]> ms.82 Keyser-Wyman Papers 1800-1968 Ms. 82 Margaret N. Burri Special Collections, The Milton S. Eisenhower Library, The Johns Hopkins University
3400 N. Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21218 USA Phone: (410) 516-8323
Machine-readable finding aid encoded by Marius Stan Finding aid written in English Keyser-Wyman Papers 1800-1968 Ms. 82 Special CollectionsThe Milton S. Eisenhower Library The Johns Hopkins University Contact Information Special Collections The Milton S. Eisenhower Library The Johns Hopkins University 3400 North Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21218 (410) 516-8323 Margaret N. Burri August 1987 Marius Stan

©2004 The Johns Hopkins University

 Descriptive Summary Ms. 82 Keyser-Wyman Papers 1800-1968 Keyser Family Wyman Family Johns Hopkins University. Special Collections 7 document boxes 5 flat boxes (7.1 linear feet) English The papers consist of diaries, memoirs, correspondence, genealogical information, newspaper clippings, maps and photographs. For most of the material, it was immediately apparent which member of the Keyser family had been the creator. However, since the interest in Keyser-Wyman family history began with William Keyser, and continued with R. Brent Keyser and Juliana Keyser Clark, it was difficult to assign some of the papers to a single creator. This was especially true of genealogical research notes, newspaper clippings, and the small amount of early-to-mid-nineteenth century correspondence created by various relatives. For this reason, therefore, the material was grouped into a series of family research papers. The papers have been grouped under four creators: William Keyser; R. Brent Keyser; Juliana Keyser Clark; and the Wyman Family. The event which unifies the creators is the development of the Homewood site for The Johns Hopkins University. Correspondence, newspaper clippings, and chapters in William Keyser's unpublished memoirs highlight the family's relationship with the University. The collected papers also provide a look into the lives of prominent Baltimoreans during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. R. Brent Keyser's diaries and his father's memoirs are a particularly rich source, as are both men's family correspondence. Both William Keyser and his son were active in the industrial development of Baltimore. Papers (1870-1925) of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Baltimore Copper and Smelting Company, and the Baltimore Electric Refining Company, although incomplete, offer a glimpse of the concerns of Baltimore industrialists. Finally, the papers include a fine collection of family photographs, primarily of R. Brent Keyser and his family. The photos are both studio portraits and candid shots. Administrative Information Provenance

The Keyser-Wyman Papers were presented to The Johns Hopkins University in May 1982 by three descendants of the Keyser and Wyman families, Mrs. R. J. Watts, Mrs. A. R. Holmes and Mrs. C. L. Sexton. The collection had previously belonged to the donors' mother, Juliana Keyser Clark. The compilation of family papers began with her grandfather, William Keyser, and was continued by her father, R. Brent Keyser.

Use Restrictions

Access to the papers is unrestricted. Literary rights were not donated.

Permission to publish material from this collection must be requested in writing from the Manuscripts Librarian, Milton S. Eisenhower Library, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Md. 21218.

 Preferred Citation

Keyser-Wyman Papers Ms. 82 Special CollectionsMilton S. Eisenhower Library The Johns Hopkins University

Biographical Note

The Keysers and Wymans were two of Baltimore's leading civic-minded and philanthropic families during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. William Keyser (1835-1904), his twin brother, Samuel (1835-1906) and their cousin, William Wyman laid the groundwork and provided financial assistance for Hopkins' acquisition of the Homewood site in 1902. William Keyser's son, R. Brent Keyser (1859-1927), was Chairman of the Board of Trustees from 1903 until shortly before his death in 1927. Much of the material in the collection deals with the family's relationship with the University.

The papers reflect the lives and interests of three generations of Keysers and highlight three family members in particular: William Keyser, his son, R. Brent Keyser, and R. Brent's daughter, Juliana Keyser Clark.

William Keyser was born in Baltimore on November 23, 1835, the son of Samuel Stouffer Keyser and Elizabeth Wyman Keyser. He was educated at various private schools in Baltimore, and entered St. Timothy's Academy in Catonsville in 1846. He and his twin brother, Samuel, remained there until 1850, when their father's declining health and weakening financial situation made it necessary for the boys to leave school. Samuel eventually moved to New York City to make his way in business there, while William stayed in Baltimore to manage his father's warehouses.

