Hills Family Papers 1785-1957 (bulk 1853-1910)
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 AC 2005. 2003-06-24
Encoded Archival Description
Encoded Archival Description (EAD) Version 2002
collection
Hills Family Papers
Creation of Hills Family Papers
Time of Creation of Hills Family Papers
20 archives boxes, 3 1/2 archives boxes, 11 records storage boxes, 1 oversize box, 2 flat boxes, 2 flat files
Biographical History for: Hills Family Papers
Biographical Note The Hills Family Papers (1830-1948) document the lives of several generations of Hills family members. Leonard Mariner Hills (1803-1872) and his wife, Amelia Gay, moved to Amherst in 1829. At that time, Leonard opened a small shop in East Amherst for the manufacture of straw hats. With the advent of industrialization, Leonard moved his shop to Amherst, and opened a factory, one of the first in Amherst. (Photographs and a description of the factory circa 1909 can be found in the collection.) Although it was based in Amherst, the company did most of its business in New York City where Leonard's son Henry Francis Hill (1833-1896) served as the company's sales agent. Although the business was ostensibly profitable, the New York office went bankrupt in 1870, and the company itself was dissolved in 1935. Both Leonard Mariner Hills and Henry F. Hills were prominent citizens in the town of Amherst and were responsible for many civic improvements. Leonard Mariner Hills was president of the Amherst & Belchertown railway company, the first railroad company to come to Amherst. He also established and served as president of the First National Bank of Amherst. With his son Henry, he provided the original endowment for the Massachusetts Agricultural College. Henry F. Hills was one of the first directors of the Massachusetts Central Railway Company, the Amherst Gas Company and the Amherst Water Company. Henry was also an active church member and participated in the movement for the improvement of the grounds of Wildwood Cemetery. His wife, Adelaide Spencer Hills, was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Henry F. Hills married Mary Adelaide Spencer of South Manchester, Connecticut in 1863. (For a genealogy of Mary AdelaIde Spencer, see genealogies of the Pitkin family [her mother's family], p. 120, and the Hollister family [her grandmother's family].) Their home, fondly referred to as "The Homestead," on Main Street in Amherst, first served as a summer home before becoming a permanent residence. They lived in New York City during the winter. Henry's father, Leonard M. Hills, built an almost identical home next door on the comer of Triangle and Main Street. The houses are still standing today, and currently house the Amherst Woman's Club (L.M. Hills House) and the Amherst Boys and Girls Club (H.F. Hills House.) Henry F. Hills and Adelaide Spencer Hills had five children: Leonard, Mary, Emily, Caroline and Susan. Leonard, and Mary's husband, Frank Whitman, joined the Hills Company. Biographical sketches of chief members represented in the Hills Family Papers: LEONARD MARINER HILLS (1803-1872)Leonard Mariner Hills was considered a "major pioneer of industry and prominent citizen of Amherst." He was the first to systemize and develop hat manufacturing as an industry in the U.S. He came to Amherst in 1827 and worked for two years at the carriage making firm of Knowles & Thayer. In 1829, he married Amelia Gay from Connecticut and established a small hat manufacturing shop in East Amherst. Accomplishments: - developed the hat making industry from the piecemeal/cottage industry method, through having women bring the finished hats to the factory, to the hats being completely made in the factory. - established and was president of the First National Bank. - president of the Amherst and Belchertown Railway Co., the first in Amherst. - instrumental in getting the railroad to run its tracks through upper Amherst, rather than along East Street. - gave, with his son, Henry, $10,000 for the maintenance of the Botanical Gardens at Massachusetts Agricultural College (now the University of Massachusetts). - worked with Austin Dickinson on a town beautification program (planted trees). - gave a fund for the poor working women of Amherst.HENRY F. HILLS (1833-1896)For more than 40 years, Henry F. Hills was identified with manufacturing and business enterprises in Amherst, and was a prominent town figure. He believed in progress, was a man of action, and was responsible for bringing many public improvements to the town. Accomplishments: - one of the first directors of the Massachusetts Central Railway company induced the Town of Amherst to subscribe for stock. - one of the original stockholders in the Amherst Gas Company - prominent in its organization, and president. - assisted in the organization of the Amherst Water Company. friend of Massachusetts Agricultural College in Amherst (forerunner of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst) - helped secure the $50,000 appropriation from the town. - with his father, Leonard M., contributed $10,000 toward a fund for the Durfee plant house and established the Hills botanical prizes at Massachusetts Agricultural College. - aided In the purchase and Improvement of Wildwood Cemetery. member of the East Congregational church; then member of the Village Church member of the building committee which built the present building in 1867. - member of the Union League Club and the New England Society of New York