Pinkham family correspondence, 1855-1877
John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu
Published in 2014
Collection Overview
| Title: | Pinkham family correspondence |
| Date range: | 1855-1877 |
| Creator: | Pinkham family |
| Extent: | 0.25 Linear feet |
| Abstract: | The Pinkham family correspondence consists of letters between members of the Pinkham family, a prominent Nantucket family in the whaling business, and with their acquaintances. The letters, dating from 1855-1877, cover topics including family and social life in Nantucket, New Bedford, and Providence, with some discussion of national politics. This collection was originally part of a larger collection on whaling donated by Carleton D. Morse (Brown University Class of 1913). |
| Language of materials: | English |
| Repository: | John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts |
| Collection number: | Ms.85.16 |
Scope & content
The Brown University Library's collection of Pinkham family correspondence represent a small portion of a larger collection of family correspondence pertaining to the lives of a prominent Nantucket family intimately involved in the whaling business. (Related materials may be found at the Nantucket Historical Association).The letters in this collection are chiefly directed to Malvina F. Pinkham (who married Joseph Marshall in Nantucket in 1846) and Elizabeth Pinkham (who married William H. Crosby on Nantucket in 1834), both of whom relocated to the New Bedford area after marriage. The letters include much discussion of social life in Nantucket (Mass.), New Bedford (Mass.) and Providence (R.I.), as well as national politics and family life.
Although purchased by Carleton D. Morse for his collection on whaling, there is little discussion of whaling in the letters.
Access Points
Subject Names- Coffin, Andrew, b. 1816
- Crosby, Elizabeth C. Pinkham, 1816-1897
- Crosby, Martha B.
- Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
- Macy, Philip
- Marshall, Joseph, 1811-1879
- Marshall, Malvina Fitzalan Pinkham, 1820-1885
- Morse, Carleton D. (Carleton Doty), 1890-1955
- Pinkham, Seth
- Richter, Maria
- Nantucket (Mass.)--Social life and customs--19th century
- New Bedford (Mass.)--History--19th century
- New Bedford (Mass.)--Social life and customs--19th century
- Providence (R.I.)--Social life and customs--19th century
- Society of Friends--Massachusetts--New Bedford
Arrangement
The collection is arranged chronologically in a single series.
Biographical/Historical note
Elizabeth Pinkham Crosby (b. 1816) and Malvina F. Pinkham Marshall (b. 1820) were the daughters of Capt. Seth Pinkham, a Nantucket whaler, and his wife Mary (Brown) Pinkham. The girls were raised on Nantucket, along with their sisters Harriett (b. 1828), Helen (later the wife of Joseph Belcher of Providence), Mary (b. 1814) and Rebecca (b. 1818) and their brother Seth, who followed their father into the whaling business.Elizabeth married William H. Crosby in 1834, and Malvina married whaling captain Joseph Marshall (whose second wife she became) in 1846.
The family home on Nantucket, built in 1826 and called the Captain Seth Pinkham House, is now preserved as a historic heritage property. A biographical novel about their father, based on his manuscript logs, journals and correspondence, was published in 1932 under the title Through the Hawse-Hole.
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. |
| Alternate form: | Digital facsimiles of items from this collection are available from within the online finding aid. |
| Preferred citation: | Pinkham family correspondence, Ms. 85.16, Brown University Library. |
| Contact information: | John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts Box A Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148 Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu |
Administrative Information
| ABOUT THE COLLECTION | |
| Acquisition: | Received from Doris G. Morse (widow of Carleton D. Morse) between 1957 and 1962. |
| ABOUT THE FINDING AID | |
| Author: | Finding aid prepared by Dov Frede. |
| Encoding: | This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2014-12-11 |
Additional Information
| Related material: | The Nantucket Historical Association Research Library has two collections with Pinkham family papers:
Nantucket Historical Association Research Library
|
| Separated material: | One set of papers, originally affiliated with the Pinkham family correspondence, was processed, cataloged, and housed separately: Carleton D. Morse whaling collection, 1762-1964. |
| Location/Existence of copies: | Digital facsimiles of items from this collection are available from within the online finding aid. |
Inventory
| Box 1 |
Brother to Pinkham, Malvina F.
