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Overview

Biographical Note

Scope and Content

Arrangement

Preferred Citation

Restrictions on Access

Subject Terms

Container List [ + ]

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Guide to the Clarence True Wilson Papers

Prepared by Robert Wafula, Lacey Brother, Keemin Ngiam, Student Assistants, Robert Drew Simpson, Assistant Archivist, and Mark C. Shenise, Associate Archivist

United Methodist Archives and History Center
General Commission on Archives and History of The United Methodist Church
(Published for the Drew University Methodist Library)

2/28/2001


Overview of Collection

Record Creator: Wilson, Clarence True
Title: Clarence True Wilson Papers
Date Span: 1861-1947
Abstract: Clarence True Wilson (1872-1939), a Methodist Episcopal Church minister and prohibition leader, was born in Milton, Delaware, on April 24, 1872. From 1910 to 1936, Wilson was the general secretary of the Board of Temperance, Prohibition, and Public Morals of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a major leader in Methodism's fight to establish national prohibition. Wilson also was a proponent of the theory that Booth did not die in a fire shortly after Lincoln' death, but escaped and lived for years under an assumed name.
Extent: 7.25 cubic feet
Resource ID: drew.ms.2434



Biographical Note

Clarence True Wilson (1872-1939), a Methodist Episcopal Church minister and prohibition leader, was born in Milton, Delaware, on April 24, 1872. Wilson was the son of the Reverend John A.B. Wilson and Mary Elizabeth Jefferson. Between 1892 and 1905 he served pastorates in several states, and between 1905 and 1910 was the pastor of Centenary Church in Portland, Oregon.

In 1910 Wilson became the general secretary of the Board of Temperance, Prohibition, and Public Morals of the Methodist Episcopal Church, headquartered Washington, D.C. Wilson continued in that work until 1936. He was a major leader in Methodism's fight establishing national prohibition. He was extremely popular as a preacher, author, and lecturer.

Wilson was one of the most colorful characters in modern Methodism. One of his major interests was the life and ministry of Bishop Matthew Simpson, leading Methodist bishop of the 19th century and confident of President Lincoln. Another interest, though unusual for a leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church, was his interest in the actor John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of Abraham Lincoln. Wilson promoted the theory that Booth did not die in a fire shortly after Lincoln' death, but escaped and lived for years under an assumed name. He spent a number of years writing and lecturing on the subject. Wilson retired at the age of sixty-five, and lived in Oregon until his death on February 16, 1939.


Scope Note

The Clarence True Wilson Collection illustrates the life and ministry of a leading figure for the fight of prohibition in the United States of America and the Methodist Episcopal Church. Wilson was a noted speaker and writer for the cause, both in the pulpit and on the street. Work for the prohibition of alcohol within the church and society in general is reflected in these records which were created while Wilson was general secretary of the Board of Temperance, Prohibition, and Public Morals. There are several sermons devoted to the temperance movement that can be found in the series of the same name. Wilson also was an eager debater in the temperance cause, and the transcripts of some of these debates are in the collection.

Wilson collected a number of clippings on prohibition and filed them in folders or scrap books. These clippings illustrate the direction and substance of Wilson's crusade as exemplified in his own writings. Another avenue of understanding Wilson and the temperance question can be found in his correspondence. These letters elucidate the management of the temperance movement within the Methodist Episcopal Church. Wilson's life was dedicated not only to temperance, but to the ministry of the church as a whole.

Wilson believed that Christianity and its moral stance was the mainstay of American society, and this view is made clear in the ministry series. Other standard theological topics such as salvation, the life and work of Jesus, etc., are included in this series as well.

Wilson was interested in Bishop Matthew Simpson and John Wilkes Booth. Wilson wrote extensively on Simpson and was one of the primary biographers of the bishop in the twentieth century. The Matthew Simpson series reflects this work.

Wilson was also interested in the theory that John Wilkes Booth did not die in 1865 but lived until 1903. He spent much time researching, collecting, writing, and speaking on the subject. Information on Wilson's life, illness, and death as well as data on his parents can be found in the Biographical series. Most of the records in this series are clippings.


Arrangement

Materials have been arranged in the following manner.

