Scope and Content Note
The papers of the Sumner family span the years 1836-1940 and consist of the correspondence, legal documents, photographs, and reports of Edwin Vose Sumner (1797-1863) and his sons, Edwin Vose Sumner (1835-1912) and Samuel Storrow Sumner (1842-1937). Edwin Sumner I was a career military officer and with his sons served in the United States Army during the Civil War. His papers document his audience with the King of Prussia, a military expedition against the Sioux in 1855, a disagreement with General W. S. Harney, battles at Fredericksburg and Williamsburg, Virginia and Antietam, Maryland, and military maneuvers and administration in Northern Virginia. The papers of his sons also document the Battle of Fredericksburg. The papers of Edwin Sumner II contain a letter from Fort Reno in the Indian Territory describing soldier training at that post in the 1880s.
Dates
- Creation: 1836-1940
- Creation: Majority of material found within ( 1858-1862)
Language of Materials
Collection material in English
Access and Restrictions
The papers of the Sumner family are open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the Manuscript Reading Room prior to visiting. Many collections are stored off-site and advance notice is needed to retrieve these items for research use.
Copyright Status
The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of the Sumner family is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).
Extent
113 items
1 container
1 oversize
5 linear feet
Abstract
Correspondence, legal documents, reports, and photographs of Edwin V. Sumner (1797-1863) and his sons, Edwin Vose Sumner (1835-1912) and Samuel Storrow Sumner (1842-1937), all military officers.
Arrangement of the Papers
This collection is arranged alphabetically according to type of material or name of family member.
Catalog Record
Provenance
The Sumner Family Papers were given to the Library of Congress by Charlotte Sumner Pratt in 1989.
Processing History
The papers of the Sumner family were arranged and described in 1995. The finding aid was revised in 2009.
Source
- Sumner Family (Creator, Family)
Subject
- Frederick William IV, King of Prussia, 1795-1861. (Person)
- Harney, William S. (William Selby), 1800-1889. (Person)
- Summers family. (Family)
- Sumner family. (Family)
- Sumner, Edwin V. (Edwin Vose), 1797-1863. Edwin V. Sumner papers. (Person)
- Sumner, Edwin Vose, 1835-1912. Edwin Vose Sumner papers. (Person)
- Sumner, Samuel S. (Samuel Storrow), 1842-1937. Samuel Storrow Sumner papers. (Person)
- Title
- Sumner Family Papers
- Subtitle
- A Finding Aid to the Collection in the Library of Congress
- Author
- Prepared by Bradley E. Gernand
- Date
- 2009
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Part of the Manuscript Division Repository
Manuscript Reading Room
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James Madison Building, LM 101
Washington, DC 20540-4683
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