Claude-Gray-Hughes-Tuck-Whittington Family papers
Collection
0076-MDHC
The collection contains the papers of five 19th-century Annapolis families who were interrelated by marriage. The materials reflect daily life in Annapolis and at the Naval Academy, conflicts with the Spanish in the Louisiana Territory, local and national politics, and the Civil War. The papers also document religion, family relationships and personal affairs, 19th-century medical practices, and attitudes towards Black people and slavery.
This collection is open for research.
Photocopies of original materials may be provided for a fee and at the discretion of the curator. Please see our Duplication of Materials policy for more information. Queries regarding publication rights and copyright status of materials within this collection should be directed to the appropriate curator.
13.50 Linear Feet
The Claude, Gray, Hughes, Tuck and Whittington family papers date from 1793 to 1938 and represent a mixture of correspondence, from family, friends, and business associates; deeds; ledgers; literary writings; school notebooks; and receipts. The bulk of the material dates from 1820-1900. The material reflects daily life in Annapolis and the Naval Academy, conflicts with the Spanish in the Louisiana Territory, local and national politics, the Civil War and the embargo. It also reveals information on religion, family relationships, nineteenth century medical practices, and attitudes towards Black people and slavery.
The Claudes, Grays, Hughes, Tucks, and Whittingtons are all families of Annapolis and were related by marriage.
Claude Family
Claude Family Tree
Abram Claude came to America in 1763 or 1764. He was the son of Frederic Claude and a native of Neuchatedl, Switzerland. In Annapolis he was a well-known clockmaker and silversmith.
Abram Claude had two sons, Dennis and Abram, and a stepson, John. Dennis Claude was an army doctor stationed in the Louisiana Territory, Who upon his return to Annapolis, was Mayor from 1828 to 1836 and in 1853. He was also State Treasurer from 1854 to 1860. Abram Claude was an attorney associated with the Montgomery County Courthouse and died at the Battle of Bladensburg. Dennis and Abram's half-brother, John, was an actor who traveled with various theatre groups to a number of eastern states.
Dennis Claude married Anne Jacob and had four children. Two of their sons achieved particular local prominence. Abram M. was a physician and a professor of natural science at St. John's College in Annapolis. He, too, was Mayor from 1847-1850, 1854, 1867 to 1868 and 1883 to 1889 and postmaster from 1895 to 1899. William Tell was a lawyer and the editor of the Annapolis Recorder in 1847-1848. Abram M. Claude married Rachel Anne Tuck and had thirteen children. His son, Dr. Gordon Handy Claude was a dentist. He attended St. John's College, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery. He was the Mayor of Annapolis from 1907 to 1909 and a dental surgeon with the Navy in World War II. Dennis Claude (b. 1851) was an attorney. Washington Clement was a physician and county sheriff.
Gordon Handy Claude married Sophia Worthington and had nine children. Gordon's sons, David Kerr and William Tell Claude attended the U.S. Naval Academy. David Kerr later died in World War II.
Gray and Hughes Families
Gray Family Tree
Hughes Family Tree
The Hughes and Grays became related with the marriage of Hannah Gray Hughes to Charles T. Gray in 1840. Charles T. Gray was an assignee in bankruptcy cases. Hannah's father, Jeremiah Hughes was an influential businessman and owner of the Maryland Republican. Her brother, Ezekiel, was publisher of the Niles' Register. Charles and Hannah's son, Jeremiah, was a musician and a teacher of piano and violin in Philadelphia.
More information about both families can be found in the family trees in the appendix.
Tuck Family
Tuck Family Tree
The Tucks are related to the Claudes by the marriage of Rachel Anne Tuck to Abram M. Claude. Rachel's brother William Clement Tuck was a government clerk in Washington, D.C. and her other brother, Washington Greene Tuck, Jr. was a physician and postmaster of Annapolis from 1890 to 1895. William Hallum Tuck was a lawyer and Circuit Court judge. Somerville Pinkney Tuck was a judge of the International Court of Appeals Consul at Alexandria during the unsettled conditions in Egypt in 1914. Phil Tuck was an attorney and attended the University of Maryland Law School.
More information on the family can be found in the family tree in the appendix.
Whittington Family
Little is known about the Whittington family. They were related to the Tucks by the marriage of Washington Greene Tuck to Rachel Smith Whittington in 1814.
This collection consists of five series:
The first set of "Claude Papers" were purchased by the University of Maryland College Park Libraries in 1979. Additional materials were added in 1980 and 1982 from John Gach Books. Materials relating to various family members which had previously been described as Maryland Manuscripts were separated out and incorporated into the collection in 1991.
Digital copies of the letters in this collection are available at http://digital.lib.umd.edu/results.jsp?index1=dmKeyword&query1=claude+gray+hughes+tuck+whittington in the University of Maryland's Digital Collections.
The collection has been reorganized from its original processed order as new materials were added. The documents were unfolded and separated from the envelopes. Fragile items were encapsulated. Oversize materials have ben separated out and stored in oversize boxes or map cases; separation sheets mark the original locations of these items. All materials were put into acid-free folders and boxes. A revised guide was then written. Materials transferred from the Maryland Manuscripts collection were incorporated into the previously established series structure and the guide was updated.
Part of the Special Collections and University Archives