Margaret E. Pollard Letters, 1839-1841, 1845 | Sargeant Memorial Collection

By Sarah Osorio

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Collection Overview

Title: Margaret E. Pollard Letters, 1839-1841, 1845

Predominant Dates:1840-1841

ID: 001/01/MSS 0000-058

Primary Creator: Pollard, Margaret E.

Extent: 2.0 Boxes

Arrangement: Letters are numbered; arranged roughly in chronological order.

Date Acquired: 06/03/1980

Subjects: Man-woman relationships, United States. Navy--History--19th century, United States. Navy--Sea life--History--19th century

Forms of Material: Correspondence, Love letters

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Twenty-two love letters from United States Navy Lieutenant James Madison Lockert to Margaret E. Pollard of Norfolk, Virginia, primarily during their courtship from 1839-1841 when he was aboard the USS Brandywine. Also included is Lockert's letter to Benjamin Pollard asking for Margaret's hand in marriage, a letter from Aunt Ellen, and two pages of verse mourning the death of Lockert in 1845. The collection also includes a cloth bookcover with printed obituaries pasted on the interior featuring Lockert and other sailors who died on the USS Vandalia from yellow fever in April 1845. The last folder contains photocopies of all 26 letters.

Biographical Note

Margaret E. Pollard of Norfolk, Virginia was the daughter of Benjamin Pollard. She married James Madison Lockert on June 16, 1841 in Norfolk, Virginia.

Subject/Index Terms

Man-woman relationships
United States. Navy--History--19th century
United States. Navy--Sea life--History--19th century

Administrative Information

Repository: Sargeant Memorial Collection

Access Restrictions: This collection is open to all researchers. Letters are fragile; please consult photocopies before handling originals.

Use Restrictions: The status of copyright for these materials is governed by Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U. S. C.). Copyright restrictions may apply.

Physical Access Note: Most letters are encapsulated in polyester sleeves with pressure-sensitive tape around borders. Some tape has come in contact with original letters.

Acquisition Source: Lucy Gordan Jeffers by donation

Preferred Citation: Pollard Letters, MSS 0000-058, Sargeant Memorial Collection, Norfolk Public Library, Norfolk, Virginia.

Processing Information: Processed June 8, 2020.

Other Note: Box 1 is currently housed inside Box 2 until a new box can be obtained.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[All]

Box 2

Folder 1: Correspondence, Letters 5-7, 10-12, and 23, 1840-1845

Item 1: Correspondence, James M. Lockert to Margaret Pollard, 1840 June 22: Letter 5. No. 7.
Item 2: Correspondence, James M. Lockert to Margaret Pollard, 1840 July 21: Letter 6. No. 8.
Item 3: Correspondence, James M. Lockert to Benjamin Pollard, 1840 August 5: Letter 7. No. 9.
Item 4: Correspondence, Aunt Ellen to Margaret Pollard, undated: Letter 10.
Item 5: Verse, Margaret Pollard Lockert, circa 1845 April 16: Letter 11.
Item 6: Correspondence, James M. Lockert to Margaret Pollard, undated: Letter 12. Partial letter.
Item 7: Verse, Margaret Pollard Lockert, circa 1845: Letter 23.

Folder 2: Book Cover and Obituaries, Death of James M. Lockert, 1845 April

Folder 3: Photocopies, Correspondence to Margaret Pollard, circa 1939-1845

Letters 1-24.

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
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