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Collection

Samuel Sanford letter books, 1814-1818, 1825-1853

2 volumes

These letter books contain the business correspondence of Boston merchant Samuel Sanford from 1814-1818 and 1825-1853. Sanford discussed shipments of cloth, foodstuffs, manufactured items, and other goods between ports in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Some later letters pertain to Sanford's personal finances and his relationship with the Union Bank.

These letter books (2 volumes) contain the business correspondence of Boston merchant Samuel Sanford from March 1, 1814-June 20, 1818, and December 5, 1825-December 23, 1853. Sanford discussed shipments of cloth, foodstuffs, manufactured items, and other goods between ports in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Some later letters pertain to Sanford's personal finances and his relationship with the Union Bank. The first volume is numbered fifth in a series.

Sanford's letters mainly pertain to his business interests, often concerning shipments of goods such as tea, coffee, cotton, "nankins," calico, indigo, and timber from the United States to countries including England, Russia, and India. Many letters pertain to aspects of international shipping during and after the War of 1812, such as duties and piracy; some include copied invoices or other financial statements. Many letters from the early 1830s are addressed to or mention the firm Cheever & Fales, and Samuel Fales co-signed some of Sanford's letters from this period. Several letters from the mid- to late 1840s relate to Sanford's dispute with the Union Bank. Sanford occasionally mentioned his ownership of railroad stock. William H. Sanford co-signed letters in the early 1850s. A few loose items (ca. late 1840s) are pasted into the second letter book.

Collection

Samuel Sitgreaves papers, 1800

13 items

The Samuel Sitgreaves papers contain letters primarily from Sitgreaves to his sister-in-law concerning observations about European society and politics, as well as descriptions of daily life and travel.

The Samuel Sitgreaves papers contain 13 letters written by Sitgreaves during travels around England, France, and the Netherlands. Ten items date from March to November of 1800; Sitgreaves likely also wrote the collection's three undated items during this period, while serving as U.S. commissioner to Great Britain. Sophia Kemper, Sitgreaves' sister-in-law, was the recipient of at least nine of the letters, while two items are Sitgreaves' retained copies of letters to fellow Pennsylvania politician, Thomas FitzSimons. Timothy Pickering is the recipient of an additional letter. Most of the letters are fragmentary, but still substantial.

Letters to Kemper contain rich details of daily life and travel, as well as observations on European society and politics. Two letters describe Sitgreaves' journey from London to Calais, including topics such as the necessity of bribing French officials (May 20, 1800), the sick and dying French expatriates on his ship, and his observations of the scantily-clad peasant women of Calais, which he found "at once distressing and disgusting beyond measure" (May 27, 1800). In many of the letters, he expressed surprise at the poverty of the French and English populations, and particularly the "universal suffering" of the inhabitants of London (November 8, 1800). In other letters, Sitgreave reflected on particular topics, including the English theater, which he attended four nights per week (October 17, 1800) and the State Opening of Parliament by King George III (November 16, 1800).

Sitgreaves' correspondence to FitzSimons relates to foreign relations with France and Great Britain and the ongoing issues arising from the Jay Treaty. In a letter of August 7, 1800, Sitgreaves translated for FitzSimons his letter to the Doctrina et Amicitia, a Dutch patriot society, in which he described the "three Points constitut[ing] the Subject of the Negotiations" with France. In another letter, dated August 12, 1800, he further discussed the group, as well as negotiations with the French regarding ports and asylum, and his suspicions about their motives and desire to influence American politics.

Collection

Samuel Tarry collection, 1747-1761

5 items

This collection is comprised of 5 letters related to the financial affairs of Samuel Tarry, who lived in Amelia County, Virginia, in the mid-18th century. The letters, addressed to John Gardner of Chatteris, England, concern the execution of Mrs. Francis Tarry's will in 1847 and the conduct of Chris Smyth, Tarry's attorney, in 1760 and 1761.

This collection is comprised of 5 letters related to the financial affairs of Samuel Tarry, who lived in Amelia County, Virginia, in the mid-18th century. The letters, addressed to John Gardner of Chatteris, England, concern the execution of Mrs. Francis Tarry's will in 1847 and the conduct of Chris Smyth, Tarry's attorney, in 1760 and 1761. Samuel Tarry wrote letters to Gardner on June 6, 1747; March 13, 1760 (2 copies); and March 12, 1761. The first letter pertains to his mother's estate, and to Charles Smyth, a London merchant who served as Tarry's attorney. Smyth wrote Gardner on August 27, 1747, about his client's finances. In his later letters to Gardner, Tarry inquired about the amount of money that Gardner had sent to Smyth, and requested Gardner's help in settling his financial affairs.

