Manuscripts

Commonplace books of Sarah A. Pierson Walsworth

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Description: The volumes contain short essays on philosophy, literature and religion; essays on the history of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and India; discussions on origins of American place names; poetry; newspaper clippings; and notable quotations
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Production date: 1852-1888.
Call number: mssHm 64269-64274
Creator: Walsworth, Sarah A. Pierson (1829-)(Opens in new tab)
Provenance: Purchased from Bea & Peter Siegel Books, October 5, 2002.
Find out more: View in the Library catalog(Opens in new tab)

Commonplace book

Manuscripts

Commonplace book containing two quotations from Shakespeare's Othello, along with passages and translations from classical texts, notes on classical and mythological figures, remedies, household hints and practical notes, theological notes and arguments, poems, epigrams and sententiae, legal forms, rentals for land around Kirby Knowle [North Yorkshire], and copies of letters and documents.

mssHM 60413

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Pierson family correspondence

Manuscripts

This collection contains twenty-three letters written primarily from Schuyler, Buffalo County, Nebraska, but include also three letters from Morrison, Colorado, one from Deadwood, South Dakota, and one from Pendleton, Oregon. Most of the correspondence was written by newlyweds Elmer or Lou (short for Louisa?) Pierson to their relatives in Illinois. The letters are filled with numerous details reflecting daily lives and struggles while making ends meet on the western plains. In January 1894 Lou writes, "...well it seems to me I never can get Elmer's debts paid I come out here & he owes [Geo] Little $150.00 and Mr. VanHoosen over $200.00 and I have got my 2 hands to pay..." Elmer appears to be a very colorful character, who, as he mentions in one letter, "I served ten years in the penitentiary in Nebraska for stealing horses..." (April 4, 1882). His writing reflects at times humor, a quick wit, and a restless ambition to take full advantages of the opportunities promised by the open west.

mssHM 81100-81122

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A collection of rebusses [sic], riddles, conundrums, &c, poetry, acrostics, epigrams, etc.: commonplace book

Manuscripts

The volume beings in 1813. One of the first original poems by William Murton was written on his 20th birthday.The volume contains many poems written by William, several of which were written to his wife Mary (on the occasion of her birthday, Valentine's Day, their wedding day, etc.). There are also quotations and other writings in the volume. At some point William's son John took over the volume and there are several entries by him including some riddles and puzzles. The title "A collection of rebusses [sic], riddles, conundrums, &c, poetry, acrostics, epigrams, etc." seems to be John's title for the volume. On one of the inside covers is the inscription "Mrs. Murton." There are several tabs in the pages; the cataloger left them in place. William started writing from one side of the volume; John turned it and started writing from the other side.

mssHM 80583

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Commonplace book and journal

Manuscripts

The autograph manuscript contains short essays on political subjects and notes taken on a trip to Europe. The commonplace book includes quotes, short essays on various subjects, a genealogy of the Hatch family, and a list of "Vermont editions."

mssHM 41739-41740

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Night Book

Manuscripts

Two small volumes in one box; commonplace books containing nightly observations and quotations by Lady Blessington on any subjects that had particularly engaged her attention during the day.

mssHM 12077

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Classification of books in the Library

Manuscripts

Categories include Plays; Play Construction; Costume; Stage Design; History of Stage and Drama; Music; and Miscellaneous, comprising History and Travel, Biography, Philosophy and Religion, General Literature (novels, fiction, essays, and poetry), Technical (encyclopedias, materials regarding fine arts, including radio and television, and periodicals). Also includes Index of Photographs in the Library of Photographs, 1918-1928, compiled by Clinton Clarke.

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Commonplace books of Sarah A. Pierson Walsworth

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Commonplace book

Pierson family correspondence

A collection of rebusses [sic], riddles, conundrums, &c, poetry, acrostics, epigrams, etc.: commonplace book

Commonplace book and journal

Night Book

Classification of books in the Library