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Sophie Madeleine du Pont papers

Creation: 1830-1888
 Collection
Accession: 1818

Abstract

Sophie Madeleine du Pont (1810-1888) was the youngest daughter of Eleuthère Irénée du Pont (1771-1834), founder of E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., and Sophie Madeleine Dalmas du Pont (1775-1828), and the wife of Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865). The miscellaneous personal papers include her drawings and poems, a list of the trousseau, an essay that gives a detailed description of items in the parlor at Eleutherian Mills, letters she wrote to her niece Sophie du Pont Chandler (1851-1931), and her obituary.

Dates

  • Creation: 1830-1888

Creator

Extent

41 item(s)

Biographical Note

Sophie Madeleine du Pont (1810-1888) was the youngest daughter of Eleuthère Irénée du Pont (1771-1834), founder of E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., and Sophie Madeleine Dalmas du Pont (1775-1828), and the wife of Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865).

She was educated at home by her sister, Victorine du Pont Bauduy (1792-1861), and then attended Mrs. Grimshaw's school in Philadelphia for several months in 1825. In 1833, du Pont married her first cousin, Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865), a son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827), and Gabrielle Josephine de La Fite de Pelleport du Pont (1770-1837). There were no children by this marriage. Du Pont resided along the Brandywine her entire life, first in her parents' home and then in her husband's home, Louviers, located across the river. Her interests included family history, drawing, literature, religion, politics, and missionary work.

Due to Samuel Francis du Pont's naval career, which often kept him away from home, the couple frequently corresponded. After her husband's death, she edited two volumes of selections of his papers and was concerned with rehabilitating his reputation, which had suffered after he was blamed for the failure of the Union Navy's attack on Charleston. Suffering from a variety of health problems, du Pont was frequently housebound and consequently regularly corresponded with friends and family whom she was unable to visit.

Scope and Contents

These miscellaneous personal papers of Sophie Madeleine du Pont (1810-1888) include her drawings which depict clothing, interior furnishings, family activities, and pets (cats, dogs, and deer). Also included are poems written by du Pont; a list of her trousseau; an essay "Our parlor - sketches of winter scenery and amusements," which is a thorough, detailed description about every item and its placement in the parlor of Eleutherian Mills; letters she wrote to her niece, Sophie du Pont Chandler (1851-1931); and her obituary.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access; this collection is open for research.

Related Names

Subject

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title:
Sophie Madeleine du Pont papers
Description rules:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description:
English
Script of description:
Latin

Revision Statements

  • 2021: Ashley Williams

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
PO Box 3630
Wilmington Delaware 19807 USA
302-658-2400