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Moncure-Lyne Family scrapbooks

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: MS-0171

Scope and Contents

The collection (1897-1943) consists of three scrapbooks, the subjects of which are the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln and Edgar Allan Poe. A photocopy of the Edgar Allan Poe scrapbook is also included. The scrapbooks were compiled by Cassandra Moncure Lyne (Jr, born 1875) in collaboration with her mother, also named Cassandra Moncure Lyne (Sr, 1845-1934). The scrapbooks are composed of clippings and pamphlets with holographic notes that relate family members to many of the persons or events in the published sources. The scrapbooks provide an excellent source for the genealogy of the Moncure and Lyne families.

The first scrapbook in the collection is titled "Civil War 1861-65." It includes articles from 20th century newspapers and magazines dealing with Civil War events. Contained here is a copy of Cassie Moncure Lyne (Sr)'s article in the "Confederate Veteran" (V. 36, 1928) entitled "The Culture of the Old South." Each clipping has a holographic note which relates the subject of the article to a family member. An article about General George Meade has a note listing the song sung by Eustace Conway Moncure who served as a scout for General Robert E. Lee. Moncure Lyne (Sr) added anecdotes about other contemporary figures: Thomas Jefferson Moncure (1831- ), Robert Baylor Lyne, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, Jefferson Davis, Sam Houston, and William McKinley.

The second scrapbook is entitled "Abraham Lincoln - From Original 1st Editions. Era - Civil War 1861-65." The compilation was done by Cassie Moncure Lyne (Jr) "from her mother's clippings." Included are articles and pamphlets about Abraham Lincoln and other assorted pieces with references to Civil War episodes. Often, the articles are incomplete. Along with the printed material are holographic notes establishing a connection with the Moncure-Lyne families. One note relates that Edmund Lyne lived in Christian County, Kentucky when Nancy Hanks, Lincoln's mother, worked there as a hired girl. Another note relates that Robert Baylor (of the Lyne family) used the scaffolding from John Brown's execution to complete a "gate-door." Other anecdotes concern Edwin Booth, Sidney Lanier, Charles Dickens, Richard Henry Lee, and the Battle of Gettysburg. A brief history of the estate at Arlington, Virginia is included here, beginning with Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington (1618-1685).

The third and last scrapbook is entitled "Edgar Allan Poe's Influence over Jules Verne's Pen - Aviation & Submarines." There is no dated material. Included are incomplete reprints of articles, clippings and holographic notes, with some association to Edgar Allan Poe. An article removed from an unidentified source relates to the title of the scrapbook, but most of the items do not substantiate Poe's influence on Jules Verne. Moncure Lyne (Jr) does establish connections between the families and Poe. John Moncure Daniels was an editor of The Southern Literary Messenger which published Poe's stories. The firm of Moncure, Robinson, & Pleasant sold the personal property of the John Allans when they departed for England taking the young Poe with them. A candlestand, once owned by Poe, was later in the possession of Moncure Lyne (Jr). (It is now in the Poe Room at the Enoch Pratt Library). Other clippings touch briefly on aspects of Poe's life at West Point, the University of Virginia, in Baltimore and Richmond. Mentioned also are Hugh T. Young, Charles Dickens, the Cabell family, and a final anecdote explaining Poe's use of "never more, never more" in The Raven.

Dates

  • Creation: 1897-1943

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is housed off-site and requires 48-hours' notice for retrieval. Contact Special Collections for more information.

This collection is open for use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. It is not necessary to seek our permission as the owner of the physical work to publish or otherwise use public domain materials that we have made available for use, unless Johns Hopkins University holds the copyright.

Biographical Note

Members of the Moncure and Lyne families were early European settlers in America. The Moncures were Hugnenots from Anvergne, France. John Moncure settled in Stafford, Virginia in 1754. Thomas Lyne came to Virginia from England in 1632 and received a land grant in Surry County, Virginia, 1646. Marriage united the Moncure and Lyne families in 1868 when Cassandra O. Moncure (1845-1934), the daughter of state senator William A. Moncure (1803-1862), married Dr. William Lyne (1843- 1886), son of physician, William Lyne. The marriage took place shortly after the end of the Civil War. William Lyne served in the Confederate army with the Richmond Horwitzers, 1861-1865. The Moncure home, "Ellerslie," near Fredricksburg had been a battle location.

Cassandra and William Lyne were the parents of two children, a daughter named for her mother, Cassandra Moncure Lyne (1875- ) and a son, William Lyne (1873-1905), who like his grandfather, became a physician. Each of the women was often known as "Cassie."

In 1866, Cassandra Moncure Lyne (Sr) became one of the founders in Virginia of Decoration Day. She was also consulted when Congress passed an act to restore Arlington National Cemetery. Later in her life, she wrote an article entitled "The Culture of the Old South." published in the "Confederate Veteran," V. 36, 1928.

Cassandra Moncure Lyne (Jr) was a catalog librarian for Herbert Hoover, and served on the library staff of the U.S. War Department by request of U. S. Chief Justice Taft.

Cassandra Moncure Lyne (Sr) and Cassandra Moncure Lyne (Jr) documented their family history as it related to events surrounding the Civil War and its aftermath. Moncure Lyne (Sr) died in 1934.

Extent

0.47 Cubic Feet (1 legal size document box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The collection (1897-1943) consists of three scrapbooks, the subjects of which are the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln and Edgar Allan Poe. The scrapbooks were compiled by Cassandra Moncure Lyne (born 1875) in collaboration with her mother, also named Cassandra Moncure Lyne (1845-1934).

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection was given as a gift to The Johns Hopkins University in 1944 by Cassandra (Cassie) Moncure Lyne (Jr).

Related Materials

The U.S. Army Military History Institute Carlisle Barracks, PA, owns a scrapbook containing similar historical and genealogical information of the Moncure-Lyne family.

Related material of Edgar Allan Poe can be found in the Poe Collection, Ms. 200, Special Collections. A card catalog was compiled for all items in Ms. 200. At that time, the Poe Scrapbook was given the designation, II.12.

Processing Information

Finding aid prepared by Joan Grattan in June 1990.

This finding aid is currently being updated to align with Johns Hopkins guidelines for inclusive and conscientious description (2023). In particular, the Moncure-Lyne family's history with slavery, the Confederacy, and "Lost Cause" mythology will be addressed. Contact Liz Beckman at ebeckma3@jhu.edu for additional information.

Title
Moncure-Lyne Family scrapbooks
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
The Sheridan Libraries
Special Collections
3400 N Charles St
Baltimore MD 21218 USA