Randall-Brune-Philpot family papers
Abstract
This collection documents the Randall-Brune-Philpot families from 1760-1983.
Dates
- 1760 - 1983
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
The Randall Family:
Elizabeth Philpot Blanchard Randall was born on September 1, 1827. She was the first daughter of John Gowen Blanchard (1800-1834), a lawyer and Congregationalist minister. Elizabeth was the eldest of four children, Edward Wyatt, John Jeremiah, and William. She was educated on the primary level by her Aunt Catherine Barton Gilman. On January 17, 1856, despite opposition from her mother, she married Alexander Randall, her father's close friend. She moved into his existing family of five children, had seven of her own, and prided herself on being a loving mother and devoted wife. Elizabeth died on July 9, 1895.
Elizabeth's husband, Alexander Randall was the son of John Randall. He was born on January 5, 1803. He graduated from St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland with a B.A. and then pursued a career in law. He was a member of the 27th Congress and a delegate to the Maryland Constitutional Convention in 1851. Alexander also served as the attorney-general of Maryland from April to October 1867, as president of the Farmer's National Bank, and vestryman and warden of St. Anne's Church in Annapolis, where he met the Reverend John Blanchard.
On September 22, 1841, he married Catherine G. Wirt who died in 1853. Catherine gave birth to eight children, five of whom lived. Alexander then married Elizabeth Philpot Blanchard on January 17, 1856. They had seven children, the eldest of whom was Blanchard Randall. Alexander Randall died on November 19, 1881.
Elizabeth's Aunt Catherine, daughter of Jeremiah Blanchard (elder brother of John Gowen Blanchard) of Billerica, Massachusetts, was born on June 2, 1810. She ran a flourishing school in Annapolis despite her consumptive tendency. Catherine overcame her weakness and then married Mr. Charles Gilman, a Baltimore lawyer in 1852. He died in 1861, leaving Catherine with two children, a son and a daughter.
Elizabeth and Alexander's first child, Blanchard Randall, was born on November 12, 1856 in Baltimore County. Blanchard became an early leader in the Baltimore community. In October 1868, he left the tutelage of his mother to go to college. He then entered into the export business and then finance. Blanchard Randall served on numerous boards and committees in Baltimore ensuring the city's continued development. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Baltimore Museum of Art serving as president of the board from 1915 - 1942 and president emeritus until his death. He was also a trustee of the Johns Hopkins University and aided in securing the land next to Wyman Park as a gift from Johns Hopkins University for the current site of the Baltimore Museum of Art.
On October 30, 1884, Blanchard married Susan Brune, his cousin. They were married at St Paul's Church in Baltimore. Susan and Blanchard had seven children. Susan died on February 25, 1937. Blanchard Randall died on August 24, 1942.
Blanchard and Susan's daughter, Elizabeth Brune Randall was born at the family estate in Catonsville, Cloud Capped, on August 16, 1892. Elizabeth married Harry Richard Slack III in 1922 and had three children. Their first child was Henry Richmond Slack IV, followed by Wyatt Cameron Slack (who donated this collection), and Elizabeth Brune Randall Slack.
Elizabeth was an occupational therapist for Johns Hopkins Hospital and for the Army around 1920. She was the president of the Catonsville Garden Club in 1925, president of the Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland in 1937-8, and president of the Junior League of Baltimore in 1932. She was also the recording secretary of the Colonial Dames of America in 1936. It was her love of history that motivated her interest in preserving historic sites such as Hampton Plantation in Baltimore County. On January 24, 1983, Elizabeth Slack died.
The Brune Family:
Blanchard Randall's brother-in-law was Frederick William Brune, Jr. Fred, as he was commonly called, was born on January 26, 1813 in Baltimore. He went to the Round Hill School, Northampton, Massachusetts, and then to Harvard where he graduated in 1831. Fred sat for the bar in 1834. He then went to Berlin in the winter of 1836-37 and Europe in 1837. In 1838, he helped establish the firm of Brown and Brune where many prominent lawyers and judges were educated. He was the manager and law advisor of the House of Refuge and helped to prepare the first digest of the Maryland Reports. He was a member of the Protestant Episcopal church and the General Convention for the Episcopal Faith.
