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This collection is made up of sermons, letters, documents, printed items, and writings by or pertinent to Methodist minister Benjamin C. Phelps of Connecticut. Among the papers are Phelps' appointments as Deacon (1838) and Elder (1840) in the Methodist Episcopal Church, a volume of 43 manuscript sermons by Rev. Phelps utilized throughout his active ministry (including while chaplain at the Connecticut State Prison as Wethersfield, 1859-1869), an address on the importance of chaplaincy to correctional facilities, and a biographical sketch of Rev. Phelps by his great grandson.

This collection is made up of sermons, letters, documents, printed items, and writings by or pertinent to Methodist Minister Benjamin C. Phelps of Massachusetts and Connecticut. Among the papers are Phelps' appointments as Deacon (1838) and Elder (1840) in the Methodist Episcopal Church, a volume of 43 manuscript sermons by Rev. Phelps utilized throughout his active ministry (including while chaplain at the Connecticut State Prison as Wethersfield, 1859-1869), an address on the importance of chaplaincy to correctional facilities, and a biographical sketch of Rev. Phelps by his great grandson.

The heart of this collection is a bound volume containing 43 manuscript sermons by Benjamin C. Phelps, originally written between 1837 and 1847, but with marginal notes by Phelps indicating his re-use of them between 1848 and the 1870s. Worn from repeated use, a heavy brown paper outer cover was added; the paper bears fragments of printed imagery and text. Laid into the volume is a printed advertisement, "The Book of Dual Blanks for Pulpit and Choir," sold by publishers S. C. Dunn & Co., Bordentown, New Jersey.

An example, "Sir, what must I do to be saved?" (on Acts 16:30), he originally wrote for November 23, 1838, and then delivered it again at Manchester in March 1848 and again in Scotland June 1854. Another, "Sermon I", "And he did not many mighty works there, because of their unbelief" (on Matthew 13:58), he wrote in the later months of 1837 and delivered again at the State Prison in May 1858.

Sermon 40 is notable for its conveyance of views on the forgiveness of sin, with commentary on Universalist teachings about sin. In it, Rev. Phelps argued using quotations from Thomas Whittemore's The Plain Guide to Universalism, Otis A. Skinner's Universalism Illustrated and Defended, and Isaac D. Williamson's An Exposition and Defence of Universalism, that Universalism "utterly denies" the doctrine of forgiveness of the punishment of sin.

• 1825 October 19. Zion's Herald, vol. III, no. 42. Boston, Massachusetts.
• 1838 June 10. Elijah Hedding partially printed vellum certificate, appointing Benjamin C. Phelps a Deacon in the Methodist Episcopal Church; Boston, Massachusetts. 1 page.
• 1839 January 19. B[enjamin] C. Phelps manuscript article draft "For Zion's Herald"; s.l. 4 pages. Concerning the lives and morality of mariners/sailors.
• 1840 July 5. Elijah Hedding partially printed vellum certificate, appointing Benjamin C. Phelps an Elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church; Lowell, Massachusetts. 1 page.
• 1863 December 27. N. P. Humphrey telegraph to "B. F. Phelps" [i.e. Benjamin C. Phelps]; Oakham, Massachusetts. 1 page. From Noah Humphrey to his son-in-law Rev. Phelps at Wethersfield State Prison, relating "Mother is dead. Funeral at two (2) oclock Tuesday." The American Telegraph Company.
• 1865 March 31. B[enjamin] C. Phelps draft of an address or report to the Directors of the Connecticut State Prison; Wethersfield, Connecticut. 4 pages. On the value and importance of chaplaincy in correctional facilities, with information about religious conversions over the previous year, improvements in inmates' dispositions and character, education, development of the library, the state of the sabbath school, and visits to cells for religious consultation. Visits the "female department" and then closes the day with prayer in the hospital. "An unknown friend, who by meeting an exconvict who proposed to have been converted while here, has become so much interested in the moral and religious welfare of the prisoners, as to send three copies of the Witness to my address for one year, for the use of the men. It is an interesting religious periodical published in New York."
• 1867 September. Printed program, Prison Concert, Saturday, Afternoon, Sep. 21, '67 : For the Inmates of the Connecticut State Prison, Given by the South Church Quartette, of Hartford. Wethersfield, Connecticut. 3 pages. Mrs. Charles W. Huntington, Soprano; Miss Almira Whiting, Contralto; Mr. C. W. Huntington, Tenor; and Mr. W. H. Hunt, Basso.
• 1896 December 23. Zion's Herald, vol. LXXIV, no. 52. Boston, Massachusetts. Containing Benjamin C. Phelps' obituary on page 15.
• 1897 July 1. F. B. Noyes autograph letter signed to Charles Phelps; Stonington, Connecticut. 1 page. Address to Hartford, Connecticut, July 1, 1897. 1 page. Enclosing a copy of Noyes' "history of the Phelps family." With enclosed typed genealogy "Phelps Family". 5 pages.
• Undated. Typed biography of Benjamin C. Phelps by his great-grandson, titled "Behind the Clocks," 28 pages.

