Roosevelt Family Papers, 1469-1962 | Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum

Collection Overview

Title: Roosevelt Family Papers, 1469-1962

Extent: 64.17 Cubic Feet

Arrangement: The papers are arranged into two series (Papers Colleted by Frankin D. Roosevelt and Family Papers Received from other Donors) and various subseries thereunder.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The collection contains correspondence, letter books, diaries, and real estate and business papers of many Roosevelt family members – direct ancestors and other relatives of both Franklin D. and Eleanor Roosevelt. Scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, maps, pamphlets and other printed materials pertaining to family members are also included.

The President's paternal line, which included well-to-do merchants and property owners in the city of New York and Dutchess County, was as follows: Claes Martenszen Van Rosenvelt (?-?) -- Nicholas Roosevelt (1658-1742) -- Jacobus Roosevelt (1692-1776) -- Isaac (I) Roosevelt (1726-1794) -- James (I) Roosevelt (1760-1847) -- Isaac (II) Roosevelt (1790-1863) -- James (II) Roosevelt (1828-1900) -- Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945)

The papers of the Roosevelt line found in this collection date from 1679 but the earliest papers in any quantity are those of Jacobus Roosevelt, the President's great-great-great grandfather. His papers and those of his direct descendants include correspondence, deeds, and account books, dealing mainly with real estate in the city of New York and the sugar refining mill established by Isaac (I).

Isaac (I) ("the Patriot"), a financial supporter of the Revolution, was a member of the Constitutional Convention held in Poughkeepsie in 1788 for the purpose of ratifying the Federal Constitution. He served as the first President of the Bank of New York. Isaac's son James (I) continued the family sugar refining business started by his father f retiring in 1819 to "Mount Hope", his newly constructed home several miles north of Poughkeepsie. In 1832, his son Dr. Isaac Roosevelt built a house nearby on the estate called "Rosedale." James (I) willed "Mount Hope" to his grandson James (II). Dr. Isaac's other son, John Aspinwall Roosevelt, inherited "Rosedale" on his father's death. Most of the papers of the President's direct ancestors came from the "Rosedale” estate as "Mount Hope" was destroyed by fire in 1866. Other documents concerning the Roosevelt family were donated to the President by several individuals; correspondence showing their background is often found filed with the documents.

The "Crum Elbow" Papers, also from the "Rosedale" estate, mainly concern the property of the Ludlow family in Hyde Park, later a part of James (II) Roosevelt's "Springwood" estate. The relationship between these Ludlows and Eleanor Roosevelt's grandmother, Nary Ludlow Hall, and great-grandparents, Elizabeth Livingston and Edward Hunter Ludlow, is not known.

The collection also contains papers of James (II) Roosevelt, his first wife, Rebecca Howland Roosevelt, and his second wife, Sara Delano Roosevelt - the President's mother. The President's father practiced law for a short time and later entered the railroad business, becoming Vice-President of the Delaware and Hudson Railroad Company and President of the Champlain Transportation Company. He was also active in Dutchess County affairs, serving as Supervisor of the Town of Hyde Park for two terms and as a manager of the Hudson River State Hospital.

Papers of James Roosevelt Roosevelt ("Rosy"), Franklin D. Roosevelt’s half-brother, and John Aspinwall, Roosevelt, his uncle, are also in this group of family papers. "Rosy" served as Secretary of the United States Legation at Vienna and Secretary of the Embassy at London, 1888-1896. John Aspinwall Roosevelt, a well-known ice-yachting enthusiast, was a commodore of the Poughkeepsie Ice Yacht Club and the owner of the Icicle, many times a winner of the Ice Yacht Challenge Pennant of America.

