Guide to the Henry D. Hamilton papers , 1836-1968

(bulk 1837-1942)

Series 1. Correspondence
Boxes 1-4
Most of the correspondence in this series is handwritten. The letters to and from B.B. Hamilton include personal correspondence from family and friends as well as letters related to his work as a Baptist minister and his membership in organizations such as the Royal Arch Masons. Much of the correspondence to and from Henry D. Hamilton is personal as well, although some, especially the letters dated 1925, concern his law practice and his political activities.

The letters to B.B. Hamilton from his sons John B. and Henry D. Hamilton have been grouped together. The letters to and from Henry D. Hamilton’s nephew Ralph Hamilton were found together in one envelope, as were the Leverett letters. Additional correspondence from Henry D. Hamilton to his sons Philip and Warren dated 1925 may be found in Subseries E. Hamilton, Henry D. to various correspondents. Correspondence to Warren from both of his parents may also be found in Series 5. Subject files, Subseries P. Warren in Europe and Subseries Q. Warren trunk.

The letters dated 1925 in Subseries E. Hamilton, Henry D. to various correspondents were originally bound in a volume labeled “H.D.H. Letters 1925”. They are typewritten copies of originals numbered from 1-534. An index is included. The letters from this volume have been kept together.

The correspondence in Subseries I. Vermont Academy concerns Warren Hamilton’s expenses, academic performance and other issues that arose when Warren was enrolled there. Most of the correspondence in Subseries R. Leverett letters is between Henry D. Hamilton and his sister Amy Hamilton Leverett. The letter dated 1836 in this subseries is a typewritten copy of the original. The original letter is not found in the Hamilton papers. The letters in Subseries S. Other correspondents are to and from persons not named below.

A postcard addressed to B.B. Hamilton dated May 11, 1881 was given to the Brown University Library by Ruth O. Westfall in July 1986 (Acquisition A89-40). This postcard has been incorporated into the collection.

Any pamphlets, photographs or other material found enclosed in a letter was kept with the letter. Other correspondence may be found in Series 4. Hamilton family genealogy, Series 5. Subject files, Series 6. B.B. Hamilton diaries, and Series 11. Scrapbooks.

Subseries A. Hamilton, B.B. to various correspondents
Box 1, Folder 1

Subseries B. Hamilton, B.B. from Hamilton, Henry D.
Box 1, Folder 2

Subseries C. Hamilton, B.B. from Hamilton, John B.
Box 1, Folders 3-7

Subseries D. Hamilton, B.B. from various correspondents
Boxes 1-2

Subseries E. Hamilton, Henry D. to various correspondents
Box 3, Folders 1-5

Subseries F. Hamilton, Henry D. to and from Hamilton, Philip
Box 3, Folders 6-8

Subseries G. Hamilton, Henry D. to and from Hamilton, Ralph
Box 3, Folder 9

Subseries H. Hamilton, Henry D. to and from Hamilton, Warren M.
Box 3, Folders 10-14

Subseries I. Hamilton, Henry D. to and from Vermont Academy
Box 3, Folders 15-16

Subseries J. Hamilton, Henry D. to and from Camp Oxford, Maine
Box 3, Folder 17

Subseries K. Hamilton, Henry D. from various correspondents
Box 3, Folders 18-21

Subseries L. Hamilton, Mrs. B.B. (Mary) to and from various correspondents
Box 4, Folder 1

Subseries M. Hamilton, Mrs. Henry D. (Ada) to and from various correspondents
Box 4, Folder 2

Subseries N. Hamilton, John B. from unknown correspondent
Box 4, Folder 3

Subseries O. Hamilton, Philip to and from various correspondents
Box 4, Folder 4

Subseries P. Hamilton, Warren M. to Leverett, John
Box 4, Folder 5

Subseries Q. Hamilton, Philip and Hamilton, Warren to unknown correspondent
Box 4, Folder 6

