Skip to content

Samuel Gridley Howe collection​

finding aid

Creator:

Unknown

Date Range:

1820-2011, bulk 1820-1910

Call number:

AG18

Abstract:

A collection containing writings and clippings by or quoting Samuel Gridley Howe, personal papers, correspondence, photographs, artifacts, books and bound volumes, as well as photocopied research materials from a survey done in 2008. Topics include Howe’s work with Greek relief efforts, education of people who are blind, blindness, slavery and abolitionist work, Howe’s travels, and more. Prominent figures are included such as F. B. Sanborn, John Brown, Laura Richards, Charles Dickens, Edward E. Allen, Laura Bridgman, Lafayette, Henry Thoreau, Horace Mann, Charles Sumner, William Longfellow, Edward Jarvis, Florence Nightingale, Michael Anagnos, and others.

Extent:

18 linear feet

Language:

English, some Greek

Processed by:

Molly Stothert-Maurer, 2012.

Biographical/Historical notes:

Samuel Gridley Howe, 1801-1876, was the founding director of the Perkins School for the Blind. He attended Brown University and Harvard Medical School and was a soldier and surgeon in the Greek War of Independence. He is best remembered for his work with Laura Bridgman, a pupil at Perkins who was deafblind and one of the earliest individuals with deafblindness to learn language, and the first American to do so. Howe was a prominent leader in the field of blindness, printing for the blind, and other social justice and educational reform movements in the United States. He was married to Julia Ward Howe, suffragist and author of the Battle Hymn of the Republic.

Restrictions:

Box 12, folder 24 contains questionnaires designed to establish patter of heredity in blindness from 1853. Redacted access to information that does not contain personally identifiable information will made available only.

Copyright:

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Perkins School for the Blind, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Credit line/Citation:

AG18 Samuel Gridley Howe Collection. Perkins School for the Blind Archives, Watertown, MA.

Scope/Contents:

This collection contains writings and clippings by or quoting Samuel Gridley Howe, Howe Memorial Association materials, personal papers, correspondence, Howe family materials, photographs, artifacts, books and bound volumes, as well as photocopied research materials from a survey done in 2008. Topics include Howe’s work with Greek relief efforts, education of people who are blind, blindness, slavery and abolishionist work, Howe’s travels, and more. Prominent figures are included such as F. B. Sanborn, John Brown, Laura Richards, Charles Dickens, Edward E. Allen, Laura Bridgman, Lafayette, Henry Thoreau, Horace Mann, Charles Sumner, William Longfellow, Edward Jarvis, Florence Nightingale, Michael Anagnos, and others.

Perkins School for the Blind Archives acknowledges that our historical collections may contain harmful imagery and language. Because harmful content documents attitudes and prejudices of the time in which they were made, we make this content available. It is our intention to mitigate potential harm with content warnings and carefully considered language on content created by the Archives.

Arrangement:

SGH = Samuel Gridley Howe

JWH = Julia Ward Howe

LB = Laura Bridgman

  • Series 1: Writings authored by or quoting SGH published in newspapers, magazines, pamphlets and books.
  • Series 2: Writings about SGH published in newspapers, magazines, pamphlets and books.
  • Series 3: Published and un-published materials. Howe Memorial Association materials, Writings about SGH 1911-1959
  • Series 4: Personal Papers and Correspondence
  • Series 5: Photocopied research materials and In-Look Archives Survey materials, 1980-2008
  • Series 6: Howe family materials, oversize materials, photographs, 3D objects
  • Series 7: Books and bound volumes

Related collections:

AG59 Laura Bridgman Collection. Perkins School for the Blind Archives, Watertown, MA.

AG9 Michael Anagnos Collection. Perkins School for the Blind Archives, Watertown, MA.

AG30 Perkins Institutional Records Collection. Perkins School for the Blind Archives, Watertown, MA.

AG42 Financial Documents Collection. Perkins School for the Blind Archives, Watertown, MA.

Container List:

Series 1: Writing by or quoting SGH published in newspapers, magazines, pamphlets and books

Box 1: Published writings about Greek relief, 1828-1829

  • B1:F1: Box inventory, “Public writings and speeches of SGH 1920-“, undated.
  • B25:F2: 2 letters by SGH from Greece in the Essex Register, November 18, 1825.
  • B1:F2: Extract from a statement of SGH’s at Greek meeting in New York The Bower of Taste, March 22,1828. [Note: Contains a quote from the work of Lord Byron.]
  • B1:F3: Extract from address for Greek Relief, “A voice from Greece” pamphlet by SGH, circa 1828.
  • B1:F4: Four newspaper clippings written by Howe from Greece, 1829 [Note: Includes “National Philanthropist & Investigator”]

Box 2: Writings by SGH, 1830-1835

  • B2:F1: Handwritten box inventory, undated. 2 articles in Boston Weekly Messenger, on the Poles, signed Yorick, 1834.
  • B2:F2: “From the Mss. Of a Traveler in the East”, possibly by SGH on hanging/execution in Greece, 1831
  • B2:F3: “Education of the Blind,” North American Review, 1833
  • B2:F4: Female education in Greece, Troy Press, 1833. Extract of SGH letter to woman in Troy, NY on Greek society, Gambier Observer, 1833
  • B2:F5: Statement on Poles, Boston Messenger, The Statesmen, 1834
  • B2:F6: Education of women in Greece, letter to Mrs. Emma Willard, American Ladies’ Magazine, 1834
  • B2:F7: “Proceedings of the New-England Anti-Slavery Convention”, Boston, Garrison & Knapp, 1834, (Note: page 14 SGH against having Black children at Perkins, because other pupils from the South might not like it.)
  • B2:F8: Address of The Trustees of the New-England Institution for the Education of the Blind to the Public, 1833, (Note: pp. 6-18 report to trustees by SGH)
  • B2:F9: SGH letter to his father when in prison in Berlin, printed in Boston Weekly Messenger, 1832
  • B2:F10: Account of lawsuit Hale vs. Howe with quotes from SGH, New York Commercial Advertiser, 1832
  • B2:F11: SGH letter to Mrs. Phelps, Address on the Subject of Female Education in Greece, 1833
  • B2:F12: Paraphrases some of an oration of SGH before Collepe Athenaean Society, Mercantile Journal, 1833
  • B2:F13: Quotes from SGH on Belgian struggle for independence, Boston Masonic Mirror, 1830
  • B2:F14: On Belgian independence and Berlin, Courier, 1832
  • B2:F15: Letter about the mission of the Polish army in Germany by SGH, Columbian Centinel, Boston, 1832
  • B2:F16: Article on Poland by SGH, signed “Observer”, Boston Courier, 1831-32
  • B2:F17: Letter from SGH from prison in Berlin, to Dr. Fisher, Boston Courier, 1832
  • B2:F18: Mentions SGH’s school in a colony at Ilexanilia, Greece, Massachusetts Journal, 1830
  • B2:F19: Letters to the Courier, from Paris, signed “Observer”, 1831-1832
  • B2:F20: Letters to the Courier, possibly from SGH, 1831
  • B2:F21: Paraphrasing of SGH’s letter from Greece to Prof. Sillinau, Boston Recorder, 1830
  • B2:F22: “A Death and Burial in Greece”, New England Magazine, p 40-43, 1831
  • B2:F23: “Education of the Blind” by SGH, 2 bound copies, 1833
  • B2:F24: Columbian Centinel, June 6, 1832, mentions SGH

