Riggs family papers, 1839-1959 and undated

Using These Materials Teaser

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:
Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. All or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke...
More about accessing and using these materials...

Summary

Creator:
Riggs family
Abstract:
The Riggs family lived in Washington, D.C. George Washington Riggs was the founder of Riggs and Company and the Riggs National Bank. The collection contains correspondence, legal papers, financial papers, pictures, and printed material of the Riggs family of Washington, D.C. Correspondence relates to the interest of George Washington Riggs, founder of Riggs and Company and of the Riggs National Bank, in collecting art objects, currency, and paintings, and to his investments in Washington real estate and to the various investments of his children and grandchildren. Legal papers relate principally to the settlement of the estates of various members of the family. Financial papers relate chiefly to Alice and Jane Riggs, daughters of G. W. Riggs, and a few bills of exchange. Printed materials include inaugural souvenirs representing the Cleveland through the Coolidge administrations. Among the pictures are photographs of the Riggs sisters, and autographed photographs belonging to G. W. Riggs.
Extent:
4 Linear Feet
Language:
Materials in English
Collection ID:
RL.10061

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains correspondence, legal papers, financial papers, pictures, and printed material of the Riggs family. Correspondence pertains to the interest of George Washington Riggs (1813-1881), founder of Riggs and Company and of the Riggs National Bank, Washington, D.C., in collecting art objects, currency, and paintings, and to his investments in Washington real estate; the investments of his daughters, Jane Riggs (1853-1930) and Alice Riggs, in various companies; the settlement of the share of the estate of Katherine Shedden (Riggs) de Geofroy (d. 1881) belonging to her sons, George de Geofroy and Antoine de Geofroy; business correspondence between Jane Riggs and the children of Cecilia (Riggs) and Henry Howard, especially George Howard; and the stranding of Jane Riggs in Germany at the outbreak of World War I.

Legal papers, relating principally to the settlement of the estates of various members of the Riggs family, include estate papers of Elisha Riggs (1779-1853); will of George Washington Riggs, records of the division of the estate, and an accounting of the executor, Lawrason Riggs (1814-1888), brother of George Washington Riggs; papers pertaining to the lawsuit of Francis B. Riggs, William C. Riggs, and Mary G. Riggs, of the family of Elisha Riggs, Jr., against the remaining members of families of the children of Elisha Riggs, Sr., containing a listing of the members of the Riggs family and several wills; inventory of the estate of Thomas Lawrason Riggs, 1888; inventory of the estate of Jane Riggs, 1930-1931; guardianship papers for George de Geofroy and Antoine de Geofroy, 1893-1894; and title to a real estate lot in Washington, D.C., a legal matter involving former President Franklin Pierce.

Financial papers are chiefly the statements of Alice and Jane Riggs, and a few bills of exchange relating to the commercial transactions of George Peabody and his partner, Elisha Riggs. Printed materials include pamphlets on the suit of Elisha Francis Riggs (d. 1936) against Mary McMullen, companion of Jane Riggs, for possession of family treasures; and invitations and inaugural souvenirs from the White House representing the Cleveland through the Coolidge administrations. Among the pictures are photographs of the Riggs sisters, and autographed photographs belonging to George Washington Riggs, including those of the British commissioners who settled the Alabama claims in 1871.

Biographical / historical:

The Riggs family lived in Washington, D.C. George Washington Riggs was the founder of Riggs and Company and the Riggs National Bank.

Acquisition information:
The Riggs family papers were acquired by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a in 1971.
Processing information:

Processed by: Rubenstein Library Staff

Accessions described in this finding aid: 71-202

Physical location:
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection.

All or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. The library may require up to 48-hours to retrieve these materials for research use.

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

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Before you visit:
Please consult our up-to-date information for visitors page, as our services and guidelines periodically change.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Riggs family papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.