Subseries R. Leverett letters
Box 4, Folder 7

Subseries S. Other correspondents
Box 4, Folder 8

Subseries T. Fragments of letters
Box 4, Folder 9

Subseries U. Empty envelopes
Box 4, Folder 10

Series 2. Business papers
Box 4, Folders 11-25
Most of the material in this series originally belonged to B.B. Hamilton. The church records in this series consist of three small notebooks containing lists of members received and contributors to various causes such as the Bible and Publication Society. They are dated 1870-71, 1872 and 1887. Also included are copies of the order of exercises of the Sunday School Institute, written by B.B. Hamilton. Most of the deeds in this series are handwritten and are for property purchased by the Hamilton family, chiefly B.B. Hamilton, in Illinois. The legal documents include affidavits, a copy of the will of Virginia Chandler Titcomb, a power of attorney, and several resolutions from the State of Rhode Island honoring Henry D. Hamilton. The book of license forms was found in the notebook labeled "Town clerk's memorandum book". The forms were probably used by B.B. Hamilton when he was the town clerk of White Hall, Illinois. The latter also contains an alphabetical list of names labeled “Roster of the 61st Ill. Kansas”. Also included in this series are two account books used by B.B. Hamilton when he was the Postmaster of White Hall and an application for life insurance from Henry D. Hamilton.

Additional church records may be found in Series 5. Subject files, Subseries E. Greenfield School class book. Legal documents may also be found in Series 5. Subject files, Subseries C. Estate of Ada B. Hamilton. Additional marriage records belonging to B.B. Hamilton were given to the Brown University Library in July 1986 by Ruth O. Westfall (Accession A89-40). They have been incorporated into the collection.

Series 3. Military papers
Box 4, Folders 26-37
This series contains material related to the military service of B.B. Hamilton, Henry D. Hamilton and Warren Hamilton as well as publications from the New York and Rhode Island Adjutant General's Offices.

Other material related to the Hamiltons' military service may be found in Series 1. Correspondence, Series 6. B.B. Hamilton diaries, Series 8. Certificates, Series 9. Publications and Series 10. Photographs.

Subseries A. Hamilton, B.B.
Box 4, Folder 26
This subseries includes two handwritten military passes, copies of orders and circulars from the Grand Army of the Republic, and pamphlets from the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.

Subseries B. Hamilton, Henry D.
Box 4, Folder 27
This subseries includes a copy of Hamilton’s service record and a “Certificate of Service” from the New York Adjutant General’s Office, his American Legion identification card, a certificate from the President of the United States promoting him to the rank of Colonel, the cover of a book entitled Cavalry Drill Instructions signed by Henry D. Hamilton, and a list of the initials of persons to whom he sent copies of pictures taken at Camp Lee, Virginia.

Subseries C. Hamilton, Warren M.
Box 4, Folder 28
This subseries contains a copy of the order commissioning Warren a Flight 1st Lieutenant, Aviation Section, A.E.F. (American Expeditionary Force) and a letter from Henry D. Hamilton requesting the copy.

Subseries D. Adjutant General
Box 4, Folders 29-37
This subseries contains publications by the New York and Rhode Island Adjutant Generals' Offices.

Series 4. Hamilton family genealogy
Box 5, Folders 1-8
This series contains correspondence, applications for membership, handwritten notes and other material related to the history of the Hamilton family. It includes a printed biographical sketch of John B. Hamilton, M.D. and a typewritten copy of Captain Benjamin Brown's 1820 application for a soldier's pension for his service in the American Revolution. The original arrangement of this material has been retained.

Series 5. Subject files
Box 5, Folders 9-37
The material in this series concerning the Carrollton Baptist Association, the Centennial Dollar Roll, the Greenfield school, the Lofton Prairie Anti-Slavery Society, the record of a public school meeting, and all of the material concerning White Hall, Illinois originally belonged to B. B. Hamilton. Much of it was written in small notebooks. Some of these notebooks have a title and some were used for multiple purposes.

