Russell family papers
Scope and Contents note
The collection contains letters, papers, documents from the Russell family.
Dates
- 1846-1947
Creator
- Russell, Samuel, 1878-1954 (Person)
- Russell, Samuel, 1835-1896 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access note
Open for public research.
Conditions Governing Use note
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from the Russell family papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.
Biographical History
Samuel Russell Sr. (1835-1896), son of Isaac Russell and Mary Walton, was born in Chariton, York, Ontario, Canada. His father converted while living in Canada, and was one of the first Latter-day Saint missionaries in England. In 1861, Samuel traveled across the plains to be with the Saints. He married both Lucy and Henriette Pratt, daughters of Parley Parker Pratt and Hanahette Snively. Due to this, he had to go into hiding for unlawful cohabitation. Among others, Samuel Russell Sr. kept a long correspondence with John Vaughn of Washington, D.C., some of which is included in this collection. After his death, Samuel was buried in the Salt Lake City cemetery of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Biographical/Historical note
Samuel Russell Jr. (1878-1954) was born in Salt Lake City to Samuel Russell Sr. and Henriette Pratt. After receiving a law degree, he went to work for William Henry King's law firm. This proved to be a long lasting working relationship. When King was elected to the US congress in 1917, Russell went with him as his administrative assistant and secretary. After a falling out with King, Russell returned to Salt Lake City where he dedicated much of his time to the research of Latter-day Saint history and served on various historical committees, writing many papers and presenting many speeches. Russell never married.
Extent
2 folders (0.15 linear ft.)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The first part of this collection contains select papers from the life of Samuel Russell, Sr. The bulk of these papers are hand copied letters from John M. Vaughn, a frequent correspondent of Samuel Russell who lived in Washington, D.C., during the Civil War. The second half of the collection contains the papers of his son, Samuel Russell, Jr. Many of these papers include documents from when Russell Jr. worked as William Henry King's secretary in Washington, D.C., while King served in the US Congress.
Custodial History note
Maintained by Benchmark Books until purchase in February 2008.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Purchased; Benchmark Books; February 2008.
Appraisal note
19th Century Mormon and Western Manuscripts. Relates to statehood of Utah, the Washington DC view of the Mormons, and to the Saints crossing the plains.
Processing Information note
Processed; Elisabeth Bogart; 2008.
- Correspondence
- Material Types
- Papers (Documents)
- Russell, Samuel, 1835-1896 -- Archives
- Russell, Samuel, 1878-1954 -- Archives
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
- Vaughn, John M. -- Correspondence
- Title
- Register of Russell family papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Elisabeth Bogart
- Date
- 2008
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English in Latin script.
Repository Details
Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States