AHJ_ah02241 Inventory of the Cranch Family Papers, 1667-1946 Cranch family papers Processed by D. Claudia Thompson University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
American Heritage Center Dept. 3924, 1000 E. University Avenue University of Wyoming Laramie, WY 82071 Phone: 307.766.2574 Fax:307.766.5511 Email:ahcref@uwyo.edu URL:http://ahc.uwyo.edu/
2018

University of Wyoming

 Finding aid encoded by Bailee Thomas March 2019 Finding aid is in English Collection Summary Cranch family Cranch family papers 1667-1946 02241 8.00 cubic ft. (17 boxes) University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center. English Correspondence, artwork, and other materials of a family that included jurists, artists, and public officials of national prominence in the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries. The family was closely related to the Adams family of Massachusetts. Biographies of Selected Members of the Cranch Family

Richard Cranch, 1726-1811, moved from Devonshire, England, to Braintree, Massachusetts, as a watchmaker. He married Mary Smith, sister of Abigail Adams, in 1762. Richard Cranch served in many political positions, including Judge of the Court of Common Pleas.

William Cranch, 1769-1855, son of Richard, attended Harvard with his cousin and friend John Quincy Adams. William Cranch practiced law and later speculated in real estate in Washington D.C. William was appointed Commissioner of Public Buildings of the District of Columbia in 1800, and one year later he was appointed Assistant Judge of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia. He served as the Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia from 1805-1855.

William and his wife Anna (“Nancy”) Greenleaf Cranch had 13 children. Christopher Pearse Cranch, 1813-1892, was an author, critic, Unitarian minister, and artist. Edward Pope Cranch, was an artist and amateur scientist.

The children of Edward Pope and his wife Bertha W. Cranch included Emma Cranch, a well-known singer, and Bertha, who married Edward F. Ernst.

 Scope and Content

The Cranch family papers consist mainly of correspondence. The majority of letters are written from one family member to another, including letters written by John and Abigail Adams and John Quincy Adams. Discussions about family matters and political events, such as the French revolution, War of 1812, and Civil War, are found throughout the correspondence. Correspondence written by non-related figures includes letters from Noah Webster.

Artwork in the collection includes several boxes of loose sketches, primarily those of Edward Pope Cranch. In addition, several oil paintings, watercolors, colored drawings, and scrapbooks by various members of the family are included. There are also family photographs and printed materials.

 Access Restrictions

Material is fragile and must be handled with extreme care. Photocopying requires permission of archivist.

 Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

 Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by the Cranch family at the date of processing.

 Acquisition Information

This material was received from William Fitzhugh, 1967-1973.

 Processing Information

The collection was processed by Sarah Payne in February, 2001. Finding aid encoded by Bailee Thomas in March, 2019.

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

 Access Terms Adams, Abigail, 1744-1818 Adams, John, 1735-1826 Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848 Webster, Noah, 1758-1843 Domestic relations -- United States -- 18th century Domestic relations -- United States -- 19th century <?xm-replace_text {Title as Subject}?> Cranch, Anna Greenleaf, 1772-1843 Cranch, Bertha W. Cranch, Christopher Pearse, 1813-1892 Cranch, Edward P. (Edward Pope), 1809-1892 Cranch, Emma Cranch, Mary Smith, 1741-1811 Cranch, Richard, 1726-1811 Cranch, William, 1769-1855 Ernst, Bertha Cranch Politics, Government, and Law Social Life and Customs Home and Family Container List Series I. Correspondence and Papers 1667-1946

Sub-series 1. Richard and Mary Cranch 1745-1811

Correspondence arranged by author, then by date.

 1 Bound Correspondence 1807-1810 1 Loose Correspondence to Richard and/or Mary Cranch 1745-1811 1 John Cranch to Uncle Richard Cranch 1772-1791 1 William Cranch to Uncle Richard Cranch 1802-1811 1 William Smibert to Richard Cranch Aug 25, 1755 1 Mary Cranch to Unknown Daughter 1805-1810 1 Richard Cranch to Miscellaneous addressees 1748-1811 1 John Cranch to Sister 1776 1 Mary Palmer to unknown addressee 1746, 1758 1 "Discourse at Internment" 1811 16 Copy of Letter written by Richard Cranch 1764 Sub-series 2. William Cranch and Nancy Greenleaf Cranch 1762-1877

Correspondence arranged by author, then by date.

