Guide to the Garrettson Family Papers
Prepared by Lacey Brother, Student Assistant, Kristen D. Turner, Associate Archivist and
Mark C. Shenise, Associate Archivist
United Methodist Archives and History Center
General
Commission on Archives and History, Madison, New Jersey
11/6/2006
(Published for the Drew University Methodist Library)
Overview of Records
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Record Creator: |
Garrettson, Freeborn |
Title: |
Garrettson Family Papers |
Dates: |
1760-
1885
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Abstract: |
Freeborn Garrettson (1752-1827) was a pioneer preacher, missionary, and leader of early American Methodism. The Garrettson
Family Papers contain the papers and writings of
Freeborn, Catherine, and Mary Garrettson.
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Extent: |
2.66 cu. feet |
Biographical Note
Freeborn Garrettson (1752-1827) was a pioneer preacher, missionary, and leader of early American Methodism. In 1775, Garrettson
worked as an assistant on a circuit, and in May 1776, he was admitted on trial in the Baltimore Conference. Garrettson served
circuits in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.
During the American Revolution, Garrettson suffered more persecution than any other American Methodist preacher, in part because
he refused to take the oath to bear arms for the Americanswhich was required by Maryland law. He also was openly opposed
to slavery. He was beaten, tortured, and harassed frequently, and imprisoned in 1780 by supporters of the Revolution. During
the Revolutionary period, Francis Asbury, the only British Methodist missionary not to flee back to England, relied heavily
on Garrettson to oversee much of Methodism's early work in America.
In 1781, the Baltimore Conference appointed Garrettson to several traveling circuits in Virginia and North Carolina. He remained
in that region for a year, traveling hundreds of miles, preaching nearly five hundred sermons, stationing preachers, and holding
quarterly meetings. Garrettson returned to the Delmarva Peninsula in 1782 and stayed there until 1784.
That year, Thomas Coke arrived from England to reorganize the American Methodist societies into a church. He sent Garrettson
to the south to announce the Christmas Conference of 1784. This conference united the societies and marked the beginning
of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
At the Christmas Conference, Garrettson and James O. Cromwell were commissioned as missionaries and sent to Nova Scotia to
begin Methodist work there. Garrettson remained in Nova Scotia for three years. He returned in 1787 for the General Conference
held in Baltimore.
At this Conference he was appointed presiding elder of the Delmarva Peninsula region. Garrettson accepted his appointment,
but within a year, Asbury shifted him to the New England region.
On his journey to New England in 1788, Garrettson stopped in New York City, only to be shocked by the deteriorating condition
of Methodism in the region. He was particularly concerned with the Hudson River Valley, and was able to convince Asbury that
work was needed there. Garrettson gathered twelve young, itinerant preachers, and together they concentrated their efforts
on the Hudson River Valley.
In 1793, Garrettson married Catherine Livingston (1752-1849), the daughter of Margaret Beekman and Robert R. (the Judge) Livingston.
Catherine was the fifth of ten children. The Livingstons were a prominent American family. They had great wealth, social
position, and political connections.
Catherine's conversion to Methodism came when she was in her mid-thirties, and she became intensely religious. She joined
the Methodist Church in Rhinebeck, New York, in defiance of her family, who viewed Methodism as a radical sect. Her marriage
to Freeborn was opposed by most of her family, except her sister Margaret Tillotson, in who's home she took refuge. Catherine's
mother threatened loss of family status and forfeiture of property and inheritance rights if Catherine insisted on marrying
Freeborn. Catherine stood firm in her beliefs, and eventually her family relented.
With Catherine's support and encouragement, Freeborn continued his itinerancy in the Hudson River Valley. The Garrettson
home, Wildercliffe, in Rhinebeck, New York, was always open to traveling ministers and preachers. His marriage into the Livingston
family aided his success, despite continued regional prejudice against Methodists. When Garrettson began his work in 1788
there were four Methodist circuits in the New York Conference. By the 1791 conference meeting, Garrettson could report of
twelve circuits. At that conference he took leadership of the northern nine circuits.