Collection

Samuel Tunnell letters, 1941-1943

48 items

This collection is made up of 48 letters that Samuel Rhea Tunnell wrote to his family while serving in the United States Navy during World War II. Tunnell discussed his training, his experiences in Hawaii, and family news.

This collection is made up of 48 letters that Samuel Rhea Tunnell wrote to his family while serving in the United States Navy during World War II. He addressed his letters to Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Thomasson of Monterey, California, and Lakeview, Oregon, whom he referred to as his parents. He often referred to his sister, Mary Tunnell, and to a man named "Rod," and he enclosed a note for Mary in his letter of June 4, 1942. Many of his letters are written on stationery with Hawaiian imagery such as scenery, hula dancers, and the territorial seal.

The first 3 letters pertain to Tunnell's experiences at the United States Naval Training Center in San Diego, California, from December 1941-January 1942, including his daily routine and fights between sailors in the barracks. After mid-January 1942, he wrote from the Keosanqua, a tugboat stationed in Hawaii. He occasionally discussed soldiers' relationships with Hawaiian women, mentioned his own shyness toward women, and reported that he enjoyed bowling in his spare time. One letter encloses a photograph of a soldier ("Raymond [Nielson], 'Wildcat'") with a Hawaiian woman (February 26, 1943). Tunnell most frequently commented on family affairs, such as the Thomassons' financial difficulties and their move to Oregon during the war. On April 24, 1943, he sent his mother a pre-printed card with a colored picture of flowers.

Collection

San Francisco Grand Jury collection, 1930-1934 (majority within 1934)

37 items

This collection is made up of 37 items related to the Grand Jury of San Francisco, California. San Francisco residents wrote 29 letters to Hugh Gallagher, the grand jury's foreman, about racketeering, police graft and corruption, gambling, and other criminal activity in 1934.

This collection is made up of 37 items related to the Grand Jury of San Francisco, California. San Francisco residents wrote 29 letters to Hugh Gallagher, the grand jury's foreman, about racketeering, police graft and corruption, gambling, and other criminal activity in 1934.

The first 2 items are a letter to a congressional representative about John J. Hayes's military service during World War I (October 8, 1930) and a letter to the San Francisco Grand Jury from the San Francisco Garage Owners Association (SFGOA) intending to stop police officers from telling motorists that their parking tickets were a result of the activities of the SFGOA (November 2, 1931). San Francisco residents wrote 28 letters and 1 fragment to Hugh Gallagher and the grand jury between March 3, 1934, and April 5, 1934. Most shared information about alleged criminal activities, particularly related to police corruption, and requested that the grand jury investigate or otherwise take action. Several correspondents reported gambling houses and prostitution, provided addresses of suspected illegal establishments, and enclosed newspaper clippings with addresses of alleged brothels. One lengthy letter from Emma Nelson recounts a police raid at her home, during which her son and husband were injured. Additional items include a "roll call" for the grand jury, 3 copies of a pamphlet of the grand jury's committees and members, a page of notes regarding protection money, and a memorandum related to a meeting of the grand jury.

Collection

Santo R. Ferrara collection, 1943-1945

37 items

This collection contains letters that Santo R. Ferrara received during his service in the United States Navy Seabees during World War II. His brother Henry offered advice about military life, and other military personnel commented on their experiences at bases in the United States. The collection also includes a letter that Ferrara wrote to his wife and daughter and a Christmas card that he sent to a friend.

This collection (37 items) contains letters that Santo R. Ferrara received during his service in the United States Navy Seabees during World War II, including 21 letters from his brother Henry, a member of the United States Navy Reserve, and numerous letters from other military personnel. Also included are a letter that Ferrara wrote to his wife and daughter and a Christmas card that he sent to a friend.

Henry Ferrara, who wrote from October 6, 1943-November 5, 1945, encouraged his brother to remain in the United States during the war, shared news of their mother and mutual acquaintances, and commented on his life and work in Washington, D.C. His single letter to Marjorie Ferrara congratulates her on the birth of her daughter (December 5, 1943).

Santo Ferrara's other correspondents included Paul Feldman Cox, who served with a navy demolition unit, and Corporal Tony Pirrone of the Army's 806th Tank Destroyer Battalion. Cox complained about his training at Camp Peary, Virginia, and described his work after a transfer to the Marine Corps unit; he was reassigned to Fort Pierce, Florida, in January 1944, where he became an instructor after his unit shipped out in late February. Pirrone discussed his experiences at Camp Rucker, Alabama; commented on his health; and shared his plans to get married after the end of the war. Ferrara also received a V-mail letter from James E. O'Toole, a member of Seabee Detachment 1040, about O'Toole's time in North Africa ([February] 12, 1944).

