Alumnae Biographical Files, circa 1831-present
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Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections South Hadley, MA
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Encoded Archival Description (EAD) Version 2002
collection
Alumnae Biographical Files
Mount Holyoke College
Biographical History for: Alumnae Biographical Files
Historical Note Mount Holyoke Female Seminary on November 8, 1837 with one hundred and sixteen students. The first graduating class of three students received diplomas on August 23, 1838. During much of the nineteenth century, each entering student took placement examinations to determine her placement in a particular class. Students were initially organized into three classes (Junior, Middle, and Senior) and until the late 1880s all students followed a set curriculum which focused on the mastery of specific textbooks and laboratory work in the sciences. In the fall of 1861, the curriculum expanded to a four-year program with students organized in Junior, Junior Middle, Senior Middle, and Senior classes. These class designations underwent some changes throughout the years until the s terms Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior were adopted in 1890. In the fall of 1989, Freshmen became known as First Year students. In response to competition from degree-granting women's colleges established in the 1860s-1870s, Mount Holyoke's administrators petitioned the legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for a change in the school's charter. A new charter granted on March 8, 1888 changed the name of the institution to Mount Holyoke Seminary and College and allowed the school to award Bachelor's degrees, the first of which were presented at Commencement in 1889. With an additional charter change on January 31, 1893 the name of the school became Mount Holyoke College. From 1889-1902, Mount Holyoke presented Bachelor of Literature and Bachelor of Science degrees as well as Bachelor of Arts degrees. From 1889/1890-1898/1899, students followed a Classical, Literary, or Scientific course of study. There was also a Seminary program from 1888/89-1892/1893 which enabled students who had enrolled before 1888 to receive a diploma for their work. In 1889/1900, students began pursuing major work in specific disciplines and elective courses were introduced into the curriculum. Mount Holyoke has also offered a wide variety of other programs for students. The option for pursuing graduate study became available in 1880/1881 when an Advanced Course for Mount Holyoke graduates was first offered and by 1923/1924 a program of graduate study for all qualified women was well-established. A course of study leading to a Master of Arts began in 1893/1894 and expanded in 1935/1936 to include a Master of Arts in Teaching program which was offered through 1975/1976. Helen C. Flint, Class of 1891 received the first M.A. degree awarded by the College in 1895. In 1966/1967, the graduate program was open to men as well as women and in 1968 Thomas Kelley became the first man to receive a degree (Master of Arts in Teaching) from the College. The Frances Perkins Program for women of non-traditional age who wish to complete the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree was established in 1980. Other special programs have included those for teachers wishing to improve their mastery of specific disciplines or for students from other countries who are interested in spending time at a college in the United States. Students enrolled in graduate or special programs have often received scholarships or fellowship from the College and worked as teaching assistants, interns, or residence hall staff while pursuing their studies.
Scope and Contents of the Collection Alumnae Biographical Files document the lives Mount Holyoke alumnae from circa 1831 to the present. These files usually include biographical questionnaires completed by alumnae and correspondence relating to their employment and other activities. Most of these documents were sent to the Alumnae Association or the College office responsible for helping alumnae find employment (known as the Career Development Center since 1995; previously called the Appointment Committee, 1901-1928; Appointment Bureau, 1928-1963; Vocational Planning and Placement Office, 1963-1975; Career Services, 1975-1991; and Career Resource Center, 1991-1995). The materials often include information about each person's birthplace and birth date, dates of attendance and course of study at Mount Holyoke, employment and salary, marital status, and children. In addition some documents contain references to the individual's friends and extracurricular activities while at College as well as her graduate education, alumnae relatives, service during World War I or World War II, religious