Research Catalog

Gordon Lester Ford papers

Title
Gordon Lester Ford papers, 1830-1910, bulk (1850-1869).
Author
Ford, Gordon Lester, 1823-1891.
Supplementary Content
Finding Aid

Details

Additional Authors
  • Bliss, Alexander.
  • Burnham, Gordon W. (Gordon Webster), 1803-1885.
  • Chittenden, S. B. (Simeon Baldwin), 1814-1889.
  • Ford, Emily Ellsworth (Fowler), 1826-1893.
  • Fowler, William Chauncey, 1793-1881.
  • Gardner, Henry J. (Henry Joseph), 1818-1892.
  • March, Francis Andrew, 1825-1911.
  • Nordhoff, Charles, 1830-1901.
  • Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912.
  • Associated Press.
  • G. & C. Merriam Company.
Description
11 linear feet (24 boxes).
Summary
The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence, legal and business papers and account books.
Subject
  • Ford, Gordon Lester, 1823-1891
  • Ford family
  • Burnham family
  • New London, Willimantic & Palmer Railroad
  • Brooklyn Daily Union
  • Autographs > Collectors and collecting
  • Newspaper publishing > New York (State) > New York
  • Real estate investment
  • Railroads > United States
  • Internal revenue > New York (State)
  • United States marshals
  • Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)
Note
  • were microfilmed in 1956 by the Archives of American Art, Washington, D.C.; RLIN ID#DCAW40752X-A.
Access (note)
  • Restricted access;
Source (note)
  • Ford, Gordon L. Family
Biography (note)
  • Gordon Lester Ford (1823-1891) was a businessman, lawyer and collector of Americana. He practiced law for much of his life but his main interests were business and real estate investment. He was president of the New London, Willimantic & Palmer Railroad from 1852 to 1856 and director or investor in several other railroads. He also served as U.S. Marshall in southern New York, collector of internal revenue for the third collection district, commissioner of deeds, and business manager of the New York Tribune. In 1863 he helped to found the Brooklyn Daily Union, a newspaper devoted to supporting the Union cause during the Civil War. He also was a founder of the Brooklyn Academy of Music and of the Brooklyn Art Association. He collected books and manuscripts and assembled what was regarded as one of the largest private collections of Americana.
Processing Action (note)
  • Cataloged
Call Number
MssCol 1040
OCLC
NYPW92-A195
Author
Ford, Gordon Lester, 1823-1891.
Title
Gordon Lester Ford papers, 1830-1910, bulk (1850-1869).
Restricted Access
Restricted access; Manuscripts and Archives Division; Permit must be requested at the division indicated.
Biography
Gordon Lester Ford (1823-1891) was a businessman, lawyer and collector of Americana. He practiced law for much of his life but his main interests were business and real estate investment. He was president of the New London, Willimantic & Palmer Railroad from 1852 to 1856 and director or investor in several other railroads. He also served as U.S. Marshall in southern New York, collector of internal revenue for the third collection district, commissioner of deeds, and business manager of the New York Tribune. In 1863 he helped to found the Brooklyn Daily Union, a newspaper devoted to supporting the Union cause during the Civil War. He also was a founder of the Brooklyn Academy of Music and of the Brooklyn Art Association. He collected books and manuscripts and assembled what was regarded as one of the largest private collections of Americana.
Finding Aids
Collection guide available in repository and on internet.
Connect to:
Finding Aid
Occupation
Lawyers.
Businessmen.
Added Author
Bliss, Alexander.
Burnham, Gordon W. (Gordon Webster), 1803-1885.
Chittenden, S. B. (Simeon Baldwin), 1814-1889.
Ford, Emily Ellsworth (Fowler), 1826-1893.
Fowler, William Chauncey, 1793-1881.
Gardner, Henry J. (Henry Joseph), 1818-1892.
March, Francis Andrew, 1825-1911.
Nordhoff, Charles, 1830-1901.
Reid, Whitelaw, 1837-1912.
Associated Press.
G. & C. Merriam Company.
Research Call Number
MssCol 1040
View in Legacy Catalog