After the end of hostilities, Henry and Billy Ferrara wrote to their brother Santo about the possibility of being discharged under the military's point system. Billy Ferrara described the Philippines and expressed uncertainty as to whether he would become a member of the occupying forces. He also remarked on the bartering system between American soldiers and Filipino natives and shared the prices of commodities

Santo Ferrara wrote 2 items: a Christmas card to Mr. and Mrs. John Wallace of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts (December 15, 1943), and a letter to his wife and daughter about his assignment to specialized classes at Camp Endicott, Rhode Island; his letter encloses a "C.B." emblem (December 22, 1943). The collection also contains a hand-colored illustration of a palm tree on a beach and the words "Happy Birthday," signed by Henry Ferrara.

Collection

Sara E. Neal letters, 1910-1911

23 items

This collection is made up of love letters that Sara Neal of Russellville, Arkansas, wrote to Edward Brown Rogers, her future husband, while he played baseball in Texas. She commented on her social life, her everyday activities, and their upcoming wedding.

This collection is made up of 23 love letters that Sara Neal wrote to Edward Brown Rogers, her future husband, while he played baseball in Atlanta, Georgia; San Antonio, Texas; and Waco, Texas. She wrote about her social activities, travels, and daily life in Little Rock, Arkansas; Houston, Texas; Russellville, Arkansas; and Houston, Texas. She mentioned a trip to the circus, a recent peach crop, tennis, and other topics. Sara also discussed aspects of her upcoming wedding to Rogers, including their preferences for the number of guests, the possibility of going on their honeymoon in Texas, and her desire to marry as soon as possible. Her letter of April 2, 1910, contains examples of coded text.

Collection

Sarah B. Davis letters, 1815

3 items

This collection contains 3 letters (6 pages) that Sarah Butler Davis wrote to her sister, Eliza Eldredge, while studying under a private female tutor in Norwich, Connecticut, in the fall of 1815. Davis sent her regards to her family, who lived in Providence, Rhode Island, and discussed her life in Connecticut.

This collection contains 3 letters (6 pages) that Sarah Butler Davis wrote to her sister, Eliza Eldredge, while studying under a private female tutor in Norwich, Connecticut, in the fall of 1815.

On October 12, 1815, Davis reported that her trunks had been delayed, but that she had enjoyed her first days in Norwich, where she boarded and studied with a "Miss Hyde." Davis met the daughters of "General Huntington," one of whom, Nancy, also studied with Miss Hyde, and reported that a new local jewelry business, Coit & Mansfield, had been robbed. In her letter of October 25, 1815, she mentioned needing a new bonnet, as Miss Hyde's school moved from her home to a local meeting house. On November 11, 1815, she wrote that she had heard of her brother-in-law's return from a seafaring voyage, and inquired whether he had been caught up in a coastal storm. She mentioned that she was in the process of drawing maps of America and Europe, and had received a certificate from her instructor; she also reported that she had paid a "quarter of a dollar" to have a tooth extracted.

Collection

Sarah E. Kimball correspondence, 1848-1854

3 items

This collection is made up of 3 letters that Sarah Kimball received from female friends in Vermont between 1848 and 1854. Kimball's correspondents discussed teaching, marriage, and social news.

This collection is made up of 3 letters that Sarah Kimball received from female friends in Vermont between 1848 and 1854. Kimball's correspondents discussed teaching, marriage, and social news. See the Detailed Box and Folder Listing for more information about each item.

Collection

Sarah Peterson correspondence, 1899-1900

21 items

This collection is made up of 21 letters that Sarah Peterson of Salem, Massachusetts, received from "John," an acquaintance living in Paris, from 1899-1900. John commented on religious life, public celebrations, and his everyday experiences in France.

This collection is made up of 21 letters that a man named John wrote to Sarah S. Peterson ("Sadie") of Salem, Massachusetts, from October 27, 1899-October 5, 1900. He commented on religious life, public celebrations, and his everyday experiences in Paris, France.

John's letters, often 4 pages or longer, concern many aspects of his life in France, including his work at a Catholic church; attendance at lectures and teas with Englishmen and Americans; and a Christmas celebration (December 28, 1899). He noticed similarities between holiday preparations in Paris and in American cities and performed a Christmas mass. In other letters, he mentioned the opening of the Exposition Universelle (April 17, 1900) and the city's July Fourth celebrations in honor of the United States (July 5, 1900). John's final letter contains his comparison between the French and the Germans, and his preference for Germans (October 5, 1900). Enclosures include English-language newspaper clippings, a program of courses and lectures (in French), and an advertisement (in French).