Family and professional papers, music, and genealogical notes of Nahum Mitchell, lawyer and legislator from Bridgewater, Mass. Mitchell's family papers include correspondence with his wife Nabby Lazell Mitchell, children James Henry Mitchell and Harriet Mitchell (Davis), and Samuel Davis, with whom he collaborated on researching the history and genealogy of Bridgewater and Plymouth County. The correspondence documents Mitchell's service in both the Mass. and U.S. House, with the New Bedford and Bridgewater Turnpike Corporation, and on commissions to determine the boundaries between Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Professional papers contain records of Mitchell's work on state boundary disputes, including an undated manuscript map, "Plan of Colony Lines in Controversy Betwixt the Inhabitants of Dorchester + Jonathan Randel," and a record book including records of cases before Mitchell as a Justice of the Peace in Plymouth County. The volume also includes some records of his son Silvanus Mitchell's service as a Justice in Plymouth County. Music papers include notes on theory, original compositions, and manuscript copies of pieces by others. Genealogical notes include data for many families, most from Plymouth County. Samuel Davis papers contain Indian language notes, vocabularies, etymologies of place names, translations of Bible passages, and music notes relating to the history of early church music.
