Gerrish-Kimball Collection, 1706-1884 – MS121.1
Provenance: Gift of Leonora C. Welsher.
Citation: Gerrish-Kimball Papers (MS121.1), Manuscript Collections, Portsmouth Athenaeum
Size: 1/2 Hollinger Boxes (.25 linear ft.)
Access: Limited Access – Consult Reference Librarian
Processed by: Susan Stowe Kindstedt, 2017
Scope and Content
This collection includes additions to items given by the same donor in MS121. Items are related to the same individuals represented in the original collection, members of the Kimball and Gerrish families. The first part of the collection includes items that appear to have been collected by either Harriet McEwen Kimball or Arthur S. Gerrish. The first folder contains some handwritten sheet music with a note by Harriet McEwen Kimball. The next folders contain letters to Harriet McEwen Kimball which appear to have been collected and organized by her nephew Arthur S. Gerrish who lived in Portsmouth with his mother (Caroline Parker Kimball Gerrish) and grandparents, David and Caroline Rebecca (Swett) Kimball. These letters and the autograph collection that follows are from nineteenth century authors, actors, editors and political figures of national significance. The autograph collection appears to have been kept by Arthur S. Gerrish and Harriet McEwen Kimball.
Biographical Note
Harriet McEwan Kimball (1834-1917) was the daughter of Caroline Rebecca (Swett) and David Kimball born in Portsmouth November 2, 1834. Harriet was a Roman Catholic who was a published poet and hymn writer. Her hymns include: “At Times on Tabor’s Height,” “Faith and Joy,” “Dear Lord to Thee Alone,” “Lent; It is an easy thing to say,” “Humble Servant; We have no tears Thou wilt not dry,” and “Affliction.” She was friends with many contemporary poets including John Greenleaf Whittier. She donated funds to help the Portsmouth Cottage Hospital to open in 1884. She lived in the family home on Austin Street.
Folder Listing:
Box 1
Folder 1
Handwritten sheet music with note by Harriet McEwen Kimball in 1867: “Copied by Joseph Dana, Esq. for my Grandmother Swett about 60 years ago.”
Folder 2
Letters from William Winter to Caroline Kimball. William Winter (1836-1917) American dramatic critic and author. Letters discuss publication of books and poetry, as well as associates, such as Thomas Bailey Aldrich.
Folder 3
1862 Oct 16 M. A. Dodge (Hamilton, Massachusetts) to Harriet M. Kimball, general greetings
1863 Feb 25 M. A. Dodge (Hamilton, Massachusetts) to Harriet M. Kimball, general greetings
1866 Dec 4 James T. Fields (Boston) to Harriet M. Kimball, thanking for her sending “your beautiful volume.” James T. Fields (1817-1881) was an American poet, publisher (Atlantic Monthly) and editor.
1867 May 8 Charles W. Stoddard (San Francisco) to Harriet M. Kimball, regarding publication of poetry. Charles W. Stoddard (1843-1909) was an American author and editor.
1867 Aug 9 Helen Hunt (Bethlehem, NH) to Harriet M. Kimball, general greetings. Helen Hunt Jackson (1830-1885) was an American poet, writer and activist.
1869 April 21 Lucy —–, Fields Osgood & Co. to Harriet M. Kimball, regarding a poetry prize and submissions for publication
1870 Apr 6 Daniel M. Haskell to Harriet M. Kimball, regarding poetry and verse
1873 June 7 Thomas Bailey Aldrich to Harriet M. Kimball, personal greetings, regarding his home in “Lowell’s beloved ‘Elmwood.'” Thomas Bailey Aldrich (1837-1907) was an American poet, author, critic and editor.
1874 John Whittier (Amesbury, Massachusetts) to Harriet M. Kimball, general greetings. John Greeleaf Whittier (1807-1892) was an American poet and abolitionist.
1878 Apr 3 Hor[ace] Binney Sargent to Harriet M. Kimball, thanking her for her “Fairy” poem. Horace Binney Sargent (1821-1908) was an American soldier and politician.
1879 Nov 29 Arthur Gilman to Harriet M. Kimball [presumed], regarding a poem. Arthur Gilman (1837-1909) was an American educator.
