James Teackle Dennis collection

The James T[eackle] Dennis Collection spans the years 1651-1917. Box One consists of Mr. Dennis' collection of autographs and the general correspondence, 1768-1913. These autographs and autographed letters were written by contemporary and historical persons, mostly congressmen, representatives, senators, judges, and governors from Maryland. Other famous persons included in the collection are governors of various states, Revolutionary War dignitaries, Civil War combatants, United States presidents, French painters, and many other prominent men of the time. Some autographed letters also have contextual value such as the letter from H[enry] Knox to General Richard Butler dated 1787 discussing Knox's idea of holding a general council of Indians. Letters from 1774, 1815, and 1854 cover slaves and the institution of slavery. In addition, the 1854 document mentions the Kansas-Nebraska bill. Fluctuations in the tobacco market are discussed in the correspondence from J[ohn] H[oskins] Stone to Andrew Buchanan, 1972, and in the letter written by Tho[ma]s Swann, 1834. Finally, an import slip signed by P[eter] Muhlenberg for Colmarna wine, a Colmar being a type of pear, provides information on the wine trade of 1802. In the general correspondence are letters to Mrs. William W. Spence, Jr. from Francis Hopkinson Smith and letters written to Mrs. Spence's sister, Mrs. Ida W. Dennis, and other persons.

Box Two contains correspondence written to James Teackle Dennis, 1880-1917, n.y., n.d.; James Upshur Dennis, 1867-91; Robert Franklin Bratton, 1888, 1891; Reverend Franklin Wilson, 1862-92; and John Appleton Wilson, 1892-93. James Teackle Dennis' letters consist of replys to his requests for autographs; dialogue with his fellow Egyptologists concerning excavations, hieroglyphics, publication of articles, and European travel; and a letter dated 1899 from Henry Page who was fighting in the Spanish-American War. The general topics for the other correspondence include political appointments and nominations; compensation for slaves; the deeding of the streets, lanes, and alleys on the Edmondson Estate by Mr. Latrobe to the City of Baltimore; architectural books; and the problem of Roman fever when visiting Rome, Italy.

The remainder of Box Two and the Oversize File contain land records dating 1651-1831, n.d. These deeds and grants are for land that was directly deeded to or became the property of the Dennis family. A majority of the land was located in Somerset and Worcester Counties, Maryland while a small portion was in Accomack County, Virginia. Included in the Oversize File also is a contemporary copy of a Maryland Act of Assembly, 1786, and passports dated 1895 and 1914 for James Teackle Dennis and his wife, Ida.