Collections : [University of Michigan William L. Clements Library]

This collection contains courtship letters written from a young divinity student to his future wife. These letters show how a religious young man perceived of and expressed himself to the woman he loved, and are perhaps most interesting because of the resistance he faced from her parents.

Fifty-one of the collection's 56 letters are those Richard wrote to Lavinia during their courtship in 1821 and 1822, while the last letter in the collection is one he wrote to her about two weeks after their wedding. Two contain locks of hair. In addition, the collection contains four letters Lavinia received from her cousin Walter in 1822. These letters show how a religious young man perceived of and expressed himself to the woman he loved, and are most interesting because of the resistance he faced from her parents.

Richard filled his letters with expressions of love for his "ever dearest Lavinia" and his desire to be with her and be married. "Oh, my beloved Lavinia, how eagerly have my hopes anticipated the time when we should share every hope and wish together." (1821 Oct 2).

Lavinia's parents did not approve of their young daughter's suitor. In a letter dated December 19, 1821, Richard reported to Lavinia a conversation that occured between her father and Capt. James VanDyke, which allegedly outlined why Col. Scott opposed his daughter's swain:

"Your Father replied, that 'he could not mention any particular reasons for not allowing me to visit you, but that he had various grounds for believing that I had not in the least degree altered my former idle habits, and that he had understood that I had supped at Mr. Runyon's tavern on Friday evening last with a party of dissipated fellows.' -- which was utterly false, as I was engaged at the college with our society."

Richard added that Col. Scott said "he firmly believed that I was not in earnest in professing my regard to you, and that he was sure after he had conversed with you upon the subject that you would yield to his wishes."

He did not understand her parents' opposition to him and expressed his frustrations at being unable to see Lavinia. Richard encouraged her to trust in God and rely on the Lord's strength to get them through their difficulties. "Let me ask my dear girl to reflect on what I wrote you some weeks ago, and seriously resolve to approach with all your sorrows to your Father in heaven, -- to open your heart before him, -- to cast all your cares upon him -- and to repose yourself entirely on the will of him who constantly wills and does what is best for you..."

In addition to relying on the Lord, the couple relied on third parties to further their courtship. Many of the letters mention arrangements the couple made to see one another or send letters via sympathetic friends and relatives. Lavinia's aunt, in particular, was a great source of support to them and offered advice about how to win over the skeptical parents.

Adding to the couple's relationship woes was the illness and death of Lavinia's mother, who died on the 5th of December, 1821. Richard tenderly expressed his concerns about Lavinia's attending the funeral in a letter two days later:

"I have been unable to remove from my thoughts for a moment the distress which I anticipate you will endure tomorrow. -- I know well by bitter experience that it will be a trying day for you.- I dread the hour when I shall follow your dear Mother to her grave. -- It will not only awaken my sorrows for you, but it will recall all the distress I suffered when I took a last look of the coffin which contained the lifeless body of my own beloved Mother. -- Oh, my dear, dear Lavinia, my heart bleeds for you. -- I cannot tell you what have been my feelings for the last two days. -- I have at times thought that all my troubles were greater than I could bear, and I have wished that I had never lived to see this day of sorrow to you. -- If I could only be with you, and if we could mingle our tears together, and unite in prayer to the God of our mercies, I should be less miserable. -- But to be separated from all that I hold dear upon earth, and to hear that you are suffering so much distress, -- this is the grief which weighs me down and makes me almost weary of my life."

The last letter in the collection is the only one written after the couple's marriage, while Richard is visiting relatives and looking at job prospects. He sent Lavinia greetings from many people and continued his loving, rather paternalistic tone, reminding his wife to "remember your promise to me, my beloved Lavina, to offer up your daily petitions to the God of our mercies, and let nothing prevent the discharge of this duty."

This collection contains incoming correspondence addressed to Edward Miller between 1886 and 1899. Sadie Boyles, Edward's fiancée, wrote the bulk of the letters about her life in Colorado and about her feelings toward Edward.

This collection contains incoming correspondence (around 350 items) addressed to Edward Miller between 1886 and 1899. Sadie Boyles, Edward's fiancée, wrote the bulk of the letters about her life in Colorado and about her feelings toward Edward.

The Correspondence series comprises the bulk of the collection. In the mid-1890s, Edward Miller began corresponding with his fiancée, Sadie J. Boyles of Denver, Colorado. Sadie wrote frequently about her deep love and admiration for Edward, though the letters hint at Edward's affection for another woman and his attempts to pique her interest in his male acquaintances. Sadie's mother wrote one particularly scathing letter in which she scolded Edward for his advances toward both Sadie and Sadie's sister Hattie (December 7, 1896). Despite Edward's actions, Sadie affirmed the strength of her affections toward him and often discussed wedding plans. Her later letters reflect her arguments with Edward about family issues and about his continued postponement of a visit to Colorado.

Edward's other correspondents included family members, friends, and professional acquaintances, who discussed his sister Belle's ongoing illness, family and local news, and other topics. Reverend J. W. Harris attached a printed pamphlet advertising an upcoming lecture on "The Cuban Question" in his letter of May 2, 1898.

