Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center

 

 

 

Thomas Henry Looker

 

GA-25

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Introduction

Biographical Sketch

Scope and Content

Inventory

Index

 

Introduction

 

The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center acquired this collection in 1978 and 2003.

 

Biographical Sketch

 

Thomas Henry Looker was born on November 23, 1839 in Cincinnati, Ohio.  His parents were James Harvey Looker and Rachel Hough, and his grandfather was Othniel Looker, who served as governor of Ohio from March 24, 1814, to December 8, 1814.  Thomas Henry Looker attended the U.S. Naval Academy and joined the Navy as midshipman on November 6, 1846.  He served in the Mexican War and the Civil War.  He was appointed purser, U.S.N. on August 31, 1853.  After the Civil War he served as Fleet Paymaster, South Pacific Squadron, United States Navy.  Aboard the U.S. Flag Ship “Powhatan,” Looker sailed around Cape Horn and up to Panama.  He was promoted to Pay Director on March 3, 1871.  From 1877 to 1878 he was assistant to the Secretary of the Navy.  He was appointed Paymaster General, U.S.N. in March of 1890, but had to resign in May of that year due to ill health.  He retired in 1891 with the rank of Commodore. 

 

On May 19, 1857, Thomas Henry Looker married Lucilia S. Brigham, who was born in March, 1832 to Matthias and Caroline Crossman Brigham.  Thomas and Lucilia had six children:  Henry (Harry) Brigham, Bertie (died in infancy), Edward F., William R., Bertha H., and Reginald D. 

 

The members of the Looker family were strong supporters of President Hayes, Thomas H. Looker having been an acquaintance from before Hayes was elected President.  Thomas and Lucilia Looker were guests of President Hayes at the White House on several occasions. 

 

Preceded by his wife, Thomas Henry Looker died in Washington, D.C., in 1910. 

 

Scope and Content

 

This collection includes 147 letters written by and to the Looker family between 1846 and 1902.  This collection is mostly family correspondence, the majority of the letters being written by Lucilia Looker to her husband and her daughter Bertha.  The first half of the collection consists mainly of letters to Thomas H. while he was away on the U.S. Flag Ship “Powhatan”—including letters from his mother, wife, and son, and receipts from members of sailors’ families saying that they had received their payment.  The second half of the collection consists mainly of letters to Bertha—including letters from family members and friends.  Thomas H. himself wrote only a few of the letters in this collection.  Topics of the letters in this collection include family gossip, naval matters, and support for President Hayes. 

 

Although the collection is organized by date, there is also an itemized index organized alphabetically by last name of writer. 

 

Inventory

Ac. 4158, Ac. 5606

 

Box 1

 

1.   1846-1861

2.   January-June 1866

3.   July-December 1866

4.   January-March 1867

5.   April-August 1867

6.   September-December 1867

7.   1868

8.   1875-1878

9.   1881-1885

10. 1885-1886

11. 1890

12. March-June 1891

13. July-December 1891

14. 1892

15. 1893

16. 1897

17. 1902

18. Undated

 

Index

 

           , Fannie

To Bertha Looker, dtd Baltimore, Md., Dec. 26, 1891. [Ac. 5606]                         

 

          , Flo

To Bertha Looker, dtd Omaha, Neb., Aug. 15, 1891 [Ac. 5606]

 

          , Helen

To Bertha Looker, dtd New York, Oct. 15, 1890 [Ac. 5606]

To Bertha Looker, dtd. New York, Mar. 26,. 1891 [Ac.5606]

To Bertha Looker, dtd New York, Oct. 13, 1891. [Ac. 5606]

 

          , Helena [Monogram: HBD]

To Bertha Looker, dtd Fall River, Mass., Dec. 23, 1897. [Ac. 5606]

 

          , (Cousin) Mae

To Bertha Looker, dtd  ANamana,@ Annapolis, Md., July 28, 1891.  [Ac. 5606]

To Mrs. Lucillia Looker, dtd Annapolis, Md., 22 October, 1891. [Ac. 5606]

To Bertha Looker, dtd Annapolis, Md.., Dec. 31, 1892.  [Ac. 5606]

 

          , Marion

To Bertha Looker, dtd Georgetown, D. C. , June 2, 1892. [Ac. 5606]

 

          , Sallie

To Reginald Looker, dtd Chicago, Ill., Mar. 6, 1902 [Ac. 5606]

 

ATWOOD, Isaac B.

To Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd Boston, Jly. 29, 1867. Receipt.

