Samuel E. Ripley Papers (1829-1850)
DAL.SMS. 031
Scope and Content: The Collection includes seven letters written by Samuel E. Ripley to his wife, Sarah Cushman Ripley as well as five letters from other family members. There is one letter, addressed to “the ship joiner” (1831) that gives details into a ship’s building specifications.
Biographical Information: Samuel E. Ripley (1800-1892) was a joiner in Duxbury, MA. In 1828 he married Sally Cushman (1805-1894), the daughter of David and Betsy Cushman. David Cushman was a blacksmith for Ezra Weston. The couple had four children: Cyrus White (b. 1830); Obed (b. 1834); Lucy (b. 1836); and Ardelia (b. 1839-1899). Samuel was a member of the Masons and served as Master of Duxbury’s Cornerstone Lodge in 1858.
In 1830 Samuel Ripley bought property at 36 Cove Street in Duxbury and built his home. This house was featured in an article in The House Beautiful entitled “The Little Gray House with the Pale-Green Door; One of the Aristocrats o the Cape Cod House.” (1925). Eventually, this house passed to Samuel’s daughter, Ardelia Ripley Hall, and then to his granddaughter.
Organization: The Collection consists of two folders.
Folder 1: Correspondence from Samuel E. Ripley to Sally Cushman Ripley (1837-1850)
- Samuel E. Ripley (Oswego, NY) to Sally Cushman Ripley (Duxbury, MA), May 4, 1837
- Samuel E. Ripley (Oswego, NY) to Sally Cushman Ripley (Duxbury, MA), June 18, 1837.
- Samuel E. Ripley (Oswego, NY) to Sally Cushman Ripley (Duxbury, MA), July 25, 1837
- Samuel E. Ripley (Oswego, NY) to Sally Cushman Ripley (Duxbury, MA), Aug 22, 1837
- Samuel E. Ripley (On board ship off Peru) to Sally Cushman Ripley (Duxbury, MA), March 1,[1850]
- Samuel E. Ripley (San Francisco, CA) to Sally Cushman Ripley (Duxury, MA), July 11, 1850
- Samuel E. Ripley (San Francisco, CA) to Sally Cushman Ripley (Duxbury, MA), [1850]
Folder 2: Correspondence to Samuel E. Ripley (1829-1844)
- E. M. Ripley (New York) to Samuel E. Ripley (Duxbury, MA), March 20, 1829
- H. Bennett & Rich (Boston, MA0 to “The Ship Joiner”, Sept. 2, 1831
- George Soule Cushman to Samuel E. and Sarah C. Ripley (Duxbury, MA), Jan. 1, 1836
- Sarah Cushman Ripley (Duxbury, MA) to Samuel E. Ripley (Oswego, NY), Aug. 15, 1837
- George Soule Cushman (Boston, MA) to Samuel E. Ripley (Duxbury, MA), April 25, 1841
- C. Sampson (Duxbury, MA) to Samuel E. Ripley (Duxbury, MA), June 1, 1844
Ardelia E. Ripley Practice Ledger (1856)
DAL.SMS.051
Scope and Content: One workbook entitled “The Common School Book-Keeping being a Simple and Practical System of Single Entry; Designed for the Use of Public Schools.” It was owned by Ardelia E. Ripley and used by her as a student at Partridge Academy in Duxbury, MA. The book contains the names of her fellow classmates, including Joseph E. Simmons and Walter F. Cushman, as fictitious customers. It is interesting to note what items these students “bought” and the cost associated with them.
Biographical Information: Ardelia E. Ripley (b. 1839) was the daughter of Samuel Ripley and Sarah Cushman. She married George R. Hall. Ardelia grew up in her family’s home at 36 Cove Street in Duxbury, MA. This house was featured in an article in The House Beautiful entitled “The Little Gray House with the Pale Green Door.” (1925) Eventually, his house passed to her daughter, Lura Cushman Hall.
For more information see the post in this blog.
Organization: The Collection consists of one folder.
Drew Archival Library 
I think Lura Cushman Hall needs corrected to Lura Sawin Hall, at least that is what my family records show. She was my Great Grandmother, her daugher Francis Arnold Hall, was my grandmother.
I see exactly what you mean – Lura S. Hall, daughter of Ardelia and George, married Williard F. Hall. I will double-check who inherited the house – it may have been Lura’s sister, Lucie Hall Cushman who inherited it. Lucie named her daughter Lura also (Lura Oaks Cushman).
I also have to correct Ardelia’s married name…I must have been off my game the day I posted this 🙂
No, my great grandmother Lura Sawin Hall did inherit it. Her mother was Ardelia Ripley Emery Hall married to George Harvey Hall. Lura Sawin Hall married George Harvey Hall. Lura’s siblings were Parker Jones, Lucy, Frank Cushman Hall.
I love that house on Cove Street. You really should visit the Archives – there are so many Hall photos, including ones of Lura. Her brother, Parker Hall, was a fascinating character too.
Ooops… Lura married Willard Francis Hall, I mixed up sorry.
I can send you records, if you want.
If you have any information regarding Willard Francis Hall, we’d be interested. Family tales lead us to understand he was only around long enough to produce my grandmother & her sister. Not much is known about him.
Do not be confused by by Grandmother Lura’s maiden name & married name, as they were bo
both Hall.
I noticed that about the names – but I’m used to that in 19th century Duxbury. I can scan a photo of Willard if I have one – and I think I might.
Yes, send photo please.
Yes, I know about the house & the Gurnet. Been to the area many times. I live on Nantucket.
FYI – Lura’s daughter (my Great Aunt Ardelia):
Fascinating! I read that article and never made the connection with the name.
We are related to all of them (Tilden, Alden, Cushman, Howland, etc) one way or another.
There is also a daguerreotype of David Cushman – the blacksmith.
Yes, there are several articles about her, some recent & some not… She led an extraordinary life.
Lura moved herself & her girls to Monatgue, MA… Story goes, she’d had enough of living by the water.
I have not seen a birth certificate for Lura, but it is possible she had two middle names. She may have been Lura Sawin Cushman Hall. I will ask my father if he recalls, when he returns in a month or so from traveling in overseas.
It may have simply been my error, or the article in House Beautiful may have had it incorrect – I’ll take a look next week.
Ann (and Connie) West – please send an email address to me at the Drew Archives cravenscroft@duxburyhistory.org so I can send you scanned images of your Cushman relatives.
Anne – aewest@me.com