Bliss Family Papers 1850-1981 (bulk 1856-1922)
General International Standard for Archival Description
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Finding aid encoded using Perl scripts and edited in XMetal 2.0. Encoded by Sarah Sorscher. 2002-07-25
Encoded Archival Description
Encoded Archival Description (EAD) Version 2002
collection
Bliss Family Papers
Creation of Bliss Family Papers
Time of Creation of Bliss Family Papers
2 records storage boxes, 2 archives boxes, 1 half archives box, 1 flat box, 1 map case drawer
Bliss Family
Scope and Contents of the Collection General information about the Bliss Family, including genealogical charts, is contained in Series 1. Daniel Bliss and his three sons, as well as both of Howard's sons, were graduates of Amherst College. Amy Blatchford's brother was a member of Howard's class. Daniel Bliss Leavitt, Howard's grandson, and one of the donors of the Papers, is also an Amherst alumnus. Biographical files on all of these family members are available in the Archives. A list, including their class years, follows: 1852Daniel Bliss; Founder and first President of Syrian Protestant College1880Frederick Jones Bliss; Son of Daniel1882Howard Sweetser Bliss; Son of Daniel; second President of Syrian Protestant College1882Paul Blatchford; Brother-in-law of Howard (No material in the Papers)1887William Tyler Bliss; Son of Daniel1920Daniel Bliss II; Son of Howard; grandson of Daniel1926Howard Huntington Bliss; Son of Howard, grandson of Daniel1945Daniel Bliss Leavitt; Grandson of Howard There is also a biographical file for Edwin Elisha Bliss, Class of 1837, containing some of his diaries and those of his wife, Isabella Holmes Porter Bliss, who were missionaries in Turkey. Ebenezer Bliss (1683-1717), great-great-grandfather of Edwin Bliss, and Thomas Bliss (1668-1733), great-great-grandfather of Daniel Bliss were brothers. While there does not appear to be a close connection between these branches of the Bliss family, Howard Bliss does mention Edwin and "poor cousin Bella" in one of his letters, and there was apparently some contact. Photographs of some family members are included in their biographical files or in class albums (compiled for graduating classes), available in the Amherst College Archives. A few photographs are contained in Series 11. Brief biographical sketches of all Amherst College alumni from 1822 through 1971 appear in the Amherst College Biographical Record, 1973 edition, available in the Amherst College Archives. Reminiscences of Daniel Bliss, edited and supplemented by Frederick Jones Bliss, published in 1920, provides additional information about the early life of Daniel Bliss; his marriage and the time he spent as a missionary in Syria before the College was founded; the founding of the College, the Presidency of Daniel Bliss, and the years following his retirement. In 1989 the book was edited by Carleton S. Coon, Jr., and published under the title Daniel Bliss and the Founding of the American University of Beirut. The introduction and other material provided by Frederick Jones Bliss in the first edition have been replaced in the second edition by a prologue and an epilogue by Daniel Bliss II. These books are located in Box 4 of the Papers, and additional copies may be available in the general collection of the Amherst College Library. Other published material relating to the Bliss Family or to the history of American University of Beirut may be available in the general collection of the Amherst College Library. Pieces of wood and pressed flowers, believed to have been sent to the Dickinson Family by the Bliss Family, are part of the Dickinson collection in Special Collections. Insofar as possible, information in these papers has been made accessible by name of individual, by date, by name of institution or by event. Most of the material in the papers is original. In a few cases fragile material has been removed, due to preservation concern, and replaced with photocopies. Furthermore, Addendum 2 contains hand written transcripts by Mrs. Rugh of about 75% of the letters included in that accession. The originals are included with each transcript in their own folder. The Bliss Family Papers, according to a member of the family, were probably preserved because of the distance the letters had traveled. The papers consist primarily of the correspondence, from the early 1850s to the early 1920s, of a missionary family whose members lived in different parts of the world. As a whole, it gives a clear picture of the lifestyle of such a family. Perhaps due to distance and the infrequency of personal visits, the family members generally wrote in detail. Howard Bliss is particularly notable for this attention to detail, as well as for his sense of humor. Daniel Bliss began his work as a missionary in Syria in 1856. He was one of the founders and the first President of Syrian Protestant College (now American University of Beirut). His letters in this collection date from 1856 to 1908. Daniel's son, Howard, succeeded his father to the Presidency in 1902. While both were ordained ministers, their focus as missionaries was on education. Abby Wood Bliss, Daniel's wife, due to the ill health of her mother, grew up in Amherst in the home of her uncle, Luke Sweetser. She was a childhood friend of Emily Dickinson. Although the Daniel Bliss series is not extensive, a great deal of information about him and about Syrian Protestant College is contained in Abby's letters, which date from 1856 to 1909. Her news to the family about Daniel's activities and the activities at the College, like his, reflects both the history of the institution and nineteenth century thought on education. Their discussion of the Lewis Affair is a good example. Howard's lifelong connection with Amherst (and with the College) began when he visited Amherst with his mother and became friends with Ned Dickinson. His letters from Amherst College describe student life, as well as social life in the town of Amherst and his friendship with the Dickinson family and other Amherst families. The twenty years between Howard's graduation and his acceptance of the Presidency of Syrian Protestant College included teaching, study, travel, and ministry to two churches, as well as marriage and the birth of four of his five children. From 1919 until his death, he writes about his illness and treatment, as well as about his continuing work. The papers reveal much about late nineteenth and early twentieth century family relationships in general, and provides specific information about each of the members of this particular family, both as they write about themselves and as other family members write to and about them. Howard and Amy's correspondence, while it recounts the events of their lives, also shows the lasting intimacy of their relationship, and provides insight into marriage and family life around the turn of the century. Finally, the papers offer an opportunity to study letter-writing in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Missionaries--Lebanon--Correspondence.
lcsh
Teachers--Lebanon--Correspondence.