Box 3: Writings by SGH, 1835-1839

  • B3:F1: Handwritten box inventory, undated. Article on the education of blind, Christian Watchman, Boston, July 29, 1836
  • B3:F2: “A Modern Greek”, a character sketch by SGH, The Boston Book, 1837
  • B3:F3: “Education of the Blind”, by SGH p. 266-281, Literary and Theological Review, 1836
    • “On the Education of the Blind”, lectures delivered before the American Institute of Instruction in Boston, 1837
  • B3:F4: “A Discourse on the Social Relations of Man”, Boston Phrenological Society, by SGH, 1837
  • B3:F5: “Education of the Blind” by SGH in The Lectures delivered before the American Institute of Instruction, in Boston, August, 1836 Including The Journal of Proceedings, and A list of the Officers, 1837
  • B3:F6: “Education of the Blind” by SGH in American Annals of Education and Instruction, 1836
  • B3:F7: Education of Laura Bridgman, collected writings of SGH with introduction by JWH, 1837-1849
  • B3:F8: Sixth Annual Report of the Boston Academy of Music, 1838
  • B3:F9: Seventh Annual Report of the Boston Academy of Music, 1839  
  • B3:F10: Extract of letter from SGH, pp 62-64, Report of the Secretary of the Board of Education on the Subject of School Houses, 1838. Same letter quoted in The Common School Journal, 1839.
  • B3:F11: Article on phrenology by SGH, Providence Journal, 1836
  • B3:F12: City of Boston School Committee, City Document.-No. 7 letter by SGH with response, 1839

Box 4: Writings by SGH, 1840-1849

  • B4:F1: Handwritten box inventory, undated. “Provision for the Insane”, by SGH, unknown newspaper, undated
  • B4:F 2: Schools in Rome, SGH pp. 226-229, Common School Journal, 1844
  • B4:F3: Address of SGH at a public meeting held to protest the forcible return to New Orleans of a fugitive slave. John Quincy Adams returned from retirement to preside at the meeting, Address of the Committee Appointed by a Public Meeting, held at Faneuil Hall, September 24, 1846, for the purpose of considering the recent case of Kidnapping From Our Soil, and of taking measures to prevent the recurrence of Similar Outrages, 1846
  • B4:F4: Letter to raise interest in a Boston Society for Aiding Discharged Convicts, by SGH and others, 1847
  • B4:F5: Preface by SGH of Report of a Minority of the Special Committee of the Boston Prison Discipline Society, 1845
  • B4:F6: An Essay on Separate and Congregate Systems of Prison Discipline, by SGH, 1846
  • B4:F7: Letter from SGH, report on House Bill #108, regarding funds for Perkins, 1847
  • B4:F8: Article quoting Howe on heredity, The Standard, 1848
  • B4:F9: Thoughts on Language; A Lecture delivered before the American Institute of Instruction, by SGH, 1842
    • Letter from SGH to Horace Mann, 1840 in Fourth Annual Report of the Board of Education,1841
    • “Blindness and Idiocy” by William Henry Hurlbert, SGH quotes p. 453-454, in The Christian Examiner, 1848
    • “To the Citizens of Boston” regarding School Committee by SGH, in unknown publication printed by Eastburn’s Press, 1846
    • “Hereditary Infirmity” from the 16th Report to Perkins trustees, by SGH extract printed in The Common School Journal, 1848
    • SGH and others on subject of slavery, Evening Transcript, 1848
    • A Letter to the Editor of the North British Advertiser (Scotland), by SGH responding to an article by John Alston, where he was mis-quoted and mis-represented, 1841 and response from John Alston
  • B4:Folder 10: Insanity in Massachusetts, by SGH, reprinted from North American Review, 1843
    • Fourth Annual Report of the Board of Education, together with the Fourth Annual Report of the Secretary of the Board, 1841

Box 5: Writings by SGH, 1850-1859

  • B5:F1: Handwritten box inventory, undated
  • B5:F2: Letter from SGH on slavery, The Liberator, 1855
    • Letter from SGH to Governor, p. 2, Senate …No. 37, 1855
    • A Letter to J. H. Wilkins, H. B. Rogers, and F. B. Fay, Commissioners of Massachusetts for the State Reform School for Girls, by SGH, 1854
    • “Dr. Howe’s Reports Upon Idiocy”, quotes SGH, The Christian Examiner, 1851
    • “Report of Dr. Howe on the Instruction of Idiots”, quotes SGH, Christian Register, 1851
    • “Convention of Superintendents and Teachers of Institutions for the Instruction of the Blind”, New York Daily Tribune, 1853
    • “A Letter to the Governor of Massachusetts, upon his Veto of a Bill, providing for an Increase of State Beneficiaries, at the School for Idiotic Children, by SGH, 1857
    • “The Defensive League of Freedom” (to protect fugitive slaves) by SGH and others, undated
    • “Grand Rally of the Free Democracy! Old Faneuil Hall Thronged!”, remarks by SGH, Commonwealth, 1853
    • “The Free Democracy in Council/ Grand Rally at the Tabernacle/ Speeches of John P. Hale and others/ Manifesto of the Free Soil Committee”, New York Herald, 1853
  • B5:F3: Appeal to public for funds for revolution in Hungary and other parts of Europe, by SGH and others, 1852
    • Appeal for $100,000 for the Institution for the Blind, circa 1851
  • B5:F4: SGH’s account of cruelty to African American prisoners in New Orleans, A Key to Uncle Tom’s Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe, 1853
  • B5:F5: Anti-slavery meeting at Faneuil Hall, announced by SGH, unknown newspaper, 1854
  • B5:F6: Twenty-Second Annual Report of the Trustees of the State Lunatic Hospital, 1855
  • B5:F7: Writings of SGH on slaveholders in Kansas, 1856, in Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society, 1908
  • B5:F8: A Letter to the Governor of Massachusetts, upon his Veto of a bill, providing for an Increase of State Beneficiaries, at the School for Idiotic Children, by SGH, 1857
    • Laura Bridgman, by SGH, reprint from Bernard’s American Journal of Education, 1857 (2 copies)
    • Phrenology quotes from SGH, 1858, in The Character Builder, 1920
    • Report of the Boston Society for Aiding Discharged Convicts, 1857

Box 6: Writings by SGH, 1860-1869

  • B6:F1: Handwritten box inventory, undated
  • B6:F2: “The Lunatics of Gheel”, by SGH, Boston Advertiser, 1867
    • SGH’s answer to editor of London Diplomatic Review on motives for going to Greece, circa 1869
  • B6:F3: Ceremonies on Laying the Corner-Stone, of The New York State Institution for the Blind, oration by SGH, 1866
    • Address Delivered at the Ceremony of Laying the Corner-Stone of the New York State Institution for the Blind, by SGH, 1866 (2 copies)
  • B6:F4: Photocopy of “Address Delivered at the Ceremony of Laying the Corner-Stone of the New York State Institution for the Blind”, by SGH, 1866
  • B6:F5: Appeal to the women of New England on behalf of the United States Sanitary Commission, circa 1862
  • B6:F6: “A Letter on the Sanitary Condition of the Troops in the Neighborhood of Boston”, by SGH, 1861
    • “A Letter to Mrs.­­­­—–, and Other Loyal Women, Touching the Matter of Contributions for the Army”, by SGH, 1862
    • “Remarks Upon the Education of Deaf Mutes: in Defence [sic] of the Doctrines of the Second Annual Report of the Massachusetts Board of State Charities, and in Reply to the Charges of the Rev. Collins Stone, Principal of the American Asylum at Hartford”, by SGH, 1866
  • B6:F7: SGH’s statement regarding Harper’s Ferry Investigation Committee – John Brown Slavery, New York Daily Tribune, 1860
    • Letter regarding proceeds of concert for Cretan Patriots, Dwight’s Journal of Music, 1867
    • “Appeal to the People of the United States to Relieve from Starvation the Women and Children of the Greeks of the Island of Crete”, 1867 (2 copies)
    • Quotes by SGH on subject of Deaf Mutes, The Christian Register, 1867
    • Quoted letter to General Tremont by SGH about Lincoln and presidential election, Atlantic Monthly, 1864
  • B6:F8: “U. S. Sanitary Commission, No. 93. Circular Addressed to the Branches and Aid Societies tributaries to the U. S. Sanitary Commission”, SGH and others, 1865
    • Cretan appeal, circa 1866
    • Letter to the Governor on the poor conditions of Civil War camps, House… No. 40, 1862
    • “Preliminary Report touching the Condition and Management of Emancipated Refugees; Made to the Secretary of War by the American Freedmen’s Inquiry Commission”, by SGH and others, 1863
    • “Inauguration of the Statue of Horace Mann”, by SGH and others, 1865
    • SGH’s statement concerning reorganization of improvements for Perkins, 1868

