Eliza Bréard Manson family papers

Collection

Identifier: M279

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Scope and Content

The collection contains personal letters from family members to Eliza Bréard Manson and her husband, George F. Manson (a Bath, Maine, ship's captain). The majority of letters are to Eliza, addressed to her in care of Captain Manson aboard the ships Sea Queen and Ocean Romp in Liverpool and other ports abroad, as well as U.S. ports such as New Orleans and Boston. In addition, many letters are addressed to her in Bath, Maine. Most of the correspondence concerns family news, although there is mention of weather, the movement of goods, and travel, particularly in letters to George F. Manson. In addition to letters, there are knitting instructions enclosed in an 1850 letter, two poems sent to Eliza Bréard Manson from her sister in June 1854, and very small pieces of fabric enclosed in a May 1855 letter. The letters are in French or English. Miscellaneous documents, chiefly receipts relating to George F. and Elizabeth B. Manson, are also included.

Dates

Creation: 1843-1896

Creator

Manson, Eliza Bréard (Person)

Language of Materials

Materials in French and English.

Biographical/Historical Note

Eliza Bréard, from a large family in Le Havre, France, married George F. Manson, a sea captain from Bath, Maine, in the early 1850s. Eliza Bréard Manson was often addressed "Betsy" by her family. Family members included her mother, Marie Bréard, who usually signed letters "M.B.;" her grandmother, Eliza Gaffney, who usually signed "E. Gaffney" or "E.G." and referred to her granddaughter as "Siss;" and her grandfather, B. Gaffney, who usually signed "your old B. Gaffney." Mary or Marie, Margaret or Marguerite, Louise, and Rachel were sisters; "S.", James, Henry, and David were brothers. It is unclear whether David Bréard was also the name of Eliza Bréard Manson's father. Barney and Eliza Gaffney were her aunt and uncle. George and Eliza Bréard Manson also received correspondence from George's nephew, R.P. Manson. George and Eliza Manson were the parents of George Francis Manson (Bowdoin Class of 1881), who is not among the correspondents.