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Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterEarl Gregg Swem Library
400 Landrum Dr
Williamsburg, Virginia
Business Number: 757-221-3090
spcoll@wm.edu
URL: https://libraries.wm.edu/libraries-spaces/special-collections
Jackie Corley, SCRC Staff.
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use
Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Preferred Citation
Stephen and Mary Ann Livermore Papers, Special collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchase
Processing Information
Arranged and described by Jackie Corley, SCRC Staff, prior to May 2009.
Scope and Contents
The papers are a collection of letters written to Mary Ann Brigham Livermore and Stephen G. Livermore from friends and family members throughout the New England region. Stephen Livermore originated out of Marlboro, Mass. Some of the papers are letters from him to Mary Ann before their marriage. Many of the letters are from family that live in Massachusetts towns such as Worcester, Boston, Millbury, Marlboro, Harvard, and Holden. Other locations include Dover, N.H., Wells River, Vt., and Avon, Conn. While they were still single Mary Ann lived primarily in Worcester and Stephen traveled around the area searching for work. They spent their early married years in Springfield, Mass. from 1849-1852. Their most recent letters show that they later moved to Dayton, Ohio.
Arrangement
Letters are arranged in chronological order.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Agriculture--Massachusetts--History--19th century
- Connecticut--History--19th century
- Letters (correspondence)
- Massachusetts--History--19th century
- Massachusetts--Social life and customs
- Massachusetts--Social life and customs--19th century
- New Hampshire--History--19th Century
- New Hampshire--Social life and customs
- New Hampshire--Social life and customs--19th century
- Vermont--History--19th century
Significant Places Associated With the Collection
- Connecticut--History--19th century
- Massachusetts--History--19th century
- Massachusetts--Social life and customs
- Massachusetts--Social life and customs--19th century
- New Hampshire--History--19th Century
- New Hampshire--Social life and customs
- New Hampshire--Social life and customs--19th century
- Vermont--History--19th century
Container List
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 1 Item: 1 id29984
Letter1842Scope and Contents
1842 [?]. (Saturday afternoon) Stephen G. Livermore to Mary Ann Brigham Worcester, Massachusetts. Mentions living together in the future…He is wooing her and knows she will stay loyal.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 1 Item: 2 id30493
Letter1842Scope and Contents
1842[?]. (Sunday afternoon) Mindruel Brigham [?] to Mary Ann Brigham Worcester, Massachusetts. Picked berries while Mother went to Harvard and Worcester…Aunt Nancy is ill…making plans for thanksgiving.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 1 Item: 3 id30496
Letter1842Scope and Contents
Unknown Date. [?] to [?] Unknown location. Brother [Henry?] is very sick…spends last days with the writer until he finally dies.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 1 Item: 4 id30497
Letter11 June 1842Scope and Contents
June 11, 1842. Lydia A. Walker [sister] to Mary Anne Brigham Dover, New Hampshire. Mr. S.W. Brooks has gotten married…she ate a piece of wedding cake…expresses her disappointment with her for not being baptized and speaks of reading the bible every day.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 1 Item: 5 id30776
Letter29 July 1842Scope and Contents
July 29, 1842. A. Brigham [sister] to Mary Ann Livermore Worcester, Massachusetts. She is keeping house for Mrs. Reusse who is gone taking care of her fever-sick sister.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 1 Item: 6 id30777
Letter13 October 1842Scope and Contents
October 13, 1842. Lydia A. Walker [sister] to Mary Ann Livermore Dover, New Hampshire. She is in good health…has not heard from home lately, but a visitor from Worcester, Mr. Henry Brooks had informed her that her family is well. Preaches again of faith and prayer.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 2 Item: 1 id30779
Letter17 February 1845Scope and Contents
February 17, 1845. Stephen Livermore to Mary Ann Brigham Worcester, Massachusetts. It has been three weeks since he heard from her, she did not return his letter…a friend, Mrs. Rice wishes Mary to come and visit because she is sick and lonely…He is concerned that maybe he has angered her or done something wrong because she has not written to him.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 2 Item: 2 id30782
