Anna Lander West McDonnell Papers

Due to the custodial history of the Anna Lander West McDonnell Papers, the materials no longer had any resemblance to their original arrangement so they were divided into two series: the papers of Mrs. McDonnell and Lander family materials. Series 1 contains intriguing glimpses into Anna McDonnell's life, especially that period immediately following World War I when she returned to France under the auspices of the American Committee for Devastated France. Her U.S. passport, French identity cards and travel permits, and correspondence to the American Committee for Devastated France on her behalf document her involvement. Also included in this series is some correspondence from and the will of Anna's sister, Louise Lander Pullman.

Series 2 consists of materials related to the Lander family, including correspondence to and from Anna's paternal grandfather, Edward Lander; his sons Edward, Frederick, and Charles; and sister Eliza Lander. The bulk of these letters date from the mid-1850s to the early 1860s; an especially poignant letter from Edward Lander Sr. to Charles on April 9, 1862 details the death of Frederick West Lander, his funeral, and the eulogies offered in his memory. Other correspondence relates news of Frederick's career and family happenings. Related to Frederick's demise is a copy of a draft will written by him in 1860 and a eulogy by Thomas B. Aldrich. Several biographical sketches from published Nevada histories are included.

Another sibling of the Lander family, Edward Lander, Jr., served as the first chief justice of the Supreme Court of the Territory of Washington. In addition to his letters, the collection includes a copy of his will, a power of attorney granted by Edward to Charles over the sale of land called "Ojo del Anil" in New Mexico, a copy of a speech delivered by Judge Lander in Honor of Albert Gallatin Riddle, and obituaries for the Judge.

Another interesting legal document is a copy of the complex will and a codicil of Nathaniel West, grandfather of Frederick West Lander, in which he designates bequests to Edward Lander Senior's daughters, to grandson Edward Lander, Jr., but not to any other sons of his daughter, Eliza West Lander.

As mentioned earlier, Charles Lander immigrated to California in 1849; included in the collection is the roster of members of the Pacific Mining and Trading Company, including Charles, who sailed together on the ship Marianna from Richmond, Virginia. Interestingly, Charles is listed as C. H. West, indicating he'd changed his name prior to leaving the East Coast.

Also included are two reports of securities held in trust for the estate of George Singer, 1923 and 1928. Singer's relationship to the Lander/McDonnell family is unknown.

Last, a section of the book, Frederick West Lander: A Biographical Sketch (1822-1862), edited by Joy Leland, with contributions by Mavis Shahrani, Joy Leland, and Alice Baldrica, 1993, is included to help clarify the connections between the West, Lander, and McDonnell families. This section was removed from an unbound copy of the book, also donated by Dr. Leland.