Guide to the Daniel March family papers , 1769-1871

(bulk 1798-1835)

Brown University Library, University Archives
Box A, John Hay Library
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2148
E-mail: archives@brown.edu

Published in 2009

Collection Overview

Title:	Daniel March family papers
Date range:	1769-1871, (bulk 1798-1835)
Creator:	March family
Extent:	1 linear foot
Abstract:	The Daniel March family papers consists of correspondence, notebooks, written works, debts, official documents, newspaper/print clippings, printed pamphlets and student papers from Brown University 1802-1806.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	Brown University Library, University Archives
Collection number:	MS-1U-M5

Scope & content

The Daniel March family papers provides an intriguing view of the life and thoughts of Daniel March, a young man in the early 1800s as well as a window into the March Family from 1769-1871. The collection consists of correspondence, essays, receipts, newspaper clippings, notebooks, poetry, orations, silhouettes, and two dramatic dialogs. The majority of the written material comes from Daniel March (1786-1807) who graduated from Brown University in 1806. His collected essays discuss a variety of topics including conversation, honor, suicide, patriotism, duels, education, envy, military duty, local prejudice, dancing, capital punishment, knowledge, death, and women’s hats. Also included are poems, many of them by Daniel, some as yet unidentified. The poetry, like the essays, deal with a wide range of topics from the light-hearted “The Folly Sailor” to the brooding “The Hermit-the Storm”. Within the essays and orations are several references to the “Philandrian Society” to which Daniel appears to have belonged. The correspondence contains letters from various March family members and their extended family. The letters deal largely with family news, deaths, births, illnesses, education, travel, daily life and some business dealings. Included with the more traditional letters are notes for debts owed or paid by the family, term bills for Daniel March’s time at Brown University, letters of merit, invitations and a court summons from 1777.

Access Points

Subject Names

• Bullen, John R.
• Bullen, Lydia
• March, Daniel, (1786-1807)
• March, George
• March, Oliver
• March, Prudence
• March-Robinson, Hannah
• Robinson, George

Subject Topics

• Rhode Island -- Social life and customs - 19th century
• Rhode Island -- History -- 19th century
• Brown University -- Students -- 19th century
• Sutton (Mass. : Town)--History

Subject Topics

• Education

Document Types

• Letters (correspondence)
• Clippings (information artifacts)
• Notebooks
• Poetry
• Receipts (financial records)
• Essays
• Dialogues

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into the following 4 series:

• Series 1: Correspondence (1789-1839)
• Series 2: Notebooks
• Series 3: Works
• Series 4: Miscellaneous

Biographical note

Daniel March was born in Sutton Massachusetts in 1786 to Stephen and Prudence March. He graduated from Brown University in 1806. He died in 1807 at the age of 20. Daniel March was the brother of Hannah, George, and Oliver March. Prudence March had a sister named Lydia Bullen. She and her son John Rawson Bullen wrote letters that are included in the collection of correspondence. Lydia Bullen makes reference in her letters to John (mentioned above) and Sally as well as to three of her other children whose names are not given. It is possible that one of these children is also called Daniel as Lydia mentions a Daniel in one of her letters to her sister Prudence. Rawson might be Lydia and Prudence’s maiden name since “Grandfather Rawson” is mentioned by John Rawson Bullen in one of his letters to his cousin Daniel March. There are assorted relatives, “Uncle Holmes”, “Uncle Hutchinson,” “Aunt Bridgham”. “Uncle Jacob”, mentioned by John Rawson Bullen as well as “Brother Rawson” referenced by Lydia Bullen, This information was discovered after a cursory reading of the family correspondence.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials:	Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation:	Daniel March family papers, MS-1U-M5, Brown University Archives.
Contact information:	Brown University Library, University Archives Box A, John Hay Library Providence, RI 02912 Tel: 401-863-2148 E-mail: archives@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	There is no information on who donated the collection or when.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Lindsay Sullivan.
Encoding:	Finding aid encoded by Lindsay Sullivan 2009 December 11
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Inventory

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