AVERY, A. D.

To Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd Elmira, Mich., Oct. 4, 1866.

---Enclr. to Mrs. Thos H. Looker dtd Oct. 23, 1866.

To Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd Elmira, Mich., Jne. 9, 1867.

 

BACH, Maye Gardiner

To Bertha Looker, dtd East Orange, N.J., June 7/8, 1893 [Ac. 5606]

 

BRIDGES, H.

To Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd Washington, Mar. 18, 1867.

 

BREESE, Frank M.

To Thomas H. Looker, dtd New York N. Y., 20 September, 1881. [Ac. 5606]

 

B[ROOKS], Amelia W.

To [Mrs. Thos. H. Looker] dtd Binghamton, Apr. 19, 1868.

---Enclr. To Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd Apr. 28, 1868.

 

BULL,  M.E.

To Bertha Looker, dtd Onancock, Va., Dec. 11, 1892. [Ac. 5606]

 

CAMPBELL, Sidney

To Bertha Looker, dtd Clinton, Mass., Dec. 11, 1897 [Ac. 5606]

 

CHARLSTON, Mrs. Mary

To Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd Brooklyn, Jly. 4, 1866.

---Encl. to Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd Jly. 23, 1866.

 

CHATFIELD, Wm. H.

Receipt dtd Cincinnati, O., Jne. 6, 1866.  Copy.

---Encl. to Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd Sept. 8, 1866.

 

COCHRAN, Dan J.

To Thomas H. Looker dtd Philadelphia, Pa., Aug., 1881.[Ac. 5606]

CIncludes copy of letter sent by the above to Sec=y of the Navy Hunt.

 

COLE, Mary A.

To Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd Baltimore,  Sept. 5, 1866.

Receipt.  Encl. to Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd Sept. 8, 1866.

 

CUTTER, Louise

To Thomas H.  Looker, dtd Washington, D. C., April 14, 1885. [Ac. 5606]

 

FERGUSSON, R. C.

To Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd New York, Dec. 10, 1867.  See letter by Mrs. Thos. H. Looker to THL dtd Dec. 12, 1867.

To Mrs. Thos. H. Looker, dtd Aug. 1, 1868.  See letter by Mrs. Thos. H. Looker to THL dtd Aug. 3, 1868.

 

FULLER, Katherine

To Bertha Looker, dtd Boston, Mass., Dec. 11, 1891. [Ac. 5606]

 

GILLIS, Julia M.

To Bertha Looker dtd St. Louis, Mo., July 31, 1893. [Ac. 5606]

 

GIVENS, Maria

To Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd Philadelphia, Aug. 26, 1866.  Receipt.  Enclr. to Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd Aug. 26, 1866.

To Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd Philadelphia, Aug. 20, 1867.  Enclr. to Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd Aug. 20, 1867.

 

HACKETT, Ellen

To Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd Halifax, N. S., Nov. 19, 1866.  Enclr. to  Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd Dec. 12, 1866.

To Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd 40 Lower Wales St., Halifax, [N. S.], Apr. 15, 1867.  Enclr. to Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd. Apr. 30, 1867.

 

HALLOWELL, Alice

To Bertha H. Looker, dtd Washington, D. C.,  Nov. 24, 1897 [Ac. 5606]

To Bertha H. Looker, dtd Washington, D.C., Nov. 30, 1897 [Ac. 5606]

 

HARRINGTON, Johanna

To Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd Charlestown, Dec. 29, 1866.  Enclr to Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd Dec. 29, 1866.

 

HEISKELL, H. W.

To Thomas H. Looker, dtd Germantown, Pa., 27 July, 1886. [Ac. 5606]

 

HLYM, Edward

To Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd Portsmouth, N. H., Dec. 27, 1866.

 

JORDAN, Mrs. Ellen

To Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd Baltimore, Dec. 10, 1866.  Enclr. to Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd Dec. 8, 1866.

 

KEERL(?), L. B. H.

To Bertha Looker, dtd Baltimore, Md., April 6, 1891. [Ac. 5606]

 

LOOKER, Bertha

To Mrs. Lucillia Looker, dtd Annapolis, Md., 2 June, 1892. [Ac. 5606]

 

LOOKER, Eddie (son)

To THL dtd [Cinn. O, Mar. 24, 1866].  Scribbled drawings.

 

LOOKER, Harry B. (son)

To THL dtd  n.p. Feb. 26, 1866.  Enclr. to Mrs. Thos. H  Looker dtd Feb. 26, 1866.

