Silas Cheney family papers
1951-28-0
Scope and Contents
The Silas Cheney family papers consist of documents primarily related to Silas Cheney (1821-1874), a Litchfield, Conn., broker and also several members of his immediate family, including his brother Edward Porter Cheney (1815-1904); his sisters Mary Young Cheney Greeley (1811-1872), wife of Horace Greeley, and Charlotte M. Cheney (1812-1886); and his mother Mary Young Cheney ( -1874). The collection consists of correspondence, business and legal papers, leases, and deeds. Litchfield furniture maker Silas Ely Cheney (1778-1821) and Mary Young Cheney ( -1874) of Waterbury, Conn., had four children, all born in Litchfield: Charlotte M. Cheney, Mary Young Cheney Greeley, Edward Porter Cheney, and Silas E. Cheney. In 1834, Mary married Horace Greeley, founder and editor of The New York Tribune and an 1872 presidential candidate, and there are three letters written by her, one before her marriage, one from 1837, and one from 1841. They offer a glimpse into the early years of her life with Greeley. In the 1840s, Silas operated a store and the collection includes his account book. In the 1850s, both Edward and Silas went west as young men and became associated with Greeley’s brother Nathan Barnes Greeley in Clymer, N.Y., where the Greeley family had a farm. Letters written by Edward and Silas describe their activities there. Later that decade, both Edward and Silas worked for Horace Greeley. There are two Greeley letters: one from Barnes Greeley detailing a farm for sale and a note from Horace Greeley about a transaction involving some papers. The relationship of Edward and Silas with the Greeleys did not last. In the 1860s, they both returned to Litchfield and the family homestead, where their mother lived. Charlotte, who had gone to Owego, N.Y., also returned to Litchfield. Mary Young Cheney Greeley remained in New York with her husband. Silas worked as a farmer and a broker. Correspondence from the 1860s through 1880s relates to his real estate and financial dealings, some involving stock of The New York Tribune. Edward was a marshal and farmer. Their papers include correspondence, receipts, promissory notes, orders, tax collector documents, banking papers, and lists. Also of note are several letters written by Charlotte Cheney, Mary Young Cheney, and Silas E. Cheney’s (1776-1821) sister, Hannah Cheney Gregory Sherwood (1772- ).
Dates
- created: 1818-1883
- Other: Date acquired: 04/05/1952
Creator
- Cheney family (Family)
- Cheney, Silas E., 1821-1874 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection are in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use. Copyright status for other collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Extent
0.21 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Source of Acquisition
Mrs. E. W. Hunt and Mr. Fernie W. Hunt
Method of Acquisition
Gift
Existence and Location of Originals
multi-part note content
Other Descriptive Information
This collection was processed with support from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
Subject
- Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872 (Person)
- Cheney family (Family)
- Cheney, Silas E., 1821-1874 (Person)
- Cheney, Edward Porter, 1815-1904 (Person)
- New York tribune (Organization)
Genre / Form
Geographic
Occupation
Topical
- Title
- Silas Cheney family papers
- Author
- Leith Johnson
- Date
- 07/02/2011
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Litchfield Historical Society Repository
7 South Street
P.O. Box 385
Litchfield CT 06759
860-567-4501
860-567-3565 (Fax)
archivist@litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org