Hiram Putnam Papers, 1780-1885
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Mortimer Rare Book Room Smith CollegeNorthampton, MA
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Encoded Archival Description (EAD) Version 2002
collection
Hiram Putnam Papers
Creation of Hiram Putnam Papers
Time of Creation of Hiram Putnam Papers
Putnam, Hiram
Biographical History for: Hiram Putnam Papers
Biographical Note Hiram Putnam was born in Danvers, Mass., on Jan. 30, 1786. He went to sea in 1802 and by 1812 was a ship's captain. He was involved with trade to European and South American ports, as well as with the China trade, until 1827. This included time on the ships Aurora and Rising Empire, and for ten years he was the captain of the ship China, of Salem, owned by Joseph Peabody. Capt. Putnam married Elizabeth Osgood in 1816, the daughter of Dr. George Osgood, of Andover, Mass. There were five children born to this marriage. The Putnams moved to Syracuse, N.Y. in 1829, where Mr. Putnam was involved with business ventures and civic positions. From 1833-1846 he was in partnership with Thomas B. Fitch in the wholesale and retail drug business. Together these two men also engaged in real estate ventures and brought some 220 acres of land into the city limits of Syracuse. He was also involved with banking interests. Mr. Putnam served on various town boards and was instrumental in developing public education in Syracuse. He also was involved with anti-slavery groups and the underground railroad. In 1838 Mr. Putnam helped in forming the Syracuse Unitarian Society and in the founding of the Church of the Messiah (later re-named the May Memorial Unitarian and Universalist Society). The 1885 church building (now demolished) contained a memorial window to Hiram Putnam. Elizabeth Putnam died on July 28, 1848. At that time three children were alive: Charles H., who lived in Michigan; E. Augustus, who lived in Syracuse; and Lucy Blythe, who was married to Dudley Post Phelps and also lived in Syracuse. Mr. Putnam lived with the Phelps in his later years and died in their home on Nov. 8, 1874. Lucy Blythe Putnam (born in Salem, Mass., June 4, 1826) married Dudley Post Phelps on Sep. 3, 1845 in Syracuse. Mr. Phelps was born at Preble, N.Y., Oct. 8, 1817. He was by training an attorney, but was largely involved with the Syracuse and Utica Railroad from the early 1840s until the spring of 1852. From April 1856 to May 1860 he was involved with the Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana Railroad Company and from 1861 to 1878 was employed in various banking establishments in Syracuse. In addition, Mr. Phelps served on various civic boards. He died on Sep. 25, 1880. Lucy Blythe died June 17, 1907 at Cazenovia, N.Y.
Scope and Contents of the Collection The papers of Hiram Putnam and his wife Elizabeth Osgood include their correspondence, bills of lading related to the South American and China trade (1823-1829) and other business documents. There are account books, including one that has accounts and letter book from Putnam's time on the high seas (1813-1816). Some letters relate to his business and political interests in Syracuse, NY, especially those related to the public schools. There is correspondence related to Dudley Post Phelps of a personal and religious nature (relative to the true nature of Jesus Christ) and his poetry. There are also annotated copies of his: The Phelps record (Syracuse, N.Y., 1885), a genealogy of the Phelps family. In addition, there is correspondence received by Samuel Holten, Hiram Putnam's maternal grandfather, relative to the U.S. Continental Congress from John Avery, James Lovell and Azor Orne, as well as copies (or drafts) of Holten's letters to Richard Henry Less, Col. Enoch Putnam, Dr. A. Putnam, William Carmichael, Moody Spofford and Azor Orne.
Education--New York (State)--Syracuse
lcsh
Shipping--Massachusetts
Shipping--United States
lcnaf
Putnam, Elizabeth O., d. 1848
Holten, Samuel, 1738-1816
Phelps, Dudley Post, 1817-1880
Phelps, Lucy, 1826-1907
Avery, John, 1739-1806
Lovell, James, 1737-1814
Orne, Azor, 1731-1796
Phelps family
China (Ship)
United States--History--Constitutional period, 1789-1809--Sources
aat
series
Series I. SAMUEL HOLTEN LETTERS (1780-1796)
Consists of letters to Samuel Holten and copies of his letters to others involved in the U.S. Continental Congress, arranged in chronological order.
