Archival Materials in Special Collections

Title

Reference Code (ID/Accession #) 

Name and Location of Repository 

Dates of creation 

Extent

Creator(s) 

Esmond, Darwin William (June 22, 1845-Jan. 17, 1923)

Foote, H. W.

Rowley, Rev. Francis Harold “Frank” (July 25, 1854-Feb. 14, 1952)

Ward, Mrs. Geraldine Laura Amelia Warner Esmond (June 1826-Dec. 9, 1913)

Warner, Olin Levi (Apr. 9, 1844-Aug. 14, 1896)

Administrative/Biographical History 

Darwin William Esmond (June 22, 1845-Jan. 17, 1923) was born in the village of North Egremont, Berkshire Co., MA to Darwin Esmond (ca. 1809-Mar. 11, 1852) and Geraldine Laura Amelia Warner Esmond (1826-Dec. 9, 1913).  He received his education in Massachusetts, New York, and Illinois “common schools.”  He studied law under Abram S. Cassady of Newburgh, NY.  bar.  Esmond was admitted to the bar on Dec. 11, 1867 in Brooklyn, NY and opened his practice in Newburgh.

An 1874 letterhead for his office described Esmond as a Notary, “Commissioner of Deeds for the States” who filed and litigated “U. S. Government Claims” such as military pensions, loaned money and invested for clients, sold and rented real estate.  He also performed title searches and provided abstracts of title, drew deeds, mortgages, bonds, etc. “on short notice” and stated “Collections made in all parts of the world.”  In 1875, Esmond styled his firm a “Law and Collection Office.”  He was attorney for Titus Hunter, formerly a private in Co. I, 20th Regiment United States Colored when Hunter attempted to obtain his bounty money.  

He participated in the cultural life of Newburgh, especially literary organizations.  His public addresses were noted for their quality.  He belonged to the American Association for the Advancement of Science and reported his interests as mathematics, astronomy, and social and economic science.  A report from the Department of Science and Art of the Committee of [the] Council of Education, London, England included Esmond as a recipient of a query dated April 21, 1893 addressed to “the Astronomers of All Nations.”  In his reply, Esmond noted his involvement with the Geraldine Observatory in Newburgh, NY. 

Esmond married Hannah Catherine Williams (Oct. 23, 1851-June 17, 1932).  They had two sons:  William D. Esmond (1874-July 1879) and Paul Warner Esmond (Sept. 7, 1893-Feb. 28, 1907).  Following the latter's death, Esmond published "Poetry of Childhood: Paul's Lilies" (which is digitized: https://lccn.loc.gov/08034689).

Darwin W. Esmond’s cousin, Rev. Francis Harold “Frank” Rowley (July 25, 1854-Feb. 14, 1952), was an American Baptist minister who composed the lyrics to the Gospel hymn “I Will Sing the Wonderous Story” and is also remembered as an early animal rights advocate having served from 1910 until 1945 as the President of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the American Humane Education Society. 

H. W. Foote, a “relation” of Darwin W. Esmond’s who addressed a letter to him written from Macon (state unspecified) on Sept. 29, 1883. 
 


Another  correspondent and cousin of Darwin Esmond’s was Olin Levi Warner (Aug. 9, 1844-Aug. 14, 1896), a noted sculptor who made one of the three bronze doors for the main entrance of the Library of Congress’ Thomas Jefferson building. 

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