Guide to the McCall Family Papers,
1749-1942.

Collection Number: 222

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library

Contact Information:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
2B Carl A. Kroch Library
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 255-3530
Fax: (607) 255-9524
rareref@cornell.edu
http://rmc.library.cornell.edu
Compiled by:
RMC Staff
Date completed:
Various
EAD encoding:
Evan Fay Earle, September 2007

© 2007 Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library


DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
McCall family papers, 1749-1942.
Collection Number:
222
Creator:
Quantity:
1.6 cubic ft.
Forms of Material:
Correspondence, Diaries, Financial Records, Legal Documents, Maps/Charts, Newspapers, Photographs.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
Abstract:
Family papers include correspondence and diaries of Ansel James McCall (1816-1898).
Language:
Collection material in English


COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

McCall family papers, 1749-1942.
Family papers include correspondence and diaries of Ansel James McCall (1816-1898), lawyer from Bath, Steuben County, N.Y. Correspondence is for the most part with friends from Hamilton and Union College, including James F. Chamberlain, James S. McLaury, and Charles A. Loomis. Correspondence comments on Hamilton and Union Colleges, Democratic politics, plans for western colonization, the Anti-rent War, and other topics of contemporary interest. Early family documents include deeds and wills, and a diary and account book of Ancel McCall, father of Ansel James (d. 1815) concerning early years near Ovid and Bath, N.Y. Diaries of Ansel James McCall cover his years at college, various summer trips to the midwest and to Washington, a trip to California during the Gold Rush, and a trip to Europe in 1848. Other diaries include those of James McCall (son of Ansel J.) while a student at Cornell University in the 1880s; one of Sophia McCall (daughter of Ansel J.); one of James F. Chamberlain's visit to Lake Superior in 1855. There is also an undated history of the family by James McCall, uncle of Ansel J., written during the latter part of his life.
James Read papers, 1788-[ca. 1862], Box 7, 222b.
Correspondence and accounts relating to the Pulteney estate holding lands now mainly within Steuben, Yates, Ontario, and Wayne Counties, N.Y.; surveyor's sketches and indentures in Steuben County; daybook, 1802-1803; cash book, 1792-1795, and four letters of Charles Williamson; a list of deeds recorded of lands sold by Williamson, and thirty-three letters to him, 1792-1803; autograph letters of Robert Troup, Dugald Cameron, Joseph Fellows, and James Read; twelve page letter of accusation against Dugald Cameron, undated, unsigned; also, letters from Read's son, James, from Illinois Territory (1810) and California (1850).
Charles A. Loomis papers, 1806-1898, Box 8, 222c.
Diary (1806-1815) and a journal (1825) written by Chester Loomis includes comments on the War of 1812 and other current affairs and describes life in the midwest; copybooks of Benjamin Loomis, brother of Chester; and letters of Charles Loomis, including letters from Ansel J. McCall whom he appointed to handle his business affairs in the Steuben County area.

SUBJECTS

Names:
Cameron, Dugald.
Chamberlain, James F.
Fellows, Joseph.
Loomis, Charles A.
Loomis, Benjamin.
Loomis, Chester.
McCall family.
McCall, Ancel.
McCall, Ansel J.
McCall, Ansel James, 1816-1898.
McCall, James.
McCall, Sophia.
McLaury, James S.
Read, James.
Read, James H.
Troup, Robert, 1757-1832.
Williamson, Charles.
Cornell University--Students.
Hamilton College.
Union College.

Subjects:
Antirent War, N.Y., 1839-1846.
Family--New York (State)--Bath.
Gold mines and mining--California.
Lawyers.
Real property--New York (State)--Steuben County.
Real property--New York (State)--Yates County.
Real property--New York (State)--Ontario County.
Real property--New York (State)--Wayne County.
Surveyors.
West (U.S.)--History--1848-1950.
Women's diaries.

Places:
Bath (N.Y.)--History.
Europe--Description and travel.
Michigan--Politics and government--1837-1850.
New York (State--Politics and government--1865-1950.
Ovid (N.Y.)--History.
Pulteney Estate (N.Y.)
Steuben County (N.Y.)--History, Local.
United States--History--War of 1812.

Form and Genre Terms:
Account books.
Daybooks.
Diaries.


INFORMATION FOR USERS

Cite As:
McCall family papers, #222. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.

CONTAINER LIST

Description
Container
Not all the material in the collection is covered by this guide.