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 Collection
Identifier: MC 1020

Marcus L Ward Papers

Dates

  • Majority of material found within 1831-1884

Scope and Content Note

The largest part of the Marcus L. Ward Papers, 1831-1883, document Ward's philanthropic activities. Ward's lifelong activities on behalf of Civil War veterans are documented in the series VETERAN'S AFFAIRS. These activities earned him the nickname "the soldier's friend" and paved the way for his political career. His anonymous payment of postage due on the letters of strangers which had been held up because postage for them had not been paid in full is documented in the subseries "Box 582" of the series CORRESPONDENCE. This series provides evidence that Ward's philanthropic activities were motivated by more than political ambition.

The series CASE FILES and LEGAL DOCUMENTS document various aspects of Ward's personal business and of his business life. The series CORRESPONDENCE also includes materials on these topics.

The subseries "Governor's" of the series CORRESPONDENCE documents some of Ward's political activity as Governor of New Jersey. The bulk of this material consists of letters received by Ward recommending that he appoint various persons to offices in the State of New Jersey. There are also a small number of letters related to Ward's term in Congress in the series CORRESPONDENCE.

The series PRINTED MATTER and NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS contain printed matter and clippings of newspaper articles about Ward or, more commonly, about topics of interest to ward.

The Marcus L. Ward papers consist of correspondence, receipts, bills of sale, leases, drafts of speeches, wills, contracts, I balance statements, maps, enlistment· papers, furlough papers, marriage certificates, death certificates, discharge papers, pension claims, photographs, pamphlets, broadsides and newspaper clippings.

Much of ward's political and business life is not documented by this collection. The Marcus L. Ward Papers of the New Jersey Historical society contain documentation o:f these topics as well as more documentation of Ward's philanthropic activities. Biographical accounts of Ward's life may be found in the Dictionary of American Biography , New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1974 and in The Governor's of New Jersey, 1664-1974, Biographical Essays, edited by Paul A. Stellhorn and Michael J. Birkner, Trenton, New Jersey Historical Commission, 1982.

The Marcus L. ward collection at Rutgers contains, in additional to the series listed in the next section, .3 CU. FT. of unprocessed miscellaneous material. Among the documents in this part of the collection are a recipe for calf feet jelly, an indenture of the New Jersey Library Association relating to the construction of a lecture room for the New Jersey Art Union, a copy of a draft of an act incorporating the Newark Lime and Cement Company, a Newark rent book, a manuscript map of an unknown location, two diary entries (four pages) of a child of Silas Conduit, (the first entry dated November 12, 1833 describes a visit of Henry Clay to Newark, N.J.) and papers relating to Jacob Ward and J.M. Ward.

Extent

2.7 Cubic Feet (7 manuscript boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Biographical Sketch

Marcus L. Ward was born on November 9, 1812, the son of Moses ward. As a young man Ward became a partner in his father's Newark business. He also served as director of the National State Bank. ward was also involved in Newark civic affairs. He served as chairman of the executive committee of the New Jersey Historical Society and was a founder of the New Jersey Library Association and the New Jersey Art Union.

During the Civil War, Ward concerned himself with the welfare ' of ,New Jersey's soldiers. He set up an office which forwarded soldiers' pay to their families and which ensured that pensions were paid to the survivors of soldiers who had been killed. He also established the Soldier's Home in Newark. Ward retained a life long interest in the welfare of Civil War veterans.

In 1856 Ward, probably as a result of his antislavery feelings, joined the Republican Party and became active in politics. In 1866 Ward was elected Governor of New Jersey. The votes of Civil war veterans were a major factor in his victory. While Governor, Ward served as Chairman of the Republican National Committee and as Chairman and Treasurer of the National Union Committee.

In 1872 ward was elected to Congress. He was not reelected in 1874. ward died on April 25, 1884.

Biographical Chronology

1812
Born Marcus Lawrence Ward on November 9, the son of Moses and Fanny (Brown) Ward.
1840's
Ward devotes himself to Newark civic affairs and charities.
1846
Ward becomes the director of the National State Bank.
1856
Ward joins the Republican Party.
1858
Ward goes briefly to Kansas to support the free state cause.
1860
ward chosen as a delegate to the Republican Convention in Chicago.
l861
Begins his charitable activities on behalf of soldiers.
1862
Nominated Republican candidate for Governor of·New Jersey (he lost the election)
1865
Elected Governor of New Jersey.
1866
Serves as Governor from January 1866 to January 1869.
1866
Appointed chairman of the Republican National Committee.
1872
Elected to Congress.
1873
Serves in the House of Representatives from 1873 to 1875.
1874
His bid for reelection to Congress is defeated.
1884
Ward dies of malaria on April 25.

Separated Materials

  1. Arcade Pier program, Asbury Park, New Jersey (Carnival Week) (2 copies; removed), 1925
  2. Program, Ocean Grove Auditorium Services (2 copies; removed), 1925
  3. Extension Record, National Missions of the Presbytery of Newark (No. 37; 3 copies; removed), 1925
  4. Dedication program, Newark Museum Association (2 copies: one removed, one retained), 1925
  5. Financial report, Newark Industrial Exhibition (broadside; 1 copy; removed), 1925
  6. Mt. Pleasant Reveille (Vol. 1, Nos. 1 & 2; 1 copy of each; removed), 1861

Processing Note

This finding aid was produced by Tim Carstens in order·to fulfill·a requirement of the Library School Course "Introduction to Archives and Records Management."

Title
Inventory to the Marcus L Ward Papers MC 1020
Status
Edited Full Draft
Author
Special Collections and University Archives
Date
May 2020
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.
Sponsor
Special Collections and University Archives, Rutgers University received an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.