Francis Wayland family papers (AMS.1C.4)

Consists primarily of letterbooks and correspondence, as well as sermons and a diary, of Francis Wayland (1796-1865), his sons Francis Wayland (1826-1904) and H.L. (Heman Lincoln) Wayland (1830-1898), and other members of the Wayland family, dating from 1754 to 1941. The correspondence of Francis Wayland (1796-1865) documents Brown University-related subjects such as Wayland's decision to take the position of President; students; the library; subscriptions; faculty; curricula; the Corporation; honorary degrees; and the state of religion at the college. Religion-related topics are scattered throughout the correspondence and include the general state of religion and the Baptist Church; missions, including matters related to the American Baptist Missionary Union; piety; training for the ministry; and the activities of specific ministers and Baptist churches, including many in N.Y. There are scattered references to slavery and abolitionists, in particular the positions of Northern and Southern Baptist clergy in these matters. Wayland corresponded with Basil Manly, with whom he shared advice on administering a college and discussed his academic pursuits and publications. Other correspondents include Lucius Bolles, Edward Bright, Pharcellus Church, J. Hoby, Heman Lincoln, Solomon Peck, and Alonzo Potter. The collection includes correspondence between Francis Wayland and his sons. Although the bulk of their correspondence is personal and many of the letters include advice on matters ranging from the sons' spiritual lives to their career plans, the father also wrote about political and social situations. Francis Wayland (1796-1865) and H.L. Wayland often discussed preaching, the writing of sermons, and church affairs in their letters. Other family correspondents include Francis Wayland's father, Francis Wayland (1772-1849), a N.Y. clergyman; and Daniel S. Wayland, an English clergyman.