Box 7: Writings by SGH, 1870-1876

  • B7:F1: Handwritten box inventory, undated; Archives Survey forms, 2002
  • B7:F2: Santo Domingo clipping, article by SGH, New York Independent, Nov. 27, 1873
  • B7:F3: “A Corrected Copy of Dr. Howe’s Letter, in Daily Advertiser, October 30, entitled A Plea, Alike in Behalf of our Pauper Lunatics and of our Tax Payers” (4 copies)
    • “Objections to the Proposed Plan for a City Hospital for Lunatics at Winthrop; with Answers to the Article of J. Putnam Bradlee, in the Daily Advertiser, Nov. 6.” by SGH, 1871 (3 copies)
    • Public Document—No. 27, “Appendix A, directors remarks on printing for the blind”, by SGH, 1872
    • Public Document—No. 27, “Appendix A, Education of the Blind”, by SGH, 1873
    • “Charles Sumner’s Explanation in Reply to an Assault a Speech Prepared for the United States Senate March, 1871”, paragraph by SGH p. 6, also mentions a Mr. Howe, Senator from Wisconsin [Timothy Otis Howe], 1878
    • “Letters on the Proposed Annexation of Santo Domingo, in Answer to Certain Charges in the Newspapers”, by SGH, 1871 (2 copies)
    • “Remarks on the Theories of Dr. Samuel G. Howe, Respecting the Education of Deaf Mutes, as Set Forth in the Second Report of the Board of State Charities” by “A Native of Massachusetts”, contains quotes from SGH, undated, after 1875
    • “The Causes and Prevention of Idiocy”, by SGH, 1874 (2 copies)
    • “Blindness—Important Views” newspaper article by SGH on blindness and heredity, undated
  • B7:F5: Supplement to 43rd Annual Report of Perkins “Advice to Parents of Blind Children” by SGH, 1875
    • SGH quoted on need for college for the blind p. 230-233, Journal of Social Science, 1870
    • Public Document #27 (School Report), SGH on printing books for the blind/raised type, p. 36-37, chart of schools for the blind, p. 34, letter to teachers convention, p. 24-28, 1871
    • “Santo Domingo, Annexation, Slavery” by SGH in The Independent (New York), 1872 (3 copies)
    • Letter to the editor of the New York Times, by SGH about Santo Domingo in the Boston Herald, 1871
    • Newspaper clipping with SGH’s diary entry from Santo Domingo, 1871
    • “The Cuban Imbroglio” on Cuban slavery, by SGH in The Independent New York, 1873
    • “Annexation Vs. Slavery” by SGH, The Independent New York, 1873
    • “Warning Against Dempsey B. Sherrod, and his Proposed American Printing House, and University for the Blind”, by SGH, 1875
  • B7:F6: Handwritten inventory of clipping related to the death of SGH, undated
    • 11 newspaper clippings, program of memorial service on Feb 8, 1876

Series 2: Writings about SGH published in newspapers, magazines, pamphlets, and books

Box 8: Writings about SGH, 1801-1876

  • B8:F1: Handwritten box inventory, undated
    • Article on arrest and imprisonment of Dr. Howe, Boston Recorder, 1832
    • SGH imprisonment, Boston Weekly Messenger, May 10, 1832
    • SGH in Belgium, Boston Weekly Messenger, June 11, 1832
    • Clipping with letter from Lafayette and from Polish Committee in Paris, mentions SGH, 1832
  • B8:F2: “Boston Portraits in French Setting”, p. 87, Every Saturday, description of  SGH and JWH and her literary club, 1866
    • Article on SGH in Greece, The Vermont Chronicle, 1844
    • SGH and the Poles, Columbian Centinel, 1832, [see oversized box]
  • B8:F3: “theology” and “views of religious education”, criticizes SGH, p. 235-236, The Christian Observatory, 1847
    • Newspaper account of a caravan trek across “the wild country of Iowa”, of which SGH was a part, The Independent, 1856
  • B8:F4: SGH in Canada, American Traveler, 1860
    • Article on 8th Annual Report, SGH and printing, contributions to institute, North American Review, 1840
    • “Speech of James Hoban, Esq.” counsel of John Williams, Oculist, mentions SGH p. 5, 1837
  • B8:F5: “Education of the Blind”, North American Review, 1833
  • B8:F6: Not very accurate paraphrasing of parts of [Europe] article also (mistakenly?) attributes ideas in article to SGH, Revue Britannique, 1833
    • B8:F7: “Education of the Blind”, references to SGH p. 39, 41, The North American Review, 1833, 1895 reprint
    • “Institutions for the Blind”, American Annals of Education and Instruction, 1833
    • Excerpt mentioning SGH and instruction of LB, “Report of the 14th meeting of the British Assoc. for the Advancement of Science”, 1844
  • B8:F8: Godey’s Lady’s Book, 1842
  • B8:F9: SGH’s proposed trip to Canada, American Traveller, 1859
    • “Blindness and Idiocy”, mentions SGH p. 449, The Christian Examiner, 1848
    • SGH and LB, medal for “scientific merit” given to SGH by King of Prussia, Christian Advocate,1846
    • Article about blind instructor brought from Paris to work at the Asylum for the Blind, Boston Weekly Messenger, 1832
    • Sketch of SGH, p. 30,  The New Mirror, 1843
  • B8:F10: Greek fair, Boston Weekly Messenger, 1833
    • Statement about SGH’s plan for Nat’l Collegiate Inst. and musical conservatory for blind, 1869
    • Sketch of SGH’s life/Perkins, House…No. 386, 1869
    • Mentions address by SGH at 6th annual meeting of American Lyceum on the methods and means of instructing the blind, Barnard’s Journal of Education, 1864
    • Article about Freedman’s Commission, including SGH, p 438, Friends’ Intelligencer, 1863
    • Mentions SGH speech at Bowdoin College, Boston Weekly Messenger, 1833
    • Lecture by SGH on language to Taunton Lyceum mentioned, Boston County Democrat, 1842
  • B8:F11: SGH stopped on border of Prussia by a cabinet order, p. 455, The New World, 1843
  • B8:F12: “Record of Progress”, SGH first pupils, South Boston School, LB, Old and New, 1875
  • B8:F13: Address delivered at the opening of the Connecticut Industrial School for Girls, by Daniel C. Gilman, 1870
    • “The Suffering Greeks”, appeal for relief, p. 7 speaks of SGH as worker for the cause, 1828 (2 copies)
  • B8:F14: a memorial tribute to SGH by Oliver Wendell Holmes, p. 464, Atlantic Monthly, 1876