In July 1793 Garrettson was appointed the presiding elder of the Philadelphia Conference. Both he and Catherine traveled
to the city. They returned to Rhinebeck in the spring of 1794, for Catherine was excepting the birth of their first and only
child, Mary Rutherford (1794-1879).
Later in 1794, Garrettson was appointed presiding elder of the New York District, a position he held for five years. During
this time he continued in the itinerancy, traveling and preaching whenever possible. In 1799 he traveled extensively throughout
the Philadelphia Conference for a year. From 1800 to 1805 he was stationed in the New York District once again. For the
next five years Garrettson served as conference missionary. In 1811 he was again appointed presiding elder of the New York
District. He held that position until 1815 when he went into semi-retirement. While family matters were of his concern,
the lure of the itinerancy still called him, as he continued to preach, travel, and attend conferences.
Even in semi-retirement, Garrettson remained active in church leadership. He was instrumental in founding Wesleyan Seminary
in New York City 1819. This institution closed in 1829. Garrettson also formed the Missionary and Bible Society of the Methodist
Episcopal Church in 1819. This organization marked the beginning of organized missionary work within the denomination. In
addition, a new Methodist church was constructed in Rhinebeck under the supervision and direction of Garrettson in 1822.
Garrettson was an important and prominent figure in early American Methodism. He was Asbury's right hand man and was instrumental
in establishing Methodism's stronghold in North America, particularly in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Nova Scotia, and the
Hudson River Valley region. Garrettson was openly opposed to slavery, a strong supporter of missions, an able administrator,
and the denomination's peacemaker.
There are several other individuals who figure prominently in this collection, primarily Catherine's siblings. Catherine
Livingston Garrettson had nine siblings. She was particularly close to her brother Edward and her sisters Janet Livingston
Montgomery, Margaret Livingston Tillotson, and Alida Livingston Armstrong. There is correspondence in this collection between
these siblings.
Janet Livingston (1743-1828) was the first child of Margaret and Robert R. Livingston. She married General Richard Montgomery
in 1773. Montgomery was a Revolutionary War commander who served under Philip Schuyler during the 1775 expedition to Canada.
Montgomery was killed at Quebec in 1776, but his ashes were not returned to the United States until 1818.
Margaret Livingston (n.d.) was the second daughter of Margaret and Robert R. Livingston. She married Thomas Tillotson, a
physician, in 1779. The Tillotson home became a refuge for Catherine during her courtship with Freeborn.
Alida Livingston (1761-1822) was the ninth child of Margaret and Robert R. Livingston. She married General John Armstrong
in 1789.
Edward Livingston (1764-1836) was the tenth child of Margaret and Robert R. Livingston. He graduated from Princeton University
in 1781 and had a legal career in New York City. In 1788, he married Mary McEvers, and they had three children. His wife
died in 1800, and his son Lewis perished in a voyage at sea. Edward remarried in 1805. His second wife, Louise D'Avezac de
Castera Moreau de Lassay was an eighteen year old daughter of a French planter. They had one daughter, Coralie Livingston
(1806-1873). She married Thomas Barton of Philadelphia.
Edward served three terms in Congress (1785-1801) as an anti-federalist. In 1800 he began serving as the federal district
attorney and mayor of New York City. He was a popular and effective mayor, but yellow fever and scandal soon hit his administration.
In 1803 a clerk in his office embezzled money, but Robert took responsibility for it, repaying the city out of his own pocket,
and removing himself from office. He then traveled to New Orleans. He was elected to the Louisiana legislature in 1820 and
to Congress in 1822, a seat he held until 1829. In 1831 he became United States Secretary of State.
Scope Note
The Garrettson Family Papers contain the papers and writings of Freeborn, Catherine, and Mary Garrettson. Together these
papers document the work and religious beliefs of a Methodist family from the late eighteenth to the mid-nineteenth century.
