Meigs Family Archive, Incl. Notebook Belonging to Revolutionary War Officer Major John Meigs and Letter Describing California Gold Rush

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American Historical Ephemera and Photography

By Cowan's Auctions

Nov 19, 2020

Set Reminder 2020-11-19 10:00:00 2020-11-19 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American Historical Ephemera and Photography https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-historical-ephemera-and-photography-5894
Cowan’s Auctions, a Hindman Company, is pleased to present the November 19 Fall Auction, featuring over 400 lots of historically significant photography, manuscript material, artwork, and other ephemera dating from the 18th through the early 20th century, including the Civil War. Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com

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• Lot Description
  Lot spanning ca 1808-1946, comprised of approximately 65 documents/pieces of ephemera, 27 photographs, and more, related to multiple generations of one of America's earliest and most prominent families. This archive appears to descend through the family of Richard Montgomery Meigs (1787-1884), son of Revolutionary War officer Major John Meigs (1753-1826). Some documents also relate to the family of Maria Keeler Meigs (1796-1850), wife of Richard M. Meigs. Highlights include an 1808 indenture agreement signed by prosperous New York merchant William Leffingwell and his wife Sally M. Leffingwell, a leatherbound notebook belonging to Major John Meigs which cites Washington's farewell address and other historical events from the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a broadside "Obituary" printed in 1823 upon the death of the Major's brother, Revolutionary War officer Col. Return Jonathan Meigs (1740-1823), and an 1854 letter from James K. Meigs (1822-1888) detailing his experiences in the California Gold Rush.The Meigs family is documented in America as early as 1639. Major John Meigs, the son of Return Meigs (1708-1782), was born in Middletown, CT. John Meigs served during the Revolutionary War as a Captain in Col. S.B. Webb's 3rd Regiment of the Connecticut Line. He attained the rank of major in the Regular Army and served during the War of 1812. The notebook offered here is 46pp and commences ca 1818. It is identified to Major Meigs through two handwritten notations: the first "Died on the 28th January 1823 - My Beloved Brother Return Jonathan Meigs Aged 82 Years" and the second (in a different hand following John Meigs' last entry) "the above was coppied [sic] by John Meigs on Saturday 11th Nov 1826, he died on Friday Nov 24th 1826 aged 73 years & 3 days." The notebook contains hand-copied selections from articles appearing in newspapers, extracts related to George Washington, religious reflections, a copy of a petition to the US Congress regarding his pension, and sketches of the military exploits of his brother Col. Return J. Meigs "as published in The New York Advertiser of the 26th February 1823 which are deemed due to his Merits and Character." Letters include an 1818 letter from Major John Meigs to his son Return J. Meigs (1782-1851) of Georgia, in which he laments the passing of R.J. Meigs' brother Benjamin Meigs (1784-ca 1817); an 1824 letter from Return J. Meigs of Georgia to his brother Richard M. Meigs in Albany, relaying family news; and an 1854 letter written by James Keeler Meigs of Wisconsin describing his experiences in California during the gold rush. James Meigs writes in part: "I left New York on the 10th of December 1851 and arrived in California in 29 days after...There over a year and a half working harder than ever before and meeting with very good success in comparison with the most of miners. I liked that kind of life. It was so independent and exciting, but at the same time it was so very laborious...Every day we were wet through and the sun beat down with intense heat from May to November. I lived in a small Shanty...The Placers are pretty well exhausted and gold has now to be dug by tunneling the hills or by sinking shafts requiring capital time and great labour. There are thousands in the mines who have not made their board and who are anxious to get home."Richard M. Meigs settled in Albany, NY. He worked there as a druggist for many years and served as a trustee of the Albany Female Academy,. The Academy recognized his service with a resolution commending him which is included in the archive. In 1814, Richard married Maria Keeler of Albany. One document in the collection from the Trustees of the Second Presbyterian Congregation in the City of Albany certifies that Maria's father, James Keeler (1773-1848), has committed $250 "for the purpose of raising money to purchase ground for the Site of a Meeting-House." A letter from James Keeler written at New York on April 16, 1825, to his son Charles A. Keeler  offers a father's advice on "launching into the world to seek your fortune." With one exception, photographs appear to date from 1900-1939. Images are generally snapshots of family members along with several larger photographs of a residence that is likely the NY summer home of Major Meigs' granddaughter, Anna Spencer Meigs (1839-1934). Identified family members include Katherine Collins Meigs, Stanley Meigs, Montgomery Meigs, Nancy Meigs, and Anna Spencer Meigs. An undated, oval albumen portrait of Richard Montgomery Meigs, 7.75 x 10 in., is the earliest image in the archive.Additional items in the archive include the following: "Webster's Calendar, or the Albany Almanack, for the Year 1822"; an 1861 document affirming Charles A. Meigs' (1837-1906) service in the 22nd Regiment, 4th Brigade of the New York Militia; the book "Life of Josiah Meigs" (1887) which is identified to Katherine H. Meigs; miscellaneous late 19th and early 20th-century correspondence; legal documents including the 1874 will of Charles A. Meigs; marriage certificates for Charles A. Meigs and Katharine Bryan (1868) and Stanley V. Meigs and Katherine Collins (1913); genealogical research conducted by various family members along with documents referencing family heirlooms of significance such as a lavaliere and George Washington letters; newspaper clippings; and a "sampler" that appears to have been stitched by a very young Stanley V. Meigs.

  Condition

  Letters generally in good condition and legible. Major John Meigs notebook is heavily worn with front and back cover completely separated from spine. Josiah Meigs book also heavily worn with front cover completely separated and damaged spine.
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