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Hugh D. McLellan family papers

 Collection
Identifier: Coll. 4231

Scope and Content note

The collection consists of personal correspondence, legal documents of various types and purposes, financial papers, receipts and accounts, notes, and essays. The material reflects the personal and professional lives of members of both the McLellan and Lewis families. Contents include veteran bounty land papers filed by Hugh McLellan on behalf of military soldiers outlining claims to land in accordance with Congressional acts and papers and writings documenting the McLellan family history and the history of Gorham.

Dates

  • Creation: 1800 - 1889

Creator

Access

Unrestricted

Copyright

Access to collections at Maine Historical Society is not an authorization to publish. Rights and reproduction requests may be submitted in writing to the MHS Image Services Coordinator or Research & Administrative Librarian, subject to format.

Biographical note

The primary creator of this collection is Hugh Davis McLellan (1805-1878), along with various members of the McLellan and Lewis families. Hugh McLellan married Elizabeth Prescott Lewis, daughter of Lothrop Lewis (1764-1822) and Mary Jackson (Prescott Little) Lewis (1774-1863), thus joining the two Gorham, Maine, families.

The McLellan family was one of the first families to settle in Gorham. The McLellan house, built in 1773 and the oldest known brick house in Cumberland County, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The son of Chloe Davis and Alexander McLellan, whose papers are included in this collection, Hugh McLellan was a prominent member of the Gorham community and authored a book, History of Gorham, Maine, which was published posthumously by his daughter in 1903. Research and essays related to this work can be found in the collection. McLellan was also chairman of Gorham's board of selectmen and represented the town in the state legislature. He was an active member of the local militia and held the rank of colonel.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Provenance

Gift of E. Christopher Livesay, June 20 and June 27, 2022 (acc. no. 2023.021).

Related Materials

The Maine Historical Society also holds the following relevant collections:

  • McLellan-Lewis family papers, Coll. 4089
  • Lothrop Lewis Maine statehood papers, Coll. 4314
  • Lothrop Lewis correspondence to wife Mary Lewis, Coll. S-8536
  • Appointment of Lothrop Lewis, Coll. S-8441
  • Early land survey, Coll. S-6803

Processing note

E. Christopher Livesay gifted these papers to MHS as part of a larger donation of material compiled over decades as a collector of Maine-related manuscripts and books. All of the material from the donation shares accession number 2023.021.

Source

Subject

Title
Guide to the Hugh D. McLellan family papers
Status
Completed
Author
Jordis Rosberg, MHS Project Archivist, March 2023
Date
December 12, 2023
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Revision Statements

  • December 18, 2024: Four folders of Lothrop Lewis Maine statehood related material was removed and combined with related material from the same accession to create Coll. 4314, Lothrop Lewis Maine statehood papers. The title, biographical note, scope and content note, subject headings, and inventory of this collection were amended accordingly.

Repository Details

Part of the Maine Historical Society Repository