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Jacob Maus Schermerhorn family papers

 Collection
Identifier: A.S32

Biographical/Historical note

Jacob Maus Schermerhorn (1804-1890) was born in Schenectady, New York and educated at Union College. In 1826, he moved to Rochester, New York and established himself as a lawyer, practicing until 1837. In that same year, he founded the Bank of Monroe with his brother, Abraham. He was also active in real estate. In 1931, he married Louisa Anna Barber (1810-1899), daughter of Jedidiah and Matilda Barber of Homer, New York. Schermerhorn was known for his philanthropy and work in the abolition movement. He was devoted to his evangelical religion; his personal ledgers reveal he provided financial assistance to many indigent individuals and funded religious organizations such as the Auburn Seminary. Moreover, his progressive thinking led him to donate to charitable organizations such as the Female Benevolent Society and to provide monetary assistance to enslaved individuals escaping to Canada. In 1841, he moved his family to Homer, New York in Cortland County, yet sustained his business ties in Rochester. According to the book Lincoln’s Gift from Homer, New York: A Painter, an Editor and a Detective, the Schermerhorn name became prominent not just in Homer, New York, but in the Republican Party as Schermerhorn expanded his interests in railroading and other corporations. By 1865 he had an income in excess of $43,000, the largest income in Cortland County. In 1890, he died and was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester.

Scope and Contents

The Jacob Maus Schermerhorn family papers (1831-1908) consist of correspondence of Schermerhorn and his family, for a total of 1393 letters, which have been mounted in eight folio volumes and eight small, soft leather and paperbound notebooks detailing individual and household expenses from 1831-1840, filling 360 pages.

Schermerhorn's account ledgers detail both his family and individual expenses during the first ten years of his marriage to wife Louisa Anna Barber. The five ledgers titled "Family Expenses" include charity donations, travel expenses, postage, food items such as beef and dried plums, and household items such as shoes and oil. Three additional ledgers pertaining to Schermerhorn's individual expenses include common items like calico, nails, chicken, gloves, and, more uniquely, a $50.00 donation to fund the establishment of three professorships at the Auburn Theological Seminary. The ledgers reveal much about the spending habits and philanthropic capabilities of the Schermerhorn's upper-middle class household situated within the period of the mid-19th century.

Creator

Dates

  • Creation: 1831-1908

Language of Materials

English

Extent

8 volume(s) (1393 mounted letters, invitations, cards, pictures; Binder's title: Letters from "The Hedges"; Homer, New York, 1831-1908.)

0.19 cubic feet (1 container)

Restrictions on Access

The Jacob Maus Schermerhorn Family Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Restrictions on Use

In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

The correspondence was acquired from Katherine Oliver Stanley-Brown, July 10, 1950. The household account ledgers were acquired in 2018.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Jacob Maus Schermerhorn Family Papers, A.S32, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Title
Jacob Maus Schermerhorn family papers A.S32
Status
In Progress
Author
Emilee Brecht
Date
undated
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Library Details

Part of the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Library

Contact:
Rochester NY 14627-0055 USA