Blatchford, Potter, and Delano family papers
Call Number
Date
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
Correspondence, generally of a familial nature, and photographs, of the interrelated Blatchford, Potter, and Delano families, which included such illustrious members as U.S. Minister to the Papal States Richard Milford Blatchford (1798–1875), his son, jurist Samuel Blatchford (1820–1893), Richard's son-in-law, architect Edward Tuckerman Potter (1831–1904), and Potter's son-in-law, architect William Adams Delano (1874–1960).
Biographical / Historical
The three New York families represented in this collection—Blatchford, Potter, and Delano—are related through marriage. Julia Maria Blatchford (1834–1922), the daughter of diplomat Richard Milford Blatchford (1798–1875), married architect Edward Tuckerman Potter (1831–1904), a son of Episcopal Bishop Alonzo Potter (1800–1865) and grandson of longtime Union College president Eliphalet Nott (1773–1866). Among the children of Edward Tuckerman and Julia Maria (Blatchford) Potter were a son, Julian Potter (1858–1913), U.S. Consul at Nassau, Bahamas, and a daughter, Louisa Millicent Windeatt Potter (1872–1962), who married (as her second husband) William Adams Delano (1874–1960) of the architectural firm Delano & Aldrich. Delano's father, Eugene (1844–1920), a banker, was a partner in Brown Brothers & Co. (now Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.).
For more on these families, their connections, and their illustrious members, see
- Eliphalet Wickes Blatchford, Blatchford Memorial II: A Genealogical Record of the Family of Rev. Samuel Blatchford, D.D. With Some Mention of Allied Families (privately printed, 1912).
- Craig Hanyan, "Richard Milford Blatchford." American National Biography (New York: Oxford University Press, 1999), vol. 3, 1–2.
- Mark Alan Hewitt, "William Adams Delano." American National Biography (New York: Oxford University Press, 1999), vol. 6, 379–381.
- Sarah Bradford Landau, Edward T. and William A. Potter, American Victorian Architects (New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1979).
- Bruce Leslie, "Eliphalet Nott." American National Biography (New York: Oxford University Press, 1999), vol. 16, 537–538.
- Charles W. McCurdy, "Samuel Blatchford." American National Biography (New York: Oxford University Press, 1999), vol. 3, 2–3.
- Frank Hunter Potter, The Alonzo Potter Family (privately printed, 1923).
- Lawrence Wodehouse, "Edward Tuckerman Potter." American National Biography (New York: Oxford University Press, 1999), vol. 17, 744–745.
Arrangement
The collection is organized in four series. Within each series, the archivist has attempted to maintain a subject's generational position within the family unit.
- Series I.
- Blatchford family, 1796-1865, 1895
- Series II.
- Potter family, 1804-1906, 1995
- Series III.
- Delano family, 1895-1948
- Series IV.
- Photograph albums, circa 1894-1935
Scope and Contents
The collection consists chiefly of correspondence of a general, familial nature, between various members of the interrelated Blatchford, Potter, and Delano families (see the preceding Biographical / Historical note for an outline of how the three connect).
Blatchford family: Letters between members of the family established by Rev. Samuel Blatchford (1767–1828), including his son, Richard Milford Blatchford (1798–1875), an attorney who served in the New York State Assembly (1855) and as the 4th United States Minister to the Papal States (1862–1863) [see his letters from this time to his son, Samuel, Box 1, Folders 20–21]. Richard was a college friend and law partner of William H. Seward, to whom he loaned money [see Box 1, Folder 24], and a close associate of Daniel Webster [Box 1, Folder 26]. Richard's son, Samuel Blatchford (1820–1893), the eventual Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court (1882–1893), served in 1840 as private secretary to Seward, who was then New York's 12th governor [see later correspondence with Seward, Box 1, Folder 45].
Potter family: Julia Maria Blatchford (1834–1922), a daughter of Richard Milford Blatchford, married the architect Edward Tuckerman Potter (1831–1904), whose plans for model tenements earned him awards at the World's Columbian Exposition [Box 1, Folders 72–77]. Edward was the son of Episcopal Bishop Alonzo Potter (1800–1865) [Box 1, Folders 69–71] and grandson of long-term Union College president Eliphalet Nott (1773–1866) [Box 1, Folder 68], for whom he designed the Nott Memorial on the Union College campus. The collection includes three year's worth of letters (1904-1906) from Julia Maria (Blatchford) Potter to her son, Julian Potter (1858–1913) [Box 2, Folders 1–7], who was then serving as U.S. Consul at Nassau, Bahamas.
