Baldwin Letters
TitleBaldwin Letters
ReferenceIE 627/U6
Date
1788-1853
Production date 1788 - 1853
Scope and ContentThe present collection covers three generations of Baldwins and Murphys, from the older John Baldwin [died c1819] to his grandson John Baldwin Murphy, to whom the latest items present, letters from Bianconi from 1853, are addressed. The letters cover a range of subjects, but by far the most recurring is the financial difficulties encountered by family members attempting to establish themselves in the world, or to support their family and its respectability in the face of economic hardship. The letters of James Baldwin, brother of John, document his efforts to find a position in English society, culminating in his securing a secretaryship with the Duke of Bedfordshire at Woburn Abbey but having to travel there ‘without even a change of linen’ (U6/8). John Baldwin’s own financial problems created difficulties, with his son Edmund being obliged to give up his property to allow income for himself and his sisters to be provided (U6/25). Commissions and other expenses for his son John Junior’s military career also weighed heavily (U6/12). His daughter Mary Anne was taken in by her sister Biddy Murphy and her husband Mick following her father’s death, and her place as a pupil at the Ursuline School in Waterford seems to have been paid for by Bianconi (U6/30, 34).
John Baldwin Junior’s military career saw him serve in the British army in Spain and Portugal during the Peninsular War, while he later served in Columbia, where he lost his brother James and suffered imprisonment and injuries from which he never fully recovered. Financial difficulties including the extravagance of his wife led to his returning to Columbia in later years, taking his similarly unfortunate brother Edmond with him. (U6/14-24)
Bianconi’s letters to Mary Anne Baldwin show his affection and concern for her and the Baldwin and Murphy families (U6/30-35). This warmth of feeling persists in his later letters to John Baldwin Murphy, which make reference to Bianconi’s acquisition of property in Ireland, and to political developments in Ireland and Italy (U6/36-40).
The letters to John Baldwin Murphy from his brothers Michael and Daniel in America, while optimistic in tone, are poignant as well as informative in their depiction of settler and emigrant life and the hardships involved (U6/27-29).
The collection also contains letters by other family members, including Mary Anne Baldwin, Thomas Baldwin, and John Ryan, a family friend (U6/41). William Bourk (Burke) of Braenor, brother-in-law to the elder John and James Baldwin (married to their sister Biddy), and Mick Murphy of Ballymore, husband of Biddy Baldwin (sister of John Junior, Edmund, Mary Anne, and Eliza), are important correspondents. See also Descriptive List.
John Baldwin Junior’s military career saw him serve in the British army in Spain and Portugal during the Peninsular War, while he later served in Columbia, where he lost his brother James and suffered imprisonment and injuries from which he never fully recovered. Financial difficulties including the extravagance of his wife led to his returning to Columbia in later years, taking his similarly unfortunate brother Edmond with him. (U6/14-24)
Bianconi’s letters to Mary Anne Baldwin show his affection and concern for her and the Baldwin and Murphy families (U6/30-35). This warmth of feeling persists in his later letters to John Baldwin Murphy, which make reference to Bianconi’s acquisition of property in Ireland, and to political developments in Ireland and Italy (U6/36-40).
The letters to John Baldwin Murphy from his brothers Michael and Daniel in America, while optimistic in tone, are poignant as well as informative in their depiction of settler and emigrant life and the hardships involved (U6/27-29).
The collection also contains letters by other family members, including Mary Anne Baldwin, Thomas Baldwin, and John Ryan, a family friend (U6/41). William Bourk (Burke) of Braenor, brother-in-law to the elder John and James Baldwin (married to their sister Biddy), and Mick Murphy of Ballymore, husband of Biddy Baldwin (sister of John Junior, Edmund, Mary Anne, and Eliza), are important correspondents. See also Descriptive List.
Extent41 items (xerox copies)
Persons keywordMurphy Family, Ballymore, Co Tipperary, Baldwin Family, Cahir, Co Tipperary, Bianconi, Charles | 1776-1875
SubjectPolitics, 19th century, Napoleonic Wars, Latin American History, Irish involvement in, Bankruptcy
AccessHard copies: Accessible to Readers by appointment. Access restrictions apply to some collections. Digital object/copy: see Download Media and/or Digital Reference
RightsLicensing information available on request by email to archivist@corkcity.ie Copyright Cork City and County Archives, Cork City Council, unless otherwise indicated. All Rights Reserved.
Levelfonds
RepositoryCork City and County Archives
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