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

By Kyle Beeler

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Collection Overview

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Collection Historical Note

Subject/Index Terms

Administrative Information

Box and Folder Listing

Box 1

Barcode: 31234014045239

Folder 1: A.R. Burnam Personal Letters, 1889-1892

This bound volume is copies of correspondence from A.R. Burnam that deal mainly with political appointments and issues. The letters are written by Burnam to other people such as statesmen, lawyers, and personal friends. There are a number of letters discussing the sale of land. The paper within the book is very thin and delicate, and over half of them are blank. Some of the copies are very difficult to read as they have faded or did not copy well.

Folder 2: Correspondence to Curtis Field Burnam, 1840-1908

Most of the letters contained within this folder are from friends and colleagues. The majority deal with political issues happening in Kentucky and abroad, but others simply contain personal messages from friends. There are a number of letters which thank Burnam for providing an oration at their event, and others wish to obtain the right to publish such orations. Within the folder are also some correspondence from fellow Masons and old fraternity brothers.

Folder 3: Correspondence from Curtis Field Burnam, 1837-1907

Most of the letters within this folder were sent to friends and colleagues. One of the letters is addressed to his daughter, Sally, and there is a letter written to future president W.H. Taft dated in 1908. There is political content in every letter along with discussion on a variety of political events, but the rest of it is general correspondence.

Folder 4: Curtis Field Burnam to Sara Rollins, 1844

This letter was written by Curtis to his future wife Sara while she was away from Richmond. In it he asks why she had not written him recently and why the letters that she did write were so brief. He describes the local events of the time, and he also talks about a young lady who has caught his attention in one way or another. He wishes her a good winter, and then he closes the letter. There is a transcribed copy of the letter within the folder as well as the original manuscript.

Folder 5: Curtis Field Burnam to President Johnson, 1865

This letter to President Johnson is a complaint on the behalf of Burnam because his son, A.R. Burnam, was supposedly granted a spot in the United States Military Academy at West Point by President Lincoln before his death, but the paper which held the authorization has been lost. Burnam is upset that his son no longer has a chance to attend West Point, and he seeks to place the blame for the loss of the paper on someone who works in the office of General Delafield.

Folder 6: Correspondence to Sara Burnam, 1900

One of the letters in this folder gives thanks to the Burnam family for their condolences after the loss of a loved one. The other asks forgiveness for a late response to a previous letter, and the author also invites the Burnams to her residence in New York to repay an act of hospitality.

Folder 7: Correspondence to Thompson Burnam, 1840-1859

The letters within this folder are general correspondence from associates of Burnam. One of the letters assures him that his son, Curtis, is doing well after leaving Richmond. Another letter talks about a legal matter, and it presents the next steps of action for Burnam to take.

Folder 8: Correspondence From A.W. Rollins, 1830

This letter was written to William Rodes, and it is general correspondence with a  bit of business added to it. Later in the letter, Burnam asks William to purchase a black silk dress for his mother and give it to her as a gift from Burnam.

Folder 9: Correspondence to Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Rollins Burnam, 1919

These letters were written to A.R. Burnam Jr. and his wife upon the death of A.R. Burnam Sr. The letters offer condolences and kind words about the deceased.

Folder 10: Edwin Stanton to President Johnson, 1865

This letter discusses a controversy pertaining to A.R. Burnam's appointment to West Point. It says that the assertions made by Curtis Burnam about General Delafield's incompetence are false, and A.R. Burnam was denied a cadetship for good and sufficient reason.

Folder 11: Correspondence to Abraham Lincoln, 1862

This folder contains letters written by many people who wished to show their support for having Curtis Burnam appointed to a position in the U.S. Court of Claims.

Folder 12: Correspondence to President Rutherford B. Hayes, 1877-1880

All of the letters within this folder were created to endorse C.F. Burnam as a candidate for District Court judgeship.

Folder 13: Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1852-1942

The correspondence within this folder only references Curtis Burnam. A couple of the letters are about a land dispute in which Burnam was involved, one was written to Chester Arthur, future president of the United States, asking him to welcome Burnam to New York as he visits, and others are written after Burnam's death. The subjects of the post-mortem letters are about Yale football and family upbringing as well as a little about the onset of World War II.

Folder 14: Curtis Field Burnam Political Career Memorandum

Contains a listing of all the offices held by Curtis F. Burnam along with dates, a numbered list of the positions, and a brief description of each.

Folder 15: Occupational Authorization, 1876

This folder contains an item which permitted Burnam to sign any and all papers in place of the Secretary of the Treasury should the need arise for him to do so.

Folder 16: Authorization by U.S. Grant, 1875

This is a formal authorization which allows Burnam to perform the duties associated with the US Secretary of the Treasury.