Series: Biographical
Series: John Wilkes Booth
Series: Matthew Simpson
Series: Ministry
subseries: Images
subseries: Lectures
subseries: Manuscripts
subseries: Sermons
subseries: Writings of others
Series: Temperance
subseries: Board of Temperance, Prohibition, and Public Morals
subseries: Clippings and Scrap books
subseries: Correspondence
subseries: Debates
subseries: Publications
subseries: Sermons
subseries: Wilson's Writings

Preferred Citation

When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file folder, Clarence True Wilson 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.


Access Restrictions

Copyright still owned by Drew. Permissions to publish must be directed to Drew

Subject Terms

Additional Creators - Personal
Bacon, Francis
Baines, John B.
Benson, Louis F.
Brooks, Fred Emerson
Coughlin, Charles E.
Courtney, Robert
Driver, I. D.
Homer, G. Charlotte
Hughes, Edwin Holt
Jerrell, A. J.
Keyes, Francis Parkinson
Leonard, A. B.
McIntyre, Robert
McIntyre, Ruth
Nichols, Milton H.
Peck, John
Ranick, C. C.
Rodgers, Jay G.
Simpson, Samuel L.
Thornburg, F. F..
Subject Names - Personal
Booth, John Wilkes
Lincoln, Abraham
Roosevelt, Theodore
Simpson, Matthew
Subject Topics
Biographies
Church and state
General agencies
Methodist Episcopal Church
Ministry
Preaching, Methodist
Prohibition
Social action
Social reformers
Temperance
Subject Geographic
Delaware
United States
Washington (D.C.)
Genre
Books
Clippings
Correspondence
Lectures
Manuscripts
Notebooks.
Photographs
Publications
Reports
Scrapbooks
Sermons
Occupations
Minister.


Container List


Series: Biographical
Call Number Folder Title Date(s)
2131-4-1: 1 Clarence True Wilson: Death and Funeral (clippings) 1939
2131-4-1: 2 Clarence True Wilson: general (clippings) 1926
2131-4-1: 3 Clarence True Wilson: Illness (clippings) 1939
2131-4-1: 4 Mary Elizabeth Jefferson (Clarence True Wilson's mother) Undated
2131-4-1: 5 John A. B. Wilson (Clarence True Wilson's father) 1889-1904
2131-4-1: 6 Clarence True Wilson: Tribute 1920-1941

Series: John Wilkes Booth
Call Number Folder Title Date(s)
2129-6-1: 1 John Wilkes Booth: Untitled 1922-1924
2129-6-1: 2 John Wilkes Booth: A 1944
2129-6-1: 3 John Wilkes Booth: B Undated
2129-6-1: 4 John Wilkes Booth: C 1924
2129-6-1: 5 John Wilkes Booth: D 1916
2129-6-1: 6 Book manuscript: Did the Murderer of Lincoln Escape? Undated
2129-6-1: 7 John Wilkes Booth: The Mystery 1923
2129-6-1: 8 John Wilkes Booth: E Undated
2129-6-1: 9 John Wilkes Booth: G 1902-1932
2129-6-1: 10 John Wilkes Booth: H 1907-1924
2129-6-1: 11 John Wilkes Booth: I Undated
2129-6-1: 12 John Wilkes Booth: J 1925-1927
2129-6-1: 13 John Wilkes Booth: K 1922
2129-6-1: 14 John Wilkes Booth: L 1939
2129-6-1: 15 John Wilkes Booth: M 1908
2129-6-1: 16 John Wilkes Booth: N 1921
2129-6-1: 17 John Wilkes Booth: P 1938
2129-6-1: 18 John Wilkes Booth: R 1922
2129-6-1: 19 John Wilkes Booth: S 1931
2129-6-1: 20 Book manuscript (copy I) : Trailing Lincoln's Assassin 1939
2129-6-1: 21 Book manuscript (copy II) : Trailing Lincoln's Assassin 1920
2129-6-2: 1 Book manuscript (copy III) : Trailing Lincoln's Assassin Undated
2129-6-2: 2 John Wilkes Booth: W Undated

Series: Matthew Simpson
Call Number Folder Title Date(s)
2129-6-3: 1 Matthew Simpson (Bishop): Untitled Undated
2129-6-3: 2 Matthew Simpson (Bishop): B 1914
2129-6-3: 3 Matthew Simpson (Bishop): C 1861-1936
2129-6-3: 4 Matthew Simpson (Bishop): D 1884-1928
2129-6-3: 5 Matthew Simpson (Bishop): F Undated
2129-6-3: 6 Matthew Simpson (Bishop): I 1884-1933
2129-6-3: 7 Matthew Simpson (Bishop): M 1881-1929
2129-6-7: 4 Book (2 copies) : Matthew Simpson 1929
2129-6-3: 8 Matthew Simpson, Patriot, Preacher, Prophet - Partial Manuscript Undated