City. - served as Superintendent of Amherst Schools. - moved to South Carolina to improve health; returned to Amherst. HILLS COMPANY CHRONOLOGY The Hills Co., which manufactured palm leaf hats, was in fact two companies. The first one, the L.M. Hills Co., started by Leonard Mariner Hills in 1829, was based in Amherst, Mass. Business was also conducted in a New York City office. The New York City office went bankrupt in 1870 and the entire company was sold in 1872 to H.D. Fearing, Leonard M.'s son-in-law, and became the H.D. Fearing Co., which continued the business of manufacturing hats in Amherst. In 1877, the Hills Co. was reorganized and incorporated by Henry F. Hills, Leonard M.'s son, who built his factory across the railroad tracks from the H.D. Fearing Co. factories. The Hills Co. was dissolved in 1935, after more than 100 years. 1829L.M. Hills Company established Leonard M. opened a straw hat manufacturing shop in East Amherst - receipts for that year totalled $5,000.Leonard M. sold half of land in Tolland, Connecticut to his brother, Samuel Hills (see Samuel Hills deeds, College Archives).1845317,236 palm leaf hats manufactured.Business expanded to include "Shaker hoods," a popular hat at the time.1856Mills were built at Factory Hollow.Company followed hat manufacturing process: the palm leaf was bleached, split and dyed at the mill. Prepared palm leaf was sent out to women's homes to be braided into hats and woven into webs for the shaker hoods. Hats were returned to the mill, bleached again, pressed, trimmed and packed for sale.Hats were also imported from Spain and Italy to be finished in Amherst.1860Building for splitting palm leaf burned.1862200 employees. 250 hats made daily.1863Mill buildings washed away by flood.Buildings rebuilt on same site with "more ambitious ideas."1865Stock of palm leaf valued at $50,000.1868Leonard M. issued a patent for a loom for weaving palm leaf by power -- diminished use of home industry.1869Hills Co. was the largest hat manufacturing concern in the U.S.Company imported palm leaf direct from Cuba; supplied many smaller establishments.Made 100-200,000 dozen palm leaf hats per year and 30-40,000 dozen shaker hoods per year.1870New York City office went bankrupt.1871Massachusetts the only state manufacturing palm leaf hats.1872L.M. Hills Co. - largest hat factory in the U.S. - receipts $300,000.Death of Leonard M. HillsCompany sold to H.D. Fearing (Leonard M.'s son- in-law), and name changed to the H.D. Fearing Co. - continued to manufacture hats.1877Hills Co. reorganized and incorporated by Henry F. (Leonard M.'s son) - built factory across railroad tracks from H.D. Fearing Co.Newspaper report states that the Fearing Co. sent more than 13,000 straw hats to New York in one week.1880Fire destroyed both Hills Co. and H.D. Fearing Co. factories.Fearing rebuilt at a cost of $100,000.1880sHenry retired; son Leonard took over.1892H.D. Fearing Co. bought by G.B. Burnett Co., a New York commission house, which continued business until 1936 (the Burnett Co. operated a store on West 4th St. in New York which showed samples of straw hats and obtained orders to be filled by hat factories).1935Hills Co. dissolved.
Scope and Contents of the Collection The Hills Family Papers contain correspondence, deeds, personal financial records, photographs and memorabilia of several generations of this prominent Amherst family during the second half of the 19th century. As a record of a wealthy 19th century family, this collection is important because of its size, time span and completeness. The correspondence provides a social, civic, economic, political and religious overview of the general state of society as well as daily observations about local matters and family life.
Hat trade--Massachusetts--Amherst.
lcsh
Hat trade--New York (State)--New York.
Hills, Henry F., 1833-1896.
lcnaf
Hills, Adelaide Spencer.
Hills, Leonard Mariner, 1803-1872.
Pitkin, Mary Hollister.
Dickinson, Austin, d. 1895.
Hill family.
L.M. Hills Company.
aat
series
Series 1: Correspondence, 1830-1953 (bulk 1853-1910)
SERIES 1: CORRESPONDENCE, 1830-1953, numbers well over one thousand pieces. The bulk of the correspondence falls between 1853 and 1910. The material is arranged in subseries by writer or recipient. The major subseries is correspondence from Henry F. Hills to his wife, Adelaide Spencer Hills. Henry's frequent absences from home on business trips as Purchasing/Sales Agent for the Hills Company account for his steady correspondence. Despite his warm conclusions, his letters have a general, newsy quality. Another significant subseries is correspondence to Adelaide Spencer Hills from Mary Hollister Pitkin, her grandmother, by whom she was raised. Grandma Pitkin, as she was commonly called, wrote poignantly to her granddaughter about aging (she lived to be almost 100) and her failing health. Mary (Mamie) and Emily, Henry and Adelaide's daughters, wrote numerous letters home while attending boarding school in New York. There is also some correspondence from Henry F. Hills to his father, Leonard M. Hills and to other members of his family, and letters to Henry from various correspondents, including Austin Dickinson; several folders of correspondence to Adelaide Spencer Hills from other family members and friends; a small amount of Gay Family correspondence (Henry F. Hills' mother, Amelia Gay Hills' Family); and correspondence to Susan Clapp Hills (Skillings), about her engagement to David Skillings and her wedding.