Clergy--Family relationships.
Christian educators.
Communication in marriage.
Bliss, Daniel, 1823-1916.
lcnaf
Bliss, Howard Sweetser, 1860-1920.
Bliss, Abby Wood.
Bliss, Frederick Jones, 1859-1937.
Bliss, Amy Blatchford.
Dale, Mary Bliss.
Bliss, William Tyler.
Bliss family.
Dodge family.
Syrian Protestant College.
American University of Beirut.
Amherst College--Students.
series
Series 1: INTRODUCTORY MATERIAL
INTRODUCTORY MATERIAL provides general information about the Bliss family and the city of Beirut, as well as about Syrian Protestant College.
Genealogical charts
Westminster Wood ancestry of Abby Wood Bliss
Typescript: Memoir of Mrs. Sarah L. Huntington Smith -- Beirut background material 1834-36
Typescript: William Bird's Journal (incomplete) -- General information re: Bliss family and SPC 1854-1902
Bliss family chronology, handwritten; references to published sources (Rem -- Remembrances of Daniel Bliss; Jes-- [Henry H. Jessup?]; etc.). 1850-1921
Series 2: DANIEL BLISS
In general each series contains outgoing and incoming correspondence. Some contain printed material and general information about the individual. In some cases (notably the Lewis Affair, the untimely deaths of Gerald Fitzgerald Dale and three of the four Dale children, and the call to Howard to assume the Presidency of Syrian Protestant College in 1902), the same subject is discussed by more than one member of the family. Letters to "Dear Family" appear in most series, and were apparently passed (by mail if necessary) from one member to another; Howard's later letters sometimes specify the order in which they are to circulate. Other letters were "personal, but not confidential," or even "private," and there is an occasional note of apology added by someone who has opened another person's letter by mistake.
OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE:
DB to HSB 1880 Dec 27
Photocopies: DB to HSB 1880
DB to HSB 1881
DB to HSB 1882 Jan-Jul
Typescripts: DB to HSB (includes duplicates) 1882
DB to HSB and WTB 1882 Aug-Sep
DB to AWB [and HSB or FJB] 1882 Nov 6
DB to HSB and WTB re the Lewis Affair 1883 Feb 28
Typescript: DB to HSB and WTB re the Lewis Affair 1883 Feb 28
DB to Family 1883 Mar-Oct
DB to Family 1883 Nov-Dec
DB to Family 1884
DB to Family 1885-1890
DB to Family 1892-1898
DB to ABB 1892 Apr 11
DB to Children 1895 Sep 7
DB to MBD 1897 Jul
DB to HSB 1898-1902
Typescript: DB to HSB 1898 Dec 2
Typescripts: DB to HSB 1899, 1900
DB to ABB: Typed letter describing method of reading difficult handwriting 1908 Dec 15
INCOMING CORRESPONDENCE:
Copies: DB from W. S. Tyler, Amherst College 1866, 1870
LEGAL DOCUMENT:
Photocopy: DB passport 1866
(See also: Oversize Material)
PRINTED MATERIAL:
Biographical sketch from unidentified source n.d.
(See also: Bliss Family Papers Addendum I and II, Series 1, Daniel Bliss)
Series 3: HOWARD SWEETSER BLISS
The Howard Sweetser Bliss series constitutes the bulk of the collection. In general each series contains outgoing and incoming correspondence. Some contain printed material and general information about the individual. In some cases (notably the Lewis Affair, the untimely deaths of Gerald Fitzgerald Dale and three of the four Dale children, and the call to Howard to assume the Presidency of Syrian Protestant College in 1902), the same subject is discussed by more than one member of the family. Letters to "Dear Family" appear in most series, and were apparently passed (by mail if necessary) from one member to another; Howard's later letters sometimes specify the order in which they are to circulate. Other letters were "personal, but not confidential," or even "private," and there is an occasional note of apology added by someone who has opened another person's letter by mistake.