affiliation, publications, membership in organizations, volunteer work, honors, hobbies, reading interests, and travels. Some forms also ask for feedback about the current state of the College and the value of a Mount Holyoke education. Alumnae correspondence with staff of the employment office (particularly with Helen M. Voorhees, Director of the Appointment Bureau from 1928-1958) often discusses difficulties with finding positions in male-dominated fields, the low salaries offered to women, and the challenges presented by combining marriage and motherhood with employment. The files may also include notices about each alumna from issues of the Mount Holyoke Alumnae Quarterly, applications for graduate fellowships and other funding, resumes, articles and other publications, press releases, biographical and genealogical notes and sketches, obituaries, and tributes. Many Alumnae Biographical Files also contain letters to relatives and friends, diaries, journals, notebooks, account books, and commonplace books, compositions, recollections, certificates, post cards, greeting cards, drawings and paintings, memorabilia, photograph albums, photographs, and portraits. These materials often date from each person's time at the College. The following list identifies some of these items (the class affiliation of each alumna is given in parentheses after her name with an "x" identifying non-graduates): Blanchard, Charlotte (x1838). Letter, 1838 March 18 to Rachel Blanchard (x1841) discussing classmates, teachers, domestic work, religious life and her activities. 4 pages Leach, Martha A. (1839). Letter, 1839 December 13 to Mary Lyon describing her work as a teacher in Petersburg, Virginia and commenting on social and educational conditions in the South. 4 pages Everett, Nancy S. (x1839). Correspondence, 1836-1882. Chiefly letters to Everett from family members, friends, and classmates. Also includes letters written by Everett as a student, 1837-1838 and to her husband and children, 1862-1882. The letters include references to her studies; the domestic work, food, regulations, the Seminary Building, her courtship by and marriage to John Dwight, health and travels. With typed transcripts and summaries of the correspondence. 1 box (0.17 linear ft.) Gillett, Mary A. (x1839). Letter, 1832 July 21 to Sarah Rowland. Describes her life as a student at Ipswich Female Seminary, presently under Mary Lyon's leadership, and mentions an outbreak of cholera near Boston. 4 pages Stone, Lucy (x1839). Letter, 1891 November 10 to Elizabeth Storrs Mead. Noted suffragist expresses regret to Mount Holyoke's President that all of the speakers at the College's first Founder's Day celebration were men. 2 pages Leach, Catharine S. (1840). Compositions, circa 1837-1838 and letter, 1849 March 30. The ompositions describe the Seminary Building and Washing-day at the school and the letter gives an account of Mary Lyon's final illness and death. 3 items Smith, Mary C. (x1840). Letter 1840 August to Mrs. Elvira P. Smith describing the public examinations, callisthenics, and other events at a Commencement celebration. Typed transcript. 6 pages Spaulding, Abigail N. (x1840). Letter, 1838 December 3 to Samuel North which includes descriptions of Mary Lyon and a Thanksgiving Day celebration. 3 pages Wheeler, Harriet (x1840). Letter, 1837 December 28 to Mrs. Mehitable Wheeler. Discusses her arrival in South Hadley, studies, domestic work, examinations, the food, and Mary Lyon. 4 pages Chenery, Zillah D. (1841). Comonplace book and drawings, 1840-circa 1841. The commonplace book contains quotations and notes on various people and subjects and two theorem painting drawings (hand colored) are of sea shells. 1 box (0.17 linear ft.) Bull, Elizabeth G. (x1841). Letter, 1837 November 10-30 to Mary Bull. Contains descriptions of her classmates, domestic work, daily schedule; the religious life, mail delivery, and first Thanksgiving Day celebration at the school, and a diagram of her room and its furnishings. With typed transcript. 7 pages Haven, Elizabeth B. (x1841). Correspondence, 1839-1840. Tells her brother about her journey to South Hadley, schedule, domestic work, the food, teachers, the Seminary building, and Mary Lyon. Typed transcript. 2 items Hollister, Harriet B. (x1841). Letter, 1837 December 24-25 to Ann Maria Hollister (1845). Tells her sister about her schedule, domestic work and studies, the older students at the school, a requirement that students read current newspapers and periodicals, and Mary Lyon. Includes a note about her expenses in 1837 and a printed copy of the letter. 3 items Richardson, Sarah W. (x1841). Letter, 1839 and commonplace book, 1850. The 1839 March 12 letter to Diana Richardson mentions the religious life at the school, asks for money from home, and refers to her plan to teach after gaining a good knowledge of Botany. The commonplace book contains copies of poems, hymns, essays, along with a composition written as a student in 1839. 