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Corban Society. Records, 1811-1850

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Records, 1811 - 1850

RG 0721

1.5 linear feet

Processed October 1995 by Lisa Plato

Copyright: requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the archivist or librarian.

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Historical Note

Founded in 1811, the Corban Society was an all - female benevolent society that provided clothing and funds to local theological school students, most notably Andover Theological Seminary in Andover, Massachusetts. The birth of this society reflects the growth of charitable institutions in New England between the latter part of the 18th - century and the first part of the 19th - century: during this period, the number of Bible societies, missionary societies, Masonic lodges, orphanages and other charitable organizations in New England grew from approximately 50 to approximately 2000(1). These organizations were significant in women's history, since they allowed women to serve in management and leadership roles that were otherwise not permitted to them (2). It was argued during this period that women were "too frail, inexperience, and frivolous to manage the affairs of a charitable corporation"(3); other New Englanders believed that the very nature of women made them better suited to serve those in need (4). In any case, the Corban Society was one of many women's charitable organizations.

The 1811 founding officers were: Mary Bowers, president; Dorcas Homes, vice president; Elizabeth Haskins, secretary; Martha Colhoun, Mary Ingraham, Mary Perry, Susan Huntington, Sarah Parker, Elizabeth Devens, Lucy M. Ingalls and Mary Webb, assistants. The annual meeting was held the last Monday in September of each year. Please see Appendix A for a list of the members and officers for other years; please note that many of the women were active in the organization for a very long period of time. Also note that many of the members of the Graham Society were also members of the Corban Society.

The Corban Society was committed to the idea of supporting missionaries or missionaries in training. The organization believed that it was the member's duty to promote this work and to do so "by casting their money into...[the] treasury..." (1 - IA - 2). The Society accumulated funds from member's annual subscription fees of $2 per year, as well as donations from auxiliary groups and sewing circles (see scope and content note below). The subscription money, as well as donations from members and those outside of the organization, was invested in "permanent funds" (2 - III - 2).

In 1831 the Corban Society absorbed the Graham Society, another Boston, Massachusetts women's benevolent group. Despite this growth, however, the Corban Society's membership decreased by 1848 and the financial resources dwindled. "In depressed and...[straitened] circumstances our wants yearly increasing, while our means are constantly decreasing" (1 - IA - 2). In 1848 "...only after repeated efforts that a sufficient membership could be gathered together to transact the necessary business...the founders and early patrons have gone to their rest and reward and none have arisen to fill their places" (1 - IA - 2). Although the records indicate that the organization was disbanded in 1848, there is some correspondence dating to 1850.

Many of the women in the Corban Society were married to or related to founding members of the Boston Society for the Moral and Religious Instruction of the Poor. See Boston, Massachusetts. City Missionary Society (Boston Society for the Moral and Religious Instruction of the Poor. Records, 1820 - 1991) for biographical information on these men.

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Scope and Content Note

Series I consists of materials generated by the Board of Directors. Subseries A includes material that documents the history of the Society and includes the Board of Directors minutes from 1811 - 1848 and the Corban Society raison d'être, constitution, original membership list, minutes of meetings and reports of the Board of Directors from 1811 - 1848. The September 26, 1836 minutes (Series A, folder 2) contain a reading of a letter from Mr. Grout, a missionary in Eastern Africa, which the Society apparently assisted; the minutes were not carefully read, so it is unclear is there was other similar support. Minimize handling the material in folder 3, as it is extremely delicate.

Series 1 subseries B contains material from the Office of the Secretary. This includes the order of accounts, which provides: 1) an index to the Corban Society Secretary's Book Volume 1, and 2) an alphabetical index to members, as they are listed in the Corban Society Secretary's Book Volume 1. Subseries B also includes the aforementioned Corban Society Secretary's Book Volume 1, which provides the following information:

p. 1 permanent fund 1811 - 1842

p. 19 - 28 treasurer's record of money received and paid 1811 - 1820

p. 32 - 34 list of Society members and sums paid 1811 - 1821

p. 39 - 52 list of Society members and sums paid 1822 - 1845

p. 106 list of annual subscribers and sums paid 1811 - 1812

p. 117 list of subscribers who have given money to be funded 1811 - 1837

p. 118 list of donors 1811 - 1842

(includes money from sale of sermons, Auxiliary in Andover, Auxiliary Society in Ashby, Park Street Sewing Circle, Old South Sewing Circle, East Parish Newton, West Parish Newton and donations of fabric)

p. 130 list of subscribers who have died, withdrawn or 1812 - 1821

changed their subscriptions

p. 160 articles donated to society 1811 - 1813

p. 181 - 240 accounts opened by members (lists members and 1812 - 1825

amounts paid by year)

p. 241 - 304 accounts opened by subscribers (list subscribers and 1812 - 1825

amounts paid by year)

p. 343 life members 1819 - 1842

p. 346 - 354 names of beneficiaries 1811 - 1837

Series I subseries B also contains a single sheet with the minutes for the September 26, 1842 meeting, which was originally folded and tucked inside the previously mentioned volume.

Series I subseries C contains material from the Office of the Treasurer. The Corban Society Treasurer's Accounts Volume 1 contains the treasurer's records from 1811 - 1848 and the Treasurer's Receipts contains the 1812 - 1848 record of the amount received from subscribers of the Corban Society. This series also contains the Corban Society financial records, which also lists those assisted from 1838 - 1848. The President's Orders on the Treasury was a receipt book kept by the treasurer, in which she noted the president's orders on the treasury. It also contains the treasurer's reimbursements to the president from 1811 - 1819.

Folders 4 - 15 contain the actual treasurer's receipts. These were found stored loose in an acid free folder; originally some of these receipts were bundled together with paper "ties," fastened with a metal push pin. The pin was discarded and the tie and the bundle were attached with a plastic clip. Bundles were typically grouped by year, although if the bundle contained receipts from multiple years, they were left as they were found and filed in the earliest year noted in the bundled. All other loose receipts were arranged chronologically by year.