Folder 17: Richmond Cemetery Dedication Address, 1856

This folder contains a 16 page booklet that has the address presented by C.F. Burnam in regard to the dedication of the Richmond cemetery.

Folder 18: Anthony W. Rollins Will, 1843

This folder contains the will for Anthony Rollins. Among some of the items discussed within the will are slaves, land, money, furniture, and $10,000 which Rollins willed to the children of Boone County in hopes that it would assist them in becoming better educated.

Folder 19: Berea College Constitution, 1897

This folder contains the constitution and by-laws of Berea College.

Folder 20: Central University Commencement Program, 1876

Graduation program for Central University.

Folder 21: Yale University Library Certificate of Appreciation, 1895

This folder contains a certificate of appreciation to Burnam for furnishing the Yale Library with two books which are listed on the certificate.

Folder 22: Financial Papers, 1822-1907

This folder contains a receipt for purchase of stock in a bank by Thompson Burnam, a receipt for payment of a phone bill by Curtis Field Burnam, and documents related to the purchase of plots in a cemetery for the Burnam family.

Folder 23: Checks Written by W.S. Moberly, 1929

The checks enclosed reflect the amount of purchase, reason for purchase, and recipient of funds.

Folder 24: Miscellaneous Bank Notes/Receipts, 1902-1906

Contains few items pertaining to loans and payments.

Folder 25: Land Documents, 1895-1932

This folder contains four land deeds, and multiple deeds are for the same plot of land.

Folder 26: Newspaper Articles, 1864-1908

This folder contains advertisements for services and products, a poem, an interview with General Sherman about General Buell, political articles, and a death notice.

Folder 27: Programs, 1876-1907

This folder contains numerous invitations and programs for events. There is a rather large book-like pamphlet that commemorates the centennial of the Louisiana Purchase, a pamphlet for a dinner to be hosted in C.F. Burnam's honor, and pamphlets for a variety of other events/gatherings.

Folder 28: Miscellaneous Flyers/Pamphlets, 1880-1907

These pamphlets include a burial notice, a wedding invitation, invitations to various events, and a couple items pertaining to bankruptcy.

Folder 29: Pictures

Within the folder is a rather random collection of pictures. None of them are dated, and some were just cut out of a book or magazine. There is a picture of William Jennings Bryan, a picture of a landscape, pictures of men who operate a publishing company, and others that cannot be identified.

Folder 30: Ephemera, 1876-1896

Contains a tourist information card for Rawley Springs, VA, a ticket for admission to the Central Kentucky Fair, a card of thanks from President McKinley, and various business cards. Also included is a pink ribbon that only says, "Vice-President."

