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Curtis F. Burnam Papers

Overview

Scope and Contents

Administrative Information

Detailed Description

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Curtis F. Burnam Papers, 1803-1942 | Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

By Kyle Beeler

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Collection Overview

Title: Curtis F. Burnam Papers, 1803-1942Add to your cart.View associated digital content.

Predominant Dates:1860-1880

Extent: 1.13 Cubic Feet

Date Acquired: 04/27/1967

Subjects: Central University (Richmond, Ky.)--History., Civil War, 1861-1865., Clay, Cassius Marcellus, 1810-1903., Kentucky--History--Civil War, 1861-1865., Kentucky--History., Kentucky--Politics and government., Madison County (Ky.)--History., Politics, Practical, Slavery - Kentucky

Languages: English, Latin

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Curtis Field Burnam was a well-respected lawyer, judge, and statesman from Richmond, KY. He was a refined orator, as well, and numerous items in the collection are copies of addresses and orations which he presented to a variety of audiences. Much of the material has to do with the Civil War in Kentucky and in general. Many aspects of the Civil War, such as secession, abolition, and slavery, are reflected in the collection via newspaper articles, correspondence, and addresses.

His daughter, Lucia Burnam, also has material in the collection such as her personal diary, passport, and a memoir in which she recounts the events surrounding the Battle of Richmond.

Collection Historical Note

CURTIS F. BURNAM was born May 24, 1820 in Richmond, Kentucky. He was the son of Thompson Burnam and Lucinda Field. The subject of this narrative was prepared for college at the Madison Seminary. He entered Yale College in January, 1837, and graduated with the highest honors of his class in 1840. Immediately upon his return home he began the study of law with Judge Daniel Breck, which he continued for one year. He was admitted to the bar after graduating from the law department of Transylvania University in 1842. He served as a member of both houses of legislature and also as a member of the constitutional convention of 1890. He was the first assistant and at times acting Secretary of the United States Treasury during Gen. Grant's second term as President. He married Miss Sara Rollins, daughter of A. W. Rollins, in 1845. Mr. Burnam, died March 19, 1909 and was buried in the Richmond Cemetery.

Subject/Index Terms

Central University (Richmond, Ky.)--History.
Civil War, 1861-1865.
Clay, Cassius Marcellus, 1810-1903.
Kentucky--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.
Kentucky--History.
Kentucky--Politics and government.
Madison County (Ky.)--History.
Politics, Practical
Slavery - Kentucky

Administrative Information

Repository: Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

Acquisition Source: Bennett, Esther S.


Box and Folder Listing


Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Folder 1: Oversize, 1875],
[All]

Box 2Add to your cart.
Barcode: 31234014045114
Folder 1: Curtis Field Burnam Scrapbook #1, 1890-1908Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
This portion of the first scrapbook contains pages 60-127. It contains newspaper articles regarding political, notable figures like Cassius M Clay, local, national, and personal events of C.F. Burnam such as his appointment to the US Treasury. There are numerous articles highlighting the events associated with the Beecher trial as well as the 50th anniversary of Curtis Burnam and his wife. There is a page from a book outlining the history of the Field family, a small booklet titled "Memories of Yale Life and Men", and a clipping from a newspaper which presents Native American residence figures by state. Also included is a copy of a letter from William McKinley to Burnam dated 6 July 1896. The original letter is located in the fire-proof cabinet in Drawer 1, Folder 35. Also included is a letter from Ruric N. Roark in which he talks about the beginnings of Eastern.
Folder 2: Curtis Field Burnam Scrapbook #2, 1875-1877Add to your cart.
This portion of the second scrapbook contains pages 3-44. Among the contents is an authorization to act as secretary of the treasury, bond redemption information for 1876, correspondence on governmental issues regarding the treasury and other departments, other correspondence from friends and colleagues, invitations to political functions, business cards of people whom Burnam presumably met at said functions, Knights Templar correspondence and information cards, invitations and a program for the National University commencement of 1876, invitation to an event at Columbian University, poetry, and newspaper articles about Yale College, local events, and political races. Each entry is separated by tissue paper for protection.
Folder 3: Curtis Field Burnam Scrapbook #2, 1851-1892Add to your cart.
This portion of the second scrapbook contains pages 45-103. It contains correspondence from statesman, educators, and friends spanning a variety of topics. Most of the topics included reference political issues in the nation as well as Kentucky, and there are others that are merely personal greetings. A handwritten summary of positions held by Curtis Burnam, poetry clips from the newspaper, invitations to commencement exercises at Georgetown University and the University of Louisville law dept., an invitation and ticket to a reception in Louisville for President and Mrs. Rutherford B. Hayes, a wedding announcement for Curtis's son Thompson, national census totals from 1880 along with national debt totals of the same year, and an advertisement for a book about Yale College's history are among the contents within the portion. Each entry is separated by tissue paper for protection.
Folder 4: Curtis Field Burnam Scrapbook #2, 1862-1907Add to your cart.
This portion of the second scrapbook contains pages 104-145. Within this portion there are various pictures of prominent judicial figures of the time, correspondence from personal acquaintances and friends as well as political figures and others, a certificate of membership to the Filson Club and the American Institute of Civics, Yale College memorabilia and news clippings, a copy of a photograph of Abraham Lincoln given to Cassius M Clay, and an invitation to attend a reception of General and Mrs. U.S. Grant in Louisville. In addition, there are numerous copies of letters that were sent to President Lincoln in 1862-1863 which endorsed C.F. Burnam as a prime candidate for the US Court of Appeals. There is also a letter addressed to Burnam written, and signed, by Don Carlos Buell. Each entry is separated by tissue paper for protection.
Folder 5: Curtis Field Burnam Scrapbook #2, 1803-1908Add to your cart.
This portion of the second scrapbook contains pages 146-207. Included is correspondence from various friends, colleagues, and political figures of the United States, an official autograph of Lord Braugham written in 1803, a course plotting for a mail ship headed from America to Great Britain, presidential vote tallies from the election of 1908, a letter written by C.M. Clay to President Hayes endorsing C.F. Burnam for a judicial position along with numerous other letters which serve the same purpose, a couple pictures of judicial figures and politicians, and a collection of newspaper articles written by C.F. Burnam recounting his memories and the history of events, places, and people in Madison County and abroad. Each entry is separated by tissue paper for protection.
Folder 6: Loose Scrapbook Papers, 1855-1920Add to your cart.
Contains loose pages from other scrapbooks. These few pages contain newspaper articles pertaining to current political events and correspondence congratulating Burnam on a recent political victory. Also included is a picture of J.A.R. Rogers and a poem.
Folder 7: "What I Remember" by Lucia BurnamAdd to your cart.View associated digital content.
Lucia Burnam, daughter of Curtis Field Burnam, recounts her memories of the events, and those surrounding, the Battle of Richmond. She then describes what her activities were after the war. There is a transcribed copy included with the manuscript as the handwriting is very difficult to read. Even within the transcription there are gaps where illegible words were written on the original.

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
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