William Bose Marye Collection 1745-1979, MS. 2458

Descriptive Summar

William Bose Marye Collection

MS. 2458

Maryland Historical Society

Baltimore MD 21201-4674

Manuscripts Division

Maryland Historical Society

September, 1981

Register

Charles L. Rodgers

We thank Robert Barnes for volunteering his assistance in the arrangement and description of the genealogical notes.

Born September 3, 1886 at Bellevue Farm near Kingsville, Maryland, William Bose Marye was the only son of William Nelson Marye and Elizabeth Mary Bose (Gittings) Marye. He was educated at Marston's School (now Gilman) in Baltimore, and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1907. As a member of the Maryland Naval Militia his unit was activated in 1917 when the United States entered World War One. During his lifetime Marye was simultaneously an antiquary, genealogist, historian, writer, and amateur archaeologist. He was recognized as a prominent authority on Maryland history, genealogy, topography, and Indian archaeology. Considered an expert on the seventeenth century topography of the Baltimore area he was especially active in discovering the names and tracing the paths of old watercourses. Genealogical research was a major occupation of his and he was the official genealogist for the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Maryland and for the Colonial Dames of America (National). Long a member of the Maryland Historical Society he served as corresponding secretary and member of the board. He wrote many articles for the Maryland Historical Magazine as well as for journals of Pennsylvania and Delaware archaeological societies. Poetry was another interest of his and two volumes entitled Farewell to Life and Collected Poems were published. His early life was spent on his family's farm near the fork of the Little and Big Gunpowder Rivers. Later he lived in a Baltimore City apartment. He never married. After a long and productive life full of research and writing William Bose Marye died at the age of 93 on October 23, 1979.

The William Bose Marye Collection

A large part of the William Bose Marye Collection is correspondence, genealogical, topographical and historical research material, and items of a more personal nature such as financial data, travel journals, and wills. Based primarily on subject or type of material the collection is divided into 13 sections which reflect how Marye created his records (primarily by subject), or what in the processor's judgment belonged together to make logical sense for future users. Much of the material, particularly the research material, is intermixed so there is some overlap among the sections. There was also a problem of accurately dating the material, especially the research notes, so inclusive dates are often broad.

General Correspondence

This section consists of both incoming and outgoing letters, dated 1904-1979, with the bulk falling in the period 1930-1970. Topics include genealogy, archaeology, travel, personal and family matters. Major correspondents include: Ellen Buchanan, Huntington Cairns, Mamie Haughton, Henrietta Potter James, Jeter Lee Jett, Helen Jones, Ora and Hamill Kenny, George H. S. King, Warren K. Moorehead, Mrs. Peggy Stein, Fred Stiner, Wilmer T. Stone, and C. A. Weslager (See

Appendix A for a more complete list of correspondents). Also included are letters between other persons (mostly family) dated 1863, 1880-1882, and 1901-1974.

Archaeology Correspondence

This section includes letters and telegrams dealing specifically with archaeology. This correspondence was in files created by Marye and includes such topics as Maryland archaeology and Indians, expeditions, findings, and observations. The correspondence is in alphabetical order according to correspondent and then in chronological order: Tyler Bastian, 1971-1973; Archibald Crozier, 1936-1939, 1945; E. Ralston Goldsborough, 1936-1938; Carl E. Guthe, 1935-1938; Neil M. Judd, 1931-1938; Thomas Mayr, 1930-1938, 1940; W. C. McKern, 1935-1939; Warren K. Moorehead, 1915-1919, 1921-1922, 1936-1937; H. Geiger Omwake, 1944.

Financial Material

The material is dated from 1890-1979 with the bulk falling in the period 1930-1979. However, there are many gaps. Included are checking account statements, cancelled checks and check stubs, miscellaneous bank notes, deposit slips, and statements, plus miscellaneous stock, bond, and security dividend notices and statements. There is also federal and state tax material, plus miscellaneous documents such as insurance policies, leases, and deposit certificates. Of some interest

are miscellaneous items pertaining to the estates of William Bose, Victoria Gittings, and Mrs. William N. Marye.