Series: Ministry
Sub-series: Images
Call Number Folder Title Date(s)
2129-5-7: 9 Photographs Undated
Sub-series: Lectures
Call Number Folder Title Date(s)
2129-5-6: 1 Lectures: Untitled 1912-1932
2129-5-6: 2 Lectures: A Undated
2129-5-6: 3 Lectures: B 1922-1935
2129-5-6: 4 Lectures: C 1914-1930
2129-5-6: 5 Lectures: D 1912
2129-5-6: 6 Lectures: E 1882-1934
2129-5-6: 7 Lectures: F Undated
2129-5-6: 8 Lectures: H 1928
2129-5-6: 9 Lectures: I 1930
2129-5-6: 10 Lectures: J Undated
2129-5-6: 11 Lectures: L 1939
2129-5-6: 12 Lectures: M 1931
2129-5-6: 13 Lectures: N Undated
2129-5-6: 14 Lectures: O Undated
2129-5-7: 1 Lectures: P Undated
2129-5-7: 2 Lectures: Q 1935
2129-5-7: 3 Lectures: R Undated
2129-5-7: 4 Lectures: S 1929-1932
2129-5-7: 5 Lectures: T Undated
2129-5-7: 6 Lectures: U Undated
2129-5-7: 7 Lectures: V Undated
2129-5-7: 8 Lectures: W 1927
Sub-series: Manuscripts
Call Number Folder Title Date(s)
2129-6-2: 3 Drama manuscript Undated
2129-6-2: 4 Book manuscript: Divine Right of Democracy Undated
2129-6-7: 1 Book: Divine Right of Democracy, The 1922
Sub-series: Sermons
Call Number Folder Title Date(s)
2129-5-2: 1 Sermons: Untitled Undated
2129-5-2: 2 Sermons: A Undated
2129-5-2: 3 Sermons: B Undated
2129-5-2: 4 Sermons: C - Folder 1 1898-1927
2129-5-2: 5 Sermons: C - Folder 2 1882-1938
2129-5-2: 6 Sermons: D Undated
2129-5-2: 7 Sermons: E 1925-1935
2129-5-2: 8 Sermons: F 1901-1923
2129-5-3: 1 Sermons: G Undated
2129-5-3: 2 Sermons: H Undated
2129-5-3: 3 Sermons: I Undated
2129-5-3: 4 Sermons: K Undated
2129-5-3: 5 Sermons: M 1903
2129-5-3: 6 Sermons: N Undated
2129-5-3: 7 Sermons: O Undated
2129-5-3: 8 Sermons: P Undated
2129-5-3: 9 Sermons: R Undated
2129-5-3: 10 Sermons: S - Folder 1 1910-1930
2129-5-4: 1 Sermons: S - Folder 2 1932
2129-5-4: 2 Sermons: T 1910-1930
2129-5-4: 3 Sermons: W Undated
2129-5-4: 4 Sermons/manuscript: A 1903
2129-5-4: 5 Sermons/manuscript: B 1932-1937
2129-5-4: 6 Sermons/manuscript: C 1903-1936
2129-5-4: 7 Sermons/manuscript: E 1935
2129-5-4: 8 Sermons/manuscript: F 1934
2129-5-4: 9 Sermons/manuscript: G 1915
2129-5-4: 10 Sermons/manuscript: H 1894
2129-5-4: 11 Sermons/manuscript: I 1903
2129-5-4: 12 Sermons/manuscript: J 1905
2129-5-4: 13 Sermons/manuscript: K Undated
2129-5-4: 14 Sermons/manuscript: M 1894-1926
2129-5-4: 15 Sermons/manuscript: P 1927
2129-5-5: 1 Sermons/manuscript: R 1904-1926
2129-5-5: 2 Sermons/manuscript: S 1888-1923
2129-5-5: 3 Sermons/manuscript: T 1938
2129-6-6: 1 Book: Sermons 1876
2129-6-7: 2 Sermons 1903
2131-3-8: 7 Church programs 1908-1941
Sub-series: Writings of others
Call Number Folder Title Date(s)
2129-6-8: 1 Book: Andover Review, The 1884
2129-6-8: 2 Book: Who is Who in Oregon 1929-1930
2129-6-8: 3 Book: Important Truth Undated
2129-6-8: 4 Hand book: Grace Methodist Episcopal Church 1907
2129-6-8: 5 Book: Methodist Review, January 1885 1885
2129-6-8: 6 Book: Methodist Hymnal Undated
2131-3-1: 1 Writings: Anonymous 1933
2131-3-1: 2 Writings: B 1913-1927
2131-3-1: 3 Writings: C 1931
2131-3-1: 4 Writings: D 1907
2131-3-1: 5 Writings: F 1933
2131-3-1: 6 Writings: H 1920
2131-3-1: 7 Writings: J Undated
2131-3-1: 8 Writings: K Undated
2131-3-1: 9 Writings: L 1893
2131-3-1: 10 Writings: M 1911-1930
2131-3-1: 11 Writings: N 1932
2131-3-1: 12 Writings: P 1936
2131-3-1: 13 Writings: R Undated
2131-3-1: 14 Writings: S Undated
2131-3-1: 15 Writings: T, V, and W 1931