But, separately, the papers of each individual family member could stand alone as a significant collection. The journals
of Freeborn Garrettson provide important information on early American Methodism and its growth. Freeborn knew of, and corresponded
with, several early church leaders including Thomas Coke, Nathan Bangs, and John Wesley. He served as Francis Asbury's assistant.
His papers are an invaluable record on the itinerancy, church polity, and the development of a mainline Protestant denomination
in America. The journals and correspondence relating to Catherine Garrettson provide insight into the deeply religious and
personal beliefs of a prominent eighteenth and nineteenth century woman.
Likewise, there is a wealth of information in the correspondence sent and received by Mary Garrettson. The correspondence
of both Garrettson women highlights the extensive social network of women's friendships and connections. Many of Catherine's
friends had daughters who were, in turn, friends with Mary. Mary not only corresponded with her friends, but also knew of
and wrote to her mother's friends. It is easy to see the importance of the Livingston family name and connection, as both
Catherine and Mary were part of elite, upper class social circles. The Garrettsons socialized with some important Revolutionary
American War figures and early national leaders. The largest part of the entire collection is correspondence. Much of this
correspondence is undated. Some of the letters have typed transcriptions from the originals. The transcriber is unknown.
While some letters are fragile, most are in good condition. The material from Freeborn Garrettson includes journals, correspondence,
sermons, conference materials, biographical materials, religious tracts, and a single artifact. Garrettson's journals are
the highlight of his materials. This collection contains eleven original journals from 1779 to 1826. These journals do not
run consecutively. The entire Garrettson journal collection, which dates from 1775 to 1826, has been microfilmed. The correspondence
relating to Freeborn Garrettson is both incoming and outgoing and dates from 1786 to 1827. There are letters to John Wesley,
Francis Asbury, and Thomas Coke, as well as to other ministers, preachers, and church brothers. Garrettson also wrote to
his wife, daughter, and a few other family members. Also included in the Freeborn Garrettson materials are sermons and sermon
outlines and notations.
There is a folder of conference materials which contains several actions regarding the preachers within the New York Conference.
The biographical materials contain information on Freeborn, Catherine, and Mary Garrettson, as well as other members of the
Livingston family. Notations about a few close friends of the Garrettson's have also been included in this material. Items
relating to Catherine Garrettson include journals, a diary, correspondence, writings, an autograph album, and an autobiography.
There are fifteen journals from the years 1787 to 1848. In addition, Catherine kept a dream journal and a travel journal.
Her journals contain many references to, and accounts of, her religious conversion and experiences. A handwritten diary
is contained in the Catherine Garrettson materials.
The correspondence related to Catherine Garrettson is incoming and outgoing and is dated 1760 to 1848. Catherine wrote many
letters to Freeborn and Mary, but she was also a prolific writer to other family members and friends. Family members she wrote
to include her sisters Margaret Tillotson, Janet Montgomery, and Alida Armstrong. She also wrote to her brother Edward, and
his second wife Louise. There are many letters from Catherine Garrettson to her friends Catharine Few, Anne Van Ness, and
Catharine Rusten Suckley. Catherine Garrettson also received much correspondence from her friends, including Anne Van Ness,
Martha Pasca, and Fanny Dougan. The remainder of the material related to Catherine include a folder of writings such as poems,
scripture verses of meaning, religious notations, and diary excerpts.
There is also an autograph album belonging to Catherine, as well as a short autobiographical article. Material relating to
Mary Garrettson includes correspondence, a biography she wrote of her mother, and other writings. The correspondence is both
incoming and outgoing, although the letters she received were far greater in number. Most of this correspondence was from
her friends. Some of the friends she received letters from include A. C. Bayard, John and Ann Seys, Seymour Landon, Margaretta
Kemble, Margaretta Seth, Catherine Schuyler, Richard Reece, Matilda E. Van Ness, H. P. Tuckerman, William Willett, T. F. F.
Mercein, and others. The letters date from 1817 to 1877.
