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Boone-O'Brien-Harnickell family papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS 2462

Abstract

The papers in the Boone-O'Brien-Harnickell collection span a period from 1878 until 1974, with the bulk of these falling between the years 1939 and 1950. The majority of the papers are letters, documents and cards, although there are a few hand-written manuscripts.

Dates

  • 1878-1974

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

The reproduction of materials in this collection may be subject to copyright restrictions. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine and satisfy copyright clearances or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections. For more information visit the MCHC’s Rights and Permissions page.

Biographical / Historical

Albert G. A. Harnickell (Brooklyn, NY) was an officer in the Civil War (1860s) as well as a broker, inventor, and partner in a mining company (1878-87). Raphael Sanchez Boone, Jr. (Baltimore, Md.) was an officer in WWII (1939-45) as well as a wine merchant (1954-74), and fire buff. Ada Boone O'Brien (Baltimore, Md.) was the wife of Richard O'Brien and was active in her community.

Extent

3 Linear Feet (3 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically and is subdivided into subject categories.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift; Mrs. Richard O'Brien; Feb. 12, 1980.

Existence and Location of Copies

TL Anna[?] to Ada[?] 8 Nov. 189?, typed copy of an unknown original(1).

Related Materials

MS 2356, Mrs. Richard (Ada) O'Brien papers, 1937-1970

MdHS has photographs of Sanchez Boone, Jr. and photoprints taken during WWII and in Baltimore. Cards, certificates and postcards are kept in the Prints and Photos Division.

MdHS also has memorabilia and maps related to the collection.

Scope and Contents

The collection centers around three people: Albert G. A. Harnickell, Raphael Sanchez Boone, Jr., and Ada [Boone] O'Brien. The papers of Sanchez Boone and Ada O'Brien are inter-related by references to the same people, places, and to each other. They were siblings and many of Sanchez Boone's letters were written to or by Ada O'Brien, as well as other family members. The Harnickell papers have no connection to the papers of Sanchez and Ada. Albert Harnickell, however, was the brother of Wilhelmine Harnickell who was the grandmother of Sanchez and Ada. Names mentioned often in the collection are George O'Donnell Boone and Wilhelmina [Boone] Hechter. These were other siblings of Sanchez and Ada. Raphael Sanchez Boone, Sr. and Ada [O'Donnell] Boone are the parents of the four children.

The Harnickell section begins with two hand-written manuscripts about the Civil War and the Fourteenth Regiment of the New York State Militia. The later papers deal with Albert Harnickell's patent for a Spelter Furnace, his brokerage business and his partnership in the Old Dominion Copper Co.

Much of the Sanchez Boone section is personal correspondence with family members (especially parents) and friends during World War II. There is also a large amount of official Army correspondence such as daily bulletins and special orders. Sanchez took several correspondence Army Extension Courses in organization of various areas of the military and map reading. The manuals, papers and examinations from these are present in the collection. After his return from the war, Sanchez was a great fire buff and was active in the community. There are a few papers which cover this period and give a picture of the extent of Sanchez's community involvement.

The papers of Ada Boone O'Brien are more recent and are split between personal correspondence written during her trip to Europe and travel brochures. The travel brochures give illustrations of various parts of Europe, particularly France and Ireland.

At the end of the collection is a checking account ledger from the National Mechanics Bank of Baltimore. It was owned by Frank Brown, who is of uncertain relationship to the Boone-O'Brien-Harnickell family. The ledger provides a detailed account of his financial transactions from 1895 to 1905.

Title
Guide to the Boone-O'Brien-Harnickell family papers
Author
Mary Jo Hart
Date
1980-06
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Revision Statements

  • 2020-02-12: Manually entered into ArchivesSpace by Emily Somach.

Repository Details

Part of the H. Furlong Baldwin Library Repository

Contact:
H. Furlong Baldwin Library
Maryland Center for History and Culture
610 Park Avenue
Baltimore MD 21201 United States
4106853750