Series II contains printed matter related to the Corban Society. Subseries A contains ten copies of the constitution printed in 1824 as 3 - 3/4 x 5 - 3/4 inch pamphlets for the Society members; there are several examples of different types of marbled covers included. Subseries B contains eight copies of a form for members to fill in; the form is titled "You are requested to attend a meeting. Subseries C contains printed material that was included in Series I Subseries A, folder 2. The three items are "order of exercises" for Phillips Academy in 1860. These items are described in further detail in the series description.

Series III contains correspondence to the Corban Society. The letters were originally folded up into rectangles and bundled together with string or ribbon. Several of the bundles were fairly loose and some of the correspondence appeared to be intermingled. There was not an obvious order to the bundles, so the string or ribbon was cut and the letters were placed in chronological order and separated by year. The original order of the bundles is documented in the collection file.

The majority of the correspondence is addressed to "Dear Ladies" or "Dear Members"; in some cases the officer's name is on the outside of the letter, although the contents is directed toward the entire membership. The majority of the correspondence is from students at Andover Theological Society thanking the Society for gifts or from Andover contacts recommending those in need. A small section of the letters are from members of other auxiliary groups or other "branches" of the Corban Society. Appendix B provides a list of the correspondents and the dates of their letters; if the letter was addressed to a particular person, this is also noted. There is also a fair amount of correspondence from Ralph Emerson, a professor of ecclesiastical history at Andover Theological School from 1829 - 1854 and second cousin of Ralph Waldo Emerson (5), who often wrote the Society with lists of appropriate recipients.

If the correspondent was not positively identified, the name was placed in small brackets. A small section of the letters did not have dates and could not be dated; this correspondence was placed at the end of the series.

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Description/Container List

Box 1

Series I. Board of Directors

Subseries A: History of the Corban Society

Folder 1 Corban Society Directors Records Volume I [Board of Directors minutes, 1811 - 1848]

Folder 2 Corban Society Records Volume I

Folder 3 Corban Society Constitutions and Members Volume I

Subseries B: Office of the Secretary

Folder 1 Order of Accounts kept in Corban Society Secretary's Book [provides index to Series IB, folder 2

Folder 2 Corban Society Secretary's Book Vol. I

Folder 3 Notes from September 26, 1842 meeting (folded Corban Secretary's Book Volume 1)

Subseries C: Office of the Treasurer

Folder 1 Corban Society Treasurers Accounts Volume 1

Folder 2 Treasurer's Receipts

Folder 3 [Corban Society Financial Records]

Folder 4 Presidents Orders on the Treasury

Folder 5 Receipts 1824

Folder 6 Receipts 1825

Folder 7 Receipts 1826

Folder 8 Receipts 1828

Folder 9 Receipts 1830 - 1831

Folder 10 Receipts 1832

Folder 11 Receipts and copy of the treasurer's report, 1834

Folder 12 Receipts 1835 - 1838

Folder 13 Receipts 1841 - 1844

Folder 14 Receipts 1846 - 1847, 1849 - 1850

Folder 15 Receipts 1842 - 1848, undated list of recipients

Series II. Printed material.

Subseries A: Constitutions

Folders 1 - 3 Printed constitutions of the Corban Society

Folder 4 Subseries B: Request to attend meeting... Folder 1 Subseries C: Printed ephemera Folder 1: Order of Exercises, July 20, 1860 and July 24, 1860 and 27th anniversary of the Society of Inquiry, Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts

Box 2

Series III. Correspondence to the Corban Society

Folder 1 1830

Folder 2 1833

Folder 3 1834

Folder 4 1836

Folder 5 1836

Folder 6 1837

Folder 7 - 11 1839

Folder 12 1840

Folder 13 1841

Folder 14 1841

Folder 15 1842

Folder 16 1842

Folder 17 1842

Folder 18 1843

Folder 19 1843

Folder 20 1844

Folder 21 1845

Folder 22 1846

Folder 23 1847

Folder 24 1848

Folder 25 1850

Folder 26 n.d. (includes month)

Folder 27 n.d.

Folder 28 ribbons that originally fastened correspondence

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Bibliographic Note

Conrad Edick Wright,. Transformation of Charity in Postrevolutionary New England (Boston, Mass.: Northeastern University Press, 1992), p.5. See p. 270 - 276 for a listing of other primary sources relating charitable organizations in New England. See p. 228 - 269 for a Census of Charitable Organizations.

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Appendix A

CORBAN SOCIETY OFFICERS AND MEMBERS

Please note that the records typically list "Mrs." and "Miss"; first names have been filled in from the membership list which follows. If there is more than one member with the same last name, the author did not attempt to fill - in the first name. Officer lists are taken from the minutes of the annual September meeting (6), although the meeting does not specify these are newly elected officers. Please note that the minutes do not mention the election of assistants, although they are listed for each meeting. The assistants mentioned in the officer list are those assistants who attended the annual September meeting.

Officers for 1812:

Mary Bowers, president

Dorcas Homes, vice president Elizabeth Haskins, secretary Harriet Moore, treasurer Martha Calhoun, Susan Huntington, Eudora Nickerson, Elizabeth Duren, Mary Perry, Mary Webb, assistants.

Officers for 1813: Mary Bowers, president Martha Calhoun, vice president Elizabeth Haskins, secretary Harriet Moore, treasurer Sarah Parker, Lucy M. Ingalls, Susan Huntington, Mary Ladd, Mary Perry, Eliza B. F. Winthrop, assistants.

Officers for 1814: Mary Bowers, president Martha Calhoun, vice president Elizabeth Haskins, secretary Harriet Moore, treasurer Elizabeth Duren, Susan Huntington, Sarah Parker, Eudora Nickerson, Hannah Breck Tyler, Mary Perry, Mary Webb, assistants.

Officers for 1815: Mary Bowers, president Dorcas Homes, vice president Elizabeth Haskins, secretary Harriet Moore, treasurer Eudora Nickerson, Lucy M. Ingalls, Mary Perry, Mary Webb, Miss Brown, assistants.

Officers for 1816: Mary Bowers, president Dorcas Homes, vice president Elizabeth Haskins, secretary Harriet Moore, treasurer Hannah Breck Tyler, Eudora Nickerson, Mary Ladd, Mary Webb, assistants.

