Godfrey Barnsley papers, 1824-1873, bulk 1840-1861

Using These Materials Teaser

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
More about accessing and using these materials...

Summary

Creator:
Barnsley, Godfrey
Abstract:

Godfrey Barnsley (1805-1873), of Savannah, Ga., was an agent for general import and export brokers of Liverpool, England.

Collection includes letters to Barnsley from his children, correspondence among his children, accounts with physicians, accounts for building expenses of Barnsley's estate, "Woodlands," near Kingston, Ga., and records of sales and imports of cotton. Letters from children concern school life while his sons attended a New England preparatory school and daughters were at the Montpelier Female Institute, near Macon, Ga. There are also letters from son Harold describing his voyage around Cape Horn and travels to the North, and in China, where he eventually settled. Civil War material includes letters from Godfrey's sons and information on the depredations suffered by the family. Beginning in 1867 there are letters from two Barnsley sons who emigrated to South America: George, a physician, and Lucien, who at different times operated a rice mill, apothecary's shop, brick manufactory, and Brazilian gold mine. Their letters describe the inhabitants, the countryside, and political, social, and economic conditions in Brazil. Throughout much of the collection there are references to spiritualism, seances, and mediums.

Extent:
3 Linear Feet ((6 boxes; 3,668 items))
Language:
Materials in English
Collection ID:
RL.10099

Background

Scope and content:

Collection contains letters to Godfrey Barnsley (1805-1872), Savannah agent for general import and export brokers of Liverpool, England, from his children; correspondence among the children; detailed lists comprised of accounts with physicians, invoices, prices of building materials for "Woodlands" (Barnsley's estate), records of sales and imports of cotton, bills, and receipts.

There are letters from three of the Barnsley sons who attended the preparatory school of Charles Green at Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts; and letters from Barnsley's three daughters at Montpelier Female Institute, near Macon, Georgia. Much of the material concerns Harold Barnsley, who traveled over New England and other northern sections of the United States, in China, and on the seas; references to the Civil War, in which several of the sons served, and to depredations suffered by the family.

Beginning in 1867 there are several letters from two of Barnsley's sons, George, a physician, and Lucien, both of whom went to South America with an emigrant group under the leadership of one McMullen. They shortly severed connections with this group, however. George followed his profession, while Lucien engaged in a number of enterprises, operating in turn a rice mill, apothecary's shop, brick manufactory, and gold mine. Most of this work was at Iguape, Sao Paulo Province, and near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The letters contain descriptions of the natives, the countryside, and political, social and economic conditions of the country.

The collection also contains a ledger, 1828-1844.

Throughout much of the papers there are references to spiritualism, seances, and mediums.

Biographical / historical:

Godfrey Barnsley (1805-1873), of Savannah, Ga., was an agent for general import and export brokers of Liverpool, England.

Acquisition information:
The Godfrey Barnsley Papers were acquired by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library in 1933-1934, 1941, 1951, and 1953.
Processing information:

Processed by: Rubenstein Library Staff, date unknown

Accessions described in this finding aid: 1933-1934; 1941; 1951; 1953

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Before you visit:
Please consult our up-to-date information for visitors page, as our services and guidelines periodically change.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Godfrey Barnsley Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1cp43