Delano family: Louisa Millicent Windeatt (Potter) Sheffield, a daughter of Edward Tuckerman and Julia Maria (Blatchford) Potter, married the architect William Adams Delano (1874–1960). This portion of the collection consists mainly of letters written almost daily during the first decade of the 20th century to William by his father, the banker Eugene Delano (1844–1920), and mother, Susan Magoun (Adams) Delano (1848–1904).
Photograph albums: Three photograph albums depict various members of the Potter and Delano families at their homes (such as Muttontown Corners, the William Adams Delano estate at Syosset, Long Island), or traveling in Europe, for the years 1894 through 1935 [Box 3; Box 4; and Box 2, Folder 44].
Subjects
Organizations
Families
People
Access Restrictions
Open to qualified researchers.
Use Restrictions
This collection is owned by the New-York Historical Society. The copyright law of the United States governs the making of photocopies and protects unpublished materials as well as published materials. Unpublished materials created before January 1, 1978 cannot be quoted in publication without permission of the copyright holder. Photocopying undertaken by staff only. Limited to 20 exposures of stable, unbound material per day.
Preferred Citation
The collection should be cited as the "Blatchford, Potter, and Delano Family Papers, MS 3132, The New-York Historical Society."
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Julia Jorgenson Shelly, 2018 (accession no. MS-2018-036).
About this Guide
Processing Information
Archivist Joseph Ditta arranged and described this collection in June-July 2019.
Repository
Series I. Blatchford family, 1796-1865, 1895, inclusive
I.A. Rev. Samuel Blatchford (1767–1828)
Biographical / Historical
Presbyterian minister.
Letter from J. Smith, 1796 April 23
Scope and Contents
"J. Smith" was, possibly, John Blair Smith (1756-1799), first president of Union College, Schenectady, New York (1795-1799).
Letter to daughter, Mary Milford Windeatt Blatchford, 1813 November 10
Letters to wife, Alicia (Windeatt) Blatchford, 1817 May 15; 1824 May 17, inclusive
Biographical material, 1895, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Passage on Rev. Samuel Blatchford cut from The Bi-Centennial Celebration of the First Congregational Church and Society of Bridgeport, Connecticut, June 12th and 13th, 1895 (New Haven: Tuttle, Morehouse, and Taylor, 1895), 36-38, and illustration following 26.
I.B. Alicia (Windeatt) Blatchford (1767–1846)
Biographical / Historical
Wife of Rev. Samuel Blatchford [I.A].
Letter to son, Richard Milford Blatchford, 1828 February 11
Condolence letter on her death to the Misses Blatchford, 1846 December 7
I.C. Mary Milford Windeatt Blatchford (1790–1847)
Biographical / Historical
Daughter of Rev. Samuel Blatchford [I.A] and Alicia (Windeatt) Blatchford [I.B].
Letter to nephew, Samuel Blatchford, 1830 May, inclusive
I.D. Richard Milford Blatchford (1798–1875)
Biographical / Historical
Attorney and political figure. Member of the New York State Assembly (1855) and 4th United States Minister to the Papal States (1862-1863). Son of Rev. Samuel Blatchford [I.A] and Alicia (Windeatt) Blatchford [I.B].
Death notice for sister, Alicia Windeatt Blatchford (1791–1808), 1810 April 3
Chancery license, 1826 June 19
Letters to wife, Julia Ann (Mumford) Blatchford, 1818, 1846-1847, 1850, undated, inclusive
Letters to son, Samuel Blatchford, 1827-1828, inclusive
Letters to son, Samuel Blatchford, 1830, 1832, inclusive
Letters to son, Samuel Blatchford, 1834, inclusive
Letters to son, Samuel Blatchford, 1836-1838, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Letter of April 14, 1836 includes doodled portrait of a man on verso.
