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Townsend family. Townsend family papers, 1793-1912.

Title: Townsend family papers, 1793-1912.

Correspondence and papers, 1793-1912, of the Townsend family of Albany (N.Y.). Most of the papers relate to Dr. Howard Townsend, his wife, Justine Van Rensselaer Townsend, and their son Howard Townsend. There are also smaller groups of letters to and from other Townsends, including Sarah, Hannah, Mary, Harriet, Samuel, Solomon, and two Isaiah Townsends, father and brother of Dr. Howard Townsend. Most of the letters deal with family matters, but there are significant groups dealing with Dr. Howard Townsend's time as a schoolboy at Union College, 1839-1844, his travels in Europe in 1847-1848 and 1852, and with the younger Howard Townsend's travels in the West Indies, Egypt and Europe in the 1890s, as well as a group of letter he wrote to his mother while attending school in Geneva (Switzerland) in 1870-1871. A group of civil war letters from Dr. Howard Townsend describe the battle of Big Bethel and visits to his brother, General Frederick Townsend; there is also a pass allowing him within the lines at Washington. Letters of introduction to acquaintances in Paris, written for him by his brother Isaiah, include a letter to Alexis de Tocqueville commenting on U.S. politics. Letters to Dr. Howard Townsend from Thomas Dockerty, a steward on the steamer Wachusett, describe sailing to the West Indies and Rio de Janeiro, en route to China in 1865. There are also two diaries, one dated 1816 and one 1818, by unidentified members of the Townsend family, apparently both young men. The 1816 diary describes travel in upstate New York and a vist to Pittsfield (Mass.) and social life there; there is also some description of Shaker communities at Niskayuna (i.e. Watervliet, N.Y.), Hancock (Mass.) and New Lebanon (N.Y.). The 1818 diary describes business and social life in Albany, travel between Albany and New York City, and a visit to the Niskayuna Shaker community. There are a few other miscellaneous ephemera, such as visiting cards.

ArchivalResource: 0.8 linear feet (2 boxes)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/58780134 View

Papers, 1813-1957

Title: Papers, 1813-1957

Correspondence, family and business records, journals, etc., of the Bradley, Merry, and Aldis families from New England.

ArchivalResource: 21 file boxes, 6 folio+ folders, 1 audiocassette

http://id.lib.harvard.edu/ead/sch00092/catalog View