![[logo]](https://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaead/logos/wm.jpg)
Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterFinding Aid Authors: Special Collections Staff.
Before 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.
Alexander Brown Papers (1), Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Purchase of 2914 items from Mrs. Arthur Dugdale on 5/6/1941; gift of 5 items by John Stewart Bryan on 3/22/1944; and purchase of 30 items on 5/9/1946.
Born at Glenwood, Nelson County, Virginia, Alexander Brown was deafened while serving in the Confederate Army in the explosion of a powder-boat near Fort Fisher, N.C. He married Caroline Augusta Cabell and after her death, Sarah Randolph Cabell. He was the author of The Genesis of the United States, The First Republic in America, The Cabells and Their Kin and other works.
Born at Glenwood, Nelson County, Virginia, Alexander Brown was deafened while serving in the Confederate Army by the explosion of a powder-boat near Fort Fisher, N.C. He married Caroline Augusta Cabell and after her death, Sarah Randolph Cabell. He was the author of The Genesis of the United States, The First Republic in America, The Cabells and Their Kin , and other works.
Inventory contains the papers of Alexander Brown (1843-1906), farmer, merchant and author who lived in Nelson County, Virginia.
Includes correspondence relating to his books, The Genesis of the United States , The First Republic in America , The Cabells and Their Kin , New Views , and other correspondence and business papers of Brown including letters written from Australia, England, Wales, and Egypt1(1867-1869). Correspondents include Herbert Baxter Adams, Jabez Lamar Monroe Curry, Charles Deane, and Lyon Gardiner Tyler.
The collection also includes papers of Mayo Cabell and ledgers of Mayo Cabell & Co., Lynchburg, Virginia, and of the Lynchburg Female Seminary; accounts of "Belmont," "Benvenue," and "Norwood" plantations (in Nelson County); and genealogical material on the Brown and Cabell families.
In 2011, the following items were added to Box 1, Folder 25: January 24, 1876 letter from R.V. Pierce, M.D. of "Chronic Diseases of Either Sex" to Alexander Brown where Dr. Pierce states "the affection you describe is some form of venereal disease" with an enclosure about remittance of money .
Alexander Brown Papers, Box 1. 112 letters from Brown to Charles Deane is available on microfilm in Swem Library's microforms area, 1 reel, call number Mss. 65 B83. NOTE: original letters are with the Massachuestts Historical Society.
This inventory has been organized into ten series: 1. Correspondence of Alexander Brown; 2. Business Receipts of Alexander Brown; 3. Business Receipts and Papers of Various Members of the Cabell Family; 4. Papers of Mayo Cabell; 5. Papers concerning the books written by Alexander Brown; 6. Bills, Receipts and Papers of Mayo Cabell and His Son; 7. Correspondence of Alexander Brown; 8. Miscellaneous Materials of Alexander Brown; 9. Papers of R. L. Brown, the son of Alexander Brown; 10. Page Proofs of the Books Written by Alexander Brown.
Letters, 1885-1890, from William Cabell, England, to Alexander Brown, are located in the Cabell-Brown Collection within the Manuscripts and Rare Books Department, Swem Library.
Cabell-Brown Papers, Manuscripts and Rare Books Department, Swem Library, College of William and Mary. Cabell-Brown Papers, 1885-1890. 12 items. Collection number: Mss. Sm. Coll. Cabell-Brown.
The letters of Alexander Brown have been separated into another inventory located within Manuscripts and Rare Books Department, Swem Library
Alexander Brown Papers (II), 1748-1900, Manuscripts and Rare Books Department, Swem Library, College of William and Mary. Call number: Mss. 65 B86.
The letters from Alexander Brown to Charles Deane are located within this collection on microfilm only. The originals are in the Massachusetts Historical Society.
Alexander Brown Papers (1), 1815-1910, Manuscripts and Rare Books Department, Swem Library, College of William and Mary. Alexander Brown Papers (1), 1815-1910. 112 items. Collection number: Mss. Acc.65 B83 microfilm cabinet, drawer 3.
Other Information:
Additional information may be found at http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaead/published/wm/viw00002.frame
Items that dealt with, related to or concerning Alexander Brown and the Brown family.
Microfilmed letters from Alexander Brown to Charles Deane. Physical Location: Microfilm Cabinet, Drawer 3. 112 items. Microfilmed. Originals are located in the Massachusetts Historical Society.
These letters deal with the history of the Early family in Virginia and the coats of arms of Captain John Smith, with several colored sketches.
These letters deal with the history of the Early family in Virginia and the coats of arms of Captain John Smith, with several colored sketches.
These letters deal with the history of the Early family in Virginia and the coats of arms of Captain John Smith, with several colored sketches.
Notification from the American Historical Association, October 18, 1884, and November 16, 1897. Notification of Brown's having been elected a member of the American Historical Association, signed by Herbert Baxter Adams. Correspondence to Brown from Houghton, Mifflin and Co., August 1895-November 20, 1895. 3 items. Items concern the publication of his book The Cabells and Their Kin.
Items concern the occasion of the death of his wife.
Items concern Brown's claim against the company.
