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Collection Overview
| Size | 37.0 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 28000 items) |
| Abstract | The Tucker family of Virginia include prominent family members John Randolph Tucker (1823-1897), constitutional lawyer, legal scholar, United States representative, 1875-1887; and his son Henry St. George Tucker (1853-1932), law professor, gubernatorial aspirant, and United States representative, 1889-1897 and 1922-1932. The collection includes personal, professional, and political correspondence of John Randolph Tucker and his son, Henry St. George Tucker, and scattered papers of earlier members of the Tucker and Powell families in Virginia. Papers include lifelong correspondence between father and son; wide correspondence among Democratic Virginia politicians and constituents, American jurists, and statesmen, and a large family connection; and letters and papers, chiefly postbellum, of William Preston Johnston (1831-1899), president of Louisiana State University and Tulane University and Henry St. George Tucker's father-in-law. Tucker correspondence, beginning 1843, concerns the law practice of father and son and other litigation in Virginia; factional, state, sectional, and national politics, issues, campaigns, and legislation; and legal and governmental theory and public speaking and writing mainly about constitutional interpretation. Papers also concern industrial development in the Shenandoah Valley; George Washington University in Washington, D.C.; expositions at St. Louis, Jamestown, Va., and San Francisco; the American Bar Association; public education in Virginia; and Washington and Lee University. There are no congressional papers of Henry St. George Tucker for the period, 1922-1932, and only a few letters relating to John Randolph Tucker's work as attorney general of Virginia, 1857-1865. Volumes include two account books, 1821-1845 and 1848-1862; a lettercopy book, 1859-1861 and 1864; and scrapbooks of notes and clippings. Also included are antebellum personal and political papers of the Powell family of Virginia and scattered papers relating to Henry St. George Tucker (1780-1848), jurist, and (Nathaniel) Beverley Tucker (1820-1890), Confederate agent. |
| Creator | Tucker family. |
| Language | English |
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Information For Users
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Subject Headings
The following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.
Clicking on a subject heading below will take you into the University Library's online catalog.
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Biographical
Information
The Tucker family lived primarily in Virginia. John Randolph Tucker (1823-1897), was a constitutional lawyer; legal scholar; author; attorney general of Virginia, 1857-1865; United States representative, 1875-1887; and law professor at Washington and Lee University. His son Henry St. George Tucker (1853-1932), was a lawyer; legal author and editor; law professor at Washington and Lee University and George Washington University; United States representative, 1889-1897 and 1922-1932; Virginia gubernatorial candidate; agent of Southern Education Board in Virginia, 1902-1903; president of the American Bar Association; and executive office for the Expositions at St. Louis in 1904, Jamestown in 1907, and San Francisco in 1915. The Tuckers are also connected to the Carmichael, Shields, McGuire, and Powell families.
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Scope and Content
The collection includes personal, professional, and political correspondence of John Randolph Tucker (1823-1897) and his son, Henry St. George Tucker (1853-1932), and scattered papers of earlier members of the Tucker and Powell families in Virginia. Papers include lifelong correspondence between father and son; wide correspondence among Democratic Virginia politicians and constituents, American jurists, and statesmen, and a large family connection; and letters and papers, chiefly postbellum, of William Preston Johnston (1831-1899), president of Louisiana State University and Tulane University and Henry St. George Tucker's father-in-law.
Tucker correspondence, beginning 1843, concerns the law practice of father and son and other litigation in Virginia; factional, state, sectional, and national politics, issues, campaigns, and legislation; and legal and governmental theory and public speaking and writing mainly about constitutional interpretation. Papers also concern industrial development in the Shenandoah Valley; George Washington University in Washington, D.C.; expositions at St. Louis, Jamestown, Va., and San Francisco; the American Bar Association; public education in Virginia; and Washington and Lee University. There are no congressional papers of Henry St. George Tucker for the period, 1922-1932, and only a few letters relating to John Randolph Tucker's work as attorney general of Virginia, 1857-1865.
Volumes include two account books, 1821-1845 and 1848-1862; a lettercopy book, 1859-1861 and 1864; and scrapbooks of notes and clippings. Also included are antebellum personal and political papers of the Powell family of Virginia and scattered papers relating to Henry St. George Tucker (1780-1848), jurist, and (Nathaniel) Beverley Tucker (1820-1890), Confederate agent.
Other items include photographs, clippings, printed material, and personal papers of the Tucker family unrelated to the careers of John Randolph Tucker or Henry St. George Tucker.
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Series Quick Links
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Series 1. Correspondence, 1790-1932 and undated.
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Subseries 1.1. Powell Family Papers, 1790-1873.
Arrangement: Chronological.
The early papers are chiefly papers of the Powell family of Virginia, who lived mostly in Loudoun and Frederick counties. The earliest papers relate to Levan Powell, Cuthbert Powell, Burr Powell, and Humphrey B. Powell. The papers of the 1820s relate to Tennessee and western Virginia lands owned by the Powells. Other correspondents before 1820 include Thomas Tudor Tucker, 1790-1808; Judge St. George Tucker, 1808; Henry St. George Tucker (1780-1848), beginning March 1807; John Randoph, 1814; James Madison, 1817.