Letter27 February 1845Scope and Contents
February 27, 1845. Maria Waters [?] to Bonsin Julia [?] Unknown location. Wants to visit and will try to get William to accompany her.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 3 Item: 1 id30786
Letter21 June 1846Scope and Contents
June 21, 1846. Stephen Livermore to Mary Ann Brigham [?] Marlboro, Massachusetts. Wants her to visit on the fourth and stay.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 3 Item: 2 id30787
Letter3 October 1846Scope and Contents
October 3, 1846. Stephen Livermore to Mary Ann Brigham Worcester, Massachusetts. He misses her very much but he must look for work…working temporarily for Mrs. Biel.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 3 Item: 3 id30788
Letter1846Scope and Contents
Unknown date. Stephen Livermore to Mary Ann Brigham. Unknown location. He is very worried over her last letter. She said some things about marriage and love that distressed him and he wants her to explain it better to him. He reminds her of his feelings for her and how he suffers is her absence.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 4 Item: 1 id30790
Letter16 June 1848Scope and Contents
June 16, 1848. Stephen Livermore to Mary Ann Brigham Worcester, Massachusetts. He has been working in the shop…a friend is sick.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 4 Item: 2 id30791
Letter6 September 1848Scope and Contents
September 6, 1848. L. M. Leland [?] to Stephen Livermore, brother [?] Unknown location. He let his last hand at work go…will share what he has with his brother, and give him work at the shop when he arrives.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 5 Item: 1 id30799
Letter10 May 1849Scope and Contents
May 10, 1849. Sister of Mary Ann [?] to Mary Ann Livermore, Springfield, Massachusetts. Worried about Stephens health…election day had passed with celebration and cake…mother churned a lot of butter and might send some…advises Mary Ann on how to keep Stephen from getting a cold.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 5 Item: 2 id30797
Letter8 July 1849Scope and Contents
July 8, 1849. Bannabas Brigham (father of Mary) and Mindruel [?] (sister of Mary) to Stephen Livermore and Mary Ann Brigham (It is a double sided paper with two different letters on each side) Marlboro, Massachusetts. First part is about the hired help that [Bannabas] had and the logistics of the payments…also about Stephen working for him. Second part about mother who has a tooth ache…gossips about people in the community and talks a little about the fruits and vegetables that are in growing on their land.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 5 Item: 3 id30800
Letter13 July 1849Scope and Contents
July 13, 1849. Sarah [?] sister of Mary Ann to Mary Ann Livermore Worcester, Massachusetts. Talks about an amputee Walter, who is having problems with his leg situation…His "stump" is getting worse and worse.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 5 Item: 4 id30801
Letter24 July 1849Scope and Contents
July 24, [1849?]. Sarah [?] to Mary Ann Livermore Worcester, Massachusetts. Sorry to hear of Stephen's sickness…talks of her work in Brookfield where she got very worn out and sick…She was very disappointed in the school she taught at and left as soon as it was possible with her uncle.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 5 Item: 5 id30802
Letter16 September 1849Scope and Contents
September 16, 1849. [?] to Mary Ann Livermore Springfield, Massachusetts. Lizzy was very sick…she had an attack of the dysentery and typhoid fever. Many people have been sick in Worcester and there have been a lot of deaths this season.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 5 Item: 6 id30803
Letter25 December 1849Scope and Contents
December 25, 1849. R. Livermore to Stephen Livermore Wells River, Vermont. Wants him to come visit…has no notion of getting married although there are many "pretty and good girls" where he lives.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 5 Item: 7 id30798
Letter1849Scope and Contents
Month [?] 1849. Mina [Brigham?] to sister [Mary Ann Brigham?] Unknown location. Persists that Stephen comes to visit and says her and her mother will be angry if he does not…chastises her for not working enough and having Stephen do all the work while she plays and eats.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 6 Item: 1 id30805
Letter4 February 1850Scope and Contents
February 4, 1850. Aaron Livermore to Stephen Livermore Millbury, Massachusetts. Describes the death of his little brother on January 18. Also mentions the death and burial of Mr. Preston.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 6 Item: 2 id30806
