Clendenen Family Papers, 1855-1972

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Summary

Creators:
Clendenen (Family)
Abstract:
This collection contains papers of Clemens L. Clendenen and his family, chiefly consisting of correspondence from the 1850s-1860s and including sentiments about the American Civil War and the life of the common soldier, as seen primarily in letters from Clendenen to his wife in Beverly, Ohio.
Extent:
113 pieces in 2 boxes
Language:
English.

Background

Scope and content:

Clenenden family correspondence and the 1859 pocket diary kept by Clemens L. Clendenen cover Clendenen family affairs, farming, and property, including and a rift between Hyman Clendenen and his father over the land in Iowa and a homestead grant.

The Civil War letters from Clemens L. Clenden to his wife Louisa Shinn Clendenen posted from Parkersburg, Clarksburg and New Creek, West Virginia. (Aug. Sept. - 1864) and a letter from Andersonville prison deal with camp life and comprise some discussion of war politics, Vallandigham and Copperheads. This portion of the collection also includes letters to Louisa from John V. Clendenen, and members of the 4th W. Virginia Cavalry about her husband's fate.

Letters from William Lambden Clendenen to his fiance Mary Cowan (1887-1888) (32 pieces) describe his life in Ashland, Kansas, as a farmer and laborer.

Correspondence between Colonel Clarence Clemens Clendenen and Confederate Historical Society (London) (1969-1972, 18 pieces) deal with history of the Civil War, especially in the West and border states, and discuss affairs of the Confederate Historical Society. Correspondents include Michael A. Rich, Robert Fowler, and Kenneth M. Broughton.

Biographical / historical:

The Clendenens were a farming family in Beverly, Ohio. In the mid 1850s, Hyram Clendenen, son of James Clendenden, moved to a Gold Rush town of Iowa Hill, California. In August, 1863, his brother, Clemens L. Clendenen, an Ohio farmer, enlisted in the 4th West Virginia Cavalry. This one-year regiment was on duty at Parkersburg, Clarksburg, Grafton, New Creek and other points on Baltimore & Ohio Railroad till June 1864, guarding railroads and operating against guerillas. Clemens L. Clendenen served as a cook and barber. Captured during the action at Williamsport, January 30, 1864, he died in the Andersonville prison in summer of 1864. Willard Lambden Clendenen was a farmer and laborer in Kansas in 1880's. Col. Clarence Clemens Clandenen, a prominent military historian and grandson of Clemens L. Clendenen, was curator of special collections, Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Col. Clarence C. Clendenen, 1948, 1969 and 1973.
Arrangement:

The collection consists of correspondence, one manuscript, and ephemera and organized in the following manner:

  • Box 1. Clendenen family correspondence. 1855-1870. 62 pieces.
  • Box 2. Clendenen, Willard Lambden, To Mary Cowan (1887-1888); Confederate Historical Society, Correspondence with Clarence C. Clendenen (1969-1972); ephemera. 53 pieces.

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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