Guide to the Alva Woods papers, 1657-2011

(bulk 1812-1918)


John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Published in 2014

Collection Overview

Title: Alva Woods papers
Date range: 1657-2011, (bulk 1812-1918)
Creator: Woods, Alva, 1794-1887
Extent: 3.0 Linear feet
Abstract: Most of the material in the Alva Woods papers consists of correspondence, documents, publications and writings that belonged to the Alva Woods family and the Brown family of Providence, Rhode Island. Most of the material is dated between 1812 and 1918. The papers also include architectural drawings, ephemera, one map, newspaper clippings, handwritten recipes, and some photographs. The material is housed in two letter-size Hollinger document cases, one legal-size Hollinger document case and one triple oversize box.
Language of materials: English, French, German, and Greek
Repository: John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Collection number: MS.2011.017

Scope & content

The Alva Woods papers contain a variety of material, chiefly correspondence belonging to members of the Woods and Brown families; documents, publications, writings and photographs. The material is dated between 1657 and 2011. Most is dated between 1812 and 1918.

Series 1. Correspondence includes letters to and from members of the Woods and Brown families as well as two letters from the poet John Greenleaf Whittier. Most of the letters concern family matters and were written between 1802 and 1918. This series has been divided into three subseries: Subseries A. Woods family, Subseries B. Brown family and Subseries C. Other. It is not clear whether or not the writers or recipients of the letters in Subseries C. were members of the Woods or Brown families. Some of the correspondence includes a typed transcript.

Series 2. Architectural drawings consists of six sheets of plans for the Trinity Building in New York City which was designed by Richard Upjohn and Son. Upjohn designed several buildings in Rhode Island, including Grace Episcopal Church in Providence and the Edward King house in Newport. The drawings are dated 1864 Jun 1.

Series 3. Documents has been divided into three subseries. Subseries A. Real estate contains two original deeds as well as several copies of deeds and other material related to the ownership of property. Most of the deeds are for land purchased by Alva Woods when he was living in Alabama. The deeds are dated from 1657 to 1925. Subseries B. Wills and estates includes copies of the wills of John Carter Brown (1797-1894) and Nicholas Brown (1769-1841) as well as a court opinion regarding Nicholas Brown’s estate. The material in this subseries is dated between 1791 and 1867. Subseries C. Other includes a variety of other documents, including a marriage certificate, Alva Woods’ diploma from Harvard University, a stock certificate, and a document from King William III of England commissioning John Browne (1662-1719) an Ensign in the Providence militia. The material in this subseries is dated between 1697 and 1876. Some of the documents in this series include a typed transcript.

Series 4. Ephemera includes menus, mailing labels, a Brown University commencement program from 1872 (the year J.C.B. Woods graduated from Brown), and tickets to the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson in April 1868. This material is dated from 1868 to 1881.

Series 5. Maps contains one map entitled Plan Detaille de la Rochelle et de ses Environs, dated 1844.

Series 6. Newspaper clippings contains photocopies of the clippings found in the Alva Woods papers. The originals were in fragile condition and were discarded after the photocopies were created. Most of the clippings appear to be from newspapers in Rhode Island or Massachusetts and concern the Brown family in Providence. They are dated from 1860 to 1907.

Series 7. Publications includes almanacs from Rhode Island and New England; one book of engravings from the Gemaldegalerie in Dresden, Germany; one broadside, newspapers, journals and pamphlets. One pamphlet, by N. Fragoumes, is written in Greek and English. Other material in this series is in German or French. Many of the newspapers were published by religious organizations. This material is dated from 1771 to 1918.

Series 8. Recipes contains several handwritten recipes, which are not signed or dated. They include a remedy for lockjaw as well as recipes for cakes and calves foot jelly.

Series 9. Writings contains handwritten notes, a booklet of poems by Maunsell B. Field, and writings by Alva Woods. None of the notes is signed and few are dated. Many concern religious topics. The booklet of poems by Maunsell B. Field is the original manuscript version of his published work Occasional Verses. Most of the writings by Alva Woods are speeches he gave to various groups between 1831 and circa 1878. All but two are handwritten. The writings in this series are dated between 1820 and circa 1878.