• Death certificate for Hugh Burton Miller (April 28, 1896)
• Receipt for funeral supplies for Hugh B. Miller (April 28, 1896)
• Pamphlet giving sermon topics for Boulevard United Presbyterian Church (May-July, [1896?])
• Pamphlet giving sermon topics for Boulevard United Presbyterian Church (August-November 1896)
• Invitation to commencement for Baltimore Medical College's class of 1898, with Elmer M. Miller name card (April 21, 1898)

This collection is made up of letters related to Dr. James Macdonald, his brother John, and the family of Silvanus Miller, all of New York City. It includes letters exchanged by female members of the Miller family, who wrote about social news in Newburgh, New York, and letters of introduction for James Macdonald during his tour of Europe in 1831.

This collection is made up of letters related to Dr. James Macdonald , his brother John, and the family of Silvanus Miller, all of New York City. It includes letters exchanged by female members of the Miller family, who wrote about social news in Newburgh, New York, and letters of introduction for James Macdonald during his tour of Europe in 1831.

The first 5 letters pertain to the family of Silvanus Miller. Anicartha Miller received a letter in French on September 13, 1820, and Mary Ann Harris (later Mary Ann Parish) wrote 2 letters to her aunt, Mrs. Silvanus (Margaret) Miller from Newburgh, New York, in July 1821, and one letter to her cousin, Anicartha Miller, in March 1823. She commented on social news and provided prices for a teacher's services. In September 1821, Anicartha Miller wrote to her mother about Mary Ann's recent wedding.

In the summer of 1831, James Macdonald traveled to Europe to observe asylums and meet other doctors who treated the mentally ill. The collection contains letters of introduction for Macdonald, addressed to doctors in Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, England, and Germany; 3 are written in German. During his stay in Paris in 1832, Macdonald received personal correspondence, including a letter from his brother John about finances (March 20, 1832). In December 1837, John Macdonald wrote to Anicartha Miller about the possibility of dissolving their four-year engagement.

Later items include a series of 4 letters James Macdonald received from his wife, Eliza Harris Miller Macdonald, in 1840; she shared social news from Newburgh, New York, remarked on the behavior of their infant daughter, and commented on Macdonald's decision to adopt Christianity. The final letter in the collection is a request for James Macdonald's consent for the marriage of his daughter, Flora (undated, signed J.W.B.).

This collection contains 23 items related to Robert A. Stewart, who served on the USS Mississippi in the mid-1920s. The bulk of the material is comprised of Stewart's letters to his fiancée, Clara Belle Wood of Spokane, Washington. He discussed their relationship and upcoming marriage, his leisure activities, and her friendship with another man.

This collection is made up of 19 letters and 4 printed items related to Robert A. Stewart, who served on the USS Mississippi in the mid-1920s. The bulk of the material is comprised of 18 letters that Stewart wrote to his fiancée, Clara Belle Wood of Spokane, Washington, which mainly concern their relationship.

The Correspondence series (19 items) contains 18 letters that Stewart wrote to Wood during his service on the Mississippi in San Pedro, California; San Diego, California; and Lahaina, Hawaii, from January 4, 1924-June 1, 1925. The correspondence mainly concerns the couple's relationship; Stewart regularly commented on his feelings for Clara Belle and, after their engagement around February 1924, discussed plans for their wedding and married life. He also expressed dissatisfaction with Wood's relationship with another suitor, Ed Allgaier. Some of Stewart's letters concern his military and leisure activities, such as firing practice, a "radioman" exam, shore leave, basketball games, sailing races, and listening to the radio. He also mentioned a visit to a woman in San Francisco whom he had known throughout his military service. In his final letter, dated June 1, 1925, Stewart offered his congratulations on Wood's engagement to Allgaier. The collection also contains 1 letter that Stewart wrote to a friend, discussing his relationship with Wood (January 3, 1925).

Four Printed Items include 3 issues of The Mississippi Bulletin (January 1, 1925-May 30, 1925), which provide navy news and travel advice for sailors in Hawaii. An undated clipping from the Los Angeles Examiner considers the economics of marriage and the advisability of women marrying men who earn low incomes.

This collection consists of correspondence related to Sibyl H. Spaulding of Foxvale, Massachusetts. The collection includes many letters from F. W. Bigg of Brandon, Vermont, who was Spaulding's fiancé until 1898.

This collection is made up of correspondence related to Sibyl H. Spaulding of Foxvale, Massachusetts. Early items include a letter from Spaulding's grandmother and letters that Spaulding wrote to her mother, Clara Harrison Spaulding, about her social life in Auburndale, Massachusetts, and Brandon, Vermont, in the mid-1890s.

Spaulding later joined her mother in Foxvale, Massachusetts, where she received newsy letters from cousins and friends in Vermont and Massachusetts. F. W. Bigg ("Fud"), her fiancé and most frequent correspondent, wrote regularly from Brandon, Vermont, in 1897 and 1898. He shared social news, wrote of his love for her, and otherwise discussed his everyday life. In his final letter, written after the couple broke off their engagement, he requested that Spaulding destroy his previous correspondence with her. After 1898 Spaulding received letters from family members and friends in a New England and New York; some discussed religion and a mission based in Foxvale. In 1899, Clara Harrison Spaulding, Sibyl Spaulding's mother, received a group of letters from Thomas E. Grover, an attorney, about a legal dispute and the related financial settlement. A few letters enclose printed programs.