Series II. HIRAM AND ELIZABETH PUTNAM LETTERS (1800-1856)
Consists of letters written and received by Hiram and Elizabeth Putnam, arranged in chronological order.
Series III. BUSINESS PAPERS AND MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS (1813-1874)
Consists of business documents, receipts, accounts and other items related to Hiram Putnam's business interests as a ship's captain involved with South American and China trade and as a businessman in Syracuse, N.Y. Also included are memorial items related to Hiram and Elizabeth Putnam. Arranged in chronological order.
Series IV. DUDLEY P. AND LUCY PHELPS PAPERS (1852-1885)
Consists of some letters between Dudley P. and Lucy Phelps (in chronological order), poetry (manuscript and published) written by Dudley Phelps (in chronological order) and other miscellaneous items and his Phelps family genealogical work (in chronological order).
Letter from John Avery to Samuel Holton, [Boston, Mass.] 1780 Oct 27.
Letter from James Lovell to Samuel Holton 1781 May 22.
Letter from J. Lwanurck to Samuel Holton, Philadelphia, Pa. 1783 Jul 16.
Copy of letter from Samuel Holton to Col. Pickening, Trenton, N.J. 1784 Dec 4.
Copy of letter from Samuel Holton to Col. Hutchinson, New York 1785 Aug 22.
Copy of letter from Samuel Holton to Governor [James] Bowdoin, New York 1785 Sep 5.
Copy of letter from Samuel Holton to Rich[ard] Henry Lee, New York 1785 Sep 8.
Letter from John Avery to Samuel Holton, Boston, Mass. 1785 Sep 20.
Copy of letter from Samuel Holton to Col. Enoch Putnam, New York 1785 Oct 3.
Copy of letter from Samuel Holton to Wm. Carmichael, New York 1785 Nov 1785.
Copy of letter from Samuel Holton to Moody Spofford 1789 Oct 5. (Contains numerous notes related to the administrating of an oath of allegiance to the United States.)
Letter to Samuel Holten from Azor Orne, Boston, Mass. 1795 Feb 14.
Copy of letter from Samuel Holten to Dr. A. Putnam 1796 Aug 27.
Letter to Elizabeth Osgood from George Osgood, Andover, Mass. 1800 Sep 16.
Letter to Elizabeth Osgood from George Osgood, Andover, Mass. 1820 Sep 19.
Letter to Hiram Putnam from Elizabeth Putnam, Salem, Mass. 1823 Sep 26, with note from Maria Osgood.
Letter to Baboo Ramshander Mitse from Hiram Putnam, Canton, [China] 1827 Feb 21.
Letter to Hiram Putnam from Jos. Peabody and J. A. Peabody, Salem, Mass. 1827 Apr 13.
Letter (quadruplicate) to Hiram Putnam from Jos. Peabody and J. A. Peabody, Salem, Mass. 1827 Apr 13.
Letter (5.plicate) to Hiram Putnam from Jos. Peabody and J. A. Peabody, Salem, Mass. 1827 Apr 13.
Letter to Hiram Putnam from Elizabeth O. Putnam, Salem, Mass. 1827 Apr 29.
Letter to Hiram Putnam from Elizabeth O. Putnam, Salem, Mass. 1827 May 13.
Letter to Mary Elizabeth Putnam from Hiram Putnam, Lima, Peru 1827 Sep 10.
Letter to Hiram Putnam from [illegible signature], Gungh, India 1827 Sep 15.
Letter to Elizabeth O. Putnam from Hiram Putnam, Lima, Peru 1827 Sep 17.
Letter to Hiram Putnam from [illegible signature], Gungh, India 1827 Oct 2.
Letter to Hiram Putnam from Tho. R. Eldredge, Lima, Peru 1827 Nov 23.
Letter to Rupell & Co., Canton, from Hiram Putnam, Lima, Peru 1827 Nov 30.
Letter to Hiram Putnam from Dan. W. Coit, Lima, Peru 1827 Dec 14.
