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Overview
Biographical Note
Scope and Content
Arrangement
Preferred Citation
Restrictions on Access
Restrictions on Use
Subject Terms
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| Record Creator: | Osborn, Elbert |
| Title: | Elbert Osborn Collection |
| Dates: | 1800- 1879 |
| Abstract: | The Osborn material is a representative collection of a very creative author and preacher's work over a period of 60 years. His autobiography depicts his work in writing, preaching, and in ecclesiastical leadership. |
| Extent: | 0.45 cu. feet |
| Resource ID: | drew.ms.2410 |
Elbert Osborn (1800-1881), American minister, was born in Fairfield, Connecticut, April 7, 1800. He was raised in the Congregational Church.
At the age of nine, he became interested in the preaching of Seth Crowell, a Methodist preacher. After one of Crowell's classes, Osborn informed his mother that he believed he would become a Methodist. Soon after he was converted by Crowell. Within five or six months the entire family became Methodists and opened their home to preaching.
At 14, Osborn obtained a state of perfect love. At 20, he was licensed to exhort by Laban Clark, and at 25, he was admitted to full connection and ordained a deacon. Two years later, he was ordained elder, serving in the New York Conference.
In 1825, Osborn married Sarah Wright of Cornwall, Connecticut. He was a dedicated itinerant Methodist preacher, who was a successful evangelist as well as a prolific writer.. Osborn died in 1881 at Ocean Grove, New Jersey. He is buried in Pleasantville, New York and left his widow and three children.
The Osborn papers are comprised of correspondence to and from Osborn from 1817 to 1879. There is also a large folder of his writings and manuscript booklets on a wide variety of subjects. In addition, the collection includes sermon notes, lists of Biblical texts, church documents written by Osborn as well as the manuscript of his published autobiography, titled Passages. The Drew University Library has several copies of this book. There is also a large collection of articles Osborn wrote for publication in the Christian Advocate. There are several small booklets as follows: an 1844 record of the Hampstead Harbor, New York Circuit; a booklet containing an article on Sunday School Sabbath activities; and 1827 booklet containing Osborn's reminiscences on a variety of subjects.
Materials have been arranged in the following manner.
The collection is arranged by record type with a subsequent arrangement by chronological order.
When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file folder, Elbert Osborn Collection, Methodist Collection - Drew University, Madison, New Jersey. Do not make use of the item's call number as that is not a stable descriptor.
There are no restrictions regarding this collection. Copyright still owned by Drew. Permissions to publish must be directed to Drew.
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.
| Call Number | Folder Title | Date(s) |
| 2128-4-7: 1 | Correspondence | 1817-1879 |
| 2128-4-7: 2 | Local Churches and Circuits | 1800-1878 |
| 2128-4-7: 3 | Manuscript Autobiography "Passages" | Undated |
| 2128-4-7: 4 | Articles for Christian Advocate - Folder 1 | Undated |
| 2128-4-7: 5 | Articles for the Christian Advocate - Folder 2 | Undated |
| 2128-4-7: 6 | Articles for the Christian Advocate - Folder 3 | Undated |
| 2128-4-7: 7 | Articles for the Christian Advocate - Folder 4 | 1826-1864 |
| 2128-4-7: 8 | Writings - Folder 1 | Undated |
| 2128-4-7: 9 | Writings - Folder 2 | Undated |
