Henry Elie Rochester papers
Biographical / Historical note
In 1810, Nathaniel Rochester, his wife Sophia Beatty Rochester, and their nine children moved from North Carolina to Dansville. In 1812, the family moved again, this time to settle in the growing town of Rochesterville. Henry Elie Rochester, Nathaniel's youngest son, was born on January 7, 1806, in Hagerstown, Maryland. When the Rochester family made its move to Rochesterville, Henry was only six years old. Beginning in his late teens, Henry Elie began to immerse himself into local business, and became a community leader. Henry Elie worked a business man in the coal and pig-iron market, an attorney, a county clerk, and a money lender. In April 1833, Henry Elie married Jane Hart, and together they had eight children, five of whom survived to adulthood.
Scope and Contents
The bulk of the collection highlights Henry Elie’s life, ranging from the early 1820s to the 1880s. There is also a substantial body of correspondences between members of the Rochester family, as well between Henry Elie and many of his friends and business acquaintances. Henry Elie regularly corresponded with his older brothers, William Beatty and Thomas Hart.
Many of the letters and documents of the collection include information related to Henry Elie’s legal career. These documents include cases in which he acted as attorney, as well as deeds torent or sell the land which he owned.
Notable among the documents in the collection, are the letters, telegrams, and newspaper clippings related to the circumstances of the death of Henry Elie’s oldest son, Henry Hart Rochester, who died in a hotel fire in 1858. These documents are believed to have been found signed and burned in the coat pocket of Henry Hart, after his death.
Creator
- Rochester, Henry Elie, 1806-1889 (Person)
- Rochester, Thomas Hart (Person)
- Rochester, William Beatty, 1789-1838 (Person)
Dates
- Creation: 1817-1888
Language of Materials
English
Extent
2 linear feet (2 manuscript boxes)
Access
The Henry Eilie Rochester 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.
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
The Henry Elie Rochester Papers were made a gift of Ross Roby, March 25, 1988.
Preferred Citation
[Item title, item date], Henry Elie Rochester Papers, D.211, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Genre / Form
Geographic
Occupation
Subject
- Rochester, Henry Elie, 1806-1889 (Person)
- Rochester, Thomas Hart (Person)
- Rochester, William Beatty, 1789-1838 (Person)
- Rochester family (Family)
- Title
- Henry Elie Rochester papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Danielle Vander Horst
- Date
- 20 December 2014
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Library Details
Part of the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Library