Also present is the President's collection of Delano family papers dating from 1469. The Delano family originated in France, with later members moving to Holland. The first Delano in this country, Philippe de la Noye, settled in Massachusetts and the family became well-known in the shipping business. Sara Delano Roosevelt's grandfather, Captain Warren Delano, constructed the Delano home in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Sara's father, Warren Delano II, and his brother Edward both had shipping interests in China and the Delano family lived there for a period during Sara's childhood (1862-1865). After returning from China, the family lived at "Algonac" near Newburgh, New York. The collection also includes papers of the Hall family, largely business and property records of Eleanor Roosevelt's maternal grandparents, Valentine G. and Nary Ludlow Hall of Tivoli, New York. Included are a few items connected with Elizabeth Ludlow and Nary Livingston, Mrs. Hall's mother and grandmother.

Papers of Gracie Hall Roosevelt, Eleanor's brother, consist of records of building projects that he supervised in Hyde Park around 1940. The papers of Helen Roosevelt Robinson, daughter of "Rosy" Roosevelt, include correspondence received from Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, as well as a few letters from Theodore Roosevelt.

Administrative Information

Repository: Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum

Access Restrictions: None.

Use Restrictions: Literary property rights in these papers have not been donated to the United States Government.

Acquisition Method: Franklin D. Roosevelt purchased many of these family papers and acquired others from family and friends. He, it turn, gave his collection to the Library. Papers of James Roosevelt Roosevelt were given to the Library by his daughter, Helen Roosevelt Robinson; papers of John Aspinwall Roosevelt were received from his grandson, Russell Crosby Clark; Hall Family Papers were received from Eleanor Roosevelt and the Rev. James W. Lindsley. Papers of Helen Roosevelt Robinson were received from her estate. Other Roosevelt and Delano family items were donated to the Library by Eleanor Roosevelt, Frederic A. Delano, Helen Roosevelt Robinson, Sylvia Delano Hitch, H.R. Madol, Charles A. Ranlett, and William Hassett. The paperse ewre received at the Library between 1941 and 1974.

Related Materials: Family Papers in the Papers of Eleanor Roosevelt; Roosevelt Family Papers Donated by the Children of Franklin D. and Eleanor Roosevelt; Delano Family Papers; and Papers of Frederic A. Delano.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Papers Collected by Franklin D. Roosevelt],
[Series 2: Family Papers Received from Other Donors],
[All]

Series 2: Family Papers Received from Other Donors

Sub-Series 1: Miscellaneous Papers of the Roosevelt and Delano Families

Papers of Roosevelt and Delano family members, 1699-1855, given to the Library by various donors. Included is correspondence to Joseph C. Delano from the Light House Board Office, l.851-1855, and a letter from Richard Varick to his father-in-law, Isaac (I) Roosevelt, July 22, l.788. This supplements material in the subseries "Papers of Franklin D. Roosevelt's Paternal Ancestors" and "Papers of the Delano Family." Arranged chronologically according to accession number.

Box 138

Roosevelt and Delano Family Papers, including correspondence from the Lighthouse Board Office to Capt. Joseph C. Delano, 1851-1855, 1699-1855

Sub-Series 2: Papers of James Roosevelt Roosevelt ("Rosy")

Correspondence and other papers relating to his service as Secretary of the United States Legation at Vienna and Secretary of the Embassy at London, including four letter books, 1888-1896. Also miscellaneous items including legal papers; a mimeographed account of a visit to the front in France during World War I by S. S. Howland; a blueprint of the Roosevelt Hudson River front property; correspondence with Franklin D. Roosevelt in connection with the fund-raising campaign for the building of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine; letters and telegrams re his death in 1927; an account book, 1894-1896; a diary describing his trip abroad, 1866-1867; and two scrapbooks connected with his hobby of driving horses. Arranged chronologically.