Series: Temperance
Sub-series: Board of Temperance, Prohibition, and Public Morals
Call Number Folder Title Date(s)
1487-1-2: 7 Photograph: Board of Temperance Undated
2131-3-2: 1 Reports: Untitled Undated
2131-3-2: 2 Reports: General Secretary's annual reports/ Mrs. Wilson's annual reports 1913-1924
2131-3-2: 3 Board of Temperance: B 1872-1924
2131-3-2: 4 Board of Temperance: C 1910-1934
2131-3-2: 5 Board of Temperance: D Undated
2131-3-2: 6 Board of Temperance: E Undated
2131-3-2: 7 Board of Temperance: F Undated
2131-3-2: 8 Board of Temperance: I Undated
2131-3-2: 9 Board of Temperance: K Undated
2131-3-2: 10 Board of Temperance: L 1936
2131-3-2: 11 Board of Temperance: N 1936
2131-3-2: 12 Board of Temperance: O Undated
2131-3-2: 13 Board of Temperance: P 1905-1928
2131-3-2: 14 Board of Temperance: R 1917-1920
2131-3-2: 15 Board of Temperance: S 1912
2131-3-3: 7 Photograph: New Methodist Building, Washington, D.C. Undated
Sub-series: Clippings and Scrap books
Call Number Folder Title Date(s)
2131-3-6: 1 Clippings: A 1923-1927
2131-3-6: 2 Clippings: B 1896-1929
2131-3-6: 3 Clippings: C 1924-1925
2131-3-6: 4 Clippings: D 1898-1931
2131-3-6: 5 Clippings: E 1921-1925
2131-3-6: 6 Clippings: F 1922-1936
2131-3-6: 7 Clippings: H 1909
2131-3-6: 8 Clippings: L 1910-1924
2131-3-6: 9 Clippings: M 1906-1930
2131-3-6: 10 Clippings: N 1900-1932
2131-3-6: 11 Clippings: O 1916
2131-3-6: 12 Clippings: P 1909-1925
2131-3-6: 13 Clippings: R 1925
2131-3-6: 14 Clippings: S 1923-1933
2131-3-6: 15 Clippings: T 1916-1936
2131-3-6: 16 Clippings: V Undated
2131-3-6: 17 Clippings: W 1910-1932
2131-3-6: 18 Note books and Scrap books: Untitled 1892
2131-3-6: 19 Note books and Scrap books: A 1891
2131-3-6: 20 Note books and Scrap books: B 1881-1895
2131-3-6: 21 Note books and Scrap books: F 1891
2131-3-6: 22 Note books and Scrap books: L 1888-1889
2131-3-6: 23 Note books and Scrap books: M 1925
2131-3-6: 24 Note books and Scrap books: N 1903
2131-3-6: 25 Note books and Scrap books: P 1888
2131-3-7: 1 Note books and Scrap books: T 1913-1914
2131-3-7: 2 Note books and Scrap books: W 1910-1921
2131-3-7: 3 Scrap book: Clippings 1897-1924
2131-3-7: 4 Scrap book: Clippings 1902-1916
Sub-series: Correspondence
Call Number Folder Title Date(s)
2131-3-8: 1 Correspondence Undated
2131-3-8: 2 Correspondence 1916-1928
2131-3-8: 3 Correspondence 1929-1932
2131-3-8: 4 Correspondence 1933
2131-3-8: 5 Correspondence 1935-1939
2131-3-8: 6 Correspondence 1940-1947
Sub-series: Debates
Call Number Folder Title Date(s)
2131-3-3: 1 Temperance Debates: Untitled Undated
2131-3-3: 4 Temperance Debates: C 1931-1933
2131-3-3: 5 Temperance Debates: E 1929