Gay Family to Hills Family: transcripts
Original letters in Box No. 12, Folder 1830-31
Folder No. 10 1836-37
Henry F. Hills to Adelaide Spencer Hills
1869 Jan-May
1869 Jun-Dec, n.d.
1871 Apr-May
1871 Jun-Dec
1877 Jan-Jun
1877 Jul-Dec
1878 Feb-Jul
1878 Aug-Oct
1878 Nov-Dec
1879 Jan-Feb
1879 Mar-Apr
1879 May-Oct, n.d.
1881 Jan-Jun
1881 Aug-Dec
1882 Jan-Feb
1882 Mar-Apr
1882 May-Jul
1882 Aug-Nov
Henry F. Hills to:
Leonard M. Hills (his father): business travels 1869-70
Leonard M. Hills (his father) from Europe: includes letter to the Hills children 1871
[Leonard Dwight Hills] (his brother) 1871
Leonard M. Hills and Mary (Mamie) Hills Whitman 1871
Susan C. Hills (Skillings): includes1 letter addressed to Caroline Hills (Allen) and Susan C. Hills (Skillings) 1886, 1888, 1890-91, 1893-95
To Henry F. Hills from his father, Leonard M. Hills 1871
To Henry F. Hills from his sister, Mary Hills 1896
Miscellaneous correspondence to Henry F. Hills: includes 1 letter from Austin Dickinson; 1 letter from Henry F. Hills with reference to town meeting and construction 1865, 1878-1880, 1883, 1885, 1887, n.d., 1880, n.d.
To Adelaide Spencer Hills from Mary Hollister Pitkin (Grandma Pitkin)
Fragments n.d.
Transcripts n.d.
To Adelaide Spencer Hills from:
Jane C. Cheney: includes 1 letter to Henry F. Hills 1860-63, 1876, 1878-80, 1884-85, n.d.
Jane C. Cheney: transcripts 1860, 1863, 1879-80, n.d.
Dickinson family: includes an invitation to and clipping about the wedding of Martha Gilbert Dickinson; and hand-written transcript of the letters 1878-80, 1895, 1903, n.d.
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard M. Hills (in-laws) 1869, n.d.
Susan Clapp Hills (Skillings) 1904, 1907
[Emily Hills Perry] 1909
Leonard Dwight Hills 1908
Helen Spencer (her sister): includes 1 letter to Nellie from Henry Hills, re: birth of baby, and 1 letter to Nellie [from Adelaide Spencer Hills?] 1879, 1891, 1909, 1866, n.d.
"Mary": correspondence concerns the Hills children; includes 1 letter from Emily Hills (Perry) 1879, 1881, n.d.
Frank E. Whitman: includes some transcripts 1907-09
Miscellaneous: regarding the marriage of Emily Hills (Perry) 1894
Miscellaneous: regarding the death of Henry F. Hills 1896 Apr-May
Massachusetts Court of Probate and Insolvency: re appointment as executrix of the will of Henry F. Hills 1896 Jul 11
Miscellaneous: regarding the death of Mary Hollister Pitkin 1897 Nov
Miscellaneous transcripts: regarding the death of Mary Hollister Pitkin 1897
Daughters of the American Revolution 1897
Miscellaneous 1882, 1884-86, 1891,1896-98
Miscellaneous: includes letters regarding death of baby 1866, 1869, 1873, 1876, 1878-81, 1879 Feb 25
Miscellaneous 1903-09, 1917, n.d.
Transcripts of miscellaneous correspondence 1878-79, n.d.
Correspondence to Leonard M. and Adelaide S. Hills from their children
(includes 1 letter to the children from Mrs. Hills, 1870) 1880-81, 1890, n.d.
Correspondence from Leonard M. Hills
To Adelaide Spencer Hills 1903-09, 1905-09
To Susan Clapp Hills (Skillings) 1904-05
Correspondence to Leonard M. Hills
From Mr. and Mrs. Leonard M. Hills (grandparents): includes letters addressed to Mary (Mamie) Hills, and 3 transcripts 1869-70
1906: folder includes letter from Leonard,1877
Correspondence from Mary (Mamie) Hills
To Mr. and Mrs. Henry F. (Adelaide) Hills 1886
includes 1 letter to Caroline Hills and 1 letter from Henry F. Hills 1887
To Adelaide Spencer Hills 1904
To Susan Clapp Hills (Skillings) n.d.
To her aunt 1877
Correspondence from Mary Hollister Pitkin (Grandma Pitkin): to Leonard, Emily, Caroline (Carrie) and Susan Hills 1885, 1887, 1889-90, 1892-96, n.d.
Transcripts: correspondence from Mary Hollister from (Grandma Pitkin) to Leonard, Emily, Caroline (Carrie) and Susan Hills n.d.
Correspondence from Emily Hills (Perry), 1884, 1886-87
To Mr. and Mrs. Henry F. (Adelaide) Hills 1888-89
To Susan C. Hills (Skillings) 1894
Correspondence from Emily Hills (Perry) and Dr. Herbert Perry to Mr. and Mrs. Henry F. (Adelaide) Hills 1894
Transcripts 1894
Skillings, David Nelson: calling cards and business cards n.d.
