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J. D. Ferguson Davie correspondence

 Collection
Call Number: MS 364

Overview

This collection consists of envelopes and letters from J. D. Ferguson Davie, Member of Parliament for the district of West Somerset, England to his agent, Mr. A. Payne, concerning estate matters. The collection also includes two articles in American Philatelist written by the donor Norman Leslie Hannon concerning the correspondence and some other secondary matter surrounding the letters and envelopes.

Dates

  • Creation: 1862-1876, 2004

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

No access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.

Biography of J.D. Ferguson Davie (1830-1907)

John Davie Ferguson Davie was born October 27, 1830, the second son of Henry Robert Ferguson (1797-1885) and Frances Juliana Davie (1802-). Henry Ferguson was the illegitimate son of Robert Ferguson of Raith, Scotland, and Frances Davie was the niece of the last Davie baronet, Sir Humphrey Phineas Davie (1775-1846). With Frances Davie's marriage, the baronetcy was revived, and Robert Ferguson became the first Baronet Ferguson Davie in 1847.

The Davies lived at Creedy House in Creedy, in the parish of Sandford, near Crediton, Devon, England. J.D. Ferguson Davie attended Eton School and then joined the Grenadier Guards, serving as a captain in the Crimean War in 1855-1856. He later served as lieutenant-colonel in the 1st Devon Militia.

In 1857, Ferguson Davie married Edwina Augusta Williams. They had one child, who died in infancy. They lived at Bittiscombe House in Upton, Somerset. Ferguson Davie served as a member of Parliament for the Barnstaple, North Devon constituency from 1859-1865. Ferguson Davie became the 2nd baronet upon his father's death in 1885 because his elder brother Henry died without any heirs in 1850.

John and Edwina Ferguson Davie moved to Creedy House upon his father's death, but Edwina died soon thereafter in 1889. John Ferguson Davie remained at Creedy House until his death in 1907, retaining Bittiscombe House as a shooting lodge.

[Information retrieved from Robinson, Phillip E., "J.D. Ferguson Davie & His Family," in American Philatelist. Vol. 118, no. 11, November 2004.]

Extent

.25 Linear Feet (1 document case)

Language of Materials

English

Scope and Contents

Les Hannon collected these letters and envelopes because of his interest in stamp collecting. He found the items at an antique mall in Exeter, Devonshire, England. The letters discuss estate matters at Ferguson Davie's country home Bittiscombe House and were directed to Ferguson Davie's agent, A. (Abram) Payne. Ferguson Davie was particularly interested in shooting parties, and the letters show his involvement with his father's estate at Creedy as well.

Some of the envelopes are edged in mourning, and they all have cancellations, stamps, and other postal marks. Some of the envelopes include a crest, based on the Ferguson Davie family crest "Auspice Christo," or "Under the auspices of Christ."

Physical Location

MS 364

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift, Les Hannon, 2014.

Source

Title
Guide to the J.D. Ferguson Davie Collection
Subtitle
J. D. Ferguson Davie correspondence
Author
Finding aid prepared by mwh, 2021. Finding aid encoded by mwh, 2021.
Date
2021-02
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Finding aid written in English.
Finding aid permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/10407/6655290151
Preferred citation
J. D. Ferguson Davie correspondence, MS 364, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas

Repository Details

Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository

Contact:
1450 Poplar Lane
Lawrence KS 66045-7616 United States
785-864-4334