Guide to the Bigham Family Papers and Photographs 1880-1920
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Bigham Family Papers and Photographs
- Creator
- Bigham family
- Collection Number
- MSS 0829
- Extent
- 1.50 linear feet (1 box, 1 wrapped item)
- Date
- 1880-1920
- Abstract
- Thomas J. Bigham was a statesman and civic leader who practiced law, served three terms in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, operated two newspapers, and founded Grace Episcopal Church on Mt. Washington. The Bigham Family Papers and Photographs contain three family photograph albums, bound memorial album, and a memoriam resolution.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Sponsor
- This collection has been made accessible as part of an NHPRC-funded Basic Processing grant.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
History
Thomas J. Bigham was a statesman and civic leader who practiced law, served three terms in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, operated two newspapers, and founded Grace Episcopal Church on Mt. Washington. Bigham, who graduated with honors from Jefferson College in 1834, was a recognized lawyer by the time he married Maria Louisa Lewis in 1846. Through Lewis' family, the Bighams became owners of a large plot of land on Mt. Washington which is today part of Chatham Village. The Bighams had four children: Joel L., Kirk Q., Mary A., and Eliza A.
Bigham served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives during the 1840s through the 1860s, and in the senate from 1865 through 1869. He was known as an abolitionist, and his home served as a conduit for the Underground Railroad. Bigham also served on the Councils of the City of Pittsburgh from 1878 until 1882. When not practicing law or politics, he operated the Commercial Journal, and was founder of the Pittsburgh Commercial, both of which merged with the Pittsburgh Gazette.
Scope and Content Notes
The Bigham Family Papers and Photographs contain three family photograph albums which have some group images, but primarily contain portrait-style images of individual family members. There is a bound memorial album from the Common Council of Pittsburgh upon of the death of Thomas J. Bigham that commemorates some of his achievements, as well as a memoriam resolution by the Vestry of Grace Episcopal Church upon Bigham's death.
Conditions Governing Access
None.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift from Marydee Ojala in 2003.
Archives accession # 2003.0034
Preferred Citation
Bigham Family Papers and Photographs, 1880-1920, MSS 0829, Library and Archives Division, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Alex J. Toner on 08/29/12.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Related Materials
Thomas J. Bigham Papers, Papers include four articles by Bigham on John Veach, Jonas McClintock and William Rhinehart, the California Gold Rush, Winters long ago and Peggy Christy, MFF 2339.
Major Abraham Kirkpatrick and his descendents: sketches of the Oldham, Shaler, Cowan, Lewis, and Bigham families CS71.K595q. Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives. Senator John Heinz History Center.
Annual address delivered before the Alumni Association of Jefferson College, Canonsburg, on the 22d of September, 1846, the evening before Commencement / by T. J. Bigham, Esq. Baccalaureate address. LD5832.3 .B592
Subjects
- Bigham, Thomas J., 1810-1884.
- Pittsburgh (Pa.)
- Bigham Family.