Correspondence to David Nelson Skillings, aka "Pete" regarding his engagement to Susan Clapp Hills (Skillings) 1909 Sep
David Nelson Skillings and Susan Clapp Hills
Wedding invitations 1910 Jun 22
Wedding congratulations 1910 Jun
Marriage certificate 1910 Jun 22
Correspondence to Susan C. Hills (Skillings)
Regarding her engagement to David Nelson Skillings 1909 Sep 8-18; 1909 Sep 19-30
Regarding her engagement to David Nelson Skillings 1909 Oct-Nov
Cards congratulating her on her engagement to David Nelson Skillings 1909
From Adelaide Spencer Hills 1887, 1898, 1901, 1903-05
From Adelaide Spencer Hills 1906, 1908, 1910, n.d.
From Harry Hills Skillings (her son) 1952-53
From Leonard D. Hills (her uncle) 1894-95
From Mary Hills (her aunt) 1892, 1895
From P.F.C. Anthony W. Russo 1952
From David Nelson Skillings 1909
From Frank Whitman (brother-in-law), Barrett Whitman (nephew), and Caroline Hills Allen (sister) 1909
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous 1892-93, 1895, 1901, 1903-06
Miscellaneous 1909-10, n.d.
Miscellaneous 1952-53
Valentines n.d.
Letterhead and calling cards n.d.
Correspondence: Mary Adams from her mother 1879 Oct 8
Calling cards: Leonard M. Hills n.d.
Calling cards: Miscellaneous n.d.
Wedding Invitations
John Weston Allen and Caroline Cheney Hills 1901 Jun 12
Leonard Mariner Hills and Edith Mane Oct 17[?]
Miscellaneous 1883, 1888, 1904, n.d.
Unidentifiable correspondence and fragments (includes one fragment from Barrett Whitman) [c.1850's-90's], 1918 Aug 26
Series 2: DIARIES, COMPOSITIONS, ESSAYS, EXAMINATIONS, 1852-1920
SERIES 2: DIARIES, COMPOSITIONS, ESSAYS AND EXAMINATIONS, 1852-1920, contains a partial diary for 1871 and compositions written while at Monson Academy by Henry F. Hills; compositions written at Monson Academy by Leonard M. Hills, Henry's son; mechanical drawings by an unidentified Hills; essays and examinations for International Correspondence School; and an original comedy by Barrett Whitman. Material is arranged by creator and then by type.
Henry F. Hills
Diary: partial 1871
Compositions written at Monson Academy 1852-53
Transcripts
Leonard M. Hills: Compositions written at Monson Academy 1885 Sep
Hills, ?: Mechanical drawing sketches n.d.
Barrett Whitman
Essays, International correspondence schools, and examinations 1919 Sep-Nov, 1919 Dec, 1920, n.d.
"In England," a comedy in one act n.d.
Correspondence: original letters Gay family to Hills family; Gay family to Hills family 1830-31, 1836-37
See box 1, folder 1 for transcripts
Series 3: LEGAL PAPERS, 1785-1948 (bulk 1840-1890)
SERIES 3: LEGAL PAPERS, 1785-1948 (bulk 1840-1890), is arranged in three subseries: Deeds, Estate Papers and General. Deeds contains primarily deeds and correspondence which document the exchange of numerous tracts of land in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island, arranged alphabetically by state. Estate Papers includes wills and papers relating to the estates of several Hills family members and others, arranged alphabetically by person. The General subseries includes papers relating to the founding and finances of Massachusetts Agricultural College; letters; contracts; wills; and miscellaneous documents arranged by type.
Deeds
Connecticut (includes transcripts) 1794-95, 1797, 1808-09, 1811-14, 1816, 1819-27, 1833-34, 1837, 1839, n.d.
Illinois 1858
Massachusetts 1890-91, 1896, 1897, 1910, n.d.
Massachusetts, re: telephone co. and electric 1948
Massachusetts 1840, 1844-49, 1859, 1896
Rhode Island 1856
Missouri: land purchase correspondence and registry 1857
Estate Papers
Hills, Adelaide Spencer (Massachusetts): estate 1912, 1937
Hills, Elijah (Connecticut): will and estate 1813
Hills, Leonard M. (Massachusetts): estate 1849, 1852, n.d.
[Lade], Samuel: estate n.d.
Stiles, Isaac (Connecticut): will and estate 1785
Thayer, Samuel: papers relating to the estate of Samuel Thayer 1853, 1855
General
Letter patent: Kinsman, Samuel A. and Leonard M. Hills 1857 Aug 26
Papers regarding the founding and finances of Massachusetts Agricultural College 1865-66, 1868, 1872, 1877
Roper Repeating Rifle: contract 1868
Miscellaneous legal documents 1838, 1843, 1846-47, 1849, 1855, 1865, 1871-72, n.d.
Wills: blank forms n.d.