Series 10. Photographs contains loose photographs that were found among other material in the papers. The original owners are not known. Most of the identified photographs are not dated and are of various European sculptures such as the Venus de Milo. Two are of children. The only dated photograph is from 1871.


Access Points

Subject Names Subject Organizations Subject Topics Document Types Subject Topics

Arrangement

The collection is housed in four boxes. Boxes 1 and 2 are letter-size Hollinger document cases. Box 3 is a legal-size Hollinger document case and contains material from Series 3. Documents, Series.7 Publications, Series 8. Recipes, Series 9. Writings and Series 10. Photographs. Box 4xxx is a triple oversize box and contains material from Series 2. Architectural drawings, Series 3. Documents and Series 7. Publications.

  • Series 1: Correspondence
  • Series 2: Architectural drawings
  • Series 3: Documents
  • Series 4: Ephemera
  • Series 5: Maps
  • Series 6: Newspaper clippings
  • Series 7: Publications
  • Series 8: Recipes
  • Series 9: Writings
  • Series 10: Photographs

Biographical/Historical note

Alva Woods was born in Shoreham, Vermont, on August 13, 1794. He was the son of Abel Woods, a Baptist minister, and Mary (Smith) Woods. He graduated from Harvard College in 1817 and from the Andover Theological Seminary in Andover, Massachusetts in 1821. After his ordination in October of that year Woods accepted a professorship at Colombian College, which is now a part of George Washington University in Washington. D.C.

In 1823, Woods married Almira Marshall (1804-1863). They had two children: Marshall Woods (1824-1899) and Priscilla M. Woods (1826-1827). In 1824 he accepted a professorship of natural philosophy and mathematics at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. After the resignation of President Asa Messer he served as president ad interim from 1826 to 1827. Brown University awarded Woods an honorary Doctor of Divinity in 1828.

Woods left Brown that year to become the fourth president of Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky. In 1831 he was appointed the first president of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. While there, Woods helped to found the Alabama Female Athenaeum, whose purpose was to train women to become teachers. In 1884, the first building built on the campus of the University of Alabama after the Civil War was named Alva Woods Hall in honor of its first president.

Woods and his family returned to Providence in 1837, where he managed his business affairs and real estate holdings. He served as a Trustee of Brown University from 1843 to 1859 and as a member of the Board of Fellows from 1859 to 1887. He helped to establish scholarships not only at Brown but also at the Newton Theological Institution and the Worcester Academy in Massachusetts. Alva Woods passed away in Providence on September 6, 1887.

Marshall Woods was born in Boston, Massachusetts on November 28, 1824. He graduated from Brown University in 1845 and from the University of New York Medical School in 1848. The ties between the Woods family and the Brown family of Providence began when Marshall married Anne Brown Francis (1828-1896) in 1848. Anne was the daughter of Ann Carter Brown Francis (1794-1828) and John Brown Francis (1791-1864). Marshall and Anne had two children: Abby Francis Woods (1849-1895) and John Carter Brown Woods (1851-1930). Instead of opening a medical practice, Marshall Woods devoted his time to business and the study of art and literature. He was a director of the Providence National Bank and served as a United States commissioner from Rhode Island to the Paris Exposition in 1855. He was very active in the governance of Brown University, serving as its Treasurer from 1866 to 1882 and as a Trustee from 1858 to 1899. In 1871 Marshall Woods established an endowment of three thousand dollars for a series of lectures on the fine arts and their application to the mechanical arts. However, the lectures did not actually begin until 1919. Marshall Woods passed away in London, England on July 13, 1899.