 16 William Cranch - Certificate of membership in the New England Historic Genealogical Society 1847 1 Richard Cranch to son William Cranch Esq. 1770-1811 1 Mary Cranch to son William Cranch Esq. 1794-1808 1 Abigail Adams to William Cranch Esq. 1798 1 Elizabeth Cranch to brother William Cranch Esq. 1783-1784 1 Nancy Greenleaf Cranch to husband William Cranch Esq. 1802-1808 1 William Greenleaf to daughter and son-in-law William and Nancy Cranch 1795-1798 1 Lucy Greenleaf to sister Nancy Greenleaf Cranch 1795-1818 1 Mrs. E. Ritchie to sister Nancy Greenleaf Cranch Aug 18, 1833 1 Dan Greenleaf to Hon. William Cranch Esq. Jan 11, 1813 1 Hannah Greenleaf to Hon. William Cranch Esq. March, 1801 1 James Greenleaf to Hon. William Cranch Esq. Oct 10, 1815 1 John Greenleaf to Hon. William Cranch Esq. 1800 2 Edward Pope Cranch to parents William and Nancy Cranch 1831-1850 2 William Greenleaf Cranch to parents William and Nancy Cranch 1811-1813 2 Richard Cranch to parents William and Nancy Cranch 1811-1816 2 Ann Allen Cranch to parents William and Nancy Cranch 1811-1812 2 Christopher Pearse Cranch to parents William and Nancy Cranch 1833 2 John Adams to Hon. William Cranch Esq. and Cousin Polly 1762-1813 2 John Quincy Adams to Hon. William Cranch Esq. 1787-1817 2 John Quincy Adams - Letter Fragments Undated 2 John Quincy Adams - Letter Fragments Undated 2 Thomas Adams to Hon. William Cranch Esq. 1813 2 Ch. Appleton to Hon. William Cranch Esq. 1815 2 William G. Appleton to Hon. William Cranch Esq. 1812-1813 2 Bishop Chase to Hon. William Cranch Esq. 1828 2 Stephen and E. Peabody to Hon. William Cranch Esq. 1812 2 Edward Pearse to Hon. William Cranch Esq. 1813 2 Francis Pearse to Hon. William Cranch Esq. 1815 2 Rev. August R. Pope to Hon. William Cranch Esq. 1847 2 Josiah Quincy to Hon. William Cranch Esq. 1804-1848 2 B. Webster to Hon. William Cranch Esq. 1795 2 Noah Webster to Hon. William Cranch Esq. 1794-1836 2 Miscellaneous Correspondence to Hon. William Cranch Esq. 1813-1827 2 Memoirs of Hon. William Cranch Esq 1855 2 Ledger of Hon. William Cranch Esq. (blank letter book, with pages removed) Undated Sub-series 3. Children of William and Nancy Cranch 1811-1891

Correspondence arranged by author, then by date.

