Converted to EAD3 : Encoded Archival Description (EAD), Version 3 : Release: 1.1.1 : Release Date: 2019-12-16. Validating against latest version of schema.
Contact information: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/mss.contact
Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/mm89078596
Collection material in English
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically.
The family papers of John James Beckley, Librarian of Congress and clerk of the United States House of Representatives, were given to the Library of Congress by his great-great-great grandson, Paxton Davis, in 1989. An addition to the papers was given to the Library in 1996 by Anne Rigby.
The family papers of John James Beckley were arranged and described in 1994. The collection was expanded and revised in 1997. The finding aid was revised in 2009.
The family papers of John James Beckley have been described in
The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of the family papers of John James Beckley is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).
The family papers of John James Beckley are open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the Manuscript Reading Room prior to visiting. Many collections are stored off-site and advance notice is needed to retrieve these items for research use.
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Container number, John James Beckley Family Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
The family papers of John James Beckley (1757-1807) span the years 1789-1918 and consist of papers of John James Beckley and his son Alfred Beckley. The material in John James Beckley's papers dates from 1789 to 1829 and that of his son from 1829 to 1918. John James Beckley was the first clerk of the House of Representatives and the first Librarian of Congress. His papers include a memorandum book containing notes on events in the House of Representatives with commentaries on the development of parliamentary procedures in the House. His correspondence discusses political issues and personal financial activities, in particular his extensive land speculation. The addition contains books signed by Beckley that were part of his library.
Alfred Beckley moved to Fayette County, Virginia (now Raleigh County, West Virginia), in 1837 with his wife Amelia Craig. His papers include family correspondence, memorandum books and journals, an autobiography, scrapbook, and a newspaper clipping relating his Civil War reminiscences.
This collection is arranged alphabetically by name of person.