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Mary Jane Hale married Gideon Welles in 1835 and had at least three children. These six letters from Mary Jane to her mother primarily discuss her children's illnesses and exploits, and her social life in Washington D. C.

These six letters from Mary Jane Hale to her mother primarily discuss her children's illnesses and exploits, and her social life in Washington D. C. She also solicited her mother for news about her brothers and friends from home. Her letters rarely described anything in detail, probably because she was often writing from the midst of her family, with a "great noise" and "so much confusion" all around her.

Although she often mentioned charitable work, Mary Jane did not appear to take an active part in organizing either church benefits or the work at the nearby Female Orphan Society. She did apply to adopt a girl in 1847, but when the first applicants were refused, the Asylum managers thought it better not to place the girl at all, in order not to further offend the rejected applicants. Even with the help of two young women, caring for her family occupied her time entirely. When she could, she strolled on the grounds of the Capitol, and once went to hear John C. Calhoun speak, "though I scarce know how to take the time" ([1848 May 15]).

Mary Jane's most extended description was of the May Ball put on by her daughter's dancing school, which had been going on in D. C. "from time immemorial almost" (1848 May 5). She detailed the roles the girls played, the dresses, the flowers, and the procession. Mary Jane also wrote a sustained description of the cameo she had carved in her husband's likeness, which "looks as if it might speak. it is actually a better likeness than anything I ever saw. only think how valuable!" (1847 May 7).

She always referred to her husband as "Mr. Welles," and although little of his character comes through, they appear to have had a happy relationship. She told her mother that when she sprained her foot, her husband "insisted upon carrying me down to my meals, which I think was very unnecessary, but he made believe the victuals tasted better with me in sight," (1848 January 12). She also noted that Mr. Welles "would much rather see me reading" than doing fancy work.

The William Bosson family scrapbook and genealogical papers pertain to Revolutionary War veteran and Roxbury, Massachusetts, and Cincinnati, Ohio, merchant William Bosson (1753-1823 or 1824); his son William Bosson (1806-1887) and daughter-in-law Julia Burnett; his son Charles T. Bosson (1791-1864); and other family members. The collection includes original manuscripts, ephemeral items, publications, transcriptions, and copies of letters, documents, notes, and other items, largely dated between 1789 and 1899. In addition to this finding aid, the Clements Library has created a comprehensive writer index: Bosson Family Scrapbook Contributor Index.

The William Bosson family scrapbook and genealogical papers pertain to Revolutionary War veteran and merchant William Bosson (1753-1823 or 1824); his son William Bosson (1806-1887) and daughter-in-law Julia Burnett; his son Charles T. Bosson (1791-1864); and other family members. The collection includes original manuscripts, ephemeral items, publications, transcriptions, and copies of letters, documents, notes, and other items, largely dated between 1789 and 1899.

The William Bosson Scrapbook includes approximately 140 manuscript and printed items largely dating from 1789 to 1899, including biographical sketches, reminiscences, reflections, correspondences, courtship and family letters, documents, an autobiography, pamphlets, newspaper clippings, engravings, railroad passes, and convention tickets. Of particular note are 10 documents signed by W. G. Brownlow and D. W. Senter; five letters sent by William Bosson to W. G. Brownlow; five biographical sketches and reminiscences related to the reception of the Declaration of Independence in New York, Thomas Hickey's betrayal of General Howe, General Joseph Warren, General Knox, and General George Henry Thomas; nine letters George H. Thomas sent to William Bosson between 1864 and 1868; four letters between Edward Everett and William and Charles Bosson; three letters of introduction for Charles Bosson exchanged between W. Heath and Elbridge Gerry, Elbridge Gerry and Henry Clay, and Josiah Quincy and John Rowan in 1813; one letter from Amos Kendall to Charles Bosson; one letter from Samuel Gilman to Charles Bosson; and one manuscript addressed to the Tennessee Teacher's State Association by W. G. Brownlow.

The scrapbook contains content pertinent to many subjects, including the Revolutionary War; the War of 1812; the Civil War; the rise of the Ku Klux Klan in Tennessee; Tennessee reconstruction; and Tennessee mining, cotton manufacture, railroads, government, and education (particularly the development of Common Schools) following the Civil War.

The Genealogical Papers series includes Colonial Dames applications, a Middlesex County genealogy, two transcriptions of William Bosson's autobiography for his sons, two transcribed copies of Thomas Mayo Bosson's "Genealogy of the Bosson Family," transcribed copies and photocopies of genealogical records, and genealogical notes and materials related to the Ushers, Hills, Denisons, Terrells, Powers, Newnans, and Bossons. The genealogical papers also contain two books of compiled information on the Bosson, Usher, and Hill families from items contained in the William Bosson Scrapbook and Genealogical Papers: a book Henry Loring Newnan refers to as the "Bosson-Usher-Hill book" in his letters, and two copies of "William Bosson 1630-1887 Seven Generations."

The genealogical papers include notable content on the Civil War, the First World War (in Richard Bosson's account of service in the Rainbow Division), and World War II (William Loring Newnan and Henry Loring Newnan Jr.).

The William Bosson family scrapbook and genealogical papers is a heterogeneous collection, spanning many years and pertaining to many individuals and events. Please see the box and folder listing below for details about individual items in the collection.

In addition to this finding aid, the Clements Library has created a comprehensive writer index: Bosson Family Scrapbook Contributor Index.