Guide to the Charles H. Smith collection, circa 1860-1963
Special Collections, James P. Adams Library
Rhode Island College
600 Mount Pleasant Ave
Providence, RI, 02908
Tel: 401-456-8380
email:digitalcommons@ric.edu
Published in 2024
Collection Overview
Title: |
Charles H. Smith collection |
Date range: |
circa 1860-1963 |
Creator: |
Smith, Charles H. |
Extent: |
1.5 cubic feet
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Abstract: |
Includes the papers of Charles Henry Smith, as well as materials related to the management of his estate following his death. |
Language of materials: |
English |
Repository: |
Special Collections, James P. Adams Library
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Collection number: |
MSS-0006 |
Scope & content
The collection is divided into two series. The first consists of Charles H. Smith’s own papers and documents related to his life. The second series contains all materials associated with the management and maintenance of the Charles H. Smith Estate following the death Smith.
Access Points
Subject Names
Subject Organizations
Subject Topics
Geographical Names
Document Types
Arrangement
The collection has been arranged into the following series:
- Series 1: Charles H. Smith papers; circa 1860-1937.
- Series 2: Charles H. Smith Estate; 1900-1963.
Biographical/Historical Note
Charles H. Smith was born in Providence around 1846 to John H. Smith and Betsy Briggs Smith. After graduating from Providence High School, he worked as a figuring clerk for some time in the 1860s for Gorham Manufacturing, before establishing himself as a real estate agent and investor in the 1870s. In 1875, he married Clara Danforth Cheney Holbrook and they adopted a son, Henry Beckwith Smith, in 1886. In 1882, Charles Smith joined the Rhode Island Historical Society as a member of the Finance Committee and throughout his life, he gave many benefactions to educational institutions and hospitals in Providence.
After Smith’s passing in 1900, his estate was inherited by his son, Henry B. Smith, and managed by a board of trustees until Henry Smith’s death when it was given to the City of Providence under the condition that revenue from the estate be used to maintain Roger Williams Park.
Access & Use
Access to the collection: |
The collection is open for research. |
Use of the materials: |
Researchers are advised to contact Rhode Island College Special Collections for questions regarding permissions to reproduce, distribute, or otherwise publish material from this collection. Although Rhode Island College has physical ownership of the collection, it does not necessarily hold literary rights. It is up to the researcher to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them. |
Alternate form: |
This collection has not been digitized. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact the Rhode Island College Special Collections. |
Preferred citation: |
Charles H. Smith collection, MSS-0006, Special Collections, James P. Adams Library, Rhode Island College. |
Contact information: |
Special Collections, James P. Adams Library Rhode Island College 600 Mount Pleasant Ave Providence, RI, 02908 Tel: 401-456-8380 email:digitalcommons@ric.edu
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Administrative Information
ABOUT THE COLLECTION |
Acquisition: |
The collection was compiled and donated by Dr. John Salesses, long-time Rhode Island College professor, who held such positions as Associate Professor, Chair of the English Department, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Dean of Graduate Studies. The collection was donated to Adams Library Special Collections by Dr. John Salesses in 1980 in memory of Dr. Paul R. Maixner of the Rhode Island College Department of English. |
Processing information: |
The collection was arranged and partially described in the 1980s by Special Collections staff. Further description was added and the finding aid created by Hydin Stallman, Special Collections student worker, under the supervision of Veronica L. Denison, Digital Archivist and Special Collections Librarian. |
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ABOUT THE FINDING AID |
Author: |
Finding aid prepared by . |
Encoding: |
This finding aid was encoded by Veronica L. Denison, 2024 |
Descriptive rules: |
Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) |
Additional Information
Separated material: |
Two copies of the copy of the Last Will and Testament of Charles H. Smith with Codicil were removed from the collection as they were duplicate copies and in poor condition. |
Location/Existence of copies: |
This collection has not been digitized. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact the Rhode Island College Special Collections. |
Other information: |
Works used in preparation of inventory:
State of Rhode Island in General Assembly January Session, A.D. 2002. May 02, 2002. Date accessed August 20, 2024.
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText02/SenateText02/S2982.pdf |
Inventory
Series 1. Charles H. Smith papers, circa 1860-1937
0.4 cubic feet
This series contains a journal kept by Smith that includes information on Gorham Manufacturing, the impeachment procedures of President Johnson, the Providence water supply, cutlery, and notable quotes printed and pasted into the journal. The series also includes short biographical information on Smith, and a letterpress book containing letters written by him, as well as several newspaper clippings and notes kept by Smith.