2131-3-3: 6 Temperance Debates: L 1917
2131-3-3: 8 Temperance Debates: O Undated
2131-3-3: 9 Temperance Debates: P Undated
2131-3-3: 10 Temperance Debates: T 1938
Sub-series: Publications
Call Number Folder Title Date(s)
2131-3-3: 2 Book: Prohibition leaders 1895
2131-3-4: 1 Publications: A 1925
2131-3-4: 2 Publications: B Undated
2131-3-4: 3 Publications: C 1919-1930
2131-3-4: 4 Publications: The Christ of Ages (proof) Undated
2131-3-4: 5 Publications: D Undated
2131-3-4: 6 Publications: F 1923
2131-3-4: 7 Publications: G 1929
2131-3-4: 8 Publications: H Undated
2131-3-4: 10 Publications: I Undated
2131-3-4: 11 Publications: L Undated
2131-3-4: 12 Publications: M 1932
2131-3-4: 13 Publications: N Undated
2131-3-4: 14 Publications: O 1933
2131-3-4: 15 Publications: P - Q 1868-1924
2131-3-4: 16 Publications: R 1937
2131-3-4: 17 Publications: T Undated
2131-3-4: 18 Publications: U Undated
2131-3-4: 19 Publications: W 1936
2131-3-5: 1 Newspapers and Magazines: A 1933
2131-3-5: 2 Newspapers and Magazines: C 1927-1933
2131-3-5: 3 Newspapers and Magazines: D 1936
2131-3-5: 4 Newspapers and Magazines: F 1926-1931
2131-3-5: 5 Newspapers and Magazines: G 1933
2131-3-5: 6 Newspapers and Magazines: H 1935
2131-3-5: 7 Newspapers and Magazines: M 1927
2131-3-5: 8 Newspapers and Magazines: O 1909
2131-3-5: 9 Newspapers and Magazines: P 1908-1933
2131-3-5: 10 Newspapers and Magazines: R 1932
2131-3-5: 11 Newspapers and Magazines: S 1912-1939
2131-3-5: 12 Magazines: The Voice 1915-1922
2131-3-5: 13 Magazines: The Voice 1924-1936
2131-3-5: 14 Magazines: The Voice 1939
2131-3-5: 15 Newspapers and Magazines: W 1906
Sub-series: Sermons
Call Number Folder Title Date(s)
2129-6-4: 1 Sermons: Untitled 1863
2129-6-4: 2 Sermons: A 1917
2129-6-4: 3 Sermons: B 1905
2129-6-4: 4 Sermons: C 1896-1900
2129-6-4: 5 Sermons: D Undated
2129-6-4: 6 Sermons: E 1910
2129-6-4: 7 Sermons: F Undated
2129-6-4: 8 Sermons: H 1920
2129-6-4: 9 Sermons: I 1893-1920
2129-6-4: 10 Sermons: J Undated
2129-6-4: 11 Sermons: L Undated
2129-6-4: 12 Sermons: M Undated
2129-6-5: 1 Sermons: N 1915
2129-6-5: 2 Sermons: O 1912-1925
2129-6-5: 3 Sermons: P Undated
2129-6-5: 4 Sermons: R Undated
2129-6-5: 5 Sermons: S 1918
2129-6-5: 6 Sermons: V Undated
2129-6-5: 7 Sermons: W Undated
2131-3-3: 3 Book: Temperance Sermons 1917
Sub-series: Wilson's Writings
Call Number Folder Title Date(s)
2129-6-6: 2 Book: The Case for Prohibition 1923
2129-6-6: 3 Book: Cyclopedia of Temperance 1917
2129-6-6: 4 Book: Dry or Die 1913
2129-6-7: 3 Book: Eschatology 1899
2129-6-7: 5 Book: That Flame of Living Fire 1930
2131-3-4: 9 Book manuscript: History of Prohibition 1923