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Manuscripts

Speed Family Papers

Description

The collection consists of 305 letters, indentures, announcements, and receipts. There are also 19 pieces of ephemera and 39 albumen, tintype, and daguerreotype photographs. The majority of the correspondence in the collection (179 letters) was sent to John James Speed (1803-1867) from business associates and family members. George James Pumpelly wrote more letters than any other associate, sending 99 letters to Speed between 1853-1863. He talks about business finances, owing and collecting money, and various business ventures that Speed is involved in at the time. Some of his letters discuss investigating the purchase of coal mines and Speed's attempt to build a telegraph line from St. Louis, Missouri, to the West coast.

Several of the letters sent by various people during 1832 congratulate Speed on his appointment to the New York State legislature.

Ann Speed (d. 1881) writes 5 letters to her husband during the period while he is in the legislature and living in Albany, New York. Her family also corresponds with her husband, and her father, Charles Horton Morrell, wrote 13 of these letters. Morrell and his son, Lewis H. Morrell (Ann's brother who sends 2 letters) refer to Speed as "Son" and "Brother," respectively. Speed receives 5 letters from his cousin, Joshua J. Speed; he also receives a few letters from his children. Most of these letters discuss family matters, travel plans, and the weather.

Perhaps the most noteworthy item in the collection is an unsigned speech made by John James Speed (1803-1867) at the National Republican Convention in June 1864 in Baltimore, Maryland. He touches on several subjects including President Abraham Lincoln, Vice-Presidential nominee Andrew Johnson, and the Civil War. He also mentions the death of his son, William Johnson Speed (1832-1863) at Gettysburg.

The collection also includes 29 indentures written during the early 1800s between John James Speed (d. 1860) and others. Three folders containing ephemera include invitations to a Fourth of July celebration (June 1822) and a New Year's Day (Dec. 1822) party.

The collection also contains 39 photographs (Boxes 6-7). A few of the Speed family members have been identified including John James Speed (1803-1867), Cornelia Speed (1847-1884) and Frederic Speed (b. 1841). There is also a photograph of Ezra Cornell (1807-1874) and one of Mrs. Cornell in Box 7.

Note: The maiden name of Ann Speed, the wife of John James Speed (1803-1867), was Anne Sophia Morrell, and she signed each of her letters using her married name. She appears in this collection as: Ann Speed, d. 1881.

Type
Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Date
1804-1912
Call number
mssHM 61156-61460
Creator
Speed (Family)(Opens in new tab)
Provenance
Purchased from G. Gosen Rare Books and Old Paper, September 10, 1999.
Associated people
Pumpelly, George James, (active 1853-1863.)
Speed, Ann, (1834-)
Speed, John James, (1803-1867.)
Speed, William Johnson, (1832-1863.)
Find out more
View in the Library catalog(Opens in new tab)
View in the Online Archive of California(Opens in new tab)

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    Albumen photograph of Ann Speed, d. 1881

    Manuscripts

    The collection consists of 305 letters, indentures, announcements, and receipts. There are also 19 pieces of ephemera and 39 albumen, tintype, and daguerreotype photographs. The majority of the correspondence was sent to John James Speed from business associates and family members. One associate, George James Pumpelly, wrote 99 letters to Speed between 1853-1863. Pumpelly's letters discuss finances, the possible purchase of coal mines, and various ventures Speed was involved in at the time. Speed received several letters from supporters after his appointment to the Legislature in 1832. There is an unsigned speech given by Speed at the Republican National Convention held in Baltimore, MD, in June 1864. Several subjects touched upon in the speech include President Lincoln, Vice-Presidential nominee Andrew Johnson, and the Civil War. The photographs include portraits of Ezra Cornell and his wife along with a few images of some of the Speed family including John James Speed and his son and daughter, Frederic and Cornelia Speed.

    mssHM 61156-61460

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    Photographs

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    There are 37 photographs contained in Box 7. Listed below are images that have been identified. Envelope: 7 Tintype photograph of Cornelia Speed (1847-1884) Envelope: 11 Albumen photograph of Frederic Speed (b. 1841) Envelope: 12 Albumen photograph of Anna Speed (b. 1834) Envelope: 14 Tintype photograph of Major L. C. Brackett Envelope: 15 Albumen photograph of Ann Speed (d. 1881) Envelope: 16 Albumen photograph of Ezra Cornell (1807-1874) Envelope: 17 Albumen photograph of Mrs. Ezra Cornell Envelope: 19 Albumen photograph of M. L. Christina Envelope: 20 Albumen photograph of Cornelia Speed (1847-1884) Envelope: 21 Albumen photograph of Cornelia Speed (1847-1884) Envelope: 22 Tintype photograph of Cornelia Speed (1847-1884) Envelope: 24 Tintype photograph of Cornelia Speed (1847-1884) Envelope: 26 Tintype photograph of Major L. C. and Mrs. Brackett Envelope: 27 Albumen photograph of Anna Speed (b. 1834) Envelope: 29 Albumen photograph of Francis Morrell Speed (b. 1836) Envelope: 31 Albumen photograph of Frederic Speed (b. 1841) Envelope: 32 Albumen photograph of Jay Gould Envelope: 37 Albumen photograph of Frederic Speed (b. 1841)

    mssHM 61156-61460

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    Vorhees, Judah B. To Speed, John James, (b. 1839), Ann Speed (d. 1881), Frank M. Speed (b. 1826), Anna Speed (b. 1834), Charlotte M. Speed (b. 1844), Frederic Speed (b. 1841), and Cornelia Speed (1847-1884). Brooklyn, N. Y

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    Ephemera (10 pieces)

    Manuscripts

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    Post-1867 - post-1912; Ephemera

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    mssHM 61156-61460

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    Photographs

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    The collection consists of 305 letters, indentures, announcements, and receipts. There are also 19 pieces of ephemera and 39 albumen, tintype, and daguerreotype photographs. The majority of the correspondence was sent to John James Speed from business associates and family members. One associate, George James Pumpelly, wrote 99 letters to Speed between 1853-1863. Pumpelly's letters discuss finances, the possible purchase of coal mines, and various ventures Speed was involved in at the time. Speed received several letters from supporters after his appointment to the Legislature in 1832. There is an unsigned speech given by Speed at the Republican National Convention held in Baltimore, MD, in June 1864. Several subjects touched upon in the speech include President Lincoln, Vice-Presidential nominee Andrew Johnson, and the Civil War. The photographs include portraits of Ezra Cornell and his wife along with a few images of some of the Speed family including John James Speed and his son and daughter, Frederic and Cornelia Speed.

    mssHM 61156-61460