John Carter Brown Woods (J.C.B. Woods) was born on June 12, 1851 in Providence, Rhode Island. He graduated from Brown University in 1872 and from Harvard Law School in 1874. He was active in Republican politics, serving in both the Rhode Island House of Representatives (1881-1887) and in the Rhode Island State Senate (1891, 1894-1897) . In addition to practicing law, Woods served on the boards of numerous organizations, both public and private. Among them were the State Board of Charities and Corrections ; the Institute for the Deaf of Rhode Island; the corporations of Rhode Island Hospital, Butler Hospital and the Providence Lying-in Hospital (now called Women and Infants Hospital); and the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He was one of the founders of the Hope Club and served as its president from 1892 to 1898. Like his father and grandfather, J.C.B. Woods was active in the governance of Brown University. He served on many university committees and was a Trustee from 1884 until his death in 1930. Woods was the author of the pamphlet entitled John Carter of Providence, Rhode Island…and his Descendants, which is in the Alva Woods papers. J.C.B. Woods never married. He passed away in Providence in 1930.

Many members of the Brown family are represented in the Alva Woods papers. John Browne (1662-1719) was commissioned an Ensign in the Providence militia by King William III of England. John Brown (1736-1803) was a wealthy Providence merchant and the brother of Nicholas Brown (1729-1791), also a merchant, and Moses Brown (1738-1836), who became a Quaker and an abolitionist. Nicholas Brown’s son Nicholas (1769-1841) married Ann Carter (1770-1798) in 1791. They had four children: Nicholas Brown, Jr. (1792-1859), Ann Carter Brown (1794-1828), John Carter Brown (1797-1874) and Moses Brown (1793-1794). After the death of his wife Ann, Nicholas married Mary Bowne Steele (1769-1836) in 1801.

Nicholas Brown, Jr. married his cousin Abby Mason (1800-1820) in 1820. After her death he married Caroline Matilda Cements (1809-1879) in 1831. They had five children. The eldest, Alfred Nicholas Brown (1832-1864) married Anne Mauran in 1857. Of their three children only Nicholas Brown (1862-1891) lived to adulthood.

In 1822 Ann Carter Brown (1794-1828) married John Brown Francis (1791-1864). Francis was the Governor of Rhode Island from 1833 to 1838 and a United States Senator from 1844 to 1845. They had three children: Abby (1823-1841), John (1825-1826) and Anne Brown Francis, who married Marshall Woods in 1848.

Access & Use

Access to the collection: There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials: Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation: Alva Woods papers, Ms. 2011.017, Brown University Library.
Contact information: John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION  
Acquisition: Deposited by Prof. Lewis Chase in 1932.
Accruals: No further materials are anticipated for this collection.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID  
Author: Finding aid prepared by Mary A. Harrison.
Encoding: This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2014-02-25
Descriptive rules: Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Inventory

Series 1. Correspondence, 1802 Aug 11-1918 Apr 10
37.0 folders

Most of the letters in this series are to or from members of the Woods and Brown families. In some cases the name of the recipient or writer of a letter is not known. Some of the letters include typed transcripts. The correspondence in each subseries is arranged alphabetically by the name of the Woods or Brown family member who either received or wrote the letter, and then by date.

Most of the letters concern family, business or professional matters. The letter to Alva Woods from Rev. E.B. Teague in 1869 discusses conditions in the south after the Civil War. The letter from John Brown (1736-1803) to Jacob Whitman, Sr. is about a business transaction. The letter from Nicholas Brown (1792-1859) to Ambassador de Cascelles is the first draft of a letter concerning the bombardment of Rome by French forces, written when Nicholas Brown was the United States Consul to Italy.

One letter is enclosed with the pamphlet entitled John Carter of Providence, Rhode Island, July 21, 1745-August 19, 1814 and His Descendants in Series 7. Publications.

Series 1. Subseries A. Woods family, 1827 Apr 10-1918 Apr 10
19.0 folders

The letters in this subseries are primarily to or from Alva Woods, his son Marshall Woods or his grandson John Carter Brown Woods. The subseries includes copies of letters of recommendation written for Alva Woods when he was being considered for the presidencies of Transylvania University and the University of Alabama, as well as a letter from the poet John Greenleaf Whittier about Whittier’s becoming a Trustee of Brown University.

