OhCoURB0011 Guide to the Valentine Peers Family Papers Finding aid prepared by Kirk J. Westbeld, 2001 The Ohio State University. Rare Books and Manuscripts Library.
134 Depository Building2700 Kenny RoadColumbus, Ohio 43210-1046
2017 Finding aid encoded by Cate Putirskis using the OhioLINK EAD Application in 2013 Finding aid written in English Finding aid prepared using DACS Overview of the Collection The Ohio State University. Rare Books and Manuscripts Library. Peer family Valentine Peers Family Papers 0.8 cubic feet (2 archival boxes) Valentine Peers was born in Sisburn, Antrim County, Ireland in 1756 and emigrated to North America in 1773. He entered the Revolutionary Army of Virginia in 1776 and served as a brigade major under the command of General George Weedon. Throughout his life, Peers was a landlord, manufacturer of salt, cotton mill owner, and manager of other jobs relating to his land, properties, and legal duties. The items contained in the collection include business documents, legal documents, correspondence to and from Peers family members, and school essays. The collection chronicles events of the time and the quotidian affairs of an influential pioneer family. Materials range in date from 1777 through 1855. SPEC.RARE.MS.AMER.56 The records are in English 1777-1855 Biography of Valentine Peers

Valentine Peers was born in Sisburn, Antrim County, Ireland in 1756 and emigrated to North America in 1773. He entered the Revolutionary Army of Virginia in 1776 and served as a brigade major under the command of General George Weedon. He served in the Battle of Brandywine, September 11, 1777, and he and his men were commended in the published orders of General George Washington and Major General Nathaniel Greene (see Saffell's Records of the Revolutionary War, pp. 339-343). Valentine Peers was released from service November 19, 1777 as noted in a letter from General Weedon (Box 1, Folder 3, Item 2). He was granted 5,333 1/3 acres in compensation for commendable military service. Peers then settled in Loudoun County, Virginia but later moved his family to Mason County, Kentucky, where he was among the area's earliest settlers.

Throughout his life he was a landlord, manufacturer of salt, cotton mill owner, and manager of other jobs relating to his land, properties, and legal duties. Peers died June 6th 1830. Peers was married to Eleanor Orr (d. May 28, 1817) and their children were:Mary Eleanor (m. Judge Lewis Collins), John D., Edward, Valentine J. (Sheriff in Lincoln County, Missouri, 1834-1838), Benjamin O. (graduated from Transylvania College, studied at Princeton University, and became President of Transylvania College), Henry P., Jane M. (m. Smith), and Susan E. (m. Garrard).

Scope and Content

The Valentine Peers Family Papers consist of business documents, legal documents, correspondence to and from family members, and school essays. The collection chronicles events of the time and the quotidian affairs of an influential pioneer family. Materials range in date from 1777 through 1855.

Statement of Arrangement

Materials in the Valentine Peers Family Papers are arranged alphabetically by last name or topic.

Restrictions on Access

Materials in this collection are available for patron research.

Restrictions on Use

Materials in this collection are available for patron research.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], [box number, folder number], Valentine Peers Family Papers, SPEC.MS.AMER.56, The Ohio State University Rare Books and Manuscripts Library

Acquisition Information

The Valentine Peers Collection was obtained from Serendipity Books Inc. of Berkeley, California.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Persons:Peers, Valentine, 1756-1830Family Names:Peer familyDetailed Description of The Collection

18Carter, H. correspondence to Eleanor Peersundated11Collins, Lewis estate1824-184517Orr correspondence to Eleanor Peers1780-181715Orr, Susanna E.undated12Peers and Todd1809-181714Peers, Alex Orr and Alfred Grayson estates1804-180916Peers, Eleanor1797, 1811110Peers correspondence to Eleanor Peers1799-181519Peers, Eleanor correspondence sent1811111Peers, Valentine estate1818-1829112Peers, Valentine financial1805-182613Weedon, General George1777113Deaths1816-1855114Prayers1811115Garrard correspondence1814-1836116Peers, Val correspondence to Eleanor G. Orr1795-1811117Confederate prisoners1830, 186421Peers, Henry P. correspondence from Lewis Collins1825-183122Peers, Henry P. correspondence from Peers, John D.1828-183223Peers, Henry P. correspondence from S. E. Garrard182524Peers, Henry P. correspondence received1824-183125Peers, Val correspondence received1808-182426Peers, John D. correspondence to Val Peers1825-182927Peers, Henry P. correspondence to Val Peers1829-183028Peers, John D. correspondence to Val Peers1805-182929Powell, S. E. correspondence to Val Peers1823210Peers, Val correspondence to Susan E. Garrard1819-1829211Grayson, Susanna Elianor correspondence to Valentine Peers1830212Peers, Val correspondence to Henry P Peers1824-1830213Peers, Val correspondence sent1799-1819214Peers, Henry P. correspondence received from Benjamin O. Peers1828-1834215Peers, Benjamin O. correspondence to Valentine Peers1827-1830216Miscellaneous1819-1823217Valentine Peers and Company Little Sandy Salt Works estate1814-1838218Powell, E. correspondence to Eleanor Peers1801-1807219Carter, Hebe estate1811-1827