Letter to Hiram Putnam from [illegible signature], Gungh, India 1828 Jan 15.
Letter to Hiram Putnam from D. W. Coit, Lima, Peru 1828 Jan 18.
Letter to Hiram Putnam from Nixon, Aristia & Co., Copiapo, Chile 1828 Jan 23.
Letter to Hiram Putnam from Dan. W. Coit, Lima, Peru 1828 Jan 24.
Letter to D. W. Coit from Hiram Putnam, Valparaiso, Chile 1828 Jan 24.
Letter to H. Putnam from D. W. Coit, undated. The letter begins with a listing: Mim. of Articles recommended for Capt. Putnam's investment.
Letter to Hiram Putnam from [illegible signature], Copiapo, Chile 1828 Feb 11.
Letter to Hiram Putnam from Alsop, Wetmore & Co., Lima, Peru 1828 Apr 14.
Letter to [Hiram Putnam] from [Philmon Putnam], Salem, Mass. 1828 Nov 13.
Letter to Hiram Putnam from Philmon Putnam, Franconia, N. H. 1829 Jan 18.
Letter to Hiram Putnam from Philmon Putnam, Franconia, N. H. 1829 Apr 22.
Letter to Hiram Putnam from Philmon Putnam, Franconia, N. H. 1829 May 2.
Letter to Hiram Putnam from Mary Elizabeth [Putnam], [Salem, Mass.] 1829 Sep 16. Also contains letter to Lucy Putnam and Elizabeth O. Putnam from Mary Elizabeth. Also a letter to Hiram Putnam from E. A. Holyoke.
Copy of letter to J. Chadwick from Hiram Putnam, Syracuse, N.Y. 1829 Oct 29.
Copy of letter to Jno. Chadwick from Hiram Putnam, Syracuse, N.Y. 1829 Nov 25.
Letter to E. A. Holyoke from Hiram Putnam, Syracuse, N.Y. 1830 Jan 18.
Copy of letter to "My dear friend" from Hiram Putnam, Syracuse, N.Y. 1848 Jul 28.
Copy of letter to "My dear friend" from Hiram Putnam, [Syracuse, N.Y. 1848 Aug ?].
Copy of letter to "My dear sister" [Mrs. Holyoke] from Hiram Putnam, Syracuse, N.Y. 1848 Aug.
Copy of letter to "My dear brother" from Hiram Putnam, Syracuse, N.Y. 1848 Aug 5.
Copy of letter to Mrs. Redfield from [Hiram Putnam], Syracuse, N.Y. 1848 Oct 23.
Letter to Hiram Putnam from John Perkins, Utica, N.Y. 1849 Oct 18.
Letter to Capt. Putnam from Amelia Bradbury, Syracuse, N.Y. 1850 Jul 3.
Letter to H. Putnam from D. Caverno Allen, Syracuse, N.Y. 1850 Jul 9.
Petition to H. Putnam from "Teacher's in your employ," Syracuse, N.Y. 1850 Jul 31.
Letter to H. Putnam from H. G. Salisbury, Syracuse, N.Y. 1850 Aug 1.
Letter to H. Putnam from D. Caverno Allen, Syracuse, N.Y. 1850 Aug 2.
Letter to H. Putnam from Hevoce Eveely, New York 1855 Feb 7.
Letter to Hiram Putnam from J. B. Brigham, Syracuse, N.H. 1858 Jun 11.
Letter to "My Dear Sir" [H. Putnam?] from … Beecher, New York 1857 Dec 11.
Letter to Hiram Putnam from M. L. Classn.d.
Letter to "My Dear Friend" [H. Putnam?] from Sam. J. May, Syracuse, N.Y. 1856 Apr 6.
Envelopes (3) addressed to Hiram Putnam, n.y.Feb. 6-Aug. 2.
Poemn.d. Signed Mary E. Putnam, in another hand than the draft of the poem. Poem begins: How beautifully be these stainless leaves
Account book of Hiram Putnam 1813-1816. The book has the date 1813 on the cover, with entries for 1815-1816, related to the Brig Alice. Includes copies of letters sent by Hiram Putnam.
