About this collection

The papers of Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) and Sophie Madeleine du Pont (1810-1888) are part of the Winterthur Manuscripts collection of family papers assembled by Colonel Henry Algernon du Pont (1838-1926) and his son, Henry Francis du Pont (1880-1969) of Winterthur.

Now held at Hagley Library, the Winterthur Manuscripts collection is divided into ten record groups. The Samuel Francis du Pont papers (Accession WMSS.IX) is the ninth and largest of these groups. The papers are arranged in six series. Samuel’s papers make up the first three series; Sophie’s make up the remaining series. This collection has not been digitized in its entirety.

Samuel was an Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. His papers document his professional and personal life in the service. Sophie's papers are largely personal in nature, and document her activities with the Brandywine Manufacturers' Sunday School and philanthropic enterprises as well as her religious faith, daily life, and relationships with family and friends.

Image: Admiral Samuel Francis and Sophie Madeline du Pont on porch at Upper Louviers, 1862. Click here to view in the collection.