Smith McLauthlin Collection

This is a partial Finding Aid of the contents of the Collection.

Organization

The collection is arranged into the following series:

Series I – Correspondence (1814-1931)

Series II – Genealogy (c. 1880-1976)

Series III – Bills and Receipts (1870-1920)

Series IV – Legal Documents (1788-1902)

Series V – Miscellaneous (c. 1900-1930)

Series VI – Albums and Diaries (1891-1925)

Series VII – Books and Pamphlets (1866-1926)

Series VIII – Photographs and Photograph Albums

SERIES I     Correspondence

FOLDER 1 (1814-1822)

  1. Letter; June 12, 1814; Jonathan Smith (Charleston) to Zilpah Smith (Duxbury
  2. Letter; June 14, 1815; Jonathan Smith (Charleston) to Zilpah Smith (Duxbury)
  3. Letter; August 17, 1815; Jonathan Smith(Tenet Road) to Zilpah Smith (Duxbury)
  4. Letter; January 7, 1816; Jonathan Smith (Boston) to Zilpah Smith (Duxbury)
  5. Letter; February 17, 1816; Jonathan Smith (Baltimore) to Zilpah Smith (Duxbury)
  6. Letter; April 22, 1816; Jonathan Smith (Baltimore) to Zilpah Smith (Duxbury)
  7. Letter; May 26, 1816; Jonathan Smith (Gibraltar) to Zilpah Smith (Duxbury)
  8. Letter; July 29, 1816; Jonathan Smith (Baltimore) to Zilpah Smith (Duxbury)-RIPPED
  9. Letter; September 6, 1817; Jonathan Smith (Baltimore) to Zilpah Smith (Duxbury)
  10. Letter; September 17, 1817; Jonathan Smith (Baltimore) to Zilpah Smith (Duxbury)
  11. Letter; October 5, 1817; Jonathan Smith (Baltimore) to Zilpah Smith (Duxbury)
  12. Letter; October 26, 1817; Jonathan Smith (Baltimore area) to Zilpah Smith (Duxbury)
  13. Letter; December 5, 1817; Jonathan Smith (Brock) to Zilpah Smith (Duxbury)

FOLDER 2 (1818-1822)

  1. Letter; January 25, 1818; Jonathan Smith (Bremen) to Zilpah Smith (Duxbury)
  2. Letter; February 5, 1818; Jonathan Smith (Bremen) to Zilpah Smith (Duxbury)
  3. Letter; March 16, 1818; Jonathan Smith (Bremen) to Zilpah Smith (Duxbury)
  4. Letter; May 7?(Friday AM) 1818; Jonathan Smith (on board the Ship Plate?:Lat 4.5, Long 43 due west) to Zilpah Smith(Duxbury)
  5. Letter; May 25, 1818; Jonathan Smith (Baltimore) to Zilpah Smith (Duxbury)
  6. Letter; July 16, 1819; Jonathan Smith (on board Ship ‘Plato’, Chesapeake Bay) to Zilpah Smith (Duxbury)
  7. Letter; February 20, 1820; Jonathan Smith (Charleston) to Zilpah Smith (Duxbury)
  8. Letter; March 9, 1820; Jonathan Smith (Charleston) to Zilpah Smith (Duxbury)
  9. Letter; January 17, 1821; Jonathan Smith (New Point Comfort) to Zilpah Smith (Duxbury)
  10. Letter; February 4, 1821?; Jonathan Smith (Annapolis) to Zilpah Smith (Duxbury)
  11. Letter; May 2/8?, 1821; Jonathan Smith (Baltimore) to Zilpah Smith (Duxbury)
  12. Letter; January 1, 1822; Jonathan Smith (Charleston) to Zilpah Smith (Duxbury)
  13. Letter; February 16, 1822; Jonathan Smith (London) to Zilpah Smith (Duxbury)