Officers for 1817: Mary Bowers, president Dorcas Homes, vice president Elizabeth Haskins, secretary Harriet Moore, treasurer Mrs. Samuel Dorr, Mrs. Cutler, Susan Huntington, Eudora Nickerson, Mary Perry, assistants.

Officers for 1818: Mary Bowers, president Dorcas Homes, vice president Elizabeth Haskins, secretary Harriet Moore, treasurer Mrs. Samuel Dorr, Mary Ladd, Mrs. Cutler, Mary Perry, assistants.

Officers for 1819: Mary Bowers, president Isabella Homes (7), vice president Elizabeth Haskins, secretary Harriet Moore, treasurer Susan Huntington, Mrs. Samuel Dorr, Eudora Nickerson, Mrs. Cutler, Mary Perry, assistants.

Officers for 1820: Mary Bowers, president Isabella Homes, vice president Charlotte Lane, secretary Eliza J. Rupsell, treasurer Mrs. Samuel Dorr, Mrs. Storrs, Mary Perry, Mrs. Welch, Eudora Nickerson, assistants.

Officers for 1821: Mary Bowers, president Isabella Homes, vice president Eliza Clap, secretary Eliza J. Rupsell, treasurer Eudora Nickerson, Susan Huntington, Phebe Cutler, Mrs. Samuel Dorr, Mary Perry, Margaret Welsh, Susan E. Dwight , Martha Ropes, Elizabeth Haskins, assistants.

Officers for 1822: Mary Bowers, president Isabella Homes, vice president Eliza Clap, secretary Eliza J. Rupsell, treasurer Eudora Nickerson, Susan Huntington, Phebe Cutler, Mrs. Samuel Dorr, Susan E. Dwight, Lydia Wisner, Martha Ropes, Mary Perry, Elizabeth Haskins, assistants.

Officers for 1823: Mary Bowers, president Isabella Homes, vice president Eliza Clap, secretary Maria Odiorne, treasurer Eudora Nickerson, Susan Huntington, Phebe Cutler, Mrs. Samuel Dorr, Susan E. Dwight, assistants.

Officers for 1824: Mary Bowers, president Isabella Homes, vice president Eliza Clap, secretary Maria Odiorne, treasurer Eudora Nickerson, Susan Huntington, Phebe Cutler, Susan E. Dwight, Lydia Wisner, Martha Ropes, Abigail Armstrong, Mary Perry, Elizabeth Haskins, assistants.

Officers for 1825: Mary Bowers, president Isabella Homes, vice president Eliza Clap, secretary Maria Odiorne, treasurer Mary Perry, [Mrs. B. Dalton], Mrs. S. Door, Phebe Cutlner, Lydia Wisner, Abigail Armstrong, Susan E. Dwight, Mrs. J. Jenkins, Eudora Nickerson, Elizabeth Haskins, assistants.

Officers for 1826: Mary Bowers, president Isabella Homes, vice president Eliza Clap, secretary Maria Odiorne, treasurer Mary Perry, Elizabeth Haskins, Mrs. Samuel Dorr, Phebe Cutler, Lydia Wisner, Abigail Armstrong, Eudora Nickerson, Mrs. J. Jenkins, Mrs. R. J. Brown, assistants.

Officers for 1827: Mary Bowers, president Isabella Homes, vice president Eliza Clap, secretary Maria Odiorne, treasurer Mary Perry, Elizabeth Haskins, Mrs. Samuel Dorr, Phebe Cutler, Lydia Wisner, Abigail Armstrong, Eudora Nickerson, Mrs. J. Jenkins, Mrs. R. J. Brown, assistants.

Officers for 1828: Mary Bowers, president Isabella Homes, vice president Eliza Clap, secretary Sarah Snow, treasurer Mary Perry, Elizabeth Haskins, Mrs. R. J. Brown, Miss E. Gorham, assistants.

Officers for 1829: Mary Bowers, president Isabella Homes, vice president Eliza Clap, secretary Sarah Snow, treasurer Eudora Nickerson, Mrs. Samuel Dorr, Phebe Cutler, Elizabeth Wisner, Mrs. R. J. Brown, Mrs. J. Jenkins, Mrs. John C. Proctor, Elizabeth Haskins, Miss E. Gorham, assistants.

Officers for 1830: Mary Bowers, president Isabella Homes, vice president Eliza Clap, secretary Sarah Snow, treasurer Eudora Nickerson, Mrs. Samuel Dorr, Phebe Cutler, Elizabeth Wisner, Mrs. R. J. Brown, Mrs. J. Jenkins, Mrs. John C. Proctor, Elizabeth Haskins, Miss E. Gorham, assistants.

Officers for 1831: Mary Bowers, president Isabella Homes, vice president Mrs. David Green, secretary Sarah Snow, treasurer Eudora Nickerson, Mrs. S. Door, Phebe Cutler, Mrs. B. B. Wisner, Mrs. J. Jenkins, Mrs. R. J. Brown, Mrs. John C. Proctor, Elizabeth Haskins, Miss E. Gorham, assistants.

Officers for 1832: Mary Bowers, president Isabella Homes, vice president Nancy Brown, secretary Susan Gore, treasurer Eudora Nickerson, Mrs. S. Door, Phebe Cutler, Mrs. B. B. Wisner, Abigail Armstrong, Mrs. J. Jenkins, Mrs. John C. Proctor, Elizabeth Haskins, assistants.

Officers for 1833: Mary Bowers, president Isabella Homes, vice president Nancy Brown, secretary Susan Gore, treasurer Eudora Nickerson, Mrs. S. Door, Phebe Cutler, Mrs. B. B. Wisner, Abigail Armstrong, Mrs. J. Jenkins, Mrs. John C. Proctor, Elizabeth Haskins, Mrs. Samuel Davis, assistants.