Box 1, Folder 1 |
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Journal
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1867-1881 |
Box 1, Folder 2 |
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Biographical information of Charles H. Smith’s life, author unknown
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undated |
Box 1, Folder 3 |
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Last Will and Testament of Charles H. Smith with codicil
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1900 February 02 |
Box 1, Folder 4 |
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Two copies of the Last Will and Testament of Charles H. Smith with codicil
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1937 |
Box 1, Folder 5 |
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Newspaper clippings and notes
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circa 1891-1893 |
Box 4 |
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Letterpress book
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circa 1860-1895 |
Series 2. Charles H. Smith Estate, 1900-1963
1.1 cubic feet
Box 1, Folder 6 |
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Estate inventory
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1900-1915 |
Box 1, Folder 7 |
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Notes on estate apartments
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1941-1958 |
Box 1, Folder 8 |
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Eldorado Apartment Notebook
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1942 January 16 |
Box 1, Folders 9-10 |
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Insurance Register of the Charles H. Smith Estate
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undated |
Box 1, Folder 11 |
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Insurance Register of the Charles H. Smith Estate
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1954 |
Box 1, Folder 12 |
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Insurance Register of the Charles H. Smith Estate
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1963 |
Box 2, Folder 1 |
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Estate of Charles H. Smith Inventory
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circa 1963 |
Box 2, Folder 2 |
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Estate of Charles H. Smith Inventory, Revised Book
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1963 February 07 |
Box 2, Folder 3 |
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Estate of Charles H. Smith: Report on Examination of Financial Records
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1962 September 30 |
Box 2, Folder 4 |
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Charles H. Smith Estate, property notes: Hingell Street
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1942-1962 |
Box 2, Folder 5 |
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Charles H. Smith Estate, property notes: Broadway
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1942-1958 |
Box 2, Folder 6 |
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Charles H. Smith Estate, property notes: Cushing Apartments
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1942-1963 |
Box 2, Folder 7 |
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Charles H. Smith Estate, property notes: Dean Street
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1942-1957 |
Box 2, Folder 8 |
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Charles H. Smith Estate, property notes: Francis Street
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1941-1961 |
Box 2, Folder 9 |
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Charles H. Smith Estate, property notes: Keene Street
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1943-1963 |
Box 2, Folder 10 |
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Charles H. Smith Estate, property notes: Lloyd Avenue
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1942-1963 |
Box 2, Folder 11 |
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Charles H. Smith Estate, property notes: Medway Manor
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1942-1963 |
Box 2, Folder 12 |
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Charles H. Smith Estate, property notes: Olive Street Garages
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1942-1959 |
Box 2, Folder 13 |
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Charles H. Smith Estate, property notes: Bayview Avenue Garages
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1948-1957 |
Box 2, Folder 14 |
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Charles H. Smith Estate, property notes: West Clifford Street
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1942-1963 |
Box 2, Folder 15 |
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Charles H. Smith Estate, property notes: University Apartments
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1942-1963 |
Box 2, Folder 16 |
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Charles H. Smith Estate, property notes: Thurbers Avenue
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1943-1963 |
Box 2, Folder 17 |
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Charles H. Smith Estate, property notes: Stanwood Street
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1942-1963 |
Box 2, Folder 18 |
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Charles H. Smith Estate, property notes: Smith Apartments
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1941-1963 |
Box 3, Folder 1 |
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Charles H. Smith Estate, property notes: Paragon Apartments
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1941-1963 |
Box 3, Folder 2 |
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City of Providence v. J. Joseph Nugent, Attorney General and Harold Moskol, Administrator of Charitable Trusts
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1963 June 25 |
Box 3, Folder 3 |
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Letters from “Records of the Executors and Trustees of the Estate of Charles H. Smith, Starting December 15, 1900”
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1916-1935 |
Box 3, Folder 4 |
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Photographs of unidentified individuals
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undated |
Box 3, Folder 5 |
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Charles H. Smith Estate general property notes, newspaper clippings about selling property, Kennedy birthday party invitation
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1962-1963 |
Box 5 |
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Records of the Executors and Trustees of the Estate of Charles H. Smith, Starting December 15, 1900
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1900-1937 |