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Hackley and Randolph family papers, ca. 1849-1868, 1909-1915.
Amount:
0.25 cubic ft.
Medium Included:
Organization/Arrangement:
By record type, then chronological by date written.
Restrictions:
Terms Governing Use:
Biographical/Historical:
The Randolph family moved from Virginia to Florida in 1829 and settled in Tallahassee, becoming active in the city's civic and social life. Harriet Randolph Hackley (1786-1869) was the 12th of 13 children of Thomas Mann Randolph, Sr. and Anne Cary Randolph of Virginia. Harriet was the second wife of Richard Shippey Hackley (1770-1843); they had one son, William Beverly Randolph Hackley (1806-1867), and three daughters: Lucia, Harriet Randolph Hackley, and Martha. William Hackley moved to Key West, Florida around 1829 and practiced law there until 1857, when he moved his family to Joliet, Illinois.
Marion Paul "Pat" Spencer (1883-1971) was the youngest child of Angelo Paul Spencer and Charlotte Heinemann Hackley, who was the daughter of William Beverly Randolph Hackley. Marion had three siblings: Lilly Charlotte "E" Spencer Sweet, Lucia Isabelle "Daisy" Spencer Young, and Randolph Rush "Ranny" Spencer.
Summary:
This collection consists of ten mid-19th century letters between members of the Hackley and Randolph families and a diary and photographic portrait of Marion Paul "Pat" Spencer. Many of the letters are addressed to William Beverly Randolph Hackley, several of which his mother Harriet wrote. The letters primarily discuss family matters such as health, marriages, births, deaths, children, and employment, but also touch on other issues and events such as a scheduled performance by Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind, national politics, and the impact of the Civil War on family members. Several letters discuss the family's ultimately unsuccessful efforts to reclaim land from the United States government that the family claimed they acquired legally in 1819 from the Spanish government. An annotated transcription accompanies each letter, produced by Jane Jones, great-great granddaughter of William Beverly Randolph Hackley.
Marion Paul "Pat" Spencer's diary chronicles her life in Pensacola, Florida from 14 February 1909 to 15 August 1915 with frequent gaps in entries. She discusses trips to visit friends and family including a summer vacation with well-to-do relatives in New England during the summer of 1909; daily tasks such as arranging flowers, sewing, reading, playing cards, and taking walks; her teaching career; and updates on friends and family. Jane Jones provided a transcription and notes of the diary.
Finding Aids:
Folder listing available. 0
Additional Physical Form:
Reproduction Note:
Five of the letters are color photocopies (see folder list) produced by the Archives from the originals provided by the donor for copying purposes.
Location of Originals/Duplicates:
Originals of the five photocopied letters were retained by the donor with the intent of donating them to Florida State University.
Associated Materials:
For more materials relating to the Randolph family, see Collection M75-86, Randolph Family Papers, 1820-1978 (2 cubic feet).
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Electronic Records Access:
Subject Access Fields:
Hackley family. Randolph family.
Family Florida
Letters. aat Diaries. aat
Florida Social life and customs Florida History Florida History Civil War, 1861-1865
for detailed listing.