Prix-courant, Chez Vallée avitailleur de navires … = Price-current, by Vallée ship-chandler … á Anvers. 1818 Jun. 1
Price-current by Valléen.d.
Sample "Spanish floret paper"
Business cards, 181u-182u.
9 cards from Antwerp, 7 cards from other places
9 cards from antwerp, 7 cards from other places
"We take the liberty of informing you," Valparaiso, [Chile] 1824 May 1, signed: Fermin Rejo and Herny Dubern.
Exports to the United States [likely from Canton]. Seasons 1823/1824-1825/1826. Exports from hence to Europe, American vessels. Seasons 1823/24-1825/1826. English East India Company, sent hence to Quebec & Halifax in their ships, season of 1825/1826. Imports into Canton, season 1825/26 from the Unites States, Europe &c. in American vessels.1823-1826
Receipt, Capt. Putnam to Thomas Oliver 1826 Oct 28-Nov 5.
Receipt, Capt. Putnam to Thomas Oliver 1826 Nov 6-Nov 28.
Consuls bill, Captain Hiram Putnam, owner of the Ship China, to the United States Consulate, Valparaiso, [Chile] 1826 Oct 2.
Ship China bill, Capt. Putnam of Ship China, Valparaiso, [Chile] 1827 Jun 24.
Capt. Hiram Putnam in account current with Russell & Co. 1826-1827.
Cargo of Ship Lord Amherst for Halifax 1827 Jan 6; cargo of Ship Asia for Quebec, Jan 11; cargo of Ship Ann & Amelia for Quebec, Jan 16.
"Shipped in good order and well conditioned, by Hiram Putnam on board the Ship China …" 1827 May 1.
"Shipped in good order and well-conditioned, by Russell & Co. on board the Ship called the China …" 1827 May 1.
Promissory note with New-England Marine Insurance Company, signed: Philemon Putnam, Ves'l. China, Boston 1817 May 15.
"Contract between Messrs. Lewell & Patrickson and Frederick Huth, Coit Co. for twelve hundred quintals of cooper," Valparaiso, [Chile] 1827 Nov 27.
Price current … Lima, [Peru] 1828 Jan 23.
Memorandum for China articles for Valparaiso 1828 Jan 29.
Memorandum for a cargo from W. L. for Chile 1828 Jan 31.
Receipt, Capt. H. Putnam to Mixon, Austin & Co. 1828 Mar 2.
Sales of sundry merchandise … from Ship China, Valparaiso, [Chile] 1828 Mar 10.
Contract between Messrs. Nixon Aristia & Co. and Messrs. Fred. Huth, Coit & Co. for 2500 qgts. of copper 1828 Mar 15.
Notice on expiration of partnership, between Frederick Huth & Co. and Daniel W. Coit, Lima and London 1828 Apr 12.
Bill of sale, Capt. Putnam, Ship China, brought of Brig Melville, Callao 1828 Apr 24.
Bill, Capt. Putnam (Ship China), Callao 1828 Apr 29.
Document 1828 May 14.
Receipt between Hiram Putnam and M. Vidaurre, Salem, [Mass.] 1828 Jul 25.
Receipt, Salem, [Mass.] 1828 Aug 5.
Receipt to John Holman, for water, Salem, Mass. 1828 Nov 1.
Capt. Hiram Putnam in a/c current with Joseph Peabody, Salem, [Mass.] 1829 Jan 7.
Receipt, Mrs. H. Putnam to Lucy G. Haraden 1829 Jan 29.
P. Putnam in acct with H. Putnam 1829 Jul.
Miscellaneous documents related to ships traden.d.
Account book of Hiram Putnam, [1830] Inventory of household goods and their value, notes cost of shipment to Syracuse, N.Y., lists of assets and property held 1830 Jan 1.
Deed of Henry Gifford to Hiram Putman, Syracuse, N.Y. 1834 Apr 28.
Deed to Hiram Putnam, cemetery plot 1842 Jun 22.