HSB to DB: travel, en route to U.S. 1873 Jun 10-Aug 14
HSB to DB: Uncle Luke's house; visit with Dodge family; school in Amherst 1873 Sep 19
HSB to DB: "Ned Dickinson is my seatmate and best friend;" Amherst home and school 1874 Jan 17, 23
Typescripts: HSB to DB 1873-74, 1876
Typescript: HSB to DB re possible return to Syria 1876 Jul 11
HSB to Family 1878 summer
HSB to Family: Amherst College 1878-79
HSB to Family 1879 summer
HSB to Family: Amherst College -- holiday visits to the Dickinsons 1879-80
HSB to Family 1880 summer
HSB to Family: Amherst College 1880-81
HSB to Family 1881 summer
HSB to Family: Amherst College 1881-82
HSB to Family: Death of "Uncle" (Luke Sweetser) 1882 Jul 26
HSB to Family 1882 summer
Typescripts: HSB to Family: Account of Freshman year at Amherst; 1878-79
Typescripts: HSB to parents from Amherst 1878-79
Typescripts: HSB to Family 1879 summer
Typescripts: HSB to Family -- Amherst, 1879 through Commencement 1878-1882
Typescript: HSB to FJB -- after Commencement 1882 Aug 24
HSB to Family: Washburn College; Christmas with Blatchford family in Chicago 1882-83
HSB to Family: One year of teaching completed [1883] spring
HSB to Family: New Mexico, Colorado 1883 Jul-Aug
HSB to Family: Washburn College 1883-84
HSB to Mrs. Blatchford 1884 Jun 26
HSB to parents: Reunion with Mary and family; visit to Dodge family; Adirondacks; Amherst; Greenfield; Jaffrey 1884 Jun-Aug
Typescripts: HSB to Family and to Mrs. Blatchford -- Topeka and return to Amherst 1883-84
Typescripts: HSB to Family (duplicates) 1883-84
HSB to Family: Union Seminary; reunion with parents 1884-85
Typescript: HSB to Mrs. Blatchford 1884
Typescript: HSB to Family 1884
HSB to parents: At sea 1885 Sep 19
HSB to Family: Union Theological Seminary 1885 Sep-1886 Jun 4
HSB to Family: Dr. Chickering's account of "Miss Emily's funeral" 1886 Jun 12
HSB to Family 1886 Jun 28-Sep 10
HSB to Family: Visit from Dr. Edwin Bliss 1886 Sep 21
HSB to Family: Illness of Carrie Dale; birth of Geraldine Dale; death of Gerald and Carrie Dale; move of Mary and other children from Zahleh to Beyrout 1886 Sep 29-Nov 29
HSB to Family 1886 Dec
Typescripts: HSB to Family 1884-1886
HSB to Mrs Blatchford 1887 Feb 28, Apr 12
HSB to Family 1887 Feb-May
HSB to Family: Death and funeral of "Uncle Jones" 1887 Jun
HSB to Family: Amherst College Commencement of WTB 1887 Jun
HSB [to Family]: Partial letter -- WTB at Amherst, undecided about future; HSB sailing in Sep; "enclose Uncle Jones last letter" [1887 Jun]
HSB to Family 1887 Jul 6-Sep 19
HSB to Family: Voyage and arrival in Liverpool 1887 Oct 5, 11
HSB to Family: Oxford 1887 Oct-Dec
HSB to Family: Oxford 1888 Jan 20-Jun 15
Typescript: HSB to parents 1887 Aug 29
HSB to Family: Gottingen 1888 Nov, Dec
HSB to Family: Gottingen; meeting with Mr. Blatchford 1889 Jan-May
HSB to Family re ABB and WTB 1889 Sep
HSB to Family: Partial letter from Gottingen -- [engagement?] -- "The announcement will not come out for some weeks or months" [1889 Mar]
Typescripts: HSB to Family 1888-89
Typescripts: HSB to Family re engagement 1889
HSB to Family 1890
HSB to Mary Williams Bliss 1891
HSB to ABB 1891-1893
HSB to Family 1892, 1893
Typescript: HSB to family -- mentions visit in Amherst with [Mabel Loomis] Todd re Emily Dickinson and Aby W. Bliss 1894 Sep 3
Typescripts: HSB to ABB, about the children 1893, 1898
HSB to Family 1894
Typescripts: HSB to Family (duplicates) 1894
HSB to Family 1895-1899
HSB to "Miss Bogue" (Found in correspondence with Dodge family) 1897 Jul 30
Typescripts: HSB to Family (duplicates) 1894-1901
Typescripts: HSB to Family (duplicates) 1896-1899
Typescripts: HSB to Family 1895-1898
Typescript: HSB to parents -- mentions death of Edward Dickinson, (Amherst College 1884), Assistant Librarian of AC 1898 May 10
HSB to Alice Wood Bliss 1901 Aug
Typescripts: HSB to Family 1901
HSB and ABB to HSB's Family (includes printed material) 1895-1899
HSB to parishioners 1897 Jun 29
HSB to Family: Upper Montclair 1900-1901
HSB to Family 1900-1905
HSB to "Dear Boys," written en route to Syria 1901 Mar 15
Typescript: HSB to parishioners: announcement of his return 1901 Aug-Sep
Typescript: HSB to Family re decision to accept Presidency of SPC 1902 Jan 21
HSB and ABB to Family re decision to accept the Presidency 1902 Jan
Typescript: HSB to parishioners re decision to accept Presidency 1902 Jan 30
HSB to parishioners: Resignation 1902 Jan 30
HSB to DB re difference of opinion among Board of Managers about nomination of HSB 1902 Feb 3
HSB to Family re Board of Managers 1902 Feb 11
Typescripts: HSB to Family -- reply to letters re acceptance of Presidency [1902 Mar 1]
Typescript: HSB to [DB]: partial letter -- details re departure plans [1902]
Typescript: HSB and ABB to parishioners: Farewell letter 1902 Oct 4
HSB to ABB: Call at Mr. Carnegie's 1905 Sep 29
[HSB] to R. H. West re SPC 1905 Oct 26
Typescript: [HSB to Prof. West] 1905 Oct 26
HSB to ABB: Washington; lunch at the White House; Theodore Roosevelt; Hanover -- Dartmouth 1905 Nov-Dec
Typescript: HSB to Frances Blatchford re approaching death of ABB's brother (Huntington Blatchford) 1905 Dec 11
HSB to ABB [1905?]
