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This collection is made up of 50 incoming letters to George Underwood of Auburn, New York, as well as cartes-de-visite and other card photographs. Underwood's acquaintances wrote about college preparation, political issues, and their lives in northern New York.

This collection is made up of 50 incoming letters to George Underwood of Auburn, New York, as well as cartes-de-visite and other card photographs. The Correspondence series is comprised of Underwood's incoming personal letters, written from January 30, 1835-January 2, 1837, and from May 5, 1838-December 26, 1838. J. S. Sherwood, Underwood's friend and most frequent correspondent, often discussed educational issues in his early letters, particularly related to his preparations for college. Sherwood mentioned his current studies in Canandaigua, New York, anticipated a round of examinations, and reported the collegiate plans of mutual friends. Underwood also received letters from Joel Whitney, a friend who lived in New Woodstock and Clinton, New York, and from other acquaintances, most of whom discussed secondary education. He received a printed invitation to the exhibition of Hamilton College's junior class on May 18, 1836 (April 11, 1836) and wrote a letter to John H. Lathrop about his intention to return to Hamilton College as a junior in the fall of 1836 following a period of ill health (July 11, 1836). Jane Underwood, George's sister, and A. Underwood, his father, provided news from Auburn, New York, after George's enrollment at Hamilton College.

After a break in correspondence from 1837-1837, Underwood continued to receive letters from family and friends. J. S. Sherwood and other acquaintances usually concentrated on local political issues, especially related to the Whig Party and to a recent election. They discussed the Locofoco movement, a states' rights party, and abolitionists' voting habits, among other issues. On November 28, 1838, a friend commented on recent military disturbances near Prescott, Canada.

The Photographs series contains 6 cartes-de-visite, 10 card photographs (4" x 6.5"), and 1 photographic print. Most are formal studio portraits of men, women, and children, and many are labeled. Other photographs depict a horse-drawn carriage and a house belonging to "General Dimon."

This collection consists primarily of letters received by Polly Carpenter Jones between 1814 and 1865, as well as two letters addressed to her husband, Austin Jones of Harford, Pennsylvania. Friends and family frequently corresponded about daily life in Pennsylvania, and many of her female acquaintances mentioned their teaching careers.

This collection consists primarily of letters received by Polly Carpenter Jones between 1814 and 1865, as well as two letters addressed to her husband, Austin Jones of Harford, Pennsylvania. The first items in the collection chiefly concern Polly's schooling in Harford, Pennsylvania, and include advice on the importance of an education, among other topics. Thomas Sweet specifically addressed the art of writing to a woman, admitting his own inexperience (December 4, 1816). Another early letter, written by William Torrey on December 29, 1818, concerns the administration of Sabbath schools and addresses Polly as the leader of such a school in Mt. Ararat, Pennsylvania. After 1857, much of Polly's incoming correspondence originated from her daughter Sarah, who wrote about her experiences teaching school in Canandaigua, New York, and who, in the collection's final letter, mentioned the recent fall of Richmond, Virginia, at the end of the Civil War (April 5, 1865). Another late correspondent, Hannah T. Ride, wrote a nostalgic letter about old friends in Harford and provided advice on medicinal plants (May 13, 1858). Undated material includes several similar letters from family and friends, including one from Polly's sister Betsey, who also taught school.

In addition to Polly's incoming correspondence, the collection holds one letter addressed to Ann Jones and two addressed to Austin Jones, Polly's husband; one of these, written by Polly weeks before their wedding, asked him to confirm his feelings for her (September 3, 1824), and another provided news of family members and acquaintances of Lydia W. Jones (March 10, 1855).