Items concern Brown's claim against the company for damages inflicted on his property during the floods of June 1 and after.
Some correspondents include Charles Washington Coleman, February 20, 1896, notifying Brown of his election to Phi Beta Kappa; C.B. Clawborne; Fanny Cook; Joseph Cohn; Margaret C. Cabell, N.F. Cabell; and P.H. Cabell.
There is an afterward from his grandmother Eliza Callaway.
Items concern copies of letters which Brown had ordered.
Items concern dues to the American Historical Association, enclosed in the letter.
These items include the papers of Alexander Brown in his capacity as justice of the peace of Nelson County, Va. Included is a notice signed by Alexander Brown Justice of the Peace of Nelson County, authorizing the patrolling of Negro quarters and other places suspected of unlawful assemblies of slaves, 1857 September 19. (This must be another Alexander Brown as he would have been only 14 years old at the time.)
Business receipts and papers of various members of the Cabell family.
Some correspondents include Clifford Cabell, a letter, 1867 July 29, from L. M. Blackford, N.Y., commenting on the attitude of the Radicals and a letter, 1849 January 17, from William M. Cabell to his uncle Mayo Cabell commenting on Louis Napoleon's election to the Presidency of France and on the California gold rush.
Some items included are a letter, 1864 April 23, from John. H. Daniell, a Confederate soldier in Early's Division to Mayo Cabell and letters, 1867 September 20 and 1868 January 10 from Thomas W. Gilmer, Fredericksburg, Va. to Mayo Cabell about Texas land values.
Scope and Contents Some items included are a letter, 1865 April 29, from Martin & Cardoza, Richmond, Virginia to Mayo Cabell reporting damage in the burning of Richmond.
Scrapbook contains reviews of The Genesis of the United State, and the author's reply to critics of The First Republic in America, as well as newspaper clippings of reviews of his books.
Included in these items are autobiographical notes on Brown.
Items include four letters, 1852 and 1853,from Mayo Cabell to his son William D. Cabell, a student at the University of Virginia.
Items were written upon Brown's election to membership.
Letters concern notification of membership and general correspondence.
Letters concern notification of membership and general correspondence.
Letters concern notification of membership and general correspondence.
Letters concern confirmation of membership onto Brown; and legal and business correspondence.
Letter concerns rumors of Brown's political activities while serving as postmaster.
Letter informs Brown that he has been elected as a fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
2 letters. Letters concern notification of Brown of the Doctor of Laws degree awarded him by the College of William and Mary.
Letters are in regard to copper mining and property.
Letters include one, 1876 December 28 , regarding a country estate, mining property, and the proposed Clifton Forge Railroad to connect the canal and Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad.
Letters mostly concerning mining.
Among the correspondents is William C. Rives of Cobham, Virginia, Newport, Rhode Island, and Washington, D.C.
Item includes corrections by the author.
2 letters. Items concern Taylor's purchase of Brown's paper, New Views of Early Virginia History,1606-1619.
Items include legal papers regarding Brown's being adjudged bankrupt, 1873.
Letter concerns Mrs. Caroline A. Cabell, giving consent to Brown's marriage with her daughter Kate.
2 items. Letters were written to Brown upon the occasion of his father's death.
Items concern the administering of the estate of Mrs. Lucy S. Brown.
Bonds were held by P.A. Gilmer for produce sold to the Army.
List details winter clothes needed for 62 slaves (8 house servants, and 54 field hands).
Letter from the Nacogdoches, Texas law firm regarding lands held by a group of Virginians.
Papers include those of Capt. Paul Stratton and others.
Notebook contains questions relating to history kept by A.M. Morrell of Norwood High School.
Letters and postcards are from Edgar Whitehead, Amherst Court House, regarding tin mining with references to Boise, Idaho, western lands, and climate.
Item regards Brown's book The First Republic in America.
Ledger of Mayo Cabell and Company, a lumber firm in Lynchburg, Va., 1855-1856. The inside cover of the ledger lists the terms of the partnership and distributor in Richmond, Va.
Account book of Norwood Plantation, Nelson County, Virginia, Feb. - June 1867.
Surveys and charts probably made by Alexander Brown. Rolled up papers.
Six photographs of member of the Brown family in Australia. Photographs. 6 items.
Approximately 400 pages.MsV. 7
Approximately 230 pages.MsV. 8
Approximately 70 pages.Remainder of pages torn out. MsV. 9
MsV. 10
MsV. 11
MsV. 12
Scope and Contents Approximately 202 pages.MsV. 13 Manuscript includes: Notes on shipping to Virginia, 1606-1625,listing name of ship, dates of sailing and arrival, captain, etc. Manuscript copies of A True and Sincere Declaration &c, 1610.(a copy made in the British Museum for Brown); Virginia Reviewed by George Donne, 1637; The Discourse of the old Company of Virginia, 1625.(printed in Virginia History Society Magazine, 1893-1894); and A Short Collection of the Most Remarkable Passages from Origin to the Dissolution of the Virginia Company (London 1651).
MsV. 14
MsV. 15
MsV. 16