urn:taro:utexas.cah.00315 A Guide to the MacKay-Hutchinson Family Papers, 1836-1874 20031202Encoded in XMetal 2 by Cherie Baker according to instructions in TARO 2 EAD 2002 Editing Instructions. February 2005 Major editing and reformating by Evan Hocker Descriptive Summary MacKay-Hutchinson MacKay-Hutchinson Family Papers, 1836-1874 Materials are written in English. 2 inches Center for American History,The University of Texas at Austin The MacKay-Hutchinson Family Papers consist of correspondence describing southern life and events in the 1830's and 1840's. A majority of the correspondence derives from two brothers and their brother-in-law, and their prospective family members. Biographical Note

The MacKay-Hutchinson family of Caledonia, New York consisted of brothers Alexander, Edward, George, Robert and sister Jennet (who married Joslyn Hutchinson). Alexander and George MacKay worked as surveyors in Florida. Edward MacKay worked as a sales clerk in a store in Mobile, Alabama, while Robert MacKay was a doctor and practiced medicine in Louisiana on several plantations such as Thibadeauville, Vermillionville, Houma, and Bayou Ramos. Joslyn Hutchinson was involved in a business venture in Havana, Cuba, where he planned to construct a mill. His efforts were blocked by American filibusters invading Cuba.

 Scope and Contents

The correspondence depicts life and conditions in the deep south during the late 1830's and 1840's. Alexander MacKay's letters reflect his land speculation and the actions of a former Florida friend who describes legal problems in Georgia and life in Mobile, Alabama. George MacKay had many business interests including a Georgia timber company and a bank in Jacksonville. Joslyn Hutchinson, also from New York, married Jennet MacKay and received a variety of correspondence from his father, brothers and wife. The correspondence from his father describes the father's bankruptcy, escape with his two daughters to Michigan and abandonment of his wife in New York. Several of Hutchinson's letters were from Robert MacKay, and one letter is from Hutchinson's brother during the Mexican War.

 Preferred Citation

MacKay-Hutchinson Family Papers, 1836-1874

 Index Terms John MacKay Alexander MacKay George MacKay Joslyn Hutchinson Detailed Description of the Papers Inventory 3H135 Family correspondence, 1836-1874 3H135 Letters to Joslyn Hutchinson, 1836-1866 3H135 Alexander MacKay correspondence, 1842-1847 3H135 Letters to George MacKay, 1840-1874 3H135 Fragment correspondence 3S212b Photograph (1)