1880 Aug 24 Epes Sergent to Harriet M. Kimball, regarding biographical information for a “Cyclopedia of British and American Poetry.” Epes Sargent (1913-1880) was an American editor, poet and playwright.
1880 Sept 8 Harriet Beecher Stowe to unidentified, general greetings and possible visit. Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896) was an American abolitionist and author.
1881 July 21 Oliver Wendell Holmes to unidentified, reply to unspecified request. Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894) was an American poet and writer.
1881 Aug 1 Thomas Bailey Aldrich to unidentified, regarding autographs from Dr. Holmes and Edwin Booth
1882 Feb 16 Paul Hamilton Hayne to unidentified, quick note, complying with request. Paul Hamilton Hayne (1830-1886) was a Southern American poet, critic and editor.
1883 March 19 Henry Ward Beecher to unidentified, invitation to a “social gathering to be held in the Sunday School room… expressing to our friends Mr & Mrs Halliday our appreciation of their untiring devotion to Plymouth Church.” Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887) was a Congregationalist clergyman, social reformer, abolitionist and speaker.
1884 June 15 A[ndrew] P. Peabody to Harriet M. Kimball, regarding publication of HMK’s poetry. Andrew Preston Peabody (1811-1893) was an American clergyman and author.
Undated Edgar Fawcett to unidentified, regarding author’s poem, Pigeon’s and poem, Doves. Edgar Fawcett (1847-1904) was an American author and poet
Undated Celia and Will to Harriet McEwen Kimball, marked “My dear Celia’s last letter – unfinished, by her!” Letter is from an unidentified Celia regarding her illness. It is finished in a second handwriting, signed “Will,” regarding the serious illness (cancerous tumor in stomach) of the letter’s author.
Folder 4
Autograph Collection of Arthur Gerrish (and Harriet McEwen Kimball)
1881 Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885) 18th President of the United States
1881 Henry W. Longfellow (1807-1882) American poet and educator
1882 W. D. Howells (1837-1920) American realist novelist, literary critic, and playwright
Undated Caleb Cushing (1800-1879) Attorney General under President Franklin Pierce
Undated Edwin Booth (1833-1893) American actor and brother of John Wilkes Booth
Undated Chester A. Arthur (1829-1886) 21st President of the United States
Undated Joseph Jefferson (1829-1905) American actor
Undated James G. Blaine (1830-1893) American politician, speaker of the House
Part II Items Related to Noyes Family
Folder 5
1801 November 2, J. H. [Jeremiah Hall] Woodman (Gilmanton, NH) to Parker Noyes (Salisbury, NH), Woodman references debts and mentions colleagues known by both men. Jeremiah Hall Woodman (1775-1854) was a lawyer practicing in Rochester, NH.
1801 December 26, — Thompson to Parker Noyes (Warner, NH), regarding a legal matter and payment for services.
1804 April 23, Parker Noyes (Salisbury, NH) to Robert Fletcher (Amherst, NH), draft with corrections, mentions Jonathan Harris, Daniel Fisher, Joseph Gerrish, Nathan Pearson and Moses Gerrish.
Folder 6 1809 Daniel Webster to Parker Noyes (Salisbury, NH). The first letter, written from Boston, is dated September 28 [no year] discusses exchange of pamphlets and publications between the two men with discussion of the Hamilloniad. The second letter, written from Portsmouth, is dated February 22, 1809 is brief and references a General Peabody at Haverhill. Daniel Webster (1782-1852), a Dartmouth educated lawyer and politician, served as United States Secretary of State and was born in Salisbury, NH.
Folder 7 1812 & 1829 Ezekiel Webster to Parker Noyes (Salisbury, NH). The first of three letters is dates January 1, 1810 and references a suit against Joseph Atkinson brought by Amos Atkins. The second letter is dated December 19, 1812 and references a bank note against J. W. Kelly and a letter by Mr. Thompson. The third letter is dated March 25, 1829 (two weeks before Ezekiel’s sudden death on April 10, 1829) and is a letter of introduction for a Mr. Wood of Loudon [or London] who may be interested in the Hadduck Store which Noyes appears to have some interest in. Ezekiel Webster (1780-1829) was the brother of Daniel Webster, also a Dartmouth educated lawyer from Salisbury, NH.