HSB to ABB: Constantinople 1906 Feb 6
Typescript: HSB to Board of Trustees: Supplement to Annual Report 1906 Dec 18
Typescripts: HSB to DSD re SPC 1902-1906
HSB to ABB: Personal letters 1907 Jan-May
HSB to ABB 1907 Sep 15
Typescripts: HSB to ABB: Journal letters 1907
Typescripts: HSB to ABB: Journal letters (duplicates) 1907
HSB to E. W. Blatchford 1908 Aug 17
HSB, ABB, to Family: Furlough in U. S. 1908 Aug-Oct
HSB to Family: Amherst -- visit at the Dickinsons' 1908 Oct 20
HSB to ABB: Crisis at SPC 1909 Feb-Sep 6
HSB to E. W. Blatchford 1909 Apr 16, Jun 4
HSB to ABB: Death of Dr. Post 1909 Sep 30
HSB to ABB: Trip to Egypt to join Cleveland Dodge party 1910 Mar
HSB to Family 1910 Jul-Sep
HSB to ABB 1910 Sep 6
HSB to ABB: Description of Trustees' Meeting and resultant problems [1910 Sep 9]
HSB to FJB: Account of visit to Amherst 1910 Nov 3
Typescript: HSB to Trustees: Account of bombardment of Beirut 1912 Feb 7
HSB to ABB 1912 Sep 24
HSB to Sydney A. Clark re Christianity and Christian ministry 1912 Dec 18
HSB to ABB: Trip to Egypt and Sudan; return on yacht with Arthur Curtis James 1913 Feb
HSB to ABB 1914 Sep-Oct
Typescript: HSB re Holy War 1914 Sep 24
Typescript: HSB to Dr. Dodge re wartime situation 1914 Nov 28
HSB to Lyman Abbott: Birth of granddaughter (Grace Dodge); political situation 1915 Feb 13
HSB to ABB 1915 Aug-Sep
HSB to ABB 1916 Jul 18-26
HSB to ABB: Last illness of DB; arrangements for family to come (DB died later that day. 1916 Jul 27
HSB to ABB 1916 Sep
HSB to ABB 1918
HSB to ABB: Paris Peace Conference; voyage to America; illness 1919 Jan-Jul
Typescripts: HSB to ABB -- excerpts 1919 Jan-Mar
HSB to Theodore Greene 1919 Jan 4
[HSB?] to Seirafi: Repayment or wartime loan to student 1919 Jun 30
HSB to ABB and Family 1919 Sep-Oct
HSB to ABB and Family 1919 Nov-Dec
HSB partial letters [1919 or 1920?]
HSB to ABB and Family 1920 Jan-Feb
To HSB from F. W. Cragin: Promissory note 1884
To HSB from Lyman Abbott: Recommendation of HSB as Assistant Pastor, Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, NY 1889 Jan 7
To HSB: Call to Plymouth Church 1889 spring
To HSB from Jos. J. Randolph: sends "two mss. of your brother's" 1890 Nov 3
To HSB from Dr. Morgan W. Ayres: concern for HSB's health [1895]
Typescript: To HSB from Edward Dickinson (AC 1884) re Amherst pastorate 1897 Jun 7
To HSB 1898
To HSB from Norman Clark 1898
To HSB from England 1899
To HSB 1899
To HSB 1900
Typescripts: Anonymous to HSB and ABB re "nurse girl" [1902]
Typescripts: Anonymous to HSB and ABB (duplicates) [1902]
To HSB from R. W. Raymond 1902
To HSB from parishioners re Presidency of SPC 1902
To HSB from friends re Presidency of SPC 1902
To HSB from SPC faculty, former student re Presidency of SPC 1902
Typescript: To HSB and ABB from MBD, re Presidency 1902 Jan 26
Typescript: To HSB from FJB re Presidency 1902 Jan 20
Typescript: To HSB from Aunt Alice re departure for Syria 1902 Feb 14
Typescripts: To HSB re Presidency 1902
To HSB from Williston Walker re Amherst College Honorary Degree to be conferred 1902 Jun 25 1902 May 30
To HSB from D. S. Dodge: Humorous letter of congratulation on receipt of degree 1902 Jun 6
Typescript: To HSB from Mrs. Lyman Abbott 1902 Jul
Typescript: To HSB from H. A. Bridgman re material for "The Congregationalist" 1902 Jul
Typescripts: To HSB re SPC 1905
To HSB from A. M. Fairbairn, Oxford 1905 Oct 13
Number not used
Typescripts: To HSB from Dr. Post, Prof. West re Moslem tract (Anti-Christian) 1905 Nov
Typescript: To HSB from Harry Dorman re funds for YMCA 1905 Nov 6
Typescripts: To HSB 1905-06
Invitation to visit Oxford and preach 1905 Oct 21
To HSB from Lyman Abbott: Mrs. Abbott's death 1907 Oct 6
To HSB from George Adam Smith [1919?]
To HSB from Harold H. [Judson], Secretary of the Faculty, enclosing copy of letter from SPC Faculty to the Trustees of SPC re HSB's Presidency in wartime (original letter in Box 2, Folder 51) 1919 Jan 8
To HSB and Dr. Dodge from Frances Blatchford 1919 Feb 25
To HSB from M. S. Wilson: Welcome home; sudden death of Frances Blatchford 1919 Mar 20
To HSB from M. S. Wilson 1919 Mar
To HSB from Williston Walker re Amherst College Honorary Degree to be conferred 1919 Jun 18 1919 May 3
To HSB from Faculty of SPC; to Dr. Dodge from Faculty; [HSB?] reply: Faculty salaries 1919 Jun-Jul
To HSB from Alexander Meiklejohn: Letter accompanying degree citation 1919 Jul 21
Typescripts: re Presidency of SPC (duplicates) 1902
[HSB] remarks at the laying of the cornerstone of the Women's Pavilion at SPC [1907]
HSB, "The new era and the new duties," to Ottoman Students' Union Society 1909 Mar 6
HSB, "Unity and not uniformity," delivered under the auspices of "Flower of Culture" 1909 May 1
Typescript: HSB statement before Paris Peace Conference 1919 Feb 13
Typescript: HSB speech [at SUNY, Albany] seeking funds for SPC [1919 April?]
