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Ellet, Cabell, and Hopkins families photographs

 Collection
Collection number: ahc.VIS29

Scope and Content

This collection consists of portraits of members of the Ellet, Cabell, and Hopkins families. The portrait of Mary Virginia Ellet Cabell (VIS 29.8) was produced by Marcus Aurelius Root (1808-1888), a well-known daguerreian, who worked primarily in Philadelphia and New York. Some of the albumen cards were produced by Linnie Condon, a late nineteenth century female photographer working in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dates

  • approximately 1850-1880, undated

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

This material is protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S. Code) Permission for use must be cleared through the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center. Licensing agreement may be required.

Administrative/Biographical History

Charles Ellet, Jr. (1810-1862) was born in Pennsylvania, the son of Charles Ellet and Mary Israel (1780-1870). Ellet, Jr. worked for the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, Utica & Schenectady Railroad, and the New York & Erie Railroad, and served as chief engineer of the James River & Kanawha Canal. He built the first important suspension bridge in the United States over the Schuylkill River in 1842 and in 1849 built what was then the longest suspension bridge in the world over the Ohio River at Wheeling.

Ellet, Jr. married Elvira Daniel (?-1862) in 1837 and the couple had a son, Charles Rivers Ellet (1843-1863) and a daughter, Mary Virginia Ellet (1830-1904). In 1862, Ellet, Jr. was commissioned a colonel in the Union Army and remodeled nine river boats, commonly known as Ellet Rams, for use in Civil War naval warfare. He was killed during the surrender of Memphis, Tennessee.

Charles Rivers Ellet served in the Union Navy, commanded the Ellet Ram, Switzerland, and died after the Battle of Vicksburg in 1863.

Mary Virginia Ellet married William Daniel Cabell (1834-1904) and the couple had a daughter, Nina Ellet Cabell. Nina Ellet Cabell married Linton C. Hopkins. Additional biographical information about the Ellet, Cabell, and Hopkins families has not been determined.

Extent

11 image(s) (three daguerretoypes, two ambrotypes, one Victoria card, one cart-de-visite, three albumen prints, and one miniature oil)

Language

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift, 1979

Title
Ellet, Cabell, and Hopkins families photographs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center Repository

Contact:
130 West Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta GA 30305
404-814-4040