In addition, there are some writings by Mary Garrettson. These include a travel account, two books of poems, school lessons,
and diary entries. At the end of this collection there are four folders of materials related to the Garrettson family. There
is a folder of correspondence between Catharine Few and Margaret Tillotson. Correspondence among members of the Livingston
family, including many of Catherine's Garrettson's siblings, can also be found in this collection. A deposition of Catherine
and Mary Garrettson can be located in these papers as well. Finally, there is also a religious book belonging to a nephew
of Freeborn Garrettson.
Arrangement
Materials have been arranged in the following manner.
Series: Catherine Garrettson
Series: Freeborn Garrettson
Series: Mary Garrettson
Series: Garrettson and Livingston Families
Preferred Citation
When citing material
from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file
folder, Garrettson Family Papers, Methodist Collection - Drew University, Madison, New Jersey.
Do not make use of the item's call number as that is not a stable descriptor.
Alternate Form Available
Freeborn
Garrettson journals are available on microfilm. This microfilm is located in the Methodist
Collection of Drew University.
Access Restrictions
There are no
restrictions regarding this collection.
Restrictions on Use
Detailed use
restrictions relating to our collections can be requested from the office of the archivist at the
General Commission on Archives and History. Photocopying is handled by the staff and may be
limited in certain instances. Before using any material for publication from this collection a
formal request for permission to publish is expected and required.
Related Material
Works based on
these materials: Bangs, Nathan. The Life of the Rev. Freeborn Garrettson: Complied from his
printed and manuscript journals and other authentic documents. New York: Carlton and Porter,
1868; Lobody, Diane Helen. "Lost in the Ocean of Love: The Mystical Writings of Catherine
Livingston Garrettson." Ph.D. diss., Drew University, 1990; and Simpson, Robert Drew, ed.
American Methodist Pioneer. The Life and Journals of The Rev. Freeborn Garrettson, 1752-1827.
Rutland, Vermont: Academy Books, 1984.
Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, has
a collection of Garrettson letters. There are several letters to Freeborn from the leadership of
the early Methodist Episcopal Church in America, including John Wesley, Francis Asbury, and Thomas
Coke. In addition, there are also letters to Mary Garrettson from church
leaders.
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Subject Terms
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Additonal Creators - Personal |
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Barton, Coralie Livingston
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Bayard, A. C.
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Dougan, Fanny
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Garrettson, Freeborn
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Garrettson, Mary
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Kemble, Margaretta
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Landon, Seymour
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Livingston, Louise (Mrs. Edward)
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Mercein, T. F. F.
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Olin, Julia.
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Pasca, Martha
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Reece, Richard
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Schuyler, Catherine
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Seth, Margaretta
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Seys, Ann
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Seys, John
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Tuckerman, H. P.
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Van Ness, Anne
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Van Ness, Matilda E.
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Wesley, John
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Willett, William
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Garrettson, Catherine |
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Subject Names - Personal |
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Armstrong, Alida
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Cooper, Ezekiel
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Few, Catharine
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Garrettson, Catherine
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Garrettson, Freeborn
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Garrettson, Mary
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Hunt, Albert
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Livingston, Edward
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Livingston, Julia Eliza Montgomery
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Livingston, Louise (Mrs. Edward)
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Montgomery, Janet
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Nott, Maria
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Potter, Maria
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Rusten, Catharine
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Sands, Robert
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Suckley, Catharine
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Suckley, Mary.
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Suckley, Sarah
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Tillotson, Margaret
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Van Ness, Anne
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Wesley, John
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Buff, Rachel
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Subject Names - Corporate |
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Methodist
Episcopal Church
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Subject Topics |
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Church history-19th century
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Itinerancy.
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Methodism
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Women
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Church history-18th
century
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Subject Geographic |
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New York
(State).
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Genre |
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Articles
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Artifacts
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Autobiographies
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Autograph albums
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Biographies
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Depositions.
