John McPherson Brien manuscript collection
Abstract
John McPherson Brien manuscript collection consists of letters from Baltimore merchant Robert Gilmor (1774-1848) to John McPherson Brien (1807-1849), owner of Antietam Iron Works and Catoctin Furnace & Iron Works.
Dates
- 1836-1847
Creator
- Brien, John McPherson, 1807-1849 (Person)
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 Note
Robert Gilmor, Jr. (1774-1848) was a Baltimore merchant, ship owner, East India importer, and collector of art, rare books, autographs, coins, and antiquities. He was one of the most significant art collectors and patrons in the United States before 1850. In 1807, he married Sarah Reeve Ladson, daughter of Major James Ladson, of Charleston, SC.
John McPherson Brien (1807-1849) owned the Antietam Iron Works and the Catoctin Furnace & Iron Works, taking over the companies after his father’s death in 1834. The enterprises came under heavy financial pressure, and Brien became indebted to Robert Gilmor form an amount in excess of $100,000 which were secured in Mortgages held by Gilmor on the Antietam Iron Works, the Catoctin Furnace & Iron Works, 54 slaves, mule and horse teams, real estate, and more.
Extent
1 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
The letters are arranged chronologically. All letters have a typed transcript provided by the seller except where noted in the container list.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchase, May – June 2017; accession # 2017-066-LIB
Scope and Contents
The John McPherson Brien manuscript collection consists of one box of 38 letters from Robert Gilmor to John McPherson Brien. The letters date from 1836 to 1847, with one letter undated, circa 1830s-1848. The correspondence deals with business matters surrounding the Antietam Iron Works and Catoctin Furnace & Iron Works, as well as personal family matters.
Creator
- Brien, John McPherson, 1807-1849 (Person)
- Gilmor, Robert, 1774-1848 (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the John McPherson Brien manuscript collection
- Status
- Under Revision
- Author
- Judith Hallfrisch
- Date
- 2018-05
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2020-04-23: Manually entered into ArchivesSpace by Emily Somach.
Repository Details
Part of the H. Furlong Baldwin Library Repository
H. Furlong Baldwin Library
Maryland Center for History and Culture
610 Park Avenue
Baltimore MD 21201 United States
4106853750
specialcollections@mdhistory.org