Joseph Burchinal papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-0006

Staff Only

Scope and Contents Note

This collection contains Joseph Burchinal’s correspondence, course work, speeches and other materials during and after his education at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland. Included in his correspondence are two letters that discuss the beginning of the Civil War and mention soldiers in Chestertown, the other is on stationary with an image of Uncle Sam kicking Jeff Davis. There are also letters to two of Washington College’s presidents and Dr. Montgomery Jones. In Burchinal’s course work there are compositions in English and French, speeches he delivered to the Mount Vernon Society, of which he was Treasurer, and other work for classes including Greek, Latin, and math. There is also an essay from 1860 on whether the South has a right to secede if a Republican won the election. After graduating Burchinal worked as a teacher and one of his attendance books is in this collection.

This collection is divided into two main series: Series 1: Correspondence, Series 2: Student work.

Dates

1855-1863

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

Copyright has not been assigned to Washington College. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Washington College as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Biographical Information Note

Joseph Thomas Burchinal (approximately 1840-1865) was born to John Howard Burchinal and Eliza Burton Burchinal. He grew up with his brothers and sisters on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. He attended Washington College in Chestertown, MD and graduated in 1860. When the Civil War broke out Joseph like many in Maryland thought of themselves and Southerners and were sympathetic to the Confederacy. This can be seen in his correspondence and an essay he wrote in 1860. There is no evidence that Joseph served during the war but his brother William D. Bruchinal (1832-1899) became a Captain in the Union Army serving with the Company D of the Second Regiment, Eastern Shore Infantry.

Extent

.25 Cubic Feet (16 folders)

Language of Materials

English

French

Latin

Greek, Modern (1453-)

Additional Description

Physical and Technical Access Restrictions

None.

Custodial history

Unknown.

Acquisition information

Unknown.

Separated Materials

Joseph Burchinal's 1857-1858 Washington College course catalog has been placed with other course catalogs in Washington College publications. His announcement for the 1860 Washington College August Commencement has been moved to the Washington College Chronological collection.