Guide to the Mildred Anne Paine Papers
Rachel Li, Student Assistant and Mark C. Shenise, Associate Archivist
United Methodist Archives and History Center
General Commission on Archives and History of The United Methodist Church
2019-09-06
Overview of Collection
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| Record Creator: |
Paine, Mildred Anne |
| Title: |
Mildred Anne Paine Papers |
| Date Span: |
1914-1979 |
| Abstract: |
Mildred Anne Paine (1893-1988), American Missionary to Japan, was born on July 25, 1893 in Barre, New York. Paine earned a Master’s Degree from Boston University in 1927, and a Psychology degree from New York University in 1935, as well as further theological training. She was briefly employed as a school teacher near her home before she entered the Women’s Foreign Missionary Service with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1920. She sailed to Japan that year, and spent her first five years abroad learning Japanese and working in Kagoshima. After the war, Paine continued her missionary work at Ai Kei Gakuen until her retirement in 1962. Paine died in September 1988 in Asheville, North Carolina. |
| Extent: |
2.16 cubic feet |
| Identification: |
gcah.ms.gcah4671 |
Biographical Note
Mildred Anne Paine (1893-1988), American Missionary to Japan, was born on July 25, 1893 in Barre, New York. She was the daughter of Emory Conydon Paine and Martha V. Waterman Paine. Her grandfather, Colonel Elisha Wright, was a primary founder of the community of Barre and the Barre Methodist Church in 1833.
She graduated from Genesee Wesleyan Seminary and went on to earn a BA in Psychology and Sociology from Oberlin College in 1919. Paine earned a Master’s Degree from Boston University in 1927, and a Psychology degree from New York University in 1935, as well as further theological training.
Paine was briefly employed as a school teacher near her home before she entered the Women’s Foreign Missionary Service with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1920. She sailed to Japan that year, and spent her first five years abroad learning Japanese and working in Kagoshima.
In 1923, a devastating earthquake demolished the Methodist Social Evangelistic Center in East Tokyo, and left a community of people displaced and impoverished. Members of the Methodist Mission observed pressing needs in the community for social aid, schooling for children, and religious education. In 1928, Paine was given supervisory responsibilities over all aspects of a new community center named Ai Kei Gakuen, which opened its doors in 1930. She oversaw the building’s construction and organized its functions, including the school, health clinic, religious education, and other community services.
After the Japanese entered WWII in 1941, Paine and her fellow American missionaries were cut off from all contact with the United States, but Paine continued her work at Ai Kei Gakuen undeterred until she was interned by the Japanese government in 1942. After one year of internment, Paine was released and allowed to return to the United States. After the war, Paine continued her missionary work at Ai Kei Gakuen until her retirement in 1962.
Following WWII, the Japanese government distinguished Paine with two honors. The first was a citation given by the Welfare Ministry of Japan in 1958, for her “devotion to children, boys and youth welfare.” In 1960, she was honored with the 4th Class of the Imperial Order of the Sacred Treasure from the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare in recognition of her social work at Ai Kei Gakuen
Paine died in September 1988 in Asheville, North Carolina.
Scope and Content Note
This collection of personal papers of Mildred Anne Paine includes 23 diaries and journals, photographic images, correspondence, clippings, and biographical miscellany, most of which concern her years of missionary work. The correspondence includes personal, business, and Dear Friends letters.
Most of the diaries contain additional related information tucked between the pages, including letters, poems, prayers and newspaper clippings. The completeness of entries varies from year to year, with the most detailed and personal information from 1957-1974. Some years are missing from this collection, particularly in the period of 1926-1943. The entries are generally written in reflection of the day at hand, noting activities both personal and missionary related, daily concerns and observations, and interactions with colleagues, staff, family, and friends.
This collection also contains genealogical information, including a hand-inscribed book of births, deaths, and marriages dating from 1830, created by Paine’s Aunt, Rena W. Goldsmith. Additionally, Paine kept a birthday book of friends and family dating from 1914.
There are eight audio cassettes of Bishop Arthur James Armstrong teaching Bible themed topics at an unidentified meeting or retreat in 1977.
