Guide to the Clarke and Van Ness Family Papers,
1841-1925

Collection Number: 2166

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:
K. Johnson
Date completed:
June 1962
EAD encoding:
Ann Hubert, June 2004

© 2002 Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library

DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Clarke and Van Ness family papers, 1841-1925.
Collection Number:
2166
Creator:
James Irving Clarke, 1885-1961.
Quantity:
1 cubic ft.
Forms of Material:
Papers, correspondence, photograph albums, publications, clippings, reports, inventories.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
Abstract:
Includes official papers and correspondence concerning the Civil War service of Mr. Clarke's father, James E. Clarke, and his maternal grandfather, Zolman Van Ness, as well as correspondence, campaign publications, and clippings concerning the fund-raising drive of the National Contributors Committee.
Language:
Collection material in English

COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Includes official papers and correspondence concerning the Civil War service of Mr. Clarke's father, James E. Clarke, and his maternal grandfather, Zolman Van Ness; autograph and photograph albums of his mother, Julia Marie Van Ness Clarke, and maternal grandmother, Gloriana Gidney Van Ness; letters, veterans' pension documents, estate inventories, other business and legal papers, genealogy, sheet music, and miscellaneous items of the Clarke, Fowler, Gidney, Van Ness, and Van Zile families; Albany, Dutchess, Rensselaer and Saratoga Counties. Also a scrapbook of correspondence, campaign publications, and clippings concerning the fund-raising drive of the National Contributors Committee, of which Mr. Clarke was executive secretary, conducted on behalf of the Republican National Committee during the 1924 presidential election campaign. Also, a report (Dec. 1924) of Payson & Clarke Company, New York City, concerning a proposed drive to sell American Realty Corporation stock as a means of financing a new American Woman's Association club house in midtown Manhattan; selected reports, plans, and form letters (1 v., Jan. to June, 1925); and an album of photographs of persons and events associated with this undertaking. Also includes Civil War memorabilia of James E. Clarke.
SUBJECTS

Names:
Clarke, James Irving, 1885-1961.
Clarke family.
Clarke, James E.
Fowler family.
Gidney family.
Gidney, Gloriana, 1824-1897.
Van Ness family.
Van Ness, Julia Marie, 1851-1908.
Van Ness, Zolmon.
Van Zile family.
American Realty Corporation.
American Woman's Association.
Payson & Clarke Company, N.Y.
Republican National CommitteeNational Contributors Committee.

Subjects:
Military pensions--United States--Civil War, 1861-1865.
Family--New York (State)--Albany County.
Family--New York (State)--Dutchess County.
Family--New York (State)--Rensselaer County.
Family--New York (State)--Saratoga County.
Inventories of decedents' estates--New York (State).
Women--New York (State)--Societies and clubs.

Places:
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Veterans.

Form and Genre Terms:
Photograph albums.
Scrapbooks.
INFORMATION FOR USERS

Cite As:
Clarke and Van Ness family papers, #2166. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
CONTAINER LIST

