Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Stearns Family Papers
Stearns family (Mansfield, Massachusetts)
Ms.1989.013
1.4 Cubic Feet
4 boxes
1714-1920
The Stearns Family Papers consist of photocopies of transcripts and originals of correspondence, diaries, official documents, writings, and other genealogical documents (1714-1920) of the Stearns family, primarily of Massachusetts.
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Stearns Family Papers, Ms1989-013, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Source of Acquisition
The original papers and transcripts are in the possession of Stuart H. Buck of Lynchburg, Virginia, who edited and transcribed the Stearns Family Papers. He loaned the transcripts to the Special Collections Department in January 1989. The transcripts were copied in February and March and returned to Mr. Buck in March 1989.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Stearns Family Papers was completed in 1989.
Biographical Note
The Stearns family is descended from Isaac Stearns (1600-1671), who was born in England in 1600 and came to America in 1630. He landed in Salem, Massachusetts, and settled in nearby Watertown, where he became a town selectman. Most of the materials are concerned with the 7th Isaac Stearns (1790-1879), and his extended family and descendants. This branch of the Stearns family remained in or near Mansfield, Massachusetts, for 300 years, or seven generations, and saved thousands of papers concerning most of the family members. Materials related to their history were later edited and transcribed by Stuart H. Buck, great-grandson of the 7th Isaac, of Lynchburg, Virginia.
Scope and Content
The Stearns Family Papers consist of photocopies of transcripts and originals of correspondence, diaries, official documents, writings, and other genealogical documents (1714-1920) of the Stearns family. Several essays describing the genealogy of the family precede the transcripts of the family papers. An index to the transcripts is included. Included in the papers are the extensive American Civil War correspondence of Orange Scott Stearns (1835-1870) of the 29th Massachusetts Regiment, to his family, and the Civil War papers of Isaac Holden Stearns (1825-1897), a surgeon in the 22nd Massachusetts Infantry. The papers also include the poems of Sally Stearns (1804-1890), copies of the papers of Samuel Crocker Lovell (1840-?), and essays on the genealogy of the Stearns and other related families by Stuart H. Buck. Essays concerning specific family members are organized after the index, followed by information on Samuel Crocker Lovell, John Lee Holt, and Erie L. Ditty, Civil War soldiers.
Arrangement
This collections is arranged by subject, then chronologically.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Stearns Family Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
Civil War
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Diaries
Family Correspondence, Diaries, History and Genealogical Writings1714-1986"Out of the Sugar Barrels," (1985) by Stuart H. Buck. Typescript, unbound history of Isaac Stearns. Jr. (1790-1879) and family. 179 pp.1790-187911"Genealogical Notes on the Stearns, Buck, Caswell, Cheever, Fillebrown, Pratt, Smith, Ware family and others," by Stuart H. Buck. Typescript, unbound, 40 pp.n.d.12Itemized list and descriptions of original Stearns and Buck family documentsn.d.13"The Cheever Connection ," (1986) edited by Stuart H. Buck. Unbound transcripts of letters (1780-1825) concerning the Cheever family, with a description of the connection between the Cheevers and the Stearns. 78 pp.1780-182014Stearns family correspondence, diaries, etc.1714-181115Stearns family correspondence, diaries, etc.1812-183016Stearns family correspondence, diaries, etc.1830-3617Stearns family correspondence, diaries, etc.1836-184318Family Correspondence, Diaries, etc.1843-1890Stearns family correspondence, diaries, etc.1843-185221Stearns family correspondence, diaries, etc.1853-186022Stearns family correspondence, diaries, etc.1858-186223Stearns family correspondence, diaries, etc.1863-187024Stearns family correspondence, diaries, etc.1866-186825Stearns family correspondence, diaries, etc.1869-188126Stearns family correspondence, diaries, etc.1882-189027Family Correspondence, Diaries, Indices to family papers, Proceedings, and a Poem1850-1920Stearns family correspondence, diaries, etc.1891-192031Index to the Stearns family papers (A - Smith, Jane)n.d.32Index to the Stearns family papers (Smith, Jerusha - Stearns, Nathan)n.d.33Index to the Stearns family papers (Stearns, O. Scott - Wetheral, Solomon)n.d.34Proceedings taken by Isaac Holden Stearns and George Frederic Stearns, secretaries (1850-55) of the Abington Society of Natural History. Includes excerpts (1851-57) from Isaac Holden Stearns' diary.1850-185735Sally Stearns--poemsn.d.36Civil War Correspondence, Regiment History, Memoirs, Photographs, Essay, and Diary1825-1897Isaac Holden Stearns (1825-97), surgeon of the 22nd Massachusetts Infantry. Correspondence (1858-64) and a copy of a history of the regiment1825-189741"Memoirs of a Lieutenant in the Civil War," by Erie L. Ditty. Typescript, unbound memoirs with photographs of Civil War scenesn.d.42"The Letters of John Lee Holt" (1829-63), edited by James A. Mumper. Published biographical essay of a Confederate soldier killed at Gettysburg during Pickett's charge1829-186343Lovell, Samuel C., 1st Lieutenant in the 4th Massachusetts Calvary, who led the escort of General Lee form the battlefield at Appomattox, Virginia in April 1865. Published descriptions and a typescript diary186544