DACS

andrewsthomas Guide to the Thomas Andrews letters, 1829-1830 Processed by: Alice Poffinberger; machine-readable finding aid created by: Noah Huffman David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Duke University Durham, N.C., USA

Aleph Number: 004313358

Machine-readable finding aid derived from MARC record via DukeMARC2EAD.xslDate of source: June 2010Processed by Alice Poffinberger, June 2010; Finding Aid encoded by Noah Huffman, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University, June 2010 Description is in English Finding aid was prepared using DACS and local Style Guide Guide to the Thomas Andrews letters, 1829-1830 David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Duke University Durham, North Carolina 27708-0185 USA

Descriptive Summary David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University Andrews, Thomas. Thomas Andrews letters, 1829-1830 Materials in English 2 items (.1 lin. ft.) For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog. Quaker, of Rochester (Monroe Co.), N.Y. Collection comprises two letters written to Andrews' mother, Mary, who was a Quaker residing in Salem (Salem Co.), New Jersey. A comparison of the handwriting indicates that the letters may have been written by two Andrews brothers, but the letter dated 1829 is from Thomas. This letter is unusual in that it discusses his recent interracial marriage, to Lavinia (Gilbert) of Rochester, N.Y. After outlining their travel plans for an upcoming visit to Salem, Thomas adds, "I hope the[e] will say nothing about our comeing, I wish it not to be Known.-- Lavinia wishes me to tell the[e] that She is black, or nearly so[,] that the[e] may not be disappointed, when the[e] Sees her. but I can tel[l] the[e] that She is fairer than the Liley, and as Small as the fairy, and gayer than the Rainbow. but She Says She is a Quaker, and I suppose that will be enough for the[e]-- at any rate the[e] will soon have an opportunity of Seeing her, and Judging for thyself." However, it is not clear whether the couple completed the trip, for the 1830 letter explains delays in their travel. It describes the couple's setting up of housekeeping, the composition of their household, as well as their hopes for their trip to Salem, with plans to return with Mary Andrews or "Clarry" for an extended visit in Rochester. Administrative Information Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.

Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.

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Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], in the Thomas Andrews letters, 1829-1830, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Provenance

Purchase, 2010.

Processing Information

Processed by: Alice Poffinberger, June 2010

Encoded by: Alice Poffinberger, June 2010

Accession(s) described in this finding aid: 2010-0102

Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.

This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.

Biographical

Quaker, of Rochester (Monroe Co.), N.Y.

Collection Overview

Collection comprises two letters written to Andrews' mother, Mary, who was a Quaker residing in Salem (Salem Co.), New Jersey. A comparison of the handwriting indicates that the letters may have been written by two Andrews brothers, but the letter dated 1829 is from Thomas. This letter is unusual in that it discusses his recent interracial marriage, to Lavinia (Gilbert) of Rochester, N.Y. After outlining their travel plans for an upcoming visit to Salem, Thomas adds, "I hope the[e] will say nothing about our comeing, I wish it not to be Known.-- Lavinia wishes me to tell the[e] that She is black, or nearly so[,] that the[e] may not be disappointed, when the[e] Sees her. but I can tel[l] the[e] that She is fairer than the Liley, and as Small as the fairy, and gayer than the Rainbow. but She Says She is a Quaker, and I suppose that will be enough for the[e]-- at any rate the[e] will soon have an opportunity of Seeing her, and Judging for thyself." However, it is not clear whether the couple completed the trip, for the 1830 letter explains delays in their travel. It describes the couple's setting up of housekeeping, the composition of their household, as well as their hopes for their trip to Salem, with plans to return with Mary Andrews or "Clarry" for an extended visit in Rochester.

Subject Headings

These and related materials may be found under the following headings in online catalogs.

Interracial marriage--New York (State)--Monroe County--History--19th century. Quakers--New York (State) Andrews, Lavinia. Andrews, Mary. Andrews, Thomas. Andrews family. Monroe County (N.Y.)--Race relations--History.