Ogden E. Edwards Family Papers, 1820-1938

Summary

Creator:

Ogden Ellery Edwards, II, 1829-1918

Abstract:

The Ogden E. Edwards Family Papers span over a hundred years (1820-1938) and through multiple generations of the Edwards' family. The focus of this resource is primarily on Ogden Ellery Edwards II, who acted as a businessman as well as an American consul in the Philippines after leaving California in the early 1850s. The resource is made up by letters between members of the Edwards family and their acquaintances, personal recollections from Ogden Ellery Edwards II, and various print materials.

Extent:

1 Linear Foot
1 Record Center Box
Many letters are fragile, some have already torn where they had been folded.

Authors:

Finding aid created by John Bergstrom using ArchiveSpace, 2024.

Background

Scope and Content:

The Ogden E. Edwards Family Papers consists of correspondence and other genealogical records that trace the family history of Ogden Ellery Edwards II, who had a prolonged stay in the Philippines (specifically, in Manila) operating a trade venture. It includes records of the generations before and after Edwards II, as well as specific writings reflecting on his time in the Philippines. This collection contains four series: Correspondence, Manuscript, Diary, Visual Material, and Periodicals.

Other members of the family featured in this collection, include, but are not limited to: Ogden Ellery Edwards I, Catherine Shepherd, Nellie Edwards, Annie Edwards, Fanny Edwards, Robert Edwards, Warren Rogers II, Henrietta Shepherd, Ogden Ellery Edwards III, and Ogden Ellery Edwards IV.

Biographical / Historical:

Note content adapted from collection materials unless otherwise stated.

This resource traces the history of four generations in the family of Ogden E. Edwards, descendants of theologian Jonathan Edwards, but especially focuses on the life of Ogden Ellery Edwards II (1829-1918). After finding work as a miner--and eventually becoming the head of a small company of miners--on the Yuba River during the California Gold Rush, Ogden E. Edwards II traveled further west towards China (arriving in Hong Kong prior to departing for Manila in 1852). Upon his arrival in the Philippines, Edwards began work as a clerk before becoming a partner at the same custom house in a few years. Though frequently traveling and meeting with officials of the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, both socially and professionally (through his customs work as well as his role as an American consul), Edwards maintained frequent correspondence with his family, including his brother, Lieutenant Robert S. Edwards. This collection houses two folders of these letters from Ogden prior to Robert's service with the Union Army during the US Civil War (University of Notre Dame Rare Books Special Collections, Robert S. Edwards Papers, accessed November 2024, https://archivesspace.library.nd.edu/repositories/3/resources/1421).

Acquisition Information:

Unknown

Processing information:

Initial processing work began by Special Collections staff at an unknown time. Arrangment completed by John Bergstrom, November 2024.

Arrangement:

The original order of this material, and its arranger, is unknown, however, the order had been maintained as found. The folder headings were preserved with additions to signal the relationship between the sender and receiver for the Correspondence series. Similarly, the order of the folders were left in accordance with this received arrangement. The folders containing letters are sorted by sender (with few exceptions) and are placed before the other series--which include Manuscripts, Visual Materials, and Periodicals.

Rules or Conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Subjects

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Places:

Philippines -- History -- 1812-1898
Philippines -- Foreign relations -- United States
Philippines -- Commerce
California -- Gold discoveries