John Edward Hasbrouck Papers (1839-1931)

Finding Aid Completed by Bibi DeFalice, May 14, 2004
Last revised August 11, 2005
Volume: 1 cu. ft.
Acquisition: Unknown. These papers may share provenance with the John Whitbeck Hasbrouck Papers (1830-1902).
Access: Unrestricted.
Copyright: Request for permission to publish materials from these records should be discussed with the Archivist and Director of the Huguenot Historical Society.

Biographical Note
 

John Edward Hasbrouck, engineer and genealogist, was born on March 9, 1886 to Burt Hasbrouck and Anna I. Minshull and baptized at St. Josephs in Middletown, NY. He married Theresa Elizabeth Manning on April 8, 1912 in St. Mary’s Church in Poughkeepsie, NY[1]. He served as Major of Engineers for the United States Reserves and as Captain of the Engineers commanding the 545th engineers in the American Expeditionary forces during World War I. After the war he was employed in the City engineer’s office in Rochester, NY. His political affiliation was Republican [2].

As genealogist, John E. Hasbrouck amassed a great deal of material on the Hasbrouck family, particularly from 1915-1930. John Edward Hasbrouck died on February 5, 1931.

Collection Description
 

The majority of the collection consists of hand- and type-written correspondence, scrapbooks [3], notebooks and loose papers relating to John Edward Hasbrouck’s research on the genealogies of the Hasbrouck and Minshull families [4]. During the course of Hasbrouck corresponded with other members of the Hasbrouck family government agencies, and heritage societies such as the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society and the Holland Society of New York. Of particular interest to Hasbrouck was the history of his ancestor Elias Hasbrouck who fought in the Revolutionary War. 

The remainder of the collection is comprised of Hasbrouck’s World War I military scrapbook and scattered school and political papers such as a program and menu from event put on by the Class of 1910 at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1907; letters of recommendation and membership card relating to John Edward Hasbrouck’s service with the Republican Party and the City of Rochester, NY, 1920-1921; and a 1931 letter relating to an unspecified accident that took place in New York City in 1931 [5]. The military scrapbook contains correspondence, memoranda, orders, work schedules, insurance applications, medical examination registers, payment records, and other papers concerning his work as Captain of the 545th Engineers during World War I. There is also a a “Guide Book for Officers in Charge of Troops, Casuals and others Embarked for Passage” aboard the U. S. S. Rijndam (1918); and a Chamber of Commerce program for a “Banquet in honor of Soldiers, Sailors and Marines of Rochester Who Served in the War” from 1919 containing book names of participants, seating arrangement, song lyrics, and menu.

This collection also contains two folders of photographs of John Edward Hasbrouck and his family, particularly his daughter Janet Livingston Hasbrouck. The majority of the photographs probably date from the 1910s and 1920s. Many are unidentified. 

The physical condition of the collection varies, but is generally poor to fair, being very dirty and showing much damage from yellowing, staining, tearing, and fraying. The handwriting is generally legible although some of the genealogical research is difficult to read.

Folder/Item List
 

Genealogical Correspondence:
     (1915-1916,1924-1930)
     (undated)

Genealogical Papers:
     Elias Hasbrouck (undated)
     Hasbrouck Family (1839-1920)
     Minshell family (undated)
     Miscellaneous Families (undated)

Military Papers (1917-1918)

Personal Papers (1872-1931)

Photographs, John E. Hasbrouck and family (1910s-1920s)

Photographs, unidentified (early 20th century)

Notes
 

[1] Hasbrouck, Kenneth E. The Hasbrouck Family in America with European Background, Third Edition, published by the Hasbrouck Family Association, Huguenot Historical Society, New Paltz, NY (1986). Unless otherwise noted, all genealogical information is also taken from this source.

[2] The information about John E. Hasbrouck's military, professional, political and genealogical interests was drawn from records found in this collection in the Personal Papers folder (1872-1931).

[3] One scrapbook on the Hasbrouck family appears to have been kept by John Edward Hasbrouck's grandfather, John Whitbeck Hasbrouck (1821-1906).

[4] Other families represented include: Baldwin, Collard, De Gree, Spinning, Bigelow, Warren, Shepard, Greenhill, Meeker, Canfield, Crane, Johnson, Swaine, Hand, Hicks, Houston , Wood, Reeves, Wainwright, and McEwen.

[5] It is likely that this accident is related to John E. Hasbrouck's death.