Buckler family papers

Baltimore issues dot Thomas Buckler's letters. He commented on the extension of Charles, St. Paul, and Calvert Streets and the accompanying land speculation; the Fourth of July celebration in honor of Maryland's new constitution (1851); and Baltimore business gossip (1851).

William and Thomas Buckler's sister, Elizabeth Buckler (1793-1849), carried on a lively correspondence with her travelling brother, William. Her letters (1845-1848) include news of family, friends and neighbors. Her writing is particularly rich in documenting affairs of the hearth, including tea parties (1847), canning (1848), Thanksgiving (1847), and polka parties (1848); also, arsons and robberies in the neighborhood (1846-1847) and the hourly omnibus on the (Reisterstown?) turnpike. Like her brother Thomas, Elizabeth was also interested in world affairs. She, too, comments on the Mexican War, especially the hardships endured by the soldiers and the exploits of General Zachary Taylor. She predicts that Taylor will certainly go on to the presidency. She also comments on the visiting Chinese delegation in New York, and their opinions of women, and describes the election campaign of 1848. Fewer letters survive from the other two sisters, Mattie Augusta Lindsay Buckler (1806-?) and Ann Hepburn Buckler Austin (1798-1866). Like their sister, the two comment on activities of family and friends. One letter to Mattie from her pastor, John C. Backus, discusses religion and contributions to the building of a Presbyterian church.

Buckler's niece, Ann Elizabeth Buckler, carried on the family's literary tradition. Her letters to her uncle, William, contain news of family and friends (1847); Mr. Levin H. Dunkin's shipyard (1847); famine in Europe and its positive effect on the Baltimore flour and shipping business (1847); and the Mexican War celebrations (1847).

A few pieces of miscellaneous correspondence highlight the conditions and spirit of post-Civil War Southerners (J. Chester, Jr. to Charles Ridgely, 1865), as well as the social news in Baltimore (Eliza Ridgely Buckler, incoming correspondence, 1849; 1866).

There is one folder of correspondence (1890-1905) regarding Thomas Hepburn Buckler's purchase of a Paulus Potter painting.

Although the bulk of the collection consists of correspondence, there is a small group of real estate and financial material. The real estate documents include land deeds and plats, 1770-1866; a building permit, 1888; a “Map of Baltimore City, showing lands of the Canton Co. and Patapsco Co.,” undated, and an 1852 appraisal of property belonging to Jane I Buckler. The deeds and plats refer to four properties: Lots 47, 606, and a house on Market Street in Baltimore, and “Parishes Fear” in Baltimore County.

The financial records include shipping invoices, 1840-1850; receipts/bills, 1793-1813, and 1862; an insurance policy, 1829; and a charter for a party of affreightment, 1840.

The genealogical material consists of notes on family history by Helen Ridgely, William H. Buckler's passport, and a brief family tree in an unknown hand.