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TABLE OF CONTENTSInventory |
Guide to the William A. DeGroot Papers
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Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator | DeGroot, William A. | |
| Title | William A. DeGroot Papers, | |
| Dates: | 1891-1935 | |
| Abstract: | This collection of papers consists of five series, measures almost one cubic containing approximately 550 documents. | |
| Extent: | 2 boxes, 1 cubic foot | |
| Identification: | D-1 | |
| Location: | The material is located in the Archives at Queens Library. | |
Historical/Biographical Note
William A. DeGroot was born in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn on November 27, 1869, the son of Alexander and Jane McCullough DeGroot. He was admitted to the bar sometime around 1899 and began his legal practice in Brooklyn soon moving, however, to the Richmond Hill-Morris section of Queens. He was very active as an individual and became one of the founders of the Richmond Hill Record a local paper serving the Richmond Hill area. Active politically, he was a member of the Republican Party. He served five terms in the State Assembly, the last term ending in 1909. Though he ran for the State Senate and for Municipal Court Justice, he was defeated.
In 1923 he became United State Attorney for the Eastern District of New York (Brooklyn), and two years later on November 1), 1925, President Calvin Coolidge appointed him United States District Attorney. From this moment on, however, he became a center of controversy which was to culminate in the Attorney General, William D. Mitchell, requesting DeGroot's resignation in 1929. DeGroot, among other things, was criticized for his handling of a civil proceeding to forfeit a $500,000 cargo of whiskey which the steamship "Ansonia"', was found carrying, illegally, off the coast of Staten Island. Mr. DeGroot attacked his dismissal as a political maneuver. Shortly after this episode, he passed away on March 1, 1932. He left his wife, Grace, two sons, Alfred and Lester, and daughters, Ethel and Helen.
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Scope and Content Note
This collection of papers consists of five series, measures almost one cubic containing approximately 550 documents.
The first series, a very small one consist of about 25 documents. At least half of them are letters written to Mr. DeGroot in his capacity of State Assemblyman and because of this, the series has been designated STATE ASSEMBLYMAN LETTERS even though a few other items are contained therein. These letters were written by several of his constituents and discuss matters of interest to the community. These are dated 1904, 1906-1909. The remainder of this series consists of items probably best described as campaign literature. There is, for example, a campaigning leaflet issued by Mr. DeGroot when running for reelection, as well as, two letters dated 1905. There is also an undated "Ballot of the Republican Party"; a ticket to a 1928 Republican reception; a 1928 letter stating that DeGroot was named honorary member of the Lincoln Republican League of East Flatbush; and an address made by DeGroot before the Twenty-Second Assembly District Republican Club on Jan 1928.
The second designated series consists largely of papers reflecting on Mr. DeGroot's dismissal from his post of United States District Attorney. The papers consist largely of letters received by Mr. DeGroot (a few copies of letters sent also found) newspaper clippings cover the years 1927-1930 (one 1931 item). Also included are some extracted minutes or excerpts from court proceedings involving prosecution of a violation of the Prohibition Act (1928); Notification signed by President Hoover removing Mr. DeGroot from his post (1929); Copy of letter sent by DeGroot requesting a public hearing to answer charges made against him (1929); some two or three letters expressing belief in DeGroot's innocence written by some friends (1929); and a 4 page pamphlet titled "Former United States Attorney William A. DeGroot Answers Attorney General William D. Mitchell” undated. There are about 75 items in this series and they have been designated ATTORNEY GENERAL PAPERS.
The third series consists mainly of real estate Deeds and Contracts of Sale and reflect primarily on Mr. DeGroot's practice as attorney wherein, evidently, he handled many real estate transactions. Besides the Deeds and Sale Contracts, there are related papers such as Mortgages, Bonds, Contractors' Specifications; small size Survey Maps; and some similar documents. By and large, the overwhelming amount of the properties to which the documents refer are in the Richmond Hill section Queens in what was then usually designated as the 4th Ward of Queens. The series has been designated REAL ESTATE PAPERS, and is arranged chronologically, 1891-1931.
The fourth series, an extremely small one about a dozen documents has been titled as PERSONAL BILLS. These items are receipted bills addressed either to Mr. or Mrs. DeGroot for various household expenses. They are all from firms in Richmond Hill and are dated 1904, and 1911.
The fifth series, also a small one, has been designated MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS. The items in it consist of several legal papers regarding some two or three legal cases involving the receivership of property, one of which concerned Mrs. DeGroot as the Executrix of the Last Will Testament of Mr. DeGroot, deceased (plaintiff) vs. William J. Wilson (defendant); A Certificate of Incorporation of the Women's Regular Republican Club of the 5th Assembly District, Inc. (Mrs. DeGroot was one of the signatories); several mounted newspaper clippings concerning DeGroot's passing; and a copy of the m1nutes read in the United States Court, Eastern District of New York upon his demise. These items are dated 1932-1935 and consist about 12 items.
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Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Creator of item, date of item (if known), identification of item, if a photograph its control number. The William A. DeGroot Papers, Archives at Queens Library, Queens Borough Public Library.
Access Restrictions
Open for research without restrictions. Manuscripts are only available in the Archives at Queens Library, please call (718) 990-0770 for hours. Manuscript users will be required to complete the division's Manuscript Usage Form and deposit their photograph identification or Queens Borough Public Library card with a staff member. The identification will be returned to the user after she/he has returned the material. Manuscript users will deposit all their personal items behind the reference desk. Manuscript users must use the division's loose sheets of paper for note taking. To reiterate, no pen of any type is permitted. Paper and a pencil are available upon request. Manuscript users may be required to use special handling procedures depending on the conditions of the material.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
- Archives at Queens Library
- Queens Borough Public Library
- 89-11 Merrick Boulevard
- Jamaica, NY 11432
- Phone: (718) 990-0770.
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Access Points
Subject Names:
- DeGroot, William A.
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Subject Places:
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Inventory
[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]
