.
By Amelia Bathke, Margaret Daily and Sara Goldfarb, Pratt Institute, School of Information
Collection Overview
Abstract
Contained within this record group are the papers, photographs, clippings, notes, and memorabilia assembled by descendants of Pliny Freeman (1798-1879), noted nineteenth century businessman. Freeman died on May 5, 1879 and is interred at The Green-Wood Cemetery in Lot 47, Section 71.
Scope and Contents of the Materials
This collection contains an array of genealogical and biographical materials related to the Pliny Freeman's line of the Freeman family in America. Among Pliny Freeman's six children, there is a considerable amount of materials, including notes about and photographs of James Mairs Freeman (1839 - 1909), including a photocopy of his diary from September 9, 1857 to November 3, 1859 while a student at Harvard College, as well as other diary entries from 1860 to 1862. There are numerous other references and photographs to other Pliny Freeman's offspring and their siblings including: Elizabeth Mairs Freeman (1828-1900), Henry Pliny Freeman (b. 1833), Margaret Freeman (b. 1834), and Frederick Augustus Freeman (1836-1909).
Please note: In an earlier collection database, each item within these holdings was assigned an object identification number with additional information about the item. Identification numbers remain on each item in this collection and are clearly marked. A print out of the database spreadsheet is included in the file.
Collection Historical Note
Pliny Freeman was considered to be one of the 50 most influential19th century businessmen in the United States. He was one of the founders of the Long Island Railroad and the New York Life Insurance Company. He married Sara Mairs (1805-1867) on June 20, 1826 in Saratoga Springs, New York. They had six children among which was James Mairs Freeman (1839-1909) who was most know of Freeman siblings.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository:
The Green-Wood Cemetery
Processing Information:
011-2019
Other Note:
011-2019
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Series:
[
Series 1: Family Photographs],
[
Series 2: Personal Correspondence, 1926-2011],
[
Series 3: Newspaper Clippings, 1895 - 1999],
[
Series 4: Military Service Documents, 1916 - 1919],
[
Series 5: Business and Estate Documents, 1909 - 1983],
[
Series 6: Family Ephemera, 1859 - 2011],
[
Series 7: Freeman Genealogical Charts, Notes, Correspondence, and Family History Articles, 1988 - 2010],
[All]
- Series 1: Family Photographs
- Series contains photographs of the numerous members of the Freeman family from 1887 to 1999. They are largely portraits,with a sizeable number of other prints ,one tintype, and scanned images. Included are photographs of Pliny Freeman and his son James Mairs Freeman plus numerous images of other family members including Carolyn Jones, oldest daughter of Capatain Benjamin Jones, who married Arthur Freeman, son of James Mairs Freeman. Of the fifty-three (53) photographic items, there are seventeen (17) undated and two (2) unidentified images.
- Series 2: Personal Correspondence, 1926-2011
- Arranged chronologically, correspondence materials includes letters, notes and cards between family members regarding the family's genealogy, sympathy notes and letters of personal and family issues. Some of the correspondents include Helen Hopkins, Florence Freeman, Clarke A. Elliot, Christina M. Huff, Joan Neubauer, and Pete Delforge
- Series 3: Newspaper Clippings, 1895 - 1999
- Contained here are a variety of newspaper clippings and articles about the Freeman family. Of particular note is an 1895 article from the New York World Newspaper, entitled "Relics of Ravenwood; Historic Mansions of the Aristocratic Suburb that is now part of Long Island City" which describes the familal home of James Mais Freeman, son of Pliny Freeman. Other clippings cover family achievements throughout Long Island City and in Washington County, New York State and the obituary of Stephen Albert Freeman in 1999.
- Series 4: Military Service Documents, 1916 - 1919
- Contained in this series are three (3) documents related to the U.S. Naval service of James Mairs Freeman such as his award from the Italian government, dated October 1, 1919 with the award and ribbon presented to him by the Italian Ministry of Navy, dated March 1919 for Freeman's service in 1916.
- Series 5: Business and Estate Documents, 1909 - 1983
- Series contains hand written notes about family artifacts and documents; jewelry appraisals; death certificate of Helen Van Wyck Hopkins; funeral services invoice for Caroline Freeman; photocopy of Pliny Freeman's will; and inventory of family held assets.
- Series 6: Family Ephemera, 1859 - 2011
- Series contains a myraid of items related to various members of the Freeman family. Materials include typewritten lyrics to the song " The Saga of the Porch" written by Betsy Delforge's father; photocopy of James Mairs Freeman's diary,1857 to 1862 while a student at Harvard College; and a cache of handwritten dessert recipes of Helen Freeman Hopkins,daughter of James Mairs Freeman.
- Folder 1: Diary (photocopy) of James Mais Freeman and Lyrics to "Saga of a Porch", 1857 - 1940s
- Folder 2: Dessert recipes of Helen Freeman Hopkins,nd.
- Folder 3: James M Freeman - Builder- Professional Stationery
- Series 7: Freeman Genealogical Charts, Notes, Correspondence, and Family History Articles, 1988 - 2010
- Series materials include Freeman family trees, charts and research notes; extended family biographical information related to George Delforge, Jr., Jason Allen Delforge and Betsy Freeman Delforge and other allied family members; and correspondence between immediate and distant Freeman family members.
- Folder 1: Genealogical Correspondence, 1988 - 1994
- Folder 2: Basic Freeman Family Genealogical Research Notes, 1990
- Folder 3: Freeman Family Lineage Trees and Charts, 1998 - 2001
- Folder 4: Extended Freeman Family Biographical Information, 1986
- Folder 5: Freeman Family Historical and Biographical Literature, 1899 - 1958
- Folder 6: Miscellaneous Freeman Family Online Sources, 2011