Container Description Date
Box 1, Folder 1 Letters of recommendation for Alva Woods from John McLean, Moses Stuart and Leonard Woods (copies)
 1827 Apr 10-1830 Aug 20
Box 1, Folder 2 Letter of recommendation for Alva Woods from Edward Everett (copy)
 1827 May 21
Box 1, Folder 3 Letter of recommendation for Alva Woods from J.T. Kirkland, addressed to Henry Clay (copy)
 1828 Aug
Box 1, Folder 4 Letters of recommendation for Alva Woods from Edward Everett, Irah chase, Henry J. Ripley and Leonard Woods (copies)
 1830 Aug 27-28
Box 1, Folder 5 Woods, Alva from Lea, Henry C.
 1834 Jul 18
Box 1, Folder 6 Woods, Alva from Lea, Henry C.
 1861 Jul 21
Box 1, Folder 7 Woods, Alva from Woods, Anne Brown Francis
 1864 Jan 7
Box 1, Folder 8 Woods, Alva from Teague, Rev. E.B.
 1869 Apr 5
Box 1, Folder 9 Woods, Alva from Whittier, John G.
 1869 Sep 10
Box 1, Folder 10 Woods, Alva: Invitation to the funeral of John Carter Brown (1797-1874)
 1874 Jun 11
Box 1, Folder 11 Woods, Alva from Gorgas, Josiah (two letters)
 1878 Oct 22
Box 1, Folder 12 Library of the Providence Athenaeum from Woods, Marshall
 1859 Jun 22
Box 1, Folder 13 Wheeler, Charles H. from Woods, Marshall
 1865 Jul 13
Box 1, Folder 14 Sartiges, Count de from unknown correspondent: letter of reference for Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Woods
 1865 Jul 13
Box 1, Folder 15 Messrs. Sherman from Smith, Charles Morris and Woods, Marshall (copy)
 1868 May 30
Box 1, Folder 16 Woods, Marshall from the Corporation of Brown University (copy)
 1876 Jun 22
Box 1, Folder 17 Woods, Marshall from unknown correspondent
 1884 Sep 16
Box 1, Folder 18 Woods, John Carter Brown from Brown, A.A.
 1918 Apr 10
Box 1, Folder 19 Aunt Woods from Read, John Meredith
 1862 Feb 7

Series 1. Subseries B. Brown family, 1802 Aug 11-1887 Jun 23
14.0 folders

This subseries contains letters to and from members of the Brown family. Almost all concern family matters. The letters from John Brown Francis to Dr. Boyd and another physician concern the health of his daughter Abby (1823-1841).

Container Description Date
Box 1, Folder 20 Arnold, Harriet Elizabeth from Francis, Ann Carter Brown (1794-1828)
 1812 Jun 10-1816 May 29
Box 1, Folder 21 Mrs. Brown from Ives, H.B.
 1834 Apr 30
Box 1, Folder 22 Brown, Ann Carter (1770-1798) from friend Julia
 1791 Nov 3
Box 1, Folder 23 Brown, Caroline Matilda (1809-1879) from Brown, Mary Bowen (1769-1836)
 1834 Apr 4
Box 1, Folder 24 Brown, John (1736-1803) to Whitman, Jacob, Sr.
 1802 Aug 11
Box 1, Folder 25 Unknown correspondent from Brown, Nicholas (1769-1841) regarding the death of Francis, Ann Carter Brown (1794-1828)
 1828 Apr 20
Box 1, Folder 26 Brown, Nicholas (1792-1859) from Ives, Thomas P.
 1831 Oct 6
Box 1, Folder 27 M. L'Ambassadeur de Cascelles from Brown, Nicholas (1792-1859)
 1849 Aug 18
Box 1, Folder 28 Brown, Nicholas (1862-1891) from Gemmell, William
 1887 Jun 23
Box 1, Folder 29 Francis, Ann Carter Brown (1794-1828) from Brown, Mary Bowen (1769-1836)
 1812 Apr 19
Box 1, Folder 30 Francis, Ann Carter Brown (1794-1828) from Bowen, Mary (1769-1836)
 undated
Box 1, Folder 31 Francis, John Brown from Chapman, Toby
 1840 May 4
Box 1, Folder 32 Francis, John Brown from Toby, Dr. Samuel Boyd (two letters)
 1840 Sep 5-1840 Nov 3
Box 1, Folder 33 Letter to unknown physician from Francis, John Brown
 1841 Jul 8

Series 1. Subseries C. Other, 1856 Apr 7-1869 Dec 11
4.0 folders

It is not known if any of the writers or recipients of the letters in this subseries are members of the Brown or Woods families. The letter from John Greenleaf Whittier concerns whether or not he would accept a Trusteeship at Brown University.

