Legal Documents, 1925-1961

This collection covers the history of the Cazenove Family of Alexandria from the 1790s to the 1970s. The first part of the collection features records from James O’Hara Cazenove (1880-1971), consisting primarily of correspondence and records relating to his business interests and investments, as well as legal documents and business related litigation. Some of the correspondence and notebooks relate to his role as an inventor including a patent for an improved eggbeater from the 1920s. It also includes records from his brother, Louis A. deCazenove (1851-1925), primarily related to his education at Cornell University.

The Second part of the collection concerns the earlier generations of the family focusing on James O’Hara’s father and grandfather, both named Louis A. Cazenove (1807-1852 and 1851-1925), and his great grandfather Anthony Charles Cazenove (1775-1852). Researchers should be cautious about the reuse of family names, as there are two Anthony Charles’ and three Louis A.s.

The second part consists primarily of correspondence and early business records from Alexandria, including early ledgers and receipts as well as legal documents such as deeds. There are also early passports relating to international travel and documents about the consular positions held by A.C. Cazenove in the early 19th century. There is also a family history in French from 1872.

Both parts of the collection include the records of estates, trusts, and guardianships, as wealth passed from one generation to the next.