Mayer Family Papers

Collection

Identifier: A0999

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Mayer Family Papers consist of the correspondence of Flora Byrne to Mrs. Charles F. Mayer. Describes her life and family at Byrnham Wood in Clark County near Winchester, Missouri. Includes correspondence from various members of the family in Baltimore, Maryland. The letters contain many sidelights on the state of development in that day, mention well-known characters, and show the facilities for transportation between the Atlantic seaboard and St. Louis. The latest letters, dated in 1861, document Civil War movements in St. Louis and Baltimore. The collection also includes miscellaneous correspondence regarding the donation and the drawings of Francis [Frank] Blackwell Mayer.

Dates

1839-1861

Creator

Mayer family (Creator, Family)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, quote from, or reproduce material in this collection, please contact the Archives Reference Desk at archives@mohistory.org. Copyright restrictions may apply. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.

Biographical Sketch

Mrs. Eliza Mayer [Mrs. Charles F. Mayer], daughter of Captain Francis Blackwell and Deborah Robinson Blackwell, was born on August 27, 1803, in Baltimore, Maryland. After her mother’s death, she was fostered by Dr. James Smith and Ann Smith of Baltimore. In 1827, Eliza married Mr. Charles F. Mayer, an established lawyer. She had two sons, Francis [Frank] Blackwell Mayer and Alfred Marshall Mayer. Flora Smith, daughter of Dr. James Smith and Mrs. Ann Smith, was born on August 26, 1808, in Baltimore, Maryland. Flora and Eliza were raised as sisters. In 1835, Flora Smith married Dr. Edmond Byrne, and relocated to Byrnham Wood near Winchester in Clark County, Missouri, in 1843. She gave birth to three children, Lizzie, Jamie, and Annie. Lizzie (1844) and Jamie (1847) both died while residing in Byrnham Wood. The Byrnes relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1851 to better Annie’s education. Dr. Byrne was practicing medicine in 1865 while Flora Byrne was conducting a school for girls. Much is unknown of their life in St. Louis.

Extent

0.3 Cubic Feet ( (4 folders))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically.

Physical and Technical Requirements

There are no physical or technical restrictions.

Donor Information

The collection was donated by Mrs. John B. Sylvester, step-daughter of Francis [Frank] Blackwell Mayer of Augusta, Georgia. The collection has been in the possession of the Missouri Historical Society Archives as early as 1936.