David Wagstaff papers

The David Wagstaff Papers contain personal papers and materials collected by David Wagstaff, including travel diaries, papers related to fishing on the Restigouche River in the province of Québec, catalog cards of Wagstaff's collection of sporting books, photographs, shooting targets and awards. The Papers have been arranged into two series; Personal Papers and Materials Collected by David Wagstaff. The Papers span the years 1824-1950, but the bulk of the materials date from the period 1907-1950.

Series I, Personal Papers , contains travel diaries, materials related to the Restigouche Riparian Associations, materials related to the Ristigouche Salmon Club in Matapédia, Québec, of which Wagstaff was a member, and other papers. The travel diaries document cruises and trips taken by Wagstaff between 1907-1921. Many of the diaries include photographs of the scenery, Wagstaff's companions and the fish they caught. The Restigouche Riparian Association materials consist of annual reports, records of fish caught by local fishing groups and individuals, treasurer's reports, and other papers. The Ristigouche Salmon Club materials contain correspondence, organizational records, financial records, and photographs. Included are letters from the Club and its members to David Wagstaff, generally concerning the Club's plans for the fishing season and the state of the Club and the Restigouche River. Also included are copies of letters from the Club to various members. The organizational records include annual reports, fishing records, and fishing rules and regulations. Financial records consist of bills and receipts sent to Wagstaff for membership fees and other Club-related expenses. The photographs include pictures of Club members and staff, and scenes of the Club and the Restigouche River area. Other personal papers include blank Christmas cards from Wagstaff and his wife Isabelle, hunting and fishing licenses, a scrapbook of newspaper clippings entitled "In Memoriam. Wesley Hunt Tilford," the Last Will and Testament of an earlier David Wagstaff, and catalog cards of Wagstaff's collection of sporting books.

Series II, Materials Collected by David Wagstaff , contains materials related to hunting, fishing and shooting, generally from the nineteenth century. Included are clippings from newspapers and magazines about hunting and fishing, programs for shooting competitions, and illustrated shooting targets and awards. Photographs include portraits of men and a woman in various shooting poses, a rifle match, a portrait of the American Rifle Team of 1880, and two photograph albums: one with portraits and signatures of members of the New York (State) Legislature Assembly of 1867, and one containing portraits of the United States Military Academy (West Point) class of 1861.