Folder 31: Curtis Field Burnam Scrapbook #1, 1889-1907

Page 1: TLS Wm. Goodell Frost of Berea College, 12 Nov 1906 Page 2: Certificate from The Lincoln Farm Association, 7 Sep 1907 Page 3: TLS F.E. Pierce of The Lincoln Farm Association, 7 Sep 1907 Page 4: TLS A.G. Wilkinson of the U.S. Patent Office, 6 Sep 1905 Page 5: News Clippings about a Richmond, Kentucky song and about C.F. Burnam retiring from the Senate, n.d. Page 6: TLS Thomas L. Walker of the Fayette County Republican Executive Committee, 19 Aug 1907 Page 7: Print of the Kentucky Building at the World's Fair, 1904 Page 8-9: News Clipping about the Democratic National Convention, talks about allowing Black people to vote, n.d. Page 10: TLS Ben LaBree of the Geo. G. Fetter Company, 7 May 1906 Page 11: ALS J.A.R. Rogers of Todd Seminary for Boys, 6 Sep 1905 Page 12: Print of the members of the Senate of the General Assembly of Kentucky, 1906 Page 13: ALS Wm Roberts, 7 May 1906 and news clipping both about Senator Johnson's Concealed Weapon Bill, 1906. Page 14: ALS Neil Cumball [?], 16 Jun 1889 and a DS J. C. W Beckham, Proclamation by the Governor regarding a new capital building, 4 Jan 1905. Page 15: ALS Ida M. Moberley, 27 May n.y. Page 16: TLS William Goodell Frost of Berea College, 23 May 1905 and a printed version of Burnam's speech, 6 Jun 1905 Page 17: ALS William P. Thorne, Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky, n.d. Page 18: ALS Fred Weblen, House of the Temple of the Supreme Council (Knights Templar), 24 Jun 1905 and news clipping about Madison County's state legislator, n.d. Page 19: TLS Hugh McLellan 11 Dec 1906 Page 20: News clippings about Senator John D. Harris, Knights Templar, and the Woman's Club, n.d. Page 21: Memorial poem by Albert Pike, 1 Jan 1901 Page 22: Photograph of Joseph H Choate, n.d. Page 23: News clipping Knights Templar meeting of the Grand Commandery, n.d. Page 24: Brochure on the Parish church of Wrexhan, n.d. Page 25: Print of James Lane Allen, n.d. Page 26: Print of Thomas Jefferson and Napoleon Bonaparte, n.d. Page 27: Print of Eli Whitney, n.d. Page 28: ALS O. E Hannah of Knights Templar, 8 Jun 1905 Page 29: Print Festival Hall and Cascades of Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company, 1903 Page 30: ALS E.H Burnam, 22 May 1905 Page 31: News clipping memorial of Rev. Dr. James M. Hoppin, 11 Dec 1906 Page 32: News clipping about the history of Madison County, n.d. Page 33: ALS John M Burnam, 23 May 1905 and news clipping about the possible Republican nomination of Curtis F. Burnam for the United States Senate, n.d. Page 34: Circular on Curtis F. Burnam's nomination for the office of senator, n.d. Page 35: News clipping on the history of Kentucky's pioneers, n.d. Page 36: News clipping of Sarah Rollins Burnam's obituary, n.d. and news clipping obituary of Sarah Rollins Burnam Page 37: ALS E.C. Ward, Senator of Henderson and Union counties, condolences to Curtis F. Burnam on the death of his wife, 16 May 1904 Page 38: News clipping honoring the accomplishments of Curtis F. Burnam, n.d., news clipping about the addition of Major C.F. Burnam's portrait to the Circuit Court-room, n.d., news clipping announcing the birthday of Major C.F. Burnam , n.d., and DS detailing the request and placement of C.F. Burnam's portrait, 4 May 1907 Page 39: News clipping memorial of Sarah Rollins Burnam, n.d., news clipping detailing the adjournment of the Court of Appeals in respect for Mrs. C.F. Burnam, n.d., and news clipping memorial of Sarah Rollins Burnam's death, n.d. Page 40: ALS William Goodell Frost, 1 Feb 1904 Page 41: News clipping by Joseph M. Rogers, n.d. and news clipping detailing Major Curtis F. Burnam's visit to Louisville, n.d. Page 42: ALS J. A. R Rogers of Todd Seminary for Boys, 24 March 1904 Page 43: William P. Chorine, Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky, 14 Mar 1904 and TLS James K. Patterson, President of State College, 22 Mar 1904 Page 44: TLS Matt O'Doherty of Counselors at Law, n.d., ALS J.A.R Rogers, n.d., news clipping of Major Burnam's endorsement, 26 Apr 1904 Page 45: DS election of Curtis F. Burnam, 16 Nov 1903 Page 46: News clipping detailing the re-nomination of Major C. F. Burnam for State Senate, n.d. and TLS William Goodell Frost, 16 Oct 1903. Page 47: Print of Hon. Henry Booth, LL.D, First Dean of School, 1841 Page 48: ALS A. H. Tyne 11 Feb 1903 Page 49: News clipping supporting the building a college for young boys in Richmond, n.d. Page 50: News clipping detailing how minors have been swindling merchants out of goods, n.d. and MS Yale Bicentennial Songs, 22 Oct 1901 Page 51: News clipping memorial for Stanton Burnam Hume, 9 Jul 1902 and news clipping of favorite poem, n.d. Page 52: TLS Augustus E. Willson, attorney, 17 Jun 1907 Page 53: TLS D.W. Lindsey, Attorney and Counselor at Law, letter informing Hon. Curtis F. Burnam of his nomination for the Senate, 19 Sep 1899 Page 54: TLS C.W. Miller Attorney, 18 Nov 1899 Page 55: News clipping endorsement of A.R. Burnam for judge, n.d. and news clipping detailing the Republican State Central Committee selection of A.R. Burnam's for judge, n.d. Page 56: Invitation to Curtis F. Burnam for the 200th anniversary of the founding of Yale, n.d. Page 57: News clipping on the convention (Republican Senate convention) held in Richmond, n.d. Page 58: News clipping detailing the votes of each candidate in Madison County, 5 November 1895, news clipping detailing the Republican Party's win in Madison County, n.d. and news clipping providing background information on Republican Representative Hon. E. Tutt Burnam, n.d. Page 59: News clipping comparing the official votes of Madison County during the 1896 election to the vote for president in 1892 and governor (in 1893), n.d., news clipping about Hon. E. Tutt Burnam running for Speaker of the Kentucky Legislature, n.d., and news clipping about Hon. E. Tutt Burnam drawing two salaries and Secretary of State Finley also over drawing his salary, n.d. Page 60: News clipping about the Knights Templar visit to the city of Richmond, n.d.