Scope and Contents note

Series 1 consists of the papers of Rutherfurd Stuyvesant (1842 - 1909). The principal subseries are: Letters Received; Accounts, Bills, Receipts; Legal Papers; and Court Papers. Other subseries (see box and folder list for names) primarily reflect Rutherfurd Stuyvesant's interest in collecting art and armor, and his interest in yachting.

The series also includes 20 volumes of diaries kept by Rutherfurd Stuyvesant between the years 1869 and 1890. Most of the entries in the diaries are of money paid, received or owed, or of his arrivals and departures on various trips. There are more detailed entries, however, for hunting trips that Rutherfurd Stuyvesant took to the western territories of the United States in 1884 and 1885, and a hunting trip to western Canada in 1888.

Scope and Contents note

Most letters in the series are from members of the Rutherfurd family. For the most part, the letters concern themselves with family and social matters, including the writer's health, news about people that members of the family have visited, and occasionally relations with servants. Intermittently, correspondents make observations about politics. Lewis Morris Rutherfurd writes in November 1865 about the statewide elections in New Jersey ("that last! last! ditch of the rebellion"), and the victory of the Union Party there. A year later, commenting on the congressional elections, he criticizes President Johnson ( "a common street brawler").

Other correspondents include St. Clare Byrne, naval architect, regarding the design of Arcturus, S. B. Jameson, manager of the family's New Jersey estate, Tranquillity (sic). Rutherfurd Stuyvesant's attorneys, Morris, Sentell & Main, of New York City frequently wrote to him about the state of his business ventures and real estate holdings. Bashford Dean of the Metropolitan Museum of Art corresponded with Rutherfurd Stuyvesant about antique arms and armor.

Scope and Contents note

There is no material in this subseries dated prior to 1865. Most of the items dated 1866-1867 are from hotels and businesses in Europe, including some receipts for the purchase of art. Much of the material consists of bills for household items such as coal or ice, and receipts for building supplies. Some of the building supplies appear to have been used on rental properties. Approximately half of the material in this subseries dates from the period 1895-1905, and consists of accounts from the Tranquillity Farms estate, or accounts concerning Rutherfurd Stuyvesant's rental properties in New York City.

Scope and Contents note

One contract (in French), which appears to concern the purchase of a piece of art; a release by Rutherfurd Stuyvesant to the New York Life Insurance Co.; a contract to lay a cranberry bog on a farm (presumably Tranquillity).

Scope and Contents note

Rutherfurd Stuyvesant vs. Richard O'Brien; suit over land in NYC. The items appear to be a State of Case and a summons.