Letters to son, Samuel Blatchford, 1839, inclusive
Letters to son, Samuel Blatchford, 1840, inclusive
Letters to son, Samuel Blatchford, 1841, 1843-1844, inclusive
Letters to son, Samuel Blatchford, 1846-1849, inclusive
Letters to son, Samuel Blatchford, 1850-1853, inclusive
Letters to son, Samuel Blatchford, 1862, inclusive
Letters to son, Samuel Blatchford, 1863, inclusive
Letters to daughter, Julia Maria (Blatchford) Potter, 1842, 1844-1846, 1850, inclusive
Letter from Eliphalet Nott, 1846 December 7
Account of monies due from William H. Seward, 1844 January 1; 1845 January 1, inclusive
Letter from William H. Seward, 1855 February 7
Letter from Daniel Webster, 1847 July 5
I.E. Julia Ann (Mumford) Blatchford (1798–1857)
Biographical / Historical
First wife of Richard Milford Blatchford [I.D].
Letter to mother, Mary J. Mumford, 1832 September 25
Letters to husband, Richard Milford Blatchford, 1835, inclusive
Letters to husband, Richard Milford Blatchford, 1841, inclusive
Letters to husband, Richard Milford Blatchford, 1842, inclusive
Letters to husband, Richard Milford Blatchford, 1846-1848, inclusive
Letters to husband, Richard Milford Blatchford, 1850-1851, inclusive
Letters to son, Samuel Blatchford, 1828, inclusive
Letters to son, Samuel Blatchford, 1830, 1832, inclusive
Letters to son, Samuel Blatchford, 1834, 1836, inclusive
Letters to son, Samuel Blatchford, 1838-1839, inclusive
Letters to son, Samuel Blatchford, 1840-1841, 1845, inclusive
Letter to daughter, Mary Milford (Blatchford) Griswold, 1842 October 27
Letters to daughter, Julia Maria (Blatchford) Potter, 1845-1847, inclusive
I.F. Samuel Blatchford (1820–1893)
Biographical / Historical
Jurist. Served in 1840 as private secretary to New York State Governor William H. Seward, his father's college friend and law partner. Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (1867-1878); Judge of the United States Circuit Court for the Second Circuit (1878-1882); Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (1882-1893). Son of Richard Milford Blatchford [I.D] and Julia Ann (Mumford) Blatchford [I.E].
Letters to father, Richard Milford Blatchford, 1835, 1847, 1850-1851, 1855, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Letter of July 5, 1847 exhibited in Two Centuries of the Law: Cravath, Swaine & Moore at the New-York Historical Society, March 22 – June 9, 2019.
Letters to mother, Julia Ann (Mumford) Blatchford, 1838, 1846-1847, inclusive
Letters to aunt, Ethelinda Jane (Blatchford) Corbin, 1836, 1838, inclusive
Columbia College records, 1824-1838, inclusive
New York State bar admission certificate, 1842 January 25
Correspondence with William H. Seward, 1841-1844, inclusive
I.G. Caroline Frances (Appleton) Blatchford (1817–1901)
Biographical / Historical
Wife of Samuel Blatchford [I.F].
Letter to mother-in-law, Julia Ann (Mumford) Blatchford, 1850 April 14
I.H. Mary Milford (Blatchford) Griswold (1823–1852)
Biographical / Historical
Daughter of Richard Milford Blatchford [I.D] and Julia Ann (Mumford) Blatchford [I.E].
Letters to father, Richard Milford Blatchford, 1835, 1840, 1850, inclusive
Letters to mother, Julia Ann (Mumford) Blatchford, 1840, 1846, 1850, undated, inclusive
Letters to brother, Samuel Blatchford, 1832, 1839, inclusive
Letter to sister, Julia Maria (Blatchford) Potter, undated, inclusive
I.I. Julia Maria (Blatchford) Potter (1834–1922)
Biographical / Historical
Daughter of Richard Milford Blatchford [I.D] and Julia Ann (Mumford) Blatchford [I.E]; wife of Edward Tuckerman Potter [II.C]. See also her letters to Potter family members under Sub-series II.D.