"Amherst Juvenile," HSB and FJB: Vol. 1, Nos. 1, 2, 3 1874
HSB: summary of pre-college education 1876-78
List of essays read at the "Young Men's Improvement Class," Beirut 1877-78
HSB expenses, Amherst College 1878 Sep-Nov
HSB Freshman composition: "Longfellow's Hiawatha" 1879 Feb
Typescript: HSB essay on Hiawatha 1879 Feb
HSB income and expenses: Amherst College, Washburn College 1878-85
HSB expenses paid to F. J. Fletcher 1887-88
Poem to HSB [from the Black family] 1889
Typescript: Poem to HSB 1889
Fred W. Hinrichs to Lyman Abbott re departure of HSB from Plymouth Church 1894 Jun 29
Minutes of Council dismissing HSB from Assistant Pastorate of Plymouth Congregational Church, Brooklyn 1894 Jul 9
Minutes of Council calling HSB to Christian Union Church, Upper Montclair, N. J. 1894 Oct 18
Farewell address to HSB, Upper Montclair 1902 Oct 2
Description of HSB's arrival in Syria 1902 Nov 11
Typescripts: German philosophical attack on SPC and Robert College; HSB reply 1905 May
Typescript: Leeds Examiner interview with HSB 1905 [Oct?]
Typescript: James Bertram to Sir Robert Pullar -- Andrew Carnegie will not have interview with HSB 1905 Oct
SPC: terms of settlement with non-Christian students in connection with student strike 1909 Apr
SPC Faculty to the Trustees of SPC re HSB's Presidency in wartime 1919 Jan 7
Photocopy: HSB passport; travel permits 1919 Jan 13
HSB Honorary Degree citation, Amherst College 1919 Jun 18
Photocopy from Hoover Institution: Charles R. Crane to Woodrow Wilson re findings of commission in Syria (covering letter only) 1919 Jul 10
Bulus Khauli account of visit to HSB at Presbyterian Hospital 1920 Apr 10
The Bethel of Plymouth Church: Printed letter from HSB 1890 Feb
"Plymouth Church at Work" 1893 Dec 17
Order of service, Plymouth Church, Brooklyn: announcement of HSB's installation at Christian Union Church, Upper Montclair, N. J., 1894 Oct 14, 1894 Oct 18
Order of service: Installation of HSB at Christian Union Church 1894 Oct 18
Printed material and pastoral letters, Christian Union Church 1895-1902
Printed material and pastoral letters, Christian Union Church 1897-1901
News article: Ladies Society, Christian Union Church, presents "An Old English Fantasy" 1897 Jun 17
Montclair Herald: Dedication of Christian Union Church 1900 Nov 15
Newsclippings re Presidency 1902
Program: Prize Declamation Contest, SPC 1908 Jun 20
Newsclipping from 1909 letters of HSB to ABB [1909]
Crisis in Adana and other areas in Asia Minor 1909 Apr
Newsclippings: HSB speaking on situation in Turkey 1910 Nov
Newsclipping: "Dr. Bliss attacks race prejudice" 1913 Jun 30
Article re SPC Commencement 1916
Article re occupation of Beirut 1918 Oct 8
Right of the Syrian people re political future 1918
"About Dr. Bliss," -- church publication, unidentified [1919 Jan?]
The Syrian Protestant College ... During the Great War and After, 1914-1920 [1920]
The Plymouth Chimes, "Reminiscences of Dr. Howard Bliss" [1920]
"In Loving Memory of Howard Sweetser Bliss," Christian Union Congregational Church 1920 May 30
Minute of the Faculty of SPC prepared as a tribute to the Presidency of HSB 1920
Series 4: ABBY WOOD BLISS
AWB to FJB [1874] Oct 13
AWB to HSB, Sons 1874-1883
AWB [to WTB?] (fragment found with WTB 1880-81 correspondence): Dr. [?] in town; coming to luncheon with Dr. Moore, Prof. Day, etc. [1880?]
AWB to WTB [1882]
AWB to Sons: Reference to Lewis Affair 1882-83
AWB to HSB, WTB, MBD, Sons: Some reference to Lewis Affair 1883
Typescripts: Excerpts -- AWB to sons re Lewis Affair 1882-83
AWB to HSB, WTB, Children 1884
AWB to Children [1884]
Typescript: AWB to HSB 1884 Jun 11
AWB to HSB, Sons, Children 1885
AWB to HSB, Sons 1886
AWB to HSB, Children: Death of Gerald Dale; Carrie Dale; Mr. Dale, Sr. 1886 Oct
AWB to HSB: "shall not celebrate" Christmas [1886?]
AWB to HSB, FJB, WTB, Sons 1887
AWB to HSB, ABB, WTB, Children 1888-89
AWB to HSB, ABB and other family c. 1889-91
AWB to ABB: "My very precious Daughter Amy" 1889 Dec 4
AWB to HSB, ABB, Children 1890
AWB to HSB, ABB, WTB, Children 1890 Jan-Jun
AWB to HSB, ABB, WTB, Children 1890 Jul-Dec
AWB to ABB, HSB, WTB: Death of DB's brother [1890?]