Subseries A. Carrollton Baptist Association
Box 5, Folders 9-10
This subseries consists of the handwritten annual reports of congregations which were members of the Association and a notebook containing notes taken by B.B. Hamilton at the Association’s 54th annual meeting.

Additional material concerning the Carrollton Baptist Association may be found in Series 9. Publications.

Subseries B. Centennial commemoration dollar roll
Box 5, Folder 11
This is a book of printed receipts for contributions to several educational institutions supported by the Centennial Commission of Baptists of the United States.

Subseries C. Estate of Ada B. Hamilton
Box 5, Folder 12
This subseries contains legal documents related to the estate of Henry D. Hamilton’s wife Ada.

Subseries D. File on Senator Peter G. Gerry
Box 5, Folder 13
This subseries contains correspondence, a genealogy of the family of Senator Peter G. Gerry and an unlabeled photograph of a man in a military uniform.

Subseries E. Greenfield School class book
Box 5, Folder 14
This notebook contains lists of students in various classes. It also includes lists of baptisms, marriages and funerals for the years 1867 to 1881. It was also used as an account book.

Subseries F. Lofton Prairie Anti-Slavery Society
Box 5, Folder 15
The title page of this notebook is inscribed “B.B. Hamilton Commonplace Book Oct. 2, 1844”.The first thirty-three pages concern the Lofton Prairie Anti-Slavery Society, one of the first anti-slavery societies in southwestern Illinois. They include lists of members, the Society’s constitution and records of meetings from Oct. 22, 1836 to Oct. 28, 1842. The rest of the book was used as a memorandum book. Two items were enclosed in the volume. One is a letter entitled “The Salem Church Letter of the North District Association”, dated Sep. 3, 1841. It concerns the Association’s opposition to slavery. The other is an undated letter addressed to the President of the United States in support of B.B. Hamilton’s appointment as Postmaster of White Hall, Illinois.

Subseries G. Masonic material
Box 5, Folder 16
This subseries includes a booklet containing an address given by Henry D. Hamilton at a Masonic convention in 1927 and directories of members of Hamilton’s lodge in the New York metropolitan area for the same year. Other Masonic material may be found in Series 12. Artifacts.

Subseries H. Memorandum books
Box 5, Folder 17-20
The memorandum books in this subseries dated 1880, ca. 1880, and 1886-87 were used by B. B. Hamilton. They contain notes on various topics such as sermons, meetings attended, family history and the history of Jersey and Greene Counties in Illinois. The book labeled “Henry D. Hamilton” on the cover appears also to have been used by persons other than him, since it contains lists of meetings attended by B. B. Hamilton and notes on pregnancy and labor.

Subseries I. Passport (Ada D. Hamilton)
Box 5, Folder 21

Subseries J. Population of White Hall, Illinois
Box 5, Folders 22-26
These notebooks contain the names of persons living in White Hall, Illinois during the years 1869, 1875, and 1877 through 1881. They also include the number of males and females less than six years old and those between six and twenty-one.

Subseries K. Presidential elector 1912
Box 5, Folder 27
This subseries contains material related to Henry D. Hamilton’s campaign to become a Presidential Elector for the Democratic Party in New York in 1912.

Subseries L. Record of public school meeting
Box 5, Folder 28
This notebook contains notes taken by B. B. Hamilton regarding a public school meeting he attended.

Subseries M. Registry of White Hall precincts
Box 5, Folder 29
This notebook appears to be an alphabetical list of registered voters in White Hall, Illinois.

Subseries N. School census of White Hall, Illinois
Box 5, Folder 30
This notebook contains the names of school aged males and females for the year 1876.

Subseries O. Vermont Academy material
Box 5, Folder 31
This subseries consists chiefly of Vermont Academy bulletins and descriptive circulars. They were found in an envelope labeled “Warren Vermont”.