Officers for 1834: Mary Bowers, president Isabella Homes, vice president Nancy Brown, secretary Mrs. William A. Scott, treasurer Phebe Cutler, Lydia Wisner, Abigail Armstrong, Mrs. John C. Proctor, Mrs. J. Jenkins, Elizabeth Haskins, Mrs. Samuel Dorr, Mrs. Samuel Davis, Mrs. Lewis Stoddard, assistants.

Officers for 1835: Mary Bowers, president Isabella Homes, vice president Nancy Brown, secretary Mrs. William A. Scott, treasurer Phebe Cutler, Abigail Armstrong, Mrs. J. Jenkins, Mrs. Susan S. Dorr, Mrs. John C. Proctor, Elizabeth Haskins, Mrs. Samuel Davis, Mrs. Daniel Safford, Mrs. Lewis Stoddard, assistants.

Officers for 1836: Mary Bowers, president Isabella Homes, vice president Nancy Brown, secretary Mrs. William A. Scott, treasurer Phebe Cutler, Mrs. J. Jenkins, Mrs. Samuel Dorr, Elizabeth Haskins, Mrs. John C. Proctor, Mrs. Samuel Davis, Abigail Armstrong, Mrs. Daniel Safford, Mrs. Lewis Stoddard, assistants.

Officers for 1837: Mary Bowers, president Isabella Homes, vice president Nancy Brown, secretary Miss Mary Ann Scott, treasurer Phebe Cutler, Mrs. M. Armstrong, Mrs. J. Jenkins, Mrs. Samuel Dorr, Mrs. Daniel Safford, Mrs. John C. Proctor, Elizabeth Haskins, Mrs. Samuel Davis, Mrs. Lewis Stoddard, assistants.

Officers for 1838: Isabella Homes, president Mrs. John C. Proctor, vice president Eudora Nickerson, secretary Mrs. Samuel Davis, treasurer Phebe Cutler, Mrs. J. Jenkins, Mrs. Samuel Dorr, Mrs. Samuel Davis, Mrs. S. J. Armstrong, Elizabeth Haskins, Mrs. J. Jenkins, Mrs. Samuel Davis, Mrs. Daniel Safford, Mrs. Lewis Stoddard, Mrs. J. Merns, assistants.

Officers for 1839: Isabella Homes, president Mrs. John C. Proctor, vice president Eudora Nickerson, secretary Mrs. Nancy Brown, treasurer Phebe Cutler, Mrs. Samuel Dorr, Mrs. S. J. Armstrong, Elizabeth Haskins, Mrs. J. Jenkins, Mrs. Samuel Davis, Mrs. Daniel Safford, Mrs. J. H. Baldwin, Mrs. A. C. Haring, assistants.

Officers for 1840: Isabella Homes, president Mrs. John C. Proctor, vice president Eudora Nickerson, secretary Elvira Nickerson, treasurer Phebe Cutler, Mrs. Samuel Dorr, Mrs. S. J. Armstrong, Elizabeth Haskins, Mrs. J. Jenkins, Mrs. Samuel Davis, Mrs. Daniel Safford, Mrs. J. H. Baldwin, Mrs. A. C. Haring, assistants.

Officers for 1841: Isabella Homes, president Mrs. John C. Proctor, vice president Eudora Nickerson, secretary Mary Proctor, treasurer Phebe Cutler, Mrs. Samuel Davis, Mrs. S. J. Armstrong. Mrs. J. H. Baldwin, Elizabeth Haskins, Mrs. A. C. Fearing, Mrs. Norman Seaver, Mrs. C. Stoddard, assistants.

Officers for 1842: Isabella Homes, president Mrs. John C. Proctor, vice president Miss M. Quincy, secretary Mary Proctor, treasurer Phebe Cutler, Mrs. Samuel Davis, Mrs. S. J. Armstrong. Mrs. J. H. Baldwin, Elizabeth Haskins, Mrs. A. C. Fearing, Mrs. Daniel Safford, Mrs. Norman Seaver, Mrs. C. Hazen, assistants.

Officers for 1843: Mrs. John C. Proctor president Mrs. Daniel Safford, vice president Sophia Crocker, secretary Mary Proctor, treasurer Phebe Cutler, Mrs. S. J. Armstrong. Mrs. J. H. Baldwin, Mrs. Samuel Davis, Mrs. Elizabeth Mitchell, Mrs. Samuel Johnson, Elizabeth Haskins, Miss C. Scollay, Mrs. D. Jones, assistants.

Officers for 1844: Mrs. John C. Proctor president Mrs. Daniel Safford, vice president Mary Proctor, secretary/treasurer Mrs. S. J. Armstrong. Mrs. J. H. Baldwin, Mrs. Samuel Davis, Mrs. Elizabeth Mitchell, Mrs. Samuel Johnson, Mrs. William L. Eustis, Mrs. D. Jones, assistants.

Officers for 1845: Mrs. John C. Proctor president Mrs. Daniel Safford, vice president Mary Proctor, secretary/treasurer Mrs. S. J. Armstrong. Mrs. J. H. Baldwin, Mrs. Samuel Davis, Mrs. Elizabeth Mitchell, Mrs. Samuel Johnson, Mrs. William L. Eustis, Mrs. D. Jones, assistants.

Officers for 1846: Mrs. John C. Proctor president Mrs. Daniel Safford, vice president Mary Proctor, secretary/treasurer Mrs. S. J. Armstrong. Mrs. J. H. Baldwin, Mrs. Samuel Davis, Mrs. Elizabeth Mitchell, Mrs. Samuel Johnson, Mrs. William L. Eustis, Elizabeth Haskins, Miss C. Scollay, Mrs. D. Jones assistants.

Officers for 1847: Mrs. John C. Proctor president Mrs. Daniel Safford, vice president Mary Proctor, secretary/treasurer

Mrs. S. J. Armstrong. Mrs. J. H. Baldwin, Mrs. Samuel Davis, Mrs. Elizabeth Mitchell, Mrs. Samuel Johnson, Mrs. William L. Eustis, Elizabeth Haskins, Miss C. Scollay, Mrs. D. Jones, assistants.

