Papers, 1815-1887.

ArchivalResource

Thomas family. Papers, 1815-1887.

Papers, 1815-1887.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/207175006

The collection of letters and documents, 1815-1887, includes correspondence of Ebenezer Thomas and his wife Ann Fonerdan Thomas (1787-1865) in Baltimore, Md., concerning family news and his efforts as a member of the Maryland legislature to extend religious freedom to Jews. Martha McCannon Thomas, the author of two novels (Life's Lesson: A Tale, and Captain Phil), wrote an unpublished story for her nephew, George Willard Thomas (1856- ) of Cincinnati. This undated manuscript is entitled "Jack Capers" and includes newspaper illustrations of the adventure story. There are also letters of Benjamin F. Thomas, Judge of the Massachusetts Supreme Court, concerning his book collecting, as well as a codicil to the will of his wife, Mary Ann Park Thomas (1811-1885). There is similarly a detailed document concerning probation of the will of Ebenezer Turrell Andrews (1766-1851) which was prepared by Isaiah Thomas (1805-1862); a map of Tazewell County, Ill., 1837; and a diagram of land plots in Springfield, Ohio, 1858, with valuations of land in the community. The collection also contains the 1862 commission of Isaiah Thomas as U.S. Consul in Algiers, signed by Louis Napoleon (1808-1873), as well as the original commission signed by Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) and William Henry Seward (1801-1872). There are also state documents concerning the election of Edward Isaiah Thomas to the Massachusetts legislature in 1883 and his appointment as Justice of the Peace in Brookline, Mass., in 1887. The collection also contains a funeral ring of Mrs. Rebecca Thomas (1727-1803), Isaiah Thomas's mother-in-law and aunt (by marriage). Born Rebecca Bass, she married on 20 October 1743, William Thomas ( -1760), Isaiah Thomas's uncle, by whom she had Mary (1750-1818), second wife of Isaiah Thomas. The folio volume, inscribed "Common Place Book Benj. F. Thomas August 8th 1832," contains "Any thing--every thing--worth remembering" and spans the period of time between 8 August 1832 and November 1849. Interspersed throughout the numerous quotations are list of books and articles read or to be read; dates, and sometimes subjects, of lectures (both temperance and lyceum) given by Thomas; resolutions made pertaining to his study habits, along with his general rules of study; and a few diary entries. The oversize folder contains a diploma for an honorary degree given to Benjamin F. Thomas by Harvard in 1754.

1 folder (22 items)1 v. ; folio.1 oversize folder (1 item)

American Antiquarian Society