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MS38 - Phebe Ann Coffin Hanaford Papers, 1848-1929
Collection Overview: Correspondence, diaries, lectures, mss. of writings, poems, scrapbooks, official documents, photos, and other materials, of and relating to Hanaford and her activities in anti-slavery, temperance, women's rights, and other social causes; reports, addresses, and poems pertaining to associations with which she was affiliated including National Society of New England Women, Woman's Press Club of New York City, and Sorosis Club (New York, N.Y.); research notes concerning Hanaford written by relative Helen C. McCleary; newspaper clippings and some correspondence documenting her successes and struggles as the first woman in New England to be ordained a Universalist minister; information concerning her love of Nantucket and Siasconset, Mass.; materials relating to her friendship with Ellen Miles; and other papers. Correspondents include Phebe L. Alcott and her daughter, Phebe Anne, Alice Stone Blackwell, Antoinette Brown Blackwell, Charles Darwin, Julia Ward Howe, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Booker T. Washington, and Frances E. Willard.
Historical Note: Phebe Ann Hanaford, the first woman ordained in New England was born a Quaker in Siasconset in 1829. She gravitated toward the more cheerful Unitarian doctrine, however, and became a member of this church. She was ordained a Universalist minister in 1868 and spent a long career pastoring, writing, and working for women's rights.
FOLDER
1
Summary note: Autobiographical
Information: Form filled out by Phebe Ann
Hanaford for use in a history and genealogy
of the family, 1882; Much information about
Coffyn genealogy and PAH career
FOLDER
2
Summary note: Diary Fragments: January
1 - May 24, 1857 Discusses family life and
children, church service, anti-slavery,
Nantucket Quakers (particularly Mary B.
Farnum), "domesticity," "Leonette"; August
19- November 29, 1860 Primarily reports of
sermons heard; October 22-26, 1883
Washington trip; May 1920 Birthday
celebration
FOLDER
3
Summary note: Reminiscences of
Nantucket: "Old-Time School Days in
Nantucket" Written in New York, July 12,
1902; 8 pages Notes about people of
Nantucket and their houses Including:
Barney, Joy, Bunker, Macy, Coffin, Starbuck,
Folger, West, Gardner, Worth
FOLDER
4
Summary note: LETTERS OUT: ALS to
Friend, March 1844, report of lecture on
Greece ADS to Mr. C. Wood, bill for tuition
of Emily Frances Wood, May 8, 1844 Typed copy
to son, Reading, Mass., December 10, 1868
Giving him advice while away at school [Dean
Academy], advising prayer and saying cannot
countenance cider or wine. ALS to "Brothers
and Sisters- [New Haven church] Nantucket,
July 31, 1872, regarding Chaper IV for the
prayer meeting ALS to Charles Darwin Jersey
City, N.J. September 3, regarding test by a
neighbor on feeding insects to plants and
written as encouragement that his writings
awaken thought in America as well as in
Great Britain. ALS to George Howland Folger,
New Bedford, Mass Sept.l,. In anticipation
of a Coffin family reunion to be held in his
office and suggesting other members of the
committee. ALS to George Howland Folger,
Jersey City, N.J. Nov. 14, 1881
recommending an extensive questionnaire and
reporting on the health of Charles G. Coffin
ALS to George H. Folger, Jersey City, N.J.
March 28, 1882, Regarding Coffin Reunion
Association business, July 8, 1882 Notation
of answer included. ALS to "Sir & Friend"
thanking him for goodwill, Siasconset, August
19, 1882 Fragment ALS to Cousin [Emily T.
Barnard] [1907] regarding clearance-paper
for Ship "Lucinda" signed by George
Washington,mentions death of Nellie Worth
Copy to [Anne M. Blossom], New York, New York
March 14, 1908, On her birthday Typed
copy to Editor of "Inquirer and Mirror" N.
Tonawanda, New York January 16, 1915
Expressing hope to spend summer on Nantucket
so she can visit the Atheneum and Sconset.
LS to granddaughter, Maria complaining about
sore arm and complimenting Helen's writing.
