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Tucker, John Randolph A Guide to the Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers MG 40

A Guide to the Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers MG 40


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ODU Community Collections

3000 Perry Library
4427 Hampton Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23529
Business Number: 757-683-5350
libspecialcollections@odu.edu
URL: https://www.odu.edu/library/special-collections

Ellen Emser

Repository
ODU Community Collections
Identification
MG 40
Title
Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers 1865-1897, undated Date acquired: 01/08/1980
URL:
Archon Finding Aid location
Quantity
0.40 Linear Feet
Quantity
1 Hollinger documents case boxes
Creator
Tucker, John Randolph (1812-1883)
Language
English , Spanish; Castilian .
Abstract
Commander in the United States, Confederate States and Peruvian Navy. Papers deal primarily with his service as President of the Peruvian Hydrographical Commission of the Amazon. Spanish language materials predominate.

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Use

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, and the holder of the copyright, if not Old Dominion University Libraries.

Conditions Governing Access

Open to researchers without restrictions.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Source of Acquisition

Commander Douglas Tucker, USN

Method of Acquisition

Gift. Accession #A80-4

Biographical or Historical Information

John Randolph Tucker was born January 31, 1812 in Alexandria, Virginia. His parents were John Tucker, originally from Bermuda, and Sara Douglas, daughter of Dr. Charles Douglas, a physician who came to America after the Revolution. The Tucker family, some of whom had been in Virginia since before the Revolution, produced a number of prominent men in Virginia's political and social life. After attending private schools in Alexandria, Tucker entered the U.S. Navy as a midshipman on June 1, 1826. Although six years later he passed the examination for advancement, there were no vacancies at that time and he had to wait until December 20, 1837 to be promoted to Lieutenant. As Lieutenant Commander he commanded the Stromboli during the Mexican War. Tucker received his commission as Commander on September 14, 1855 when he took over the command of the Pennsylvania. His last duty in the U.S. Navy was as Ordnance Officer of the Norfolk Navy Yard, from which he resigned due to the secession of Virginia. Tucker was appointed Commander, first of the Virginia Navy and then the Confederate States Navy, at which time he assumed command of the Patrick Henry, formerly a U.S. Navy Steamer which was seized and converted into a Confederate man-of-war. As commander of the Patrick Henry, Tucker participated in battles with the Union Navy at Hampton Roads and Drewry's Bluff. In August of 1862, Tucker took over command of the Chicora at Charleston, South Carolina. Following Tucker's surrender in April 1865 at the Battle of Saylor's Creek, he was sent North as a prisoner of war. After his release July 24, 1865, he returned to the South to work as an agent of the Southern Express Company of Raleigh, North Carolina. While Tucker was in Raleigh, the Peruvian Minister to the United States contacted him to arrange an interview in Washington. Peru, which was at war with Spain, invited Tucker to join their Navy as a Rear Admiral, bringing with him two staff officers. Tucker accepted and went to Peru with Captain David Porter McCorkle and Commander Walter Raleigh Butt. Although some Peruvian Naval Officers objected to a foreigner in command of their fleet, Tucker distinguished himself in battle with Spain. Following his resignation in 1871 from the Peruvian Navy, Tucker was appointed President of the Peruvian Hydrographical Commission of the Amazon. This Commission, which explored and surveyed the Upper Amazon River and its tributaries, discovered two new rivers, the Trinidad and the Herrera- yacu. Upon completion of the expedition, Tucker traveled to New York to meet with engravers to make maps and atlases from the Commission's findings. Tucker retired to Petersburg, Virginia, until his sudden death on June 12, 1883. He was buried in Norfolk next to his wife, the former Virginia Webb, whom he married June 7, 1838, and who died in 1858. Their children were Randolph Tucker, Tarleton Webb Tucker, and Virginius Tucker.

Note written by Ellen Emser

Scope and Contents

The John Randolph Tucker papers, many of which are in Spanish, deal primarily with his service as President of the Peruvian Hydrographical Commission of the Amazon. Included in the collection are letters describing the expedition of the steamer Tambo and the difficulties encountered by Tucker and the Commission. These include hostile indigenous people, as well as financial and other problems in their dealings with the Peruvian government.

Papers related to John Randolph Tucker, the lawyer, are available in the Special Collections Research Center at William & Mary.

