Bedlow, Corpron, and McRae Family Papers, 1773-1890
Collection context
Summary
- Abstract:
- This collection includes family papers for the Bedlow, Corpron, and McRae families, who were related through marriage and adoption. The Bedlow family was originally from Massachusetts before settling in Plattsburgh, then Champlain, New York. The collection contains correspondence, legal documents, financial documents, personal papers, ephemera, and photographs.
- Extent:
- 1 box
- Language:
- English
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Bedlow/Corpron/McRae family papers span the period from 1773 to 1890 and primarily contain documents relating to personal, financial and family life. The collection is divided into four series: Correspondence, Legal and Financial Documents, Personal Papers and Ephemera, and Photographs.
Correspondence contains primarily letters to the William Bedlow family from the Cook family (Elizabeth Bedlow's family), and other related families spread across New York and New England. The contents cover subjects such as health, reports of family births and deaths, religious matters and other family information. One file of several letters written by William Bedlow to his family includes a letter dated 1779 from West Point and describes the capture of an enemy fort during the war.
Legal and Financial Documents contains land sales agreements, deeds and mortgages of Charles Bedlow and Charles Corpron, stock certificates, various receipts (for clothing, coal, insurance, etc.), and canceled checks. Of particular note are Charles Corpron's 1839 declaration of citizenship and an 1858 inventory of Charles Bedlow's belongings.
Personal Papers and Ephemera contains two booklets of manuscript music, primarily religious songs, belonging to Charles Bedlow. Also included are handwritten prayers, household instructions (how to destroy bedbugs, how to preserve beef), and two newspaper clippings concerning George McRae's death.
Photographs contains fourteen undated prints and includes some unidentified individuals. Two cased photographs are of Chloe Corpron McRae and a man who is presumably her husband, George McRae. Also identified are Amos Corpron, Hattie Bedlow, and Mary J. Madison Cook, as well as M. Sherman, whose affiliation with the family is unknown. Identified photographers include: Naramore & Company, and Pine and Bell both of Troy, New York; L.P. Case of Champlain, New York; W.B. Pierce of Rouse's Point, New York; and E.I Stearn of Honesdale, Pennsylvania.
- Biographical / historical:
-
George S. McRae was a Schuylerville businessman who was married to Chloe Corpron, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Corpron. Elizabeth Corpron (nee Calkins) had been adopted by Uriah, Charles, and Esther Bedlow shortly after arriving in the United States from England with her widowed mother in 1823. Uriah, Charles, and Esther were three of the nine children of William (1747-1832) and Elizabeth (nee Cook, 1748-1838) Bedlow (sometimes referred to as Bedlam). The family, originally from Massachusetts, settled in Plattsburgh, then Champlain, New York.
- Acquisition information:
- Accession Source/Date: Jean McRae, 1997
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: a Content Standard
Indexed terms
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
This collection is open for research according to the regulations of the Albany Institute of History & Art without any additional restrictions.
- Terms of access:
-
The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of copyright. Whenever possible, the Albany Institute of History & Art Library will provide information about copyright owners and other restrictions, but the legal determination ultimately rests with the researcher. Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the Archivist/Librarian.
- Location of this collection:
- Before you visit:
- https://www.albanyinstitute.org/library.html
- Contact:
- mccombsd@albanyInstitute.org