Scholarly and Literary Material

The items in this section were apparently generated over a wide period of time from perhaps 1920 to 1960. The Scholarly Material contains a large number of typed or handwritten manuscripts and rough drafts with accompanying research notes and source citations. Much of this material was the basis for articles published in such periodicals as the Maryland Historical Magazine. Topics include Maryland and Indians, local history and topography. Much of the material is titled and is alphabetically arranged. The Literary Material (fiction and poetry) includes a comparable number of typed or handwritten drafts and accompanying notes. There are several works of fiction of novel length or short story length, a play, and poetry, including Farewell to Life and Collected Poems. The material is alphabetically arranged by title (See Appendix B for a list of titled works).

Genealogical Material

This section is divided into four subsections which reflect how Marye created and maintained his records: Family Files, Miscellaneous Genealogical Research Material, Genealogical Correspondence, and Genealogical Source Files. Most of the material was apparently created in the period 1930-1970. The Family Files created by Marye include research

notes, source citations, family lineages, and related correspondence. The Family Files are alphabetically arranged according to surname. Of particular interest are several files of Marye genealogy. The Miscellaneous Genealogical Research Material includes research material and source citations that were separate or separated from the Family Files. This material is unarranged because the surnames and information are so intermingled. The Genealogical Correspondence which was separate or separated from the Family Files contains a mixture of surnames and is alphabetically arranged according to correspondent. The Genealogical Source Files include genealogical data gathered by Marye from specific publications, institutions, or government agencies. The material is alphabetically arranged by name of publication or agency.

Historical Material

This section contains files created by Marye which include research notes, source citations, manuscript drafts, plats, maps, and related correspondence. Topics include Maryland Indians (paths, roads, villages), local history (especially Baltimore County), natural history (rivers, streams, wildlife), and some archaeological references. The material is alphabetically arranged by topic and was apparently created in the period 1925-1975 with the bulk falling in the period 1930-1960.

Research Notebooks and Journals.

Making up the bulk of the section are some sixty research notebooks comprised of abstracts from deeds, wills indentures, and other land and legal data along with some genealogical and archaeological references. Twenty-seven of the notebooks are in Roman numeral sequence but with many numerical gaps; 16 are marked with letter/s; and 15 are without coverboards but presumably part of the Roman numeral set or the letter-marked set. The research notebooks were apparently created in the period 1920-1935. Another two notebooks, dated 1934 and 1935, are without markings of any kind and contain the same type of information. Many detached coverboards with the same type of data on the inside boards are included. Research done for the Colonial Dames of America is found in eleven notebooks numbered in Roman numeral sequence apparently created in the period 1920-1930. The notebooks include research notes and source citations pertaining to persons seeking membership in the Colonial Dames of America. There is a large journal containing a name index keyed to the notebooks. Research notes and source citations for the Burton, Cobbs, Jett, and Gilder lineages are found in four research notebooks. The notebooks are alphabetically arranged and fall in the period 1927-1930. Research on a variety of topics including Baltimore and Harford County place names, land data abstracts, and some genealogical

information is found in three notebooks probably created in the period 1920-1935. Three travel journals describing trips to Scotland and the Shetland Islands, plus a canoe trip in Maryland fall in the period 1910-1914. There is also a garden club account book and a date book created by relatives of Marye (Mrs. William N. Marye and Mary Forman Day) dated 1910-1945. Finally, three scrapbooks: Volume I, dated 1910-1945, primarily comprised of photographs and observations of expeditions on the Susquehanna and Conowingo Rivers (1916). Also family photographs, recollections of Bellevue, and anecdotes; Volume II, dated 1910-1940, containing primarily photographs, postcards, and observations of travel on the Orkney and Shetland Islands (1910). Also family photographs and recollections of Bellevue farm; Volume III, dated 1925-1960, containing family photographs, postcards, and newspaper clippings mounted on pages containing genealogical data on the Marye family as well as other families.

Miscellaneous Research Material.

This section includes intermingled research notes, source citations, rough drafts, maps, and plats probably created in the period 1910-1960. Topics include local history, topography, abstracts of deeds, wills, and other land and legal records, and some archaeological references. Also included are photocopies of deeds, wills, land patents, land surveys, indentures, and other land and legal documents that Marye used in his research and writing. Oversized photocopies and maps have been removed to the oversize file.