 3 Hon. William Cranch Esq. to son Edward Pope Cranch 1835-1847 3 Nancy G. Cranch to son Edward Pope Cranch 1835-1842 3 Bertha W. Cranch to husband Edward Pope Cranch 1858-1890 3 Abbey A. Cranch to brother Edward Pope Cranch 1835-1836 3 Christopher Pearse Cranch to brother Edward Pope Cranch 1835-1891 3 John Cranch to brother Edward Pope Cranch 1854-1866 3 Margaret Cranch to brother Edward Pope Cranch 1838-1839 3 Nancy Cranch to brother Edward Pope Cranch 1820 3 Miscellaneous correspondence to Edward Pope Cranch 1836-1885 3 Fragments of correspondence to Edward Pope Cranch Undated 16 Oversized letters written to Edward Pope Cranch 1835 3 Pocket Journals - 1840s and unidentified years 1846-1847 3 Pocket Journal - 1870s 1870-1877 3 Pocket Journals - 1880s 1881-1890 3 Journal with ledger 1860s 4 Edward Pope Cranch to wife Bertha W. Cranch 1872-1888 4 Journal of Bertha W. Cranch, Milano, Italy 1872 4 Journal of Bertha W. Cranch, Milano, Italy 1873 4 Sketchbooks of Bertha W. Cranch 1861 4 Scrapbook of Bertha W. Cranch (includes clippings, steel engravings, poetry, and drawings) 1841 5 Hon. William Cranch Esq. to son William Greenleaf Cranch 1813-1833 5 Nancy G. Cranch to son William Greenleaf Cranch 1812-1815 5 Anne Allen Cranch to brother William Greenleaf Cranch 1812-1819 5 Edward Pope Cranch to brother William Greenleaf Cranch 1838 5 Nancy Cranch to brother William Greenleaf Cranch 1814 5 Richard Cranch to brother William Greenleaf Cranch 1815 5 Lucy Greenleaf to nephew William Greenleaf Cranch 1811-1815 5 Miscellaneous correspondence to William Greenleaf Cranch 1817,1819 5 Correspondence to Margaret Cranch 1862,1872 5 Writings of Christopher Pearse Cranch Undated Sub-series 4. Generation IV. Children of Edward Pope and Bertha W. Cranch, 1872-1946

Correspondence arranged by author, then by date.

 5 William and Edward Ernst to grandmother Bertha Cranch Ernst 1839-1946 5 Miscellaneous correspondence to Bertha Cranch Ernst 1907-1946 5 Correspondence written by Bertha Cranch Ernst 1892-1915 5 Manuscripts and poetry written by Bertha Cranch Ernst Undated 5 Correspondence to, and papers of Edward F. Ernst 1922 5 Edward Pope Cranch to daughter Emma Cranch 1872-1888 5 Bertha C. Ernst to sister Emma Cranch 1888-1913 5 Constance Ernst to aunt Emma Cranch 1900-1901 5 Miscellaneous correspondence to Emma Cranch 1866-1914 5 Legal Documents, advertisement, and Cranch family sketch written by Emma Cranch Undated 5 Invitations and Programs featuring Emma Cranch 1842-1894 16 Hand-written copy of musical score belonging to Emma Cranch Undated4 6 Journals of Emma Cranch, Milano, Italy 1873 6 Scrapbook of Emma Cranch (includes pressed flowers, concert programs, poetry) 1872-1874 16 Empty Music folder belonging to Emma Cranch Undated Sub-series 5. Related Families 1775-1809

Correspondence arranged by author, then by date.

 6 Financial Papers of William Ernst 1947 6 Greenleaf Family Genealogy Undated 6 Quincy Family Genealogy 1809 6 Shepard Family Genealogy 1848 6 Sewall Family Genealogy 1833 6 Elizabeth Smith Biographical Information 1775 6 Rev. William Smith Genealogy 1783 Sub-series 6. Miscellaneous Correspondence 1667-1922

Arranged by date.

 6 Miscellaneous Correspondence 1676-1922 6 Miscellaneous Correspondence Undated 17 Letter fragments and documents in extremely poor condition (Most of the documents relate to John Quincy Adams) Undated 6 Writings by unidentified authors Undated 6 Notebook of copied letters Undated 6 Presidential Invitations Undated 6 Legal documents Undated Series II. Sketches, Art, and Scrapbooks 1800s

The series contains loose sketches, colored drawings, watercolors, oil paintings, steel engravings, etchings, reproductions of artwork, and scrapbooks.