In 1853, he married Emily S. Barton and they had four children. Fred suddenly died of pleura-pneumonia on July 18, 1878. His son continued the firm of Brown and Brune under the name of F.W. Brune and Sons.
The Philpot Family:
Blanchard Randall's great great grandfather was Brian Philpot, Sr. He was an English merchant who came to New York from England in 1750. Shortly after he arrived, he was appointed town commissioner of Baltimore. In 1763, he was appointed manager of a lottery to raise 510[UNK] of current money to fund the completion of the Market House in Baltimore and other civic works. Brian Philpot, Sr. died in 1814.
Brian Philpot's great grandson was Thomas Philpot. Thomas was the son of John Philpot(1801-1879), a lawyer. Thomas was born on
October 15, 1840. He was chosen to be the representative of the American branch of the Philpot family in England in 1883. Thomas was educated at the academy of the Reverend Dr. Keech in Harford County, Maryland and then he pursued a job as register of the Orphan's Court of Baltimore County until 1888. He then became the trustee of the Abell Estate until 1895 when he resigned. Thomas never married and died on November 29, 1896.
Extent
1.5 Linear Feet (3 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
The Randall-Brune-Philpot Family Papers consist of four major series: 1) Randall Family Papers; 2) Brune Family Papers; 3) Slack Family Papers; and 4) Philpot Family Papers. The papers in this collection range from 1760-1983.
Each series is arranged by author and filed chronologically. All undated material comes before the dated material.
Series I: Randall Family Papers, 1830-1942,
Box 1, 2
This series includes a book of family history, a personal journal, a scrapbook of pictures and pressed flowers from Europe, a recipe book, personal and business correspondence, speeches, a will, an annual report, biographical and genealogical information. The bulk of the correspondence falls between the dates 1870-1900.
Subseries I: Elizabeth Blanchard Randall Books and Papers, 1830-1882,
Box 1, 2
This subseries is divided into a family history, a journal and personal correspondence from Elizabeth, and to her from her sons, Henry and Dan. There is much information of genealogical significance. The family history is located in Container II and the journal is located in Container I. The family history mentions a Rembrandt Peale portrait of George Washington on horseback. Several photographs can be found in the miscellaneous file from the books in Box 2.
Subseries II: Blanchard Randall Papers, 1905-1942,
Box 1
This subseries includes, speeches, an annual report of the School for the Blind, biographical data, personal correspondence with Alexander Randall and Louise Daubon who was in France at the outbreak of World War II, business correspondence with prominent businessmen of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. There are documents pertaining to his involvement as a member of the National Economic League, the Society of the Cincinnati, and recognition of his resignation from various appointments such as the boards of Johns Hopkins Hospital and University in 1942.
Subseries III: Alexander Randall Correspondence, 1839-1879,
Box 1
This subseries contains business correspondence and receipts from newspaper subscriptions, as well as personal letters to his son Blanchard Randall. These personal letters contain advice on how to become an upstanding citizen of the Baltimore community.
Subseries IV: Susan Brune Randall Correspondence, 1867-1920,
Box 1
This subseries contains personal correspondence to her husband Blanchard Randall concerning family life and the need for nurses during World War I. Lacrosse is mentioned in one letter, and a poem written by Susan is also included in the file.
Subseries V: J. Wirt Randall Speech, 1905,
Box 1
This subseries contains the "Address of J. Wirt Randall at Ocean City before the Maryland Bankers Association." The speech is titled, "Lessons from Colonial Currencies."
Subseries VI: Bessie Blanchard Randall, 1880,
Box 2
This subseries contains the commonplace book of Elizabeth Brune Randall Slack, who was the third child of Blanchard and Susan Randall. It appears that Bessie admired her grandmother, Elizabeth Blanchard Randall, very much. They travelled to Europe together in 1895, shortly before Elizabeth Randall's death as documented in her journal. Perhaps it was this experience which sparked her fondness for history.
Subseries VII: Randall and Judge Hanger, 1866, 1907,
Box 1
This subseries contains letters concerning the National State Bank of Virginia, and the repayment of loans to family.
Subseries VIII: Jefferson Davis Letter, 1864,
Box 1
This letter is written by Jefferson Davis to his daughter, Carrie Barton. Mr. Davis was a known friend of the Randall family.
