Perón Family Papers, 1880-1950

Accession Number: AGH-0003

Date Range: 1880-1950

Creator: Perón Family

Extent: 2 linear feet (4 archival boxes)

Language: Marish

Repository: Maraheim Historical Society, Department of Agricultural History

Scope and Content

The Perón Family Papers collection comprises a range of documents, letters, financial records, farm logs, and personal diaries related to the establishment, operation, and eventual decline of the Perón Farm in Maraheim, from its founding in 1883 by Alistair Perón until the death of Gordon Perón in 1948 and the subsequent sale of the farm in 1950. This collection provides invaluable insight into traditional farming practices, the impact of technological advancements on agriculture, and the personal and financial struggles faced by the Perón family as they navigated the changing agricultural landscape of the early 20th century.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in six series:

1. Series I: Correspondence (1880-1948)

   • Subseries 1.1: Alistair Perón (1880-1910)

   • Subseries 1.2: Gordon Perón (1910-1948)

2. Series II: Financial Records (1883-1950)

   • Subseries 2.1: Farm Accounts and Ledgers (1883-1948)

   • Subseries 2.2: Bank Correspondence and Debt Records (1925-1950)

3. Series III: Farm Operation Logs (1883-1947)

   • Subseries 3.1: Crop Rotation and Yield Records (1883-1947)

   • Subseries 3.2: Livestock Records (1890-1947)

4. Series IV: Personal Diaries and Journals (1883-1948)

   • Subseries 4.1: Alistair Perón (1883-1914)

   • Subseries 4.2: Gordon Perón (1910-1948)

5. Series V: Legal Documents (1883-1950)

   • Subseries 5.1: Deeds and Property Records (1883-1950)

   • Subseries 5.2: Legal Correspondence and Disputes (1925-1950)

6. Series VI: Photographs and Maps (1883-1948)

   • Subseries 6.1: Photographs of the Perón Farm (1883-1948)

   • Subseries 6.2: Land Surveys and Maps (1883-1947)

Series Descriptions

Series I: Correspondence (1880-1948)

This series contains personal and business correspondence primarily between members of the Perón family and various individuals, including neighboring farmers, business associates, and bank representatives. Subseries 1.1 features letters written by Alistair Perón during the farm’s early years, discussing topics such as land acquisition, crop planning, and local agricultural practices. Subseries 1.2 includes Gordon Perón’s correspondence, which reflects his resistance to modern farming methods and his increasingly desperate efforts to maintain the farm’s viability in the face of mounting debt.

Series II: Financial Records (1883-1950)

The financial records provide a detailed account of the farm’s economic operations over nearly seven decades. Subseries 2.1 contains ledgers, receipts, and account books meticulously kept by both Alistair and Gordon, documenting the farm’s income, expenditures, and financial health. Subseries 2.2 includes correspondence with banks and lenders, highlighting the increasing financial strain on the farm, particularly during the 1930s and 1940s, leading up to its eventual foreclosure.

Series III: Farm Operation Logs (1883-1947)

This series consists of detailed logs and records related to the day-to-day operations of the Perón Farm. Subseries 3.1 focuses on crop rotation schedules, planting and harvesting dates, and yield outcomes, providing insight into the traditional farming methods employed by the Perón family. Subseries 3.2 covers livestock management, including breeding records, veterinary notes, and sales records, which were crucial to the farm’s diversified operations.

Series IV: Personal Diaries and Journals (1883-1948)

The personal diaries of Alistair and Gordon Perón offer a unique, introspective view of the challenges and triumphs faced by the Perón family. Alistair’s diaries (Subseries 4.1) capture his thoughts on establishing the farm, his interactions with the local community, and his reflections on farming life. Gordon’s journals (Subseries 4.2) are particularly poignant, chronicling his struggles to uphold his father’s legacy, his resistance to modernization, and his growing despair as the farm’s fortunes declined.

Series V: Legal Documents (1883-1950)

Legal documents in this series include property deeds, land titles, and contracts related to the Perón Farm. Subseries 5.1 houses the original deed of purchase by Alistair Perón, as well as subsequent documents detailing the expansion of the farm. Subseries 5.2 contains legal correspondence and records of disputes, particularly those related to the farm’s financial difficulties and the eventual foreclosure proceedings.

Series VI: Photographs and Maps (1883-1948)

This series features a collection of photographs and maps that visually document the Perón Farm over time. Subseries 6.1 includes family portraits, images of farm operations, and photographs of the farmstead at various stages of development. Subseries 6.2 consists of land surveys and maps, offering a geographical perspective on the farm’s layout and its changes over the years.

Access and Use

The Perón Family Papers are open for research by appointment. Due to the fragile nature of some materials, particularly the personal diaries and early photographs, handling restrictions may apply. Researchers are encouraged to contact the Maraheim Historical Society’s Department of Agricultural History for more information on accessing the collection.

Preferred Citation

Maraheim Historical Society, Department of Agricultural History. “Perón Family Papers, 1880-1950.” AGH-0003.

Processing Note: This collection was processed by the staff of the Maraheim Historical Society’s Department of Agricultural History in 1984-1985, with support from the Maraheim Preservation Fund. Descriptive inventory and cataloging were completed by Archivist Emily Hodgkins, under the direction of Chief Archivist Dr. Harold Greene.

Related Collections:

• Maraheim Agricultural Census Reports, 1910-1945 (AGH-0005)

• Oral Histories of Maraheim Residents (OH-0012)

Repository Contact Information: Maraheim Historical Society

Department of Agricultural History

33 7M 26 Derrick Street, Maraheim

Phone: (672) 254-6354 Email: archives@maraheimhistoricalsociety.org

This archival document provides a detailed account of the Perón family’s papers, ensuring that the history of the Perón Farm is preserved for future generations and that researchers have access to the wealth of information contained within this collection.