Letters to father, Richard Milford Blatchford, 1845-1846, 1850-1851, inclusive
Letters to mother, Julia Ann (Mumford) Blatchford, 1850-1851, undated, inclusive
Letter to brother, Samuel Blatchford, 1847 April 2
Letter to sister-in-law, Caroline Frances (Appleton) Blatchford, 1844 November 1
Letter to sister, Mary Milford (Blatchford) Griswold, 1847 January 8
Letter from Caroline (LeRoy) Webster, 1845 December 17
Scope and Contents
Note accompanying flowers sent to Julia and her sister Ethelinda by Caroline (LeRoy) Webster (1797–1882), second wife of Daniel Webster.
Mumford and Potter families genealogical and heraldic information, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Facsimile of Mumford family bible records, and a note recording the Potter family's ancestral homes in England and their coat of arms. The donor believes these items to have originated with her great-grandmother, Julia Maria (Blatchford) Potter (1834–1922).
I.J. Sophia Ethelinda Blatchford (1836–1908)
Biographical / Historical
Daughter of Richard Milford Blatchford [I.D] and Julia Ann (Mumford) Blatchford [I.E].
Letters to father, Richard Milford Blatchford, 1844, 1850-1851, inclusive
Letters to mother, Julia Ann (Mumford) Blatchford, 1850-1851, undated, inclusive
Letter to brother, Samuel Blatchford, 1850 January 25
I.K. Thomas Windeatt Blatchford (1794–1866)
Biographical / Historical
Physician. Son of Rev. Samuel Blatchford [I.A] and Alicia (Windeatt) Blatchford [I.B].
Letter to nephew, Samuel Blatchford, 1828 October 11
I.L. Frances (Wickes) Blatchford (1805–1875)
Biographical / Historical
Wife of John Blatchford (1799-1855); mother of John Samuel Blatchford [I.M].
Letters to sister-in-law, Ethelinda Jane (Blatchford) Corbin, 1840 January 1, undated, inclusive
I.M. John Samuel Blatchford (1831–1912)
Biographical / Historical
Son of John Blatchford (1799-1855) and Frances (Wickes) Blatchford [I.L].
Letters to aunt, Ethelinda Jane (Blatchford) Corbin, 1840 September 19; 1844 May 7, inclusive
I.N. Ethelinda Jane (Blatchford) Corbin (1805–1879)
Biographical / Historical
Daughter of Rev. Samuel Blatchford [I.A] and Alicia (Windeatt) Blatchford [I.B].
Letters to nephew, Samuel Blatchford, 1844 December 5; undated, inclusive
I.O. Edgecumbe Heath Blatchford (1811–1853)
Biographical / Historical
Son of Rev. Samuel Blatchford [I.A] and Alicia (Windeatt) Blatchford [I.B].
Letter to brother, Richard Milford Blatchford, 1834 [1837?] October 10
I.P. Blatchford miscellaneous
Broadsides and newspaper photocopy, 1844, 1852, 1865, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Contains:
1. Broadside, "SUPPRESSED LETTER. With all our persuading, we cannot induce one Whig paper in or near this city to publish the latest letter of their great leader, Henry Clay. THEY DARE NOT PUBLISH IT. They have brought his kinsman and neighbor here to say that which Henry Clay says is a misrepresentation of his views. Read it." September 2, 1844, Ashland, Kentucky
2. Broadside, "National Anniversary, July 4, 1852, at Auburn [New York]."
3. Photostat of front page of The New York Herald, April 15, 1865, announcing "Assassination of President Lincoln."
Poetic and biblical verses, 1855 September 23; undated, inclusive
Series II. Potter family, 1804-1906, 1995, inclusive
II.A. Eliphalet Nott (1773–1866)
Biographical / Historical
Presbyterian minister. Long-term president (1805-1866) of Union College, Schenectady, New York.
Correspondence with Mary Tillotson, 1804 March, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Copy of a letter from Mary Tillotson to Eliphalet Nott, offering to become the guardian of Nott's daughter, Maria, after her mother, Sarah Marie (Benedict) Nott died on 10 March 1804. With a copy of Nott's response. Maria was Sarah Maria Nott (1799-1839), who married Alonzo Potter [II.B].
II.B. Alonzo Potter (1800–1865)
Biographical / Historical
Episcopal Bishop of Pennsylvania. Son-in-law of Eliphalet Nott [II.A].
Note regarding Edward Tuckerman (1817–1886), [1842 November 9]
Scope and Contents
Edward Tuckerman (1817-1886) was a botanist who attended Union College at Schenectady, New York, where Alonzo Potter had been Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in 1821-1826. It is unclear what relation he had, if any, to Potter, that would have led Potter to name his son Edward Tuckerman Potter.
