Charles Wilson Brown collection of Brown and Wilson family papers, 1846-1967

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 2023

Collection Overview

Title:	Charles Wilson Brown collection of Brown and Wilson family papers
Date range:	1846-1967
Creator:	Brown family
Extent:	1 linear_foot 1 linear ft. (1 records center box)
Abstract:	The Charles Wilson Brown collection of Brown and Wilson family papers contain correspondence, manuscripts, and photographs related to Lanta Wilson Smith (Charles Brown's aunt), Rev. Henry Wheaton Brown (Charles Brown's father) and Rev. William Jones Wilson (Charles Brown's grandfather). The correspondence is largely written to or by Lanta Wilson Smith and includes some of her poetry; the remaining correspondence is written by or related to Rev. William Jones Wilson. Autobiographies of both Rev. Brown and Rev. Wilson can be found in the collection as can parish programs and related clippings. The photographs are of Maine churches and Rev. Wilson and his wife.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Collection number:	Ms.97.3

Scope & content

This collection of approximately 62 items, dating from 1846 to 1967, consists of letters, clippings, cash books, and two autobiographies. These are mostly the papers of Lanta Wilson Smith (Charles Brown's aunt) as well as those of Rev. Henry Wheaton Brown (Charles Brown's father), and Rev. William Jones Wilson (Charles Brown's grandfather).

The correspondence (Series 1) letters from and to Lanta Wilson Smith and letters from others. Subsequent series contain manuscripts (including the autobiographies), printed items, newspaper clippings, and photographs.

Access Points

Subject Names

• Smith, Lanta Wilson
• Wilson, William Jones (1818-1899)
• Brown, Henry Wheaton, b. 1846
• Brown, Charles W. (Charles Wilson), b. 1874

Subject Organizations

• Brown University. Class of 1900.
• Brown University--Faculty

Subject Topics

• Methodist Church -- Clergy
• Methodists -- Biography

Document Types

• Obituaries
• Invitations
• Broadsides (notices)
• Clippings (information artifacts)
• Photographs
• Letters (Correspondence)

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in six series:

• Series 1. Correspondence
• Series 2. Manuscripts
• Series 3. Printed items
• Series 4. Newspaper clippings
• Series 5. Photographs
• Series 6. Miscellaneous

The correspondence (Series 1) is broken up into three sections: A. Letters from Lanta Wilson Smith; B. Letters to Lanta Wilson Smith; and C. Letters to and from others; within those sections the letters are arranged alphabetically. Subsequent series contain manuscripts (including the autobiographies), printed items (arranged alphabetically), newspaper clippings (also arranged alphabetically), and photographs.

Biographical note

Charles Wilson Brown (1874-1974) received a BA in Philosophy from Brown University in 1900, and did graduate work in geology, first at Lawrence University in Wisconsin, then at Harvard University. In 1905 Charles Brown became a professor and the Head of the Geology Department at Brown University.

Professor Brown's father, the Rev. Henry Wheaton Brown (1846-?), was married to Abbie Ellen Wilson, daughter of Rev. William Jones Wilson. Rev. Brown served in the Civil War, went into business for a while, then served as a Methodist pastor in, among other states, Wisconsin, the Dakota Territory, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.

The Rev. William Jones Wilson (1818-1899) was married to Sedelia A. Follett and had two daughters, Abbie Ellen Wilson Brown (married to Rev. Henry Wheaton Brown) and Lanta Wilson Smith (married to Rev. C. Harley Smith). Rev. Wilson built up a church in Belfast, Maine, during his first years as a pastor. He later served in Nebraska, Wisconsin, and the Dakota Territory. His last pastorate was at Hingham, Massachusetts.

Lanta Wilson Smith wrote poems, songs, and hymns, notably "Scatter Sunshine" and "This Too, Will Pass Away". Mrs. Smith accompanied her husband to parishes throughout the Mid West and New England.

See Charles Wilson Brown, Encyclopedia Brunoniana for additional information on Professor Brown.

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:	Researchers are advised that express written permission to reproduce, quote, or otherwise publish any portion or extract from this collection must be obtained from the Brown University Library. Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. It is up to the researcher to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation:	Charles Wilson Brown collection of Brown and Wilson family papers, Ms. 97.3, 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:	Gift of Professor Charles Wilson Brown in 1971.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	John Hay Library staff.
Encoding:	This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-06-30.

Additional Information

Other information:

Repository catalog record for this collection: Charles Wilson Brown collection of Brown and Wilson family papers

Inventory

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