Box 9: Writings about SGH, 1876-1900

  • B9:F1: Handwritten box inventory, undated
    • Report on public charities of Mass. During century ending 1876, by F. B. Sanborn, SGH pp. 14, 55, 63
  • B9:F2: “A Modern Hero”, by Florence Howe Hall, p. 19 story of SGH’s glories, Wide Awake, 1890
    • Article on SGH by JWH, Cambridge Magazine, 1896
    • Humorous anecdote about SGH and pupil, The Transcript, 1886
  • B9:F3: Article on SGH, The Phrenological Journal, 1876
  • B9:F4: Sketch of SGH’s life, pp. 29-30, and “The Hero” poem about SGH by John G. Whittier, Record of the Year, 1876 (2 copies)
    • Article praising SGH, p. 191-195, Unitarian Review, 1876
    • “Reminiscences of Fugitive-Slave Law Days in Boston” by Austin Bearse, 1880, mentions SGH pp. 4, 6, 26, 37,
    • “Westboro State Reform School Reminiscences”, by Joseph A. Allen, 1877. Mentions SGH, pp. 6, 48, 54, 83
  • B9:F5: Article on Greek by Sanborn, mentions SGH, Boston Daily Advertiser, 1891
    • Article on SGH, by F. B. Sanborn, quotes letter to Horace Mann, Boston Daily Advertiser, 1892
    • Story of SGH’s life by Jenkin Lloyd Jones, p. 812-827, quotes Whittier poem “The Hero”, pp. 826-827, The Charities Review, 1897
  • B9:F6: “Here in Boston”, LB and SGH, Boston Post, 1887
    • Article on memoir of SGH, by JWH, Advertiser, 1876
    • Mentions SGH and LB, Boston Post, 1890
    • Speech of Hon. George F. Hoar before U.S. Senate, on presentation of statues of John Winthrop and Samuel Adams, p. 5 mentions SGH, 1876
  • B9:F7: Article on memoir of SGH by JWH, The South Boston Press, 1876
    • Short piece on SGH, The Unitarian, 1887
    • “The Bible in the Last One Hundred Years” by W. J. R. Taylor, praises SGH for aid in making printing possible, 1876
    • SGH quote from years earlier, The Phrenological Journal and Science of Health, 1891
    • SGH name inscribed on wall of the new Massachusetts House of Representatives, unknown newspaper clipping, 1894
    • Review of “Dr. S. G. Howe The Philanthropist” by Sanborn, contains sketch of SGH’s life, New York Daily Tribune, 1891
  • B9:F8: critical review of Sanborn’s “Dr. S. G. Howe, the Philanthropist”, The Nation, 1891
    • “Dr. Howe and the Greeks”, Boston Transcript, 1897 (2 copies)
    • Anecdote about SGH having the gout, newspaper clipping, 1897
    • Article on a blind child “A Child Born Short”, by Dr. Richards, teacher at Perkins, mentions SGH, The Mentor, 1898
    • Article on commemorative exercise and article eulogizing Howe, Boston Evening Transcript, 1899
    • Article on commemoration of SGH exercises, The Women’s Journal, 1899
    • Article commemorating SGH’s birthday, Boston Daily Globe, 1899

Box 10: Writings about SGH, 1900-1910

  • B10:F1: Howe XI: Writings about SGH, 1900-1905, handwritten index, undated
  • B10:F2: Howe XI: Writings about SGH, 1900-1905, “SGH Hero in War and Peace” by Bertha Johnson, p. 353-361, Kindergarten Magazine, 1904
  • B10:F3: Proceedings at celebration of 100th Anniversary of birth of Howe (taken out of S.P. Hayes Library in 1960), 1901
    • Editorial on SGH, Christian Register, 1901
    • Article on SGH centennial, Kindergarten Review, 1901
    • Program of commemorative exercises of 100th anniversary of SGH’s birth, 1901
    • Letter to the editor on SGH and the blind, The Silent Hoosier, 1901
    • Review of “Laura Bridgman, Dr. Howe’s Famous Pupil and what he Taught Her”, by Maud Howe and Florence Howe Hall, Boston Transcript, 1903
    • “Training Backward Children”, mentions SGH, Boston Transcript, 1903
    • “Here Comes Howe”, SGH and the blind, Colorado Index, 1904
    • “Here Comes Howe”, first printing, Sunday Herald, 1903
    • “A Hero, And Certain Heroines”, review of three books mentioning SGH, Century Magazine, 1904
    • Letter to editor, SGH and meeting about slavery at Faneuil Hall, Boston Evening Transcript, 1904
    • “Boston Idealists”, by Sanborn, The Christian Register, 1905
    • Article mentioning SGH and LB, The Bookman, 1905
  • B10:F4: Howe XII: Writings about SGH, 1906-1910, handwritten index, undated
  • B10:F5: Howe XII: sketches by Geo. Angell, p. 11 mentions SGH founding the Massachusetts SPCA,The American Humane Education Society, 1908
  • B10:F6-8: Howe XII: article mentions SGH journals of Greek Revolution, The Republican, 1906
    • Review of SGH’s “Letters and Journals”, and “The Greek Revolution”, edited by SGH’s daughter Laura Richards, Woman’s Journal, 1906
    • SGH mentioned in review of book on Lincoln, Atlantic Monthly, 1906
    • Review of “Letters and Journals”, Atlantic Monthly, 1906
    • Review of “Letters and Journals”, The Australian, 1907
    • Advertisement fly sheet for “Journals and Letters”, 1907
    • Article on “Letters and Journals”, The Nation, 1907
    • Review of “Dr. SGH, The Philanthropist”, by Sanborn, Journal of Education, 1907
    • Sermon by Theodore Parker, mentions SGH and Holmes’ poem in memory of him, The Christian Register,1907
    • Dr. Blackwell (editor of Woman’s Journal) trip to Jamaica, Boston Transcript, 1907 letter from SGH to Blackwell about Santo Domingo in Howe XX Papers 1870-1876 (Box Folder)
    • “American Soldiers of Fortune” mentions SGH, Boston Transcript, 1907
    • Article about “Letters and Journals of SGH”, New York Saturday Review, 1907
    • Review of “Letters and Journals of SGH”, The National Greek-American Newspaper, 1907
    • Article on Greek celebration of independence, mentions SGH, Boston Herald, 1908
    • Article about “Letters and Journals of SGH”, New York Saturday Review, 1908
    • Article on marble bust of John Brown, mentions SGH, Boston Evening Transcript, 1908
    • “Three World Famous Educators” mentions SGH, Ohio Chronicle, 1909
    • Mention of Sanborn’s biography of SGH, Boston Transcript, 1909
    • “Servant of Humanity” and SGH memorial mentioned, New York Times Saturday Review, 1909
    • “The Greatest of All American Philanthropists”, Boston Globe, 1909
    • Long article on SGH about “Letters and Journals” and “Servant of Humanity”, Transcript, 1909
    • “Dr. Howe’s Journals”, Springfield Republican, 1909
    • Article with anecdotes about SGH, The Christian Register, 1909
    • “Samuel G. Howe”, by A. W. Jackson, D. D, p. 934, The Christian Register, 1909
    • Review of “Servant of Humanity”, Boston Herald, 1909
    • “A Great Knight of New England”, article on “Letters and Journals”, Boston Herald, 1909
    • Article on SGH and idiots, etc., Springfield paper, 1909
  • B10:F9: “A Paladin of Philanthropy”, by Peabody, about SGH, p. 139-151, The Hibbert Journal, 1909
  • B10:F10: “John Brown and his Eastern Friends”, by Frank P. Stevens, mentions SGH, p. 589, New England Magazine, 1910
    • “Samuel Gridley Howe”, by E. H. Clement, Journal of Education and Colorado Index, 1909
    • Review of “The Servant of Humanity” by W. Hoft, The Survey, 1910
    • “The First Blind Pupils”, The Youth’s Companion, 1909
    • “A History of the Massachusetts System”, by Sanborn, mentions SGH influence, Children’s Charities, 1910
    • Article on Unitarian gathering that mentions SGH, New York Globe, 1910
    • Article on SGH, Boston Transcript, 1910
    • Mention of SGH and Sumner correspondence, Boston Transcript, 1910
    • “The Cadmus of the Blind”, by John T. Faris, The Wellspring, 1910
  • B10:F11: Review of “Servant of Humanity”, p. 58-60, Outlook for the Blind, 1909 (2 copies)
    • Review of “Servant of Humanity”, p. 647-650, The Outlook, 1909

Series 3: Published and un-published materials. Howe Memorial Association materials, writings about SGH 1911-1919, 1919-1959

Box 11:      