7 Sketchbook by Bertha W. Cranch 1860 7 Sketches by Christopher Pearse Cranch Undated 7 Sketches by Edward Pope Cranch Undated> 7 Pottery sketches by Edward Pope Cranch (poor condition) Undated 7 Sketches and Oils by John Cranch Undated 7 Sketchbook by William Cranch 1859 7 Sketches and Watercolors by Constance Ernst Undated 7 Sketches and Watercolors by Edward G. Ernst Undated 7 Sketches by unidentified artists Undated 7 Sketches by unidentified artists Undated 7 Colored drawings by unidentified artists Undated 7 Hand-drawn Maps by Other art by unidentified artists Undated 7 Watercolors Undated 7 Engravings and Etchings Undated 7 Other art by unidentified artists Undated 7 Sketchbooks by unidentified artists Undated 8 Sketchbooks by unidentified artists Undated 8 Sketchbooks by Annie Wood 1853 8 Sketchbooks by Annie Wood 1862 8 Sketchbooks by Annie Wood 1864 8 Loose Sketches by Annie Wood Undated 8 Steel Engraving, Lithographs, Miscellaneous art belonging to Annie Wood Undated 8 Sketchbook of Emma Matilda Wood (Adams?) Undated 9 Loose Programs, clippings, drawings from scrapbooks Undated 9 Scrapbook of Annie Bertha Cranch (includes clippings regarding Emma Cranch’s musical career, and pressed flowers 1867 9 Scrapbook of Constance E. Cranch entitled “A Baby’s Record” 1888- 9 Scrapbook possibly of Christopher Pearse Cranch (includes clippings, drawings, poetry) 1827- 9 Scrapbook/Journal belonging to William Greenleaf Cranch and/or Christopher Pearse Cranch (includes a weather ledger, sonnets by C.P. Cranch, journal entries, and scientific observations) Undated 9 Scrapbooks- Unidentified owners 1921-1923 16 Oil Paintings Undated 16 Watercolors Undated 16 Engravings and Etchings Undated 16 Matted Reproductions Undated 16 Miscellaneous Art Undated3 Series III. Photographs

The series contains photographs of Cranch family members and friends of the family. Types of photographs include tintypes, daguerreotypes, and albumen prints

10 Scrapbook – Unidentified owner (includes silhouettes, drawings, clippings, poetry) 1817-1838 10 Scrapbook – in fragments, poorly damaged (note: should not be used until restored by conservator) Undated 10 Scrapbook – in fragments, poorly damaged (note: should not be used until restored by conservator) Undated 11 Cranch Family Members Undated 11 Cranch Family Members Undated 11 Cranch Family Members Undated 11 Cranch Family Members Undated 11 Cranch Family Members Undated 11 Cranch Family Members Undated 11 Cranch Family Members Undated 11 Cranch Family Members Undated 11 Cranch Family Members Undated 11 Cranch Family Members Undated 11 Cranch Family Members Undated 11 Unmarked Cranch Family Members Undated 11 Mounted Albumen Prints of Cranch Family Members Undated 11 Cranch Family Travel Photos Undated 11 Identifiable Family Portraits Undated 11 Identifiable Individual Portraits Undated 11 Photographs of artists and reproductions of artwork (includes picture postcards) Undated 12 Sheet Film and Black and White Negatives Undated 12 Photo Album Early 1900s 12 Empty Photo Album Undated 13 2 Photo Albums Undated 13 Photos Album, photos removed Undated 16 Empty Photo Album Undated Series IV. Published Materials 1704-1931

The series contains newspaper clippings, magazines, two volumes of Punch, a collection of recipes, and several books.

14 “The Boston Newsletter” Monday, April 24, 1704 (replica) 1704 14 “The Cincinnati Commercial Gazette” Dec 17, 1893 with envelope 1893 14 “Massachusetts Gazette” Aug 4, 1774 (includes marriage announcement of Miss Susey Greenleaf) 1774 14 “New York Herald” Sept 28, 1814 with envelope 1814 16 Newspaper Clippings and “Martin Luther” publication 1875-1918 14 “The Observer of the Times” London, July 21, 1821 1821 14 Bound Publications – The Studio,1887; Life,1903; Jefferson Journal, 1931 1887-1931 14 Other Publications – includes “A memorial exhibition of works of the late Martha S. Baker, 1812; Dickens Pictures, Rules for Punctuation, “Map of the Lake District,” and two unmarked publications 1812- 14 Recipes – handwritten, clippings, and in bound books Undated 14 Small Bound Publications, includes “Views from the Holy Land,” English Struwelpeter,” Maps of the World, “Ever Man His Own Past” 1880-1898 14 “Punch” – No. 273 V 11 Oct 3, 1846; and No. 166 V 7 Sept 14, 1844 1844,1846 15 Books: Schubert Album, 1873; Familiar Letters of John Adams and His Wife, Abigail Adams, During the Revolution…, 1875; La Sainte Bible,…, 1760 1760-1875