Container Description Date
Box 1, Folder 34 Mrs. Bridge from W.T.O. (fragment of a letter)
 undated
Box 1, Folder 35 Duncan, J.H. from Whittier, John G.
 1869 Dec 11
Box 1, Folder 36 Judy from Frank (student at Brown University)
 undated
Box 1, Folder 37 Otis, William from Read, John Meredith (copy)
 1856 Apr 7

Series 2. Architectural drawings
1.0 folder

Box 4xxx, Folder 1
This series consists of six sheets of plans for the Trinity Building at 111 Broadway in New York City. The building was designed by the firm of Richard Upjohn and Son. Upjohn was best known for his Gothic Revival churches, among them Trinity Church in New York City, which was located next to the Trinity Building. Upjohn designed several buildings in Rhode Island, including Grace Episcopal Church in Providence and the Edward King house in Newport.

Series 3. Documents, 1657 Sep 29-1925 Jun 12
23.0 folders

The documents in these papers have been organized into three subseries, each arranged by date. Subseries A. Real Estate contains deeds and other material related to the ownership of property. Most of the deeds are for land purchased by Alva Woods in Alabama. Subseries B. Wills and estates includes copies of the wills of Nicholas Brown (1769-1841) and John Carter Brown (1797-1874) as well as a court opinion concerning a dispute about the estate of Nicholas Brown (1769-1841). Subseries C. Other contains a variety of documents, including the marriage certificate of Nicholas Brown (1792-1859) and Caroline Matilda Clements (1809-1879) and Alva Woods’ Bachelor of Arts diploma from Harvard University.

Some of the documents include typed transcripts.

Series 3. Subseries A. Real estate, 1657 Sep 29-1925 Jun 12
11.0 folders

This subseries contains two original deeds. The deed for land purchased by James Northfolke in England is written on vellum. The deed for land purchased by the Baptist Charitable Society is in several pieces which have been placed in a mylar sleeve. Other related material includes a surveyor’s report on land purchased by Alva Woods in Alabama; a document describing Woods’ home in Warwick Neck, R.I.; and an assessment of the value of real estate owned by Woods and his wife Almira.

Container Description Date
Box 4xxx, Folder 2 Deed for land purchased by James Northfolke from William Barber in England
 1657 Sep 29
Box 4xxx, Folder 3 Deed for land purchased by the Baptist Charitable Society from Mary Means in Providence, R.I.
 1777 Jul 3
Box 3, Folder 1 Deed for land purchased by Alva Woods from William R. Stansel in Alabama (copy)
 1835 Aug 19
Box 1, Folder 38 Deed for land purchased by Alva Woods from Samuel Strudwick in Alabama (copy)
 1836 Dec 16
Box 1, Folder 39 Deed for land purchased by Alva Woods from Thomas McC. Prince in Alabama (copy)
 1836 Dec 16
Box 3, Folder 2 Surveyors report on land owned by Alva Woods in Alabama
 1837 Feb 15
Box 4xxx, Folder 4 Deed for land purchased by Alva Woods from Thomas McC. Prince in Alabama (copy)
 1837 Feb 27
Box 1, Folder 40 Deed for land purchased by Alva Woods from Benjamin Whitfield in Alabama (copy)
 1838 Dec 21
Box 1, Folder 41 Description and insured value of house owned by Alva Woods in Warwick Neck, R.I.
 1854 Dec 8-1869 Jul 11
Box 1, Folder 42 Assessed valule of real estate belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Alva Woods
 1854
Box 3, Folder 3 Deed for land purchased by the State of Rhode Island from John Carter Brown Woods in Providence, R.I. (copy)
 1925 Jun 12

Series 3. Subseries B. Wills and estates, 1791-1867 Dec 30
4.0 folders

The first item in this subseries is the inventory of the estate of Nicholas Brown (1729-1841), which is handwritten on a piece of paper approximately four inches by two inches. The fragment appears to be a receipt. A typed transcript of these two items is included in the folder. Both wills in this subseries are copies of the originals.