Series 4: FINANCIAL RECORDS, [1818]-1956
SERIES 4: FINANCIAL RECORDS, [1818]-1956, contains predominantly personal records arranged in two sequences: General Financial Records and Susan Hills Skillings Records. The General Financial Records Subseries is arranged by type or individual and includes stocks, bonds, bills, receipts, checks, promisory notes, insurance papers, notary public papers. This subseries also contains two folders of financial papers for the Henry Hills Company, which document Hills' frequent loans from Amherst College. The Susan Hills Skillings Records subseries contains personal financial records including bank statements, cancelled checks, deposit slips, promissory notes, trust fund and tax material, arranged by type.
General Financial Records
Checks: Adelaide S. Hills, Mary Pitkin 1895
Hills Company
Financial agreements with Smith College and Amherst 1882, 1886, 1888-96, n.d.
College and other papers
Insurance papers 1886-87, 1892-95, 1897-98, 1903, n.d.
Debt to Samuel and Leonard Hills in Tolland, Connecticut [1818-29?]
Papers of protest from Notary Public 1876-77, 1879
Stocks: Hills Co. and others 1888-89, 1896, 1903-04, 1906, 1934
Transcripts of bills 1891, 1894-95
Receipts 1866, 1876, 1882
Miscellaneous financial records [1880's-1930's]
Susan Clapp Hills Skillings Records
General financial records 1910, 1912, 1931-35, 1950-51, 1954-56, n.d.
Promissory notes 1930 Jan 27, 1957 Jul 3
Trust funds and tax material 1912, 1930,1933-37, 1952-53
Depositor's book for Amherst SavingsBank 1890-1905
Bank statement, cancelled checks and deposit slips: includes 1 statement for D.N. Skillings, Jr. (1927) 1926, 1933
1952 Nov-Dec
1953 Jan-Feb, Apr
1954 Jul-Oct, Dec
1955 Jan-Apr
1955 May-Jul
1955 Aug-Nov
1956 [Apr]-Jun
1956 Jul-Oct
Check register
1952 Feb-1953 Mar
1955 Jan-Jun
1955 Jul-Nov
Series 5: MEMORIALS AND OBITUARIES, 1861-1909
SERIES 5: MEMORIALS AND OBITUARIES, 1861-1909, contains printed memorial volumes, poems and obituaries of Hills family members and friends, which are arranged alphabetically by name.
Bagot, James Hamilton: poetry and obituary 1908, 1909
Cheney, Mary [1897] Dec 27
Clapp, Caroline Frances: memorial volume after her death on Jan. 2, 1878; birth announcement 1878
Clapp, Susan Penniman Tainturp (Mrs.Henry L. Clapp): memorial volume after her death Oct. 31, 1881 1881
Comstock, Georgiana Ives (Mrs.):memorial poem by L.H. Sigourney 1861 May 2
Ives, Antoinette S. (Miss): memorial poem by L.H. Sigourney [1864]
Hills, Henry F.: Obituary in Springfield Republican and others 1896 Apr 26
Pitkin, Mary Hollister: Obituary 1897 Nov 14
Whitman, Mary Pitkin Hills: memorial volume after her death Feb. 14, 1907, and newspaper transcription 1907
Whitman, Mary Hills: duplicate made by Frank Whitman of her annotated volume, "Daily Strengths for Daily Needs": includes annotated birth and death dates n.d.
Miscellaneous obituaries and memorials 1888, 1895, 1905, n.d.
Series 6: MEMORABILIA, 1850-1957
SERIES 6: MEMORABILIA, 1850-1957, contains miscellaneous materials created or kept by members of the Hills' extended family, which reflect their interests and activities. This material has been organized in four sub-series: Personal Material, Subject Material, Hills Company, and Hills Homestead. Personal Material, arranged alphabetically by person, includes Adelaide Spencer Hills' cookbooks; Henry F. Hills' passport; David Nelson Skillings, Jr.'s phrenograph and the Pitkin coat of arms. Subject Material, arranged alphabetically by name or type, includes address books, cemetery maps, cookbooks and travel guides. The Hills Company subseris includes a description of the hat factory (c. 1909) and forms. The L.M. Hills Homestead subseries includes building specifications and blueprints.
subseries
Sub-series A: Personal Material
Adelaide Spencer Hills
Cookbook and recipes 1879+
Cookbook [c. 1900]
Cookbook and recipes: transcript n.d.
Daughters of the American Revolution certificate. 1889 Jun 7
See Oversize Box 27, Folder 1
Map of England
Invitation to the opening ceremonies of the Brooklyn Bridge [1883] May 24
Passport (unsigned). See Oversize Box 27, Folder 2 1887 Jun 22
Hills, Samuel: East Hampshire Agricultural Society life membership certificate 1850 Sep 1
Lincoln, Sarah A.: Autograph book 1870's-80's
Pitkin coat of arms. See also Oversize Box 27, Folder 3 for illustration n.d.
David Nelson Skillings, Jr.
Baptism certificate, Unitarian Church 1886 Oct 10
Phrenograph 1895 Jul 28
Susan Clapp Hills Skillings
Amherst High School graduation exercises program 1900 Jun 20
Book of shapes [1900?]
Williams, Barrett 1919-20
Sub-series B: Subject Material
Address books: 2 volumes n.d.