2 items Burr, Mary (1842). Papers, 1831-1858. Primarily letters, account books, and a composition dating from her years as a student (1837/1838, 1839/1840, 1841/1842) and her periods of employment as a teacher. The letters include references to her domestic work clothing, classmates, teachers, the Seminary Building and library, religious life, and Thanksgiving Day and Commencement celebrations. A letter from August 1842 describes her work as a teacher in Leverett, Massachusetts and people and activities in that community. The papers also include a portion of a journal kept as a child, July-August, 1831. 2 folders Hyde, Julia (1842). Correspondence, 1837-1850. Letters to family members, classmate Lucy T. Goodale (x1841), and members of the Goodale family. Include descriptions of he religious life, domestic work, health, a Mountain Day celebration, and Mary Lyon. With summary. 32 items Savage, Maria (1842). Correspondence, 1840, 1842. Letters to Rhoda Roys (x1842) commenting on the Mount Holyoke's reputation, religious life, Mary Lyon, and the Seminary Building. With summary. 3 items Jones, Elizabeth W. (x1842). Account book, 1839-1847, chiefly recording her income and expenses as a student 1839-1841. 26 pages Thomas, Susan A. (x1842). Letter, 1842 April 16-19 to Mary Thomas. Contains detailed descriptions of her schedule, studies, expenses, and domestic work and the food, religious life, and Seminary Building. Typed transcript. 13 pages Boies, Jane L. (x1843). Letter, 1842 July 29 to Hannah Ely. Urges her aunt to attend the upcoming Commencement celebration at Mount Holyoke where Lowell Mason and Lydia Sigourney will be among the guests, and asks for money to pay her debts. With typed transcript 3 pages Coan, Martha D. (x1843). Correspondence, 1840-1842. Mentions Christmas and Thanksgiving Day celebrations, visitors, and students' political opinions and asks for money for her expenses. One letter is incomplete. With summary. 4 items Crowell, Mary L. (x1843). Letter, 1840 December 31 to Elizabeth P. Dodge. Discusses her studies, domestic work, Mary Lyon, the Seminary Building, and religion. 4 pages Daniels, Frances (x1843). Letter, 1841 November 2, to Edward Daniels. Tells her brother about her social calls, examinations, schedule, domestic work, religious life, the Seminary Building, rules, and the financial affairs of the school. With transcript. 4 pages Fiske, Sarah S. (x1843). Compositions, 1841-1842. 4 items Hyde, Adeline (x1843). Correspondence, 1842. Letters to her fiance, James Farrar discussing religion, family illnesses, and Mary Lyon. 2 items Clark, Elizabeth P. (1844). Correspondence, 1851-1853. Letters to a former Mount Holyoke classmate, Marie C. Brigham (x1844) describing her life as a wife, mother, and teacher in Marietta, Ohio and Buffalo, Virginia. Includes discussions of her family life, reading, schools in Ohio and Virginia, and slavery. With transcripts. 3 items Hubbell, Eliza Antoinette (1844). Commonplace book, 1840-1850 and letter, . The commonplace book contains notes on Mary Lyon's remarks and extracts from or copies of essays, poems, and letters. The 1841 March 8 letter to Caroline E. Coles discusses Hubbell's religious life, schedule, and studies. 2 items Brigham, Cornelia A. (x1844). Reminiscences, circa 1896. Provide detailed descriptions of Mary Lyon and life at the school between about 1837-1842. Typed transcript with manuscript additions. 3 pages Burnham, Sarah J. (x1844). Letter, 1842 February 20 to Elizabeth P. Dodge. Describes her studies (including music), religious life, domestic work, schedule, and Mary Lyon. 3 pages Flint, Lucy N. (x1844). Compositions, 1842. 9 items Moore, Elizabeth P. (x1844). Diary 1843 January 1-May 28. Contains brief descriptions of her social activities, housework, health, readings, church attendance, and the weather. Prefaced with a description of her year at Mount Holyoke, 1841-1842 (the Convent of St. Lion's or Yankee Nunnery). Typed transcript. With summary. 11 pages Paige, Caroline L. (x1844). Letter, 1841 December 13-14 to Harriet N. Paige. Tells her sister about her studies, domestic work, religious life, schedule, and the regulations at the school. Typed transcript. 8 pages Leach, Frances S. (1845). Notebook, 1845-1849. Contains a composition and poems (including copies of those written by other Mount Holyoke students) and an excerpt from a letter describing Mary Lyon's final illness and death. 14 pages Perkins, Rhoda K. (1845). Letters, 1842-1843 and notebooks, 1843-1845. The letters to relatives and friends describe her studies, domestic work, the religious life, a Thanksgiving Day celebration, Mary Lyon, a scarlet fever outbreak, and the death of a student. The notebooks contain an account of her expenses and domestic work, a list of rules and regulations, and notes for lectures by Edward Hitchcock and for courses on botany, Bible Topics, Paradise Lost, and Ecclesiastical History. With summary of letters. 