Officers for 1848: Mrs. John C. Proctor president Mrs. Daniel Safford, vice president Mary Proctor, secretary/treasurer Mrs. Samuel Davis, Mrs. Elizabeth Mitchell, Mrs. William Ropes, Mrs. James F. Baldwin, Mrs. Samuel Johnson, Mrs. William L. Eustis, Mrs. H. M. Holbrook, Elizabeth Haskins, assistants.

There are no minutes from 1849 onward.

CORBAN SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP

Due to the size of the membership, this list has not been broken down by year. The contents from series IB, folder two has simply been alphabetized; for membership by year, see series IB, folder 2. This list does not include donors (individuals and organizations); this information can be located on p. 118 - 121 of series IB, folder 2.

Alp, Ann

Appleton, Maria Terissa

Armstrong, Abigail

Babcock. Abby

Baldwin, Mrs. James F.

Baker, Sarah

Battelle, Louisa

Bedlington, Mary

Bird, Elizabeth

Bliss, Martha

Bowers, Mary

Breed, Rebecca

Breeze, Elizabeth

Brener, Abigail

Brewer, A.

Brown, Lucy

Brown, Nancy

Brown, Susan

Brown, Susannah

Bull, Jane

Bumstead, Mary G.

Bumstead, Susannah

Burd, E.

Calhoun, Martha

Carter, Catherine

Clap, Eliza

Clapp, Hannah W.

Cleevland, Mrs. Mehetable

Codman, Catherine

Codman, Mary

Copeland, Bathiah

Coverly, Elizabeth

Crocker, Sophia

Cutler, Phebe

Cutler, Susan W.

Davis, Lucy

Davis, Mrs. Samuel

Demond, Mrs. William (life)

Devens, Elizabeth

Doane, Eliza

Dorr, Mrs. Samuel

Duren, Elizabeth

Dwight, Susan E. (life)

Eaton, Betsy

Edwards, Sarah

Ellison, Mary

Eustis, Mrs. William L.

Evarts, Mrs. Mehetable

Fearing, Mrs. A. C.

Fleet, Elizabeth

Freeman, Susan

French, Catherine

Furber, Elizabeth

Goff, Anne

Gorham, Miss E.

Gray, Elizabeth

Gray, Olivia

Green, Mrs. David

Greene, Mary

Greenough, Lydia

Griffin, Frances

Hall, Mary

Haring, Mrs. A. C.

Hardy, Mary

Haskins, Elizabeth

Hazen, Mrs. C.

Hill, Nancy

Hill, Mrs. William Henry (life)

Hobbs, Mary Child

Holbrook, Mrs. H. M.

Homes, Dorcas

Homes, Isabella Henry

Homes, Mary

Homes, Percis

Homes, S. (life)

Homer, G. S.

Homer, Mary

Hopkins, M.

Howard, Joanna

Huntington, Susan

Ingalls, Lucy M.

Ingalls, Lydia

Ingraham, Mary

Jenkins, Mrs. J.

Johnson, Mrs. Samuel

Kilton, Margaret

Kinsman, Hannah

Ladd, Mary

Lakeman, Elizabeth

Lane, Charlotte

Maynard, E.

Maynard, Joanna

Mason, Mary

McClure, Mary

Mellidge, Catherine

Merns, Mrs. J.

Mitchell, Elizabeth

Mitchell, Mrs. E.

Moffatt, Sarah

Moore, Harriet

Morse, Elizabeth Ann

Munroe, Mary Caroline

Odiorne, Maria C.

Nickerson, Elvira

Nickerson, Eudora

Noyes, Dorcas

Parker, Sarah

Peabody, J.

Perry, Mary

Phelps, Delia Mrs. William

Phillips, Abigail B.

Phillips, Margaret

Porter, F.

Porter, Lucy

Proctor, Mary

Proctor, Mrs. John C.

Proctor, Nancy

Rice, Mary

Rice, Mrs. Mehetable

Ropes, Martha

Rupsell, Eliza J.

Safford, Mrs. Daniel

Salisbury, Mrs. Josiah

Scollay, Mrs. C.

Scott, Mrs. William A.

Seabury, Hannah

Seaver, Mrs. Norman

Sewall, S.

Shepard, Deborah

Shepherd, D.

Sherburne, Harriot

Sprague, Rebecca

Stoddard, Mrs. Lewis

Storrs, Mrs.

Swetts, Lucia G.

Tappan, Mrs. William E. B. T.

Thurston, Elizabeth

Train, Hannah Putman

Turner, Mary

Tyler, Hannah Breck

Upham, Lucy

Stuart, Abigail C.

Vose, Mrs. William Thomas (life)

Webb, Mary

Welsh, Margaret

Willis, Hannah

Winn, Mary

Winslow, Anna

Winslow, Elizabeth (life)

Winthrop, Eliza B. F.

Wisner, Lydia (life)

Woods, Abigail

Young, Mary

Endnotes:

(1) Conrad Edick Wright,. Transformation of Charity in Postrevolutionary New England (Boston, Mass.: Northeastern University Press, 1992), p.5.

(2) Ibid., p. 206.

(3) Ibid., p. 156.

(4) Ibid.

(5) Dexter, Franklin Bowditch. Biographical Sketches of the Graduates of Yale College. Volume 4, September 1805 - September 1815. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press, 1912.

(6) If appears as if the Society did not have formal annual meetings after a certain point; if no September meeting is provided, officer lists are compiled from the meeting closest to September meeting.

(7) Dorcas Homes is specified as the first vice president of the Corban Society; up until 1819, "Mrs. Homes" is listed as the vice president. The processor is assuming this is Dorcas Homes until 1820, when Isabella Homes is listed as vice presdent.

(8) Dexter, Franklin Bowditch. Biographical Sketches of the Graduates of Yale College. Volume 4, September 1805 - September 1815. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press, 1912.

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Appendix B

CORRESPONDENCE

The letters listed below were originally folded up into rectangles and bundled together with string or ribbon; they now comprise series III or correspondence to the Corban Society. Several of the bundles were fairly loose and some of the correspondence appeared to be intermingled. There was not an obvious order to the bundles, so the string or ribbon was cut and the letters were placed in chronological order and separated by year. The original order of the bundles is documented in the collection file.