FOLDER 3 (1834-1853) Completed

  1. Letter; December 20, 1834; Silvanus Smith (Boston) to Jonathan Smith (Duxbury)-small notes to all members of family as well.
  2. Letter; September 1, 1836; Silvanus Smith (Boston) to Jonathan Smith (‘Father’) (Duxbury)
  3. Letter; March 1, 1836 (1838?); Silvanus Smith (Boston ) to Jonathan Smith (Duxbury)
  4. Letter; July 15, 1836; Silvanus Smith (Boston) to Jonathan Smith Jr (Duxbury)
  5. Letter; July 22, 1836; Silvanus Smith (Boston) to Jonathan Smith (Duxbury)
  6. Letter; November 13/15, 1836? (written on); Silvanus Smith(Boston) to Jonathan Smith (father) and brother Jonathan Smith Jr.(Duxbury)
  7. Letter; June 12, 1837; James Cathell?(Rochester, NY) to Henry C. Page (New York)
  8. Letter; July 20, 1837; Silvanus Smith (Boston) to Jonathan Smith (Duxbury)
  9. Letter; July 12, no year; Sidney Smith (Rio de Janeiro) to Jonathan Smith (Duxbury)
  10. Letter; December 6, 1849; Jona Smith (At Sea) to Judy
  11. Letter; February 19, 1850; unsigned (New York) to ‘Brother’
  12. Letter; April 14, 1850; Jack Croptrees (?real name?) (New York) to Judith
  13. Letter; October 27, 1850; ‘Jona’:Jonathan Smith Jr (San Francisco/Sacramento) to  Silvanus Smith (Pembroke)-RIPPED
  14. Letter: April 27, 1851; ‘Jona’ Jonathan Smith (New Orleans) to Silvanus Smith (Pembroke)
  15. Letter; April 12, 1852; ‘Jona’: Jonathan Smith (jr.) (Boston) to Silvanus Smith, Esq. (Pembroke)
  16. Letter; April 15, 1853; unsigned (Jona?) At Sea to Brother

FOLDER 4 (1856-1869)

  1. Letter; June 22, 1856; Zilpah (Duxbury) to Judith
  2. Letter; September 13, 1857; Polly McLaughlin to Judith Winsor Smith
  3. Letter; December 1, 1857; L. McLaughlin (Pembroke) to “My dear Obedient Children”
  4. Letter; c. Autumn 1857/early 1858; Zilpha to Judith
  5. Letter; March 2, 1858; Lewis McLaughlin (Pembroke) to Silvanus Smith (East Boston)-‘p.s.’ by Polly McLaughlin
  6. Letter; c.1858; Zilpha to Judith
  7. Letter; c.1858; Zilpha to Judith
  8. Letter; ‘Autumn 1858’ ?; Zilpha to Judith
  9. Letter; Autumn 1858; Zilpha to Judith
  10. Letter; October 10, 1858;  Zilpha to Judith
  11. Letter; c. 1861; Judith to Vena
  12. Letter; Summer 1861; Judith to Vena
  13. Letter; August 16, 1867?; Judy?(Duxbury) To Vena
  14. Letter; December 10, 1867; Jane West McLaughlin (Bombay Harbor, on board Ship Frederic Tudor) to her brother Rufus H. McLaughlin and sister –in-law Fanny McLaughlin (East Boston)
  15. Letter; July 1869; Zilpah to Judith

FOLDER 5 (1870-1877) Completed

  1. Letter; July 21, 1870; Polly Hathaway McLaughlin (Pembroke) to Judith Winsor Smith (East Boston)
  2. Letter; July 7, 1871; Erasmus F. Smith & Polly McLaughlin (Pembroke) to Judith (and Mary) Smith
  3. Letter; May 21, 1873; John Bradford (Ship ____ Tudor; Grauape(?) Islands) to Race
  4. Letter; November 1873; Lewis McLaughlin (Pembroke) to “Son” (R.H. McLaughlin) (Boston)
  5. Letter; February 7, 1875; Silvanus and family(Smith Castle, Noddles Island) to Grandma and Grandpa
  6. Letter; January 26, 1876; George (Melbourne) to ‘Race’ (Erasmus Ford Smith-East Boston)
  7. Letter; December 26, 1876; Alice McLaughlin (New Bedford) to ‘Mama’ (Mrs. R.H. McLaughlin) (East Boston)
  8. Postcard; May 7, 1877; Sidney Smith (New York)to Mrs. Silvanus Smith (East Boston)
  9. Letter; May 13, 1877; Race (on board Ship ‘Mary S. Stone’) to Mother
  10. Letter; September 12, 1877; ‘Race’ (Erasmus F. Smith) (Melbourn) to Judith W. Smith (mother) (East Boston)
  11. Letter; October 7, 1877; Race (on board Ship ‘Mary S. Stone’) to Mother

