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Sophie Madeleine du Pont letter to Eliza Gardner (Henderson) Jones

Creation: 1861
 Collection
Accession: 1027

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 letter to Eliza Gardner (Henderson) Jones (1826-1877) concerns family matters and the Civil War.

Dates

  • Creation: 1861

Creator

Extent

3 item(s) (Folder in half-box)

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

Letter from Sophie Madeleine du Pont (1810-1888) to her friend Eliza Gardner (Henderson) Jones (1826-1877). The letter is concerned with family matters and the Civil War. She describes her physical ailments and doings of her niece, Victorine du Pont Kemble (1825-1887). Jones is either a Virginian or Southern sympathizer, and Sophie bemoans the fact that South Carolina has induced Virginia to secede and supports Governor Thomas Hicks (1798-1865) in his efforts to keep Maryland neutral. Sophie writes: "We all here feel very sad at the state of our country, but no bitter or unkind feelings toward out Southern Brethern - tho' they may have destroyed the happiness and prosperity of our country and forced us into civil war which we were most averse to." Also included is a typescript of the letter and a carbon copy of the typescript.

Access Restrictions

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

Language of Materials

English

Related Names

Subject

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title:
Sophie Madeleine du Pont letter to Eliza Gardner (Henderson) Jones
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