The majority of the correspondence is addressed to "Dear Ladies" or "Dear Members"; in some cases the officer's name is on the outside of the letter, although the contents is directed toward the entire membership. The majority of the correspondence is from students at Andover Theological Society thanking the Society for gifts or from Andover contacts recommending those in need. A small section of the letters are from members of other auxiliary groups or other "branches" of the Corban Society. There is also a fair amount of correspondence from Ralph Emerson, a professor of ecclesiastical history at Andover Theological School from 1829 - 1854 and second cousin of Ralph Waldo Emerson (8), who often wrote the Society with lists of appropriate recipients.

If the correspondent was not positively identified, the name was placed in small brackets. It is assumed that Mrs. Bowers that many of the letters are addressed to is Mary Bowers, due to her extensive involvement in the Corban Society. A small section of the letters did not have dates and could not be dated; this correspondence was placed at the end of the series.

Correspondent, Date and Addressee (if not "Dear Ladies" or equivalent)

Adams, H. Dec. 21, 1841

Adams, H. Jan 12, 1843 to [Nancy] Proctor

Alger, William J. [Dec. 20]

[Beane, Samuel] Dec. 10, 1836

Blanchard, William S. Jan. 08, 1841

Blake, Nelson Nov. 20, 1841

[Blifs, G.] Nov. 27, 1846

Brown, N[ancy]/Hill, Henry (ABCFM) March 26, 1833

Bryant, C. Dec. 16, 1839

[Buchunk, J. G.] Jan. 03, 1850

Canfield, J. A. Dec. 16, 1839

Chapman, Calvin Jan. 14, 1842

Chapman, Jacob Dec. 12, 1830

Clark, Nelson Dec. 12, 1839

Clark, Nelson Jan. 08, 1840

Clark, Nelson Jan. 12, 1842

Claveland, Geo. W. Dec. 11, 1839

[Coury], Wm. H. Dec. 1839

Cornelius, [M. N.] Nov. 06 to [Mary] Bowers

Creasy, [?] Dec. 13, 1836

Crocker, Sophia March 25, 1844 to [Nancy] Proctor

Cutler, [Phebe] Sept. 25 to [Nancy] Proctor

[Dann, Charles] Dec. 07, 1836

Dickinson, J. L. Dec. 13, 1837

[Doore, S. Thomas] Dec. 06, 1836

Drake, Cyril B. Dec. 07, 1836

Dyer, Ebeanezar Porter Dec. 12, 1836

Eaton, J. Jan. 13, 1842

Eaton, J. M. R June 07, 1844 to Mrs. Crocker

Edwards, J. Jan. 25, 1840

Edward, J. R. Sept. 23, 1845 to [Nancy] Proctor

Edwards, L. B./Emerson, Ralph 1843 to [Nancy] Proctor

Edwards, L. B. Aug. 22, 1843 to [Nancy] Proctor

Emerson, [?] Dec. 11, 1836

Emerson, Ralph/ Edwards, L. B. 1843 to [Nancy] Proctor

Emerson, Ralph Nov. 20, 1843

Emerson, R[alph] Nov. 25, 1844 to [Nancy] Proctor

Emerson, Ralph Nov. 14, 1845

Emerson, Ralph Nov. 23, 1846

Emerson, Ralph Nov. 27, 1846

Emerson, Ralph Dec. 13, 1847 to [Nancy] Proctor

[Ferrin], C. E. Dec. 20, 1848 to [Nancy] Proctor

Foot, Louisa B. Oct. 09, 1846 to [Nancy] Proctor

Ford, [P. J.] Dec. 23, 1842

Fox, Nathaniel F. Nov. 22, 1827

French, [?] Dec. 10, [1830?]

[Frue], E.W. n.d.

[Gay], Joshua J. Dec. 20, 1841

[Geale, L. A.] Dec. 1826

Gewksbring, Geo. G. Dec. 06, 1836

Gilbert, W. H. Dec. 23, 1842

Gooden, Daniel Dec. 05, 1836

Gould, Mark Dec. 11, 1839

[Gownsend], Luther Dec. 17, 1839

Grant, Aldin July 28, 1834

Hammond, William B. Jan. 1843

[Harley, G. A.] Jan. 8, [1841]

Harris, F. D. Dec. 16, 1839 to [Miss Crocker]

Hemenway, Asa Dec. 06, 1836

Hill, Henry (ABCFM)/Brown, N[ancy] March 26, 1833

Hosford, B.F. Dec. 12, 1839

Hoyte, M. A. Nov. 05, 1841 to [Nancy] Proctor

Johnson, Gideon S. Dec. 16, 1839

Kingsley, Henry Dec. 14, 1839

Laurie, T[homas] Jan. 24, 1839 to Mrs. Stafford

Laurie, Thomas Nov. 21, 1839 to Mrs. Holmes

Laurie, T. Jan. 11, 1841

Leighton, S. S. Dec. 13, 1839

Menvile, Horatio Jan. 13, 1842

Meyers, [?] Nov. 17, 1845 to [Nancy] Proctor

Miller, Simon Jan. 02, 1843

Murras, Francis Nov. 29, 1846 to [Nancy] Proctor

Murray, Francis Dec. 29, 1846 to [Nancy] Proctor

Nichols, W.A. Dec. 05, 1836

[Numile], Horation Jan. 02, 1842

[Parmeler, A. J. C.] Jan. 13

Peabody, Josiah Dec. 10, 1836

Peabody, S. Dec. 13, 1839

Peet, L. B. Dec. 07,1836

[Petti...], P. C. Dec. 16, 1839

Phostiz, John Dec. 10

Powers, Dennis Dec. 13, 1836

Porter, William Feb. 02, 1844

Porter, William Nov. 26, 1844 to [Nancy] Proctor

Prescott, Kinne Dec. 14, 1834

Ramney, J. E. Dec. 10, 1839

Ranney, Tim E. Dec. 09, 1841

[Richards, ?] Jan. 14, 1842 to Mrs. Coleman

[Ridden], John S. Dec. 13, 1839

Ripley, E. Dec. 02, 1843

Rowell, G. B. Dec. 13, 1839

Rowell, G. B. Jan. 08, 1840

Rup, Marcus Dec. 24, 1842

Schory, [?] Jan. 23, 1842

[Sgria, Ebeanezar H.] Dec. 1841

Sheldon, L. H. Dec. 13, 1839

Sheldon, L. H. Jan. 11, 1841

Sheldon, L. H. Jan. 14, 1842

Spaulding, Benjamin Dec. 27, 1842

Smith, [Ezra] C. Dec. 16, [1839]

