Folder MS0247.01.11

Scope and Contents From the Collection: The earliest date of the material is 1783 which is a sermon printed in Boston. The latest date is 1995 which is correspondence Mr. Girdler had with various persons including a third cousin, Mrs. Winnifred “Win” Pierce, Vernon L. Girdler and Mrs. George B. Girdler who were involved with the genealogical searches. There is original nineteenth and twentieth century correspondence, some photographs, books and printed articles but perhaps the greatest interests are the transcribed nineteenth...

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1961 April 22 Dear Dad “ask Tom Girdler, Jr. to lend his oil painting of the Robert H. Dixey to make a copy, John Girdler captain of the Dixey…” [eight page letter dealing with various aspects of the Dixey, and Girdlers from Marblehead including Lewis Girdler]

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1962 March 30 Dear Dad [son spent days in the National Archives, the American Antiquarian Society, Essex Institute, Peabody Museum and Boston Public Library searching for pictures of John Girdler’s ships Nathaniel Hooper, Mazeppa – didn’t find but found information on Lewis and John. Letter goes on for 25 pages mentions a Fitch in Louisville]

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1962 July 11 Dear Cousin Reynolds [typed letter says that Bob’s brother, Tracy, gave him the “Girdler Saga – 2nd installment” mentions John Girdler, Abel Gardner, Stacys, enjoyed Reynolds article in Saturday Review, Robert says he and Betty have no children but two dogs

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1962 July 22 typed letter says thanks for the two installments – fascinating reading, will send more copied letters.

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[Memo] Dr. R. W. Girdler, Dept. of Physics (University of Durham) King’s College Newcastle upon Tyne, “Rift Valleys, Continental Drift and Convection in the Earth’s Mantle” Nature June 15, 1963.

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1963 September 25 handwritten letter relates information about Capt. John Girdler’s shortcomings, the Mazeppa gold rush voyage from 1849 to 1851, the family’s intimacy with the Flying Cloud. The writer (can’t read signature) expresses intent to arrange all his old letters chronologically. (Enclosure: “Gold Rush Voyage of Bark Mazeppa John Girdler, Commander” [five page typed account made by Reynolds Girdler June 17, 1968])

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1969 March 21 note of thanks for flowers sent to Girdler B. Fitch funeral written by daughter, Nancy, enclosed is obituary dated March 18, 1969.

Scope and Contents 1975 November 3 Harrison says he is Nancy Fitch’s husband and met Robert at the Fitch funeral. Harrison says that his father recently married Nancy’s mother. Expresses interest in Girdler genealogy as his son is named Robert Girdler Harrison. Nancy’s brother, Lewis, gave Harrisons impressive collection of family pictures and two copies of letters written to Girdler Fitch by Reynolds Girdler describing discoveries about Capt. John Girdler and his father, Capt. Lewis Girdler. ...

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1975 November 20 thanks for Reynolds address and invitation to come and visit and look over the material.