Maryland -- Politics and government -- 1865-1950 -- History -- Sources

Joseph Irwin France (1873-1939) was a physician, state and U.S. senator, and a Maryland politician. His papers consist of scrapbooks, correspondence, pamphlets, speeches, and financial records. They relate to such subjects as Maryland and national politics; Republican party politics; suffrage; child welfare; trade; Russia; World War I; conscription; food control; farm relief; prohibition; labor strikes; disarmament; election campaigns; and Washington, D.C. society.

This collection contains a group of business-related letters, addressed to a Pleasant Hunter, mainly from correspondents in Annapolis and Baltimore. Hunter was active in local politics and was the county sheriff of Baltimore County for many years. Also includes letters addressed to Sheriff Hunter's daughter, Laura ("Lida") Hunter in which the women describe their families, personal relationships and jobs.

Mary W. Stewart was the postmistress of Oxford, Maryland, from 1877 to 1940. The collection consists of correspondence to and from Mary Stewart and her family, newspaper clippings, and memorabilia relating to her tenure as postmistress. It also includes a blueprint of Mary Stewart's home and post office in Oxford, Maryland.