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Family of Stephen Foster, American Songwriter, Photographs

 Collection
Collection Number: A&M 3963

Scope and Contents

Photographs and other material regarding the Foster family, relatives of the prominent American songwriter Stephen C. Foster. Highlights of the collection include a daguerreotype of Foster's parents, William Barclay and Eliza Foster, and an ambrotype of Foster's brother Morrison. The collection also contains photographs and other material regarding Foster's grandnephew Richard K. "Dick" Foster and his family. Please see the "Historical Note" for further information regarding the Foster family.

Contents List:

Box 1

Access to the material in this box requires the permission of a curator.

Daguerreotype of William Barclay and Eliza (Claylang) Foster, parents of Stephen Collins Foster; ca. 1845-1855

Ambrotype of Morrison Foster, brother of Stephen Collins Foster; 1857

Small Collections

folder 1; Black and white photograph of William Barclay Foster (II) and his wife Ethel (Caster) Foster; 1 item; undated

folder 2; Photographs of Richard Knowlson Foster at the Stephen C. Foster Museum, at Foster's grave, with Foster's piano, et al.; 4 items; ca. 1999

folder 3; Photographs of Richard K. Foster and others; 24 items; 1928-1985

folder 4; Genealogical information regarding the William Barclay Foster family; 3 pages; 2013

Dates

  • Creation: 1845-2013, undated

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

Special access restriction applies.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.

Biographical / Historical

William Barclay Foster (1779-1855) and his wife Eliza Claylang Foster (1788-1855) were the parents of Morrison Foster (1823-1904) and Stephen Foster (1826-1864). Morrison Foster married Rebecca S. Foster (b. 1852) and their children were Evelyn O. Foster and William Barclay Foster. William Barclay Foster married Ethel Caster and their children were William Barclay Foster, Richard Knowlson Foster, and Sarah E. Foster. Richard K. "Dick" Foster married Asita de Madariaga, a Spanish national, and had a daughter named Sara-Elena Rosa Foster (also known as Elena [Foster] Dryden).

Stephen Foster (4 July 1826 - 13 January 1864) was a songwriter, often referred to as "the father of American music". Foster composed many popular songs, including "Oh, Susanna", "Camptown Races", "Old Folks at Home", and "My Old Kentucky Home".

Extent

0.3 Linear Feet (Summary: 4 in. (1 small flat storage box, 3 in.); (4 folders, 1 in.))

Overview

Photographs and other material regarding the Foster family, relatives of the prominent American songwriter Stephen C. Foster. Highlights of the collection include a daguerreotype of Foster's parents, William Barclay and Eliza Foster, and an ambrotype of Foster's brother Morrison. The collection also contains photographs and other material regarding Foster's grandnephew Richard K. "Dick" Foster and his family. Please see "Scope and Content Note" for a contents list for this collection, and the "Historical Note" for further information regarding the Foster family.

Physical Location

West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / Fax: 304-293-3981 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/

Title
Family of Stephen Foster, American Songwriter, Photographs, 1845-2013, undated
Author
Staff of the West Virginia & Regional History Center
Date
2013/09/30
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the West Virginia and Regional History Center Repository

Contact:
1549 University Ave.
P.O. Box 6069
Morgantown WV 26506-6069 US
304-293-3536