Letter [photostat] to the employer of one of his sons, 1854 March 19
Letter to son, Edward Tuckerman Potter, 1865 June 14
II.C. Edward Tuckerman Potter (1831–1904)
Biographical / Historical
Architect, best known for designing the Mark Twain House (1871) in Hartford, Connecticut, and Nott Memorial (1858-1879) at Union College, Schenectady, New York, in honor of his maternal grandfather, the school's long-serving president, Eliphalet Nott [II.A]. Son of Alonzo Potter [II.B].
Photographic portrait, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Cabinet card photographic portrait (4 x 6.5 inches) of Edward Tuckerman Potter, stamped on verso "Hanns Hanfstaengl / C. A. Teich / K. S. Hof-Photograph / Dresden."
Award photograph | American Institute medal, 1890, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Two glass plate negatives (4.5 x 5.5 inches).
obverse:
AMERICAN INSTITUTE / NEW-YORK
reverse:
THE MEDAL OF SUPERIORITY / AWARDED / TO / Edwd. T. Potter, / For a Model of an / Improved Tenement House / 1890
Award photograph | World's Columbian Exposition medal, [1893], inclusive
Scope and Contents
Two glass plate negatives (4.5 x 5.5 inches).
obverse:
[full-length portrait of Christopher Columbus]
PLUS / ULTRA / CHRISTOPHER / COLUMBUS / OCT / XII / MCCCCXCII / AUGUSTUS SAINT-GAUDENS FECIT
reverse:
WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION / IN COMMEMORATION OF THE / FOUR HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY / OF THE LANDING OF COLUMBUS / MDCCCCXCII - MDCCCCXCIII / TO EDW. T. POTTER
Award photograph | World's Columbian Commission plaque, 1893, inclusive
Scope and Contents
One glass plate negative (6.5 x 8.5 inches).
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / BY ACT OF THEIR CONGRESS HAVE AUTHORIZED / THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN COMMISSION / AT THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION HELD IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO, STATE OF ILLINOIS, IN THE YEAR 1893, / TO DECREE A MEDAL FOR SPECIFIC MERIT WHICH IS SET FORTH BELOW OVER THE NAME OF AN INDIVIDUAL / JUDGE ACTING AS AN EXAMINER, UPON THE FINDING OF A BOARD OF INTERNATIONAL JUDGES, TO / EDWARD T. POTTER, NEWPORT, R.I. / EXHIBIT / A SYSTEM FOR CONCENTRATED RESIDENCES / AWARD / FOR ECONOMY, COMFORT, AND HEALTHFUL LIVING, BY RESTRICTING ROOM SPACE TO A / MINIMUM THE PLAN GIVES THE GREATES AMOUNT OF LIGHT, VENTILATION, / AND PRIVACY POSSIBLE UNDER THE LIMITATIONS / OF CONCENTRATED DWELLING.
[Concentrated residence studies from 1854 to 1901], circa 1902, inclusive
Scope and Contents
A self-published volume of pamphlets, papers, and offprints, chiefly relating to Potter's designs for model tenements. It includes some of his poetry and song lyrics. See copy at Van Pelt Library, University of Pennsylvania.
Nott Memorial at Union College, 1995, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Contains a brochure, "The Nott Memorial: A National Historic Landmark at Union College," and two copies of an article by Fred R. Bleakley, "Did Union College Scorn Monumental Folly? Nott," from the Wall Street Journal, March 21, 1995.
II.D. Julia Maria (Blatchford) Potter (1834–1922)
Biographical / Historical
Wife of Edward Tuckerman Potter [II.C]; daughter of Richard Milford Blatchford [I.D] and Julia Ann (Mumford) Blatchford [I.E]. See also her letters to Blatchford family members under Sub-series I.I.