Arrangement Note

The collection is organized into four series: Series I: Correspondence; Series II: Legal and Business Papers; Series III: Publications and Newspaper Clippings; and Series IV: Miscellaneous.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Amazon River--Discovery and exploration
  • American Confederate voluntary exiles--Peru
  • Chile--History--War with Spain, 1865-1866
  • Confederate States of America. Navy
  • Explorers--Peru
  • Explorers--United States
  • Peru. Marina
  • Peruvian Hydrographical Commission of the Amazon
  • United States. Navy--Officers

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

  • Tucker, John Randolph (1812-1883)
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Significant Places Associated With the Collection

  • Amazon River--Discovery and exploration
  • Chile--History--War with Spain, 1865-1866
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Container List

Series I
Series I: Correspondence
1794-1897, undated
Scope and Contents

This series contains the correspondence of Admiral John R. Tucker, Captain James H. Rochelle, John Randolph Tucker, among others.

  • Sub-Series A
    Sub-Series A: Admiral John R. Tucker
    1865-1880, undated
    Scope and Contents

    This sub-series contains the correspondence of Admiral John Randolph Tucker.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 Box 1
      Box 1
      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 1 Folder 1
        Folder 1: Admiral John R. Tucker
        1870
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 1, Admiral John R. Tucker, 1870, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 2 Folder 2
        Folder 2: Admiral John R. Tucker
        1871
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 2, Admiral John R. Tucker, 1871, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 3 Folder 3
        Folder 3: Admiral John R. Tucker
        1872-1873
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 3, Admiral John R. Tucker, 1872-1873, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 4 Folder 4
        Folder 4: Admiral John R. Tucker
        1874
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 4, Admiral John R. Tucker, 1874, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 5 Folder 5
        Folder 5: Admiral John R. Tucker
        1877-1880
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 5, Admiral John R. Tucker, 1877-1880, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 6 Folder 6
        Folder 6: Admiral John R. Tuckerr
        undated
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 6, Admiral John R. Tuckerr, undated, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 7 Folder 7
        Folder 7: Admiral John R. Tucker (Incoming)
        1865-1866
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 7, Admiral John R. Tucker (Incoming), 1865-1866, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 8 Folder 8
        Folder 8: Admiral John R. Tucker (Incoming)
        1867
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 8, Admiral John R. Tucker (Incoming), 1867, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 9 Folder 9
        Folder 9: Admiral John R. Tucker (Incoming)
        1868-1869
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 9, Admiral John R. Tucker (Incoming), 1868-1869, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 10 Folder 10
        Folder 10: Admiral John R. Tucker (Incoming)
        1870
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 10, Admiral John R. Tucker (Incoming), 1870, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 11 Folder 11
        Folder 11: Admiral John R. Tucker (Incoming)
        1871
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 11, Admiral John R. Tucker (Incoming), 1871, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 12 Folder 12
        Folder 12: Admiral John R. Tucker (Incoming)
        1872
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 12, Admiral John R. Tucker (Incoming), 1872, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 13 Folder 13
        Folder 13: Admiral John R. Tucker (Incoming)
        1873
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 13, Admiral John R. Tucker (Incoming), 1873, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 14 Folder 14
        Folder 14: Admiral John R. Tucker (Incoming)
        1874
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 14, Admiral John R. Tucker (Incoming), 1874, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 15 Folder 15
        Folder 15: Admiral John R. Tucker (Incoming)
        1877
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 15, Admiral John R. Tucker (Incoming), 1877, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 16 Folder 16
        Folder 16: Admiral John R. Tucker (Incoming)
        1880
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 16, Admiral John R. Tucker (Incoming), 1880, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 17 Folder 17
        Folder 17: Admiral John R. Tucker (Incoming)
        undated
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 17, Admiral John R. Tucker (Incoming), undated, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

  • Sub-Series B
    Sub-Series B: Captain James H. Rochelle
    1865-1882
    Scope and Contents

    This sub-series contains the correspondence of Captain James H. Rochelle.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 Box 1
      Box 1
      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 18 Folder 18
        Folder 18: Captain James H. Rochelle
        1872
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 18, Captain James H. Rochelle, 1872, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 19 Folder 19
        Folder 19: Captain James H. Rochelle
        1873-1874
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 19, Captain James H. Rochelle, 1873-1874, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 20 Folder 20
        Folder 20: Captain James H. Rochelle
        1876 January-April
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 20, Captain James H. Rochelle, 1876 January-April, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 21 Folder 21
        Folder 21: Captain James H. Rochelle
        1876 June-December
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 21, Captain James H. Rochelle, 1876 June-December, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 22 Folder 22
        Folder 22: Captain James H. Rochelle
        1877 January-April
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 22, Captain James H. Rochelle, 1877 January-April, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 23 Folder 23
        Folder 23: Captain James H. Rochelle
        1877 May-December
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 23, Captain James H. Rochelle, 1877 May-December, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 24 Folder 24
        Folder 24: Captain James H. Rochelle
        1878-1882
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 24, Captain James H. Rochelle, 1878-1882, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 25 Folder 25
        Folder 25: Captain James H. Rochelle (Incoming)
        1865, 1878
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 25, Captain James H. Rochelle (Incoming), 1865, 1878, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

