Guide to the Beazel Family Papers, 1809-1888 DAR.1937.02

Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Beazel Family Papers
Creator
Beazell family
Collection Number
DAR.1937.02
Extent
0.21 Linear Feet (1 box)
Date
1809-1888
Abstract
The Beazel family papers hold the accounting records and personal and business correspondence related to the Beazel family, who lived in Westmoreland County and Washington County, Pennsylvania. The records reflect the period from 1809 to 1888. The majority of the collection consists of invoices, receipts, bills, business correspondence, and legal documents relating to Matthew Beazel, a land agent, and Henry Beazel, a steamboat officer. The accounting records suggest Matthew and his family may have also operated a general store. Digital reproductions of this collection are available online.
Language
English .
Author
Crystal Hanna and Kristin Justham.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

Existence and Location of Copies

Digital reproductions of this collection are available online.

Biography

The Beazel family farmed land and resided in Elizabeth (now Webster), Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and Washington County, Pennsylvania, since the time of the Revolutionary War. Matthew and Henry Beazel worked as land and shipping merchants. Henry, a steamboat officer, was involved in the shipping industry according to his business correspondence and insurance policy. Matthew was a land agent working out of Elizabeth, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, selling land in Indiana, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

Scope and Content Notes

The collection is an assortment of the Beazel family's business records, such as correspondence, receipts, invoices and bills from 1809 to 1888, and is not a comprehensive collection of family documents. It contains the business documents of the Beazel family with the majority of the collection focusing on Matthew and Henry Beazel's business papers. The records also contain documents relating to the estate of William Beazel, of which Matthew was executor, as well as James Beazel's insurance policy from the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Within Matthew's papers are business correspondence, his mercantile license, and an advertisement for his services as a land sales agent. Also included is a document from 1851 which notes the transfer of Matthew's rights and interest in the firm of Walker & Beazel to William Walker. In addition, there are account books, simple receipts and invoices detailing the cost and description of goods purchased and sold by the Beazel family, as well as a map of the Beazel flat in Washington County, Pennsylvania from an 1870 survey. The majority of the accounting records and correspondence originates from or is sent to Monongahela City, Pittsburgh, Elizabeth, and Webster Store and many of the receipts to Matthew are from Collins & Mellinger.

Other members of the Beazel family mentioned are Benjamin F. Beazel, John F. Beazel, Henry Beazel, William Beazel, Mary Ann Beazel, Luke Beazel, Kyle Beazel, and Laura Beazel. It should be noted that Beazel is spelled with several variations throughout the collection including Beazell, Beezel, Besel, Beazle, and Bezel.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Acquisition Information

Gift to the Darlington Memorial Library in 1937.

Custodial History

This collection was located in the Darlington Memorial Library in the University's Cathedral of Learning until 2007 when it was moved to the ULS Archives Service Center for processing, storage, preservation and service. However, it remains in the custodianship of the ULS Special Collections Department.

Preferred Citation

Beazel Family Papers, 1809-1888, DAR.1937.02, Darlington Collection, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Previous Citation

Beazel Family Papers, 1809-1888, DAR.1937.02, Darlington Collection, Special Collections Department, University of Pittsburgh

Processing Information

The collection was processed by Crystal Hanna in May 2006 and by Kristin Justham in the September 2006.

Copyright

No copyright restrictions.

Subjects

    Personal Names

    • Beazell, Matthew
    • Beazel, Benjamin F.
    • Beazel, Henry
    • Beazel, James

    Family Names

    • Beazell family

    Geographic Names

    • Monongahela (Pa.)
    • Westmoreland County (Pa.)
    • Elizabeth (Westmorland County, Pa.)
    • Webster (Pa.)
    • Washington County (Pa.)

    Genres

    • Personal correspondence
    • Commercial correspondence
    • Receipts (Financial records)
    • Account books
    • Insurance records

    Other Subjects

    • Agriculture -- Pennsylvania
    • Land companies
    • Shipping companies (Marine transportation)
    • Commerce

Container List

Unidentified Personal Correspondence, 1809-1869
Matthew Beazel Correspondence, 1831-1854
Matthew Beazel Correspondence, 1831-1854
Accounts: Bills and Invoices, 1831-1884
Accounts: Bills and Invoices, 1831-1884
Accounts: Bills and Invoices, 1831-1884
Invitation to Fourth of July Union Dinner, 1835
Beazel Family Documents Including Land Sale and Tax Records, 1835-1888
Documents Relating to the Estate of William Beazel, 1836-1857
Notes to Beazel Confirming Household Item Purchases, 1841-1846
Account Books, 1844-1847
Containers
box 1, folder 11
Matthew Beazel Mercantile License, 1845
Containers
box 1, folder 12
Legal Papers, 1846-1848
Containers
box 1, folder 13
Beazel Correspondence, 1846-1851
Containers
box 1, folder 14
Writing Copy Book, Possibly by William Henry Beazel, ca. 1847
Matthew Beazel, Land Agent Advertisement and Others, 1848-1897
Henry Beazel Correspondence, 1851-1860
Containers
box 1, folder 17
Deed, Walter Brown from Thomas Van Hook, 1862
Beazel Land Flat Map, 1870
Containers
box 1, folder 19
Henry B. Beazel, Steam Boat Officers Protective Association, 1880
James Beazel, Insurance, Ancient Order of United Workman, 1887