In 1857, William formed a partnership with his other brother, Irvine Keyser under the name "Keyser Brothers". He was active in the firm, as well as the Abbott Iron Co. and the Baltimore Copper Company, throughout the 1860s.

On November 11, 1858, he married Mary (Mollie) Brent, daughter of the well-known Baltimore lawyer, Robert Brent. They had three children who lived to adulthood: Robert Brent Keyser, Henry Irvine Keyser, and Mathilde Lawrence Keyser.

In 1870, William Keyser became involved with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, taking a position as second vice-president during the term of its president, John Work Garrett. While at the B&O, he was instrumental in labor negotiations during the 1871 and 1877 strikes. In 1881, Keyser left the B&O. His action was precipitated by Garrett's decision to promote his son, Robert Garrett, over Keyser.

Keyser next ventured into copper manufacturing. In 1882, the court appointed him to oversee the financial affairs of Pope and Cole, a local copper processor. The company had declared bankruptcy, and Keyser, as one of their largest creditors, had a vested interest in seeing them regain solvency. His association with Pope and Cole piqued his interest in the copper industry. He eventually reestablished Pope & Cole as the Baltimore Copper Company and purchased the Baltimore Smelting and Rolling Company. His entry into copper production allowed him to amass a fortune larger than if he had stayed with the railroad.

Keyser put his money to many philanthropic uses. He donated funds for a hall at Hannah More Academy in Reisterstown, and was instrumental in the founding of the JHU Homewood campus. Material in the Keyser-Wyman Papers recounts his association with his cousin, William Wyman, who donated a large portion on the land, and their efforts on behalf of the University.

Before his death in June, 1904, Keyser was appointed a member of the Citizens' Emergency Committee which was charged with developing a plan for rebuilding the downtown after the calamitous fire of February 1904. The Committee prepared street and dock improvement plans, which were adopted.

Keyser died suddenly at his summer home, Brentwood, on June 3, 1904. His wife, Mollie, and three children survived him; Mollie Keyser later died on October 29, 1911.

R. Brent Keyser, William's oldest son, was born on August 5, 1859. He attended St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire from 1875-1878. After leaving St. Paul's he embarked on a European tour (June-October 1879). At his return, he began his long career in business, working in the firms connected with his father: Baltimore Copper Smelting and Rolling, Keyser Brothers, Baltimore Electric Refining Company, and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.

On June 14, 1888, Brent married Ellen Carr McHenry, a descendant of Col. James McHenry. They had three children: Juliana Brent Keyser, later Mrs. Gaylord Lee Clark, Ellen Keyser, who married the diplomat, James Bruce, and William McHenry Keyser.

Throughout his life, R. Brent Keyser was active in many local Baltimore organizations. He served on the boards of the B&O, Municipal Art Society, Mercantile Bank and Trust, National Union Bank, McDonogh School, Baltimore Board of Trade, the Enoch Pratt Free Library, and Hospital Relief Association. He was also Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Johns Hopkins University from 1904-1927.

R. Brent Keyser, like his father, devoted much time and energy to promoting Hopkins. He participated in the planning and development of, and the fundraising for, the campus at Homewood.

R. Brent Keyser died on March 1, 1927. He was survived by his wife and their two daughters.

Juliana Brent Keyser Clark, R. Brent Keyser's oldest daughter, was born on August 5, 1891. She continued her father's association with Hopkins through her unflagging efforts to have a suitable memorial erected to her grandfather, William Keyser, and great uncles, Samuel and William Wyman. Her correspondence documents this crusade. The University eventually honored the men by naming two quadrangles after them: the upper quad, bounded by the Library and Gilman Hall, became the Keyser Quadrangle, and the lower quad, the Wyman Quadrangle.

Juliana and her husband, Gaylord Lee Clark, carried on her family's longstanding interest in their history. She collected additional genealogical data, and compiled family-related newspaper clippings.

