Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1795-[1990] (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
46pp
Context area
Archival history
Kerby A. Miller was provided with reproductions of the Stevenson family letters by the Department of Manuscripts and University Archives, Cornell University. The original manuscripts are held in the McNish Family Papers, Cornell University Archives [accession number 2086].
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Materials pertaining to three letters written to Samuel Stevenson in Salem, New York in 1795, 1796, and 1820. The Stevenson/Stephenson family appears to have come from Drumquin, County Tyrone. Letter authors include Samuel’s brother William in Drumquin, his relation Mary Stephenson Blane in Drumquin, and David Best in Emily, Upper Canada (Ontario). Per Cornell University: ‘Two letters (1795-6) to Samuel Stevenson from his brother and sister in Ireland, concerning activities of various family members and expressing interest in Samuel's situation in Salem, N.Y .; one letter to Samuel from David Best (1820), who has recently sailed from Belfast to settle in Upper Canada, describing his new home about 120 miles up from Kingston.’ Attached research notes suggest that Mary Stephenson Blane was an aunt or cousin.
The series includes: research notes created for Kerby A. Miller by a collaborator; transcripts and reproductions of the letters; and descriptive index cards provided by the Department of Manuscripts and University Archives, Cornell University.