The papers of John Randolph Tucker begin about 1843, with speeches and papers written while he was a student at the University of Virginia; 1846, a speech to the African Church at Richmond, Va.; and in the late 1840s some speeches to literary, alumni, and temperence groups. His papers relating to family business begin around 1848, when his father, Henry St. George Tucker, died. Papers relating to the estate of Henry St. George Tucker continue through the 1850s and 1860s.
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Subseries 1.2. John Randolph Tucker Papers, 1874-1897.
Arrangement: Chronological.
This subseries chiefly contains papers relating to the congressional career of John Randolph Tucker, 1875-1887; his law professorship at Washington and Lee University, 1888-1897; his practice in Virginia and before the United States Supreme Court; and his reputation as a constitutional lawyer. Also included is the correspondence of his son Henry St. George Tucker during his early law practice in Staunton, Va., 1876; his partnership with his father; his first congressional career 1889-1897; his appointment to the law faculty at Washington and Lee University in 1897; corresondence between father and son on legislative matters; court cases; politics; legal and governmental theory; and family matters.
Subjects include Virginia politics and campaigns; national and regional political issues; removal of political disabilities of former Confederates; contested elections of 1876 and 1888; John Randolph Tucker's address, "The relations of the United States to each other; as modified by the War and Constitutional Amendments," 1877; Virginia state finances; affairs of Tulane University and Sophie Newcomb college; contest for the speakership of the House, 1883; Charles Cooper Nott's analysis of the Court of Claims, 1886; L.Q.C. Lamars's correspondence about John C. Calhoun, 1886; John Randolph Tucker's addresses at Yale and South Carolina College in 1887; Washington and Lee Law School, 1889; political activities of William Mahone and his faction in 1889 and the Virginia elections of 1890; Farmers Alliance and Industrial Union, national and local, 1890; investments and industrial development in the Goshen and Saunton, Va., area, 1891-1892; legal aspects of the Chile international situation, January 1892; narrative of European trip of W.P. Johnston, written by Mrs. Johnston in July-August 1896; Henry St. George Tucker's stand on the national platform of 1896, and the election; tributes to John Randolph Tucker, 1897; and campaign for funds for Tucker Memorial Hall at Washington and Lee University.
Some of the legislative issues in correspondence include Virginia's state debt settlement, 1876-1886; Blair Bill, 1885; French spoliation claims, 1887; Lodge's force bill and other Federal election bills, 1890-1892; currency, silver coinage, and related issues, 1891-1896; senatorial election issues, 1892; regulation of distilleries, 1892; pure foods, 1892; sugar bounty, 1895; and measures relating to tarrifs and internal revenue. Litigation subjects in correspondence include river pollution responsibility, 1877; Virginia coupon cases, 1886-1889; Chicago anarchists, 1887; Virginia habeas corpus cases in Supreme Court, 1887; University of Virginia vs Miller Fund for agricultural school, 1887; disputed ownership of swords of David E. Twiggs, 1888; and other cases that involved personal estates, railroad suits, subdivisions of the state of Virginia in various courts including the Supreme Court.
The papers also inlcude correspondence among families related to the Tuckers: the Carmichael, Shields, McGuire, and Powell connections; and the family of William Preston Johnson (1831-1899), president of Louisiana State University and later Tulane University, whose daughter Henrietta married Henry St. George Tucker in 1877.
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Subseries 1.3. Henry St. George Tucker Papers, 1898-1932 and undated.
Arrangement: Chronological.
This subseries chiefly contains the papers of Henry St. George Tucker, son of John Randolph Tucker. Included are letters and correspondence regarding political activities; and his speeches and writings in the field of constitutional law; and his occupations as attorney, law professor, member of Congress, Democratic Party worker, and local and national political candidate. Subjects covered in papers include his opinions on constitutional government; and federal regulations on prohibition, women's suffrage, child labor, lynchings, education, and local self-government. Additional topics include George Washington University, 1903-1905; St. Louis Exposition, 1904; American Bar Association; public education, Jamestown Exposition, 1907; San Francisco Exposition, 1915; tributes to John Randolph Tucker; Washington and Lee University; and family and personal matters. There are no congressional papers of Henry St. George Tucker for the period, 1922-1932.
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Series 2. Clippings, Printed Material, and Related Items, 1870-1921 and undated.
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Series 3. Photographs, circa 1861-1917 and undated.
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Series 4. Volumes, 1821-1926.
