Horace Mann family papers (MS.1U.M1)

The Horace Mann family papers consist primarily of correspondence dating from 1829 to 1856 that document the personal life of Horace Mann and, to a limited extent, some of his work in education, politics, and law. The Manuscript and Letters by Mann series includes thirteen letters to Nahum Capen regarding the Common School Journal, the Nahum estate, and miscellaneous personal matters, such as Mann's travel plans. This series also includes seven letters to E.B. Wilson regarding Mann's philosophy about teachers' institutes, and the establishment of a teachers' institute in Grafton, Massachusetts, or elsewhere in southern Worcester County, Massachusetts.

The bulk of the collection consists of family correspondence, primarily between Horace Mann and his first wife Charlotte Messer Mann; and correspondence between Mann, his second wife Mary Tyler Peabody Mann, and his sister-in-law Mary W. Messer. The Family Correspondence series includes love letters written by Horace Mann and Charlotte Messer Mann between July 1829 and April 1832. Although the content of these letters is primarily personal, there are also references to Horace Mann's responsibilities and activities in court. Charlotte Messer Mann's health is discussed throughout the love letters.

Letters (1847-1852) written by Mary Tyler Peabody Mann include descriptions of matters related to Horace Mann's work with teachers' institutes; his work in the U.S. House of Representatives, including Mann's opposition to Henry Clay's proposal to extend slavery into new territories; and Mann's involvement in the Drayton case concerning the abduction of slaves. While living in Washington, Mary Mann wrote about her opinions on the position of the Free-Soilers and the extension of slavery, as well as her desire to speak in the House of Representatives on the topic; about her impressions of Lajos Kossuth and Dorothea Dix; and about child rearing activities. The Family Correspondence series includes references to Asa Messer.

The copies of letters from James Stuart Holmes to Horace Mann discuss their experiences at Brown and the activities of other Brown classmates. Donated to Brown University in 1966, all of the letters are negative photostats and typescripts of the original letters.