Z 2175.000 Postlethwaite (Mary Elizabeth) and Family Papers
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Z 2175.000 S
POSTLETHWAITE (MARY ELIZABETH) AND FAMILY PAPERS
1865-1970
Folders 8 and 13 are restricted; reference photocopies in folders 7 and 12 must be used instead.

Biography/History:

Born in 1813, Alexander James Postlethwaite was the son of Henry and Elizabeth Postlethwaite, who moved from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to Natchez, Mississippi, in the early nineteenth century. Alexander James Postlethwaite was also the nephew of Samuel Postlethwaite, who built the Natchez mansion, Clifton. Postlethwaite�s father and uncle later died of yellow fever in 1823 and 1825, respectively.

Alexander James Postlethwaite became a wealthy dry-goods merchant and importer in Natchez. He later married Mary Elizabeth Browder (1821-1900) in 1851. The Postlethwaites had five children: Elizabeth (1851-1943); Susan Henderson (1853-1919); Alexander James, Jr. (1856-1941); Frederick Browder (b. 1858); and Duncan (1861-1933). Alexander James Postlethwaite, Sr., died of typhoid fever in 1866.

Duncan Postlethwaite married Blanche Delmar Weiner (d. 1914) in 1903. The Postlethwaites had one daughter, Mary Elizabeth, who was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on July 28, 1904. She was a graduate of the University of Michigan. Postlethwaite later lived at 28 Homochitto Street in Natchez where she was a local historian and genealogical researcher. She died on July 3, 1988, and was interred in the Natchez City Cemetery.

Scope and Content:

 This collection includes genealogical correspondence and records and newsclippings of Mary Elizabeth Postlethwaite; a letter from Samuel Gustine to Alexander James Postlethwaite, Jr.; a typewritten manuscript of Alexander James Postlethwaite, Jr.; and financial records of various Postlethwaite family members.

The genealogical correspondence and records and newsclippings of Mary Elizabeth Postlethwaite reflect her lifelong interest in Natchez history and genealogy. There is a 1941 typescript of her genealogical compilation entitled "99 Pages of Postlethwaite Data." There is also an undated mimeographed copy of an appeal for the boycotting of white-owned Natchez businesses during the civil rights movement.

The January 24, 1865, letter of Confederate prisoner-of-war Samuel Gustine was written from Camp Chase, Ohio, Prison No. 2, Barracks No. 2, to his cousin, Alexander James Postlethwaite, Jr. In the letter, he requests Postlethwaite to obtain fifty dollars from Kate Surget Minor, a cousin of Gustine, and send it to him in prison. The letter also mentions Rebecca Ann Gustine Minor, an aunt of Gustine.

The ca. 1931-1940 typescript of an earlier manuscript by Alexander James Postlethwaite, Jr., is entitled "How and Why the Adams Light Infantry Was Organized." It contains a brief history of the company, which was first organized in Natchez on July 4, 1876, and commanded by Captain T. Otis Baker.

The financial records include an 1865-1866 account book of Mary Elizabeth Browder Postlethwaite and two 1867 invoices for items purchased by her at the Natchez dry-goods store of Henry Frank.

Series Identification:

Mary Elizabeth Postlethwaite Papers
  1. Correspondence (Mary Elizabeth Postlethwaite). 1957-1958; n.d. 1 folder.

  2. Genealogical Records (Postlethwaite and Allied Families). 1941; n.d. 5 folders.

  3. Newspaper Clippings. 1968; 1970; n.d. 1 folder.

  4. Appeal for the Boycotting of White-Owned Natchez Businesses During the Civil Rights Movement. n.d. 1 folder.

    Postlethwaite Family Papers

  5. Letter (Samuel Gustine). 1865. 1 folder.

  6. Manuscript (Alexander James Postlethwaite, Jr.). n.d. 2 folders.

  7. Financial Records (Postlethwaite Family). 1865-1867. 1 folder.

Box List: