Mary and Clarence Greathouse papers

Abstract

The Mary and Clarence Greathouse papers (dated 1803-1905; 2.12 cubic feet; 6 boxes) contain diaries and other materials belonging to Mary Elizabeth Hancock Greathouse and her son, Clarence, documenting their time as diplomats in Asia.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Mary and Clarence Greathouse papers
Date
1803-1905 (inclusive)
Extent
2.12 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Diplomatic and consular service, American -- Japan.
Peace treaties.
Diplomats -- Correspondence.
China -- Foreign relations -- Korea.
Korea -- Foreign relations.
Korea -- Politics and government.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged by material type.
Finding Aid Author
Ida Sell
Preferred Citation
70m31: [Identification of item], Mary and Clarence Greathouse papers, 1803-1905, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Mary Elizabeth Hancock married Dr. Ridgeley Greathouse of Woodford County, Ky. Their son, Clarence Ridgeley Greathouse, was born in 1845. Clarence began the practice of law under his uncle, Thomas P. Porter, who was acting lieutenant governor of Kentucky during part of the Civil War. Greathouse was elected prosecuting attorney of Woodford County in 1868. He also helped establish a newspaper known as The Woodford Weekly. He moved to California in 1870 and resumed the practice of law. In 1883 he returned to journalism as the general manager of the San Fransicso Examiner.
In 1886 President Grover Cleveland appointed Charles Greathouse Consul-General to Japan. Charles and his mother lived there until 1890 when he resigned to become Vice-President of the Home Office and Legal Advisor to the throne for King Kojong (or Ni-Kung) of Korea. In the latter capacity Greathouse supervised the trials of accused conspirators in the assassination of Queen Min in 1895. When Greathouse died in 1899, his mother returned to Versailles, Kentucky, where she remained until she died.
Scope and Content
The Mary and Clarence Greathouse papers (dated 1803-1905; 2.12 cubic feet; 6 boxes) contain diaries and other materials belonging to Mary Elizabeth Hancock Greathouse and her son, Clarence, documenting their time as diplomats in Asia. The majority of the papers consist of Mrs. Greathouse's diaries, covering the years 1886 to 1905. In these volumes she described their sea voyage to Japan, and life there as part of the diplomatic community, especially their social activities. Later her diaries detail the move to Korea and their life there. She also describes her anguish and grief over her son's long illness. Her diaries conclude in her declining years. The papers also contain a document presumed to be a preliminary draft of a revised treaty of amity and commerce between Korea and the Chíng dynasty of China. This treaty is written in Classical Chinese. An English synopsis has been furnished. There is an 1886 Tokyo court judgment written in Japanese and some early Greathouse family correspondence including letters from Ridgeley to Mary Elizabeth.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Use Restrictions
The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

Mary E. Greathouse papers, 1870-1905

General, 1890-1900, undated

Photographs, undated

  • Box 2, folder 6
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Newspaper clippings, 1890-1900

  • Box 5, folder 13
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Diaries, 1884-1905

Arrival in Yokohama, 1884-1887

  • Box 1, folder 1
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Miscellaneous entries, 1887 August 13-1905 May 30

  • Box 1, folder 2
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Yokohama, 1888

  • Box 1, folder 3
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Yokohama, 1889

  • Box 1, folder 4
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Yokohama, 1890

  • Box 1, folder 5
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Yokohama and Seoul, 1891

  • Box 1, folder 6
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Seoul, 1892

  • Box 2, folder 1
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Seoul, 1893

  • Box 2, folder 2
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Seoul, 1894

  • Box 2, folder 3
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Seoul, 1895

  • Box 2, folder 4
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Seoul, 1896

  • Box 2, folder 5
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Seoul, 1897

  • Box 3, folder 1
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Seoul, 1898

  • Box 3, folder 2
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Seoul, 1899

  • Box 3, folder 3
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Versailles, Kentucky, 1900-1901

  • Box 3, folder 4
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Versailles, Kentucky, 1901

  • Box 3, folder 5
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Versailles, Kentucky, 1902

  • Box 4, folder 3
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Versailles, Kentucky, 1903 January-June 18

  • Box 3, folder 6
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Versailles, Kentucky, 1903 June 19-1904 June 13

  • Box 4, folder 1
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Versailles, Kentucky, 1905 May 1-December 30

  • Box 4, folder 2
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Correspondence, 1870-1904, undated

Letters to Mary E. Greathouse, 1870-1904

  • Box 5, folder 4
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Calling cards and invitations, undated

  • Box 5, folder 12
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Clarence Greathouse papers, 1886-1899

Letters to Clarence R. Greathouse, 1886 May 29-1898 September 10

  • Box 5, folder 7
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Clarence R. Greathouse Private Letter Book B, 1890 March 4-1891 November 21

  • Box 4, folder 4
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Clarence R. Greathouse Private Letter Book D, 1891 November 19-1893 June 21

  • Box 5, folder 3
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Clarence R. Greathouse Consul General appointment documents, 1886

  • Box 5, folder 6
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Clarence Greathouse notes relating to the legal proceedings resulting from the Korean Queen's assassination, 1895 October 8

  • Box 5, folder 8
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Letter from Mr. Suh Koo-Sun of the Korean Higher Court, translated to English, undated

  • Box 5, folder 9
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Tokyo Court of Original Jurisdiction manuscripts, 1886

  • Box 5, folder 10
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Revised Treaty of Amity and Commerce between Korea and Ching Dynasty, 1899

  • Box 5, folder 11
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Clarence R. Greathouse Private Letter Book B: microfilm, 1890 March 4-1891 November 21

  • Box 6, item 1
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Clarence R. Greathouse Private Letter Book D: microfilm, 1891 November 19-1893 June 21

  • Box 6, item 2
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Greathouse family letters, 1803-1889

Letters to Henry Greathouse, Shelbyville, Kentucky, 1803-1833

  • Box 5, folder 1
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Letters to Thomas Paine Porter, Covington, Kentucky, 1862-1889

  • Box 5, folder 2
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Letters to Ridgley and Elizabeth Greathouse, 1839-1878

  • Box 5, folder 5
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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.