To John Brigham dtd Cincinnati, O., Mar. 13, 1866.  Enclr. to Mrs. Thos. H  Looker dtd Mar. 13, 1866.

To THL dtd Cincinnati, O., Apr. 7, 1866.  Enclr. to Mrs. Thos. H  Looker dtd Apr. 11, 1866.

To THL dtd Cincinnati, O., Jne. 14, 1866.  Enclr. to Mrs. Thos. H  Looker dtd. Jne. 13, 1866.

To THL dtd. Cincinnati, O., Aug. 27, 1866.  Enclr. to Mrs. Thos. H  Looker dtd Aug. 26. 1866.

To THL dtd Cincinnati, O., Dec. 13, 1866.  Enclr. to Mrs. Thos. H  Looker dtd. Dec. 8, 1866.

To THL dtd Cincinnati, O., Jan. 1, 1867.  Enclr. to Mrs. Thos. H  Looker dtd  Dec. 29, 1866.

To THL dtd Cincinnati, O., Oct. 4, 1867.  Enclr. to Mrs. Thos. H  Looker dtd Oct. 2, 1897.

To Thomas H. Looker, dtd Baltimore, Md., 13 March, 1877. [Ac. 5606]

To Bertha Looker, dtd Washington, D. C., 13 July, 1891.[Ac. 5606]

 

LOOKER, Mrs. Lucilia S. (Mrs. Thos. H. Looker; ASissy@)

To THL dtd Cinn., O., Feb. 26, 1866.  W/ enclr.: Harry B. Looker dtd. Feb. 26, 1866.

To John C. Brigham dtd Cinn., O., Mar. 13, 1866.  W/ enclr.: Harry B. Looker dtd Mar. 13, 1866.

To THL dtd Cinn. O., April 4, 1866.

To THL dtd Cinn., O., Apr. 11, 1866.  W/enclr.: Harry B. Looker dtd Apr. 7, 1866.

To THL dtd Cinn., O., May 24, 1866.

To THL dtd Cinn., O., Jne. 13, 1866.  W/enclrs: Harry B. Looker dtd Jne. 14, 1866 and Wm. H. Chatfield dtd Jne. 6, 1866.

To THL dtd Sunday morning, Jne. 24, 1866.  W/enclr.: clipping entitled AThe June Dream.@

To THL dtd Cinn., O., Jly. 23, 1866. W/enclr.: Mrs. Mary Charlston dtd Jly.4, 1866.

To [THL] dtd n.p., Aug. 26, 1866.  W/enclrs.: Margarett Whalen dtd Aug. 29, 1866; Maria

Givens dtd Aug. 24, 1866 & Harry B. Looker dtd Aug. 27, 1866.

To THL dtd [Cinn., O.], Sept. 8, 1866.  W/enclr.: Mary A. Cole dtd Sept. 5, 1866.

To THL dtd Chillicothe, O., Oct. 12, 1866.

To THL dtd Cinn., O., Oct. 23, 1866.  W/enclrs.: Ellen Ragin dtd Sept. 26, 1866; Mrs. Mary Randal dtd Sept. 29, 1866 & A. D. Avery dtd. Oct. 4, 1866.

To THL dtd Cinn., O., Nov. 3, 1866.

To THL dtd Cinn., O., Dec. 8, 1866.  W/enclrs.: Ellen Hackett dtd Nov. 19, 1866;  John Nichols dtd Dec. 4, 1866; Mrs. Ellen Jordan dtd Dec. 10, 1866 & Harry B. Looker dtd Dec. 13, 1866.

To John C. Brigham dtd Cinn., O., Dec. 14, 1866.

To THL dtd Cinn., O., Dec. 24, 1866. W/enclrs.: Copy of statement of bill of exchange and E. R. Perkins dtd Dec. 20, 1866.

Copy of bill of exchange dtd n.p., n.d.  Enclr. to Mrs. THL dtd Dec. 24, 1866.

To THL dtd Saturday night, Dec. 29, s1866.  W/enclrs.: Johanna Harrington dtd Dec. 29, 1866 and Harry B. Looker dtd Jan. 1, 1867.

To THL dtd Cinn., O., Jan 10,1867. w/encls.:Margret Ward dtd Jan. 11, 1867.

To John C. Brigham dtd Cinn., O., Jan. 15, 1867.

To THL dtd Cinn., O., Jan. 22, 1867.