Letters to son, Julian Potter, 1904 January-June, inclusive
Letters to son, Julian Potter, 1904 August-December, inclusive
Letters to son, Julian Potter, 1905 January-April, inclusive
Letters to son, Julian Potter, 1905 May-August, inclusive
Letters to son, Julian Potter, 1905 September-December, inclusive
Letters to son, Julian Potter, 1906 January-June, inclusive
Letters to son, Julian Potter, 1906 July-December, inclusive
Letter to daughter-in-law, Alice (Pixley) Potter, 1904 May 26
II.E. Julian Potter (1858–1913)
Biographical / Historical
Banker and diplomat. Appointed U.S. Consul at Nassau, Bahamas in October 1900, serving nine years. Son of Edward Tuckerman Potter [II.C] and Julia Maria (Blatchford) Potter [II.D].
Correspondence with John Hay, 1904 May [20], June 6, inclusive
Letters received, 1904, 1906, inclusive
Cable to mother, Julia Maria (Blatchford) Potter, 1905 October 24
Scope and Contents
Announcement of birth of daughter, Julia Anne Dorothea Potter, at Nassau, Bahamas, October 24, 1905.
II.F. Robert Francis Potter (1864–1930)
Biographical / Historical
Son of Edward Tuckerman Potter [II.C] and Julia Maria (Blatchford) Potter [II.D].
Letter to his maternal grandfather, Richard Milford Blatchford, [1869-1875], inclusive
II.G. Eliphalet Nott Potter (1836–1901)
Biographical / Historical
Clergyman and 7th president (1871-1884) of Union College, Schenectady, New York. Son of Alonzo Potter [II.B].
Union College, 1882 September, inclusive
Newspaper clipping, 1897 May 3
Scope and Contents
"TRINITY'S CELEBRATION. / WIDESPREAD EDUCATIONAL INFLUENCE OF THE CHURCH. / Address by the Rev. Dr. Eliphalet Nott Potter--Elaborate Decorations--A Large Number of Visitors." The New York Times, Monday, May 3, 1897.
II.H. Maria Louisa (Potter) Thompson (1839–1916)
Biographical / Historical
Daughter of Alonzo Potter [II.B]; wife of sculptor Launt Thompson (1833-1894).
Newspaper clipping, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Description of a ball given by Mrs. Thompson, who lived in Italy, from an unidentified, undated newspaper: "Court Festivities at Florence. The Prince and Princess of Naples Give New Life to the Social Gayeties of the Tuscan Capital."
II.I. Newspaper clippings, circa 1837-1887, inclusive
Miscellaneous clippings saved by Potter [?] family, circa 1837-1887, inclusive
Series III. Delano family, 1895-1948, inclusive
III.A. Eugene Delano (1844–1920)
Biographical / Historical
Banker; partner in Brown Brothers & Co. (now Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.).
Letters to wife, Suan Magoun (Adams) Delano, 1899, inclusive
Letters to son, William Adams Delano, 1895, 1898, inclusive
Letters to son, William Adams Delano, 1899, inclusive
Letters to son, William Adams Delano, 1900, inclusive
Letters to son, William Adams Delano, 1901, inclusive
Letters to son, William Adams Delano, 1902, inclusive
Letters to son, William Adams Delano, 1903, inclusive
Letters to son, William Adams Delano, 1907-1908, 1910-1911, inclusive
Letters to son, William Adams Delano, 1914, inclusive
Letter to son, William Adams Delano, 1919 December 25
III.B. Susan Magoun (Adams) Delano (1848–1904)
Biographical / Historical
Wife of Eugene Delano [III.A].
Letters to son, William Adams Delano, 1898, inclusive
Letters to son, William Adams Delano, 1899 January-April, inclusive
Letters to son, William Adams Delano, 1899 July-September, inclusive
Letters to son, William Adams Delano, 1899 October-December, inclusive
Letters to son, William Adams Delano, 1900 January-April, inclusive
Letters to son, William Adams Delano, 1900 May-November, inclusive
Letters to son, William Adams Delano, 1901 January-June, inclusive
Letters to son, William Adams Delano, 1901 July-December, inclusive
Letters to son, William Adams Delano, 1902, inclusive
Letters to son, William Adams Delano, 1903, inclusive
Letters to son, William Adams Delano, undated, inclusive
III.C. William Adams Delano (1874–1960)
Biographical / Historical
Architect, in partnership with Chester Holmes Aldrich as Delano & Aldrich, designers in the Beaux-Arts tradition. Son of Eugene Delano [III.A] and Susan Magoun (Adams) Delano [III.B]. Second husband of Louisa Millicent Windeatt (Potter) Sheffield, a daughter of Edward Tuckerman Potter and Julia Maria (Blatchford) Potter.
