Search

The Joseph and William Parsons papers are made up of personal letters to brothers Joseph Badger Parsons and William Moody Parsons, originally of Gilmanton, New Hampshire. Family members and friends wrote about their daily lives in New Hampshire and discussed topics such as health and medicine, local travel, and life at Dartmouth College.

The Joseph and William Parsons papers are made up of 80 personal letters to brothers Joseph Badger and William Moody Parsons, originally of Gilmanton, New Hampshire. Family members and friends wrote about their daily lives in New Hampshire towns.

Joseph and William Parsons received letters on January 15, 1834 (1 item); from January 6, 1841-September 20, 1854 (71 items); and on February 3, 1875 (1 item). Seven additional items are undated. The brothers' siblings Emily, Lewis, Sarah, Daniel, and Charles frequently reported news from Gilmanton, New Hampshire, and acquaintances also wrote from elsewhere in New Hampshire, including Nashua, Hanover, Manchester, Bennington, Chester, and Concord. Some friends commented on life at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, including one who reported military drilling (September 26, 1847). Henry M. Hale wrote to William about his work as a schoolteacher (January 11, 1847). One of William's friends began a letter while intoxicated, recounting his recent exploits ([October 12], 1848). Joseph's letters contain a few references to medical practice, and one printed circular by a committee of the New Hampshire Medical Society encouraged him to become active in the group (April 25, 1851).

The William S. Leonard papers contain 39 letters written between 1859 and 1861 to William S. Leonard, a successful New Hampshire physician. Primarily written by his father and fiancée, they concern medical practice, courtship, financial struggles, and political matters.

The William S. Leonard papers consist of 39 letters and one receipt covering 1859-1861. Twelve of the letters were written to William by his father, Rev. Levi W. Leonard. They primarily focus on family matters and on the Reverend's declining health and poor financial state. Rev. Leonard seemed to be editing books and a newsletter at this time, and had become a strong supporter of the Republican Party. In a letter of March 4, 1861, he wrote to William that the Republicans had raised the campaign flag to celebrate Lincoln's inauguration, but expressed apprehension about the gathering conflict: “the state of the country is so critical & dangerous, some think it would be more appropriate to toll the bells.”

In her letters to William, Mattie reported her daily activities and expressed her affection for him; she frequently recalled memories of times together and expressed sadness at their separation. In a letter of March 10, 1861, she responded to news of his medical practice (“I hope you have cured that Irish girl’s leg”) and in her March 31 letter, she described wedding plans and a guest list in some detail.

Four letters in the collection were written by a fellow physician and friend of Leonard’s, known only as "Bim.” His letters, in which he addressed Leonard as “Beak,” include discussions of his medical work, such as an outbreak of diphtheria, which he described in a letter of December 10, 1860. The remainder of the letters in the collection come from colleagues, friends, and a cousin and pertain particularly to social engagements, religion, and medicine.