Gifford family papers, 1811-1857.
Collection Number: 6028

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library

DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Gifford family papers, 1811-1857.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Collection Number:
6028
Abstract:
Twenty seven letters, most addressed to Rowland S. Gifford from relatives and friends discussing a cholera epidemic in Albany, family news, the annexation of Texas, the dissolution of the Union, winter shipping on canals, land speculation, farming and buying a farm. Also miscellaneous legal documents including deeds, affidavits and a receipt.
Creator:
Gifford family.
Quanitities:
1 microfilm reels.
Language:
Collection material in English
COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Two items, 1811-1857. Item 1 contains 26 letters addressed to Rowland S. Gifford covering years 1833-1857. one letter to Merritt J. Cornell from Rowland S. Gif ford, and 4 legal documents (see below). Most of the letters are addressed to Rowland S. Gifford from Henry and Carolin Jones regarding their search for a farm near their aunt and uncle, the Giffords. Others are Arom Merritt J. Cornell, [B.] Conant, Philander Gifford (Rowland's brother), Jesse and Irene Gifford (Irene is presumably Rowland's mother), and J.W. and Polly Pritt. Letters are from Chatham and North Chatham, Valatie, New York, Maiden Bridge, Wilton, and Phelps, all in New York State. Item two is a deed (1811) for Lot no. 53, part of Township no. 11 (Phelps, Ontario County), sold by Sir Johnstone to Robert Rhea. Annexation of Texas (#20), Civil War (#31).
INFORMATION FOR USERS
Cite As:

Gifford family papers, #6028. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
SUBJECTS