  • B11:F1: Howe Memorial Association materials, 1908-1918
    • Typed letter from L. B. Lilus, Secretary to Miss Julia E. Burnham about certificate of contribution to the Howe Memorial Association, 1909
    • “The Proposed Memorial to SGH in South Boston, meeting flyer (2 copies)
  • B11:F2: Writings about SGH, 1911-1919, handwritten index, n. d.
  • B11:F3-4: Writings about SGH, 1911-1919
    • Howe memorials, Transcript, 1911
    • General article on SGH, The Barnard Memorial, 1911 (2 copies
    • Selections from James Freeman Clark’s address on SGH read by Miss Marrett on Founder’s Day, Nov. 1911
    • A memo concerning the plan SGH used for building the cottages at Perkins School for the Blind by Mrs. Hopkins, 1911
    • “Dr. S. G. Howe’s Connection with Oral Work”, and letters to editor by Sanborn and Laura E. Richards, regarding SGH and the deaf, The Volta Review, 1911
    • National Conference of Charities meeting, Sanborn speaks and talks about Howe and insane, Boston Transcript, 1911
    • Review of “The Servant of Humanity”, by Noyes, The Volta Review, 1911
    • Article on SGH inauguration of Massachusetts plan for caring for dependent children, speech by Dr. Hart, Springfield Union, 1912
    • Proceedings of the 9th A Summer meeting of Amer. Assoc. Teaching Speech to Deaf, talk by Sanborn, mentions SGH teaching by articulation, pp. 581-584, The Volta Review, 1912
    • “Dr. SGH A Pioneer Educator of Blind-Deaf”, Ohio Chronicle Supplement, 1913
    • “A Pioneer of the Blind-Deaf”, The Mentor, 1914
    • Article on School for Feeble Minded, mentions SGH, Springfield Union, 1914
    • Article on insane, mentions SGH, Boston Transcript, 1915
    • Howe Memorial Club, Belmont Tribune, 1915
    • Article on SGH in Spanish, El Ciego Argentino (The Blind Argentinian), 1915
    • “The Conversion of Militarism” by F. G. Peabody, mentions SGH, Greece, feeble-minded, Whittier’s “Hero”, pp. 230-231, The Southern Workman, 1915
    • Article on feeble-minded, mentions SGH, Transcript, 1916
    • “Educational Work for Blind in the U.S.” picture and article on SGH, p. 16, Bible Training School, 1916
    • Article on James Freeman Clarke by F. G. Peabody, quotes letter from SGH to Theodore Parker, The Christian Register, 1916
    • Article mentions SGH, anti-slavery and John Brown, Transcript, 1916
    • Article by Sanborn on public charities, mentions SGH, care for insane, Transcript, 1917
    • Article on SGH being “lost in the dazzle” of JWH’s brilliance, Transcript, 1917
    • SGH and Dickens, Transcript, 1917
    • Article on SGH being unfairly overshadowed by JWH, Transcript, 1917
    • SGH and “The Listener”, Transcript, 1917
    • Article on affect war will have on Boston, mentions SGH and civil planning, Transcript, 1918
    • Article on SGH “The Lafayette of the Greek Revolution”, Boston Globe, 1918
    • “SGH, M.D., soldier-surgeon in Gk. Revo.” By Ada Manning, also frontispiece of Michael Anagnos, pp. 5-6, 27, The Greek-American Review, 1918
  • B11:F5: Howe XV Writings about SGH, 1919-1959, handwritten index, undated
  • B11:F6-7: Howe XV Writings about SGH, 1919-1959
    • Art Assoc. of Newport pamphlet, mentions painting by Jane Stuart (Gilbert’s daughter) of SGH
    •  “He was the Cadmus of the Blind”, by E. E. Allen, p. 300-301, The Christian Register, 1921
    • “SGH” pamphlet by E. Allen revised and reprinted from The Christian Register, 1921
    • Mention of SGH on list of names on State Hall of Fame, Transcript, 1922
    • Mention of Greeks and SGH, Transcript, 1922
    • Article on death of Mrs. Charles Knowlton, mentions work she did with SGH, The Christian Register, 1922
    • Mention of Whittier’s poem, “The Hero”, New York Times Book Review, 1922
    • “Dickens and Dr. Howe”, by E. E. Allen, p. 1, The Beacon, 1925
    • Founder’s Day at Perkins to honor SGH, Outlook for the Blind, 1926
    • Piece on SGH by Laura Richards, Outlook for the Blind, 1926
    • Claim against Howe Memorial Association, Boston Post, 1926
    • Howe Memorial Association sued, Herald, 1926
    • List of friends of Charles Dickens buried at Mt. Auburn, Herald, 1926
    • Article by Cabot, paragraph on SGH, p. 287, December Graphic Survey, 1928
    •  “Greeks Honor Dr. Samuel Howe”, Newport Herald, 1930
    • Mass State Exhibit Tercentenary 1630-1930, Dept. of Public Welfare, First Board of State Charities 1803, mentions SGH and Sanborn, 1930
    •  “SGH” by Anna Gardner Fish, p. 3, The Lantern, 1936
    • Article on Mann, mentions SGH, Boston Post, 1947
    • Sketch of SGH by Dr. Chase, M.D., Providence Bulletin, 1948
    • “SGH as Phrenologist” by Harold Schwartz, p. 644-651, American Historical Review, 1952
    • SGH and Bridgman, The Lantern, 1953
    • SGH papers, p. 7, Massachusetts Historical Society Miscellany, 1958
    • SGH connection with John Brown, Boston Sunday Herald, 1959
    • Greeks honor SGH at Independence banquet, Boston Globe, 1927
  • B11:F8: “Dr. Howe’s Office Boy”, recollections told by Rev. H. A. Dunham, 1928
  • B11:F9: Bibliography: papers and sources quoted for reference to SGH’s creeds on religion prepared for Mr. Allen, 1921
  • B11:F10: Typewritten talk on SGH given by Mrs. E. E. Allen, undated