Smith, J. C. Dec. 13, 1839

[Sove, Wm. Dr. Sop] April 25, 1845 to [Nancy] Proctor

[Squire, Ebw H.] Dec. 26, 1842

Stearns, J. H. Jan. 05, 1843

Stevens, Alfred Dec. 16, 1839

Stone, S. M. Dec. 14, 1839

Stone, S. M. Dec. 09, 1841

Stone, W. B. Dec. 14, 1839

Stratton, John H. Nov. 19, [1842]

Stratton, J. M. January 12, 1843

Swift, [E. G.] Dec. 12, 1839

Taylor, James A. Jan. 11, 1842 to Mrs. Holmes

Taylor, Lathrop Dec. [1839?]

Taylor, Lathrop Jan. 15, 1842 to Mrs. Stafford

[Taylor], L. Jan. 1841

Taylor, Timothy Dec. 13, 1836

Townsend, Luther Jan. 08, 1842

Trowbridge, Anna Nov. 24 to Mrs. Holmes

[Tucker], Elizah January 09, 1841

Turner, E. B. Jan. 12, 1842 to Mrs. Holmes

Turner, Edwin Dec. 26, 1842

Turner, [T. E.] Dec. 16, 1839

Trowbridge, Anna Dec. 11, 1839

Wheeler, Leonard H. Dec. 17, 1839

Whipple, W. M. Dec. 1842 to Mr. Strattton Forcs

Whiting, C. n.d.

Wilder, R. G. Jan. 09, 1841

Willey, Worcester Jan. 16, 1839

Wing, A. Dec. 26, 1842

Woods, Leonard Aug. 22, 1845

[Wulken], Wm. Dec. 16, 1839

no name listed Dec. 10, 1836

Craigville, MA. Christian Camp Meeting Association

Records, 1872 - 1975

RG 1099

3 linear feet

No Access Restrictions.

Processed by Gwen Simpson, December 2000.

Copyright: requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the archivist or librarian.

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Introduction

Please see photocopied pages for a history of Craigville, MA and the Christian Camp Meeting Association compiled by Marion Vuilleumier. The pages were taken from Craigville Then and Now and Craigville on Old Cape Cod. These books are part of Series III: Centenary, folder 2/4. Please look at these books to gain more information and see photos that document the period. Copies of this information can be sent upon request.

This is a brief list of important dates chosen from a larger time line found on page 39 of Craigville on Old Cape Cod.

1871 New England Convention of Christian Churches voted to establish a Camp Meeting at the Perry Farm in Barnstable

1872 Christian Camp Meeting Association Formed

First ten - day camp meeting at Camp Christian

1882 Craigville named for Dr. J. Austin Craig after his death

1888 800 feet of Beach purchased

1923 Craigville Visitor established

1924 Town took 168 feet of Beach by eminent domain

1931 Merger of Christian and Congregational Churches

Grove cottage given to the Association by Dr. Charles A. Groves.

1945 Present beach house built

1950 Beach parking lot purchased

1956 Stained glass window installed in Tabernacle chancel

1958 Stained glass window installed over Tabernacle door

1960 Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ, lease property

Craigville Chronicle established

1962 Manor and Lodge acquired

Year - round programs accommodated

1972 Centennial Celebration

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Scope and Content

Series I: Christian Camp Meeting Association, Records and Correspondence, 1939 - 1962

The Records and Correspondence contained in these folders all relate to the business of the CCMA. They are arranged in reverse chronological order.

Series II : Christian Camp Meeting Association, Secretaries Minutes, 1872 - 1874 and 1911 - 1974

Subseries 1:

These records were created by a number of secretaries of the CCMA and are arranged in chronological order. The first folder is quite old, consisting of records from 1872 - 1874. These records include a hand written copy of the original constitution and the by - laws. Please see Series VII: subseries 2 for a Photostat copy of the constitution. The two last folders (not numbered) contain bound records from 1911 - 1934 and 1952 - 1954 respectively.

Subseries 2:

Herbert Beech and Donald Hurlburt, 1923 - 1935

This series contains records from when each of these two men were Secretary. The records were found separate from the other secretary papers.

Subseries 3:

Records relating to the Beach Association

Series III: Centenary

These folders include newspaper articles, ephemera, correspondence, historical data, bulletins, items relating to the Centenary committee.

Series IV: James Buffington

This series includes many of the records and correspondence that James Buffington created and collected during the period in which he served on the Christian Camp Meeting Association as President. Also included is a folder of records from a Vice President serving under James Buffington in 1963 and 1969. Lastly, a folder of correspondence and records relating to the Post Office and a folder of correspondence relating to the Beach and its abutting properties is included.

Subseries 1:

Records and Memoirs

Subseries 2:

Correspondence, 1943 - 1966

Subseries 3:

Notes and Comments of the President. This consists of three books: 1950 - 1954, 1954 - 1961, and 1961 - 1963.

Subseries 4:

Records of the Vice President, 1963 and 1969

Subseries 5:

Records relating to the Post Office, 1957 and 1966

Subseries 6:

Correspondence regarding the Craigville Beach and abutting properties

Series V: Tabernacle

This series consists of records, correspondence and ephemera relating to the Tabernacle in Craigville. The folders are organized as follows: Bulletins, Ephemera, Correspondence, Important votes and events, Attendance and offerings, Financial.

Series VI: Financial Records

Subseries 1:

Chronological Records, 1873 and 1924 - 1973. The records are organized in reverse chronological order and were created by various treasurers of the Christian Camp Meeting Association.