Subseries IX: Daniel Randall, Inventory of Effects, undated,
Box 1
This subseries notes ownership of the Rembrandt Peale portrait of George Washington on horseback.
Subseries X: Catherine Barton Gilman documents, 1850-1882,
Box 1
This subseries contains a bond of indemnity, various legal receipts from the sale of property and gold (1871-1881), a scrapbook of pictures and pressed flowers from England, Ireland, and Scotland, the Gilman family recipe book, and Barton family genealogy.
Series II: Brune Family Papers, 1826-1895,
Box 2, 3
This series contains assorted papers of the Brune family. Included are personal correspondence, two scrapbooks from Europe, two of sketchbooks, a scrapbook from studies at Harvard,
legal papers, a family account book, genealogical information, and a will belonging to Aunt Maria. Susan Brune, the sister of Frederick Brune is listed under the Randall Family Papers series description.
Subseries I: Frederick W. Brune, Jr, 1826-1895,
Box 2, 3
This series contains correspondence, letters of introduction, two scrapbooks from Europe, a scrapbook of excerpts from readings done at Harvard, legal papers from F.W. Brune and Sons, legal briefs and notes, a family account book, certificate of life membership in the Germania Club, conditions of Point Lookout, Maryland during the Civil War, life at Round Hill School, a list of stocks held(Central Ohio Railroad, and the Susquehanna Canal, and a sketch book from Round Hill School.
Subseries II: John C. Brune, 1828-1829,
Box 3
This subseries contains a sketch book from Round Hill School.
Subseries III: Brune Family Genealogical Information,
Box 3
This subseries contains three separate family trees. Two are transcribed inaccurately. Several newspaper obituaries, acknowledgements regarding Dr. F.C. Shattuck, a cousin, and other memorabilia is also included.
Subseries IV: Aunt Maria's Will, undated,
Box 3
This will was written in the early 1800s. In it, Maria bequeaths her effects to various members of the Brune family. She is the Great Aunt of F.C. Shattuck of Boston and could be Mary D. Philpot. The connection is unclear.
Series III: Slack Family Papers, 1890, 1913, 1036-7, 1983,
Box 3
This series contains printed material on the preservation of Hampton Plantation, a program from the National Geographic Society's banquet in 1913, an article by Harry S. Slack, titled, "Softcrabs, Canvasbacks, and Terrapins," notes from Elizabeth Slack's involvement in various garden clubs, a telegram, letters to Paul Mellon about the Rembrandt Peale Portrait of George Washington on horseback, a description of Susan Brune's marriage to Blanchard Randall, a letter of gratitude from Perry Lucas for nursing him during World War I, and one letter from Cameron Slack to Mrs. Jefferson Patterson.
Series IV: Philpot Family Papers, 1760-1909,
Box 3
This series contains documents relating to the Philpot's schooner, the Ethan Allen; business correspondence of Brian Philpot, Ambrose Clarke, and Kensey Johns; business papers of Thomas Philpot which relate to his professions as a lawyer and later as a register for the Orphans Court of Baltimore County; and of personal letters and documents related to the school run by the Stewart and Buchanan women.
Subseries I: Brian Philpot, Ambrose Clarke, and Kensey Johns, 1760-1806,
Box 3
This subseries contains letters related to the merchant business all three were connected to. Subjects discussed in these documents include tobacco prices, small pox, and the Napoleonic Wars.
Subseries II: Ethan Allen Schooner, 1804,
Box 3
This subseries includes a receipt for repair done to the ship and for the insurance of goods. A receipt for the payment of wages to a slave is also included.
Subseries III: Thomas Philpot Papers, 1864-1884,
Box 3
This subseries contains a copy of the document which recorded the installment of Thomas to the bar in 1869, into his job as register of the Orphans Court of Baltimore County in 1881; correspondence from W.W. Jrazar, Jr of the Franklin Sugar Refinery; Endorsements on original papers to be recorded, and a letter of regret at the resignation of Thomas from his post as register.