Subseries P. Warren in Europe
Box 5, Folder 32-33
Most of the correspondence in this subseries is to Warren from his mother, Ada Hamilton. The other material includes ephemera such as receipts, brochures and luggage tags as well as two issues of a newsletter entitled The Bad Nauheim Pudding dated February 7 and March 3, 1942. This newsletter was published by internees staying at the Grand Hotel in Bad Nauheim, Germany. The issue dated March 3 includes a list of persons interned at the hotel.

Subseries Q. Warren trunk
Box 5, Folder 34
This subseries consists chiefly of receipts and correspondence between Warren Hamilton and his father related to the shipment of Warren’s trunk from New York to Bordeaux, France.

Subseries R. Handwritten notes
Box 5, Folder 35
This subseries consists of short notes on a variety of topics, including religion and family history. None of the notes is signed or dated. Some appear to have been written by B.B. Hamilton, others by Warren Hamilton.

Subseries S. Club memberships (Henry D. Hamilton?)
Box 5, Folder 36
This is a typewritten list of club memberships. They appear to be clubs to which Henry D. Hamilton belonged.

Subseries T. Itinerary of a trip to Europe
Box 5, Folder 37
This is a typewritten itinerary of a trip to Europe. It is not signed or dated.

Series 6. B.B. Hamilton diaries
Boxes 5-6
This series consists of eleven diaries kept by B. B. Hamilton from 1857 to 1890. They contain short entries concerning his daily activities, such as attending meetings and church services and officiating at weddings, baptisms, and funerals. Some of the diaries, especially the one dated 1857, also include notes on religious subjects. The diary with entries for 1864 was meant to be used for 1863.Similarly, the diary containing entries for 1873 was meant to be used for 1872. Most of the diaries do not contain entries for the entire year. Enclosures such as tickets, calling cards, newspaper clippings, notes for sermons, receipts and any correspondence found enclosed in the diary is kept in the folder for that diary.

Series 7. Writings
Box 6, Folder 8-12
This series consists of what appear to be notes for sermons by B. B. Hamilton, most of which are not dated, pamphlets concerning various medical subjects written by John B. Hamilton, two anonymous typewritten items concerning Henry D. Hamilton’s appointment as Adjutant General of New York and the use of the state militia for national defense, a poem by Augustus Post entitled "The Bombing Plane Speaks" and a handwritten booklet by the rhetoric class at the Greenfield Seminary in Illinois entitled “The Ever-Green”.

The book written by B. B. Hamilton entitled Historical Sketch of Jersey County, Illinois, published in 1876, has been catalogued separately and removed from the papers.

Series 8. Certificates
Boxes 6, 10X
This series contains certificates belonging to B.B. Hamilton, Henry D. Hamilton, John B. Hamilton, and Walter Halliday. They are from organizations such as the Royal Arch Masons and the Sons of Temperance as well as from the states of Illinois, New York and Rhode Island. Other certificates may be found in Series 3. Military papers, Series 5. Hamilton family genealogy and Series 6. B.B. Hamilton diaries.

Series 9. Publications
Boxes 6-7,10X
This series contains a variety of published material. It includes the minutes and proceedings of various Baptist Associations in Illinois as well as annual reports and by-laws of the Northwest Masonic Aid Association, of which B.B. Hamilton was a member.

The newspaper clippings are from a many different newspapers. Those dated May-Aug 1872 are pasted into a small bound volume. Most of the clippings dated before 1913 are articles and speeches about political issues of the day. Most of those dated 1913 and later are from newspapers published in New York State and Rhode Island. Many of these later clippings are from a clipping service and concern the military and political career of Henry D. Hamilton, especially his appointment as Adjutant General of New York. Also included in these clippings is a serialized version of Charles Dickens' The Life of Our Lord, which was reprinted in The Providence Journal in March 1934.

Newspapers and pamphlets are arranged by title. Newspaper clippings are arranged chronologically. The folders containing pamphlets also include similar material such as broadsides, fliers, folders, leaflets, and publishers’ prospectuses.