FOLDER 6 (1878-1879)

  1. Letter; January 3, 1878; Race (Manila) to Mother
  2. Letter; February 17, 1878; ‘Race’ (Erasmus F. Smith)(at Sea) to ‘Mother’ (* envelope addressed to Mary H. Smith, East Boston?)
  3. Letter; May 5, 1878; Polly McLaughlin (East Boston) to ‘Mother’
  4. Letter; June 2?21?, 1878; Polly McLaughlin (East Boston) to Mother
  5. Letter; July 7, 1878; Polly McLaughlin (East Boston) to Mother
  6. Letter; July 29, 1878; Polly McLaughlin (East Boston) to ‘Mother’
  7. Letter; August 18, 1878; Polly McLaughlin (East Boston) to ‘Mother’
  8. Letter; September 22, 1878; Polly McLaughlin (East Boston) to ‘Mother’
  9. Letter; October 27, 1878; Polly McLaughlin (East Boston) to ‘Mother’
  10. Letter; November 17, 1878; Judith (?) (East Boston) to Judith Hathaway (mother-Duxbury)
  11. Letter; February 18, 1879; Agnes Merihew (Fairhaven) to Alice McLaughlin (Boston)
  12. Postcard; May 7, 1879; Polly McLaughlin?-handwriting matches others (East Boston) to Mother (Judith Hathaway (Duxbury)
  13. Letter; May 9, 1879; Race (San Francisco) to Father
  14. Letter; May 19, 1879; Race (San Francisco) to Mother (J.W.Smith)
  15. Letter; May 22, 1879; Race (San Francisco) to Mother (J.W.Smith)
  16. Letter; June 3, 1879; Race (San Francisco) to Mother (J.W.Smith)
  17. Letter; December 14, 1879, Race (New York) to Mother (East Boston)
  18. Letter; December 17, 1879; Race (New York) to Father

FOLDER 7 (1880-1884)

  1. Letter; June 6, 1882; Race (Sunbright, TN) to Mother (East Boston)
  2. Letter; June 11, 1882; Race (Sunbright) to Mother (J.W.Smith)
  3. Letter; July 1, 1882; Race (Rabins, TN) to Father
  4. Letter; January 2, 1883; Race (Rabins, TN) to ‘All at home’ (East Boston)
  5. Letter; January 13, 1883; Race (Rabins, TN) to Father (Sylvanus Smith)
  6. Letter; January 24, 1883; Race (Rabins, TN) to Mother
  7. Letter; February 3, 1883; ‘Race’ (Erasmus F. Smith) (Rabins, Tennessee) to Mother (Mrs. J.W. Smith, East Boston)
  8. Letter; February 18, 1883; Race (Rabins, TN) to Mother –Mrs. J.W. Smith(East Boston)
  9. Letter; February 20, 1883; Race (Rabins, TN) to Fathet
  10. Letter; March 11, 1883; Race (Rabins, TN) to Mother (East Boston)
  11. Letter; April 1, 1883; Race (Rabins, TN) to Mother (East Boston)
  12. Letter; April 15, 1883; Race (Rabins, TN) to Mother
  13. Letter; April 26, 1883; Race (Rabins, TN) to Mother
  14. Letter; May 4, 1883; ? Father?(TN) to ‘Folks at Home’?
  15. Letter; May 6, 1883; S. Smith (TN) to Mother
  16. Letter; May 25, 1883; Race (Rabins, TN) to ‘family at home’
  17. Letter; February 3, 1884; Race (on board Ship ‘Centennial’) to Father
  18. Letter; February 16, 1884; Race (on Ship ‘Centennial’ ) to Mother

FOLDER 8 (1889- 1931 )

