Harper Family Papers, 1777-1946, bulk 1807-1865

Title:

Harper Family Papers, 1777-1946, bulk 1807-1865

Creator:

Harper family

Accession / Call Number:

2014.103

Object ID:

2014.103

Date:

1777-1946

Physical Description:

4 boxes

Scope and Content:

The Harper Family Papers primarily relate to Joseph M. Harper (1787-1865), with small amounts of material of his son, Charles A. Harper (1818-1884) and his daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Harper Monmouth (1829-1887). Joseph Harper's early years are well recorded, as he kept a journal of his military service in the War of 1812 and wrote a short autobiographical summary of his childhood. The years with the most correspondence are those of his service in the United States Congress, 1834-1837, though there are also records of his activities as Justice of the Peace scattered throughout. For information about his medical practice, there is a daybook for one year, 1844-1845. Many (or all) of his appointments, certificates, memberships are documented by official papers designating the organization or office. Family correspondence records his son Charles getting into trouble early in his sophomore at Dartmouth (1835) and the illnesses of some elderly relatives in Maine. Charles A. Harper has few letters in this collection, but they discuss his life in San Antonio, TX, before the Civil War, and his attempt to make a life in Little Rock, AK, after (as well as the Dartmouth episode referred to above.) There are no letters written during or about the Civil War. For Sarah Elizabeth Harper Monmouth ("Lizzie"), there are few letters, but the folders of unsigned and undated poetry and essay manuscripts are probably largely hers. They are in several hands, so author attribution is difficult. Some are written on wall paper scraps. Her folders also contain copies of pamphlets she wrote about living on a sharply reduced income and decorating the "Worsted Church," where she served as lay reader in the 1870s. The photographs in the collection are notable for the 14 stereographs of Sarah Elizabeth Harper Monmouth's home, 8 interior and 6 exterior, with the decorations (similar to those in the church) of cut out bits of wall paper and handmade worsted swags and flowers for which she became famous.

Locations:

Canterbury, NH
Little Rock, AK
San Antonio, TX

People:

Harper, Joseph Merrill, 1787-1865

Credit Line:

Gift of Philip S. Harper, Jr.

Restrictions:

Available for research.

Level Description:

Collection