Amherst College: Class of 1902, 55th reunion 1957 Jun
Amherst Club: Constitution and by-laws 1891
Cords: various, unused n.d.
Cemetery maps: Wildwood, Amherst, MA n.d.
Mt. Auburn, Cambridge, MA
Sub-series C: Cookbooks and recipes
Miscellaneous n.d.
"Lunch at Annie Soule's," St. Louis 1901 Mar 25
Restaurant and dinner menus. 1878 Apr 16
See also: Adelaide
Spencer Hills: Cookbooks and recipes, Box 16, Folder 12-14 1906 Nov 4
Programs and invitations: miscellaneous 1880's-1910
Sampler pattern book n.d.
Versailles, Vienna [c.1900]
Adirondacks, Lake George, NY; Williamstown, MA; Washington, DC n.d.
Sub-series D: Hills Company
Blank forms [191?]
Description of the Hat Factory and transcripts [c. 1909?]
Sub-series E: L. M. Hills Homestead
Building specifications and 2 sketches for the frame cottage built for L. M. Hills and son: W. F. Pratt, Architect 1866 Aug 7
Stables: additions and alterations of the stables; specs of architect: James A. Clough, Architect. See also Flat File for blueprints 1902 May 12
Spencer Coat of Arms n.d
Series 7: PRINTED MATERIAL, 1864-1955
SERIES 7: PRINTED MATERIAL, 1864-1955 includes books, pamphlets and speeches, arranged alphabetically by author or title; newsclippings about Amherst town or Hills family business, arranged alphabetically; and clippings about weddings and engagements arranged alphabetically.
"Fifty Years of Winchester Savings Bank" 1921
Fisher, Rev. George, "Historical Discourse at the Second Congregational Church, Amherst," Centennial Anniversary 1882 Nov 12
Kinsolving, Rev. Arthur B., "The Voices of Christ" n.d.
"1905 Proof Sheet" 1955 Jun 1
"Pure Gold for the Sunday School" (song book) n.d.
Summer, Hon. Charles: speech, "Rights of Sovereignty and Rights of War: Two Sources of Power Against the Rebellion" 1862 May 19
Webster, Noah, "The Elementary Spelling Book," presented to Baby Hills, son of Henry F. and Adelaide Hills by J. E. Cheney 1865 Mar 1
Williams, Hon. Thomas: speech, "Restoration of the Union" 1864 Apr 28
Newsclippings: General
Amherst College [c. 1900-05], n.d.
Amherst town and citizens [c. 1900], n.d.
Hills Hat Factory 1959 Oct 22
Hills, Leonard Mariner: biography [1871 Mar 29?]
D. N. Skillings estate in Winchester 1958
South Carolina [c. 1900-10], n.d.
Poems, stories and quotations: includes typescript c. 1898-1908, n.d.
Miscellaneous [c. 1885-1910]
Miscellaneous 1916, 1918, 1936, [1951?], 1955
Newsclippings: Weddings/engagements
Allen, John Weston and Caroline Cheney Hills 1901 Jun 12
Clutia, Harry Howard and Martha Dickinson n.d.
Perry, Dr. Herbert and Emily A. Hills n.d.
Skillings, David Nelson and Susan Clapp Hills 1909 Sep 19, 1910, 1886-90
Series 8: SCRAPBOOKS, 1883-1932
SERIES 8: SCRAPBOOKS, 1883-1932, contains scrapbooks compiled by Leonard M. Hills, Susan Clapp Hills Skillings and [Henry Hills Skillings], arranged by person. For photographs removed from scrapbooks, see Series 9.
Hills, Leonard Mariner: includes MIT memorabilia 1883-98, bulk
[Skillings, Henry Hills] from Deerfield Academy c. 1932
South Carolina and related memorabilia 1902
Loose materials from scrapbooks 1902
Series 9: PHOTOGRAPHS, c. 1873-1930
SERIES 9: PHOTOGRAPHS, c. 1873-1930, n.d. contain a wealth of visual information about the Hills family and friends. Many of the photographs, however, remain unidentified or undated. Forms include glassplates, metal plate and paper prints, and one folder of miscellaneous negatives. The photographs have been arranged into four subseries: Portraits, Group Photographs, Subjects and Scrapbook Photographs. Portraits have been divided into identified photographs, including many members of the Hills family, and arranged alphabetically by person; and unidentified photographs organized into three sub-subseries: Children, Female and Male portraits. Group Photographs have been divided as follows: Identified and Partially Identified photographs, arranged alphabetically Identified Persons; and Unidentified Photographs, divided into Children, Couples, Females, Males and Activities, including picnics and winter scenes, all arranged alphabetically. The Subjects subseries contains both identified and unidentified photographs arranged alphabetically by name of subject including animals, buildings, Hills Hat Factory, houses, views and miscellaneous photographs arranged by type, including commercial photographs, postcards and stereographs. Scrapbook Photographs include loose photographs from Leonard M. Hills' and Susan Clapp Hills Skillings' scrapbooks, divided by person.
Abbott, L. n.d.