Description
Container
Bible: (large, red and gold, leather-bound, clasp) - family Bible of James Irving Clarke, son of James E. Clarke. Contains records of births, marriages, and deaths; came through maternal line: Gidney, Fowler, Van Ness, Clarke. Punch paper bookmark, "God is Love." 1758-1961
Box 1
Bible: (pocket size, black, leather-bound) - note by J. and C. "Presented by my mother, Julia M[arie] Van Ness, to my father before they were married and my father carried this pocket bible throughout the Civil War"
Box 2
Album: (small, brown, leather-bound, raised design, clasp) - belonged to Julia Van Ness; contains unlabelled photographs
 Box 1
Autograph Album: ("Rosebud Album," black) - autogrpahs of friends 1866-1868 while Julia Van Ness Clarke was a student at Hudson Vale Institute, contains a photograph of her. Lansingburgh, Albany Co.
 Box 1
Album (55 items): (small, dark, green, "Photographs") - only three are identified by Mrs. Clarke. Some appear to have been taken of Eskimos and some in Japan. 3, Japanese girls; 4, Eskimos; 9, Indians (Mrs. J.I.C. - remnants of tribe living in or near Saratoga); also, Saratoga and vicinity scenes
Box 2
Velvet folder: containing loose photographs of U.S. Grant, Lincoln, Booth, Lincoln's Cabinet; some of family pictures identified, souvenir album of Pasadena, 19-women, 25-men, 10-group or misc. Taken at Troy, Ballston, Saratoga, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.C., Atlantic City. Mr. and Mrs. JEC, JIC, Mrs. Sarah Stillman Locke
Box 2
Autograph Album: (black, leather-bound, raised design) - belonged to Gloriana Gidney Van Ness, grandmother of James Irving Clarke, 1841-1852
Box 2
Album: (large, brown, raised design, leather-bound, "Julia") - photographs of some family members and fiends identified, Lincoln, Sherman, Beecher, and H.B. Stowe, Horance Greeley, John Brown
Box 3
Memoranda notebook: (black cardboard cover) - belonged to Gloriana G. Van Ness, dated Jan. 1, 1858. Only five pages filled with notes of interest on the size of various buildings and scriptural verses on love
 Box 1
Music book: (black hard cover) - "Mendelssohn's Songs without Words," Jan. 1, 1867
Box 1
Three volumes of bound sheet music: (large, black, hard cover) - on cover, "Julia M. Clarke." On binding, "Music Vol. I." Vol. 2 and Vol. 3 respectively. Piano solos, duets, transcriptions and songs, "Battle of Manassas," by Blind Tom. Most of these pieces must be typical of the period because few if any have survived as a part of the piano repertoire
Box 1
Photograph album: "American Woman's Association Campaign, Jan. 1, 1925-June 15, 1925. A Selection of Photographs Property of Payson and Clarke (J.I. Clarke) Co. 385 Madison Ave., New York." Pictures of Marie Dressler, Carol McComas, Billie Burke, Gloria Swanson, etc.
Box 2
Bound volume: "American Woman's Association Campaign, Jan. 1, 1925-June 25, 1925. A Selection of Reports, Plans, Form Letters, etc." For a fund-raising campaign to build a clubhouse
 Box 1
Album: "Literature, Press Clippings, and Letters Regarding the Campaign for Funds Conducted by the National Contributors Committee for the Republican National Committee in the 1924 Campaign"
Box 2
Marriage certificate of James E. Clarke and Julia M. Van Ness, Apr. 25, 1870, Troy, New York
 Box 1
Citizenship paper of James E. Clarke, from England, Oct. 16, 1866. Rensselaer Co. Ct.
 Box 3
Envelope containing 50-cent Confederate bill
 Box 3
Photostat of letter dated Oct. 4, 1864, from Executive Mansion and signed Abraham Lincoln concerning the pardon of Roswell McIntyre. Note at bottom, "Taken from the body of R. McIntyre at the battle of Five Forks, VA, 1865"
Box 3
Folder containing Preliminary Report to the American Woman's Association by Payson and Clarke Co.
 Box 3
Typescript, "Siege and Capture of Port Hudson," 10 pages. Presumably written by JEC. Action took place at Port Hudson, LA, May 27, 1863-July 8, 1863
Box 3
Letter from James E. Clarke to Capt. Ed. N. Ketchum, Jan. 27, 1914, eight pages (typed cb.) relating Civil War adventures. JEC tells ENK what happened during rest of battle after ENK was wounded and taken to the rear. 19th Corps, General [cuvier] Grover's division. Between Newton and Middletown, VA (probably Battle of Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864. Reference to Sheraton's ride
Box 3
JEC was living in Saratoga Springs when above letter was written. Ketchum was in Galveston, Texas. The two had served together in the 128th Reg't., N.Y.S. Vols.)
Typescript carbon, "How the Slave Mother Found Her Son," by James E. Clarke, 5 pages
 Box 3
Envelope: "Zolman Van Ness Papers" (Zalmon?)
Marriage certificate of Zolman Van Ness and Gloriana Gidney, Feb. 4, 1847. Milton (Saratoga Co.?)
 Box 3
Longhand Certificate stating that Zolman Van Ness volunteered Apr. 20, 1861. Camp Willard
 Box 3
Longhand Pass May 21, 1863 for Van Ness to visit Hq. and return to hospital
 Box 3
Longhand Discharge June 2, 1863 from hospital for Van Ness
 Box 3