The Clarks were married on April 16, 1921. Juliana and Gaylord had five children: a son, Gaylord, and four daughters, Juliana Watts, Mathilde Holmes, Letitia Sexton, and Sally Cary Wolff. Sally Cary died in 1966, followed in 1969 by Juliana's husband.

Juliana died in March, 1975. She was survived by her son, and her other three daughters. After their mother's death, the daughters donated the family papers to The Johns Hopkins University.

Description of Series/Container List Series I: William Keyser Papers Series I: William Keyser Papers,

There are five main series--William Keyser, R. Brent Keyser, Juliana Keyser Clark, the Wyman family, and family research papers--with subseries as necessary for each.

Subseries 1: Memoirs Subseries 1: Memoirs,

In 1900, William Keyser wrote his memoirs for his family. He divided the work into two volumes and an epilogue, which recount the social aspects of life in nineteenth century Baltimore. Included are sections on the city during the Civil War, and discussions of Keyser's experiences as a leading Baltimore businessman.

Also included is a short account of Keyser's disillusionment with Grace and St. Peter's Episcopal Church, written at about the same time as his Memoirs.

Box Contents 1 Memoirs, Volumes 1 and 2 and Epilogue, 8 folders. Subseries 2: Financial Records Subseries 2: Financial Records, 1880; 1890-1941

This series consists of cash books and bank books kept by Keyser, as well as a record of petty cash transactions occasioned by Keyser and his son's administration of William Wyman's estate.

 Box Contents 1 Cash books 1880, 1890-1891 1 "Petty Cash," William Wyman Estate 1917-1941 1 Bank account book of William and R. Brent Keyser, with National Farmers and Planters Bank, 1895-1904 Subseries 3: Correspondence Subseries 3: Correspondence, 1857-1903

These letters are those to and from his children, grandchildren, friends and business associates. He received letters from George W. Brown, W. Cabell Bruce, H. Clay Dallance, Rutherford B. Hays, H. Irvine Keyser, Samuel Keyser, Stephen L. Lee, Joseph Misko, Mary L. Smith, C. P. Wyman, and Walter Wyman. His outgoing letters are addressed to Ellen McHenry Keyser, H. Irvine Keyser, Mathilde Keyser, William Keyser, Jr., John and Susan, and Samuel Wyman.

Box Contents 2 Correspondence: 1873-1943, 1 folder. Subseries 4: Legal Records Subseries 4: Legal Records, 1902-1904

William Keyser's will and the deed to Homewood are included here.

Box Contents 2 Last Will and Testament, William Keyser, 1896 1 folder. 2 Deed to Homewood, 1902 1 folder. Subseries 5: Biographical Subseries 5: Biographical, 1904

Eulogies and resolutions in remembrance of William Keyser, which refer to the highlights of his life.

Box Contents 1 Biographical, 1905 1 folder. Subseries 6: Mollie Brent Keyser Correspondence Subseries 6: Mollie Brent Keyser Correspondence, 1857- 1905

Mollie Brent married William Keyser on November 10, 1858, at Grace Church (later Grace and St. Peter's). This subseries contains typescript copies of William's letters to his wife (1858-1903). The letters begin with their courtship days, cover the first year of marriage, and continue whenever William was away on business.

This subseries also contains letters to Mollie from her mother, Matilda Brent, sister Emma Fenwick Brent, and bother-in-law, Samuel Keyser.

Box Contents 2 Correspondence, 1858-1905 2 folders. Series II: R. Brent Keyser Papers Series II: R. Brent Keyser Papers,

Subseries 1: Correspondence Subseries 1: Correspondence, 1872-1921

A list of R. Brent Keyser's incoming and outgoing letters follows the container list.

Box Contents 2 Incoming Letters, 1866-1925 9 folders. 2 Outgoing Letters, 1872-1921 8 folders. 4 Typescripts of Correspondence and diaries, 1873-1906 8 folders. Subseries 2: Business Records Subseries 2: Business Records, 1870-1925

This series includes correspondence, printed material and maps relating to Keyser's work with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, the Baltimore Copper Smelting and Rolling Company, the South Baltimore Iron Company, and Keyser Brothers and Company. The maps are stored in the oversize cabinet; a complete list of them follows the container list.

