Robertson and Corbett family correspondence
Scope and Contents
The collection primarily consists of letters written by members of the Robertson and Corbett families. The majority of loose letters are addressed to Thomas Robertson (1817-1900) and Mary Freeland Robertson (1822-1879), and include letters from their son W. E. Robertson and from Emily Alvord, wife of Benjamin Alvord. Box 2 contains a binder compiled by Thomas Robertson (1881-1924), which houses letters to the Corbetts and Robertsons, particularly letters from Caroline ("Cara") Corbett, along with some ephemera. A transcript to the letters in the binder, along with genealogical information, made by Mary Couch Robertson Butler and Mary Caroline ("Ma'Carry") Hull, is housed in Box 1, folder 11. Additional materials include a newspaper clipping of President Andrew Johnson's farewell address and a photograph of Thomas Robertson (1881-1924).
Dates
- Creation: 1827-1996
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1854-1870
Creator
- Robertson family (Creator, Family)
- Corbett family (Creator, Family)
- Robertson, Thomas, 1881-1924 (Creator, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.
Biographical note
The Corbett and Robertson families were among the early settlers of Portland, Oregon in the 1850s. Henry Winslow Corbett (1827-1903) established a merchandising business, while Thomas Robertson (1817-1900) established a wholesale hardware business, Foster and Robertson. These firms merged in 1892 as Corbett, Failing & Robertson. The families were also linked through the marriage of Thomas Robertson and Mary Freeland Corbett (1822-1879). Caroline Jagger ("Cara") Corbett (1829-1865) was a sister-in-law of Mary Freeland Corbett Robertson, and wife of Henry Winslow Corbett.
Extent
0.52 Cubic Feet (1 slim document case, 1 flat box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Letters and other materials written by and to members of the Robertson and Corbett families in the 19th century, plus transcripts of some letters, along with other materials.
Arrangement
Loose materials and transcription are housed in Box 1; binder is housed in Box 2.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Access to the binder in Box 2 is restricted for preservation purposes; researchers are asked to use the typescript version of the binder's contents instead.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Mary Couch Robertson Butler, March 30, 1996 (Lib. Acc. 22636).
Subject
- Robertson, Thomas, 1817-1900 (Person)
- Robertson, William Edie, 1854-1939 (Person)
- Robertson, Thomas, 1881-1924 -- Photographs (Person)
- Corbett, Caroline E., 1829-1865 (Person)
- Alvord, Emily Louise, 1826-1885 (Person)
- Robertson, Mary Freeland, 1822-1879 (Person)
Genre / Form
Topical
- Title
- Guide to the Robertson and Corbett family correspondence
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jeffrey A. Hayes
- Date
- 2019
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library Repository
1200 SW Park Ave.
Portland OR 97205 United States
5033065204
5033065240
libreference@ohs.org