AWB to ABB and HSB [1891]
AWB to HSB, ABB, Children, Baby 1891
AWB to HSB, ABB, Absent Boys, Children, Grandchild 1891
AWB to ABB and HSB from England and Spain [early 1890s]
AWB to Children [1890s]
AWB to HSB and ABB: ABB's birthday [1890s]
AWB to HSB and ABB 1892
AWB to HSB, ABB, Children 1892
AWB to ABB and HSB [1892?]
AWB to ABB, HSB, WTB: Re translation of tablet found by FJB 1892
AWB to HSB, ABB, Children 1893
Typescript: AWB to HSB re religious advice to her nephew [1893]
AWB to Children 1895
AWB to MBD 1895, n.d.
AWB to Children, Dear Ones at Home 1896-1898
AWB to MBD, May, FJB [1897] Jun 21, Oct 1, Dec 21
AWB to Children and May 1898
Typescripts: AWB and DB to HSB [1893?]-1900
AWB to Children 1900, 1902, 1905
AWB to HSB [1902?]
AWB to Children: Copy of excerpt from Dr. Dodge's letter to AWB re MBD's acceptance of position of superintendent [of hospital] [1905] Aug 8
Photocopy: AWB to ABB (copy in Margaret Bliss Leavitt's handwriting) 1907 Jul 6
AWB to ABB and HSB 1908 Jul 21, Sep 28
AWB to ABB 1908-09
AWB to Family, Children 1907-09
To AWB from C. E. Hill [1883]
To AWB from "Emma" 1890 Oct 2
To AWB from Mary Blatchford: Birth of Mary 1890 Nov 18
To AWB from S. G. [Bird] [early 1890s]
Typescript: To AWB from Mrs. Lyman Abbott 1891
To AWB from Theodosia D. Jessup 1895 Aug 19
To AWB from Alfred Ely Day 1895 Sep 29
To AWB from Frances Emily White 1898 Mar 20
Conference of Christian Workers, Brummana, Mt. Lebanon, Syria: Provisional Programme, printed letter (from AWB letters) 1898 Aug 9-14
(See Also: Bliss Family Papers, Addendum II)
Series 5: AMY BLATCHFORD BLISS
Typescript: ABB to AWB re engagement to HSB 1889 May 22
ABB to AWB 1890
ABB to MBD 1890, 1892
Typescript: ABB to MBD 1890 Jul 2
ABB to AWB 1891 May 5
ABB to HSB's parents: Partial letter [1899 Dec?]
Typescript: ABB to AWB 1900 Sep 3
Typescript: ABB to AWB 1900
ABB to Family re call to Presidency of SPC 1901 Jul 22
ABB to her family re call to Presidency of SPC 1901
ABB to HSB: "Corrections" for Who's Who entry [1909]
ABB to HSB 1919 Jan-Jul
ABB to HSB: Partial letter -- "perhaps ... you are really in Paris" 1919
ABB and daughter, Margaret, to AWB and family re HSB's last days 1920 Apr 20, 27
To ABB from C. E. Hill, shortly after marriage [1889]
To ABB from Dr. Moore 1905
To ABB from daughter Alice 1919 Mar 28
To ABB from Talcott Williams in memory of HSB 1922 May 2
To ABB and family in sympathy following HSB's death 1920
Photos of London, with ABB's notes re HSB's visit in 1905 n.d.
ABB: notes, tributes, etc. found wrapped together in silk. (Includes HSB letter to Family re decision to accept Presidency of SPC, 1902 Jan 21) n.d.
ABB: silk originally wrapped around material in folder 150 n.d.
Lyman Abbott to Edward W. Blatchford [ABB's brother]: Congratulations on work in Constantinople 1921 Aug 2
Series 6: MARY BLISS DALE
MBD to HSB: Partial letter 1882 Sep 20
MBD to AWB 1883
MBD to ABB and HSB [1892]
MBD to HSB: Letter and partial letter [1899?]
MBD to HSB and ABB 1900-1902
Typescripts: MBD to HSB 1900-1901
Typescripts: MBD to HSB (duplicates) 1900-1901
Typescript: MBD to HSB: Arrival of Osanna Muksedian for nurses' training 1905 Oct 15
MBD to HSB: Request to go to Adana [1909 Apr]
Series 7: FREDERICK JONES BLISS
FJB to Family 1879 Feb 23
FJB to parents: Future plans 1880
FJB to "Dear Trio" [1880?]
FJB to HSB from Mansfield College, Oxford [early 1880s]
FJB to HSB 1881, 1885
FJB to HSB: Lewis Affair 1882 Dec-1883 Jan
FJB to HSB: "Dear Mary ...suffers" [1886?]
FJB to HSB [1887]
FJB to HSB re wedding 1889
FJB to Family [early 1890s]
FJB to HSB [early 1890s]
FJB to ABB [early 1890s]
FJB to Family, DB, HSB: From Jaffa Harbor, Wasta, Cairo, Jerusalem, Beirut, Sinai 1891
FJB and DB to AWB 1891 Mar
FJB to ABB 1892, n.d.
FJB to HSB, ABB and Family 1887-1893
FJB, from the Court Circular: Humor 1896 Aug 25
FJB to HSB 1899-1902
Typescripts: FJB to HSB 1899 Nov 19; 1900 May 13
Typescript: FJB to HSB 1900
Typescript: FJB to HSB 1902 Jan 20
Typescripts: FJB to HSB: Presidency of SPC, etc. 1902
FJB to HSB: Problems -- Board of Managers, SPC 1902 Apr 25
FJB [to HSB] [1905?]
