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Mailliard Family papers

 Collection
Call Number: MS 341

Scope and Contents

The Mailliard Family Papers extend from 1785-1896, although most of the material falls within the period ca. 1817-1860.

The collection is in two parts, the first containing correspondence to George Sumner (1817-1863), a political economist born in Boston, educated in Europe and well acquainted with European affairs. Among those corresponding with him are statesmen, historians, and artists of France, England, and America. These include such names as Washington Irving, George Peabody, Henry W. Longfellow, William H. Prescott, William E. Gladstone, Alexis de Tocqueville and Robert C. Winthrop. This correspondence dates primarily from 1839-1857. The collection also contains a number of letters addressed to others from such persons as Oscar Wilde, Edward S. Gould, Ernest W. Longfellow, and Thomas A. Edison. Besides correspondence, this section contains some printed biographies of members of the Ward family of Rhode Island.

The remainder of the collection concerns Joseph Bonaparte (1768-1844), ex-king of Naples and Spain (known as the Count of Survilliers after 1815), and other members of the Bonaparte family. These papers were accumulated by Louis Hypolite Mailliard (b.1795), who acted as secretary to Bonaparte and later served as executor of his estate. Mailliard was assisted in his duties as executor by his son Adolph Mailliard (b.1819). The Mailliards were also appointed the executors of the wills of other members of the Bonaparte family subsequent to the death of Joseph Bonaparte.

A small part of the correspondence as well as a journal kept by Louis Mailliard relates to the personal affairs of Joseph Bonaparte. Most of the material, however, including correspondence, business and legal papers, and record books, covers the execution of Bonaparte's estate. A considerable amount of the material relates to the Bonaparte estate in Bordentown, New Jersey, where Joseph Bonaparte lived for some time while in exile in America.

The Mailliard Family Papers were donated to Yale University Library by J. Ward Mailliard, Jr. 1953.

Dates

  • 1785-1896

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The materials are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection are in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use. Copyright status for other collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of J. Ward Mailliard, Jr., 1953.

Extent

4.5 Linear Feet (8 boxes, 1 folio)

Language of Materials

English

Catalog Record

A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog

Persistent URL

https://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/mssa.ms.0341

Abstract

The major part of these papers consist of correspondence, business papers and memorabilia relating to Joseph Bonaparte, ex-king of Naples and Spain. These were accumulated by Louis Hypolite Mailliard who acted as secretary to Bonaparte and was later executor of his estate. Most of these papers related to the affairs of the estate, including property in Bordentown, New Jersey, where Napoleon lived in exile from 1816 to 1839. A small amount of the correspondence as well as journals kept by Louis Mailliard from 1835-1844 concern Napoleon's personal affairs. Other members of the Bonaparte family figure in the correspondence as well since the Mailliard family acted as executor for them also. Included in the papers is a small amount of miscellaneous correspondence (1839-1857) of George Sumner including letters from Washington Irving, Alexis de Tocqueville, Henry W. Longfellow, William H. Prescott and William E. Gladstone.

Title
Guide to the Mailliard Family Papers
Status
Under Revision
Author
compiled by Manuscripts and Archives Staff
Date
July 1982
Description rules
Finding Aid Created In Accordance With Manuscripts And Archives Processing Manual
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
Yale University Library
P.O. Box 208240
New Haven CT 06520-8240 US
(203) 432-1735
(203) 432-7441 (Fax)

Location

Sterling Memorial Library
Room 147
120 High Street
New Haven, CT 06511

Opening Hours