1 box (0.17 linear ft.) Thompson, Mary P. (1845). Letter, 1844 November 25 to Harriet Atwood (x1846) describing classmates and teachers and the arrangement of furnishings in her room. 3 pages. Allen, Abby (x1845). Correspondence, 1842-1852. Letters by or to Allen and Samuel B. Fairbank, a missionary to India whom she married in 1846. Include two letters from 1842 describing her studies (including instruction in music and drawing), domestic work, schedule, the Seminary Building, regulations, and a doctor's care of students. Also include an extract from a letter (1845) discussing her work as a teacher in Springfield, Massachusetts (her students included Irish immigrants and African Americans) and a letter by Fairbank (1852) detailing his wife's ill health and death after giving birth to a child. 5 items Babcock, Jerusha (x1845). Letter, 1844 March 14 describing a Missionary Meeting, Mary Lyon's appearance, the food, her studies, and domestic work. Typed transcript. 3 pages Pomeroy, Lydia B. (x1845). Correspondence, 1842-1844. Includes discussion of domestic work, teachers and classmates, religious life, studies, expenses, recreational activities, the schedule, South Hadley events, her health and expenses, a Thanksgiving Day celebration (1842), a visit from Justin Perkins recruiting missionaries for Persia (1843), and Mary Lyon. With summary. 7 items Torrey, Louisa M. (x1845). Correspondence, 1843-1844. Discusses her journey to South Hadley, appearance and impressions of Mary Lyon, domestic work, studies, the regulations, her clothing, and a Thanksgiving Day celebration. Typed transcripts. 5 items Weaver, Mary C. (x1845). Letter, 1844 February 29-March discussing her studies, events at the school, and the support of missionaries by Mary Lyon and the teachers. 3 pages. With typed transcript. Shelved in FOLIO Preston, Frances O. (1846). Composition, circa 1844 describing a visit to Holyoke during the year 1900. With typed transcript. 7 pages Rice, Mary Susan (1846). Correspondence, 1846, 1849. Letters, 1846 October 29 expressing sympathy to friends upon the death of their sister and 1849 December 19 discussing the state of religion in Persia, where she was teaching at Fidelia Fiske's school. 2 items. Whittemore, Harriet L. (1846). Letter, 1844 March 22 to Abby S. Wright describing her studies, schedule, callisthenics, and religious life. With typed transcript. 1 page Wing, Electa (1846). Correspondence, 1842-1847. Letters to her aunt, Mary Lyon discussing her family news, her finances, and her work as a teacher in Ohio. With summary. 6 items Dunklee, Ruth C. (x1846). Letter, circa 1844 February-March to Sophia Elliott. Discusses writing compositions, lectures by Mary Lyon, and the lack of religious interest at the school. With typed transcript. 3 pages Eaton, Elizabeth (x1846). Autograph album, 1842-1845 and journal, 1844-1847. The autograph album contains signatures of friends and the journal discusses her studies, domestic work, religious life, and Mary Lyon. With summary and typed transcript of journal. 2 items Lincoln, Sarah Ann B. (x1846). Letter, 1843 October 19 telling her mother about her study of algebra and other subjects, examinations, domestic work, health, and the requirement that students go on daily walks for exercise. Typed transcript. 2 pages Ordway, Lucy Ann (x1846). Letter, 1844 January 20-24 to Hannah Ordway Cunningham (1840). Tells her sister about changes to the Seminary Building, a Thanksgiving Day celebration, a visit to Amherst College, and the death of a student; also gives her opinions on marriage. 4 pages. Shelved in FOLIO Tole, Nancy A. (x1846). Letter, 1843 October 29 to Sophia Elliott describing her studies, schedule, religious life, the rules, and ill health. With typed transcript. 4 pages Van Vechten, Katharine (x1846). Correspondence, 1844. Tells her mother about her studies, domestic work, a recent illness, the food, regulations, religious life, Mary Lyon, and a Thanksgiving Day celebration. With typed transcripts. 2 items Wolcott, Elizabeth E. (x1846). Letter, 1843 October 19 to George Wolcott. Tells her brother about her examinations, domestic work, schedule, the food, rules, room furnishings, Sabbath arrangements, laundry day, and the walking requirement for students. 