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Diaries
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Journals
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Lithography
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Sermons
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Tracts
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Correspondence |
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Occupations |
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Minister. |
Series: Catherine Garrettson
Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
1080-5-2:
1
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Diary: November 27 - January 7 |
1787-1788 |
1080-5-2:
2
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Diary: January 9 - March 8 |
1788 |
1080-5-2:
3
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Diary: March 10 - May 2 |
1788 |
1080-5-2:
4
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Diary: May 3 - December 22 |
1788 |
1080-5-2:
5
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Diary: December 22 - August 30 |
1788-1792 |
1080-5-2:
6
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Diary: March 7 - March 1 |
1793-1795 |
1080-5-2:
7
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Diary: April 21 - August |
1797-1817 |
1080-5-2:
8
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Diary: March 14 - October 28 |
1811-1816 |
1080-5-2:
9
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Diary: October 12 - November 18 |
1817-1827 |
1080-5-2:
10
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Diary: February 22 - June 14 |
1811-1828 |
1080-5-2:
11
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Diary: June 18 - August 25 |
1828-1830 |
1080-5-2:
12
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Diary: September 26 - March 8 |
1830-1834 |
1080-5-2:
13
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Diary: June 30 - April |
1834-1838 |
1080-5-2:
14
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Diary: May 9 - October 13 |
1838-1842 |
1080-5-2:
15
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Diary: March 12 - October 14 |
1844-1848 |
1080-5-2:
16
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Dream journal: August - June |
1789-1802 |
1080-5-2:
17
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Travel journal |
Undated |
1080-5-2:
18
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copy of Diary |
1787-1824 |
1080-5-2:
19
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Correspondence to Freeborn Garrettson |
1790-1809 |
1080-5-2:
20
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Correspondence to Freeborn Garrettson |
1810-1827 |
1080-5-2:
21
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Correspondence to Mary Garrettson |
1804-1837 |
1080-5-2:
22
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Correspondence to Margaret Tillotson |
1790-1837 |
1080-5-2:
23
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Correspondence to Janet Montgomery |
1790-1819 |
1080-5-2:
24
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Correspondence to Alida Armstrong |
1805-1811 |
1080-5-2:
25
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Correspondence to Edward Livingston |
1804-1836 |
1080-5-2:
26
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Correspondence to Mrs. Edward Livingston (Louise) |
1836-1845 |
1080-5-2:
27
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Correspondence to other family members and/or relatives |
1798-1840 |
1080-5-2:
28
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Correspondence to Catharine Few |
1810-1815 |
1080-5-2:
29
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Correspondence to Catharine Few |
1816-1848 |
1080-5-2:
30
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Correspondence to Anne Van Ness |
1810-1827 |
1080-5-2:
31
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Correspondence to Catharine Rusten |
1791-1794 |
1080-5-2:
32
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Correspondence to other friends |
1805-1832 |
1080-5-2:
33
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Correspondence from Ann Van Ness |
1810-1827 |
1080-5-2:
34
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Correspondence from Martha Pasca |
1778-1816 |
1080-5-2:
35
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Correspondence from Fanny Dougan |
1822-1824 |
1080-5-2:
36
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Correspondence from other friends |
1825-1846 |
1080-5-2:
37
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Correspondence from family members and/or relatives |
1760-1832 |
1080-5-2:
38
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Letter fragments |
1780-1846 |
1080-5-2:
39
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Writings |
Undated |
1080-5-2:
40
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Autograph album |
1838-1840 |
1080-5-2:
41
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Autobiography |
Undated |
Series: Freeborn Garrettson
Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
1080-5-1:
1
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Journal: May 18 - May 5 |
1788-1779 |
1080-5-1:
2
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Journal: May 21 - July 12 |
1779 |
1080-5-1:
3
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Journal: September 29 - July 26 |
1779-1780 |
1080-5-1:
4
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Journal: July 27 - October 23 |
1780-1781 |
1080-5-1:
5
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Journal: October 28 - October 11 |
1781-1782 |
1080-5-1:
6
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Journal: October 17 - December 14 |