Container Description Date
Box 1, Folder 43 Inventory of the personal estate of Nicholas Brown (1729-1791) and fragment
 1791
Box 1, Folder 44 Will of Nicholas Brown (1769-1841) (copy)
 1841 Jul 8
Box 3, Folder 4 Opinion of the court regarding Nicholas Brown's (1792-1859) objections to three accounts of the executors of the will of his late father, Nicholas Brown (1769-1841)
 1857 Nov 10
Box 1, Folder 45 Will of John Carter Brown (1797-1894) (copy)
 1867 Dec 30

Series 3. Subseries C. Other, 1697 Jun 29-1876 Nov 20
8.0 folders

The documents in this subseries include marriage, stock, and membership certificates; Alva Woods’ diploma from Harvard University; and a document commissioning John Browne (1662-1719) an Ensign in the Providence militia. The gravestone inscription for Ann Carter Brown Francis is printed on one page and is not dated.

Container Description Date
Box 3, Folder 5 Commission of John Browne (1662-1719) Ensign of the Northern Company or traine of the town of Providence
 1697 Jun 29
Box 1, Folder 46 Receipt of payment for the Providence Gazette addressed to Jacob Whitman from John Carter
 1802 May 4
Box 4xxx, Folder 5 Alva Wood's Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University
 1817 Aug 27
Box 1, Folder 47 Providence Bank stock certificate for ten shares owned by Nicholas Brown (1792-1859)
 1825 Dec 7
Box 1, Folder 48 Marriage certificate of Nicholas Brown (1792-1859) and Caroline Matilda Clements (1809-1879)
 1831 Nov 22
Box 4xxx, Folder 6 John Carter Brown Woods' membership certificate from the Rhode Island Historical Society
 1876 Nov 20
Box 1, Folder 49 Gravestone inscription in memory of Ann Carter Brown Francis (1794-1828) (two copies)
 undated
Box 1, Folder 50 Marriage certificate form from Scotland, County of Dumfries, Parish of Gretna
 undated

Series 4. Ephemera, 1868 Apr 1-1881 Aug 26
1.0 folder

Box 1, Folder 51
This series includes three tickets to the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson, dated April 1, 6 and 10, 1868. They are accompanied by a calling card for “Mr. Anthony, Rhode Island” on which is written a note asking that “these ladies” be admitted to the Senate chamber. The note may have been written by Henry B. Anthony, who was a Republican Senator from Rhode Island from 1859 to 1884.

This series also contains two menus, one of which is written in French; mailing labels addressed to Marshall Woods, Esq. from a company in London, England; and a program for the Brown University Commencement in 1872, the year John Carter Brown Woods graduated from Brown.

Series 5. Maps
1.0 item

Map-case 1, Drawer 14
There is one map in this series, entitled Plan Detaille de La Rochelle et de ses Environs. It was published in 1844. La Rochelle is a city in western France, located on the Bay of Biscay.

Series 6. Newspaper clippings, 1860 May 12-1907 Jun 1
1.0 folder

Box 1, Folder 52
The newspaper clippings in this series are photocopies of the originals, which were in fragile condition. Parts of some clippings had crumbled and were missing. Many of the clippings are not dated, and for some the name of the newspaper they are from was missing.

Most of the clippings concern the Brown family in Providence. They include articles about the death of Nicholas Brown (1729-1791) and his grandson Nicholas Brown (1792-1859); a copy of a letter by John Brown (1736-1803) concerning a business matter; a silhouette of Moses Brown, and an article about Brown family memorials in Providence.