Legal Documents.

This section chiefly contains copies of wills and codecils. Items pertaining to Mr. Marye are dated 1914-1979. Other items (mostly relating to Marye's family) are dated 1767-1969.

Early Day Family Manuscripts.

Most of the principals (ancestors of Marye) include Edward A. Day, John Y. Day, William Y. Day, Other names that appear are G. G. Brewer and W. L. Young. The items, dated 1745-1879, include indenture contracts, codecils, deeds, depositions, receipts, plats, and letters, and are chronologically arranged.

Early Unidentified Manuscripts.

Includes letters, plats, poems, and other items whose creators are unknown. Undated and unarranged.

Correspondence Transcriptions.

These are transcriptions of letters dated 1800-1811. They are in chronological order with major correspondents including F. Fuller, P. Fuller, Sarah Goldsborough, John Lytton, John Potter, and Samuel Potter.

Miscellaneous.

Items dated 1907, 1913-1929, and 1955-1976. Included are garden plans and purchase lists, lists of valuables, address lists, and Christmas and Easter card lists. Also Marye's Bachelor of Arts diploma from Johns Hopkins University (removed to the oversize file).

General Correspondence

Incoming, 1910-1946

Box 2

Incoming, 1947-1960

Box 3

Incoming, 1961-1969

Box 4

Incoming, 1970-1975

Box 5

Incoming, 1976-1979, n.d.

Outgoing, 1904-1978, n.d.

Box 6

Between Other Persons, 1863, 1880-1882, 1901-1974, n.d.

Fragments of Letters, n.d.

List of dates and addresses of some letters written to his parents during WWI compiled by Marye, 1917

Archaeology Correspondence

Incoming, 1919-1973

Box 7

Financial Material

Savings Account Book, 1890-1924

Account Books, 1955-1958

Checking Account Statements (compiled by Marye), 1937, 1942, 1960-1978, n.d.

Cancelled Checks, 1919, 1964-1974

Box 8-10

Cancelled Checks, 1964-1974

Box 11

Cancelled Checks, 1964-1974

Check Stubs, 1963-1974

Box 12

Check Stubs, 1963-1974

Box 13

Check Stubs, 1963-1974

Bank Statements, 1962-1964

Miscellaneous Bank notes, deposit slips, statements, 1970-1978

Miscellaneous stock, bond, and security dividend notices and statements, 1902-1928, 1951-1959, 1965-1969, 1970-1979, n.d.

Federal and state income tax material, 1934, 1951-1953, 1964-1978

Estate of William Bose material, n.d.

Estate of Victoria Gittings, material, 1965

Estate of Elizabeth M. B. Marye, 1928-1979

Miscellaneous Documents, 1958-1979.

Miscellaneous Bills and Receipts, 1915-1979

Miscellaneous Receipts of William N. Marye, 1902-1915, n.d.

Miscellaneous Receipts of Other Persons, 1880-1902, 1930, 1946-1950, n.d.