  1. Letter: May 25, 1889; ? (Sunbright Terrace) to “Sister” (Mrs. E.F. Smith)
  2. Letter; February 26, 1900; Daniel Floyd (Boston) to R. H. McLauglin
  3. Postcard; October 12, 1900; R.H. McLaughlin (?) to  Miss. H.L. McLaughlin (East Boston)
  4. Letter; October 17, 1903; J.R. Shurtleff (New Bedford) to Alice and Lousie McLaughlin
  5. Letter; October 17, 1906: Emily Leonard (New Bedford) to Alice L. McLaughlin (East Boston)
  6. Letter; March 3, 1907; ‘Uncle Sidney’ (Tiverton) to nephew Jonathan Smith
  7. Letter; March 22, 1911; Sidney (Louisville, KY) to ‘Mother’
  8. Letter; January 10, 1916; Father (Erasmus F. Smith) (Boston) to Harold Smith
  9. Letter; December 7, 1920; Emma McLaughlin (Boston) to Zilpha Drew Smith (Jamaica Plain)
  10. Letter; May 14, 1922; Zilpha Drew Smith (Jamaica Plain) to Florence
  11. Letter; August 24, 1926; Zilpha Drew Smith (Hayford House, Chocouea?) to Race
  12. Letter; January 1, 1927; Jennie Gibbs (South Dartmouth) to Mrs. Henry McPherson (Alice)(Brookline)
  13. Letter; March 16, 1931; Newton Litchfield (Litchfield Press, West Duxbury) to Mrs. McPherson

FOLDER 9

  1. Letter; n.d; ‘Grandma Smith’ to ‘Jona’
  2. Letter; n.d. (ripped) ; Jona Smith to Brother
  3. Letter; January 6, no year; ‘Jona’:Jonathan Smith (jr) (New Orleans) to Silvanus Smith (Pembroke)
  4. Letter: February 21, no year; Jonathan Smith (signed ‘Jack Captreife’-Rio Grande) to Silvanus Smith (Pembroke)
  5. Letter; n.d.; Silvanus Smith (Narragansett Bay) to Racey (Erasmus)
  6. Letter; August 24, no year; Judith (Pembroke) to Vena
  7. Letter; n.d. (At sea-on board the ‘Rambler’; lat and long. given); Race to Mother
  8. Letter; December 7, no year (New York) to Mother (J.W. Smith)
  9. Letter; May 14-15, no year; ? (Hyde Park, MA) to Race

FOLDER 10 Envelopes, n.d.

  1. Envelope marked : Phillip Cabot, Treasurer, Public School Association. Handwritten : “Old Letters 1818”
  2. 2 envelopes: 1 addressed to Rufus Hathaway McLaughlin, 1 addressed to Miss Smith from Jonathan H. Smith
  3. Envelope postmarked May 16, 1881 addressed to Miss J.N. Smith.
  4. Envelope postmarked Sept., 1926 addressed to Zilpha D. Smith

SERIES II    Genealogy

FOLDER 1

  1. Envelope marked “Concerning James Walker Cathell and also data of Nehemiah Thomas, Joshua Winsor and Ephraim Dexter”
  2. Information on Ephraim Dexter -military service (1775-1780)
  3. Genealogical Information on Hathaway/McLaughlin/Winsor/Thomas/Cathell/Dexter families—collected by H.S.McPherson (on letterhead where his name appears)
  4. Cathell family tree; n.d.
  5. Letter; March 2, 1923; Walter Watkins (New England Historic Genealogical Society) to Alice McPherson (Brookline)-and envelope

FOLDER 2

  1. Handwritten McLaughlin “Family Record”-n.d.
  2. Genealogical Information pertaining to Dr. Rufus Hathaway; n.d.
  3. Program from 1895 Reunion of Maglathlin==McLauthlin families; September 5, 1895, Kingston, MA
  4. “A Brief Record of the Ancestors, Nearest Relatives and Descendents of Miller McGlathlen, 1780”
  5. 3 pages of genealogical information McLaughlin/Hathaway, n.d.
  6. List of births and marriages; handwritten; McLaughlin/Hathaway, n.d.

FOLDER 3

  1. Smith Family Bible, 4 pages, n.d.
  2. Photocopy of notes re: Smith Family Bible, n.d.
  3. Genealogical notes, n.d.
  4. Invitation to Sindey Smith’s 90th Birthday, 1936.