Box Contents 2 Baltimore Copper Smelting and Rolling, 1870-1910 5 folders. 3 South Baltimore Iron Company Maps, 1881-1882 1 folder. 3 Baltimore Electric Refining Company, 1891-1900 1 folder. 3 Keyser Brothers and Company, 1878-1882 1 folder. 3 Baltimore Fire, 1904 1 folder. 3 Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, 8 folders. Subseries 3: Diaries and Cash Books Subseries 3: Diaries and Cash Books, 1877-1901

Keyser kept diaries while at school (1877-1878), and later on his trips to Europe and the American West. He also recorded the money spent on each trip, so every diary has a corresponding cash book.

Box Contents 4 "Cash Book. R. Brent Keyser." 1877-1879 4 "R. Brent Keyser. Private Cash." Jan. 1, 1879- 4 "Cash Book. European Trip" June-Oct. 1879 4 "Diary. European Trip." June 12-July 5, 1879. 4 "Diary. European Trip." July 5-July 29, 1879 4 "Diary. European Trip." July 30-Aug. 31, 1879 4 "Diary. European Trip." Sept. 1-Oct. 20, 1879 4 Daily Journal, 1880 4 "Second European Trip. Diary. Vol. I." July 12-Nov. 17, 1881 4 "Second European Trip. Diary. Vol. II." July 12-Nov. 17, 1881 4 "Cash. European Trip." July 12-Nov. 17, 1881 4 Cash Book. 1881 4 Daily Diary 1881 4 Diary 1882 4 Daily Diary 1883 4 "Trip. Pacific Coast." Apr. 30-July 13, 1883 4 "Memorandum Book." 10/8/83 4 Diary. 1886 4 Diary of European Honeymoon. 1888 4 "Log Book. European Trip. The 'Ranchards' and Ourselves. The 'Ranchards' [are] Mr. & Mrs. Blanchard Randall." Feby-May 1901 Subseries 4: Speeches and Lectures Subseries 4: Speeches and Lectures, 1887-1918

This series includes 3 speeches given before an organization called "The Mosaic Club," as well as lectures presented to other organizations.

Box Contents 3 Speeches, 1911, 1917, 1918 1 folder. 3 "The Mosaic Club Paper." 1887, 1888, 1889 3 folders. Subseries 5: Memorabilia Subseries 5: Memorabilia, 1875-1925

Includes tickets, hotel bills, passes and passenger lists collected by R. Brent Keyser during his travels, 1875- 1909. Also included are invitations to dances, guest lists for parties, New Year's Day visits, and Juliana's deubt. Arranged chronologically.

Box Contents 3 Memorabilia, 1875-1925 6 folders. 5 Miscellaneous, 1 folder. Subseries 6: Biographical Subseries 6: Biographical,

Memorial resolutions passed in honor of R. Brent Keyser at his death by various boards on which he served.

Box Contents 5 Biographical, 1 folder 5 "Dunlora," plan drawn by R. Brent Keyser for renovation, 1 folder Subseries 7: Photographs Subseries 7: Photographs,

This series contains studio and candid shots of R. Brent Keyser and his family.

Box Contents 8 R. Brent Keyser, Photographs 9 R. Brent Keyser, Photographs 10 R. Brent Keyser, Photographs 11 R. Brent Keyser, Photographs 12 R. Brent Keyser, Photographs Subseries 8: Ellen McHenry Keyser Subseries 8: Ellen McHenry Keyser, 1885-1896

Ellen McHenry, a direct descendant of James McHenry, married R. Brent Keyser in 1888. This subseries consists of letters written to her parents, Juliana and James Howard McHenry (1885-1888), as well as letters to R. Brent (1896). The incoming letters are from her husband, sister, and an acquaintance, J. Glenn Pitts.

Also included in this series is Ellen's application for membership in the Colonial Dames (1892).

