Guide to the Papers of the Clugston Family, 1834-1973
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Papers of the Clugston Family
- Creator
- Clugston Family
- Collection Number
- MSS#70
- Extent
- .5 cubic feet (1 box)
- Date
- 1834-1973
- Abstract
- The Clugston family settled in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania. In the 1860s, Robert Clugston became Allegheny County's first County Surveyor and County Engineer. These papers include the family's personal and business correspondence, diaries, surveys, invitations, and other sundry items.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Sponsor
- This finding aid has been encoded as a part of the Historic Pittsburgh project, a joint effort of the University of Pittsburgh and the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Funding for this portion of the project has been donated by the Hillman Foundation.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
Biographical Sketch of Clugston Family
The Clugston family settled in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania. Robert Clugston (1832-1873) was the son of William and Mary Clugston. In the 1860s he became Allegheny County's first County Surveyor and County Engineer. Robert married Sarah Jane McWilliams in 1857 and had four children; Robert McCully (1871-?), William A., Sarah Agnes, and Mary Margaret (1869-1967). Robert McCully Clugston was a civil engineer and accounting executive for the Westinghouse Air Brake Company. William A. Clugston was also a civil engineer, and advisor to Howard N. Pew, founder of Sun Oil Company.
Scope and Content Notes
These papers include personal and business correspondence, diaries, surveys, invitations, and other sundry items. The bulk of material is correspondence between family members concerning daily activities of family and friends. Most notable to the collection is the correspondence between Robert Clugston and the Mellon family. Correspondence includes a letter from Judge Thomas Mellon, dated January 22, 1862, and letters from T.A and J.R. Mellon. The letters from the Mellon Brothers, written throughout 1872, ask Clugston to survey land in the Pittsburgh area. Surveys are contained within the collection; however, the location of the surveys is not given.
Also of importance to the collection is the numerous personal correspondence between family members. The majority of letters describes news of relatives and friends. Of note are letters written to Sarah Agnes Clugston from Phil Jacobs, a cousin. His letters, written between 1888 and 1889 (one undated letter is included), describe ways of life in San Francisco and Los Angeles, California, and Jefferson City and Kansas City, Missouri. Also included are his personal accounts of the geographical areas in and around San Francisco and Los Angeles, California, and Austin, Texas.
Announcements and invitations date as far back as 1880. These include wedding, dinner, and graduation invitations. Also included are a number of invitations to dinners sponsored by various Pittsburgh organizations, such as the Young Men's Christian Association.
Arrangement
The Clugston Family Papers are housed in one archival box and are arranged alphabetically by folder title with miscellaneous and undated material arranged to the rear.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
These materials came in one accession, 1978.
Acc# 1978-0082 -- Gift of Mrs. Elizabeth Clugston Titzel, daughter of Robert McCully Clugston.
Preferred Citation
Papers of the Clugston Family, 1834-1973, MSS #70, Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania.
Processing Information
These papers were arranged and the inventory was written by Juliet E. Aher on February 5, 1998.
Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Jennifer Marshall on August 5, 1999.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or publish, please contact the curator of the Archives.