Correspondence, 1834-1894

This series includes correspondence not only to and from John Purdue, but also to and from partners working and writing on his behalf, continuing Purdue-related enterprises well after his death in 1876. The vast majority of correspondents are business associates, but there are a few of Purdue’s relatives included such as his sisters Eliza Purdue and Sarah Prosser Roff, nephew John Prosser, and grandnephews Frank Prosser and Tom Parks [many of Purdue’s relatives also worked for him in some capacity]. There is one letter to a possible sweetheart, Ann Knauere, warning against the dangers of young ladies sitting alone with men after dark. Materials in the series are arranged alphabetically by last name of the correspondent. [0.4 cubic feet