Myra Clark Gaines collection, 1810-1940 | Louisiana Research Collection

By Ariel St.Etienne

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Collection Overview

Title: Myra Clark Gaines collection, 1810-1940

ID: LaRC/Manuscripts Collection 861

Primary Creator: Gaines, Myra Clark, 1805-1885.

Extent: 1.0 Boxes. More info below.

Arrangement: The collection consists of 1 box. It is 0.5 linear feet.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection is a compilation of personal letters, newspaper clippings, and case records regarding the Myra Clark Gaines case. Myra Clark Gaines sued the City of New Orleans around 1826 for the inheritance of her biological father, Daniel Clark, who died in 1813. The case was not resolved until 1883. The heirs of Myra Clark Gaines won a judgement worth approximately $5,000,000.

Biographical Note

Myra Clark Gaines was the daughter of Maria Julia (Zulime) Carriere and Daniel Clark. She was raised by Colonel and Mrs. Samuel B. Davis. Myra Clark married William Wallace Whitney, and had three children. After Whitney passed away, Myra remarried General E. P. Gaines. When she discovered that her biological father was Daniel Clark, Myra sued the City of New Orleans for four-fifths of his inheritance. The Myra Clark Gaines trial is known as the longest case in U.S. history, beginning around 1826 and resolved in 1883. The Supreme Court awarded her heirs an estate worth approximately $5,000,000.

Administrative Information

Repository: Louisiana Research Collection

Alternate Extent Statement: 0.5 linear feet

Access Restrictions: Collection is open to the public. No known restrictions. No photocopies may be made of the contents from Folder 2 without permission from the donor and/or the Library of Congress.

Use Restrictions: Physical rights are retained by the Louisiana Research Collection. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. copyright laws.

Preferred Citation: Myra Clark Gaines collection, Manuscripts Collection 861, Louisiana Research Collection, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118.

Processing Information: Finding aid created by intern Ariel St. Etienne.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1: Myra Clark Gaines collection, 1810-1940],
[All]

Box 1: Myra Clark Gaines collection, 1810-1940

Folder 1: Myra Clark Gaines family history, 1931: This folder contains a typed letter to Robert J. Usher, librarian of Howard Memorial Library, from Perry S. Rader, the reporter of the Supreme Court of the State of Missouri. The letter is a brief history and inquiry of the family of Zulime Carriere, mother of Myra Clark Gaines.
Folder 2: Myra Clark Gaines letters, 1866-1880: This folder contains typed copies of personal letters to and from Myra Clark Gaines, and to family members of Myra Clark Gaines. Most of the letters are written in regard to personal matters as well as Myra Clark Gaines's lawsuit against the City of New Orleans.
Folder 3: Myra Clark Gaines case letters, 1860-1865: This folder contains handwritten letters regarding the Myra Clark Gaines trial. Many of the letters are from Myra Clark Gaines and addressed to her attorney, Franklin Perin.
Folder 4: List of contents, 1865: This folder contains a list of contents regarding the Myra Clark Gaines Trial. The list is a copy delivered to M. Gaines's attorney, L. Madison Day.
Volume 1: Myra Clark Gaines case record, 1810-1940: This volume was a gift to the Howard Memorial Library from Mrs. Virginia Franklin Perin Martin, daughter of attorney and Judge Franklin Perin. The volume is a case record made up of hand-written documents of the Myra Clark Gaines case, as well as two newspaper clippings about the case and volume.

Tulane University Special Collections