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[Collection of documents relating to religion and spirituality. See decimalized entries.]
1699-1980 ca.
GLC05508
to Joseph Lord
14 September 1699
Cotton, John, 1640-1699
Cotton writes from Charleston, South Carolina, where he had been called in 1698, to Joseph Lord, a minister at Dorchester, South Carolina. Lord had sailed to South Carolina with Cotton in November 1698. Speaks of mutual acquaintances in Charleston...
GLC05508.002
to Richard Waldron
21 July 1743
Pepperrell, William, 1696-1759
Pepperell reports his daughter and grandson very ill. He also mentions business matters.
GLC05508.009
to Jane Mecom
30 December 1770
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
Written to his sister concerning various matters, including stories of the threatened loss of his position as colonial postmaster, the difficulties he faces for expressing his political opinions, and sending some books Jane had asked for. Franklin...
GLC05508.003
to Polly Stockton
9 March 1790
Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813
On the second anniversary of his recovery from illness, Rush thanks his sister for nursing him. His illness left him with strong ideas of the vanity of wealth, the evil of Sin, etc. He continues by talking about his delight in reading John Wesley's...
GLC05508.011
to Rev. Jedediah Morse
1 September 1794
Green, Ashbel, 1762-1848
Green introduces Rev. Dr. Keith, a minister from the congregational church in Charleston, SC. He believes Morse will receive much pleasure from both Keith's preaching and his conversations. Green apologizes for not writing often, citing that his...
GLC05508.117
to Lydia Bradford
26 December 1795
Bradford, William, 1729-1808
Bradford gives condolence to his daughter, Lydia, for young men who died at sea, and expresses the sentiment that while this may be unfortunate "to us as men, it must be right as relative to Deity." He also mentions visiting a Roman Catholic church...
GLC05508.047
to Rev. William G. Cole
circa 1800
Jolly, Alexander, fl. 1800
Bishop Jolly writes that he hopes Cole will recover from an illness that developed on a recent trip. He attempts to dissuade Cole from taking any more trips. He assure Cole that the Episcopacy in Fraserburgh is the same as the Church of England...
GLC05508.151
to Sally Richards
2 September 1804
Huntington, Jedediah, 1743-1818
Huntington asks Richard's to commune and confess to Christ. He offers to help remove any doubts about religion she may have.
GLC05508.142
[I cannot bear thine absence Lord...]
circa 1810
Jay, William, fl. 1810
Jay writes: "I cannot bear thine absence Lord, / my life expires if thou depart; / Be thou my hear still near my God, / and Thou my God be near my heart."
GLC05508.148
3 May 1810
Furman, Richard, fl. 1810
Reverend Furman hopes that bad weather will keep the Reverend Morse's ship from sailing until the next day so he will be able to preach that night. He encloses copies of the letters Morse lent to him and remarks that he is glad to know that serious...
GLC05508.105
to Jedidiah Morse
15 May 1815
Adams, John, 1735-1826
Adams thanks Morse for his pamphlet "American Unitarianism" (Review of American Unitarianism, published in 1815), but comments that he heard the doctrines maintained 65 years ago by a number of ministers. Adams resists what he perceives as Morse's...
GLC05508.016
to his grandson
13 August 1815
Ellery, William, 1727-1820
Congratulates his grandson's wife's safe delivery of a baby boy. Advises that the child be taught piety and virtue from a very young age, so it will stay with him always. He also urges the mother to nurse the baby and "not suffer any silly ideas of...
GLC05508.097
to Robert Bolton
circa 1820
Hill, Rowland, fl. 1820
Rowland, an evangelical preacher, discusses a possible meeting with Mr. Jay somewhere between Wotten and Bath. Also, he also does not know the result of the correspondence between Mr. Potter and Bolton. Dated Saturday evening.
GLC05508.128
to Mrs. C. Mason
7 September 1825
Mason, Lowell, fl. 1825
Mason writes to his mother. He meditates on how children come to appreciate their parents as they grow older and hopes to see his mother next season. He expresses that it is more important that they meet in the next life than in this one, and relies...
GLC05508.179
to Editors
circa 1830-1843
Webster, Noah, 1758-1843
Webster responds to charges that he is against using the Bible in the classroom and stresses that he has endeavored to remove all objections to studying the Scripture in school. He believes that correcting the language is one way to remove such...
GLC05508.258
to James Savage
21 March 1831
May, Samuel J., 1797-1871
May asks Savage to read the new edition of his book, "Letter to Dr. Hawes," and to use his knowledge of early New England history to correct any mistakes. He asks Savage to pay special attention to the letter on the pilgrims, and discusses the...
GLC05508.183
[Endorsement on Memorandum]
10 May 1832
William IV, 1765-1837
Endorsement trimmed from original document and adhered to a card.
GLC05508.265
to Rev. Bernard Whitman
14 November 1833
Pickering, John, 1737-1805
Responding to a letter from Whitman asking about the religious beliefs of various founders including Washington, John Quincy Adams, and Jefferson. For Washington and Adams, Pickering refers him to other people. About Jefferson he writes that a...
GLC05508.204
to Rev. B. Tyler
3 December 1833
Storrs, Richard S. (Richard Salter), 1821-1900
Storrs declines Tyler's invitation to seek the pastorate of a church in Portland. He says he must serve a few more years at the American Home Mission Society and then return to his congregation at Braintree. He encourages Tyler to leave his...
GLC05508.237
to Z. P. Grand
8 April 1835
Peters, Absalom, fl. 1835
Peters has read "A Field Unoccupied" by Mr. Bannister, and agrees with his suggestions concerning women's education. He apparently supports women's education and is glad about the increased attention it is receiving. He also discusses several...
GLC05508.202
to Harriet Henry
2 April 1836
Buchanan, James, 1791-1868
Buchanan writes to his sister because he is concerned for her health. He writes: "let me strongly urge you to resist the gloomy feelings & apprehensions which I fear you indulge." He asks her to submit to the will of God, but also acknowledges he...
GLC05508.054
to Miss Fenwick
10 April 1836
Wordsworth, William, 1770-1850
Wordsworth solicits Fenwick for funds on behalf of a church in Cockermouth in need of expansion.
GLC05508.269
to Rev. N. Wells
18 July 1836
Butler, Josiah, fl. 1836
Butler talks of his desire to be baptized and join the Congregational Church, but suspects he is not wanted and rescinds his desire. The circumstances that prevented Congressman Butler from joining the church are unknown.
GLC05508.057
to unknown
12 October 1836
Key, Francis Scott, 1779-1843
Apparently written to a clergyman friend who refused to baptize the child of unbelieving parents. Key dwells at length on the sponsors' obligations in baptism, supporting his friend's decision. He gives specific advice on how he would have proceeded...
GLC05508.007
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