Box 14

Scholarly and Literary Material

Scholarly Works

Box 15

Scholarly Works

Literary Works

Box 16

Literary Works

Box 17

Literary Works

Box 18

Genealogical Material

Family Files: Abell-Barbour

Box 19

Family Files: Barker-Blandensburgh

Box 20

Family Files: Blay-Brice

Box 21

Family Files: Briscoe-Burton

Box 22

Family Files: Burwell-Claiborne

Box 23

Family Files: Clark-Cromwell

Box 24

Family Files: Crosby-Dell

Box 25

Family Files: Dempsey-Dukehart

Box 26

Family Files: Dulany-Fettiplace

Box 27

Family Files: Ficklin-Ghiselin

Box 28

Family Files: Gibbs-Gwathmey

Box 29

Family Files: Hacker-Hayward

Box 30

Family Files: Hazlehurst-Houston

Box 31

Family Files: Howard-Jett

Box 32

Family Files: Jett-Lane

Box 33

Family Files: Longhorne-Lord

Box 34

Family Files: Lorman-Mann

Box 35

Family Files: Manning-May

Box 36

Family Files: McAdams-Morris

Box 37

Family Files: Marsell-Opie

Box 38

Family Files: Osborne-Poole

Box 39

Family Files: Pope-Reynolds

Box 40

Family Files: Ricaud-Scott

Box 41

Family Files: Scribner-Stemmer

Box 42

Family Files: Stephenson-Thoroughgood

Box 43

Family Files: Thruston-Ward

Box 44

Family Files: Ware-Willard

Box 45

Family Files: Williams-Zell

Box 46

Miscellaneous Research Material

Box 47

Correspondence, Allen-Greene

Box 48

Correspondence, Haines-Neilson

Box 49

Correspondence, Newman-Zantzinger

Source Files

Box 50

Historical Material

Accokeek Indian Town-Choptank Path

Box 51

Choptank River-Grace's Quarters

Box 52

Gunpowder Neck-Indian Path, Grosses Creek

Box 53

Indian Path, Treadhaven Creek-Long Green

Box 54

Magothy-Oldton's Garrison

Box 55

Paca's Park-Stansbury, Thomas

Box 56

Steelman, John H.-Zachiah Swamp

Box 57

Research Notebooks and Journals

Notebooks I-VII

Box 58

Notebooks VIII-XX

Box 59

Notebooks XXI-XXVIII

Box 60

Notebooks XXIX-XLIV

Notebooks A-B

Box 61

Notebooks C-N

Box 62

Notebooks P-S

Notebooks without number or letter.

Box 63

Notebooks without number or letter.

Box 64

Research Notebooks, 1934 and 1935

Coverboards

Box 65

Colonial Dames Research Notebooks, I-XI

Box 66

Index to Colonial Dames Notebooks

Genealogical Research Notebooks

Other Research Notebooks

Box 67

Other Research Notebooks

Travel Journals

Other People's Journals (Mrs. William N. Marye and Mary Forman Day)

Daybook Coverboards

Box 68

Scrapbooks, Volume I, Volume II

Box 69

Scrapbooks, Volume III

Box 70-72

Miscellaneous Research Material

Box 73

Legal Documents

Early Day Family Manuscripts

Early Unidentified Manuscripts

Correspondence Transcriptions

Miscellaneous

Appendix A Major Correspondents

Ellen Buchanan

Huntington Cairns

Donald A. Cadzow

Adeline Crenshaw

Mrs. Anna Burgess Everett

Ralph Fouts

Mrs. Louise Gilder

Alice Ferguson

Victoria Gittings

Mamie Haughton

Joseph Lee Hughes

Henrietta Potter James

Mary Lee Jenness

Jeter Lee Jett

Mrs. Howard S. Johnson

Helen Jones

Ora and Hamill Kenny

George H. S. King

Mrs. Arden Kirkland

Mrs. John F. Langmaid

George T. Marye

Robert Marye

William N. Marye

Mrs. William N. Marye

John I. Middleton

Warren K. Moorehead

H. Geiger Omwake

Mrs. Helen Penniman

Washington Platt

Annie Squirrel

Mrs. Peggy Stein

Fred Stiner

Wilmer T. Stone

Olaf Strandwold

James L. Taylor

C. A. Weslager

Appendix B

Scholarly Material, Titled Works

“Some Baltimore Place Names”

“Indian Bridges”

“Indian Paths from the Raystown Branch to the Juanita to Potomac River”

“Report of an Investigation of the Indian Pictographs of Indian Rock and other Islands lying in Susquehanna River between Bald Friar and Conowingo in Maryland”

“Highways of Indian Travel”

“Some Indian Village Sites of the Lower Susquehanna”

“The Historic Mulberry Tree of St. Mary's City”

“The Sea Coast of Maryland”

“Stony Run”

Literary Material, Titled Works

Stories: “Ada Denby”

“The Birth, Life, and Death of a Maryland Farm”

“Blakeny Carucci”

“Ivan Hamilton's Ordeal”

“Silas Oldfield's Homecoming”

“Taylor's Mount”

“Two Buddies”

Play: “Reuben's Mother”

Poetry: Farewell to Life

Collected Poems