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Mary Frances Scott-Siddons photographs, circa 1865-1879

 File — Box: 1, Folder: 8

Scope and Contents

From the Collection: This collection includes correspondence, invitations and calling cards, accounts, stamps, newspaper clippings, membership cards, legal documents, and other papers, as well as photographs, negatives, lantern slides, artwork, textiles, and realia from members of the Hibben and Ketcham families in Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, New York, and Europe ranging from circa 1840 to 1937 regarding family, military, legal, and social matters.

Much of the early correspondence belonged to Sarah "Sallie" Ann Pattison Hibben and her husband James Samuel Hibben, ranging from 1852 to 1856 and undated. There are also miscellaneous business papers from the Ketcham family (bulk 1857-1884); a ticket to the National Industrial Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky during September 2-October 11, 1873; four obituaries for Jane Merrill Ketcham (1911); and a "piece of underwear cuff" used for Priscilla Hazen Hibben's shirt as a baby. One item of special note is a May 5, 1850 slave sale document. The sale occurred between James Barbarin and Thomas Saux of New Orleans, Louisiana and was notarized by Felix Grima. The four slaves listed on the document are a woman of about 40 years named Mammy, her daughter Lena who was about 18, a man named Sampson who was about 30, and a man around 25 years old named Red.

Papers of Thomas E. Hibben, Jr. include items from his World War I service such as a report on the geography of the Western Front (undated) and hand-drawn menus with illustrations by Hibben for the staff of the Observers School, Second Air Instructional Center in France during November 1918; correspondnece regarding the Indiana National Guard (1923); membership cards (1924-1926); and items from travels to Europe (1924-circa 1925), including a form authorizing James H. Hibben to paint or photograph the interior of historic monuments under the Administration des Beaux-Arts in France dated May 31, 1924. There are also 7 small and 1 oversize drawings and lithographs created by Hibben circa 1924, as well as stamps.

Photographs in the collection comprise a tintype portrait of Jane Merrill Ketcham Hibben (1854–1920); miscellaneous photographs of Hibben and Ketcham family members (1850s-1890s); contents from Jane M. Ketcham Hibben photograph album (1850s-1890s); 13 cartes de visite of British actress Mary Frances Scott-Siddons sent to Janie M. Ketcham (circa 1865-1879); four World War I photographs, which feature soldiers in front of planes and soldiers in a classroom setting, probably at the Observers School, Second Air Instructional Center in Tours, France; various photographs of Pleasant Run in Irvington (undated); and nine daguerreotypes and ambrotypes of unidentified people (1840s-1880s). There are also miscellaneous glass plate and film negatives and positives, as well as lantern slides, many created by Thomas E. Hibben, of Pleasnt Run in Irvington (1888 September; undated); a lake and fishing in Pulaski, Indiana (1889 June; undated); and a Hanover College vs. Butler College football game (undated).

The collection also contains artwork--several lithographs, a few drawings, and five paintings--from three Hibben artists: Thomas E. Hibben, Sr., Thomas E. Hibben, Jr., and Louise D. Hibben, ranging from 1883 to 1924 and undated. There is also a Houghton Ltd., London, "Empress" camera (circa 1900).

Dates

  • circa 1840-1937

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Extent

From the Collection: 3.7 Cubic Feet (2 manuscript boxes, 1 small box, 2 oversize custom boxes, 7 oversize items)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Creator

Repository Details

Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository

Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671