Letter from unidentified correspondent, 1912, inclusive
Scope and Contents
In French.
Letter from Edwin Martin Watson, 1943 April 8
Scope and Contents
Edwin Martin "Pa" Watson (1883-1945), a senior aide to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, writes to William Adams Delano regarding his son Richard's meeting with the President. The younger Delano invented a method of solar-powered water desalination for use in pilot rescue kits, the "Delano Sunstill," which he had demonstrated to Roosevelt. (The Delanos were distant cousins of the president.)
Letter from "Lina", undated, inclusive
Documents Supporting Delano & Aldrich's Argument for Loading Passengers on Planes by Buses at Idlewild Airport (4 copies + map), 1945, 1948, inclusive
III.D. William Richard Potter Delano (1909–2000)
Biographical / Historical
Inventor (see Box 2, Folder 39). Son of William Adams Delano [III.C] and Louisa Millicent Windeatt (Potter) Sheffield Delano.
Letter to father, William Adams Delano, 1918 December 14
III.E. Moreau Delano (1877–1936)
Biographical / Historical
Banker with Brown Bros. & Co. (now Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.). Son of Eugene Delano [III.A] and Susan Magoun (Adams) Delano [III.B].
Letter to mother, Susan Magoun (Adams) Delano, 1901 August 6
Series IV. Photograph albums, circa 1894-1935, inclusive
Scope and Contents
According to the donor, the photographs in the following albums range in date from 1894 to 1945 (on inspection the documented years appear to cover 1894-1935) and depict the family of Edward Tuckerman Potter and his wife, Julia Blatchford Potter:
"Edward Tuckerman (Papa) rarely seen except perhaps in Newport RI where he lived at 25 Catherine St. House is shown. Once in Europe. He was from a big family [of] brothers[:] Robert, Nelson, Eliphalet, Henry Codman, William, Howard, Frank, [and] sister Maria[,] who married Launt Thompson[,] the sculptor. No photos. He [Edward Tuckerman Potter] and Julia had eight children[:] Edward, Ethel, Richard, Robert, Julian, Howard, and the youngest[,] Louisa Millicent Windeatt Potter (Sheffield) Delano[,] and Julia Dorothea Cecil Seden (Potter) McIlvaine."
"Julia Blatchford[,] also known as Mamma[,] and Louisa and Julia Dorothea and their families were the owners of these books and the main subjects. Several years spent in Europe with her two daughters Louisa and Julia Dorothea. The idea was to marry royalty. That did not happen but the photos with Royalty. Much golf and tennis and horseback riding all over Europe. Many travel photos."
"Louisa Millicent Windeatt Potter (married to Sheffield but I cannot find any photos, he died after one year) known as Louie, LP[,] and LPD. She was married to William Adams Delano[,] who is also known as WAD and Bill. (The principal of Delano & Aldrich.) They were in Europe often and in August of 1914 had to escape in a late night ferry "packed in like the proverbial sardines" from Houlgate [France]. Her son[,] William Richard Potter Delano [was] also known as Dicky. Most photos from the 1930s in Delano albums. They often include the children of Dolly and Tom McIlvaine[,] especially Sandy (Alexander). Also Diana and Dorothea."
"Dorothea Cecil Selden Potter[,] known as Dolly[,] married to Tompkins McIlvaine[,] also known as Tom or McI. Her children [were] Alexander, Julia Dorothea, [and] Diana."
"Delano home in Syosset called Muttontown Corners. May pictures of house and gardens and at least one of the stables."
"WRP Delano[,] i.e., Dicky[,] and his first wife[,] Dorothea Lehmann[,] and their son[,] William[,] also known as Billy. WRPD was an inventor who invented the Delano Sunstill to make fresh water from salt water. Also owned Delano Studios in Setauket."
"Alexander McIlvaine[,] also known as Sandy. Architect who committed suicide in 1985."
"Julia Dorothea (Doro) McIlvaine married to Edvard Jorgensen. Also known as Bunty (when a baby[,] after the British play) [or the English-language nursery rhyme, "Bye, baby Bunting"?] and her sister[,] Diana."