4 pages Allen, Susan A. (1847). Correspondence, 1847. Letters to a friend, Catherine A. Conover, detailing accounts of her student activities at Mount Holyoke (the Brain Factory). Discusses her studies, domestic work, examinations, the religious life at the school, the lack of a Christmas celebration, the illness of a classmate, and Mary Lyon. 3 items Bell, Elizabeth Mary (1847). Journal, 1846 February 20-1847 July 24. Excerpts from a journal kept at Mount Holyoke Seminary, Feb. 20, 1846-July 24, 1847. Discusses her religious life, Mary Lyon, and the illness and deaths of several classmates. With summary. Typescript, 5pages Brainerd, Mary C. (1847). Letter, 1846 October 22 to Lydia R. Baldwin (1845). Discusses marriages and deaths among mutual friends. Photocopy, 1 page Fitch, Susanna (1847). Correspondence, 1844, 1847. Letters to Fitch from her mother, Susanna Hill Fitch. The letter of 1844 March 18 discusses suitable seasonal clothing. The letter of 1847 February 26, addressed to both Susanna and her sister, Rachel Anne (1849), primarily treatments of illness and an influenza epidemic in the town of Bedford, Massachusetts. 2 items (with photocopies Landon, Harriet (1847). Correspondence, circa. 1843-1862. Includes three letters to her family (circa 184318-44) describing her room furnishings and expenses at the Seminary, a visit to Mt. Holyoke (the mountain), classmates, studies, and fund raising for the missionary cause. Also includes a letter by her father, Horace Langdon to Mary Lyon, 1844 November 28, concerning the education of both Harriet and her sister, Cornelia (x1848) and seven letters (1847-1862) and a manuscript fragment relating to other members of her family. With summary. 11 items Walker, Hattie (Harriet) E. (1847). Correspondence, 1844, 1847. Letter of 1844 July 24 to Mrs. Harriet Walker includes a detailed discussion of her upcoming journey between Mount Holyoke and Palmyra, New York via the Erie Canal. Letter of 1847 February 23 to James E. Walker discusses her brother's arrangements for paying her tuition and other expenses as well as her health. 4 pages Barlow, Lucy S. (x1847). Correspondence, 1844 December-1845 October. Letters to her brother, Henry, describing some of her daily activities at Mount Holyoke. Includes frequent references to the food at the school. With summary. 8 pages Benedict, Martha (x1847). Letter, 1845 January 1-9 to Jesse Benedict. Written in the form of a newspaper called The New Years Gift in which she describes her life as a student. Includes references to her domestic work, the religious life, rules, curriculum, and exercise requirement, stating I think I shall never regret the year spent at Holyoke. 4 pages Lyman, Grace R. (1916). Examinations, 1912. In elementary algebra, plane geometry, ancient history, Latin, English, and Greek, probably taken as entrance examinations for Mount Holyoke College. Typescripts with manuscript additions, 21 pages
Unrestricted except for student records and other materials in confidential files.
Use of the collection is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.)
Processed by Patricia J. Albright, 2010
Books and reading.
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Callisthenics.
Clothing and dress.
Commencement ceremonies-Massachusetts-South Hadley.
Food.
Marriage.
Nontraditional college students-Massachusetts-South Hadley.
Student activities-Massachusetts-South Hadley.
Students, Foreign.
Thanksgiving Day-Massachusetts-South Hadley.
Women-Employment-United States.
Women--Social life and customs.
Women college students-Health and hygiene.
Women college students-Massachusetts-South Hadley.
Women college students-Religious life-Massachusetts-South Hadley.
Women graduate students--Massachusetts--South Hadley.
Women teachers.
Women missionaries.
Art-Study and teaching (Higher)-Massachusetts-South Hadley.
Bible-Study and teaching (Higher)-Massachusetts-South Hadley.
Botany--Study and teaching (Higher)-Massachusetts-South Hadley.
English literature--Study and teaching (Higher)-Massachusetts-South Hadley.
Mathematics--Study and teaching (Higher)-Massachusetts-South Hadley.
Music-Instruction and study-Massachusetts-South Hadley.
Lyon, Mary, 1797-1849.
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Physical education for women-Massachusetts-South Hadley.
Mount Holyoke College. Alumnae Association.
Mount Holyoke College-Alumni and alumnae.
Mount Holyoke College-Campus.
Mount Holyoke College-Commencement--1840-
Mount Holyoke College-Curricula.
Mount Holyoke College-Domestic work.
Mount Holyoke College-Faculty.
Mount Holyoke College-Graduate students.
Mount Holyoke College-Older students.
Mount Holyoke College-Recollections.
Mount Holyoke College-Records and correspondence.
Mount Holyoke College-Regulations.
Mount Holyoke College-Religious life-1837-
Mount Holyoke College-Schedules.
Mount Holyoke College-Student expenses--1837-
Mount Holyoke College-Student life-1837-
Mount Holyoke College-Student notebooks-1837-
Mount Holyoke College-Student papers-1837-
Mount Holyoke College-Students.
Mount Holyoke College-Students-Discipline.
Mount Holyoke College-Traditions.
Seminary Building (South Hadley, Mass.: Town).
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