Publications by the New York and Rhode Island Adjutant General’s Offices are found in Series 3. Military papers. Other pamphlets and similar material may be found in Series 1. Correspondence, Series 3. Military papers and Series 5. Subject files. Newspaper clippings may also be found in Series 1. Correspondence, Series 6. B.B. Hamilton diaries and Series 11. Scrapbooks.

Series 10. Photographs
Boxes 7, 10X, 12X
This series contains photographs of Henry Hamilton, his family members and various associates as well as several prints. Photographs in which Hamilton can be identified are grouped together even if he is not specifically identified as being in the photograph. The Harold Abbot Titcomb photographs have his name stamped on the back; he does not necessarily appear in the picture. Franklin D. Roosevelt, then Assistant Secretary of the Navy, is pictured in the oversize photograph taken at the opening of the Cape Cod Canal on July 19, 1914.

The photographs labeled “Other” include two photographs of an army camp, two unidentified buildings, and what appears to be a commemorative plaque engraved with the words “Marshall Ferdinand Foch” and the date Nov. 18, 1921. The prints include several engraved portraits of military officers and one entitled “Peace” by Franz Hanfstaengl.

Other photographs may be found in Series 1. Correspondence, Series 5. Subject files, Subseries D. File on Senator Peter G. Gerry; and Series 11. Scrapbooks.

Series 11. Scrapbooks
Boxes 9, 11
This series contains nine scrapbooks. Their contents, dating from 1884 to 1934, include newspaper clippings, correspondence addressed to Henry D. Hamilton, ephemera such as invitations, menus and programs, and a few photographs. The material in each scrapbook is not always arranged chronologically. If Hamilton had given a scrapbook a title, e.g. "Personal Scrap Book", the title was retained. All but three of the scrapbooks have been removed from their bindings, which were damaged, and placed in folders. The remaining three scrapbooks are in phase boxes. The eight scrapbooks in Box 11 were returned to the collection after being treated for water damage.

The scrapbooks labeled "New York Adjutant General letters" contain letters congratulating Henry Hamilton on his appointment as the Adjutant General of New York. The scrapbook in Phase Box 2 contains a pamphlet entitled History of Company I, 23rd Regiment, N.G.S.N.Y., 106th Infantry, A.E.F., 1884-1934.

Series 12. Artifacts
Box 8
Much of the material in this series is related to Henry D. Hamilton’s membership in the Royal Arch Masons. Included in the Masonic material are a commemorative coin, medals, lapel pins, a name plate and a large Masonic banner in a leather case embossed with Hamilton’s name.

Also included in this series are men’s wallets, various insignia, two printing plates with Hamilton’s image on them, a red wax seal, and a lock of hair in an envelope labeled "Senator's hair".

With the exception of the Masonic banner, the material in this series is enclosed in envelopes within the box.

Series 13. Ephemera
Box 9, Folders 3-8
The ephemera in these papers include a variety of printed material, much of which is undated. The brochures are from Almira College in Greenville, Illinois, Wellesley College, the Cunard Line, an insurance company and a funeral parlor. The business cards include those of Wellington and Hamilton, a business created by Warren Hamilton and his partner to provide guided tours of chateaux, cathedrals, and the World War I battlefields of France. Most of the calling cards belonged to B.B. Hamilton. The greeting cards and postcards are unused. The postcards include scenes from White Hall, Illinois, France and England as well as a fold-out view of Moscow. Several of the luggage tags were used by Henry B. Hamilton when he was the New York Adjutant General. The tickets are to events such as concerts and fairs.

The material regarding the West and Indians was found together and appears to have been acquired on a trip to the western United States. The other printed material in this series includes but is not limited to invitations, menus, notices of meetings, pledge cards, and several drawings of a hot air furnace.

Other ephemera may be found in Series 5. Subject files, Subseries P. Warren in Europe; Series 6. B.B. Hamilton diaries, and Series 11. Scrapbooks.