ALS to Cousin Bascom, New York, September 4,
1919,regarding the Coffin genealogy,
particularly Mary Frank Coffin; suggesting
the book, "Early Letters of Nantucket" by
Lydia S. Hinchman ALS to Cousin Bascom, New
York September 5, 1919, about Capt. Henry
Barnard and her own relation to Benjamin
Franklin. ALS to Cousin Helen in Rochester,
New York, September 8, 1920, expressing
thanks and praise for book of poems by
Cousin. ALS to [Catherine (Wyer) Starbuck]
concerning Bible. [Siasconset] n.d.
FOLDER
5
Summary note: Dr. Joseph H. Hanaford
Indenture from Joseph Mitchell leaving house
on Water Street, Aug. 9, 1856 Letters to
Phebe Ann, Reading, Mass., 1871-1872,
speaking of his unhappy life after their
separation. Typed poem, 1896 Introduction to
"Life of George Peabody" by Phebe Ann.
FOLDER
6
Summary note: Letters In to Phebe Ann:
A - D 4 ALS from Phebe L. Alcott, Auburndale,
New York, [1852], 1856, 1859, 1860, Giving
family news. 8 ALS from Phebe Anne Alcott,
Auburndale, New York 1856 Listing books she
has read, speaking of her ambition to be a
writer Matthew Arnold London, England April
24, 1884, thanks for her communication about
Lucretia Mott S. C. Benedict, Little Falls
November 11, n.y. regarding her son's
possible change of faith Alice Stone
Blackwell (editor of Women's Journal, Boston)
7 post cards, 1916-1919; ALS, Boston, Mass.,
November 2, 1920, thanking her for her part
in making woman's suffrage possible.
Antoinette Brown Blackwell (Unitarian
minister) ALS, Chilmark, Mass. July 10, 1918
Regarding birthdays and family.; Fragment,
n.d., Concerning address to Women's Alliance;
ALS Chilmark, Mass. June 15, n.y. [1915],
expressing sympathy on death of Ellen E.
Miles? AN Bowles Philadelphia, Pa. September
29, 1874, reporting decision to delay her
ordination Cornelius Chase Chatham 1855-1856
4 ALS: Thanking her for a description of the
Lost Island by his deceased daughter, Mary
Chase; Explaining his family genealogy
(Barnard and Swain) George F. Coffin
(brother) Typewritten copy, On board Ship
"Niger", 1859 Reporting unpleasantness of
Capt. Holly of the Ship "Hero"; Typewritten
copy, Sconset, [1860], concerning his
approaching marriage to Mary Eliza Pitman.
Mary Eliza Pitman Coffin Typewritten copy,
November 1860, Report of the murder of Phebe
Fuller by negress, Patience Cooper Oliver and
Martha A. Coffin ALS, Martinez, December 18,
1858, news of family and adopted daughter
Maida Craigin (President of Professional
Women's League LS, New York, New York
January 13, 1915, Thanks for gift of picture
of Charlotte Cushman. Charles Darwin
ALS,Kent, England, September 19, [18]76,
reply to her letter (see Letters Out)
regarding Henderson experiment with feeding
plants and suggesting possible results.
Haryot Holt Dey (President of Women's Press
Club of New York City) ALS,New York, New
York, February 26, 1915, remembering her as
Honorary President M. S. Dodge ALS,
Hamilton,December 6, 1863, thanking her for
ticket to Seaman's Friend Society
FOLDER
7
Summary note: Letters In to Phebe Ann:
F - W William A. Folger, Copy, Ship off
Sandwich Islands, November 19, [18]57, asking
her to do all she can to increase women's use
of bone hoops. J. C. Foster, ALS, Beverly,
February 5. 1866, questioning her apparent
switch from Baptist to Universalist faith.