  • Sub-Series C
    Sub-Series C: John Randolph Tucker
    1895-1897
    Scope and Contents

    This sub-series contains the correspondence of John Randolph Tucker.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 Box 1
      Box 1
      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 26 Folder 26
        Folder 26: John Randolph Tucker (Incoming)
        1897
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 26, John Randolph Tucker (Incoming), 1897, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 27 Folder 27
        Folder 27: John Randolph Tucker (Incoming)
        1895-1896
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 27, John Randolph Tucker (Incoming), 1895-1896, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

  • Sub-Series D
    Sub-Series D: Other Correspondence
    1794-1897, undated
    Scope and Contents

    This sub-series contains all other correpondence in the collection.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 Box 1
      Box 1
      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 28 Folder 28
        Folder 28: Other Correspondence (Copy)
        1794
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 28, Other Correspondence (Copy), 1794, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 29 Folder 29
        Folder 29: Other Correspondence (Copy)
        1865
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 29, Other Correspondence (Copy), 1865, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 30 Folder 30
        Folder 30: Other Correspondence
        1873-1874
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 30, Other Correspondence, 1873-1874, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 31 Folder 31
        Folder 31: Other Correspondence
        1897
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 31, Other Correspondence, 1897, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

      • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 32 Folder 32
        Folder 32: Other Correspondence
        undated
        Preferred Citation

        [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 32, Other Correspondence, undated, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

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Series II
Series II: Legal and Business Papers
1869-1879
Scope and Contents

This series contains legal and business papers while Admiral Tucker was President of the Peruvian Hydrographical Commission of the Amazon.

  • Mixed Materials box: 1 Box 1
    Box 1
    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 33 Folder 33
      Folder 33: Registro Metereologico by F. L. Galt
      1873 March-June
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 33, Registro Metereologico by F. L. Galt, 1873 March-June, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 34 Folder 34
      Folder 34: Contract Between Admiral J. R. Tucker and Pusey, Jones and Company
      1869 October 13
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 34, Contract Between Admiral J. R. Tucker and Pusey, Jones and Company, 1869 October 13, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 35 Folder 35
      Folder 35: Passport for Admiral J. R. Tucker
      1873 December 17
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 35, Passport for Admiral J. R. Tucker, 1873 December 17, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 36 Folder 36
      Folder 36: Certificate for Services Rendered on the Mario, Issued to Admiral J. R. Tucker
      1874 May 12
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 36, Certificate for Services Rendered on the Mario, Issued to Admiral J. R. Tucker, 1874 May 12, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 37 Folder 37
      Folder 37: Receipt for Land Purchased by Admiral J. R. Tucker
      1870 October 3
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 37, Receipt for Land Purchased by Admiral J. R. Tucker, 1870 October 3, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 38 Folder 38
      Folder 38: Receipts for Admiral J. R. Tucker
      1874, 1879
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 38, Receipts for Admiral J. R. Tucker, 1874, 1879, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

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Series III
Series III: Publications and Newspaper Clippings
circa 1864-1879
Scope and Contents

This series contains publications and newspaper articles collected by Admiral Tucker.

  • Mixed Materials box: 1 Box 1
    Box 1
    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 39 Folder 39
      Folder 39: Newspaper Clippings (English)
      1864-1865
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 39, Newspaper Clippings (English), 1864-1865, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 40 Folder 40
      Folder 40: Newspaper Clippings (Spanish)
      1868-1872
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 40, Newspaper Clippings (Spanish), 1868-1872, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 41 Folder 41
      Folder 41: Brief for the Defense
      1869
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 41, Brief for the Defense, 1869, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 42 Folder 42
      Folder 42: Congressional Materials
      1878
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 42, Congressional Materials, 1878, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 43 Folder 43
      Folder 43: Advertisements for Forthcoming Books
      circa 1870-1879
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 43, Advertisements for Forthcoming Books, circa 1870-1879, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

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Series IV
Series IV: Miscellaneous
circa 1880-1889, undated
Scope and Contents

This series contains calling cards and other material collected by Admiral Tucker.

  • Mixed Materials box: 1 Box 1
    Box 1
    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 44 Folder 44
      Folder 44: Calling Cards
      undated
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 44, Calling Cards, undated, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 45 Folder 45
      Folder 45: Unattached Envelopes
      circa 1880-1889
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 45, Unattached Envelopes, circa 1880-1889, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 46 Folder 46
      Folder 46: Other
      undated
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 46, Other, undated, Admiral John Randolph Tucker Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

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