Stutterd family papers

The collection consists of a small number of manuscripts, mainly dealing with religious or family subjects; the bulk of the collection is made up of correspondence between the Stutterd family members, mainly John, Thomas and his wife, Mary, and Jabez. The collection is a rich source of information about the social, economic, and religious worlds of a lower middle class extended family in the Midlands and North of England in the later 18th and early 19th centuries.

The papers consist of the following series:

1. Correspondence & Manuscripts (Boxes 1-16) are arranged chronologically. This material makes up the bulk of the collection, with the majority being correspondence between the Stutterd family members, mainly John, Thomas and his wife, Mary, and Jabez. There is also a small amount of manuscripts in the collection, mainly dealing with religious or family subjects.

Of particular interest is a large group of letters to and from various Baptist ministers and church leaders, relaying sermon notes, and discussing church and doctrinal matters, including lists of supply preachers for the various churches and chapels; these letters also include a small number of letters from women. There is also a significant group of letters dealing with the wool and woolen goods business; these include letters to and from W. & J. Whitacre (Firm), and various other businessmen involved in the woolen trade throughout England, but mainly concentrated in Yorkshire and Lancashire.

The Stutterd family letters are also an excellent source for subjects relating to the medical issues of the 18th century in Northern England; especially smallpox, childbirth and infant mortality, and the many and various ways people died during this time. Death is very present in these letters, but, mainly because of their strong religious beliefs, the Stutterd family and their circle, accepted death as the fulfillment of God's plan for a person's life rather than something to be feared.

2. Diaries & Sermon Notes (Boxes 17-18) are arranged chronologically. This series includes the personal diaries of Jabez Stutterd (covering the years 1792-1823), as well as five volumes of notes for sermons (1790-1817). There is only one folder of sermon notes for John Stutterd (1748, Feb. 15), and three volumes of diaries and sermon notes for Thomas Stutterd (1783-1805).

3. Stutterd Volumes & Ephemera (Box 19) are arranged chronologically. This series includes three "Stutterd Volumes" (numbered 1-3), which are later copies and transcriptions of Stutterd letters, sermon notes, and miscellaneous (1785-1805). Also in this box are 16 folders of Ephemera, including miscellaneous items, fragments and pieces of letters, and Printed Material.

4. Oversize Correspondence & Ephemera (Box 20) are arranged chronologically. Included in this box are correspondence, manuscripts, and one piece of ephemera which were removed from Boxes 1-19, so the call numbers are not consecutive.