Lucretia R. Garfield ALS, Cleveland, Ohio,
February 20, 1882, thanking-her for sympathy
on the loss of her husband [U.S. President
James A. Garfield] Emma V. Hallett, ALS,
Nantucket, Mass, July 13, n.y. Offering her a
copy of "Tuckernuck" and requesting a
substantial notice in the Inquirer and
Mirror. ALS, Nantucket, Mass., July 30,
n.y. Commenting on Inquirer and Mirror's not
publishing articles F. Hitchcock ALS, Newark,
New Jersey,July 9, 1877, Paying her $50 for
her service and $50 for her extra labor;
Praising her lecture Marietta Holley, LS,
Jefferson County, New York, December 17,
1904, sending a copy of her book. ALS,
Jefferson County, New York, November 31,
1914, regarding the death of Ellen E. Miles
Julia Ward Howe, ALS, S. Boston, Mass., June
14, 1879, About Mothers' Day. ALS, Notch
Plains, New Jersey, April 17, 1886, regarding
the death of Julia. ALS, Newport, Rhode
Island, July 16, 1899, about equality of
women. ALS, 32 Mt. Vernon, June 8, n.y.,
Saying unable to attend. Rev. S. H.
McCollester (President of Buchtel College),
ALS, Akron, Ohio, June 3, 1874, expressing
pleasaure that she will give poem at
Commencement; agreeing to attempt to arrange
a reading by Ellen E. Miles Methodist Book
Corner. ALS New York, New York,September 23,
1867, sending check for $80.85 for "The
Captive Boy" H. R. Nye ALS,Brooklyn, March
8, n.y. [1877], advising against her
organizing a new parish 0. H. Oldroyd (State
Custodian of the Lincoln Homestead) Form
letter to the WCTU Selling copies of
Lincoln's Temperance address Florence Percy
ALS, Washington, D.C.,May 7, 1864, Thanks for
praise of her poetry Orrin Roberts ALS,
Montrose, New York, October 1, 1877,Indignant
letter regarding Gunnerson's report of the
New Jersey State Convention with suggestion
that an exact count be published Elizabeth
Cady Stanton Newsclippings enclosed n.d.
Questioning the ways of God and the teaching
of certain ministers C. F. Swain ALS,
Nantucket, July 22, 1887, regarding his great
grandfather,Tristram, his family and the Rose
Lane house M. L. Thomas, ALS,Philadelphia,
Pa.,October 8, 1887; concerning meetings of
the W.C.A. and a robbery of the house where
Phebe Hanaford was living. Keren Osborne
Warner ALS, n.d., Concerning her
recommendation of Antoinette B. Blackwell for
a degree from Oberlin College Booker T.
Washington LS, Tuskegee Institute, Alabama
December 11, 1914, Requesting good pictures
to use in the education of his students
Frances Willard LS, Denver, [Colorado],
November 3, 1892, speaking of Anna Dickinson.
ALS, England, October 11, 1893, seeking
whereabouts of Anna Dickinson Letters in
from unidentified writers, 1852, 1867, 1881
FOLDER
8
Summary note: Poetry by Phebe Ann
Hanaford, collected and copied by her
Poems for Florence, bound copies made 1874.
Poems for Howard Alcott Hanaford: bound,
copies made 1874.
Occasional Poems, Hymns and Songs: 1877-
1916
FOLDER
9
Summary note: Poetry by Phebe Ann: A -
G (mostly manuscript, some typed copies,
some newspaper and other publications) A
Prophecy
After the Storm (manuscript) 1893 To Alta and
Her Loved Ones (typed) 1916 The American
Flag,(typed) 1914-1915; see back of LS July
26, 1915 [Letters Out, Folder 4] The Angel
Guard (newspaper) see Calmly Happy The Angel
of Mercy (m) n.d. The Arbutus (n), 1885 Rev.
Louise Baker, In Memoriam (m) 1896 [On loan
to Egan Institute, Summer 2007] Mr. and Mrs.
Beal's l0th Wedding Anniversary (m) n.d.
Birthday Response to the Universalist Ladies
(2 m,l t) 1920 Birthday Stanza (m) 1862
Birthday Stanzas for Mrs. Rowley (m) 1919
Calmly Happy (n) n.d. Canto Second (m,
complete ?) n.d. A Christmas Greeting (m)
1920 Clan Coffin (m) n.d. To George W. Cowell
and Wife (t) 1906 Jennie June Croley (m) n.d.