Subseries 2:

Treasurer's Books. This consists of six books: 1950 - 1951*, 1944 - 1955, 1939 - 1949*, 1939 - 1943, 1928 - 1933, and 1872 - 1914*.

Subseries 3:

Pages from ledgers, contracts with utility companies and misc. correspondence.

Series VII: Deeds, Indentures, Titles, Plans and Blueprints

Subseries 1:

Deeds, Indentures and Titles, 1872 - 1960. These are in chronological order and in box 7.

Subseries 2:

Plans and Blueprints. These items organized in chronological order.

Subseries 3:

Records relating to leases.

Series VIII: Ephemera

Folders are organized by subject and consist of: Constitution, The Craigville Chronicle*, The Craigville Visitor, Newspaper Clippings*, Photographs and Map*, Programs and small books on Craigville History.

Indicates that items are stored in box 7.

**Indicates that items are stored in the oversized folder.

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Folder List

Box 1

Series I: Christian Camp Meeting Association, Records and Correspondence, 1939 - 1962

Folders are arranged in reverse chronological order; each year has its own folder from 1942 - 1962. 1941 and 1939 folder 22.

Box 2

Series II: Christian Camp Meeting Association, Secretaries Minutes, 1872 - 1874 and 1911 - 1974

Subseries 1: Early board meetings

Folder 1: The constitution and by - laws*

Folders 2 - 33: Chronological order. 1929, 1935 - 1957. Then folders were organized 1957 - 1958, 1958 - 1959, etc. This box ends with 1964 - 1965.

*Indicates that an item is stored in the oversized folder.

Box 3

Series II: Continued

Subseries 1: Early board meetings

Folders 34 - 43: 1965 - 1966 through 1974 - 1975

Folder 44: Loose - leaf reports, 1929 - 1955

Folder 45: Sample membership applications

Folder 46: Correspondence and Records sent to or given to the Secretary from the Treasurer.

The two last folders (not numbered) contain bound records from 1911 - 1934 and 1952 - 1954 respectively.

Subseries 2: Herbert Beech and Donald Hurlburt, 1923 - 1935

Folders arranged chronologically from 1923 - 1924, 1927 - 1935.

Subseries 3: Records relating to the Beach Association

Items remain in the order they were found. Three items relate to a discussion with the Town regarding public access to the beach.

Box 4

 

Series III: Centenary

Folder 1 and 3: In the original order as found.

Folder 2: Ephemera, Books on Craigville History and Bulletins

Folder 4: Oversized and News clippings

Series IV: James Buffington

Subseries 1: Records and Memoirs

Subseries 2: Correspondence, 1943 - 1966

Folder 1: 1943 - 1949

Folder 2: 1950 - 1959

Folder 3: 1960 - 1966

Subseries 3: Notes and Comments of the President.

Folder 1: Book, 1950 - 1954

Folder 2: Book, 1954 - 1961

Folder 3: Book, 1961 - 1963

Subseries 4: Records of the Vice President, 1963 and 1969

Subseries 5: Records relating to the Post Office, 1957 and 1966

Subseries 6: Correspondence regarding the Craigville Beach and abutting properties

Series V: Tabernacle

Folder 1: Bulletins

Folder 2: Ephemera

Folder 3: Correspondence

Folder 4: Important votes and events

Folder 5: Attendance and offerings

Folder 6: Financial

*Indicates that the items are stored in box 7.

Box 5

Series VI: Financial Records

Subseries 1: Chronological Records, 1873 and 1924 - 1973.

Folders arranged reverse chronologically from 1973, 1971 - 1945, 1941, 1939 - 1938, 1929 - 1928, 1926, 1924, 1873.

Subseries 2: Treasurer's Books.

Folder 1: Book, 1944 - 1955

Folder 2: Book, 1939 - 1943

Folder 3: Book, 1928 - 1933

Book, 1950 - 1951*

Book, 1939 - 1949*

Book, 1872 - 1914

Subseries 3: Pages from ledgers, contracts with utility companies and misc. correspondence.*

*Indicates that the items are stored in box 7.

Box 6

Series VIII: Ephemera

Folder 1: Constitution

Folder 2: The Craigville Chronicle*

Folder 3: The Craigville Visitor

Folder 4: Newspaper Clippings*

Folder 5: Photographs and (Map**)

Folder 6: Programs and small books on Craigville History

*Indicates that the some or all of the items are stored in box 7.

**Indicates that the item is stored in the oversized folder.

Box 7

Series III: Centenary Folder 4

: Oversized and News clippings

Series VI: Financial Records

Subseries 2: Treasurer's Books

Book, 1950 - 1951

Book, 1939 - 1949

Book, 1872 - 1914

Subseries 3: Pages from ledgers, contracts with utility companies and misc. correspondence.

Series VII: Deeds, Indentures, Titles, Plans and Blueprints

Subseries 1: Deeds, Indentures and Titles, 1872 - 1960.

Folder 1: 1872 - 1890

Folder 2: 1900 - 1915

Folder 3: 1920 - 1928

Folder 4: 1930 - 1960

Subseries 3: Records relating to leases

Series VIII: Ephemera

Folder 2: The Craigville Chronicle

Folder 4: Newspaper Clippings

Oversized folder

Item 1: Perry Map (from Series III)

Item 2: Constitution - Photostat copy (from Series II)

Series VII: Deeds, Indentures, Titles, Plans and Blueprints

Subseries 2: Plans and Blueprints, 1872 - 1937

Item 3: Perry's Plan of Cottage Lots, Christian Camp Ground, 1872

Item 4: Grounds of the CCMA at Craigville, Barnstable Co., MA, 1895

Item 5: Plan of Ocean Ave, 1905

Item 6: Plat Index, Bathhouse sites, CCMA, 1907

Item 7: CCMA New Craigville Beach Plan, 1917

Item 8: Plan of Land in Barnstable, MA, 1924

Item 9: Grounds of the CCMA at Craigville, Barnstable Co., MA, copy made 1928

Item 10: Plan of Land in Barnstable, 1930

Item 11: Perry's Plan of Cottage Lots, Christian Camp Ground, copy made 1937