Names:
Gifford, Rowland S.
Places:
Wayne County (N.Y.) -- Social life and customs.
New York (State) -- Social life and customs.
Subjects:
Texas -- Annexation to the United States.
Farm life -- New York (State) -- Chatham.
Canals -- New York (State)
Cholera -- New York (State) -- Albany.
Families -- New York (State)
Form and Genre Terms:
Deeds.
CONTAINER LIST
Container
Description
Date
Item 1
Rowland S. Gifford Letters
Letter 1
Bill of sale,
 March 13, 1833
Scope and Contents
Aaron C. Gifford and Sylvester W. Conant for sale of Conant's farm in Wilton, Saratoga County, N.Y. Witnessed by two others, one is Rowland S. Gifford.
Letter 2
Deed,
 May 2, 1831.
Scope and Contents
William Baker to Rowland S. Gifford for part of Lot #11, Wilton, Saratoga County, N.Y.
Letter 3
Statement,
 May 3, 1831
Scope and Contents
by Commissioner of Saratoga County that Anna, widow of William Baker, is legally able to sell her deceased husband's land.
Letter 4
Irene Gifford (?) to Rowland, Cady, Betsey and Mahala.
 [April 1833].
Scope and Contents
Talk of cholera.
Letter 5
Irene Gifford (?) to Mahala and Betsey. A
 ugust 17, 1834.
Scope and Contents
More cholera news.
Letter 6
Irene Gifford (Chatham, N.Y.) to Rowland S. and Aaron C. Gifford.
 March 9, 1835.
Scope and Contents
Family news, health, etc.
Letter 7
Jesse and Irene Gifford (North Chatham, N.Y.) to Rowland S. Gifford.
 August 28, 1835.
Scope and Contents
Bridge accident involving travelling family members.
Letter 8
Merritt J. Cornell (Wilton, N.Y.) to Rowland S. Gifford.
 September 6, 1836.
Scope and Contents
Gifford family moves to Newark or Phelps area.
Letter 9
Rowland S. Gifford (Phelps, N.Y.) to Merritt J. Cornell.
 October 26, 1836.
Scope and Contents
Copy of reply to previous letter.
Letter 10
Merritt J. Cornell (Wilton, N.Y.) to Rowland S. Gifford. December 28 ,
 1836.
Scope and Contents
Reply to previous letter N.B. Letters #'s 8, 9, and 10 concern the sale, bond, and mortgage of Rowland S. Gifford's new home in Phelps. Merritt Cornell is transacting the business.
Letter 11
Henry and Carolin Jones (Valatie, N.Y.) to Rowland S. Gifford.
 September 10, 1843.
Scope and Contents
Jones' plan to buy a farm near the Giffords in Phelps, and a trip to New York City.
Letter 12
Henry and Carolin Jones (New York, N.Y.) to Rowland S. and Mahala Gifford.
 March 24, 1844.
Scope and Contents
News of the Jones' travels.
Letter 13
Henry Jones (New York, N.Y.) to Rowland S. and Mahala Gifford.
 May 21, 1844.
Scope and Contents
Reply to a letter from the Giffords.
Letter 14
[B.] Conant (Valatie, N.Y.) to Rowland S. Gifford.
 October 25, 1844.
Scope and Contents
Business and family news. #6028
Letter 15
Henry Jones (New York, N.Y.) to Rowland S. and Mahala Gifford.
 February 24, 1845.
Scope and Contents
Requests that the Giffords send furniture and belongings.
Letter 16
Carolin Jones (New York, N.Y.) to Rowland S. and Mahala Gifford.
 February [?], 1845.
Scope and Contents
Same as above.
Letter 17
Henry Jones (New York, N.Y.) to Rowland S. Gifford.
 March 26, 1845.
Scope and Contents
More talk of furniture and moving plans.
Letter 18
Philander S. Gifford (Chatham, N.Y.) to Rowland S. Gifford.
 August 10, 1845.
Scope and Contents
Almost entirely illegible. Talk of a dry season and poor crops.
Letter 19
Jesse Gifford (Chatham, N.Y.) to Rowland S. Gifford.
 August 29, 1845.
Scope and Contents
Dry season; poor crops expected; stock expected to die due to lack of winter grains for feed.
Letter 20
B. Conant (Valatie, N.Y.) to Rowland S. Gifford.
 November 18, 1844.
Scope and Contents
Mentions Polk and the proposed annexation of Texas, the implications for North and South.
Letter 21
Henry and Carolin Jones (Valatie, N.Y.) to Rowland S. and Mahala Gifford.
 November l6, 1844.
Scope and Contents
Winter shipping on canals, moving to Nassau, looking for land.
Letter 22
[B.] Conant (Valatie, N.Y.) to Rowland S. Gifford.
 December 26, 1845.
Scope and Contents
Re: payments, land speculation.
Letter 23
[B.] Conant (Valatie, N.Y.) to Rowland S. Gifford.
 January 14, 1846.
Scope and Contents
Looking for a farm near Newark.
Letter 24
Henry Jones (Valatie, N.Y.) to Rowland S. Gifford.
 January 2, 1846.
Scope and Contents
Shipping furniture on canals.
Letter 25
Philander S. Gifford (Chatham, N.Y.) to Rowland S. Gifford.
 January 12, 1846.
Scope and Contents
Prices of grain, wheat, flour, oats, corn.
Letter 26
[B.] Conant (Valatie, N.Y.) to Rowland S. Gifford.
 February 9, 1346.
Scope and Contents
Prices of land, the coming of the railroad.
Letter 27
Affidavit.
 [n.d.]
Scope and Contents
Rowland S. Gifford released from serving jury duty because of deafness.
Letter 28
Henry Jones (Newark, N.Y.) to Rowland S. and Mahala Gifford.
 August 14, 1849.
Scope and Contents
Carolin's death.
Letter 29
Philander S. Gifford (Chatham, N.Y.) to Rowland S. Gifford.
 May 15, 1853.
Scope and Contents
World's Fair mentioned.
Letter 30
Philander S. Gifford (Chatham, N.Y.) to Rowland S. Gifford.
 January 5, 1857
Scope and Contents
Asks for money.
Letter 31
Polly Pritt (Maiden Bridge, N.Y.) to Rowland S. Gifford.
 n.d.
Scope and Contents
Discusses cholera in Albany, from J.W. Pritt mentions Martin Van Buren in New York; a political dispute over tariffs, dissolution of the Union; Henry Clay mentioned as the compromiser.
Item 2
Phelps Deed
Deed,
 May 14, 1811
Scope and Contents
Sale of 132 acres in Phelps, Ontario County, Lot #53, part of township #11. Sir Johnstone to Robert Rhea.