FJB to HSB: Health problems of FJB 1905-06
FJB to HSB 1906 Oct 23
FJB to Brothers and Sisters [1908?]
FJB to HSB 1909 Feb, Mar
FJB to HSB 1909 Nov 6
FJB to HSB [1909] Dec 28
FJB to HSB: Health problems of WTB 1911
Typescripts, FJB 1914
FJB to HSB 1919 Sep 16
FJB to HSB 1919 Oct
Copy: FJB to Faculty and Students of SPC re death and burial of HSB 1920 May 6
To FJB from the Palestine Exploration Fund 1900 Jun 25
"The Bread Boys of Damascus" 1890 Mar 24
Typescript: FJB -- poem for the Golden Anniversary of DB and AWB 1905
(See: Series 12: OVERSIZE MATERIAL)
Series 8: WILLIAM TYLER BLISS
WTB to HSB 1878-81
Typescript: WTB to Family re arrival of HSB and Family in New York 1908 Aug
Typescript: WTB to Family re arrival of HSB and family in New York (duplicate) 1908 Aug
WTB to HSB 1909
Series 9: DODGE FAMILY
DODGE FAMILY consists, with a single exception, of outgoing correspondence written by D. Stuart Dodge; his wife, Ellen P. Dodge; and his nephew, Cleveland H. Dodge. The series consists of 16 folders and contains letters of both business and personal nature.
DSD to HSB 1878-82
EPD to HSB 1878-79
DSD to HSB: Death of EPD; checks to HSB for his college course to continue 1880 Jul 9
Typescript: DSD to DB -- visit with FJB, HSB, WTB; Dr. Post 1887 Sep 23
DSD to HSB: Arrival of box from Beirut, mishandled by Customs 1890 Apr 17
DSD to HSB 1890 May 26
Telegram: DSD to HSB, re death of Geraldine Dale on Oct. 15 1891 1891 Nov 2
Typescripts: DSD to DB -- succession of HSB to Presidency of SPC 1901 Apr 9, 1902 Jan 17
Typescript: DSD to HSB -- congratulations on receipt of degree 1902 Jun 6
Typescripts: DSD to HSB 1901-1903
Photocopy: DSD to AWB -- AWB's copy of excerpts re MBD as superintendent [of hospital] [1905] Aug 8
DSD to DB and AWB 1908-1910
Typescripts: DSD to DB and AWB 1909
Typescript: DSD to DB and AWB -- funds for land purchase, SPC 1909 Feb 19
CHD to DSD 1910 Apr 12
Typescript: CHD to "Uncle Stuart" (duplicate) 1910 Apr 12
CHD to HSB 1912 Mar 1
To DSD from James S. Dennis, re HSB 1909 Apr
Series 10: SYRIAN PROTESTANT COLLEGE
SYRIAN PROTESTANT COLLEGE contains only seven folders. Significant in the series is Donald M. Leavitt's article (written while the papers were in his grandmother's possession), "Darwinism in the Arab world: the Lewis Affair at Syrian Protestant College," published in 1981 in The Muslim World.
Typescript: 1874
Typescript: Early history of SPC; parallel history of Robert College (Extract: Book II -- Minutes of the Board of Trustees of SPC) 1899 Jul 9
Typescript: Remarks of HSB at laying of the cornerstone of the Women's Pavilion, SPC 1908
Request that College Community be exempted from order re evacuation of Beirut c. 1915
Annual Reports, SPC 1898-99, 1899-1900, 1902-03
"Two Missionaries and Educators in Syria," The Missionary Review of the World, Vol. 44, No. 3 1921 Mar
Leavitt, Donald M., "Darwinism in the Arab world: the Lewis Affair at the Syrian Protestant College," The Muslim World, Vol. LXXI, No. 2 1981 Apr
(See also: Bliss Family Papers, Addendum I)
Series 11: PHOTOGRAPHS
PHOTOGRAPHS includes individual and group photos of Howard Bliss, as well as photos of Daniel Bliss, Abby Wood Bliss and Amy Blatchford Bliss.
Daniel Bliss 1855
DB c. 1856
Abby Wood Bliss 1855
DB and AWB 1902
Howard Sweetser Bliss and the teachers at Syrian Protestant College c. 1876
HSB with a group at Mansfield College, Oxford 1887
HSB 1902
Amy Blatchford Bliss 1902
(See also: HSB passport, Series 12)
Series 12: OVERSIZE MATERIAL
OVERSIZE MATERIAL contains a photographic reproduction of Daniel Bliss' 1866 passport; Howard Bliss' 1919 passport, with a photograph; and a set of Palestine Exploration Fund maps belonging to Frederick Jones Bliss.
Photographic reproduction: Daniel Bliss' passport (2 copies) 1866 Feb 8
Frederick Jones Bliss' Maps: Palestine, from the surveys conducted for the Committee of the Palestine Exploration Fund 1890
Howard Sweetser Bliss: Passport 1919 Jan 13
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
Bliss, Daniel. Reminiscences of Daniel Bliss, edited and supplemented by Frederick Jones Bliss. New York, etc.:Fleming H. Revell Co., 1920.
Bliss, Daniel. Daniel Bliss and the Founding of the American University of Beirut, edited by Carleton S. Coon, Jr. Washington: The Middle East Institute, 1989.