Constitution 4.0 pages Contents Note: Marriage announcement between B. Penniman and N. Bedford. Anticipation of creator's marriage proposal. Accession Number: A55770[16] Genre: autograph letter Brother Marshall, Malvina Fitzalan Pinkham, 1820-1885 |
1857 Sep 6 |
| Box 1 |
Elizabeth to Unknown
Tremont Iron Works Depot 10.0 pages Contents Note: Letter written en route by train. Mary and Henry's purchase of Capt. Frederick Chase's Sailing Street house. Henry's relief of a ship wrecked by the Falkland Islands. Receipt of word from Joseph and Malvina Pinkham. Renovation of Benjamin's house. Capt. Elisha Fisher's wife's discontentment. Locke's empiricism. Joseph's trip to Calcutta. Maria Whitehill. Accession Number: A55770[22] Genre: autograph letter signed Elizabeth Unknown |
1860 Sep 17 |
| Box 1 |
Elizabeth to Unknown
Tremont Iron Works Depot pages 5-6 Contents Note: Letter-writing. Accession Number: A55770[23] Genre: autograph letter fragment, signed Elizabeth Unknown |
1860 Sep 17 |
| Box 1 |
Brother to Pinkham, Malvina F.
Bloomingdale 8.0 pages Contents Note: Author and mother's domestic management and discusses coin collection. Accession Number: A55770[17] Genre: autograph letter Brother Marshall, Malvina Fitzalan Pinkham, 1820-1885 |
1860 Nov 18 |
| Box 1 |
Brother to Pinkham, Malvina F.
Bloomingdale 8.0 pages Contents Note: Notification of secession of several states and hopes for peace-making once Lincoln takes office. Remembrance of Joseph Marsdale's courting of Malvina. Enjoyment of sleigh-riding. Notice of Priscilla Chasey to Mr. Almy of Providence. Author offers to supply clothing to Malvina. George Marshall, aunt, and John Mather's separate deaths. Skating and housekeeping. Author's invitation to visit. Accession Number: A55770[18] Genre: autograph letter signed Brother Marshall, Malvina Fitzalan Pinkham, 1820-1885 |
1861 Jan 27 |
| Box 1 |
Elizabeth to Brother
Boston 3.0 pages Contents Note: Mother's decline and Luther's refusal to care for her. Accession Number: A55770[19] Genre: autograph letter signed Brother Elizabeth |
1861 Apr 5 |
| Box 1 |
Brother to Pinkham, Malvina F.
San Francisco 8.0 pages Contents Note: Response to Malvina's previous accusations regarding financial relations with Joseph. Author's defense against Malvina's accusations, specifically his hospitality to Joseph in San Francisco. Accession Number: A55770[20] Genre: autograph letter signed Brother Marshall, Malvina Fitzalan Pinkham, 1820-1885 |
1863 Apr 19 |
| Box 1 |
Pinkham, Seth to Sister
Oakland 2.0 pages Contents Note: Appreciation for letting author visit. Accession Number: A55770[24] Genre: autograph letter signed Pinkham, Seth Sister |
1877 Mar 23 |
| Box 1 |
Coffin, Andrew to Pinkham, Malvina F. 2.0 pages Contents Note: Notice of accompaniment to the Lyceum. Accession Number: A55770[2] Genre: autograph letter Coffin, Andrew, b. 1816 Marshall, Malvina Fitzalan Pinkham, 1820-1885 |
18-- Feb 20 |
| Box 1 |
Crosby, Martha B. to Pinkham, Malvina F. 2.0 pages Contents Note: Notice of expected visitation by friends. Accession Number: A55770[3] Genre: autograph letter Crosby, Martha B. Marshall, Malvina Fitzalan Pinkham, 1820-1885 |
18-- Oct 31 |
| Box 1 |
Macy, Phillip to Pinkham, Malvina F. 2.0 pages Contents Note: Macy anticipates meeting Pinkham at concert. Accession Number: A55770[9] Genre: autograph letter signed Macy, Phillip Marshall, Malvina Fitzalan Pinkham, 1820-1885 |
undated |
| Box 1 |
Marshall, Joseph to Pinkham, Malvina F. 2.0 pages Contents Note: Marshall requests interview with Pinkham. Accession Number: A55770[11] Genre: autograph letter signed Marshall, Joseph Marshall, Malvina Fitzalan Pinkham, 1820-1885 |
undated |
| Box 1 |
Richter, Maria to Friend 1.0 page Contents Note: Invitation Accession Number: A55770[25] Genre: autograph letter Friend Richter, Maria |
undated |
| Box 1 |
Brother to Sister 4.0 pages Contents Note: Apology and hopes for reconciliation over dispute concerning Joseph. Accession Number: A55770[21] Genre: autograph letter fragment, signed Brother Sister |
undated |