Series 7. Publications, 1771-2011
36.0 folders

Most of the publications in this series are almanacs, journals, newspapers or pamphlets. The pamphlet by N. Dragoumes is written in Greek and English. A letter and a glee club program are enclosed with the pamphlet written by J.C.B. Woods. Pamphlets written by Alva Woods may be found in Series 9. Writings.

The newspapers are dated from 1841 to 1887. Most are published by religious organizations. The list of newspapers originally found in the Alva Woods papers is arranged by place of publication.

This series also includes a book containing photographs from the Gemaldegalerie in Dresden, Germany; a packet of engravings, a pocket diary for 1852 and one broadside.

The publications are arranged alphabetically.

Container Description Date
Box 4xxx, Folder 7 American Agriculturist (New York, N.Y.)
 1861 Mar
Box 4xxx, Folder 8 Baptist Record (Philadelphia, Pa.)
 1841 Oct 27
Box 1, Folder 53 Boardman, George Dana: An Address delivered in the meeting house of the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia...October 2nd, 1864
 1864
Box 4xxx, Folder 9 Boston Morning Journal (Boston, Mass.)
 1855 Dec 7
Box 4xxx, Folder 10 Christian Secretary (Hartford, Conn.)
 1887 Jul 13
Box 1, Folder 54 Danforth, Walter R.: Oration pronounced in the Universalist Chapel...July 4, 1833
 1833
Box 1, Folder 55 Dragoumes, Nikolaos: Introduction and dedication to his translation of The Life of George Washington by Anna C. Reed (in Greek and English)
 1856
Box 1, Folder 56 Dresden: 20 Malerische Ansichten der Residenz in Stahlstich (engravings)
 undated
Box 1, Folder 57 Everett, Edward: An oration delivered at Plymouth, December 22, 1824
 1825
Box 3, Folder 6 Explanation of the two prints representing the Battle of Bunker's Hill, and the Attack of Quebec (broadside)
 1800s?
Box 1, Folder 58 The Farmer's Almanack
 1815
Box 1, Folder 59 From Brown University Records regarding the resignation of Marshall Woods as Treasurer of Brown University
 1885 Jun 22
Box 1, Folder 60 Gemaldegalerie (Dresden, Germany): Erinnerung an die Dresdner Gemalde-Gallerie
 undated
Box 4xxx, Folder 11 The Golden Rule (Boston, Mass.)
 1884 May 10
Box 2, Folder 1 Granier de Cassagnac, Alolphe: Recit complet et authentique des evenements de Decembre 1851
 1851
Box 2, Folder 2 H.H. Warner and Co.: Compliments of your druggist
 1882
Box 2, Folder 3 Hall, Robert: Modern infidelity considered with respect to its influence on society
 1801
Box 2, Folder 4 Lewis, B.B.: Extract from the memorial addess of B.B. Lewis, LL.D., President of the University of Alabama
 1884
Box 2, Folder 5 Memoirs of Samuel Woods of Princeton, Mass. and Relatives (copy)
 1886
Box 2, Folder 6 Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Commandery of the State of Massachusetts: In memoriam. Companion Major-General Ambrose E. Burnside
 1881 Oct 5
Box 2, Folder 7 New England Almanack
 1771, 1786, 1797
Box 4xxx, Folder 12 New York Daily Tribune (New York, N.Y.)
 1885 Jun 18, 1885 Dec 3
Box 2, Folder 8 Newton Theological Institution: Annual Catalog
 1872
Box 2, Folder 9 Notajulone, J.-T.: A Monsieur Woods, temoignage reconnaissance et d'espoire
 1855
Box 2, Folder 10 Pattison, Robert E.: Discourse on the life and character of Rev. Francis Wayland, D.D.
 1866
Box 2, Folder 11 Punch's Pocket Book for 1852
 1851
Box 2, Folder 12 Read, Francis: Westminster Street, Providence, as it was about 1824
 1917
Box 2, Folder 13 Rhode Island Almanack
 1816, 1818
Box 2, Folder 14 Stillman, Samuel: A sermon, preached May 31, 1791 in Providence...on the death of Nicholas Brown, esq.
 1791
Box 2, Folder 15 The Transylvanian, or Lexington Literary Journal, nos. 2, 4 and 6
 1829 Feb, Apr, Jun
Box 2, Folder 16 A tribute of affection to the memory of Professor Irah Chase
 1865
Box 4xxx, Folder 13 The Watchman (Boston, Mass.)
 1887 Jul 21
Box 2, Folder 17 Wayland, Francis: The moral dignity of the missionary enterprise
 1824
Box 2, Folder 18 Webster, Daniel: A discourse, delivered at Plymouth, December 22, 1820
 1821
Box 2, Folder 19 Woods, J.C.B. (John Carter Brown): John Carter of Providence, Rhode Island July 21, 1745-August 19, 1814 and His Descendants (2 copies)
 1918
Box 2, Folder 20 List of newspapers originally found in the Alva Woods papers
 2011