To THL dtd Cinn., O., Feb. 12, 1867.  W/enclrs.: Peter Roberts dtd Feb. 9 1867 and newspaper clipping with poem titled ATwo Little Pairs of Boots.@

To THL dtd Cinn., O., Mar. 2, 1867.

To THL dtd Cinn., O., Mar. 20, 1867.  W/enclr.: A.D. Avery dtd Mar. 7, 1867.

To [?] dtd n.p. [Apr. 5, 1867].

To THL dtd [Cinn. O., Apr. 24, 1867].  Incomplete.

To THL dtd Cinn. O., Apr. 30, 1867.  W/enclrs.: Ellen Hackett dtd Apr. 15, 1867 and Ellen McNider dtd Apr. 28, 1867.

To THL dtd Cinn. O., May 20, 1867.

To THL dtd Cinn. O., July 5, 1867.

To THL dtd Cinn. O., Aug. 2, 1867.  W/enclrs.: Receipt by Isaac B.Atwood dtd Jly. 29, 1867.

To THL dtd Cinn. O., Aug. 20, 1867.  W/enclr.: Maria Givens dtd Aug. 20, 1867.

To THL dtd Cinn. O., Sept. 4, 1867. 

To THL dtd [Cinn. O., Sept 16, 1867]. Incomplete.

To THL dtd Cinn. O., Sept. 25, 1867.

To THL dtd Cinn. O., Oct. 2, 1867.  W/enclr.: Harry B. Looker dtd Oct. 4, 1867.

To THL dtd Cinn. O., Oct. 21, 1867.

To THL dtd Cinn. O., Nov. 21, 1867.

To THL dtd Cinn. O., Dec. 4, 1867.

To THL dtd Cinn. O., Dec. 12, 1867.  W/copy of letter by R. C. Fergusson.

To THL dtd Cinn. O., Feb. 5, 1868.

To THL dtd Cinn. O., Mar. 4, 1868.

To THL dtd Cinn. O., Apr. 3, 1868.

To THL dtd Cinn. O., Apr. 24, 1868.  W/enclr.: Amelia W. B[rooks] dtd Apr. 19, 1868.

To THL dtd Cinn. O., May 4, 1868.

To THL dtd Cinn. O., May 6, 1868.

To THL dtd Cinn. O., Jne. 11, 1868

To THL dtd Cinn. O., Jne. 27, 1868.

To THL dtd Cinn. O., Aug. 3, 1868.  W/ copy of note from R. C. Fergusson dtd Aug. 1, 1868.

To THL dtd Cinn. O., Aug. 10, 1868.

To Bertha Looker, dtd Baltimore, Md., Jan. 27, 1882. [Ac. 5606]

To Bertha Looker, dtd dtd Baltimore, Md., Feb. 13, 1883.  [Ac. 5606]

To Bertha Looker, (No envelope, no city) dtd. June 1891.   [Ac. 5606]

To Bertha Looker, (c/o Mrs. Shelton) dtd Washington, D.C., June 1, 1891.  [Ac. 5606]

---Address for Miss Francis Burns laid in.

To Bertha Looker, dtd Washington, D. C., June, 1891. [Ac. 5606].

---Note on envelope from Papa.

To Bertha Looker, dtd Georgetown, D. C., 2 June, 1891. [Ac. 5606]

To Bertha Looker, dtd Georgetown, D. C., 3 June, 1891. [Ac. 5606]

To Bertha Looker, dtd Georgetown, D. C., 5 June, 1891. [Ac. 5606]

To Bertha Looker, dtd Georgetown, D. C., 5 June, 1891. [Ac. 5606]

Cw/enclosure from Thomas H. Looker dtd LuRay , Va., June 4, 1891.

To Bertha Looker, dtd Washington, D. C., 1 June, 1892. [Ac. 5606]

To Bertha Looker, dtd Georgetown, D. C., 4 June, 1892. [Ac. 5606]

To Bertha Looker, dtd Georgetown, D. C., 6 June, 1892. [Ac. 5606]

To Bertha Looker, dtd Georgetown, D. C., 29 July, 1893. [Ac. 5606]

To Bertha Looker, dtd Georgetown, D. C., 31 May, 1897. [Ac. 5606]

To Bertha Looker, dtd Georgetown, D. C., 8 June, 1897. [Ac. 5606]

To Bertha Looker, dtd Washington, D. C., 17 June, 1897. [Ac. 5606]

To Bertha Looker, dtd Washington, D. C., 17 Dec., 1897. [Ac. 5606]

To Thomas H. Looker, dtd Cincinnati, Ohio, 8 June, 1833. [Ac. 5606]

To Thomas H. Looker dtd Baltimore, Md., 13 March 1877. [Ac. 5606]

 

LOOKER, Mrs. Rachel V (Mother of Thomas H. Looker)

To Thomas H. Looker, dtd Hoboken, N. J., 19 November, 1861. [Ac. 5606]

To THL dtd Cinn., O., Feb. 26, 1866. 