Subseries IV: Stewart and Buchanan Papers, 1814-1909,
Box 3
This subseries contains three documents pertaining to the life and business of the Stewart and Buchanan women. It appears that they ran a school from the tuition receipts in this file. These women were the children of the Stewart and Buchanan Families as well as the grandchildren of the Philpot Family. In addition, they were Elizabeth Blanchard Randall's cousins. For a clear genealogical picture refer to Elizabeth's family history, pg. 226-227.
Subseries V: Correspondence to Mary Miner, 1849-1889,
Box 3
This subseries is a collection of personal correspondence from her sister Catherine Stewart, niece Mary D. Philpot, and another sister Kate Brune. The bulk of the correspondence is from Catherine Stewart and reflects a deep concern with the great cholera epidemic of Baltimore in 1832.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Randall-Brune-Philpot family papers were donated to the Maryland Historical Society and Library by W. Cameron Slack in 1991.
Scope and Contents
The papers in the Randall-Brune-Philpot family collection span more than 200 years. The inclusive dates of the collection are 1760-1983. The papers consist of letters, diaries, business correspondence and some photos.
The bulk of the material centers around Elizabeth Philpot Blanchard Randall (1857-1895), and her first son, Blanchard Randall. The majority of the material they wrote spans the years 1857-1895 and 1870-1942 respectively. In addition to correspondence, Elizabeth left two books that cover her and her family's life. One is a personal diary that is inscribed with the words "to be destroyed at my death" and the other is a leather-bound family history. It spans from her and her husband, Alexander Randall's roots in Europe to their proliferation in America (1639-1895). It is intended to capture the goodness of Alexander for Blanchard Randall and his youngest sister Adele who were most affected by his death in 1881. These volumes, especially the family history, contain very valuable genealogical and Maryland historical data, such as information about the Temperance Society, the Colonization Society, Baltimore Waterworks, the American Revolution, the Civil War, and the Annapolis, Drum Route, and Shortline Railroads.
The bulk of Blanchard Randall's papers deal with his personal life. An exception to these are a large amount of letters recognizing his resignation from over six community organizations including Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1942. These are accompanied by a number of letters from his wife, Susan Brune Randall, and other family and friends. Blanchard Randall led a very active and astute life that is well documented in this collection.
The Blanchard-Randall-Philpot family collection also includes insights concerning the life of women in the 19th Century. In addition to Elizabeth Philpot Blanchard Randall, five other women are significantly represented. They include Susan Brune (Elizabeth's daughter-in-law and Blanchard Randall's wife, and Catherine Gilman (Elizabeth's maternal aunt). Susan's manuscripts consist of letters, a travel book from Europe with pictures and pressed flowers, and a recipe book that was handed down through the family until the late 1900s. The other women's contributions consist of letters, except for Elizabeth Slack who contributed documents concerning her involvement in civic organizations for the preservation of history. Elizabeth Slack is also the late mother of the donor of this collection, W. Cameron Slack.
Numerous men have also greatly contributed to this collection. They include Alexander Randall, Thomas Philpot, Brian Philpot and Frederick Brune, Jr. Alexander Randall's correspondence is written to his son Blanchard Randall with advice on how to be an upstanding citizen. Frederick Brune, the brother of Susan Brune, wrote letters to his sister, Susan, and letters to his mother from Round Hill School in Northampton, Massachusetts. Also included in his
papers are a sketchbook from his art classes, two travel books from his trips to Europe, and a book of excerpts from his studies at Harvard. He also left documents from his professional life as a lawyer. Thomas Philpot also was a lawyer, yet his documents concern his position as register of the Orphans Court of Baltimore County. Brian Philpot contributed the oldest documents in this collection. They are papers concerning his job as merchant. The Philpots were the renowned owners of Baltimore's fastest schooner.
The provenance of these papers, then, defines the scope of this collection. The family history preserved in this collection is a significant source of Maryland history. From the famous Baltimore schooners of the Philpot family to the rich genealogy of the Randall family, the authors of these manuscripts leave much of value to the researcher.
Creator
- Randall, Elizabeth Blanchard, 1827-1896 (Person)
- Randall, Blanchard, 1856-1942 (Person)
- Randall, Alexander, 1803-1881 (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Randall-Brune-Philpot family papers
- Status
- Under Revision
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Revision Statements
- 2020-07-16: Manually entered into ArchivesSpace by Mallory Herberger.
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