John L. Thomas, Letterbook (Outgoing Correspondence), 1878-1881

The Thomas papers

The Thomas materials in this collection relate mostly to John F. Thomas Sr. (1835-1893). Papers of his include incoming and outgoing official correspondence; legal papers; certificates; personal accounts, bills and receipts; newspaper clippings; scrapbooks; and personal diaries.

Thomas' activities from his first appointment as collector of the Port of Baltimore in 1869 up to his resignation from the same position in 1882 are best represented in these papers. His correspondence, while not extensive, does reflect upon a number of subjects such as his duties, actions, and problems as Collector; Republican state and national politics; and various social activities. Also included are Thomas' Collector's account of Disbursements (1871-73), which detail various expenditures associated with his position as Collector. A series of letters bound into a scrapbook addressed to President James A. Garfield from many well-known Baltimore businessmen request Thomas be reappointed to the Collectorship after the expiration of his commission in 1882.

A significant body of bound newspaper clippings relate to travel accounts written by Thomas during several extensive trips through the United States in the 1860's. The clippings go into detail concerning modes of transportation, travel accommodations, observations on local residents and customs, as well as geographic and climatic remarks. Other scrapbooks deal with Republican National Politics (1880-82) as well as collections of menus, programs and invitations associated with Thomas' social activities. A small group of legal papers and a scrapbook of incoming correspondence (1877-84) are the only materials extensively detailing Thomas' legal activities. This aspect of his life is poorly represented here. A group of Thomas' personal diaries dating irregularly from 1857-1893 contain brief daily entries noting mainly personal activities; business, legal, political, and professional observations and remarks also occur.

Additional data contained in the Thomas papers is associated with William S. Thomas (1869-1947). Included are a mathematics exercise book (no date); a letterbook of outgoing correspondence relating to William S. Thomas' legal activities concerning the Adams Express Company (1894-99); a scrapbook of obituaries and other clippings; and two diaries relating legal activities and general observations (1890-91).

Zaidee T. Thomas is represented in the collection through a small body of incoming correspondence dating from 1915 to 1921. Those writing are for the most part friends discussing personal and family subjects.

The Thomas collection also includes a volume of minutes for the Baldwin Manufacturing Company of Baltimore City. Dating from 1890 to 1891, there is no clear association between this item and the other materials comprising the collection or with any person represented in the collection.

The Hugg papers

Items in this section of the collection relate primarily to Jacob W. Hugg, Sr. and his children Jacob W., Jr., Marion, Maggie V., and Sue A. Hugg. The elder Hugg's papers are associated nearly exclusively with his import-export shipping business. These items include accounts, ship's log books, and correspondence (both incoming and outgoing). Of these three series, the correspondence is both the greatest size and in potential research value. Subjects discussed in the correspondence frequently deal with flour, lumber, and coffee transactions in South America, especially Rio de Janero. Several bills of sale for vessels (ca. 1850-1875) are also included. Few items of a personal nature occur.

Jacob W. Hugg, Jr. was heavily and closely involved with his father's business from a young age. It is therefore difficult to separate his material from that of the senior Hugg, especially as the Jr. and Sr. designations were often not employed. Those items tentatively identified as the younger Hugg's are very similar to those of the elder Hugg in that they predominantly relate to the import-export shipping trade. These include various accounts, log books, and correspondence (incoming). The younger Hugg apparently was also in the habit of writing down assorted proverbs, witticisms, and trivial bits of information in his account books and in separate volumes. This type of material is plentiful, whereas that previously mentioned is not. Items of a personal nature are not plentiful.

A fair amount of Maggie V. Hugg items can be found in the collection. This material is varied in its nature as it includes autograph books, school exercises, correspondence, accounts, diaries, cookbooks, and random notes and figures. Much of the material dates from about 1890 up to her death in 1908, apparently a period of active financial involvement for Miss Hugg judging from the nature of her papers. Some personal items do appear in her correspondence, but these are not abundant.

The papers of Sue A. Hugg are very similar to those of her sister. They are also primarily oriented towards the operation of her personal finances, which include the solicitation and collection of ground and building rents as well as the buying and selling of securities. Materials include an autograph book, diary, and letterbook. Personal items are rare.

Marion Hugg is not well represented in the collection. A small body of correspondence (incoming) associated mainly with his involvement with his father and brother in the shipping business is available. Other items include assorted account books, essays, and several log books. Some personal items, many associated with the Hugg family, are included in his papers.

Included in the Hugg materials is also a volume of cargo inventories (1773-1782) associated with Samuel and Robert Purviance. No connection is apparent between this item and the rest of the collection.