Abbott, M. P. 1891 Jan
Adams, Maude n.d.
Allen, Caroline Cheney Hills (aka Carrie) 1876, 1881, 1885, 1890, 1898, 1909
Allen, Grace.
See Caroline Cheney Hills Allen: Box 18, Folder 4, 1909 photograph
Armis, George 1887
Bango, Dr. R. C.: dentist n.d.
Bayley, Harriet n.d.
Burr, Edna 1889 Jan 1
Butterworth, Mr. [1887?]
Carlton, Anna Newmann n.d.
Chamberlin, Perley 1889
Chapin, Sam [1882]
Cheney, Elsie 1883
Cheney, Mary 1885, n.d.
Clapp, Henry L. c. 1898, n.d.
Clark, William S. n.d.
Dean, Mrs. n.d.
Dickey, Dwight Charlie 1884 Apr 25
Dickey, Frank n.d.
Durfee, Nathan 1889
Eaton, Mary n.d.
Edwards, Louise Dean n.d.
[Fearing, Amelia?] n.d.
Fearing, B. D.: engraving n.d.
Fearing, Henry n.d.
Fearing, Laura Gay 1884, n.d.
Fellows, Edward n.d.
Fisher, Sean 1889
Forbes, Mrs. n.d.
Gates, Winnifred Carpenter 1894 Sep, n.d.
Goodrich, Harry [1882]
Grant, Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. n.d.
Harris, Frank P. n.d.
Herrick, Isabel n.d.
Herrick, Katherine n.d.
Herriot, Randolph n.d.
Hill, Clara Pearl 1898
Hills, Adelaide Spencer n.d.
Hills, Harry A. 1898
Hills, Henry F. n.d.
Hills, Leonard Dwight n.d.
Hills, Leonard M
As a child and youth 1873, 1882, n.d.
As an adult n.d.
At Hills Homestead and in Hat Factory n.d.
Silhouette n.d.
Hollister, Harriet 1898
Hoppin 1895
Huntington, Ellery Channing, Jr. n.d.
Isaacs, A. F. (Mrs.) n.d.
Isaacs, Mr. n.d.
Ives, Mrs. n.d.
Johnson (Baby) 1885
Johnson, Andrew: from painting n.d.
Kenney, Hannah Hollister n.d.
Leach, Ida Maud 1899
Levalley, Nellie Spencer n.d.
Mitchell, Donald G.: engraving from newspaper n.d.
Molony, Dr. A. A. 1875
Moore, Robert London n.d.
Naret, Charlotte n.d.
Oswald, Olivia 1896
[Panfit]: San Francisco 1869 Jul 9
Perry, Dorothy n.d.
Perry, Emily Hills 1880s
Perry, Dr. Herbert R. 1895
Phillips, Robert S. 1895
[Pitkin, Emily?]: glass n.d.
Pitkin, Mary n.d.
Platt, John n.d.
Polley, Ida B. 1896 Jun
Powers, H. n.d.
Rand, Wilberforce Judson 1889 Apr
Richards, John n.d.
Richardson, Harry S. 1899
Skillings, David Nelson, Jr. 1902, n.d.
Skillings, Susan Clapp Hills 1895-96, 1900, 1908-09, n.d.
Spencer, Roger Miner 1886 Nov 23
Strong, Grace n.d.
Sweetser, Mr. n.d.
Sweetser, Mrs. n.d.
Sweetser, [Nextie] 1882
Waite, H. W. 1888 Feb
Wallis, Gladys n.d.
Warburton, Mr. A. F. n.d.
Warburton, Kate E. n.d.
Ward, Ruth P. 1898
Wheeler, Mary E. 1895 Nov, n.d.
Whipple, Mrs. George A. 1915
Whitman, Mary Pitkin Hills. 1869, 1885 Aug, 1891, Jun 17, n.d.
Whitman, Mary Pitkin Hills. n.d.
See also Oversize Box 27, Folder 6 for large portrait
Zimmerman, Marguerite
Portraits: Unidentified
Children
Babies n.d.
Girls 1868-69, n.d.
[ ], Doris Jeanette 1897 Aug 9
[ ], Rita C. n.d.
Boys n.d.
Women 1890, 1896, n.d.
[ ], Alice 1882 Oct 29
Women from Granada [1887]
Drawing of unidentified female in Oversize Box 27 n.d.
Men n.d.
Men from Granada [1898]
Group Photographs: Identified and Partially Identified
Allen, John Weston and Caroline C. Hills: wedding portrait [c. 1905]
Hills, Henry family portraits c. 1878, c. 1887, n.d.
Hills, Henry and Adelaide Spencer Hills and unidentified man in Granada 1886
Hills, Leonard M. and Emily Hills n.d.
Hills, Leonard M. and Mary Pitkin as children n.d.
Hills, Leonard M.: member of unidentified group n.d.
Hills, Leonard M.: nine men dining n.d.
Jenkins, Rev. J. L., Salley [Dirkley?] n.d.
Jenkins, and McGregor Jenkins
Skillings, David N. and Susan Clapp Hills Skillings n.d.