Box Contents 5 Correspondence, 1882-1921 2 folders. 5 Ellen McHenry Keyser's Application for membership in the Colonial Dames, 1892 Series III: Juliana Brent Keyser Clark Series III: Juliana Brent Keyser Clark,

Subseries 1: Diary Subseries 1: Diary, January-February, 1936

Juliana kept a diary for two months in 1936 which records her winter whirl of social activities.

Box Contents 5 Diary, January-February 1936 1 folder. Subseries 2: Reminiscences Subseries 2: Reminiscences,

These are handwritten notes about her sister, Ellen McHenry Keyser's wedding to James Bruce, speculations on an attempted poisoning by one of the family's servants in 1916, and comments on the renovations of the family home, "Dunlora" in the Greenspring Valley.

Box Contents 5 Reminiscences, 1 folder. Subseries 3: Correspondence Subseries 3: Correspondence, 1927, 1942-1968

The bulk of the correspondence (1952-1968) focuses on Juliana's and her husband Gaylord's attempts to have the Johns Hopkins University erect an appropriate memorial to her grandfather, William Keyser.

There are also 4 letters to her nephew, William McHenry Keyser ("Mac"), written while he was with the Marines at Iwo Jima.

Box Contents 5 Correspondence, 1927, 1942-1968 9 folders. Subseries 4: Printed Material Subseries 4: Printed Material,

This series consists of printed material that relates to the history of The Johns Hopkins University. Included are: a program of the 1932 opening of the restored Homewood House, a copy of "The Johns Hopkins University and Wyman Park" by William Keyser, a typescript "History of Homewood," and "Assembling the Homewood Site," by William H. Buckler.

Box Contents 6 Printed Material, 2 folders. Subseries 5: Social Functions Subseries 5: Social Functions,

Invitations to dances and parties.

Box Contents 6 Social Functions, 1 folder. Series IV: Wyman Family Papers Series IV: Wyman Family Papers,

This series includes wills, correspondence and newspaper clippings, probably assembled by William Keyser as a result of his association with his cousins over the disposition on the Homewood property. See the container list for contents.

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Box Contents 6 Wyman, John H. Last Will and Testament, 1895 1 folder. 6 Wyman, Mary A. Last Will and Testament, 1884 1 folder. 6 Wyman, Samuel. Correspondence, 1816-1851, 1 folder. 1884 1 folder. 6 Wyman, Samuel. Last Will and Testament, 1865 1 folder. 6 Wyman, Samuel. Newspaper Clippings, 1 folder. 6 Wyman, Samuel G. Last Will and Testament, 1882 1 folder. 6 Wyman, Samuel G. Last Will and Testament, 1882 1 folder. 6 Wyman, William W. Correspondence, 1850-1883 1 folder. 6 Wyman, William W. Photograph with Wyman Villa, c. 1890 1 folder. Series V: Family Research Papers Series V: Family Research Papers,

This series includes manuscript correspondence, wills, genealogical research notes and newspaper clippings which provide information on various aspects of Keyser family history and genealogy. See the container list for contents.

Family Papers, 1800-1950

Box Contents 6 Brent, Emma Fenwick, Last Will and Testament, 1902 1 folder. 6 Brent, Robert James, Correspondence, 1835-1864 1 folder. 6 Brent, Washington, Promissory Note, 1830 1 folder. 6 Hager, Mary, incoming letters, 1800 1 folder. 6 Hunt, Dunbar to Emma Brent, 1864 1 folder. 6 Keyser, Samuel to Elizabeth Keyser, 1 folder. 6 Keyser, Samuel Stouffer, Correspondence, 1843-1885 1 folder. 6 Keyser, William McHenry, Last Will and Testament 1 folder. 6 McHenry, J. Howard, Outgoing letters, 1884, 1887 1 folder. 6 McHenry, Juliana, Incoming letters, 1872 1 folder. 6 Manly, Mathilde Keyser, Memorial, 1929 1 folder. 6 Shippen, Rebecca Lloyd Post to Ida Brent, 1912 1 folder. 6 Tunstall, Beatrice to Alice Harris Brent, 1 folder. 6 Wheat, Nathaniel Stockton, 1 folder. ,

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