John Bearss Newcomb Papers
Collection
Identifier: Midwest-MS-Newcomb
Scope and Content of the Collection
Correspondence, personal documents, and genealogical information collected by John Bearss Newcomb, 1737-1896. Includes correspondence between Newcomb family members, originating from Elgin, Illinois and New York State. Topics include the Civil War, topical modes of employment and health. Also contains extensive genealogical evidence of the Newcomb family and to a lesser extent, Bearss and Connabell families.
Dates
- 1737-1896
- Majority of material found within 1837 - 1896
Creator
- Newcomb, John Bearss (Person)
Language
Materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The John Bearss Newcomb Papers are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time (Priority III).
Ownership and Literary Rights
The John Bearss Newcomb Papers are the physical property of the Newberry Library. Copyright may belong to the authors or their legal heirs or assigns. For permission to publish or reproduce any materials from this collection, contact the Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections.
Biography of John Bearss Newcomb
Elgin, Illinois educator, businessman, and genealogist.
John Bearss Newcomb was born July 1, 1824 in Fabius, Onondaga County, New York. His family moved to Illinois, near Plainfield in 1837. After the death of his parents in 1840, he moved to Elgin, Illinois. He married Arethusa Gould in 1850.
In 1846, he founded The Select School or Elgin Academy, where he served as teacher and superintendent for approximately 21 years. He was elected as City Sexton in 1864, and was superintendent of the Bluff City Cemetery in Elgin, which he was responsible for establishing.
Over a period of 10 years, he was engaged in compiling genealogical materials regarding the Newcomb Family and published a book on this subject in 1873. To a lesser extent, he also collected information on the Bearss and Connabell Family and historical documents relating to the town of Elgin, Illinois.
John Bearss Newcomb was born July 1, 1824 in Fabius, Onondaga County, New York. His family moved to Illinois, near Plainfield in 1837. After the death of his parents in 1840, he moved to Elgin, Illinois. He married Arethusa Gould in 1850.
In 1846, he founded The Select School or Elgin Academy, where he served as teacher and superintendent for approximately 21 years. He was elected as City Sexton in 1864, and was superintendent of the Bluff City Cemetery in Elgin, which he was responsible for establishing.
Over a period of 10 years, he was engaged in compiling genealogical materials regarding the Newcomb Family and published a book on this subject in 1873. To a lesser extent, he also collected information on the Bearss and Connabell Family and historical documents relating to the town of Elgin, Illinois.
Extent
3 Linear Feet (7 boxes)
Abstract
Correspondence and personal material of John Bearss Newcomb, Elgin, Illinois schoolmaster and businessman. Also extensive genealogical records of the Newcomb Family, daybooks and miscellaneous legal and business items. Historical items relating to the town of Elgin, Illinois in the 19th century and some Civil War records.
Organization
Papers are organized in the following series
- Series 1: Newcomb Family Correspondence, 1737-1896
- Box 1
- Series 2: Newcomb Family Documents, 1820-1895
- Box 2
- Series 3: Newcomb Family Genealogy, 1861-1873
- Boxes 3-4
- Series 4: Elgin, Illinois Records, 1840-1896
- Box 5
- Series 5: Daybooks and Account Ledgers, 1837-1892
- Box 6
- Series 6: Related Family Genealogy and Civil War Documents, 1818-1872
- Box 7
Collection Stack Location
1 26 5
Provenance
Gift to the Newberry Library
Processed by
Lisa Baldassari, 2000.
- Accounts -- Illinois -- Elgin
- Bearse family
- Bluff City Cemetery (Elgin, Ill.)
- Cemeteries -- Illinois -- Elgin -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
- Connabell family
- Correspondence -- Illinois -- Elgin -- 1801-1850
- Correspondence -- Illinois -- Elgin -- 1851-1900
- Correspondence -- New York (State) -- 1751-1800
- Correspondence -- New York (State) -- 1801-1850
- Correspondence -- New York (State) -- 1851-1900
- Daybooks -- Illinois -- Elgin
- Educators -- Illinois -- Elgin
- Elgin (Ill.) -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
- Elgin Academy (Elgin, Ill.)
- Genealogical correspondence -- Illinois -- Elgin
- Genealogical correspondence -- New York (State)
- Genealogists -- Illinois -- Elgin
- Manuscripts, American
- Manuscripts, American -- Illinois -- Chicago
- Municipal officials and employees -- Illinois -- Elgin
- Newcomb, George
- Newcomb, John Bearss
- Newcomer family
- Private schools -- Illinois -- Elgin -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
Creator
- Newcomb, John Bearss (Person)
- Title
- Inventory of the John Bearss Newcomb Papers, 1737-1896, bulk 1837-1896
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Lisa Baldassari
- Date
- ©2004.
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512
reference@newberry.org
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512
reference@newberry.org