Guide to the Ashbel W. Corey (1798-1839) and Anna E. Corey (fl.1824-1857) Papers 1790-1904 MG 90

Descriptive Summary

Papers

Access Points

Series 1: Personal Correspondence, 1822-1893

Scope and Content:

This sub-series largely consists of letters addressed to or written by Anna E. Bruen (Corey) which discuss family matters, her relationship with her future husband, and her deep devotion to religion. The letters she sent to her parents during a trip with her husband to the West Indies in 1836-1837 explore cultural differences and racial ambiguities of the places visited, along with medical issues. The latter topic reflects the main purpose of the trip, the improvement of her husband’s health.

These letters are contained in 9 folders.

Series 2: Business Correspondence, 1826-1839.

Scope and Content:

The correspondence of Ashbel W. Corey and other individuals concerns mostly financial and family issues. Contained in 3 folders.

Series 3: Business Records, 1808-1895.

Scope and Content:

This series consists of 27 folders of lease contracts, accounts, law practice documents, and miscellaneous records dating from 1808 to 1895. The business records reflect Ashbel W. Corey’s various activities: his work as a lawyer (mostly the financial side of a practicing attorney), as a partner of Caleb W. Bruen’s shipping business, and as a landlord.

Series 4: Financial Documents, 1808-1873.

Scope and Content:

This series consists of 13 folders of account books, receipts, bonds, mortgages, insurance policies, and stock accounts. Among the financial documents, the account books of Anna E. Corey are of special interest. They give a detailed picture of her daily expenses and profits. Her receipts and lease contracts give an account of her efforts to sustain herself financially after the death of her husband. The financial documents of Ashbel W. Corey include receipts, bonds, and mortgages. Stock accounts of Ashbel W. Corey reflect his financial involvement with the New Jersey Transportation and Railroad Co.

Series 5: Legal Documents, 1790-1887.

Scope and Content:

This series consists of 13 folders of land deeds, court notices, and estate papers, which reflect the activities of Ashbel W. Corey as an investor in the New Jersey land market. The results of his financial endeavors are represented in his estate papers. The legal documents also reflect his family’s involvement in various lawsuits.

Series 6: Literary Productions, 1833-1904.

Scope and Content:

This series consists of 5 folders of diaries, essays, and a poem. Of note is the diary of Anna E. Corey kept during a family boat trip which comments on the weather, food served on board, her husband’s health, and the children’s behavior. Her essays on religion are a good source of information on the period’s popular religious sentiments. This series includes a poem written by Andrew M. Corey, son of Anna E. and Ashbel W. Corey; a calligraphy book of the other son, Henry M. Corey; and an essay on the insurance business by an unknown author.

Series 7: Printed Material, 1814-1853

Scope and Content:

This series consists of one oversized volume and 2 folders of schoolbooks, the school diploma of Sophia B. Corey, and a fragment of the publication, “The Judgment of the Supreme Court of New Jersey.”.