A Guide to the Cyrus Hall McCormick Letter, 1854
A Collection in
the Library of Virginia
Accession Number 22121e
![[logo]](http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaead/logos/lva.jpg)
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia800 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219-8000
USA
Phone: (804) 692-3888 (Archives Reference)
Fax: (804) 692-3556 (Archives Reference)
Email: archdesk@lva.virginia.gov(Archives)
URL: http://www.lva.virginia.gov/
© 2001 By the Library of Virginia.
Funding: Web version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Processed by: Trenton Hizer
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions.
Use Restrictions
There are no restrictions.
Preferred Citation
Cyrus Hall McCormick Letter, 1854. Accession 22121e. Personal Papers Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.
Acquisition Information
Purchased, 22 April 1943.
Biographical/Historical Information
Cyrus Hall McCormick was born 15 February 1809 in Rockbridge County, Virginia, to Robert McCormick (1780-1846) and Mary Ann Hall McCormick (1780-1853). Like his father, McCormick invented farm implements. While his father failed in inventing a reaper for wheat, Cyrus McCormick succeeded. In 1847, he established a factory at Chicago, Illinois, and became a successful businessman. McCormick owned newspapers, became involved in the Democratic party, and contributed to educational and charitable causes. He married Nancy Maria Fowler (1835-1923) of New York, and they had 7 children.
Scope and Content Information
A letter, dated 20 December 1854, from Cyrus H. McCormick (1809-1884) to "my faithful servant Joseph," (Jo Anderson) (1809-1889) granting his slave's request to work where he pleases, thanking him for past services and discussing his future. McCormick asks him to decide what he wishes to do.