FOLDER 4

  1. The Family, Vol. XI, No. 3 with article about Zilpha Drew Smith, 1930.
  2. Genealogical information on Hathaway family, Islington, MA 1881
  3. Photocopy of typed recollections of Judith Winsor Smith, January 28, 1920
  4. Photocopy of Town Historian Dorothy Wentworth’s notes
  5. Photocopy of Duxbury Vital Statistics, n.d.
  6. Photocopy of “Notes on the Drew Family,” n.d.

FOLDER 5

  1. Biography of Silvanus Smith compiled by Zilpha Drew Smith, Photocopy 1940.

FOLDER 6

  1. “Captain Sylvanus Smith Speaks,” Boston Evening Transcript, February 21, 1913
  2. Obituary of Polly Hathaway McLaughlin: August 22, 1879- death date
  3. Obituaries and clippings for Helen McLaughlin, Henry McPherson, and Rufus McLaughlin, n.d.
  4. “Descendant of Alden, a Century-Old, Tells Girls to ‘Get Married,’”  Boston Sunday Post,  August 14, 1921
  5. “100 Years Old, Still Active,” article on Judith Winsor Smith, 1921
  6. 3 “Judith Winsor Smith” obituaries, 1921
  7. The North Adams Evening Transcript; “Hathaway Family History is Given,” Sept. 10, 1926
  8. Photocopy of The North Adams Evening Transcript; “Hathaway Family History is Given,” Sept. 10, 1926
  9. “They Hail from Plymouth,” Transcript, July 31, 1926.
  10. Obituary of Zilpha D. Smith, Transcript, October 15, 1926.
  11. Probate Notice of Emma Hathaway McLauthlin, 1930.
  12. “Delano Shrine of Roosevelt Ancestry Will Be Point of Attraction in Duxbury,” c. 1937
  13. “My Cousin in the White House,” c. 1940.
  14. Article on Rufus Hathaway paintings, Boston Herald, December 12, 1976

FOLDER 7

  • Oversized Genealogical Chart in Map Drawer, including envelope

SERIES III   Receipts and Bills

FOLDER 1 Bills and Receipts, Henry and Alice McPherson

FOLDER 2 Receipts and Bills addressed to R. H. McLaughlin (1870-1879)

FOLDER 3 Receipts and Bills; Alice and Helen McLaughlin (1917)

FOLDER 4 Receipts and Bills for Alice, Helen and R.H McLaughlin (1910)

FOLDER 5 Receipts and Bills for Alice McLaughlin (1918)

FOLDER 6 Receipts and Bills for H.F. McPherson, Alice McLaughlin, Alice McPherson (1919-1920)

FOLDER 7 Receipts and Bills for H. McLaughlin and Alice McLaughlin (1915-1916)

SERIES IV Legal Documents

FOLDER 1

  1. Last Will and Testament of Jonathan Smith; 1843
  2. Inventory of Estate of Jonathan Smith; 1843
  3. Agreement between Briggs Wadsworth and Rufus H. McLaughlin; June 2, 1883
  4. Warranty Deed; June 6, 1883; Susan Wadsworth to Rufus H. McLaughlin
  5. Last Will and Testament of Rufus H. McLaughlin; April 12, 1900; registry of probate: June 20, 1902
  6. Certificate of Executor’s Appointment; Estate of Rufus McLaughlin; June 20, 1902
  7. Probate of Will/Copy of Citation; Estate of Rufus McLaughlin; April 30, 1902

FOLDER 2

  • Deed from Winslows to Clapp; June 7, 1788 (ripped)

SERIES V  Miscellaneous

FOLDER 1

  1. Certificate (Testimony of Approbation for Correct Deportment and Diligent Attention to Study) presented to Fanny Cathel by M. Hathaway (teacher); n.d.
  2. Business Card-Mechanic No.6 New Bedford; S. Hoseman, Rufus H. McLaughlin; n.d.
  3. Fragment; “Pay the written note to Abso. Judith W.Smith” signed Silvanus Smith; n.d.
  4. Fragment; “Lock of Uncle Jonathan Smith (Aunt Clara’s husband) hair; November 1917
  6. Alice L. McLaughlin; n.d. (descendant of Nehemiah Thomas)
  7. Program from the Three Hundredth Anniversary of the First Parish Church; August 14, 1932
  8. Application for Membership to National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution; filled out by
  9. Announcement of meeting in memory of Zilpha Drew Smith; December 11, 1926
  10. Program from meeting in memory of Zilpha Drew Smith; December 11, 1926
  11. Handwritten copy of written wishes of Zilpha Drew Smith, n.d.

