Rowland Hazard Papers (Mss. Gr. 6)

The Rowland Hazard Papers held by the University of Rhode Island include an assortment of private and professional papers spanning the period from approximately 1840-1889. Many of the papers deal with Hazard's particular business interest in taxation and tariff, wool production and trade and bimetallism. Others relate to Hazard's involvement with organizations such as the Washington County Agricultural Society, for whom he made annual speeches. Still others relate to his life as a scholar, orator and Christian. Included in the collection are school papers, correspondence, business records, newspaper clippings, speeches and club records.

The University of Rhode Island also holds the papers of Caroline Hazard, Thomas Arnold Hazard and Rowland G. Hazard, forming a unique glimpse at this Rhode Island family of note. See also the Hazard Family Papers collection at the Rhode Island Historical Society Library.

The Rowland Hazard Papers are divided into eight series as follows:

Series I, School Records, consists of handwritten class and lecture notes, algebra computation notebooks and a textbook on chemistry written in German.

Series II, Correspondence, consists of correspondence both received by and sent by Rowland Hazard. Letters include such topics as business dealings, family matters and Peace Dale church issues. Also included is a letter from Hazard to President Grover Cleveland, correspondence from Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute and a large group of letters responding to speeches given by Hazard at Washington County Agricultural Society meetings.

Series III, Business Records, consists of Northern Pacific Railroad investments and expenditures and materials regarding the construction of a bridge designed by Hazard in Santa Barbara, CA.

Series IV, Newspaper Clippings, consists of newspaper clippings collected on issues of concern to Hazard such as business, religion, currency, tariffs, railroads, mining and prohibition as well as editorials on commerce by Edward B. Williams. Of note are two eulogies delivered by Hazard.

In Series V, Memorial Service consists of materials relating to the service of remembrance for Rowland Hazard held at the Peace Dale Congregational Church in South Kingston, RI on Dec 31, 1898. Includes newspaper clippings, a memorial speech by the President of the University of Michigan and personal responses to invitations to attend the service.

Series VI, Speeches, consists of handwritten and typed speeches delivered by Rowland Hazard, including those he delivered annually at the Washington County Agricultural Society (W.C.A.S.) Fair and speeches he gave on topics of contemporary interest at various occasions.

In Series VII, Miscellaneous consists of handwritten notes, speech outlines, account ledgers, poetry, papers from organizations of which Hazard was a member and materials regarding events held by the Congregational denomination. Also included is a small photographic portrait of Hazard.

Series VIII, Club Records, consists of papers read by Rowland Hazard at meetings of the South Kingstown Republican Club.