG  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Conditions Governing Access
  • Conditions Governing Use
  • Preferred Citation
  • Immediate Source of Acquisition
  • Biographical / Historical
  • Scope and Contents
  • Processing Information
  • General
  • Arrangement

  • Contributing Institution: The Huntington Library
    Title: John Sherman Bagg papers
    Creator: Bagg, John Sherman, 1807-1876
    Identifier/Call Number: mssBG
    Physical Description: 5.83 Linear Feet (5 boxes)
    Date (inclusive): 1835-1876
    Abstract: Correspondence of John Sherman Bagg, Michigan Democratic politician and editor-owner of the Detroit Free Press.
    Language of Material: Materials are in English.

    Conditions Governing Access

    Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

    Conditions Governing Use

    The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

    Preferred Citation

    [Identification of item]. John Sherman Bagg papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

    Immediate Source of Acquisition

    Gift of Katherine Hastings, June 1948.

    Biographical / Historical

    John Sherman Bagg, Michigan politician and editor-owner of the Detroit Free Press, was an ardent Democrat, active in regional politics and in close contact with most of the prominent Michigan Democrats during the 1840's and 1850's. He was appointed state printer in 1841, postmaster of the city of Detroit in 1845, and U.S. Marshal in charge of the Michigan census of 1859.

    Scope and Contents

    Correspondence primarily relating to Michigan politics and the Democratic party, including material on boundary disputes, statehood, land speculation, tariffs, westward movement, etc.; state and national elections, with particular emphasis on Democratic conventions; Indian affairs, U.S. postal service in Michigan, and the National Census of 1860. Correspondents include John Steward Barry, Lewis Cass, Alpheus Felch, Cave Johnson, Robert McClelland, Jacob Thompson, and William Woodbridge. Also included are a few documents, and an engraved portrait of John Sherman Bragg.
    Collection contains Martin Van Buren autograph letter signed to Anthony Ten Eyck, 1844 April 22 (BG 440).

    Processing Information

    Processed by Huntington Library Staff. In 2020, Brooke M. Black created a finding aid. In 2022, Melissa Haley enhanced description of the presidential material present in the collection as part of the American Presidential Papers Project.

    General

    Former call number: mssBG 1-482.

    Arrangement

    Arranged chronologically.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Indians of North America -- Michigan -- Government relations
    Politicians -- Michigan -- Correspondence
    Michigan -- Politics and Government -- 19th century
    United States -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
    Documents -- United States -- 19th century
    Letters (correspondence) -- United States -- 19th century
    Barry, John Steward, 1802-1870
    Cass, Lewis, 1782-1866
    Felch, Alpheus, 1804-1896
    Johnson, Cave, 1793-1866
    McClelland, Robert, 1807-1880
    Thompson, Jacob, 1810-1885
    Van Buren, Martin, 1782-1862
    Woodbridge, William, 1780-1861
    United States. Census Office (8th Census : 1860)
    United States. Post Office Department -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
    Democratic Party (Mich.) -- History -- Sources
    Detroit Free Press (Detroit, Mich. : Weekly)