This collection is made up of 135 sermons and 46 incomplete sermons/notes/fragments/prayers by Presbyterian minister Thomas Picton of Westfield, New Jersey; and the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, initially written between 1792 and 1823. Each of Rev. Picton's sermons include designated hymns for the service, places and dates where he delivered it, and sometimes notes about events or people pertinent to the occasion. The collection also includes four letters and drafts of letters dating between 1815 and 1825, pertinent to his ministry, a request for a letter of recommendation, and his dismissal from the West Point chaplaincy.

This collection is made up of 135 sermons and 46 incomplete sermons/notes/fragments/prayers by Presbyterian minister Thomas Picton of Westfield, New Jersey; and the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, initially written between 1792 and 1823. Each of Rev. Picton's sermons include designated hymns for the service, places and dates where he delivered it, and sometimes notes about events or people pertinent to the sermon. The collection also includes four letters and drafts of letters dating between 1815 and 1825, pertinent to his ministry, a request for a letter of recommendation, and his dismissal from the West Point chaplaincy.

An example of Thomas Picton's sermons is one that he wrote at Westfield on January 17, 1809, for the funeral of Isaac Acken (who inadvertently shot himself in the arm and died from complications of the gunshot wound). Picton utilized the text again, as the basis for his sermon at the funeral of Sally Mooney at Westfield on January 17, 1810; the funeral of Dr. Isaac Ludlow at Westfield on March 30, 1815; the funeral of West Point cadet Dryden Laycock on October 17, 1818; and for "soldiers" at West Point on July 8, 1821.

Rev. Picton titled one of several sermons pertinent to the War of 1812 "Thanksgiving day" (based on 147th Psalm, 14th verse, 1st part), which he delivered at Westfield on April 13, 1815, "The day appointed by James Madison, President of U.S. for a publick Thanksgiving, on account of peace with England, signed in London Decr. 14. 1814. ratified in Washington Febry 18th. 1815"

One of the fragments (in box two, folder six) is in the Welsh language and another (in box two, folder five) is in shorthand.

• Incomplete autograph letter to Thomas Picton, December 26, 1815; New Haven. Replying to a request for advice from Rev. Picton about Phyllis/Phyllis, a woman of African descent (possibly an enslaved woman), who refused to marry the man "Mr. and Mrs. Aikorn" insisted she marry. On account of their subsequent "unkind & unchristian" treatment, Phillis refused to attend communion.
• Dymbech yng Rgwynedd autograph letter signed to Thomas Picton, January 20, 1818; Cape May Court House. 3 pages. The Welshman from New Bridge, Benbighshire, NW, mentioned in Picton's letter (recently seen in N.Y.), was committed to State Prison where he served his full term. He was about the city before taking a steamboat for N.B.; he was seen on Cape May hearty but fatigued. Daughter recovered from illness. Another daughter and son-in-law moved to Ohio and settled between the Miamis. Tracking down a copy of Dr. Lewis' "Body of Divinity" that was owned by the late Mr. Edwards. It was apparently sent by the estate to Philadelphia where it was sold. Rev. Ogden ordained and installed in Presbyterian congregation at Cape May. Thoughts on Ogden. Five lines and sign off in Welsh language.
• Jno. M. Picton autograph letter signed to Thomas Picton, January 9, 1825; Fortress Monroe. 4 pages. To his uncle. Unpleasant passage on account of stormy weather. With deference, reminded Picton of a vacancy in the artillery company at West Point. Fort Monroe not as well equipped for practical, "scientific & useful" instruction. Specifically mentioned the Library at West Point. Had conversations with Colonel Thayer, applied but has not heard. Wanted to connect with Rev. Picton before re-connecting with Thayer. Did not need transportation money to reach the post.
• Draft letter of three pages, with a section crossed out (still readable), signed "Aristides"; following the draft is a note from J. Mansfield (Mamfield?) to Thomas Picton, dated December 28, 1825, in which he attested to be the author of the draft and that it was originally written as a criticism of the West Point Board's idea of having a group of annual visitors brought in to assess the institution. Posted from West Point December 28, to Thomas Picton in New York.