Certificate of Discharge from Service May 26, 1863 for Zolman Van Ness
 Box 3
Manuscript Copy of "The Inscription on the Momument at Lindiwold (Lindenwald?) at Kirkhook erected to the memory of Peter Van Ness, copied by James E. Clarke, Oct. 21, 1902
Box 3
Envelope addressed to Z. Van Ness from Dept. of Interior
Certificate of Elgibility for Pension for Z. Van Ness, July 22, 1891
Box 3
Envelope: "Other Papers Old"
Warrenty Deed between Otis G. Clarke and wife Amelia S., Jesse and Mary Van Zile, and wife to Sarah M. McClure, Feb. 25, 1864. Land, Troy, Rensselaer Co.
 Box 3
Citation to appear at Surrogate's Court for the Probate of the will of Solomon W. Gidney, Apr. 17, 1865. Dutchess Co. Addressed to Sarah Maria Gidney, Ballston, Saratoga Co.
 Box 3
"James E. Clarke with Ensign S. Lockrow Contract to Convey, dated Oct. 8, 1908. Land and house, furniture and fixtures for sum of $7,100, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
 Box 3
Envelope: "J.E. Clarke Papers"
Statement of James E. Clarke as to Disablement to War Claims and Pensions, 1893 (?)
 Box 3
Pension Certificate of James E. Clarke, Dec. 15, 1913
Box 3
Order for Transportation on the B&O for James E. Clarke from Harpers Ferry, VA to Baltimore, MD
 Box 3
Affidavit of Isaac J. Mickle on behalf of War Claim of James E. Clarke
 Box 3
Letters of James E. Clarke to Gen. B. Raum, Commissioner of Pensions, Oct. 24, 1892
Box 3
Deed, Isaac J. Flansburgh and wife to James E. Clarke, Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Dec. 28, 1891
Box 3
Receipt for payment of $2.00 for Saddle horse used by J.F.C. in G.A.R. parade, pd., Feb. 4, 1918
Box 3
Check for $10.00 to J. Irving Clarke for Julia M. Clarke, Mar. 12, 1907
Box 3
Promisory note in the amount of $34 from Gloriana Van Ness to James E. Clarke, Mar. 1, 1890
Box 3
Affidavit of J.E. Clarke on behalf of War Claim of Isaac J. Mickle, Sept. 26, 1888
Box 3
Rent Receipt, Jan. 18, 1887 - Gloriana Van Ness received payment from James E. Clarke
 Box 3
Receipt of Dr. Kingsley from James E. Clarke, Oct. 27, 1873, for treating cancer of breast for wife
 Box 3
Envelope containing letter from Isaac Van Dyck to James E. Clarke, Sept. 25, 1888, re disability claim of JEC
 Box 3
Envelope addressed to J.E. Clarke conatining letter from E.M. Hinman, June 19, 1888, re disability
 Box 3
Envelope addressed to James E. Clarke containing letter from James E. Clarke to B.F. Page, Jan. 23, 1893, and on the bottom the reply of Benj. F. Page, re disability
 Box 3
Discharge from Service for James I. Clarke, given at Savannah, Georgia, July 12, 1865
Box 3
Certificate of Inclosure of Certificate of Pension, Nov. 26, 1889 (JEC?)
 Box 3
Letter to J. E. Clarke from (?) Van Ness, Sept. 23, 1886
Box 3
Envelope
Saratoga Surrogate's Court Inventory of the Estate of Zolman Van Ness
 Box 3
Saratoga Surrogate's Court Inventory of the Estate of Gloriana Van Ness, Dec. 17, 1897
Box 3
Civil War museum items (Mu. 356-376, Mu. 547-555)
Envelope containing lead ball, note by James E. Clarke: "This bullet was shot at our skirmish line while fighting in front of the rebel brest works at Port Hudson, May 27, 1863, and came within a fraction of an inch of finding a lodgement in my head (good luck). James E. Clarke, Sergt. Co. E. 128th N.Y.S. Vols."
Box 6
Envelope containing three brass buttons, note by JEC: "Three buttons used in the rebellion by State troops. The Pelican represents Lousiana; the Palmeto South Carolina; the Buffalo, Hound, and Rabbit I think is Tennessee. Brought home by James E. Clarke.
Box 6
Envelope containing four tissue-wrapped cartridges, JEC: "Cartridges brought home from the War of the Slave holders rebellion by Sergt. James E. Clarke, 128th Regt. N.Y.S. Vols."
Box 6
Envelope containing leather pocketbook, note by JEC: "This pocket book (MU 550) was carried through the War of the Slave holders rebellion by James E. Clarke. Sergeant Company E. 128th Regimant N.Y.S. Volunteers (contains no writing)
Box 6
Metal watch fab (?)
 Box 6
Envelope containing hand-carved bone ring, JEC: "This bone ring was made by me while in camp at Chalmette, LA., about Jan. 1863. James E. Clarke"
 Box 6
Envelope containing five brass "CSA" buttons, JEC:" Buttons of Rebel Soldiers used in the Slave holders rebellion brought home by Sergt. James E. Clarke, Co. E. 128th regt. N.Y.S. Vols."
Box 6
Envelope used as a label for tissue-wrapped briar pipe, JEC: "This Pipe was used in the War of the Slave holders rebellion by James E. Clarke, Sergt. Co. E. 128th regt. N.Y.S. Vols."
Box 6
Leather belt wrapped in brown paper, note by JEC: "Sword belt of rebel Lieutenant taken prisoner at the Battle of Ceder Creek, Virginia, by James E. Clarke, Sergt. Co. E. 128th regt. N.Y.S. Vols."
Box 6
Envelope containing human hair watch fob
 Box 6
Envelope containing Civil War veteran cuff links
 Box 6
Canteen carried through Civil War by JEC
 Box 6
Fife "belonged to James E. Clarke. I believe it was used by him during the Civil War"
 Box 6