Scope & content
This collection consists of the papers of three generations of the Blaine and MacLellan families, who resided in Newport from 1882 to 1986. Alexander MacLellan (1856-1939) emigrated from Scotland in 1882, and served as a head gardener at several large estates. His daughter Rowena (1886-1965) married jeweler Joseph W. Blaine (1875-1953). Their son Joseph W. Blaine Jr. (1920-1986) was an electrical engineer who retired young to devote himself to the study of history. More extensive notes on each can be found preceding the inventories for each subgroup.
Sources used in writing this finding aid, in addition to the papers, include Newport directories, 1882-1986; the Social Security Death Index; and the 1900 U.S. Census, Rhode Island E.D. 217, page 10.