Box 139

Papers relating to his service as Secretary of the United States Legation at Vienna and Secretary of the Embassy at London, 1888-1897
Notes and newspaper clippings on tariff matters, 1888-1897

Box 140

Miscellaneous legal papers, 1909-1927
Blueprint of the Roosevelt Hudson River front property, 1909-1927
A mimeographed 43-page account of a visit to the front in France during World War I, by S.S. Howland, 1909-1927
Correspondence with Franklin D. Roosevelt, mostly in connection with the campaign to raise funds for the building of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, 1909-1927
Letters and Telegrams relating to the death of James Roosevelt Roosevelt, 1927

Box 141

Letter book, March, 1888-November, 1895

Box 142

Letter book, 1893-1894

Box 143

Letter book, 1894-October, 1896

Box 144

Letter book, 1896-march, 1897

Box 145

Account book, London, 1894-1896

Box 146

Diary (Account of trip abroad), May 24, 1866- January 17, 1867

Box 147

Scrapbooks of newspaper clippings, memos, greeting cards and programs connected with James R. Roosevelt's hobby of driving horses

Box 148

Scrapbooks of newspaper clippings, memos, greeting cards and programs connected with James R. Roosevelt's hobby of driving horses

Sub-Series 3: Papers of John Aspinwall Roosevelt

Family and business correspondence, ledgers and bank accounts, clippings and printed material re his hobby of ice-yachting. Accounts and lists kept by his wife, Mrs. Ellen Roosevelt, 1909-1919. Also checkbooks and account books of his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Isaac Roosevelt, 1828-1876, and accounts of the estate of Isaac Roosevelt, 1863-1886. Recipe books and a diary of Mrs. Isaac Roosevelt, 1868-1870, as well as diaries kept by her sister, Louisa E. Aspinwall, 1869-1870. Photostats of 18th century Roosevelt documents pertaining to properties in the city of New York. Additional correspondence, financial and legal parers of John A. Roosevelt, 1864-1909, have been loaned to the Library by his grandson, Russell C. Clark, microfilmed and returned to him. John A. Roosevelt's collection of his ancestors' correspondence and letters from his brother James was also filmed by the Library. See Appendix III for a calendar of this latter group of correspondence. Other papers of the Roosevelt ancestors may be found in the subseries "Papers of Franklin D. Roosvelt's Paternal Ancestors." Correspondence from Isaac Roosevelt may be found in the subseries "Papers of James (II) Roosevelt." Arranged according to type of material; otherwise unarranged.

Box 149

Letters to John A. Roosevelt from his wife, Ellen Murray Crosby Roosevelt; also letters from his daughters Grace and Ellen, ca. 1868-1903
Diary of Mrs. Isaac Roosevelt (Mary Rebecca Aspinwall), 1868-1870

Box 150

Miscellaneous Correspondence and Business Papers, 1868-1908

Box 151

Miscellaneous Correspondence and Business Papers, 1869-1908

Box 152

Ledgers of John A. Roosevelt, 1863-1902
Account Book of Mary R. Aspinwall Roosevelt, 1973-1876

Box 153

John A. Roosevelt's Accounts with the Poughkeepsie National Bank, 1872-1900
Mary R. Roosevelt's Account with the Poughkeepsie National Bank, 1873-1876

Box 154

Christmas Lists of Mrs. Ellen Roosevelt
Mrs. Ellen Roosevelt's Book of Knitting Patterns
Account Book of Mrs. Ellen Roosevelt, 1909-1919
Wage book, 1882
Record of Rosedale Employees, 1874-1900
Rosedale Estate Book, 1863-1874
May of Rosedale Ice Lake (in pencil)
3 Recipe books kept by Mrs. Isaac Roosevelt Checkbook of Mary R. Roosevelt (Mrs. Isaac), 1868-1872
Account book of Isaac Roosevelt, 1828-1835

Box 155

Account book of Isaac Roosevelt, 1856-1863
Checkbooks of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Roosevelt, 1852-1867

Box 156

Accounts of the Estate of Isaac Roosevelt, deceased, 1863-1886

Box 157

Diaries of Louis E. Aspinwall on her European trips, ca. 1869-1870

Box 158

Papers of John A. Roosevelt re Ice-Yachting, 1881-1904
Constitution and By-Laws of the Poughkeepsie Ice yacht Club, 1877, 1881, 1883
Constitution and By-Laws of the Hudson River Ice Yacht Club, 1896
Clippings re Ice-Yachting, 1901-1905

Box 159

Scrapbooks with clippings re Ice-Yachting (also some clippings re the Civil War and miscellaneous subjects), 1861-1878, 1892-1900
Day-book, Ice Yacht Accounts, 1879-1901