Letter3 March 1850Scope and Contents
March 3, 1850. P.A. Bliss [?] to Mary Ann Livermore Worcester, Massachusetts. A cold is going around Worcester and making people sick…sister was sick with the influenza but recovered.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 6 Item: 3 id30807
Letter8 March 1850Scope and Contents
March 8, 1850. Mina[?] to father [?] Worcester, Massachusetts. She had rested in the winter so as to get right to work when she returned home.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 6 Item: 4 id30809
Letter21 April 1850Scope and Contents
April 21, 1850. [?] to Stephen Livermore Wells River, Vermont. [Stephen's] bother is very sick… he advises him to visit because the doctor has said he does not have much longer to live.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 6 Item: 5 id30810
Letter13 May 1850Scope and Contents
May 13, 1850. George W. Livermore to Stephen Livermore Millbury, Massachusetts. He is staying in Millbury this summer…possibly a whole extra year if they give him the farm…but he wants to go to school in that fall.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 6 Item: 6 id30808
Letter, undatedScope and Contents
Unknown Date. Sister[?] to Mary Ann Livermore Springfield, Massachusetts. Father came back from Worcester…grandmother is recovering although still not well enough to travel. Edward is to spend the summer with their family.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 7 Item: 1 id30812
Letter13 June 1850Scope and Contents
June 13, 1850. Sister [?] to Mary Ann Livermore Marlboro, Massachusetts. Went to Worcester…father gave her two dollars…She looked for new shoes and whitened her bonnet. Stephen bought Mary Ann a new dress.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 7 Item: 2 id30813
Letter23 August 1850Scope and Contents
August 23, 1850. Lyman G. and L. H. Marsh [?] to [?] Plainfield, Massachusetts. Aunt Harriet has been sick…Lyman bought a farm for $700…but his health has been poor.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 7 Item: 3 id30814
Letter29 September 1850Scope and Contents
September 29, 1850. Hosea Tarbell [?] to Stephen Livermore Boston, Massachusetts. Plans to travel to California before next spring…his health is great and he is loving his job in Boston.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 7 Item: 4 id30815
Letter3 October 1850Scope and Contents
October 3, 1850. Sister [?] to Mary Ann Livermore Marlboro, Massachusetts. Picked and sold their best peaches…went to Boston last week for a festival.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 7 Item: 5 id30817
Letter25 December 1850Scope and Contents
December 25, 1850. C. Krowther [?] to Stephen Livermore Worcester, Massachusetts. News of the death of Mr. Edward B. Rice in California…funeral arranged for next Sabbath afternoon….advises to send his sister home since she should probably like to be with her mother.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 7 Item: 6 id30816
Letter, undatedScope and Contents
Unknown Date. Brother [?] to Stephen Livermore Springfield, Massachusetts. Father wants to know how much he could sell for 15 barrels of apples and pay the freight and what the freight is.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 8 Item: 1 id30820
Letter29 September 1851Scope and Contents
September 29, 1851. Sarah Affard to cousins[?] Avon, Connecticut. Family is in good health…Sarah is married…sends love to their family.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 8 Item: 2 id30822
Letter2 October 1851Scope and Contents
October 2, 1851. Elizabeth [?] and L. H. Marsh to Stephen and Mary Ann Livermore (double sided letter—one from L.H. Marsh and one from Elizabeth Holden, Massachusetts. First part is about their decision to stay in Holden until the spring…would like to know if Henry is getting any better. Second part is about how the family is doing well…they are currently residing in Holden but will leave by next spring.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 8 Item: 3 id30824
Letter1 December 1851Scope and Contents
December 1, 1851. Aunt S. Billings to [?] Harvard, Massachusetts. She is sick with the cold…wants to visit and stay for a while…she describes herself as a lonely widow and her eyes are failing her.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 8 Item: 4 id30826
Letter7 December 1851Scope and Contents
December 7, 1851. P.A.B. to Mary Ann Livermore Worcester, Massachusetts. She is going to head for the west this week…at present she has been keeping house, but she is miserable…hopes Mary Ann is not too lonely and that Stephen is not too homesick in their separation.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 8 Item: 5 id30819
