Charles Wilson Brown collection of Brown and Wilson family papers, 1846-1967


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 2023

Collection Overview

Title: Charles Wilson Brown collection of Brown and Wilson family papers
Date range: 1846-1967
Creator: Brown family
Extent: 1 linear_foot
1 linear ft. (1 records center box)
Abstract: The Charles Wilson Brown collection of Brown and Wilson family papers contain correspondence, manuscripts, and photographs related to Lanta Wilson Smith (Charles Brown's aunt), Rev. Henry Wheaton Brown (Charles Brown's father) and Rev. William Jones Wilson (Charles Brown's grandfather). The correspondence is largely written to or by Lanta Wilson Smith and includes some of her poetry; the remaining correspondence is written by or related to Rev. William Jones Wilson. Autobiographies of both Rev. Brown and Rev. Wilson can be found in the collection as can parish programs and related clippings. The photographs are of Maine churches and Rev. Wilson and his wife.
Language of materials: English
Repository: John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Collection number: Ms.97.3

Scope & content

This collection of approximately 62 items, dating from 1846 to 1967, consists of letters, clippings, cash books, and two autobiographies. These are mostly the papers of Lanta Wilson Smith (Charles Brown's aunt) as well as those of Rev. Henry Wheaton Brown (Charles Brown's father), and Rev. William Jones Wilson (Charles Brown's grandfather).

The correspondence (Series 1) letters from and to Lanta Wilson Smith and letters from others. Subsequent series contain manuscripts (including the autobiographies), printed items, newspaper clippings, and photographs.

Access Points

Subject Names Subject Organizations Subject Topics Document Types

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in six series:

  • Series 1. Correspondence
  • Series 2. Manuscripts
  • Series 3. Printed items
  • Series 4. Newspaper clippings
  • Series 5. Photographs
  • Series 6. Miscellaneous

The correspondence (Series 1) is broken up into three sections: A. Letters from Lanta Wilson Smith; B. Letters to Lanta Wilson Smith; and C. Letters to and from others; within those sections the letters are arranged alphabetically. Subsequent series contain manuscripts (including the autobiographies), printed items (arranged alphabetically), newspaper clippings (also arranged alphabetically), and photographs.

Biographical note

Charles Wilson Brown (1874-1974) received a BA in Philosophy from Brown University in 1900, and did graduate work in geology, first at Lawrence University in Wisconsin, then at Harvard University. In 1905 Charles Brown became a professor and the Head of the Geology Department at Brown University.

Professor Brown's father, the Rev. Henry Wheaton Brown (1846-?), was married to Abbie Ellen Wilson, daughter of Rev. William Jones Wilson. Rev. Brown served in the Civil War, went into business for a while, then served as a Methodist pastor in, among other states, Wisconsin, the Dakota Territory, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.

The Rev. William Jones Wilson (1818-1899) was married to Sedelia A. Follett and had two daughters, Abbie Ellen Wilson Brown (married to Rev. Henry Wheaton Brown) and Lanta Wilson Smith (married to Rev. C. Harley Smith). Rev. Wilson built up a church in Belfast, Maine, during his first years as a pastor. He later served in Nebraska, Wisconsin, and the Dakota Territory. His last pastorate was at Hingham, Massachusetts.

Lanta Wilson Smith wrote poems, songs, and hymns, notably "Scatter Sunshine" and "This Too, Will Pass Away". Mrs. Smith accompanied her husband to parishes throughout the Mid West and New England.

See Charles Wilson Brown, Encyclopedia Brunoniana for additional information on Professor Brown.

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: Researchers are advised that express written permission to reproduce, quote, or otherwise publish any portion or extract from this collection must be obtained from the Brown University Library. Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. It is up to the researcher to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation: Charles Wilson Brown collection of Brown and Wilson family papers, Ms. 97.3, 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: Gift of Professor Charles Wilson Brown in 1971.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID  
Author: John Hay Library staff.
Encoding: This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-06-30.

Additional Information

Other information:

Inventory


Series 1. Correspondence, 1846-1938
Box 1, Folder 1-2

A. Letters from Lanta Wilson Smith

Container Description Date
Box 1, Folder 1 Fernald, O.H.
Contents Note: Note. Attached is typed genealogical information by Fernald about Rev. William J. Wilson and Rev. O. H. Fernald.

undated
Box 1, Folder 1 Thomas, Flora Bowles
Contents Note: Autograph letter signed on the death of Rev. Wm. J. Wilson.

1899 Apr 6

B. Letters to Lanta Wilson Smith

Container Description Date
Box 1, Folder 1 Gordon
Contents Note: Autograph letter signed. Letter: Attleboro Springs, Attleboro, MA, J.I. Bartholomew, Superintendent.

1938? Mar 19
Box 1, Folder 1 Thomas, Flora Bowles
Contents Note: Autograph letter signed.

1898 Dec 26

C. Letters to and from others

Container Description Date
Box 1, Folder 2 Brown, Abbie Ellen Wilson (Mrs. H. W. Brown) to Flora Bowles Thomas
Contents Note: Autograph letter signed. Includes envelope addressed to Master John Wesley Thomas, August 12, 1901, annotated.

1901 Aug 11
Box 1, Folder 2 Hedding, Elijah, Bishop.
Contents Note: Certificate of recommendation for William J. Wilson, Frankfort, ME.

1850 Jun 30
Box 1, Folder 2 Tibou?, David Howards? to Mrs. C. H. Smith.
Contents Note: Typed letter signed. Letterhead: United States Naval Home, Philadelphia, PA.

1909 Mar 26
Box 1, Folder 2 Waugh, Beverly, Bishop.
Contents Note: Certificate of recommendation for William J. Wilson, Hallowell, ME.