A Dego Ordination Hymn (m) n.d. Deo Volente
(1 m, 1 t) 1919, (1 m) see Hymn for the Even-
tide ,(l t) see Nantucket Island (called
Easter Morning) Easter Greeting (m) 1918
Easter Morning (see Deo Volente) To George
Ebers (m) n.d. The Eternal Atlantic (t) 1885
First Spring Bouquet (t) 1916 Fourscore and
Three (m) n.d. Funeral Hymn (for Abraham
Lincoln) date? God and Little Children (m)
1860 God Bless the Fourty Fourth (m) n.d.
God's Boundless Love (m) 1874 Grandma's Poem
at Feasel Anniversary (t) n.d.
FOLDER
10
Summary note: Poetry by Phebe Ann :, H
- N (mostly manuscript, some typed copies,
some newspaper and other publications) Hands
Folded (m) [1874] Handsome Jack (m, by H?)
n.d. For Mrs. Boneas to speak at Harmony Club
(m) 1873 A Heart Utterance (m, complete?)
1869 The Hero of the Air (m) n.d Historic
Surges in the Sea of Time (m) 1880 (lcc page
1) Hymn #1 (t) n.d. Hymn #2 (t) n.d. Hymn for
the Eventide (m) n.d. In As Much (t) 1902 In
Memoriam, Alice Warner Jerome (1 m, 1 t) 1916
In Memoriam, Mrs. Theodore F. Sewart (m) 1917
The Invisible Sorosis (m) 1887 Invocation
(Nat. Society of N. E. Women) (printed) n.d.
Joan of Arc (2 m) 1918 The Lady of the Isle
(m) n.d. The Lament (m) n.d. J. E. Lewis and
Wife (m, complete?) 1886 Little Nettie (m)
n.d. To P. H. Lovell (m) n.d. The Man for the
Times (m) 1863 My Grandmother's voice
(printed) n.d. Nantucket (m) 1848 Nantucket
Island (t) 1915 Nantucket Mayflowers (t) 1916
New England Fidelity to Duty (m) 1921 Niagara
in Winter (m) 1884
FOLDER
11
Summary note: Poetry by Phebe Ann: 0 -
W (mostly manuscript, some typed copies,
some newspaper and other publications) Ode
(p) 1866 O Blessed Mother Isle (m) n.d.
Dedicated to the Sons and Daughters of
Nantucket The Old State House (printed) n.d.
Our Home Beyond the Tide (printed) 1872 Our
Martyred President (published by B. B.
Russell and Company, Boston, 1865); 3 cc,
one covered by PAH and Titled "Abraham
Lincoln," 1899 Over the Sea to the Tomb (m)
n.d. The Pioneers (m) n.d. Hannah B. S.
Redwig's 67th Birthday (m) n.d. Reunion
Memories and Hopes (t) 1916 Ring On, Oh
Island Bells (printed) 1885 The Robin (1 m, 1
t) 1916 Mr. and Mrs. E. H. R. Ruggles' 60th
Anniversary (printed) Sam Porter (m,
complete?) [1886] Sorosis in Heaven (m) n.d.
Sounding Sea (m) n.d. Stanzas for My 90th
Birthday (m) 1919 Elizabeth Starbuck (m) 1882
George and Elizabeth Starbuck (m) n.d.
Sympathetic Greeting (t) see Hymn #1 1915 A
Thousand Years Ago (t) 1888 Tom Nevers Head
(p) n.d. Tribute to Mrs. Harriet H. VanCleave
(m, 2cc) 1917 Two Kinds of Piety (m, by Phebe
Ann?) n.d. Flossie Wait (m) 1886 Waltham May
Festival (m, complete?) n.d. The Welcome Pets
(1 m, 2 t) see Grandma's Poem at the Feasel
Anniversary 1916 The Welcome Sunshine (1 m, 1
t) 1916 West Rock (printed) n.d. What Phalo
Represents (m) 1918 Frances E. Willard Day (1
t), 1915 (MISSING, Oct. 85) A Word of Cheer
(t) see The American Flag 1915
FOLDER
12
Summary note: Prose Writing: A-G
Appreciative Words (m) n.d. Anti-Slavery
Reminiscence (m, missing last pages) n.d.
Berthe Claiche Case Review (printed in "The
American) 1906 Changes in the Law of Progress
(m) 1869 A Club Needs a Club Home (m) 1897
The Common People (3 cc printed) 1877 Current
Topics (m, missing last pages) 1899 The
Curriculum (m) 1883 The Decades Are But a Few
(m) n.d. Evening Light from the "Imitation of
Christ" by Thomas A. Kempis with Suggestions
and Reflections (m) n.d. Ex Oriente Lux (m)
1875 Genealogy (m, missing pages 25-26) n.d.
George Whitefield (m, missing last pages)
n.d.
