Mayer-​Bradstreet correspondence

The collection contains 42 letters from Charles Mayer and 20 letters from Brantz Mayer to Martha Bradstreet. Most of the letters from Charles Mayer contain legal advice regarding Bradstreet’s disputes over the terms of General John Bradstreet’s will. The letters discuss fees and regulations of their case, which was presented at the Supreme Court. One of the letters in the Charles Mayer/Martha Bradstreet Correspondence folder is written by Eliza Mayer, Charles’ wife, and two are written by their son, Lewis. Most of the letters concern legal procedures, such as in the cases Bradstreet v. Henry Huntington, and Bradstreet v. Potter. Many also briefly mention the welfare of the Mayer family, and significant events in their lives. The letters from Brantz Mayer similarly discuss legal matters and family news. In addition, several ask for autographed notes or letters from Aaron Burr, since Brantz Mayer collected Burr material and he was aware that Martha Bradstreet corresponded regularly with Burr. A few of the letters written in the 1860s discuss the Civil War, in which Brantz Mayer served as a Union soldier. He comments on the cause of the war, abolition, the Confederacy, and nationalism. The collection contains transcriptions of all letters.