Publication Rights:   Copyright has not been assigned to the San Jacinto Museum of History. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Library Director. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Jacinto Museum of History 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.

Citation:  [Identification of Item], Eldredge Family Papers, MC028, San Jacinto Museum of History, Houston, Texas.

Creator Sketch:

Born in New York City on May 8, 1818, Joseph Concklin Eldredge moved from Connecticut to Texas in 1837.  While in Texas, Eldredge served as Sam Houston’s aide-de-camp, as head of the peace party to the Indian country in 1843, and as a commissioner.  Upon the occasion of Eldredge’s appointment as assistant paymaster in the United States Navy in 1847, Sam Houston presented him with a sword.  Eldredge participated in Commodore Oliver Perry’s expedition, which opened Japan to world commerce, and in the laying of the Atlantic cable.  During the Civil War he served in the United States Navy.  Eldredge retired in 1878 and died in Brooklyn, New York on August 14, 1881. 

Houston Eldredge, son of Joseph C. Eldredge, served as a midshipman in the United States Navy and stood for examination at Annapolis.  He received his naval appointment as an Ensign Junior Grade in 1883.  By 1894 he had served in the Bering Sea Command and reached the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade.

Houston Eldredge, Jr., graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, in 1938.

Bibliography:

“ELDRIDGE, JOSEPH C.”  The Handbook of Texas Online.

http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/EE/fel4.html

Scope and Content Note:

Military and naval papers, correspondence, and a photograph comprise this small collection of 15 documents that record the naval careers of three generations of the Eldredge family. Of particular interest are Joseph C. Eldredge’s commission as aide-de-camp to Sam Houston in 1843 and Houston’s warm personal letter to Joseph C. Eldredge written on the occasion of his appointment as paymaster in the United States Navy in 1847.  A resolution written on the death of Eldredge by the Military Order, Loyal Legion, United States, provides biographical information concerning Eldredge’s naval career.  An undated, painted photograph depicts Eldredge in full dress naval uniform wearing the sword presented to him by Houston.

Documents relating to Houston Eldredge include five testimonials on conduct attesting to his good character and abilities as a midshipman.  His three commissions and naval appointment have artifactual value.   The documents also include the diploma of Houston Eldredge, Jr., from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

Archivist’s Note:

The Handbook of Texas spells the last name as “Eldridge.”

ELDREDGE FAMILY PAPERS, 1943 - 1938 (Bulk: 1882 - 1894)

Manuscript Collection:  MC028

Size:  16 items

Boxes:  n/a

Inventory

     Series:  Correspondence

Series:  Legal

Series:  Printed Materials

Series:  Photographs