1782-1783 |
1080-5-1:
7
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Journal: February 6 - May 6 |
1793 |
1080-5-1:
8
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Journal: March 21 - April 10 |
1805 |
1080-5-1:
9
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Journal: July 27 - August 16 |
1809 |
1080-5-1:
10
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Journal: June 16 - May 29 |
1817-1821 |
1080-5-1:
11
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Journal: March 31 - June 8 |
1824-1826 |
1080-5-1:
12
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Correspondence to/from John Wesley |
1786-1787 |
1080-5-1:
13
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Correspondence to Ezekiel Cooper |
1807-1826 |
1080-5-1:
14
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Correspondence to other ministers, preachers, and church brothers |
1785-1827 |
1080-5-1:
15
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Correspondence to Catherine Garrettson |
1791-1813 |
1080-5-1:
16
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Correspondence to Catherine Garrettson |
1815-1827 |
1080-5-1:
17
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Correspondence to Mary Garrettson |
1809-1923 |
1080-5-1:
18
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Correspondence (general) |
1805-1824 |
1080-5-1:
19
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Sermons |
Undated |
1080-5-1:
20
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Sermons |
Undated |
1080-5-1:
21
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Sermon outlines and notations |
Undated |
1080-5-1:
22
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Conference materials |
1802-1827 |
1080-5-1:
23
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Writings |
Undated |
1080-5-1:
24
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Biographical materials |
Undated |
1080-5-1:
25
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Religious tracts |
Undated |
1080-5-1:
26
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Artifact--Pocket notebook |
Undated |
Series: Mary Garrettson
Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
1080-5-3:
1
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Correspondence to Catherine Garrettson |
Undated |
1080-5-3:
2
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Correspondence to Maria Potter |
1817-1829 |
1080-5-3:
3
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Correspondence to Mary Suckley |
Undated |
1080-5-3:
4
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Correspondence to Albert Hunt |
Undated |
1080-5-3:
5
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Correspondence to other friends and family members |
1819-1878 |
1080-5-3:
6
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Correspondence from A.C. Bayard |
Undated |
1080-5-3:
7
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Correspondence from John Seys |
1835-1855 |
1080-5-3:
8
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Correspondence from Ann Seys |
1836-1842 |
1080-5-3:
9
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Correspondence (other Seys letters) |
1837-1853 |
1080-5-3:
10
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Correspondence from Seymour Landon |
1838-1850 |
1080-5-3:
11
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Correspondence from Margaretta Kemble |
1833-1864 |
1080-5-3:
12
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Correspondence from Margaret Seth |
1814-1831 |
1080-5-3:
13
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Correspondence from Catherine Schuyler |
Undated |
1080-5-3:
14
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Correspondence from Richard Reece |
1828-1849 |
1080-5-3:
15
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Correspondence from Matilda E. Van Ness |
1838-1844 |
1080-5-3:
16
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Correspondence from H. P. Tuckerman |
1828-1841 |
1080-5-3:
17
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Correspondence from William Willett |
1837-1841 |
1080-5-3:
18
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Correspondence from T. F. F. Mercein |
1853-1854 |
1080-5-3:
19
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Correspondence from other friends |
1824-1860 |
1080-5-3:
20
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Correspondence from Coralie Livingston Barton |
Undated |
1080-5-3:
21
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Correspondence from Louise Livingston |
Undated |
1080-5-3:
22
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Correspondence from Julia Olin |
1843-1877 |
1080-5-3:
23
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Letter fragments |
Undated |
1080-5-3:
24
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Biography of Catherine Garrettson |
Undated |
1080-5-3:
25
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Writings |
Undated |
1080-5-3:
26
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Writings |
Undated |
1080-5-3:
27
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Writings |
Undated |
1080-5-3:
28
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Writings, miscellaneous |
Undated |
Series: Garrettson and Livingston Families
Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
1080-5-3:
29
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Correspondence from Catharine Few to Margaret Tillotson |
1809-1835 |
1080-5-3:
30
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Correspondence between other Livingston family members and/or friends |
1775-1885 |
1080-5-3:
31
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Deposition |
1848 |