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Dennis Family Papers

3 boxes (1.5 linear feet)

(1759 – 2000)

bulk 1860 - 2000

Edward H. Nabb Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury, University, Salisbury, Maryland

Identifier 1990.066
Creator(s) John V. Dennis Sr
Acquisition

Donated by John V. Dennis Sr. in October 1996. 1990.066
Language(s) English
Use Records are open for research. Copyright, including literary rights, belongs to the author(s) or their legal heirs. Permission to publish or reproduce must be obtained from the Nabb Research Center which extends beyond "fair use."
Preferred Citation "Item, collection title and identifier, box # and folder # (if applicable), Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland."
Attribution Finding Aid written by Rihana Stevenson, September 2021
Related Materials None
Separated Materials See Nabb Center Staff
Abstract

This collection contains correspondence, family trees, death and birth certificates, wills, and other information from 1759 to 2000 pertaining to the Dennis family and its origins in Maryland and Virginia.

Biographical History

The Dennis family collection details the migration of its ancestors, the family’s status in the United States, and the way the family evolved over time from plantation owners to attorneys and other white-collar professions. The Dennis family derived from Ireland; their progenitor Dunnoch Dennis having sailed to the Eastern Shore of Virginia as an indentured servant. Samuel K. Dennis, attorney and sixth Chief Judge of the Supreme Bench of Baltimore City, wrote detailed letters describing the progression of the Dennis family which his nephew John V. Dennis Sr. turned into manuscripts for a genealogical novel series. John V. Dennis Sr. became an avid naturalist, whose other manuscripts are included in the collection.  

Scope and Content Note

This collection contains correspondence, family trees, death and birth certificates, wills, and other information from 1759 to 2000 pertaining to the Dennis family and its origins in Maryland and Virginia. The collection consists of letters, manuscripts, booklets, and scanned inventories of the Dennis’ Beverly plantation. The collection focuses on the development of the family and its history. The reproduced manuscripts contain writings about daily life from various Dennis family members, including John V. Dennis and Samuel K. Dennis’ correspondence with other relatives. Miscellaneous items include writings from Alfred P. Dennis and chapters of a book. Includes documents detailing John W. Crisfield’s lineage and original copies of 1862 speeches as Congressman. John V. Dennis’ documents feature various manuscripts and newspaper columns from his studies as a conservationist. Included are notes from John V. Dennis Sr. about the collection materials. Most documents are reproductions of original items, some folders contain both original copies of letters and their typescripts. 

Arrangement Statement
  • Genealogy (Series 1) separated between known Dennis family notes and Crisfield family texts. 
  • Correspondence (Series 1.2) separated between letters of Samuel K. Dennis as well as George Handy to various relatives, and letters from Samuel K. Dennis to his nephew Littleton Dennis.  
  • Reproduced Manuscripts (Series 1.3) are organized in the same way they were received; Metcalf wills were placed with another set of Dennis wills that were in both typeface and handwritten form. 
  • Beverly Plantation texts (Series 1.4) separated based on primary documents from the plantation and manuscripts written by John V. Dennis Sr about its history. 
  • Crisfield Papers (Series 1.5) compiled of letters and texts from congressional speeches 
  • John V. Dennis texts (Series 2) separated between his naturalist book manuscripts and news columns 

Subject Terms

  • Topical Terms
    • Crisfield Family
    • Environment
    • Farm Life
    • Genealogy
    • Slavery
  • Personal Names
    • Family History
  • Location Terms
    • Beverly Plantation

Inventory List

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  1. Series 1: John V. Dennis Sr. Notes
  2. Series 1.1: Genealogy – Dennis Family 
  3. Series 1.1: Genealogy – Crisfield & Pearce Family 
  4. Series 1.2: Correspondence – reproduced from Samuel K. Dennis letters to Littleton Dennis 
  5. Series 1.2: Correspondence – Samuel K. Dennis, George Handy & Dennis Family 
  6. Series 1.3: Manuscript reproduction 
  7. Series 1.3: Manuscript reproduction – Wills 
  8. Series 1.3: Manuscript reproduction – Miscellaneous  
  9. Series 1.4: Dennis Family – Beverly Plantation manuscripts 
  10. Series 1.4: Dennis Family – Beverly Plantation Inventories 
  11. Series 1.5: Crisfield Papers 
  12. Series 2: John V. Dennis Manuscripts (1/5) 
  13. Series 2: John V. Dennis Manuscripts (2/5) 
  14. Series 2: John V. Dennis Manuscripts (3/5) 
  15. Series 2: John V. Dennis Manuscripts (4/5) 
  16. Series 2: John V. Dennis Manuscripts (5/5) 
  17. Series 2: John V. Dennis news columns 

Artifacts

See Nabb Center Staff

Attachments

None