Addendum 1
Addendum 1 continues the Daniel Bliss Series (Series 2) with addition material on the history of the founding of Syrian Protestant College. Comprising 8 folders, and ranging in dates from 1850-1904 Addendum 1 contains; a typescript of reminiscences by Daniel Bliss (annotated by Frederick Jones Bliss) on the early days of the Syrian Protestant College, manuscripts of several sermons by Daniel Bliss, and Printed Materials including an early description for the proposed college in Syria.
Series 1: DANIEL BLISS additions
"A few reminiscences of the early days of the Syrian Protestant College, by Rev. Daniel Bliss, First President" -- documentation of the founding of SPC. [Annotated by FJB.] n.d.
DB: 1894 Jul 8
DB: 1903 May
DB: n.d.
Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Amherst College for the Academical Year 1850-51 1850-51
Missionary Tracts, No. 14: 1856
before the Society of Inquiry when he graduated from Andover, 1855)
"The Syrian Protestant College" -- description of proposed college and appeal for donations [1865]
(See also: Bliss Family Papers, Series 2, Daniel Bliss; Series 10, Syrian Protestant College; Supplementary Material; Series 1, Daniel Bliss in Addendum II)
Addendum 2
Addendum 2 further increases the Daniel Bliss Series (Series 2) by 23 folders ranging in dates from 1856 to 1874, and also adds 19 folders to the Abby Bliss Series (Series 4). Comprised mainly of personal correspondence between Daniel and Abby, the Daniel Bliss series contains a copy book from 1862 with letters to several associates. Though the copy book is in its own folder, three of the letters were transcribed by donor Belle Dorman Rugh and they precede the copybook in a sequence of folders. Otherwise, transcripts by Ms. Rugh are provided in the same folders as the originals, except where noted in the folder listing. The Abby Bliss Series is enriched with extensive correspondence between Abby and her Mother, Sister, Aunt and Uncle Luke Sweetser, and Cousin Howard. Dated from throughout 1856, the 19 folders of correspondence shed light onto a much younger Abby Bliss than is found elsewhere in the papers. Transcripts have been provided by Belle Dorman Rugh for a majority of the letters in this Addendum, and are filed with the originals in the same folder. A separate series was created for Belle Dorman Rugh which contain some of her working notes while she transcribed the letters.
Series 1: Daniel Bliss additions 2
Outgoing Correspondence:
folder contains original document only
DB to Abby's Mother and Sister 1856 Jan 19
DB to Abby's Mother 1856 Apr 2
DB to D.D. Anderson 1862 Feb 11
DB to J.S. & C. Adams 1862 Feb 11
DB to Rev. Gordon 1862 Feb 11
DB to Prof Tyler * 1862 Feb 25
DB to George Washburn * 1862 Mar 5
DB to R. Anderson D.D. * 1862 Mar 6
DB to Mr. Phelps* 1862 Apr 18
DB to Brother Robson* 1862 Apr 27
DB to Brother B * 1862 Apr 28
DB to R. Anderson D.D * 1862 Jun 13
DB to Abby and Children 1874 Apr 16
DB to Abby and Children 1874 Apr 21
DB to Abby and Children 1874 Apr 22
DB to Abby and Children 1874 Apr 26
DB to Abby and Children 1874 Apr 28
DB to Abby and Children * 1874 May 12
DB to Abby and Children * 1874 May 15
DB to Abby and Children * 1874 May 18
DB to Abby and Children * 1874 May 19
DB to Abby and Children * 1874 May 23
DB to Abby and Children * 1874 May 27
DB to Abby and Children * 1874 May 29
DB to Abby and Children * 1874 Jun 3
DB to Abby and Children * 1874 Jun 6
DB to Abby and Children * 1874 Jun 9
DB to Abby and Children * 1874 Jun 12
Incoming Correspondence:
* folder contains original document only
LF Marshall to DB * 1874 May 23
(See Also: Bliss Family Papers, part 1, Series 2, Daniel Bliss; Series 10, Syrian Protestant College; Supplementary Material; and Series 2, Daniel Bliss additions in Addendum 1)
Series 4: Abby Wood Bliss additions
AWB to Mother and sister Mary 1856 Jan 11-Jan 23
AWB to Aunt and Uncle Luke Sweetser 1856 Jan 17-Jan 23
AWB to Cousin Howard 1856 Jan 30
AWB to Aunt Abby Sweetser 1856 Mar 24
AWB to Cousin Howard 1856 Apr 10
AWB to Aunt Abby Sweetser 1856 Apr 21
AWB to Uncle Luke Sweetser 1856 Apr 21
AWB to Aunt Abby Sweetser 1856 May 30
AWB to Mother 1856 Jun 15
AWB to Mother and Sister 1856 Jun 26
AWB to Mother and Sister Mary 1856 Jul 5
AWB to Aunt Abby Sweetser 1856 Jul 28
AWB to Aunt Abby Sweetser 1856 Sep 14
AWB to Aunt Abby Sweetser 1856 Oct 14
AWB to Aunt Abby Sweetser 1856 Nov 6
AWB to Sister Mary 1856 Nov 11
AWB to Aunt Abby Sweetser 1856 Dec 15
AWB to Aunt Abby Sweetser 1856 Dec 20
AWB to Sister Mary 1856 Dec 31
(See Also: Bliss Family Papers, part 1, Series 4 Abby Wood Bliss)
Series 13: Belle Dorman Rugh
WORKING NOTES
Postscript to letters...
re: letters of 1874
Notebook used during transcription