Series 8. Recipes
1.0 folder

Box 3, Folder 7
This series contains a small number of handwritten recipes, all undated. Several are written on three pages that have been folded and sewn together with yarn. The others are on a single folded page that appears to have been part of a small notebook. The recipes are for a variety of things, including cakes, calves foot jelly and a remedy for lockjaw. Some include comments (e.g. not very good).

Series 9. Writings, 1820 Oct 7-1878
20.0 folders

This series contains handwritten notes, a booklet of handwritten poems by Maunsell B. Field, and writings by Alva Woods. None of the handwritten notes are signed, and few are dated. The titles of the notes were taken from the first line on the page. Most are on one page and concern religious topics. The writings by Alva Woods are dated between 1831 and 1878. All but two are handwritten.

The writings are arranged alphabetically.

Container Description Date
Box 3, Folder 8 An account of my mother's death
 undated
Box 3, Folder 9 Field, Maunsell B.: Occasional Verses
 undated
Box 3, Folder 10 I have been much engaged in reading the scriptures
 1829 Feb 8
Box 3, Folder 11 If I know myself at all
 undated
Box 3, Folder 12 It is a question that very naturally arises
 undated
Box 3, Folder 13 Note regarding the use of the word "oneness"
 undated
Box 3, Folder 14 The Pearl Bark (poem)
 1820 Oct 7
Box 3, Folder 15 This eloquence was poured
 undated
Box 3, Folder 16 Thou read with great attention
 1800s
Box 3, Folder 17 What was their reply?
 undated
Box 3, Folder 18 Where was Jesus born?
 1832 Dec 16
Box 3, Folder 19 Who was the father of Abraham?
 undated
Box 3, Folder 20 Woods, Alva: Address before the Knowles Rhetorical Society at their annual meeting at Newton Centre, Mass.
 1844 Aug 20
Box 3, Folder 21 Woods, Alva: Address to Sunday School children delivered at Tuscaloosa, Ala.
 1832 Jul 4
Box 3, Folder 22 Woods, Alva: Baccalaureate address, delivered August 11, 1834 at the Third Annual Commencement of the University of the State of Alabama
 1834
Box 3, Folder 23 Woods, Alva: Commencement prayer
 1832 Dec 12
Box 3, Folder 24 Woods, Alva: Female influence
 1844 Mar 18
Box 3, Folder 25 Woods, Alva: Introductory discourse delivered before the Lyceum of Tuscaloosa, Alabama
 1831 Jul 11
Box 3, Folder 26 Woods, Alva: The introductory lecture before the Alabamian Institute, delivered December 7, 1833
 1834
Box 3, Folder 27 Woods, Alva: Remarks at the Centennial Anniversary of Phillips Academy, Andover, June 5, 1878
 1878

Series 10. Photographs, circa 1871
2.0 folders

This series contains loose photographs that were found in with other material in the Alva Woods papers. The original owner of the photographs is not known. Most of them are pictures of various European sculptures, such as the Venus de Milo. Two are pictures of children.


Container Description Date
Box 3, Folder 28 Identified
 circa 1871
Box 3, Folder 29 Unidentified men
 undated