Series 4: Personal Papers and Correspondence

Box 12: SGH Personal papers and correspondence, 1820-1870

  • B12:F1: SGH Personal papers and correspondence, 1820-1840, handwritten index, undated.
  • B12:F2: 3 typewritten copies of a letter originally written May 10, 1832, from Lafayette to SGH, undated
    [Donated by Mrs. Laura E. Richard, Nov. 7, 1931].
  • B12:F3: Handwritten copy of SGH’s 1827 diary while in Greece, before 1905
    [Likely copied for Letters & journals of Samuel Gridley Howe during the Greek revolution, ed. by his daughter, Laura E. Richards, 1905].
  • B12:F4: Howe 16 Personal papers and correspondence, 1820-1840
    1. 2 typewritten copies of an August 26, 1820 from SGH to Elijah J. Hamlin, undated
      [Written from Brown University, about religion].
    2. 2 typewritten copies of an April 12, 1832 letter from James Fenimore Cooper to SGH from Paris, undated.
    3. Letter to B. French of New Hampshire regarding entrance for pupils into Perkins and need for care of Blind in New Hampshire, 1835 [Missing].
    4. Letter from SGH to Mr. Lathrop to thank him for donation to printing fund, 1835 [Missing].
    5. Letter from SGH to Charles Goff, regarding printing of New Testament, 1836 [Missing].
    6. Letter from William S. Stone to S.G.H, April 26, 1836.
      [Has written an article about SGH].
    7. Letter from SGH to Dr. Percival, September 21, 1836.
      [Requesting that Percival contribute material to New England map].
    8. Print of J.G. Perceval, undated.
    9. Typewritten copy of February 14, 1839 letter from SGH to Mr. Chapin, undated.
      [In answer to a question about instructing people who are blind.]
  • B12:F5: Howe 17 Personal papers and correspondence, 1840-1850, handwritten index, undated
  • B12:F6: Howe 17 Personal papers and correspondence 1840-1850, 1840-1841
    1. Typewritten copy of March 15, 1840 letter to SGH from George Comb, undated [Praises SGH, phrenology]
    2. Printout copy from 2024 of March 5th 1841 of letter from Henry Thoreau, to Perkins/SGH, seeking employment, undated.
      [Original located in AG53 Perkins Correspondence Volume 4.]
    3. Typewritten copy of May 20, 1841 letter from SGH to Miss Metcalf in Providence, undated.
      [Lurena Brackett’s decision not to return to Perkins.]
    4. Typewritten copy of May 20, 1841 letter from SGH to Miss Metcalf in Providence, undated. [Lurena Brackett’s decision not to return to Perkins.]
    5. Typewritten copy of May 18, 1842 letter from SGH letter to Mr. Bartlet Dudley, undated. [Invitation to Lurena Brackett to return to Perkins.]
    6. Typewritten copy of July 4, 1841 letter from SGH to Dr. Dixon of S. Carolina, undated. [Visiting and exhibiting in South Carolina to raise interest in blindness education.
    7. Typewritten copy of August 26, 1841 letter from SGH to James Hanford Esquire, undated.
      [Different alphabets, characters for people who are blind.]
    8. Typewritten copy of July 16, 1841 letter from SGH to the editor of No British Advertiser, undated. [Article by John Allston on printing for people who are blind in which SGH was misrepresented and misquoted.]
  • B12:F7: Howe 17 Personal papers and correspondence 1840-1850, 1842-1845
    1. Undated printed letter from SGH attached to a clipping about SGH’s visit to South Carolina Legislature, January 7, and June 6, 1842
    2. 2 typewritten copies of 1842, 1845, 1848 letters to SGH from Horace Mann, undated.
      [Lecture to be given, SGH’s return to his country, Mann’s success, teaching of arithmetic.]
    3. 2 typewritten copies of October 23, 1842 letter to SGH from T. Carlyle, undated [Report of Perkins Institute, Laura Bridgman.]
    4. Letter to SGH from James M. Barnard, requesting copies of SGH’s article on insanity for circulation in Europe, etc., January 20, 1843.
    5. 2 typewritten copies of February 21, 1843 letter to Samuel Ward from Charles Sumner, undated.
      [SGH’s engagement.]
    6. 2 typewritten copies of April 7, 1843 letter from H.B. Cleveland to Charles Sumner and April 3, 1843 letter from SGH to Longfellow, undated.
      [SGH’s engagement.]
    7. 2 typewritten copies of April 7, 1843 letter from H.B. Cleveland to Charles Sumner and April 3, 1843 letter from SGH to Longfellow, undated.
      [SGH’s engagement.]
    8. 2 typewritten copies of April 30, 1844 letter to SGH from Charles Sumner, undated.
      [ Birth of SGH’s first child, Samuel Ward].
    9. Original letter and 2 typewritten copies of the letter to SGH from George Sumner, from Paris, August 2,1845, undated.
      [Laura Bridgman, publication of SGH’s article in France, etc.]
    10. 2 typewritten copies of May 1, 1845 letter to SGH from Maria Edgeworth, Ireland, undated.
      [ Report of Laura Bridgman, essay on Education and treatment of child’s conscience, Bridgman’s religious instruction, children’s stories by Edgeworth.]
    11. 2 typewritten copies of July 13, 1845 letter to SGH from George Combe in Brussels, undated.
      [13th Annual report of Perkins, LB, Oliver Caswell. Mentions report “refusing black children”, suggests that SGH teach phrenology to Laura Bridgman, talks about nature of God].
    12. Typewritten copy of April 9, 1845 letter from SGH to Mr. Chapin, undated. [Printing of a general encyclopedia for blind.]
    13. Letters to SGH from H. P. Peet of the New York “Institution for Deaf & Dumb,” July 13, 1845, January 31, 1845, and February 14, 1845. [Education of people who are deaf.]
  • B12:F8: Howe 17 Personal papers and correspondence 1840-1850, 1845-1849
    1. Letter to SGH by L.H. Bracebridge (Englishman), 1845
      [Laura Bridgman, prison disciplin]
    2. Note to SGH from Sam Auus, 1846
      [Rhode Island legislative assembly]
    3. Letter from Ms. Tibbath, 1846
      [Bill SGH wanted passed].
    4. Group of letters regarding National Library for the Blind,1845-1846
    5. Group of letters regarding National Library for the Blind, 1846
    6. Letter to Vaughan of Ist. for Blind in Philadelphia, 1846
      [Library for blind].
    7. Original and typewritten copy of letter to SGH from George Sumner, April 16, 1846, undated.
      [Paris – mentions forthcoming marriage of Annie, JWH’s youngest sister].
    8. Photocopy of a letter from Howe to unknown recipient written after 1848, undated.
      [School for students with intellectual disabilities].
    9. Letter and typewritten copy of letter from Edward Jarvis to [unknown], January 19, 1849, undated.
      [Sumner and an article for the North American.]
    10. Letter and handwritten copy of letter from SGH to Miss [Howitt] July 31, 1847, undated.
      [Laura Bridgman].
  • B12:F9: Howe 18 Personal papers and correspondence, 1850-1870, handwritten index, undated
  • B12:F10: Howe 18 Personal papers and correspondence, 1850-1870
    1. Letter from Joseph Henry to SGH, November 26, 1850.
      [Mentions Laura Bridgman daguerreotype.]
    2. Letter from Joseph Lieber to SGH, November 27, 1850
    3. Rough draft of letter from SGH to Hon. W. Appleton, about reform schools for girls, 1850
    4. Typewritten copy of December 6, 1851 letter to SGH from Theodore Parker, undated.
      [SGH’s remark that Parker lacked religion.]
    5. Typewritten copy of February 6, 1851 letter to SGH from Florence Nightingale, undated.
      [Plight of Germans, Catholic and Protestant churches in England.]
  • B12:F11: Howe 18 Personal papers and correspondence, 1850-1870
    1. 2 typewritten copies of a December 27, 1952 letter to SGH from Charles Sumner, undated. [Regarding the paper, Commonwealth.]
    2. 2 typewritten copies of a July 12, 1852 and a December 31, 1852 letter to SGH from Louis Kossuth, undated. [Regarding Hungarian fund, death of his mother, Hungary’s plight.]
    3. Typewritten copies of 3 October and June of 1852 letters to SGH and JWH from Florence Nightingale, undated.
    4. Letter from SGH to [Downer], [January],1854.
      [Asking advice about “letting” his house.]
    5. Poem about SGH by unknown author, April 17,1855
      [Accession 1943-01].
    6. 2 typewritten copies of an August 4, 1859 letter to SGH from Samuel Lyman, undated. [Horace Mann’s death, 1859].
  • B12:F12: Howe 18 Personal papers and correspondence, 1850-1870
    1. Letter from SGH to Parker, 1859
      [Mann’s death].
    2. 2 typewritten copies of May 14, 1859 letter [to SGH] from Theodore Parker, undated.
      [Joking about the fact he hasn’t heard from SGH. Letter in style of memorial poem as if SGH were dead.]
    3. 2 typewritten copies of 3 July, August, and September 1859, letters from Charles Sumner to SGH, funded.
      [From Paris, regarding war between France and Austria, Napoleon, “George’s Oration”, a statue of Mann.]
    4. 2 typewritten copies of March 5, 1860, May 15, 1863, and undated letters from Charles Sumner to SGH, undated.
      [Statue of Horace Mann, John Brown, death of SGH’s youngest son, Santo Domingo Civil War.]
  • B12:F13: Howe 18 Personal papers and correspondence, 1850-1870
    1. Letter from S.G.H, for Miss Dillingham to use in finding her brother during Civil War, January 11, 1862.
    2. Letter from [SGH] concerning history and objectives of the school [Perkins], October 11, 1865.
    3. Letter from SGH to Anagnos, from Athens, July 27, 1867.
      [Regarding supplies for Cretans.]
    4. Note to parent about son who has “fits,” July 20,1868.
    5. Letter to SGH from Mrs. M. S. Loring, and draft of his reply, February 12, 1869. [Aid for women’s reformatory and a rough draft of SGH’s reply.]
    6. Two letters on Perkins letterhead to unknown recipients from SGH about Perkins fundraising, 1869.
  • B12:F14: Restricted: Questionnaire to establish patter of heredity in blindness, 1853
    [Redacted access to information that does not contain personally identifiable information will made available only].
  • B12:F15: Handwritten copy of 1854 Early History of Printing for the Blind in America, by SGH, undated.
    [“Copied from the letter books of the Perkins Institution” by Anagnos.]