Documents on salt water in Syracuse, N.Y., n.d
The sermon preached in the Church of the Messiah, Syracuse, the Sunday after the death of Elizabeth O. Putnam, by S. J. M. [Samuel Joseph May], [the Church of the Messiah was later called the May Memorial Unitarian Church] 1848 Jul 30.1
Obituary of Elizabeth O. Putnam, the Daily Journal, Syracuse, N.Y. 1848 Aug 3.
Receipt - Washington National Monument Office 1849 Dec. 1
Offprints on education 1850.
Hiram Putnam [memorial book] 1874.
Letters
Letter (copy) from Dudley P. Phelps to Theo. Parker and reply, Boston 1852 Feb 1.7
Letter to Dudley P. Phelps from Theo. Parker, Boston 1852 Feb 6.
Letter to Lucy Phelps from Dudley P. Phelps, Adrian, Mich. 1856 Oct. 5.
Letter to Dudley P. Phelps from Lewis L., Philadelphia 1858 Dec 3.
Letter to "Treasurer of the Unitarian Society in Syracuse, N. Y.," [Dudley P. Phelps from Henry W. Bellows, New York 1858 Dec 19.
Letter to "My Dear Wifey" [Lucy Phelps from Dudley P. Phelps], Toledo, Ohio 1859 Apr 3, incomplete.
Letter to Mr. May from L. S. Parker, Boston 1862 Nov 26, followed by letter to "Dear Friend" from Saml J. May, Syracuse, N.Y., [1862] Nov 28.
Letter to Dudley P. Phelps from L. S. Parker, Boston 1862 Dec 12.
Letter to Mr. & Mrs. D. P. Phelps from Samuel J. May, Winthrop, Mass. 1870 Aug 31.
Letter to D. P. Phelps from John G. Whittier, Amesbury, Mass. 1875 Sep 21.
Letter to "My Dear Cousin Lucy" [Phelps] from G. Osgood, Kensington, N.H. 1888 Jun 14.
Letter (fragment) to [Lucy Phelps] from Dudley [Phelps]n.d.
Poems
Dudley P. Phelps. Poem, Christmas Eve 1843. First line read: Kind greetings to you all good neighbors, friends.
Dudley P. Phelps. Poem, Valentine's Day, Syracuse 1844. First line reads: From the realms of Queen Mab, came a troupe last night.
Dudley P. Phelps. Poem: The Rescue of Terry. Syracuse 1852 Oct 1, the day of the County Fair and of a State Anti-Slavery Convention. 1858.
Dudley P. Phelps. Poem: To my Wifey. Adrian, Mich. 1856 Oct 12.
Dudley P. Phelps. Poem. Read at annual meeting, Cicero 1872 Jan 24. First line reads: A crystal lake with island gemmed.
Phelps, Dudley P. The Bar of Onondaga: a Poem Read at the Annual Supper of the Onondaga County Bar Association, January 14th, 1879. Syracuse, N.Y.: Davis, Bardeen & Co.1879.
Dudley P. Phelps. Poem (draft). n.d. First line reads: A Merry Christmas to all people.
Dudley P. Phelps. Poem (incomplete?). n.d.
Miscellaneous
Autographs cut from letters: Ls. Agassiz, William H. Seward, Edw. E. Hale and newspaper clipping.
Deposit slips of Lucy B. Phelps in the Trust and Deposit Company of Onondaga, Syracuse, N.Y. 1904 Jul 19; 1904 Sep 21.
Puzzles and trivia games.
Phelps, Dudley P. A Genealogical Record of the Descendants of Joseph and Jemima (Post) Phelps, of Hebron, Connecticut … Syracuse, N.Y. 1885. [This copy has a few annotations and text corrections. Cover title: The Phelps Record.]
Miscellaneous papers previously laid-in the above copy.
Phelps, Dudley P. A Genealogical Record of the Descendants of Joseph and Jemima (Post) Phelps, of Hebron, Connecticut … Syracuse, N.Y. 1885. This copy has annotated additions to the text. Cover title: The Phelps Record.
Day, Fanny Williams. Daymycoglyphs: A New Art on the Fungus Growth with Details and Instructions. Utica, N.Y. 1922.Previously laid in the above copy of The Phelps Record.