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Groot Family Papers

 Collection
Identifier: A2964

Scope and Contents

The collection consists primarily of Groot family correspondence. Most of the letters were written by James P. Groot. Notable content includes three letters signed Rachel Mull to her sister Maria—dated September 2, 1855, April 5, 1856, and February 25, no year—that describe the abusive relationship with her husband, Barney Mull. The collection also includes 12 Civil War–era letters signed James P. Groot describing affairs in St. Louis and his military service in the 6th Iowa Infantry.

Dates

  • 1836-1886

Creator

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

James P. Groot was born circa 1820s-1830s in Schenectady County, New York, and worked as a teacher in Schenectady in the late 1840s and early 1850s. In 1857 he ventured to the West, settling in Effingham County, Illinois, before relocating to St. Louis, Missouri, a few years later. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted as a private in the 6th Iowa Infantry but was discharged after suffering sunstroke. He died February 24, 1863, of congestion of the brain at Lawson General Hospital in St. Louis. Among his siblings were Dick Groot, Maria Groot, and Rachel Groot. On December 29, 1853, Rachel Groot married Barney Mull in Watervliet, New York. On December 29, 1869, she married Charles Troy in Effingham County, Illinois.

Extent

0.17 Cubic Feet ( (1 box))

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically.

Physical and Technical Requirements

There are no physical or technical restrictions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection was purchased from Michael Brown Rare Books, LLC, in June 2012.

Processing Information

Processed by Dennis Northcott, November 2012.

Title
Inventory of Groot Family Papers
Status
Completed
Author
EAD by Sarah Wohaska using ArchivesSpace
Date
2016
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center Repository

Contact:
225 S. Skinker Blvd.
St. Louis MO 63105 United States
314-746-4510