Skillings, Susan Clapp Hills (age 16) and Barrett Whitman n.d.
Skillings, Susan Clapp Hills: [High School Graduation?] [c. 1900?]
Skillings, Susan Clapp Hills: member of unidentified groups n.d.
Group including Millicent Todd, [F. E. Charten] n.d.
Group including Gay Swift, Mary Nashville and Sadie Nashville at Battle Creek 1892 Sep 3
Picnic including Sweetsers, Hills, Abbotts, Chapins, Chases and Blisses 1881
Mission House: including Miss Smith n.d.
Scott, Edgar T., Photographer: photographs taken by him
Group Photographs: Unidentified
Baby and nurse n.d.
Two girls and a baby 1888
Two girls and baby at tea n.d.
Two girls n.d.
[Sister and brother] n.d.
Groups of children n.d.
Couples n.d.
Females n.d.
Mother and children n.d.
Men in formal dress n.d.
Oriental and western men n.d.
[Chain Belt Co., Office in Milwaukee]
Activities
Boating and picnic scenes n.d.
Ceremony: men on horseback n.d.
Horses and carriages n.d.
Hunting n.d.
Picnic scenes n.d.
Shipboard n.d.
General unidentified groups
Subjects: Identified and Unidentified
Amherst: South Prospect St., after the fire 1879
Animals n.d.
Barns n.d.
Buildings: including Clock Tower and Town Hall in Leicester, England and unidentified n.d.
Carriages n.d.
Castle and landscape n.d.
Churches: including Christ Church; College Church, Amherst; St. Mary's and unidentified n.d.
Hills Hat Factory n.d.
See also: Oversize Box No. 27, Folder 11 for print
Houses
Cheney (Ward) House, So. Manchester, CT [1874?]
Hills, Leonard M. House, Triangle Street n.d.
See also: Oversize Box No. 27, Folder 12
Hills, Henry House: Main Street pre-1938, n.d.
Exteriors n.d.
See also: Oversize Box No. 27, Folders 15-16
Interiors n.d.
Japan, Sapporo [1872]
Landscapes
"The Brook" Shutesbury n.d.
Redgate Farm: views from [c. 1907-30]
Unidentified n.d.
Views: including Milwaukee and Harbor in British Columbia and unidentified 1902 Jul, n.d.
Miscellaneous Photographs by Type
Art work: commercial n.d.
People
General: commercial n.d.
Indians: commercial n.d.
Amherst n.d.
Cuba n.d.
Foreign n.d.
United States n.d.
Stereoscopic views: commercial n.d.
Travel photographs: commercial n.d.
Hills, Leonard M. n.d.
Skillings, Susan Clapp Hills: [cyanotypes] from 1904 Smith Class Book and others [1904], n.d.
Negatives: miscellaneous n.d.
Series 10: REALIA
SERIES 10: REALIA, contains an unusual variety of objects owned by the Hills family. These objects are identified and arranged by type. Some of the more interesting objects include: Henry F. Hills' calling card plates, a "pince-nez," jet beads, a "sewing bird," and a leather bridle for horses.
Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Hills calling card plate: copper
Boot pull
Box: wooden inlay
Fan: black cloth
Figurine: rabbit, painted plaster, broken
Hinge: brass [for a trunk]
Letter opener: brass and enamel, made in China; broken
Carte de visite case: leather (removed photo of child said to be Mary Hills Whitman)
Handkerchief: linen
Handkerchiefs: linen, black edged
Doorplate: brass, with clock
Man's wallet: leather, Leonard M. Hills
Religious statue: brass with case - St. Christopher
Embroidery scissors: silver, made in Germany
Pencil: silver case
Pince-nez
Necklace: jet beads
Bar pin: black enamel
Knob: white enamel and brass (dangerous)
Dental floss: waxed
Table cloth: damask
Dresser scarf: linen, embroidery unfinished; 2 skeins cotton embroidery floss
Bridle for horse: leather with brass trim
"Sewing bird": wooden
Newell post top
Dime: silver, 1859
Shoe button: black, n.d., found with letter from Henry to Adelaide Hills, 1881 Nov 22 - no reference in the letter
Series 11: Oversize Material (Appendix)
Hills, Adelaide Spencer: Daughters of the American Revolution certificate 1899 Oct 23
Hills, Henry F.: Passport, unsigned 1887 Jun 22
Pitkin Coat-of-Arms n.d.
Hills, Leonard M.: scrapbook, includes MIT memorabilia 1883-98, bulk 1886-90
[Skillings, Henry Hills]: scrapbook from Deerfield Academy c. 1932
Sub-series A: Photographs
Whitman, Mary Pitkin Hills n.d.
Unidentified female
Hills Hat Factory: print n.d.
Sub-series B: Houses
Hills, Leonard M. House: Triangle Street n.d.
Hills, Henry House: Main Street n.d.
Lowell, L. L. House: Calais, Maine n.d.
Exteriors: Unidentified n.d.
Sub-series C: Landscapes
Spencer Coat-of-Arms n.d.