Redwood collection

Papers of Mary B. Coale Redwood (Mrs. Francis T. Redwood)

Mrs. Redwood's papers include correspondence (1879-1940); printed material (1882-1916, n.d.); a genealogy of George Buchanan II (n.d.); and correspondence (1907-1935) and research notes (n.d.) relating to her family history and genealogy.

Mrs. Redwood's correspondence (1879-1940) is comprised mostly of incoming letters, but includes some copies of outgoing letters. The correspondence reflects Mrs. Redwood's consuming interests in genealogy and family history, patriotism, and her son, George B. Redwood. Many letters are from relatives and other concerning research on the Buchanan, McKean and Hopkinson families. Letters from Mrs. Redwood's husband, Frank, concern his trip on the yacht Enterprise (1901). Mrs. Redwood received letters of condolence upon the deaths of her mother, Caroline Coale (1902), and her husband (1906). Some correspondence is with Frank W. Pine of the Gilman School in Roland Park and representatives of other schools concerning essay contests sponsored by Mrs. Redwood on patriotic Americans (1916-1917). Some interesting letters concern the Gilman school's efforts to persuade Mrs. Redwood not to exclude Robert E. Lee as an acceptable example of a patriotic American. Thankyou notes from prize winners are included.

Other correspondents include Carrie B. Young, who wrote about a nurses training program (1917); and numerous friends and relatives who wrote to Mrs. Redwood between 1916-1937 concerning George B. Redwood's decision to go to war, his winning of the Croix de Guerre, and his death (1918). The letters also concern Mrs. Redwood's efforts to collect her son's papers, biographical information about him, and memorial services and tributes in his memory. In 1940, Mrs. Redwood received replies from Maryland Senators Radcliffe and Tydings acknowledging receipt of her letters expressing concern over the international situation.

Many letters to Mrs. Redwood concern travel. A letter from John (W. Tottle, Jr.) in 1929 describes a trip to Havanna, Cuba. In a series of letters (1926-1929), Grafton D. Dorsey, who travelled with his wife, Isabel, wrote highly descriptive accounts of his travels in Switzerland, Italy, France, London and Singapore. Dorsey's letters are typewritten, and many have appropriate photographs and postcards attached. His letters describe sightseeing tours, pageants in Switzerland, and traditional celebrations such as St. Catherine's Day in France. He also commented, sometimes caustically, on what he considered to be the dominant characteristics of various nationalities. Dorsey's letters include many observations of Mussolini's Italy, and evaluations of the good and bad features of the dictator's regime. Dorsey chatted about numerous health resorts and doctors that he and his wife frequented; described a decadent play (Somerset Maugham's The Sacred Flame) in London that he thought more morally harmful than the Folies Bergrave; and mentioned famous people whom he met such as Princess Pignatelli, one of the Pirelli's of the rubber firm, and Russian diplomat, Pierre Botkine.

Printed material (1882-1916, n.d.) in Mrs. Redwood's papers includes a copy of the Baltimore Underwriter (June 20, 1882) with an article on the Alabama claims that mentions George B. Coale (Mrs. Redwood's father); a wedding announcement (1889) for Mary Letitia Brown and Edward Hartwell; a newsletter of the Banking House of Middendorf, Williams and Co. with a comment on the death of Francis T. Redwood (Dec. 1, 1906); two issues of the Gilman (School) News (April 4 and 11, 1916); newsclippings (1901) concerning Francis Redwood's sporting activities and cruise on the yacht Enterprise, and George Redwood's school activities; and calling cards of E. B. Coale in Paris.

Other papers of Mrs. Redwood include a copy of the genealogy that she traced of George Buchanan II (n.d.); and correspondence (1907-1935) with relatives and research insitutions concerning the Hopkinson and Duche families. Also, many folders of research notes, including lists of manuscripts and illustrations in various institutions, on the Borden, Brooke, Buchanan, Coale, Dorsey, Forster, Harper, Hopkinson, Proud and Royer families.

The rest of this collection is comprised of family papers including estate papers, correspondence, letterbooks, diaries and notebooks of the Buchanan, Coale, Proud and other related families.