Box 13: SGH Personal Papers and Correspondence, 1870-1876, undated, and Samana Bay Co., Santo Domingo materials

  • B13:F1: SGH Personal Papers and Correspondence, 1870-1876, handwritten index, undated
  • B13:F2: SGH Personal Papers and Correspondence, 1870-1876
    • Letter from SGH to Mr. and Mrs. Hazard regarding their “insane” daughter Gertrude, 1871
    • Letter to SGH from George Finlay, from Athens, regarding Santo Domingo, government in Greece, 1871
    • Letter to Mrs. Knowlton [SGH’s one time secretary] about her ill health, 1872
    • Letter from SGH to Mr. May, regarding an argument Mr. May had with SGH’s clerk, 1872
    • Letter from SGH to Francis Joseph Campbell, 1874
    • Letter from SGH to [Downer], 1875 [with clipping]
    • Letter from SGH to Downer, asking help for SGH’s son-in-law, Hall, 1875
    • 2 copies of typewritten copy of SGH’s conversation with Sanborn, July 22, 1875.
      [Speaks of being in Paris and seeing James Fenimore Cooper, Lafayette, and regarding Dr. Fisher and decision to work for blind in 1831, 1875]
  • B13:F3: SGH Personal Papers and Correspondence, 1870-1876, Samana Bay, Santa Domingo, 1874
    • Letters from SGH to Dr. Blackwell, regarding Samana Bay Co. and a Mr. Spoffard. Dr. Blackwell was, in 1907, senior editor of Woman’s Journal
      [see clipping 1907, Boston Transcript in box about SGH, 1906-1910, 1874]
  • B13:F4-11
    • Letters and notes concerning Samana Bay including correspondence with Spoffard, Capt. Lowry, and a letter from SGH to Hamilton Fish, Secretary of State, USA, 1873-1874
    • 2 copies of SGH’s conversation with Sanborn, July 22, 1875.
      [Speaks of being in Paris and seeing James Fenimore Cooper, Lafayette, and about Dr. Fisher and decision to work for blind in 1831, 1875]
    • Proposal to annex Santo Domingo, defended with facts and figures, by unknown author (not in SGH’s handwriting)
  • B13:F12-14: Howe XXI, Personal Papers and Correspondence, no date
    • SGH “philosophical ramblings” on the senses—taste, smell, etc. of LB
    • Letter from SGH to Horace Mann “valuable and interesting copy of a letter written assumed from context to Horace Mann by Dr. Howe in his later life, in which he humbly points out that his  motivating force for which he had been acclaimed a “hero” etc., was ignorance of the course of events, an adventurous spirit and “selfishness”
    • SGH letter to unknown recipient about school year at Perkins in the early years, no date
    • Letter to mother of boy at Perkins about his possible withdrawal
    • Rough draft of letter about State Industrial School for Girls
  • B13:F15: SGH’s translation of Diderot’s “Letter on the Blind”
  • B13:F16: Letter to SGH from A. M. Symmes, unfated
  • B13:F17: Miscellaneous lists and documents

Box 14: Correspondence to SGH, 1838-1839

  • B14:F1: “A”
    • Ackerly, Benj.
    • Appleton, Sam M.,
    • Anid
    • Allston, John
    • Akerly, Samuel
    • Awl, Dr. William M.
  • B14:F2: “B”
    • Baldwin, A.
    • Ball, John
    • [Bartley], Roberts
    • Blagden, Rev. Mr.
    • Bower, B.
    • Bible Society House (British)
    • Bigelow, John P.
    • Briggs, E. N.
    • Bowditch, N. H.
    • Broad, Samford L.
    • Bumstead, J. F.
  • B14:F3: “C”
    • Combe, Geo
    • Cushing, J. P.
    • Curtis, Thos
    • Colson, C. H.
    • Coygesdoll, Joseph
    • Geo Cox & Co.
  • B14:F4: “D”
    • De la Sagna, [R.]
    • Dennison, A. L.
    • DeWitt, Archibald
    • Dunbar, Henry W.
  • B14:F5: “E”
    • Edwards, [Murry (Governor?)]
    • Everett, Edward (Governor of Massachusetts), see Pierce, Delano, M. D. 
  • B14:F6: “F”
    • Fearing (Physician)
    • Fearing, Mary
    • Fletcher, Richard
    • Friedlander, Julius R.
    • [Fusiche], Marshall
  • B14:F7: “G”
    • Gardener, O.
    • Girdler, Capt. R.
    • Gleason, Olive, see Pierce
    • Goff, Charles
    • Gold, Martha
    • Gutzlaff, Mary
  • B14:F8: “H”
    • Hall, Mr.
    • Harding, Jane
    • Hardwell, D.
  • B14:F9: “J”
    • Jeffries, John
  • B14:F10: “K”
    • Kimball, Caleb
  • B14:F11: “L”
    • Laurence, Abbott
    • Lovejoy, [Alia]
    • Lowe (Concert at Gloucester—financial info)
    • Lyon, G. P.
    • Lyon, Moses
  • B14:F12: “M”
    • [Messinga], D.
    • McKean, Jos M.
  • B14:F13: “N”
    • New York Institution for the Blind
    • Nelson, H.
  • B14:F14: “O”
    • Otis, H. G.
  • B14:F15: “P”
    • Patten, Isaac
    • Patten, [J./T.]
    • Penniman, A. W.
    • Pierce, Delano, M. D.
    • Pickering, John Esq.
    • Pijani, Pietro
    • Phillips
    • Phillips, T.
    • Plummer, Abigail
    • Plummer, Wm. S
  • B14:F16: “Perkins”, see also folder 25
    • Perkins, [Col. Thomas Handasyd]
    • Perkins, Dr. [A. M.?]
  • B14:F17: “Q”
    • Quincy, Josiah Jr.
  • B14:F18: “R”
    • Rhoads, Joshua
    • Robertson, Sarah
    • Rupele, G. R.
  • B14:F19: “S”
    • Sigourney, L. H.
    • Sallandet, T. H.
    • [Shaw], L.
    • Smith, Betsy, see Everett and Fearing
  • B14:F20: “T, U, V”
    • Tallant, Nancy
    • Tennery, Wm. [J]
    • Tenney, T. [A.]
    • [Thorn], James
    • Vose, Elijia
  • B14:F21: “W, X, Y, Z”
    • Weld, Theodore D.
    • Winthrop, Rob C.
    • Walton, John
    • John Whipple Debt Society
  • B14:F22: List of Annual Reports and other volumes in the Perkins “Blindiana” library
  • B14:F23: [Unreadable]
  • B14:F24: Mount Washington Sale
  • B14:F25: Copy of letter from Col. Perkins to H. G. Otis
  • B14:F26: From H. G. Otis to J. K. Mills
  • B14:F27: Fom Theodore Lyman to Osias Goodwin

Boxes 15 and 16: Greek Relief Committee materials, 1867

  • B15-16:F1-14: Correspondence about the Greek Relief Committee formerly bound in a volume. Letters have a brittle adhesive strip along one edge. Many of the letters are regarding donations of money.