Letter1851Scope and Contents
Month[?] 1851. Mary Ann Livermore to Stephen Livermore Unknown location. She is happy to hear that he is doing fine without her. Wants to visit him…Ella wants to see him too.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 9 Item: 1 id30829
Letter24 March 1852Scope and Contents
March 24, 1852. Stephen Livermore to Mary Ann Livermore Dayton, Ohio. Stephen is trying to get a man's dividend to pay for Mary's visit.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 9 Item: 2 id30831
Letter2 October 1852Scope and Contents
October 2, 1852. H.A.B. (sister) to Mary Ann Livermore Worcester, Massachusetts. Mrs. Newton passes away last week…She Sarah and she was in good health.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 9 Item: 3 id30832
Letter29 November 1852Scope and Contents
November 29, 1852. Aunt S. Billings to [?] Harvard, Massachusetts. Her eye sight is getting worse…she boards with another lady, but does not intend on staying any longer.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 10 Item: 1 id30834
Letter30 March 1855Scope and Contents
March 30, 1855. [?] to [?] Marlboro, Massachusetts. They have a new constitution that provides for a new set of officers each month and he is on the ticket.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 10 Item: 2 id30835
Letter7 October 1855Scope and Contents
October 7, 1855. [?] to Stephen Livermore Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Got the money (two hundred and three dollars) and paid two hundred and fifty cents to buy a new horse.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 11 Item: 1 id30837
Letter28 October 1856Scope and Contents
October 28, 1856. Dan G. Livermore to Stephen Livermore Millbury, Massachusetts. Rufus Barton is dead (an acquaintance)…He could send two barrels of baldwins which he was able to sell for $150.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 11 Item: 2 id30838
Letter14 February 1857Scope and Contents
February 14, 1857. Mini [?] to Stephen Livermore Marlboro, Massachusetts. Mother is getting sick…Father asks for Stephen to come home for a week in May to help fix up their trees.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 11 Item: 3 id30839
Letter27 November 1857Scope and Contents
November 27, 1857. Lyman and Martha to Stephen and Mary Ann Livermore Dayton, Ohio. It is Thanksgiving Day and everyone is enjoying themselves…went to church and there was an excellent sermon…but they are sorry that Stephen and Mary cannot come out to visit.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 12 Item: 1 id30841
Letter28 March 1858Scope and Contents
March 28, 1858. Mother[?] to [?] Marlboro, Massachusetts. She misses her girls but is glad that they are well and healthy…they have been going to many weddings…comments on the price of eggs declining but butter has risen to 23 cents.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 12 Item: 2 id30842
Letter9 April 1858Scope and Contents
April 9, 1858. D.H. Learles to brother and sister [?] Millbury, Massachusetts. Worried about [brother] Henry…he is sick and does not look like he will recover.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 12 Item: 3 id30843
Letter27 May 1858Scope and Contents
May 27, 1858. D. H. Learles to Stephen Livermore Millbury, Massachusetts. Julia has cold or influenza…Henry is still sick and it is a task to care for him. He is worried about Henry.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 13 Item: 1 id30845
Letter18 May 1859Scope and Contents
May 18, 1859. Mina [?] to Mary Ann Livermore Marlboro, Massachusetts. They sent for a doctor for mother, he prescribed her medicine…mother wishes Mary Ann could be at home for Thanksgiving.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 13 Item: 2 id30846
Letter1 July 1859Scope and Contents
July 1, 1859. Mina [?] to Mary Ann Livermore Unknown location. Uncle Edward lost $30, 000 by investing in a railroad company that failed…the family is facing an economically hard time, but they can still rely on corn and potato crops. She will stay home this summer but wants to travel to Worcester during the winter if mother is well.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 13 Item: 3 id30847
Letter, undatedScope and Contents
Unknown Date. N.L. Rice to Mary Ann Livermore Springfield, Massachusetts. She is happy to know that Walter is with Mary Ann—as she was worried about his wellbeing and unsure about his whereabouts—she hopes that he will behave well but is relieved he is safe.