RIAMCO

Rhode Island Archival and Manuscript Collections Online

For Participating Institutions

Harold Brown papers (Ms.2007.006.TEMP)

Brown University Library

Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146


Scope & content

This collection contains material dated from 1878 to 1920. Most is dated from late 1884 to 1900. It consists of personal and business correspondence to and from Harold Brown, various legal documents, correspondence related to Harold's purchase of property in Newport and the construction of his home there, a large number of bills addressed to Harold and to members of his family, two unpublished manuscripts, two cashbooks and a detailed accounting of his estate by his executors.

The largest part of Harold Brown's papers consists of additional material discovered in 2006. It was originally found in tightly folded bundles which were labeled "St. Columba's"(Series 3, Subseries C), "Letters" (now Series 3, Subseries I. Personal investments), "Bills Paid" (now Series 3, Subseries J. Miscellaneous bills paid), and "Vouchers for Debts" (Series 5, Subseries B). This material, from the years 1884 to 1900, provides a description of the everyday financial activities of a wealthy household in the late 19th century as well as some insight into the interests and activities of Harold Brown.

The material concerning the trust income from the John Carter Brown estate, Harold's personal investments, the cashbooks and the itemized accounting of Harold's estate provide detailed information about the sources and disposition of Harold's personal wealth and that of his family. Evidence of his many charitable, civic, and social activities can be seen in most of the material, especially in Series 2. Legal and Series 3. Financial papers and correspondence.

Information concerning Harold's purchase of the Walter H. Burns estate and the George Nugent-William T. Ropes estate in Newport is contained in Series 3, Subseries G. Real estate, as well as in Series 5, Subseries B. Vouchers for debts. Correspondence to and from the architect Dudley Newton and contracts with numerous builders and contractors are included.

Other correspondence in these series conveys a sense of the social climate of the times. For example, a letter from Herter Brothers in New York, dated September 1894, has printed on its letterhead "All agreements are conditional on the non-occurrence of strikes."