Mott family papers, 1840-1954

Summary Information

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

Cataloged and arranged.

• Series I: Cataloged Correspondence and Manuscripts
• Series II: Miscellaneous Correspondence, Manuscripts, Documents, and Printed Materials
• Series III: Mott Haven, Bronx, NY, 1841-1866

Description

Summary

This collection is a random group of papers of three generations of the Mott family. Papers of Jordan Lawrence Mott include 51 deeds, letters, and leases showing Mott's subdivision, improvement, and letting of this property. Correspondence of J.L. Mott II is mostly from well-known people in English society in the early 20th century. Mott's wife, Katherine Jerome Purdy Mott, was a cousin of the Jerome sisters (Lady Randolph Churchill, Lady Leslie, and Mrs. Moreton Frewen). Papers of J.L. Mott III include correspondence with publishers about his works, miscellaneous manuscripts, and financial documents. Correspondents include the Duchess of Abercorn, Prince Arthur (Duke of Connaught) and his family, L.B.R. Briggs, Ednah Dow Cheney, Joseph B. Gilder, H.A. Harvey, Lady Constance Leslie, Frank E. Schoonover, Christian Schussele, and Caspar Whitney.

• Series I: Cataloged Correspondence and Manuscripts

• Series II: Miscellaneous Correspondence, Manuscripts, Documents, and Printed Materials

• Series III: Mott Haven, Bronx, NY, 1841-1866

  Deeds, correspondence, etc. pertaining to Jordan L. Mott's development of Mott Haven.

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located on-site.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Mott family papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Accruals

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--Randell, Kenneth. Method of acquisition--Gift; Accession number--M-59.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 08/--/89.

Revision Description

2020-10-13 EAD document created by CCR.

2020-10-13 Corrections made to biographical note; errors in names and dates.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

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Subject

History / Biographical Note

Biographical / Historical

Family of Mott Haven, New York City. Jordan Lawrence Mott (b. 1799) was an inventor and industrialist. He assembled the real estate development of Mott Haven, now a part of the South Bronx, from tracts of land bought from Gouverneur Morris II, Lewis Morris, and the Morris estate. Jordan Lawrence Mott II, called J. L. Mott, Jr. (1829-1915) was an industrialist. His wife was Katharine Jerome Purdy. Jordan Lawrence Mott III, better known as Lawrence Mott (1881-1931), was a novelist who wrote many novels, short stories, and articles of adventure and the outdoor life. His wife was Caroline Pitkin.