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Chase-Morley Papers
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Title: Chase-Morley Papers
Dates: 1867-1925
Collection Number: Consult repository.
Creator:
Chase, Manly M.
Morley, William R.
Extent:
168 items
Repository:
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
Manuscripts Department
The Huntington Library
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2203
Fax: (626) 449-5720
Email: manuscripts@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
Abstract: The collection consists of the correspondence and manuscripts of and related to Manly M. Chase and William R. Morley. The
bulk of the papers consist of the personal and business correspondence of Manly M. Chase and Ada M. Morley.
Language of Material: The records are in English.
Collection is open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information,
please go to following
web site .
In order to quote from, publish, or reproduce any of the manuscripts or visual materials, researchers must obtain formal permission
from the office of the Library Director. In most instances, permission is given by the Huntington as owner of the physical
property rights only, and researchers must also obtain permission from the holder of the literary rights. In some instances,
the Huntington owns the literary rights, as well as the physical property rights. Researchers may contact the appropriate
curator for further information.
[Identification of item], Chase-Morley Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Gift of Mrs. Troy Smith, December 15, 1956.
Manly M. Chase was born in Wisconsin on October 8, 1842. Before founding the Chase Ranch, Chase and his father worked as merchants
who sold beef and other goods to miners. Manly Chase and his wife Teresa settled in New Mexico in 1867 and purchased a portion
of the Maxwell Land Grant to start a cattle ranch. Chase successfully raised livestock such as cattle and sheep, managing
companies such as the Maxwell Cattle Company and the Chase, Eno and Company. Chase was also well-known for his orchards which
primarily produced apples.
Manly Chase and Teresa were close friends with William R. Morley and his wife Ada. After Morley’s accidental death--accidentally
shot on his way to Mexico--Chase assumed responsibility of the Morley Estate and the welfare of the Morley children, W.R.
and Ada L. Morley. Ada M. Morley continued to conduct business with Chase and owned shares in various cattle companies and
lands. Their relationship was strained due to the court struggle over the estate of the Morley children and Chase’s guardianship
role. Manly M. Chase died in 1915, but his sons went on to continue the Chase Ranch business.
The collection consists of the correspondence and manuscripts of and related to Manly M. Chase and William R. Morley. The
bulk of the papers consist of the personal and business correspondence of Manly M. Chase and Ada M. Morley. The material is
arranged chronologically and can be categorized into manuscripts, correspondence, ephemera, and letter books.
Manuscripts include memorandums, an affidavit, a bond, and written articles about Morley family members, Ada M. and Agnes
Morley. The bulk of the manuscripts consist of legal materials regarding the Morley estate and children, W.R. Morley and Ada
L. Morley. Manuscripts also include official court papers, bank statements, and legal agreement drafts.
The bulk of the correspondence consists of letters from Ada M. (Morley) Jarrett to Manly M. Chase about various personal and
business matters. Notable items include Ada M. (Morley) Jarrett’s letter to Manly M. Chase in which she expresses her thoughts
about the death of her husband, W.R. Morley, and written letters regarding the guardianship of Chase over her children. Her
other correspondence covers subjects such as business advice, stocks, land, legal issues, and family matters. Other types
of correspondence in the collection include letters written to Manly M. Chase from individuals who include Agnes Morley, Floyd
Jarrett, Henry Chase, Lucretia Mitchell, W.M. Eads, and W.J. Stanton. These letters cover a variety of personal and business
issues related to Chase’s life. Subject matters include business transactions, legal issues, money matters, and personal matters
regarding the lives of the Morley children. Notable items also include several telegrams that recount the death of William
R. Morley.
The papers also include some ephemera which include materials such as envelopes and handwritten notes on scratch pieces of
paper by Manly M. Chase. The collection also includes a photograph (1879) of the Morley children.
The papers also contain 11 letter books that contain the personal and business correspondence of Manly M. Chase. The letter
books are arranged chronologically and include correspondence and financial ledgers. These books are housed with the collection.
Each letter book deals with the day-to-day business matters and transactions of Manly M. Chase, which include the sale of
cattle, sheep, wool, and fruit from the orchards. Also included are the personal itemized grocery lists of Manly M. Chase
and information on payments made to business associates. Other correspondence subject matter includes written contractual
agreements, livestock advice, personal and legal matters regarding Ada M. (Morley) Jarrett, and issues concerning the Maxwell
Land Grant Co., Red River Cattle Co., and Gila Cattle Co. Along with letter book 1 is a Quitclaim Deed for Manly M. Chase
which was found inserted near the book’s cover page. Letter book 9 contains a folder with an index of names associated with
the ledger contents. Letter book 10 also includes an inserted folder that contains typed and handwritten manuscripts of the
minutes of the annual meeting of the stockholders of S.M. Chase Cattle Company which was found inserted near the cover page.
Letter book 11 includes an inserted folder that contains an accounts payable ledger and typed letters regarding payments made
to the S.M. Chase Cattle Company. Several of the letter books have newspaper clippings in them as well.
Chase, Manley M.
Morley, William R.
Business enterprises -- New Mexico.
Cattle trade -- New Mexico.
Ranchers -- New Mexico -- Archives.
Ranches -- New Mexico.
Real property -- New Mexico.
Maxwell Land Grant (N.M. and Colo.)
New Mexico -- History -- 19th century -- Sources.
New Mexico -- History -- 20th century -- Sources.
Form/genre Business records United States 19th century.
Legal documents United States 19th century.
Letter books United States 19th century.
Letter books United States 20th century.
Letters (correspondence) United States 19th century.