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Myers-Mason-Bailey family papers, 1790-1919

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Summary

Creator:
James, Cassie Mason Myers
Abstract:
The Myers-Mason-Bailey family papers are made up of correspondence, military records, invitations, and ephemera pertaining to Mordecai Myers; his wife, Charlotte Bailey; and their descendants. Much of the collection is housed in four large bound volumes dedicated to Theodorus Bailey Myers, compiled by his daughter Cassie.
Extent:
1.5 linear feet
Language:
English
Authors:
Collection processed and finding aid created by Clements Staff, November 2006, and Meg Hixon, January 2013

Background

Scope and Content:

The Myers-Mason-Bailey family papers are made up of correspondence, military records, invitations, and ephemera pertaining to Mordecai Myers; his wife, Charlotte Bailey; and their descendants. Much of the collection is housed in four large bound volumes compiled by Cassie Mason Myers James (also known as Cassie Julian-James).

The Correspondence series (52 items) contains incoming letters to members of the Bailey, Myers, and Mason families throughout the 19th century. A group of 18 items pertains to the military service of Mordecai Myers, a captain in the 13th Infantry Regiment during the War of 1812. Most of these concern supplies, orders, and other military matters related to the war in northern New York. Myers received personal letters from his son until the early 1840s. Additionally, the series contains a sheet of manuscript poems dated March 25, 1820, and April 12, 1820. Other items include letters to Sidney Mason from his brothers and letters by Theodorus B. M. Mason about his service on the Pensacola in the mid-1870s. Later items also pertain to Theodorus Mason's naval service.

The Military Orders series (15 items) relates to Mordecai Myers and the War of 1812 in New York. The orders mention troop movements, courts martial, and regulations. An undated return for Mordecai Myers's regiment is also present.

The Invitations, Receipt, Valentine, and Ephemera series includes invitations, programs, and other items addressed to members of the Mason family and to Cassie James. Many items are invitations for James and other members of her family to meet prominent political individuals, such as international ambassadors and members of the United States Cabinet, in the 1910s; one card invites "Lieutenant Commander and Mrs. T. B. James" to a reception hosted by William McKinley and his wife at the executive mansion on January 25, 1899. The receipt documents Sidney Mason's subscription to the American Jockey Club (September 20, 1867). Some items enclose newspaper clippings.

Cassie Mason Myers James compiled 4 volumes of Miscellanies Relating to Theodorus Bailey Myers , her father, in the early 20th century. The books contain correspondence, documents, photographs, publications, newspaper clippings, obituaries, visiting cards, ephemera, family trees, and other material related to various members of the Myers family, including Mordecai Myers, Theodorus Bailey Myers, and Theodorus Bailey Myers Mason. Much of the material is comprised of personal letters between family members, including letters from Theodorus Bailey Myers to his wife Catalina and daughter Cassie, and letters from Theodorus B. M. Mason to his sister Cassie, mother Catalina, and wife Edmonia. Passport documents for Catalina Myers and Cassie Mason James, dated between 1871 and 1897, appear throughout the fourth volume. Other items pertain to the Myers' and Masons' service in the United States Army and United States Navy throughout the 19th century, including participation in the War of 1812 and the Civil War. The photographs, which include formal studio portraits, outdoor photographs, and photographs of paintings, show family members, interiors and exteriors of residences, gravestones, and memorabilia.

Biographical / Historical:

Mordecai Myers was born in Newport, Rhode Island, on May 1, 1776. After living in New York, New York, and Richmond, Virginia, he studied military tactics and joined the New York Militia. During the War of 1812, he served in northern New York as a captain in the United States Army's 13th Infantry Regiment. He later served in the New York State Assembly and as mayor of Schenectady, New York. Myers married Charlotte Bailey (October 12, 1796-February 15, 1848), the daughter of William Bailey and Hannah Hagerman of Plattsburgh, New York, on January 24, 1814. They had ten children: Henrietta, William Bailey, Catherine Bailey ("Kate"), Theodorus Bailey, Charlotte Bailey, Maria Louisa, Algernon Sydney, Edward Van Wyck, Charles William, and Frances. Mordecai Myers died on January 20, 1871.

Theodorus Bailey Myers was born in New York, New York, on December 13, 1821, the son of Mordecai Myers and Charlotte Bailey, and was named after his great-uncle, U.S. Senator Theodorus Bailey (1758-1828), and his uncle, Rear Admiral Theodorus Bailey (1805-1877). After attending Columbia Grammar School and the Kinderhook Academy, he practiced law. During the Civil War, he joined the 12th New York Militia Regiment and served on Benjamin Butler's staff. He married Catalina Juliana Mason (1824-1905), the daughter of Sidney Mason, U.S. Consul to Puerto Rico, and they had two children, Theodorus Bailey and Cassie Mason. Theodorus Bailey Myers died on June 16, 1888.

The younger Theodorus Bailey Myers was born in New York, New York, on May 8, 1849, the son of Theodorus Bailey Myers and Catalina Juliana Mason. At the request of his maternal grandfather, Sidney Mason, he later used the surname Mason. He studied at the Charlier Institute before entering the United States Naval Academy in 1864. After graduating in 1868, he served in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and South Pacific. He also worked for the Navy Department in Washington, D.C., taught French at the Naval Academy, and organized the Bureau of Naval Intelligence. In 1894, he retired as a lieutenant commander. He married Edmonia Taylor Phelps in 1875. Theodorus Bailey Myers Mason died on October 15, 1899.

Cassie Mason Myers, the daughter of Theodorus Bailey Myers and Catalina Juliana Mason, grew up in New York. She married Julian James (1844-1870) on June 17, 1869.

Acquisition Information:
1990, 1991, 2004. M-2600, M-2616, M-4409.16 .
Processing information:

Cataloging funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). This collection has been processed according to minimal processing procedures and may be revised, expanded, or updated in the future.

Arrangement:
The collection is arranged in the following series:
  • Series I: Correspondence
  • Series II: Military Orders
  • Series III: Invitations, Receipt, Valentine, and Ephemera
  • Series IV: Miscellanies Relating to Theodorus Bailey Myers

The Correspondence and Military Orders series are arranged chronologically, with undated items placed at the end. The final series consists of four bound volumes.

Rules or Conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Contents

Using These Materials

Info for Visitors

How to Request

Ordering Reproductions

Download PDF Finding Aid
RESTRICTIONS:

The collection is open for research.

USE & PERMISSIONS:

Copyright status is unknown

PREFERRED CITATION:

Myers-Mason-Bailey Family Papers, William L. Clements Library, The University of Michigan

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Collection

Myers-Mason-Bailey family papers, 1790-1919
Total components 8
Last indexed 2025-02-09