Volumes include two account books, 1821-1845 and 1848-1862; a lettercopy book, 1859-1861 and 1864; and scrapbooks of notes and clippings. Also included are antebellum personal and political papers of the Powell family of Virginia and scattered papers relating to Henry St. George Tucker (1780-1848), jurist, and (Nathaniel) Beverley Tucker (1820-1890), Confederate agent.
| Folder 638 |
Diploma #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." Folder 638 |
| Folder 639 |
#02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." Folder 639See Extra Oversized Paper Folder XOPF-2605/1a and Oversized Paper Folder OPF-2605/1b |
| Extra Oversize Paper XOPF-2605/1a |
Diplomas #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." XOPF-2605/1a |
| Oversize Paper OPF-2605/1b |
Diplomas #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." OPF-2605/1b |
| Folder 640 |
#02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." Folder 640See Separated Volume SV-2605/1 |
| SV-2605/1 |
Volume 1 #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." SV-2605/11821-1845: Ledger, miscellaneous financial memoranda and papers of Henry St. George Tucker. |
| Folder 641 |
Volume 2 #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." Folder 6411835-1854: Scrapbook. Topics include slavery, Texas Congressional bills, notes and clippings related to 1852 election. |
| Folder 642 |
Volume 3 #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." Folder 6421848-1862: Account book of John Randolph Tucker, with loose pages, Confederate notes, and two small notebooks enclosed. |
| Folder 643 |
Volume 4 #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." Folder 6431851: Scrapbook belonging to George Mason. Scrapbook contains notes, clippings, and political statistics on fugitive slave law and related matters. |
| Folder 644 |
Volume 5 #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." Folder 6441859-1864: Lettercopy book of John Randolph Tucker. |
| Folder 645 |
Volume 6 #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." Folder 6451868-1878: Album containing poetry, clippings, Albert S. Johnston memorial pamphlet, and other items. |
| Folder 646 |
Volume 7 #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." Folder 6461872-1874: Journal of Henrietta P. Johnston of Lexington, Va. Also includes entries by Henry St. George Tucker. |
| Folder 647 |
Volume 8 #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." Folder 6471874: Legal notes. |
| Folder 648 |
Volume 9 #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." Folder 6481876-1886: Political notes and clippings, loose speeches and pamphlets enclosed. |
| Folder 649 |
Volume 10 #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." Folder 649Circa 1877: Scrapbook of Caroline Hancock Johnston. |
| Folder 650 |
Volume 11 #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." Folder 6501878-1880: Scrapbook of political material. Includes speeches of William Preston Johnston, John Randolph Tucker; editorials; state and national elections; Winfield S. Hancock. |
| Folder 651 |
Volume 12 #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." Folder 6511888-1899: Clippings concerning Henry St. George Tucker, and Virginia and national politics. |
| Folder 652 |
Volume 13 #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." Folder 652December 1891: Henry St. George Tucker. A list of voters of the 16th Congressional District of Virginia, arranged alphabetically as to counties, post offices, and names. |
| Folder 653 |
Volume 14 #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." Folder 6531891-1894: Scrapbook, politics and elections. |
| Folder 654 |
Volume 15 #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." Folder 654Circa 1892: Paper on Constitutional liberty to the American Bar Association, possibly a printers gally copy. |
| Folder 655 |
Volume 16 #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." Folder 6551896: Scrapbook containing political clippings from small town Virginia newspapers. |
| Folder 656 |
#02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." Folder 656See Separated Volumes SV-2605/17-18. |
| SV-2605/17 |
Volume 17 #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." SV-2605/171903-1916: Social and family clippings; postals and pictures; notes and invitations; and loose clippings. |
| SV-2605/18 |
Volume 18 #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." SV-2605/181908-1909: Virginia politics, gubernatorial campaigns. |
| Folder 657 |
Volume 19 #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." Folder 6571908-1909: Mostly loose clippings on Virginia politics, belonging to Henry St. George Tucker. |
| Folder 658 |
#02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." Folder 658See Separated Volumes SV-2605/20-21 |
| SV-2605/20 |
Volume 20 #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." SV-2605/201914-1917: Correspondence about and book reviews of Limitations on Treaty Making Power by Henry St. George Tucker. |
| SV-2605/21 |
Volume 21 #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." SV-2605/211925-1926: Correspondence, clippings, and records regarding Henry St. George Tucker's stand on bill increasing salary of members of Congress, 4 March 1925. Also includes his grandfather's stand against a similar bill in 1816. |
| Folder 659 |
Volume 22 #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." Folder 659Five notebooks: 1846, Henry St. George Tucker, bank book and notes; 1857, John Randolph Tucker, accounts; 1866-1868, John Randolph Tucker, private notebook, Court of Appeals; 1869, account of books; and undated, list of miles travelled. |
| Folder 660 |
Volume 23 #02605, Series: "4. Volumes, 1821-1926." Folder 660Undated: Scrapbook with miscellaneous materials and loose items. (Acc. 605-C) |
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Series 5. Tucker Family Personal Papers, 1843-1932 and undated.
Arrangement: Chronological.
This series contains correspondence, letters, and other papers of a personal nature for the Tucker family. Topics include personal expenditures, family property, and other matters. Only a few items date prior to 1872.
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Items Separated
Processed by: SHC Staff
Encoded by: Noah Huffman, December 2007
Updated by: Adam Fielding, Kate Stratton, and Jodi Berkowitz, November 2010
This collection was rehoused and a summary created with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
This finding aid was created with support from NC ECHO.
Diacritics and other special characters have been omitted from this finding aid to facilitate keyword searching in web browsers.
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