Description
Pt.I Letters written to and by Grayson and his wife; diary of overland journey to California, 1846; field notebooks; manuscripts
of his writings; water colors of birds of California and Mexico; photographs; and clippings relating primarily to his ornithological
studies. Letters written after 1869 are primarily concerned with Mrs. Grayson's efforts to publish his work.--Pt.II Microfilm
copy (black and white) of the water color drawings in Pt.I.--Pt.III Microfilm of letters written to and by Grayson; will and
other papers of Mrs. Grayson. Originals in various depositories.
Background
Andrew Jackson Grayson was born in 1819 on the family plantation In Louisiana. Subject to frequent illness he was permitted
by his parents to occupy much of his time as he pleased. As a result he passed many of his days in the nearby woods hunting
small game and observing birds and other wildlife. He attended a local school until the teacher found him drawing birds during
class and told his father. He was promptly sent to college in Missouri with orders not to study drawing. After the death of
his father he used his small legacy to go into business in Columbia, Louisiana. But business didn't interest him. He left
his clerk in charge of the store while he roamed the woods and the business soon failed. By 1842, the year of his marriage
to Frances Jane Timmons, he had decided to move west. In 1844 they moved to St. Louis to prepare for the journey.
Extent
Number of containers: 8 boxes
Linear feet: 3.2
Restrictions
Copyright has not been assigned to The Bancroft Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts
must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Bancroft
Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which
must also be obtained by the reader.
Availability
Collection is open for research.