FOLDER
13
Summary note: Prose Writing Heart of
Siasconset (m, missing page 34) n.d.
FOLDER
14
Summary note: Prose Writing, H - W
Historical Sketch of The First Universalist
Church and Society in New Haven, Connecticut
(printed) 1873 Letter to the Editor (printed)
1877 Letter to the Editor (printed) in the
Inquirer and Mirror April 22, l882 Life in
Nantucket,printed in Life Illustrated, Nov.
7, 1857 The Mayflower Compact (m) 1916
National Society of New England Women, April
6, 1895 National Society of New England
Women, December 16, 1895 Newark Club Address
of Welcome (m) n.d. Notes from My Study,
Parts II, V, VI (printed in Inquirer and
Mirror) 1871 Oration (m) 1874 Outlook Legally
(m) l865 The Philosophy of Balzac (m, missing
last pages) n.d. The Philosophy of
Individuality (m) l898 Poetry 1904 The Public
Schools (t) n.d. Rutgers College Alumnae
Scientific Literature 1881 Sorosis Annual
Report (m) 1875 Sorosis 7th Anniversary. (m)
n.d. Sorosis Anniversary (m) 1884 Sorosis
1818 (m) Sorosis 1896 (m) Women Advancing
(m), missing page 7) 1892 Women Soldiers
n.d.
FOLDER
15
Summary note: LECTURES: 12
Metaphysical lectures; Remarks for the
Metaphysical Class February 1888
FOLDER
16
Summary note: Funeral Addresses, 1869--
1890 1868, June 4, Mrs. Sprague 1869, March
30, Daniel Stodder Lincoln 1871, April 5,
Katie Hughes 1871, June 6, Mrs. Emma Allen
1875, March 2, George-infant son-George & E.
Fielding 1875, November 5, J. H. Butts 1875,
December 16, George N. Steele 1876, March 26,
Eva N. Pullen 1876, April 19, Infant Parker
1876, May 15, Edward Williwm Thompson 1877,
December, Mrs. Lydia Ann Howeth l878,
February 5, Mrs. Harriet Babcock 1878, March
22, Nettie Starratt 1878, June 16, Mrs.
Jemima Mead 1878, August 7, William Neve
1879, March 21, Isabelle R. Murch 1879, April
20, Babe Hattie Reynolds (see George -1875)
1879, October 19, Samuel Bostwick 1879,
November 11, Richard Read 1879, December 16,
Milly Sturtevant Ohum 1880, December 22, Mrs.
Losey 1882, February 10, Dr. Adelaide C.
Hastings 1883, November 13, Mrs. Maru Mclnn
(?) Cunningham Wilson 1889, June 7, Michael
Cobb 1890, October 18, Mary Ellen Lockwood No
Date: Alice Adelaide Thompson 2
Unidentified
FOLDER
17
Summary note: Notes and fugitive
pages: Minutes of Historical and
Genealogical Committee for Coffin Reunion,
Sept. 5, 1881
FOLDER
18
Summary note: Honors, licenses,
contracts, etc. Publication agreement with
C.M. Dinsmore and Company for "Camp and Gun-
Boat. Field and Prison" (tentative title)
l865 Copyright for "The Young Captain", 1865
Copyright for "Field, Gunboat, Hospital and
Prison." 1865 Letter of license from the
Massachusetts Universalist convention, 1866
Commission as deputy Grand Worthy Chief
Templar, 1868 Certificate of ordination, l868
Invitation to become pastor of the First
Universalist Society, 1870 Resolutions of
gratitude upon departure from New Haven,
Connecticut, 1870 Poem with gift of seal coat
and gloves, l872 Letter of transfer to Jersey
City, New Jersey, 1874 Resolutions of
gratitude upon departure, n.d.
