Burnett family : Papers

Collection consists correspondence, diaries, ledgers and legal documents covering a wide range of topics relating to the Burnett family in England, America and New Zealand. Subjects featured in collection materials include:

- business, legal and family matters, especially relating to Utica, Cincinnati, London and Whanganui

- abolition and the anti-slavery movement (Cornelius Burnett Snr and his sons were members of the Underground Railroad in Cincinnati, Ohio)

- American politics, education and human rights, including slavery, the Civil War and the Mexican War

- the confectionary and bakery trade in the United States and New Zealand

- religion, spiritualism and churches

- music, drama and comedy performances (including theatre programmes)

- property, land ownership, conveyances and deeds

- farming and farm management

- domestic service, wages, employees and tenants

- shipping voyages, migration and international travel

- the New Zealand Wars in Taranaki and Whanganui

- the First World War (including nursing, training camps, the home front)

- health, illness, epidemics (cholera, smallpox, flu or influenza)

Source of title - Supplied title

Whanganui Regional Museum holds handwritten copies of correspondence made by Cornelius Burnett (1805.360.2 LETTERS), the diaries of Joseph Augustus Hornsby Burnett and Cornelius Burnett (1975.83 DIARIES) as well as a deed, photographs and family items.

Joseph Burnett and Mary Ann (née Burnett) emigrated from England to America circa 1830, and then to New Zealand in 1856 with their children Cornelius, Josephine Augusta, Alfred, and Emma. They had lived in Oneida County, New York State, known as a centre of the abolitionist movement, and in Cincinnati where they were involved with the Underground Railroad, helping runaway enslaved people. In Wanganui they opened a confectionery and bakery. From 1870 they lived at 'Oneida' homestead and farm property (also known as Trenton House), in Fordell, east of Whanganui.

Quantity: 116 folder(s). 2 Linear Metres.

Physical Description: Mss, typescripts and printed matter

Finding Aids: Inventory available.

Processing information: Record updated 1 August 2023 with additional information on the Burnett family and the content of the collection materials.