Arrangement
Materials have been arranged in the following manner.
Papers arranged by record type.
Preferred Citation
When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file folder, Mildred Paine Papers, 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 on this collection.
Use Access
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
Microfilm Edition of the Mission Biographical Reference Files
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Index Terms
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Subject Terms
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Asians |
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Child care |
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Children |
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Church and the world |
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Church charities |
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Church history-20th century |
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Church work with disaster victims |
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Church work with families |
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Conversions-Christianity |
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Disaster victims |
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Education |
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Feminism |
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Fund raising |
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Genealogy |
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Health facilities |
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Japanese-Missions |
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Missionaries |
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Missionaries, Medical |
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Missions |
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Missions - Japan |
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Missions - Japan, Nagasaki |
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Missions, Medical |
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Nursing homes |
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Poverty |
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Religious education |
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Social service |
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Teachers |
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Travel |
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Travel photography |
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Village Communities |
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War |
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War work |
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Women |
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Women in church work |
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Women missionaries |
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Women teachers |
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Women's colleges |
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Women's studies. |
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Women, Christian |
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Women, Methodist |
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Geographic Terms
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Japan |
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United States |
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Subject Names - Person
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Subject Names - Corporate Bodies
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Methodist Episcopal Church |
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Methodist Church (U.S.) |
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Genre Terms
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Biographies |
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Certificates |
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Clippings |
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Correspondence |
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Diaries |
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Genealogies |
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Journals |
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News photographs |
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News releases |
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Obituaries |
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Photographs |
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Occupation Terms
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Missionary |
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Function Terms
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United Methodist Women |
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Added Names - Persons
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Armstrong, Arthur James |
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Call Number
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Folder Title
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Date(s)
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| 1602-3-1:
01 |
Diary |
1920-1924 |
| 1602-3-1:
02 |
Diary |
1926-1931 |
| 1602-3-1:
04 |
Diary |
1944-1948 |
| 1602-3-4:
06 |
Diary Clippings |
1920-1975 |
| 1602-3-6:
01 |
Photographs |
1920-1979 |
| 1602-3-6:
02 |
Photographs |
1930-1943 |
| 1602-3-6:
03 |
Photographs |
1930-1943 |
| 1602-3-6:
04 |
Photographs |
1956-1961 |
| 1602-3-6:
05 |
Photographs |
1956-1961 |
| 1602-3-6:
06 |
Photographs |
1962-1968 |
| 1602-3-6:
07 |
Photographs |
1969-1979 |
| 1602-3-5:
05 |
General Correspondence |
1945-1958 |
| 1602-3-5:
06 |
Dear Friends Correspondence |
1946-1959 |
| 1602-3-5:
01 |
Geneological Record |
1914-1974 |
| 1602-3-5:
02 |
Geneological Record |
1930 |
| 1602-3-5:
03 |
Geneological Record |
1914-1974 |
| 1602-3-5:
04 |
Biographical |
1918-1963 |
| 1602-3-6:
08 |
Photographs: Carte-de-visite |
1969-1979 |
| 1602-3-7:
01 |
Audio Cassette: Bishop Armstrong - Morning and Evening - March 6 |
1977 |
| 1602-3-7:
02 |
Audio Cassette: Bishop Armstrong - Monday - March 8 |
1977 |
| 1602-3-7:
03 |
Audio Cassette: Bishop Armstrong - Key Event - March 9 |
1977 |
| 1602-3-7:
04 |
Audio Cassette: Bishop Armstrong - The Creation - March 7 |
1977 |
| 1602-3-7:
05 |
Audio Cassette: Bishop Armstrong - The Creation - March 7 - Master Tape |
1977 |
| 1602-3-7:
06 |
Audio Cassette: Bishop Armstrong - Bible and History - March 8 |
1977 |
| 1602-3-7:
07 |
Audio Cassette: Bishop Armstrong - Tuesday Morning - March 8 - Master Tape |
1977 |
| 1602-3-7:
08 |
Audio Cassette: Bishop Armstrong - Old Testament - March 9 |
1977 |