FOLDER 2 – Newspaper Clippings

  1. Newspaper cutting; marked ‘for Jonathan’; July 31, 1926 ‘They Hail From Plymouth’
  2. Head Shot of Linda Darnell, c. 1940?

FOLDER 3 – Ships

  1. Ship Log? From Ship ‘Boreaz; Island of Salt? Sidney Smith, Master; July 31,1837-August 9, 1837
  2. Bill of Sale of Registered Vessel: 12/64ths of Bark ‘Chief’; Silvanus Smith to Mercy Smith; January 29, 1875
  3. “Captain Simeon Sampson’s voyage to St. Petersberg, Russa”; Related by Sidney Smith, Scituate, July 1932
  4. List of Vessels built in the Drew Shipyard or owned by the Drews; compiled by Lucile Hall Cushman
  5. Photograph of painting of Bark Amy Turner (taken from fronticepiece of book ‘Amy Turner’, BPL)

FOLDER 4 – Poems

  1. Poem-To Lewis and Polly McLaughlin; Verses written by Thomas Hathaway; February 4, 1871
  2. Poem; typewritten; n.d. ‘Sonnet: When all the Heavens Bright’ ; Jonathan H. Smith
  3. Poem; typewritten, n.d. ‘Fresh Paint’ by John Summers (Hollywood, CA)
  4. Poem; typewritten, n.d. ‘The Dory’ by John Summers (Hollywood, CA)
  5. Poem; typewritten, c. 1924 ‘Anatole France and Joseph Conrad: A Sonnet’ ; Jonathan Smith
  6. Poem; typewritten, n.d. ‘Full Moon in New Hampshire’; Jonathan Smith
  7. Poem; typewritten, 1917 ‘Shadows ‘by David Winsor; Mr. J.H. Smith address at top
  8. Poem “To Judith Winsor Smith on her 100th Birthday”; by Emma H. McLauthlin; November 26, 1921.

SERIES VI Albums and Diaries

Box 6

  1. Diary and Account Book of Rufus H. McLauthlin, 1891-1901, ½” x 7” x ½”D.  Black leather wallet design. 7 accounting notes/reciepts and 5 business cards found inside.
  2. Notes, receipts and business cards from wallet of Rufus H. McLauthlin.
  3. Diary and Account Book of Rufus H. McLauthlin, 1902-1910, 4” x 6 ½” x ¾” D.  Black leather.
  4. Golden Wedding Anniversary Album of Sylvanus Smith and Judith Winsor (McLauthlin) Smith. 1891, 7” x 9” x 1”D.  Maroon leather with “Golden Wedding” embossed on gold lettering on front cover.  Contains signatures of attendees to the celebration and letters from those who could not attend.
  5. News clippings (copies) and poem found loose in Golden Wedding Album.
  6. Program for the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Home Club, 1925.  Found loose in Golden Wedding Album.

SERIES VII Books and Pamphlets

  1. Alger, Horatio, Jr.  Only an Irish Boy (New York: Hurst & Company, c. 1906).
  2. Child, L. Maria.  Looking Toward Sunset (Boston: Ticknor & Fields, 1866).
  3. Duxbury Budget With Tales and Poems Concerning its Antient People and its History (Duxbury Rural Society, 1900). (2 copies)
  4. Duxbury Rural and Historical Society Centennial Program 1983 (Duxbury Rural & Historical Society, 1983).
  5. Hathaway, Jerusha F. Duxbury Sketches (Dorchester, Mass.: Underhill Press, 1921).
  6. The Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Settlement of Duxbury 1637-1887 (Plymouth: Avery & Doten, 1887).
  7. Zilpha Drew Smith 1852-1926. (2 copies)

SERIES VIII Photographs

Leave a comment