Papers of Dimitrii Petrovich Maksutov, 1833-1984

Collection

Identifier: MS 116

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

These papers document both the personal and military high points in the life of Dimitrii P. Maksutov, as well as other members of his family. Because the collection is small, the papers remain in the same arrangement in which they were received from Constantine D. Maxutov, grandson of Dimitrii.

Many of these items deal with his family, early life, and military career. The first item is a certificate to Prince Peter Ivanovich Maksutov, Dimitrii's father, listing his service and accomplishments. Likewise, three of Dimitrii's service records are in the collection: items 5 (1858), 6 (186?), and 8 (1879) as well as awards and certificates for medals received.

Maksutov's early career was highlighted by his participation in the Battle of Petropavlovsk in 1854. During the battle he fought bravely and was elected to deliver the report by hand to St. Petersburg, directly to Emperor Nicholas I. This victory over the joint Anglo French fleet was one of the few for Russia during the Crimean War. Several items, including a hand drawn chart of the battle, an official report of the battle, and a letter (written at a later date) to his son describing the battle, are in the collection.

Several items focus on Maksutov's work in Sitka. Included are the imperial order appointing Maksutov as assistant to the chief administrator of the Russian American colony and instructions from the Rossiisko Amerikanskaia Kompaniia on managing the colony.

The collection also includes several photographs, family letters and a calling card of Maksutov. Several items are copies rather than original documents and are noted as such in the Box and Item Listing. Also included are articles written about the Maksutovs and events in which they participated. A copy of Constantine D. Maxutov's notes on the collection are located in Folder 38 because they include comments of historical interest.

Dates

1833-1984

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is unrestricted; however, because of its fragile condition, the microfiche copy must be used. Please consult the librarian for further information.

Biographical / Historical

BIOGRAPHICAL OUTLINE OF DIMITRII PETROVICH MAKSUTOV*

1832 Born on May 10 to Prince Peter Ivanovich and Anna Ilina Maksutov. His family was of Tatar descent.

1840 At the age of eight he entered the Naval Academy in St. Petersburg.

1849 June 1, he was made midshipman and assigned to the Black Sea Fleet of the Imperial Navy.

1851 Promoted to lieutenant, Maksutov was assigned to the Forty sixth (Amur) Naval Depot, on the West Coast of Siberia.

1854 On August 17, 1954 a squadron of six Anglo French vessels attacked Petropavlovsk. After the battle, Maksutov was given the honor of carrying the news of the victory to St. Petersburg. Maksutov's brother, Alexander, died of wounds after the battle. Leaving Petropavlovsk on September 14, Maksutov reached St. Petersburg on November 26, where Nicholas I promoted him to Captain Lieutenant.

1855 Returned to the East, assigned to Nikolaevsk, on the Amur, on the corvette Olivutsa.

1856 Olivutsa was ordered home by way of the Cape of Good Hope, arriving at the naval base of Kronshtadt on October 16, 1957.

1857 Served on ships on the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland.

1858 On December 12, he received word of his appointment as Assistant Chief Manager of the Russian American colonies.

1859 On February 4, he married Adelaide Ivanovna Bushman, daughter of a professor of English at the Naval Academy in St. Petersburg.

1859 Trip to Sitka beginning in March, overland to Ayan, and then from Ayan to Sitka on bark Nakhimov, arriving on September 14.

1862 Third child, Alexander born in Sitka, September 6, and on December 19, Princess Maksutov died, and was buried in Sitka.

1863 Maksutov leaves Sitka on the ship Nikolai I, with his two daughters, in answer to summons from St. Petersburg. On December 2, he is appointed acting Chief Manager of the Russian American colonies.

1864 Marriage to Maria Vladimirovna Alexsandrovich, daughter to a former Governor General of Irkutsk and Ataman (commander) of the Trans Baikal cossack host. Returned to Sitka on May 26.

1867 Treaty between United States and Russian, transfering colonies at a price of $7,200,000. Maksutov represents Russia at transfer ceremony, October 18.

1868 Journeys to San Francisco for lawsuit hearing. Oversees sale of Russian America Company property.

1869 Returns to Tula, the family estate; later to St. Petersburg. 1870

1879 Declares bankruptcy.

1881 Wife, Maria Vladimirovna, dies, June 19.

1882 Promotion to rank of Rear Admiral, May 17.

1889 Maksutov dies March 21, and is buried in family plot in the Novodevichi Convent Cemetery in St. Petersburg.

*Based on information from Richard A. Pierce, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. See also his work: THE RUSSIAN GOVERNORS:BUILDERS OF ALASKA, 1818 1867 (Kingston, Ont., Canada : Limestone Press, 1986).

Extent

0.4 Linear Feet (2 - 2.5 inch manuscript boxes) : 0.4 linear feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Existence and Location of Copies

Several items are copies rather than original documents and are noted as such in the Box and Item Listing. A copy of Constantine D. Maxutov's notes on the collection are located in Folder 38 because they include comments of historical interest.

Processing Information

Sections of the box and item listing of this collection are based on Constantine D. Maxutov's detailed listing (Item 38) received with the collection. Volunteer Nina Malyshev assisted with the identification of some materials.

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title: Finding aid for the Papers of Dimitrii Petrovich Maksutov, 1833-1984
Status: In Progress
Author: Processed by: Kathryn H. Shelton, May-December 1989 ; ArchivesSpace Finding Aid by: Freya Anderson
Date: 2019 May
Description rules: Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description: Undetermined
Script of description: Code for undetermined script
Language of description note: English