Papers, 1785-c. 1883.

ArchivalResource

Bigelow family. Papers, 1785-c. 1883.

Papers, 1785-c. 1883.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/207115443

This collection was generated by Abijah Bigelow and members of his family in the period 1785-c.1883. It contains among the chronologically arranged correspondence many letters of Abijah Bigelow to his wife, Hannah Gardner Bigelow (1780-1857), detailing Congressional debate and reaction to the War of 1812, as well as recounting many political developments of the period. The letters also discuss family affairs and illuminate the daily life of a Congressman. Some Abijah Bigelow correspondence deals with legal and financial affairs, Bigelow family genealogy, and politics and family concerns. The collection includes letters of Susan Bigelow Greene (1809-1883) to her father, Abijah and her husband, Dr. Charles G. Greene ( - ) of Windsor, Vt.; letters of their daughter Susan Elizabeth Greene ( - ), a struggling Boston artist, to her father while Dr. Greene served in a Norfolk, Va., army hospital during the Civil War; and letters of Seth Adams, Jr. (1800-1866) to his Bigelow sisters-in-law concerning disposition of the estate of their late father, Abijah. There is a bound folio volume of typescript copies of some of the letters of Bigelow to his wife, evidently used to edit the correspondence for publication. Seven letters are in typescript form for which there do not appear to be originals. These letters are designated "Abijah Bigelow Typescript Letters." There is correspondence between Sarah Bigelow Adams (1805-1886) and her parents, Abijah and Hannah Gardner Bigelow, and her sister, Susan Bigelow Greene, relating to family social activities and travels in New England. There are typescript commentaries with several letters, prepared by Daniel Berkeley Updike. There is also genealogical information with these letters. Box #1 also contains a drama and a dialogue in verse, as well as an undated notebook of Abijah Bigelow containing essays and creative writings. Most of the pages in the book have been cut out. There are two folders of uncatalogued material, including many deeds stemming from Bigelow's legal practice, a few receipts, and sermons of Francis Gardner (1736-1814) of Leominster, Mass., as well as a poetry book, 1824-1825, of Susan Bigelow Greene. There is also one octavo volume of receipts of Abijah Bigelow for the period 1 May 1804 to 17 March 1808. This book records on partially printed forms moneys collected in Leominster by Bigelow for various clients. Catalog cards designated "Abijah Bigelow Papers," " Abijah Bigelow Letters," "Bigelow Family Letters," "Bigelow Family Papers," and "Abijah Bigelow Typescript Letters" are included within this collection of Bigelow Family Papers.

2 boxes.1 v. (265 p.) ; octavo.1 v. (409 p.) ; folio.

American Antiquarian Society