FOLDER
19
Summary note: Printed Items
Constitutions and By Laws of the 2nd
Universalist Parish, Jersey City, New Jersey
(2 cc: one has autograph changes to apply to
New Haven, Connecticut) Program for New
Jersey State Convention of Universalists,
1874 (2cc) "Services at the Ordination and
Installation of Rev. Phebe A. Hanaford,"
Boston, C.C. Roberts, Printer, 1870 Presented
to Robert B. & Addie Coffin, "from their
sister P.A.H.", July 13, 1870 Six
advertisements of possible lectures Four
copies of broadsides of appearances,
including temperance lectures Broadside for
Sunday School children's concert, 1879 Appeal
funds for Church and Sunday School, Jersey
City, New Jersey Advertisement for book,
Women of the Century Appeal to the Public by
Charles H. Canfield, 1856 (2cc)
FOLDER
20
Summary note: ELLEN E. MILES Poem,
"Philitscipoma" (1 types, 1 printed) 1897 3
ALS from Maretta Holley 1 LS from Will
Carleton Books of poems presented to her and
(in turn presented to Phebe Ann)
FOLDER
21
Summary note: Correspondence between
Phebe Ann and Ellen Miles ALS from Phebe Ann
to Miles signed Aunt Winnie, August 18, 1883
ALS from Ellen Miles to Phebe Ann from
Waltham and Nantucket, 1880-1881 Typed
extract of letter written by unknown person
in 1929 describing contrast between Ellen
Miles and Phebe Ann.
FOLDER
22
Summary note: Folder 22 missing or
does not exist. June 1999.
FOLDER
23
Summary note: Coffin relatives'
Papers
FOLDER
24
Summary note: Newspaper Clippings
General biographical information New Jersey
troubles Phrenology Second Universalist
Church of New Jersey New Jersey Convention of
Universalists' refusal to admit Second
Church to fellowship
Editorial on sea-mosses, Jersey City, NJ-
July 8, 1881
FOLDER
25
Summary note: Scrap Book, 1844-1873
Newsclippings: Phebe Ann column "Our
Atheneum Lectures"; Phebe Ann letters to
the Editor
FOLDER
26
Summary note: Scrap Book, 1870-1871:
newspaper clippings
FOLDER
27
Summary note: Scrap Book, 1862-1872
Newsclippings; Program, Universalist
Meetings; Publications announcements
FOLDER
28
Summary note: Unidentified and
possibly unrelated items
FOLDER
29
Summary note: Biographical articles:
On 89th birthday -author unknown On lOOth
anniversary of birth of Phebe Ann - author,
Helen C. McCleary 4 rough drafts; final
copy (for printed article on July 27, 1929
Inquirer and Mirror, (see photograph Album
following) Photograph album with biographical
comments and family genealogies by Helen C.
McCleary
FOLDER
30
Summary note: Research Notes and
correspondence of Helen C. McCleary including
ALS from R. A. Douglas-Lithgow. Boston, March
12, 1913
BOX 6
Summary note: Books belonging to Phebe
Ann: "The Life of George Peabody", E.C. Allen
& Co., Augusta, 1875 "Soul to Soul" by
Charlotte Beebe Wilbour "Memoirs of Harriet
Newell: presented to the Nantucket
Historical Association by Phebe Ann Sept.21,
1898 "Questions on the Gospels" contains many
notations including "Nantucket" (tune: "Sweet
Home") signed Nov. 30, 1848 Phebe Ann Coffin
"S'conset Cottage Life - A Summer on
Nantucket Island, " A. Judd Northrup, Baker,
Pratt and Co., l881 "Miriam Coffin" by Col.
Joseph C. Hart. published by Henry R. Coleman
and Co., l872 Contains: Several marginal
notes ALS to Phebe Ann from Henry R. Coleman
concerning the publication of "Miriam Coffin"
San Francisco, June 6, 1872; ALS to Phebe
Ann from Henry R. Coleman sending a
complimentary copy, San Francisco, July 15,
l872; Picture of Kezia Coffin Fanning with
notes on her vital statistics "The Story of
Old Nantucket" by William F. Macy, the
"Inquirer and Mirror", Nantucket, 1915
Contains signature and marginal marks "The
Chess Players or The Game of Life " By E.
Borr von Wiltitz, Willis P. Hazard,
Philadelphia 1855; Marginal notes by Phebe
Ann