Box 160

Scrapbooks of clippings re Ice-Yachting

Box 161

Microfilm No. 6-3, Roll 1: Correspondence of John A. Roosevelt (Drawer 13), 1862-1905

Box 162

Microfilm No. 6-3, Roll 2: Financial and legal papers of John A. Roosevelt, including abstract of deed of conveyance covering "Rosedale" (Drawer 13), 1873-1908

Box 163

Microfilm No. 6-3, Roll 3: Financial papers of John A. Roosevelt (Drawer 13), 1876-1909

Box 164

Microfilm No. 6-3, Roll 4: Financial papers of John A. Roosevelt, including material related to the Poughkeepsie Orphans House for the Friendless. (Drawer 13), 1876-1896

Box 165

Microfilm 6-3, Roll 5 - Papers of Isaac (I) Roosevelt (Drawer 13), 1790-1793
Microfilm 6-3, Roll 5 - Papers of James (I) Roosevelt (Drawer 13), 1808-1837
Microfilm 6-3, Roll 5 - Papers of Isaac (II) Roosevelt (Drawer 13), 1813-1852
Microfilm 6-3, Roll 5 - Papers of James Barclay Roosevelt (Drawer 13), 1836-1838
Microfilm 6-3, Roll 5 - Letters of James (II) Roosevelt (Drawer 13), 1858-1877,1890

Box 166

18 documents of the Roosevelt family from the 18th century, pertaining to properties in New York City - Photostats *Also contains indenture, September 20, 1750, loaned to FDRL by Mrs. George Cutting (oversize)

Sub-Series 4: Papers of the Hall Family

Business and property records of Eleanor Roosevelt's maternal grandparents, Valentine G. and Mary Ludlow Hall, including account books and lists of appointments from Mr. Hall's real estate office in New York, 1882-1904. Correspondence, bills of sale, leases, rent accounts, maps, and descriptions of farms, 1844-1917, many related to property owned by Elizabeth Ludlow and Mary Livingston (Mrs. Hall's mother and grandmother). Also various certificates of Hall family members and an atlas which belonged to Eleanor Roosevelt'smother, Anna Hall Roosevelt. Unarranged.

Box 167

Business and property records of Valentine G. and Mary Hall, including many leases signed by Elizabeth Ludlow (Mary Hall's mother), 1844-1917
Map of portions of Albany, Greene, Rensselaer, and Columbia Counties, 1891
Map of Tarrytown, 1891
Certificates of various family members
An atlas which belonged to Anna Hall Roosevelt *Also contains an untitled book of farms and lots owned by Elizabeth Livingston Ludlow

Box 168

Lindley Murray's English Exercises (York), 1842
Daily First Entry Book (Later used as a scrapbook), 1882-1883
Purchases and Sales, 1890-1894
Account book, 1891-1892
Account book, 1893-1895

Box 169

Cash account book, 1888
List of properties, 1896
List of clients' specifications, 1896-1898
Appointments, 1896-1898
Appointments, 1897-1898
List of clients' specifications, 1898
Notebook, 1904

Sub-Series 5: Papers of Gracie Hall Roosevelt

Account books, building plans and estimates, and time books for building projects he supervised in Hyde Park, New York, 1939-1941.

Box 170

Hyde Park "Projects", Accounts of, 1939-1941

Sub-Series 6: Papers of Helen Roosevelt Robinson

Correspondence and memorabilia of Helen Roosevelt Robinson and her husband, Theodore Douglas Robinson, 1908-1962, including letters from Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and Theodore Roosevelt. Also three letters addressed to Mrs. Robinson's father, "Rosy" Roosevelt, 1894, 1896, and 1923. Letters from the Roosevelts are arranged chronologically; other letters are unarranged.

Box 171

Correspondence addressed to Helen Roosevelt and Theodore Douglass Robinson, 1908-1962
Correspondence addressed to James Roosevelt Roosevelt, 1894, 1896, 1923
Memorabilia

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