1846 Jul 5
Box 1, Folder 2 Wilson, William Jones to Sister Packard
Contents Note: Autograph letter signed

undated

Series 2. Manuscripts, 1896-1907
Box 1, Folder 3-4

A. Poems by Lanta Wilson Smith

Container Description Date
Box 1, Folder 3 Bar Harbor, ME; Harmony, ME; Bucksport, ME
Contents Note: Includes annotation: "To sister Abbie Ellen Wilson."

1896? Apr 17 and May 17 and Mar 9
Box 1, Folder 3 Eastine, ME
Contents Note: Includes "Flora First Grandchild." Annotated.

Jul 19

B. Autobiography

Container Description Date
Box 1, Codex 1 William Jones (1818-1899). Autobiography
Contents Note: Autograph manuscript. The original of this autobiography was partly burned. The manuscript was later recopied, and edited by his daughter Lanta Wilson Smith (Mrs. Charles Harley Smith), who also made additions to this copy. The manuscript includes mounted clippings and photographs. Dates noted in the manuscript are from 1896 to 1907.

undated
Box 1, Folder 4 Brown, Henry Wheaton (b. 1846). Autobiography
162 pages

Contents Note: Typed manuscript. Chapter headings include: Army Experience, Business Career, Literary Efforts (which contains many poems), and Ministerial Labors, among others.

undated
Box 1, Folder 4 Johnson, Henry W. to Brown, Henry Wheaton, letter
1916 Feb 18

Series 3. Printed items, 1849-1895
Box 1, Folder 5

Container Description Date
Box 1, Folder 5 Exhibition broadside
Contents Note: Poster for Sunday School exhibition at Lord's Hall. Annotated: "probably Ellsworth, ME, 1849."

Dec 10
Box 1, Folder 5 First Parish (Unitarian) in Hingham, MA
Contents Note: Small placard with information and photographs of the church.

undated
Box 1, Folder 5 Hingham Shipwrights (Ship Church) drawing
Contents Note: Tear sheet from magazine. Annotation explains that Rev. and Mrs. Wm. J. Wilson, their daughter Abbie and husband Rev. Henry W. Brown were buried in this cemetery.

undated
Box 1, Folder 5 Methodist Episcopal Church, Stoughton, MA
Contents Note: Clipping

undated
Box 1, Folder 5 Smith, Lanta Wilson, "Our Broken Walls"
Contents Note: Poem. Tear-sheet from a church pamphlet

undated
Box 1, Folder 5 Wilson, Rev. and Mrs. Golden Anniversary announcement card and invitation to reception.
Contents Note: Two cards and envelope (annotated)

1877 Jul 10
Box 1, Folder 5 Wilson, Mrs. Sedelia Follett, "Temperance Song"
Contents Note: Poem. Newspaper clipping, Springfield.

Oct 29
Box 1, Folder 5 Wilson, Rev. William Jones
Contents Note: Tear-sheet of a list of names and the dates and places where the person held a parish. Annotated.

undated
Box 1, Folder 5 Yankon College Conservatory Choral Union. Program for "Daniel, or the Captivity and Restoration"
Contents Note: Broadside.

1895 Feb 26

Series 4. Newspaper clippings, 1894-1967
Box 1, Folder 6

Container Description Date
Box 1, Folder 6 Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Prescott G. Golden Wedding anniversary article
undated
Box 1, Folder 6 Bowles, Flora S. and Arthur R. Thomas. Wedding annoucnement
undated
Box 1, Folder 6 "Hinghams's Historic Meeting House." Article on Ship Church, New York Times
1967 May 5
Box 1, Folder 6 "Milestone in the Bay State." Article on Ship Church, Hingham Meeting House, [New York Times?]
1956 Jul 15
Box 1, Folder 6 Thomas, Mr. [?] Obituary
Jun 25
Box 1, Folder 6 Thompson, Rev. J.S. Obituary written by H.W. Brown
1894 Apr 12, Apr 18
Box 1, Folder 6 Wilson, Sedelia Follett. Obituary written by H.W. Brown
1904 Dec 7
Box 1, Folder 6 Wilson, Williams Jones. "A Ministerial Family."
Contents Note: Article on Rev. Wilson and Sedelia Follett Wilson's Golden Wedding anniversary. Phenix, RI.

undated
Box 1, Folder 6 Wilson, William Jones. Two obituaries
1899 Mar 29
Box 1, Folder 6 Miscellaneous clippings
undated

Series 5. Photographs, 1868-1897
Box 1, Folder 7

Container Description Date
Box 1, Folder 7 Church, Belfast, ME
undated
Box 1, Folder 7 Glimpse of Church, Belfast, ME
undated
Box 1, Folder 7 Northport Campground, ME
Contents Note: Four photographs.

1897
Box 1, Folder 7 Tibou?, David Howards?
Contents Note: Signed

undated
Box 1, Folder 7 Wilson, Mrs. Sedelia Follett
Contents Note: C.W. Lucas, photographer. Brodhead, Wis.

1870?
Box 1, Folder 7 Wilson, William Jones
Contents Note: Two photographs, one is an enlargement of the other. Burlington, Wis.

1868?
Box 1, Folder 7 Wilson, Rev. and Mrs. William Jones?
Contents Note: Two printed copies of a photograph.

undated
Box 1, Folder 7 Woman with child. Unidentified
undated

Series 6. Miscellaneous, 1902, undated
Box 1, Folder 8

Container Description Date
Box 1, Folder 8 Envelope. "C. H. Warren, General Passenger agent" printed on it.
Contents Note: Annotated: "Nov. 21. 1902, The 100th birthday of Jacob Sleeper."

1902 Nov 21
Box 1, Folder 8 Handwritten note
undated