To THL dtd Cinn., O., Dec. 4, 1866.

To THL dtd Cinn., O., Jne. 2, 1868.

To Mrs. Lucillia B. Looker, dtd Cincinnati, Ohio, 9 April, 1875. [Ac. 5606]

 

LOOKER, Rufus

To Thomas H. Looker, dtd Washington Court House, Ohio., 20 October, 1881. [Ac. 5606]

 

LOOKER, Thomas Henry

To Mrs. THL dtd Callao Bay, U.S. Flagship APowhatan,@ Mar. 27, 1867 W/2 enclrs.: two poems entitled ASowing to the Flesh@ and APer Pacem Ad Lucem.@

To Mrs. THL dtd Callao Bay, Flagship APowhatan,@ Jly. 20, 1867.

To Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd  n.p., Aug. 1, 1868.  See letter by Mrs. Thos. H. Looker to THL dtd Aug. 3, 1868.

To Mrs. Lucillia B. Looker, dtd San Francisco, 12 May, 1876. [Ac. 5606]

CPostcard

To Mrs. Lucillia B. Looker, dtd Albany, N.Y., 21 June, 1878. [Ac. 5606]

CPostcard

To Mrs. Lucillia B. Looker, dtd Albany, N.Y., 21 June, 1878. [Ac. 5606]

CPostcard

To Mrs. Lucillia B. Looker, dtd Georgetown Heights, D. C., 26 Jan, 1882. [Ac. 5606]

CClippings enclosed in envelope.

To Mrs. Lucillia B. Looker, dtd Cincinnati, Ohio, 10 May, 1882. [Ac. 5606]

To Mrs. Lucillia B. Looker, dtd Annapolis, Md., 19 July, 1891. [Ac. 5606]

To Bertha Looker, dtd Chillicothe, Ohio, 22 Aug., 1891. [Ac. 5606]

To Bertha Looker, dtd Georgetown, D.C., 21 Nov., 1891. [Ac. 5606]

 

McNIDER, Ellen

To Mrs. THL dtd Boston, Apr. 28, 1867.  Enclr. To Mrs. THL dtd Apr. 30, 1867.

 

NICHOLS, E. T.

To Thomas H.  Looker dtd Washington, D. C., Feb. 9, 1886. [Ac. 5606]

 

NICHOLS, John

To Mrs. THL dtd Lavonia, Dec. 4, 1866.  Enclr. to Mrs. THL dtd Dec. 8, 1866.

 

PERKINS, E. R.

To H. Peachey dtd Commercial National Bank, Cleveland, O., Dec. 20, 1866.  Enclr. to Mrs. THL dtd Dec. 24, 1866.

 

PRESS, Mrs. Jane

To Mrs. THL dtd Boscobel, Mar. 8, 1867.

 

RAGIN, Ellen

To Mrs. THL dtd South Boston, Sept. 26, 1866.  Enclr. to Mrs. THL dated Oct. 23, 1866.

 

RANDAL, Mrs. Mary [R.]

To Mrs. THL dtd Boston, Sept. 25, 1866.  Enclr. to Mrs. THL dtd. Oct. 23, 1866.

 

RANDALL, Hon. Sam (House of Representatives)

To Thomas H. Looker, dtd Washington, D. C., 2       , 1885. [Ac. 5606]

 

ROBERTS, Peter

To Mrs. THL dtd Pine Grove, Gallia Co., O., Feb. 9, 1867.  Enclr. to Mrs. THL dtd Feb. 12, 1867.

 

THURMAN, Allen G.

To Geo. Bancroft dtd Chillicothe, O., Sept. 4, 1846.

 

WARD, Margret

To Mrs. THL dtd Hartford, Ct., Jan. 11, 1867.  Enclr. to Mrs. THL dtd  Jan. 10, 1867.

 

WHALEN, Margarett

To Mrs. THL dtd Baltimore, Mar. 29, 1866.  Enclr. to Mrs. Thos. H. Looker dtd Aug. 26, 1866.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Miniature tintype of Thomas H. Looker in uniform transferred to the Portrait File.