Series 5: Photocopied research materials and In-Look Archives Survey Materials, 1980-2008

Box 17: Research Materials, and misc. 1990-2008

  • B17:F1: Archives Survey materials, 2002
  • B17:F2: Perkins’ history materials
  • B17:F3: “Silhouettes of Eminent Americans, 1839-1844”, by Andrew Oliver with pages on LB, Francis Lieber, Thomas Perkins, Oliver Caswell (deafblind)
  • B17:F4: Directors’ Memorial Exercises, 1992
  • B17:F5: Dickens’ Quarterly, “Charles Dickens and SGH”, 1991
  • B17:F6: SGH correspondence transcripts, American Printing House for the Blind, 1993
  • B17:F7: Letter of Introduction for SGH, American Embassy, France, 1831 (photocopy), with accession info, 2008
  • B17:F8: Photocopied research materials, letter from Fernald School to Ken Stuckey (research librarian at Perkins)

Series 6: Howe family materials, oversize materials, photographs, 3D objects

Box 18: Howe family materials

B18:F1-3: Howe family papers / Financial Info, Estate of Joseph N. Howe, Fr., SGH, Trustee, 1837-1868, bulk 1866

Box 19: Howe family materials

  • B19:F1-3: Misc. Howe Papers and Clippings, Howe family collection, clippings, 1911-1943
  • B19:F4: Howe family collection, correspondence: Julia Romana Anagnos, Maud Howe Elliot, Laura Howe Richards, H. H. Richards, 1880-1961
  • B19:F5: Howe family collection, writings: Maud Howe Elliot, Laura Howe Richards, Henry Marion Howe, 1922-1956
  • B19:F6: “History of the Fernald School”, Chapter by Laura E. Richards, 1940
  • B19:F7: “The Yellow House Papers. The Laura E. Richards Collection. An Inventory and Historical Analysis”, 1972

Box 20: Howe family materials donated by Howe family descendant

  • B20:F1: Accession letters, correspondence, 1988, 2010, 2011
  • B20:F2: “A Modern Hero”, article on SGH, Wide Awake, 1890
  • B20:F3: “Defects in the Education of American Girls”, article on JWH, The Chautauquan, 1888
  • B20:F4: Envelope identify textiles created by JWH
  • B20:F5: Ring created from Julia Romana Howe Anagnos and JWH heirlooms
  • B20:F6: Perkins’ First Family exhibit layout, 2012
On Exhibit

Note: These Howe family objects are in the Perkins’ First Family exhibit in the Perkins’ Museum  located in the Howe Building. Donated by Howe family descendants.

  • Bust of Samuel Gridley Howe, Plaster, undated
  • Plaster relief sculpture of Julia Ward Howe by F. Skipp, undated
  • Lace Cap. This cap was a signature accessory of Julia Ward Howe in her later years, and nearly every image of her portrays her wearing it. Donated by Howe family descendants.
  • Pistol, Inlaid flint-lock pistol that belonged to Samuel Gridley Howe, who fought in the Greek Revolution between 1824-1827
  • Majolica Lamp, undated
  • Metal Candlestick holder, undated
  • Metal Candelabra, undated

Box 21: Oversize materials, photographs, prints, posters, documents

  • Memorandum of Howe as Trustee in Account, circa 1853-1860
  • Laura Richards at 18, photographed mailed from The Horn Book to Nelson Coon, Perkins’ librarian in 1956
  • Resignation scroll of SGH from the Commonwealth of Mass Board of State Charities, 1875
  • Certificate of donation to the Howe Memorial Association (color poster)
  • Map to Mount Auburn Cemetery
  • “The Man Who Saved Millions from Pain” William Morton- surgical anesthesia, newspaper clipping The Sunday American, 1912
  • SGH manuscript, “for the works of a Dwelling House on Mount Washington, South Boston”, undated
  • SGH and the Poles, Columbian Centinel, 1832

Box 22: Oversize materials, Howe artifacts

  • Bible presented to Governor Taft Murdock by SGH in 1864, it was used by SGH for many years at Perkins when the school was located in South Boston.
  • Hall of Fame plaque, American Printing House for the Blind, Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field, SGH inducted 2002
  • Bowl- Import China that belonged to SGH and used by him before his marriage to JWH in 1843. Donated by Howe family descendants, 1984
  • SGH’s box containing seven straight razors. Each of the razors is inscribed with a  day of the week.
  • Diary of Samuel G. Howe, January- February, 1871. Kept during his visit to Santo Domingo as part of the Government Commission investigating annexation.

Box 23:

Howe family candlestick (1 of 2 – other on exhibit)

Box 24:

Howe family china, 11 small plates and 2 serving bowls, fruit motif with scalloped edges, labeled “832” on verso. Donated by Howe family descendants. 2013

Series 7: Books and bound materials

Note: Books, bound pamphlets, scrapbooks, notable by scarcity or provenance

  • “Letter Upon the Blind” by Diderot, translated by SGH and printed in Boston Line Type at Perkins, 1857
  • Dr. Howe’s Writings: “Mass. School for Idiotic and Feeble-Minded Youth”, Reports 1-28 (2 volumes)
  • Dr. Howe’s Writings: Perkins Institution for the Blind, Reports 1-44 (3 volumes)
  • Dr. Howe’s Writings: Pamphlets. Education and Deaf-Mutes
  • Dr. Howe’s Writings: Board of State Charities, Reports 2-10, 1866-1874
  • Dr. Howe’s Writings: Board of State Charities, Reports 2-9, 1866-1872
  • Dr. Howe’s Writings: “Miscellaneous”.
  • “Scraps”: Scraps Written at Sundry Times and On Divers [sic] Occasions by Samuel G Howe [Quondam Keigugyos] Vol. 1. Excerpts of published materials including annual reports. Front cover labeled M. Anagnos.
  • Newspaper scrapbook mostly about Greece and the Cretans
  • S. G. Howe “Education of the Blind”, N. E. Magazine, 1833 (3 copies)
  • Scrapbook: 100th Birthday of S. G. Howe (2 copies)
  • “Memoire of H. Perkins”
  • “The Cretan Refugees and Their American Helpers”, Dr. S. G. Howe
  • Bound volume of “The Cretan”, 1868-1869
  • “When I Was Your Age”, Laura E. Richards, 1894
  • “To Arms! Songs of the Great War”, Laura E. Richards, 1917
  • “Two Noble Lives”, Laura E. Richards, 1911 (2 copies)
  • “Memoir of Dr. Howe”, Julia Ward Howe, 1876
  • Mass. School for the Feeble Minded, Reports 1-40, 1846-1887 (2 copies)
  • “An Historical Sketch of the Greek Revolution”, 1828 (5 copies, one belonging to Florence Howe Hall)
  • “The Journals and Letters of Samuel Gridley Howe: The Greek Revolution” (Vol. 1), with notes and preface by F. B. Sanborn, 1906
  • “The Journals and Letters of Samuel Gridley Howe: The Servant of Humanity” (Vol. 2), with notes and preface by F. B. Sanborn, 1906 (2 copies)
  • “Life and Education of Laura Dewey Bridgman, The Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Girl”, Mary Swift Lamson, 1879 (2 copies)
  • “Notes on the United States of North America” Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, George Combe, 1841
  • “Samuel Gridley Howe”, Laura E. Richards, 1935 (2 copies)
  • “Stepping Westward: The Story of a Long Life”, Laura E. Richards, 1931
  • “Dreamers of the American Dream”, Steward H. Holbrook, 1957 (Waterhouse)
  • “Anatomical Observations on the Brain and Several Sense-Organs of the Blind Deaf-Mute Laura Dewey Bridgman” (bound photocopies)
  • Unknown publication with section on “Colonel T. H. Perkins, 1799-1820 (bound photocopies)
  • “Merchant Prince of Boston: Colonel T. H. Perkins, 1764-1854”, Carl Seaburg and Stanley Paterson, 1971
  • “Howe Genealogies”, Daniel Wait Howe and Gilman Bigelow Howe, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1929 (2 copies)
  • Gordon’s History of the Greek Revolution and Campaigns, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, 1844
  • “Recollections of Seventy Years”, F. B. Sanborn, 1909

Subject headings:

  • Perkins School for the Blind.
  • Perkins School for the Blind–History.
  • Howe, S.G. (Samuel Gridley), 1801-1876.
  • Howe, Julia Ward, 1819-1910.
  • Sanborn, F. B. (Franklin Benjamin), 1831-1917
  • Bridgman, Laura Dewey, 1829-1889
  • People who are deafblind–Education
  • Anagnos, Julia R. (Julia Romana Howe), 1844-1886
  • Elliott, Maud Howe, 1854-1948
  • Richards, Laura Elizabeth Howe, 1850-1943

Explore more resources from the Archives

Learn more about our collections, including digitized materials, and resources related to the history of Perkins School for the Blind and the history of education for people with blindness or deafblindness.