Guide to the Robert Cowden Papers
Prepared by 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
7/11/2000
Overview of Collection
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| Record Creator: |
Cowden, Robert |
| Title: |
Robert Cowden Papers |
| Date Span: |
1858 - 1920 |
| Abstract: |
Robert Cowden (1833-1922), United Brethren Church minister and educator, was born May 24, 1833 in Ohio. The Cowden collection is a significant representation of family records and genealogy together with records of his work in developing the Sunday School work of the United Brethren Church. |
| Extent: |
0.36 cubic foot |
| Resource ID:
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gcah.ms.3640 |
Biographical Note
Robert Cowden (1833-1922), United Brethren Church minister and educator, was born May 24, 1833, in Ohio.
Cowden began his church career by assuming leadership in his local church's Sunday School. Beginning in 1877, Colonel Cowden, as he was known throughout the church because of his military service during the Civil War, served as executive secretary of the Sunday School Association for thirty-six.
During his years of service, two significant developments occurred: First, following the example of the Chautauqua camp meeting organization and the New York Normal Union, a school for training teachers and leaders, the United Brethren Church organized the Bible Normal Union in 1886. It issued diplomas to those who completed a prescribed course of study. Second, the Home Reading Circle was organized in 1887, and provided a three-year reading course of study. In 1889, the United Brethren Church Sabbath School was managed by Cowden as its secretary.
Cowden was charged with organizing and maintaining the Sunday School which replaced the Sabbath School in 1905. The General Conference of 1909 decreed that there should be a unified denominational program for the Sunday School, the Youth Society, and Men's work. As a result the Departments of Sunday School, Brotherhood, and Young Peoples work were created. Cowden assumed leadership of the Sunday School Department. He continued in this work until his retirement in 1919. Cowden died in 1922.
Scope Note
The Cowden collection is a significant representation of family records and genealogy together with records of his work in developing the Sunday School work of the United Brethren Church. The materials regarding the Sunday School offer a window on the progress in developing the administrative and educational practices of the church. Cowden gave creative leadership in applying the Chautauqua format to the work of the Sunday School. The collection also includes Cowden's manuscript of his autobiography. It was published by the United Brethren Publishing House in 1915. Two items included are over-size and are packaged separately: a marked map of the Battle of Shiloh, and an architectural drawing of a tablet commemorating the life and work of Rev. John George Pfrimmerer, M.D., who established the first United Brethren Churches in Indiana and the first United Brethren Sunday School in 1820 on the site of this tablet.
Arrangement
Materials have been arranged in the following manner.
The Robert Cowden Collection has no formal series arrangement due to its small size.
Preferred Citation
When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file folder, Robert Cowden Collection, United Methodist Church Archives - GCAH, Madison, New Jersey. Do not make use of the item's call number as that is not a stable descriptor.
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions regarding this collection.
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Index Terms |
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Subject Terms |
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Sunday schools |
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United States-History-Civil War, 1861-1865 |
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Subject Geographic |
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United States |
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Genre |
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Architectural drawings |
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Autobiographies |
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Clippings |
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Genealogies |
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Journals |
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Manuscripts |
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Maps |
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Photographs |
| Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
| 1350-5-2:
1 |
Correspondence |
1882-1892 |
| 1350-5-2:
2 |
Correspondence |
1906-1915 |
| 1350-5-2:
3 |
Correspondence |
1916 |
| 1350-5-2:
4 |
Photographs |
undated |
| 1350-5-2:
5 |
Family Genealogy |
1915 |
| 1350-5-2:
6 |
Autobiography Manuscript |
1916 |
| 1350-5-2:
7 |
Notes and Journal Trip to Orient and Egypt |
1858-1904 |
| 1350-5-2:
8 |
Articles by Cowden |
1889-1920 |
| 1350-5-2:
9 |
Sunday School Reports and Records |
1892-1916 |
| 1350-5-2:
10 |
Minutes Sunday School Congress |
1880 |
| 1350-5-2:
11 |
World Sunday School Congress |
1904 |
| 1350-5-2:
12 |
Sabbath School Board |
1881-1886 |
| 1350-5-2:
13 |
Sunday School Magazines |
1881-1897 |
| 2457-2-1:
26 |
Map of Pittsburg Landing |
1900 |
| 2457-2-1:
34 |
Architectural Drawing |
1920 |