Folder 8
1816 April 18, Jacob —- (Bangor) to Parker Noyes (Salisbury, NH).
1817 December 30, Josiah Quincy (Quincy, MA) to Parker Noyes (Salisbury, NH), Quincy asks Noyes to send plans of a house recently built in Salisbury as he is planning to build a house. Quincy also asks a professional question about settling the estate of Mr. Wild [?sp]. Josiah Quincy III (1772-1864) was the son of Josiah Quincy II and Abigail Phillips born Boston. He attended Phillips Andover and Harvard. He practiced law and was a Mass State Representative (1805-1813), Mayor of Boston (1823-1828) and President of Harvard University (1829-1845).
Folder 9
1823 August 13 William M. Richardson (Chester, NH) to Parker Noyes (Salisbury, NH), Richardson has seen that Noyes been appointed justice. He then appears to offer Noyes advice about how to best handle the pressures of the appointment and perhaps his less than ideal health, “make haste slowly” he states. William Merchant Richardson (1774-1838) was born in Pelham, NH and was a 1797 graduate of Harvard who was a member of the twelfth and thirteenth Congresses. He was appointment US Attorney in 1814 and also moved to Portsmouth that year. He was Chief Justice of New Hampshire from 1816 until his death in 1838.
Folder 10
Undated, Jeremiah Smith to Parker Noyes (Salisbury, NH), Smith regarding payment, mentions J. Cross. Jeremiah Smith (1759-1842) was born in Peterborough, NH and attended Harvard University before graduating from Queens College (now Rutgers University). He was a member of the NH State Legislature (1798-1799), the United States House of Representatives (1791-1797), Judge of the US Circuit Court, and Governor of New Hampshire (1809-1810). He died in Exeter.
Folder 11
1706 Oct 14 Letter, Samuel Lillie (Boston) to John Walley (Boston)/[uncertain name] Merchant, London, England
Folder 12
Robert L. Harris Journal, 1849, Jamaica Plain. Discusses daily activities, gardening, and school lessons.
Folder 13
Unused stationery for Gerrish’s Battery (Civil War)
Folder 14
Six printed images (pages) of young women, praying, reading, doing needlework, drawing and playing music from “A Father’s Legacy to His Daughters” by the late Dr. Gregory of Edinburgh, Published by T. Hughes, London, 1816
Folder 15
Miscellaneous financial materials related to Lyman Cheney, ca. 1847
Folder 16
Miscellaneous correspondence:
1848 D. B. Stockholm (Ithaca, NY) to General Zachary Taylor regarding politics
1868 William Warren (Boston) to A. S. Gerrish mentions Boston Museum
1878 William —- to unknown, 1878
1886 George Washington Cable to A. S. Gerrish
Folder 17
Newspaper Clippings related to the death of David Kimball, 1885
Folder 18
1774 Printed by Richard Draper and Green and Russell, Boston, “Acts and Laws, Passed by the Great and General Court or Assembly…An Act for Supplying the Treasury with Three Thousand Pounds…An Act making further Provision for regulating Alewives Fishery in the Town of Bridgewater…An Act to prevent Neat Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Goats and Swine from going at large upon the Island of Chapaquidick at certain seasons of the year; and for preventing other Trespassers being done on any of the Indian Lands of said Island for the future…An Act to enable the Proprietors of Stow…[to tax the proprietors of their town]…An Act in Addition to and for rendering more essential an…Act to Prevent the Destruction of Salmon and other Fish in the Merrimack River…An Acts to impower the Inhabitants of the Town of Dartmouth to regulate the taking of Fish within the Harbours and Coves…An Act for granting unto His Majesty several rates and duties of Import and Tonnage of Shipping.”
Folder 19
Note to Harriet Kimball dated June 5, 1874 from Robert A. Harris with newspaper clipping attached regarding a poem of Kimballs that was plagiarized by a “Michigan Verse Writer.”
Folder 20
Scrapbook where materials were housed when donated to Athenaeum (empty)