William Marshall memorial collection
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Abstract
The William Marshall memorial collection primarily consists of materials relating to the death of William Marshall in 1895, including sympathy notes and resolutions from the Boards of Directors of several companies, obituaries of Marshall, and an oversize memorial album compiled by the Board of Directors of the Williamsburgh City Fire Insurance Company. It also includes photographs of members of the Marshall family and a clipping announcing Marshall's marriage.
Biographical note
William Marshall (1813-1895) was born in Belfast, Ireland. He emigrated to America with his parents at age three, and the family lived in Wilmington, DE for four years. In 1820, the family moved to Brooklyn, N.Y., where they settled. Marshall's first job was at the Ropewalk of the John Thursby Company. In 1835, Marshall aided in the formation of L. Waterbury & Company, and through his careful supervision of the company's operation, it became successful. During his administrative years at L. Waterbury & Company, Marshall became active in other business ventures, and established the Williamsburgh City Fire Insurance Company in March of 1853. He served on the Boards of Directors of several companies, including the Mechanics' Bank of Brooklyn, People's Gas Light Company, the Long Island Traction and Brooklyn Heights Railroad Company, and the Coney Island and Brooklyn Railroad Company. Marshall continued his involvement with L. Waterbury & Company until 1887, when his son, Chauncey Marshall, and James M. Waterbury, son of the late L. Waterbury, took control of the business.
Marshall resided at the corner of 296 Clinton and Greene Avenues for 50 years with his wife, Jane Montgomery, whom he married in 1839. Their four children were Martha A. Place, William Marshall, Jr., George Marshall, and Chauncey Marshall. William Marshall died on June 9, 1895 and was buried at Green-Wood Cemetery.
Arrangement
The collection is comprised primarily of bound volumes. They are housed in a single box with no particular arrangement, along with one folder of loose documents and one folder of photographs.
Scope and Contents
The William Marshall memorial collection primarily consists of materials relating to the death of Willliam Marshall in 1895, including sympathy notes and resolutions from the Boards of Directors of several companies, obituaries of Marshall, and an oversize memorial album compiled by the Board of Directors of the Williamsburgh City Fire Insurance Company. Most of the obituaries of Marshall are compiled in an oversize scrapbook. The collection also includes four photographic portraits of members of the Marshall family and a clipping announcing Marshall's marriage to Jane Montgomery. Additionally, the collection includes a volume entitled Notable New Yorkers, compiled by Moses King in 1899 and featuring portraits of several prominent New York City residents from various disciplines and fields, including William Marshall.
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Conditions Governing Access
Open to users without restriction.
Conditions Governing Use
The materials in this collection are in the public domain.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date (if known); William Marshall memorial collection, 1985.019, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Public Library, Center for Brooklyn History.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Eunice M. Kadow, 1982.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Minimally processed to the collection level. This collection was rehoused and the finding aid revised by Dee Bowers in 2024.
Sponsor Note
Repository
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This finding aid does not include an online listing of contents.
To learn about viewing this collection in person, please contact cbhreference@bklynlibrary.org.
