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Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterBefore reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Edward "Teddy" Bolton Tucker Papers, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.
Edward "Teddy" Bolton Tucker was born in Bermuda on May 8th, 1925 to Edward Henry and Sue Taliaferro Bolton. Teddy became an underwater explorer, teacher, treasure hunter, and pioneer. He earned the Order of the British Empire from Queen Elizabeth II. Other achievements include the discovery of more than 100 ship wrecks off the Bermuda coast, work on the Beebe science project with National Geographic, collaboration with the University of Maryland to study gill sharks. Following service with the Royal Navy during World War II, Teddy endeavored to make a living as a salvage diver. He taught himself about ships, nautical history, and underwater archeology. Teddy died June 9, 2014. Sources consulted for this biographical/ Historical History: The New York Times, Teddy Tucker Obituary, June 27, 2014.
The collection consists of correspondence, day books, blueprints, photographs, genealogical research, maps, DVDs, artwork, textiles, and artifacts, circa 1760-1990, relating to the Tucker family of Bermuda and the Taliaferro-Bolton families of Richmond, Virginia.
There is also a large amount of material relating to Edward "Teddy" Bolton Tucker, an underwater explorer and treasure hunter off the coast of Bermuda. The majority of the artwork in this collection is from Catharine and Ethel Tucker of Bermuda who were aunts of Edward "Teddy" Tucker. They created many landscape pieces and maintained a small store on Bermuda wher they sold their works.
Artifacts include wooden and metal trinkets made by prisoners of war held in Bermuda during the Anglo-Boer war from 1899-1902, textiles, tintype photographs, and family heirloom jewelry.
The collection is arranged into series by family. Series 1 covers Teddy Tucker's Papers; Series 2 covers the papers of Teddy Tucker's immediate family; Series 3 covers the papers of the extended family; Series 4 covers related Taliaferro-Bolton families; and Series 5 consists of artifacts.
This series includes the papers of Edward "Teddy" Bolton Tucker. They include his work as a skin diver in and around Bermuda waters. Teddy devoted a significant amount of his professional life studying marine life and exploring wrecks off coastlines. He is best known for discovering the Tucker cross, an emerald encrusted 22 karat gold cross, in 1955 from the Spanish galleon shipwreck the "San Pedro". He sold it to the Government of Bermuda in 1959. Unfortnately, by 1975 it was discovered that it was stolen. Because a replica was used to hide the fact that it was stolen, it is believed that a professional art theif perpetrated the crime. The artifact has never been recovered. While much of Teddy's underwater findings and work remain in Bermuda, these papers offer insight into his boyhood, correspondence with relatives, and daily life in Bermuda.
This box contains mostly photocopies of documentation and compiled research related to Bermuda and surrounding area shiwrecks. There are also some files concerning shipwreck artifacts, fragments of books, and copies of excerpts of Columbus's First Voyage through the Bahamas.
Certification that "Edward H. Tucker passed in the Elementary Stage of Architecture" by the Committee of her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council on Education Department of Science and Art, London, S.W.
Handwritten poem written by Mrs. Bob Tucker, one of the chaperones.
Tucker genealogy chart covering years prior to 1648 up to approximately 1852. In poor condition. Fragile.
Drawing made by Edward H. Tucker on tissue paper.
Ordnance map published by the Director General of the Ordnance Survey Office, Southampton. Owned by Major Robert J. Tucker, B.V.R.C.
Survey of Soncy Land (probably in Bermunda) by P.B.A. Melville. No. 2453.Note on reverse: "George P. Jones, Broadmoor Hotel, Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Co.
Copy of a blueprint of "Plan of Land at Perinchiefs or Jews Bay, Southampton Parish" referred to in the Annexed Certificate. Signed by Claudia Darrell. Signed by Eeric Dutton, Colonial Secretary, Bermuda. Note on reverse "Plan of Lots, Green ?."
Drawing prepared by E.H. Tucker.
This series includes papers of the family members of the Tucker Family that are directly related to Edward "Teddy" Bolton Tucker. They include his mother and father, grandparents of the Tucker family, and Great-grandparents of the Tucker family ancestry.
Orginal is in oversize folder.
This series includes papers of extended Tucker family members of Edward "Teddy" Bolton Tucker. They include aunts, uncles, and great-aunts and uncles within the Tucker ancestry. Of note are Catharine and Ethel Tucker. Both were artists in Bermuda and owned a shop, The Little Green Door, where they sold their artwork. Many landscape prints, calendars, cards, and stationary art are included in this series.
This series includes papers from family members who were ancestors of Edward "Teddy" Tucker's mother, Sue Taliaferro Bolton.
This series is comprised of various objects, personal items, tools, ephemera, jewelry, and textiles owned by Edward "Tedduy" Tucker and his family members, dating back to the mid-1800s. The majority of the items are items used in daily life or special events, such as utensils, spectacles, everyday tools, and personal accessories. The majority of the artifacts and textiles lack provenance within Tucker's family, with some exceptions, such as engraved silver utensils bearing the names of relatives that include Anna Maria Bolton, Sue Bolton, and Edward Henry Tucker.
This subseries is made up of artifacts, everyday tools, and jewelry owned by the Tucker family of Bermuda and the Taliaferro-Bolton families of Richmond, Virginia.
The item in this box is fragile and requires direct supervision for access.
A set of hair pick combs used by women from the Tucker family in the 19th century.
A small pendant carved by an unidentified member of the Tucker family while a prisoner of war during the Second Boer War (1899-1902).
The materials in this container are considered weapons and deemed dangerous. Direct supervision and guidance from an archivist will be required for access.
The materials in this container are considered weapons and deemed dangerous. Direct supervision and guidance from an archivist will be required for access.
The materials in this container are considered weapons and deemed dangerous. Direct supervision and guidance from an archivist will be required for access.
The materials in this container are considered weapons and deemed dangerous. Direct supervision and guidance from an archivist will be required for access.
This subseries consists of textiles and fabric materials owned by the Tucker family of Bermuda and the Taliaferro-Bolton family of Richmond, Virginia. Fragments of larger garments make up the bulk of the subseries, primarily of women's or children's clothing. These fragments lack provenance and their original ownership is unknown beyond that of the Tucker and Taliaferro-Bolton families. Other items include doilies, tablecloths, and woven pouches, all roughly dating from the 19th and 20th centuries. These textiles provide some information regarding the types of textiles used by the Tuckers and Taliaferro-Boltons in everyday life, as well as providing insight into the families' sentimental valuation placed on retaining fragments of old garments.