The University of Chicago Library > The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center > Finding Aids > Guide to the Gridley Family Papers 1847-1920
© 2006 University of Chicago Library
| Title: | Gridley Family. Papers |
|---|---|
| Dates: | 1847-1920 |
| Size: | 1.5 linear ft. (3 boxes) |
| Repository: |
Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center |
| Abstract: | The Gridley Family Papers consist of approximately 1500 items, most of which are family letters. The next largest category is business letters, receipts and bills. There is also a small amount of miscellaneous printed matter: clippings, advertisements, circulars, etc. The papers date from around 1847 through the decade 1910-1920, reflecting the lives of three generations of Gridleys, their relatives, their friends and business associates. |
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When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Gridley Family. Papers, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library
The Gridley collection consists of approximately 1500 items, most of which are family letters. The next largest category is business letters, receipts and bills. There is also a small amount of miscellaneous printed matter: clippings, advertisements, circulars, etc. The papers date from around 1847 through the decade 1910-1920, apparently embracing three generations of Gridleys, their relatives, their friends and business associates.
Most of the family lived in northern Illinois, in the smaller towns and villages. Some were farmers, but generally they appear to have involved themselves in independent businesses such as that of commission merchant, or real-estate. The Gridleys were related in some way with the descendants of one John Cary, allegedly a soldier in the Revolutionary War. These descendants were very much interested in genealogy, and a large number of the letters have to do with their activities in this line. Among the business papers, the chief concern is with real estate in a period extending roughly from the civil war to 1915.
The Gridley Family Papers consist of approximately 1500 items, most of which are family letters. The next largest category is business letters, receipts and bills. There is also a small amount of miscellaneous printed matter: clippings, advertisements, circulars, etc. The papers date from around 1847 through the decade 1910-1920, reflecting the lives of three generations of Gridleys, their relatives, their friends and business associates.
Series I: Letters, 1845-1880 |
This is a file of letters filed alphabetically by name of writer, mostly to Elisha Gridley and his wife. The bulk of the letters fall between the years 1845 and 1880.
| Box 1 Folder 1 | Correspondence A |
| Box 1 Folder 2 | Correspondence B |
| Box 1 Folder 3 | Correspondence C |
| Box 1 Folder 4 | Correspondence D |
| Box 1 Folder 5 | Correspondence E |
| Box 1 Folder 6 | Correspondence F |
| Box 1 Folder 7 | Correspondence G |
| Box 1 Folder 8 | Correspondence H |
| Box 1 Folder 9 | Correspondence I-L |
| Box 1 Folder 10 | Correspondence M-P |
| Box 1 Folder 11 | Correspondence R-S |
| Box 1 Folder 12 | Correspondence T-Z |
Series II: George Gridley Letters |
| Box 1 Folder 13 | Letters from E. H. Moore, a University of Illinois friend of George Gridley's, dating from 1869. |
| Box 1 Folder 14 | Letters from Rev. Nelson Cook and family; George Gridley was friendly with the son, Lyman. |
| Box 1 Folder 15 | Letters from the Davison family, in California. |
| Box 1 Folder 16 | Letters from Fred L. Hatch & family to George Gridley. |
| Box 1 Folder 17 | Letters from Field family, pre-Civil War. |
| Box 1 Folder 18 | Letters from Kiefer, Schantz, Hickop, and Ormsby families. |
| Box 1 Folder 19 | Gridley family letters |
| Box 1 Folder 20 | "Social and Business Letters -- Horace E. Partridge" |
| Box 2 Folder 1 | Letters from Gannett family |
| Box 2 Folder 2 | Letters from various friends of Gridley family |
| Box 2 Folder 3 | Watson Pickrell, a University friend of G. Gridley |
| Box 2 Folder 4 | Squier, Bennett, & Bruce families |
| Box 2 Folder 5 | Members of "Western Branch, John Cary Descendents" |
| Box 2 Folder 6 | Talcott and Barber families |
| Box 2 Folder 7 | Letters from various friends of Gridley family |
| Box 2 Folder 8 | Letters from various friends of Gridley family |
| Box 2 Folder 9 | Letters from various friends of Gridley family |
| Box 2 Folder 10 | Letters from various friends of Gridley family |
| Box 2 Folder 11 | Letters from various friends of Gridley family |
| Box 2 Folder 12 | Gridley Family letters |
| Box 2 Folder 13 | Gridley Family letters |
| Box 2 Folder 14 | Gridley Family letters |
| Box 2 Folder 15 | Gridley Family letters |
Series III: Business Papers |
| Box 3 Folder 1 | Miscellaneous business papers, mostly of Elisha Gridley, ca. 1850-1880. |
| Box 3 Folder 2 | Miscellaneous business papers, ca. 1880-1910. |
| Box 3 Folder 3 | Bills |
| Box 3 Folder 4 | Bills |
| Box 3 Folder 5 | Bills and receipts |
| Box 3 Folder 6 | Memoranda and clippings re Lake County Treasurer's Office, 1899-1902 |
| Box 3 Folder 7 | Miscellaneous printed matter: advertisements, clippings, circulars describing land plots (especially Tennessee land), publications of Rev. Seth Cary, who was apparently the leading spirit in the "John Cary Descendants", etc. |