Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434) 560 Drillfield Drive Newman Library, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 Business Number: 540-231-6308 specref@vt.edu URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu
Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University
Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal
or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition
form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with
forms or to submit a completed form.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to research.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder],
Stearns Family Papers, Ms1989-013, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Source of Acquisition
The original papers and transcripts are in the possession of Stuart H. Buck of Lynchburg, Virginia, who edited and transcribed
the papers. He loaned the transcripts to the Special Collections Department in January 1989. The transcripts were copied in
February and March and returned to Mr. Buck in March 1989.
The Stearns is descended from Isaac Stearns (1600-71) Isaac Stearns, born in England in 1600, came to America in 1630. He
landed in Salem, Massachusetts, and settled in nearby Watertown, where he became a town selectman. Most of the materials are
concerned with the 7th Isaac Stearns (1790-1879), and his extended family and descendants. This branch of the Stearns family
remained in or near Mansfield, Massachusetts, for 300 years, or seven generations, and saved thousands of papers concern most
of the family members. Materials related to their history were later edited and transcribed by Stuart H. Buck, great-grandson
of the 7th Isaac, of Lynchburg, Virgina.
The papers consist of photocopies of transcripts and originals of correspondence, diaries, official documents, writings, and
other genealogical documents (1714-1920) of the Stearns family. Several essays describing the genealogy of the family precede
the transcripts of the family papers. An index to the transcripts is included. Included in the papers are the extensive Civil
War correspondence of Orange Scott Stearns (1835-70) of the 29th Massachusetts Regiment, to his family, and the Civil War
papers of Isaac Holden Stearns (1825-97), a surgeon in the 22nd Massachusetts Infantry. The papers also include the poems
of Sally Stearns (1804-90), copies of the papers of Samuel Crocker Lovell (1840-?), and essays on the genealogy of the Stearns
and other related families by Stuart H. Buck. Essays concerning specific family members are organized after the index, followed
by information on Samuel Crocker Lovell, John Lee Holt, and Erie L. Ditty, Civil War soldiers.
Family Correspondence, Diaries, History and Genealogical Writings
1714-1986
box-folder 1 folder: 1
"Out of the Sugar Barrels," (1985) by Stuart H. Buck. Typescript, unbound history of Isaac Stearns. Jr. (1790-1879) and family.
179 pp.
1790-1879
box-folder 1 folder: 2
"Genealogical Notes on the Stearns, Buck, Caswell, Cheever, Fillebrown, Pratt, Smith, Ware family and others," by Stuart H.
Buck. Typescript, unbound, 40 pp.
n.d.
box-folder 1 folder: 3
Itemized list and descriptions of original Stearns and Buck family documents
n.d.
box-folder 1 folder: 4
"The Cheever Connection ," (1986) edited by Stuart H. Buck. Unbound transcripts of letters (1780-1825) concerning the Cheever
family, with a description of the connection between the Cheevers and the Stearns. 78 pp.
1780-1820
box-folder 1 folder: 5
Stearns family correspondence, diaries, etc.
1714-1811
box-folder 1 folder: 6
Stearns family correspondence, diaries, etc.
1812-30
box-folder 1 folder: 7
Stearns family correspondence, diaries, etc.
1830-36
box-folder 1 folder: 8
Stearns family correspondence, diaries, etc.
1836-43
Family Correspondence, Diaries, etc.
1843-90
box-folder 2 folder: 1
Stearns family correspondence, diaries, etc.
1843-52
box-folder 2 folder: 2
Stearns family correspondence, diaries, etc.
1853-60
box-folder 2 folder: 3
Stearns family correspondence, diaries, etc.
1858-62
box-folder 2 folder: 4
Stearns family correspondence, diaries, etc.
1863-70
box-folder 2 folder: 5
Stearns family correspondence, diaries, etc.
1866-68
box-folder 2 folder: 6
Stearns family correspondence, diaries, etc.
1869-81
box-folder 2 folder: 7
Stearns family correspondence, diaries, etc.
1882-90
Family Correspondence, Diaries, Indices to family papers, Proceedings, and a Poem
1850-1920
box-folder 3 folder: 1
Stearns family correspondence, diaries, etc.
1891-1920
box-folder 3 folder: 2
Index to the Stearns family papers (A - Smith, Jane)
n.d.
box-folder 3 folder: 3
Index to the Stearns family papers (Smith, Jerusha - Stearns, Nathan)
n.d.
box-folder 3 folder: 4
Index to the Stearns family papers (Stearns, O. Scott - Wetheral, Solomon)
n.d.
box-folder 3 folder: 5
Proceedings taken by Isaac Holden Stearns and George Frederic Stearns, secretaries (1850-55) of the Abington Society of Natural
History. Includes excerpts (1851-57) from Isaac Holden Stearns' diary.
1850-57
box-folder 3 folder: 6
Sally Stearns--poems
n.d.
Civil War Correspondence, Regiment History, Memoirs, Photographs, Essay, and Diary
1825-97
box-folder 4 folder: 1
Isaac Holden Stearns (1825-97), surgeon of the 22nd Massachusetts Infantry. Correspondence (1858-64) and a copy of a history
of the regiment.
1825-97
box-folder 4 folder: 2
"Memoirs of a Lieutenant in the Civil War," by Erie L. Ditty. Typescript, unbound memoirs with photographs of Civil War scenes.
n.d.
box-folder 4 folder: 3
"The Letters of John Lee Holt" (1829-63), edited by James A. Mumper. Published biographical essay of a Confederate soldier
killed at Gettysburg during Pickett's charge.
1829-63
box-folder 4 folder: 4
Lovell, Samuel C., 1st Lieutenant in the 4th Massachusetts Calvary, who led the escort of General Lee form the battlefield
at Appomattox, Virginia in April 1865. Published descriptions and a typescript diary.
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