Hamlin Family Papers

The Hamlin family papers consist primarily of the personal, political and business papers of Hannibal Hamlin, his sons Charles, Cyrus, Hannibal E., and Frank Hamlin, Charles Hamlin's son, Charles E. Hamlin and his wife, Myra Sawyer Hamlin, and their daughter, Louise Hamlin. The collection also includes papers of Hannibal Hamlin's brother, Elijah L. Hamlin and his son, Augustus C. Hamlin, as well as photographs, and materials about other family members.

The papers of Hannibal Hamlin and his descendants were acquired by Fogler Library in a series of gifts from Louise Hamlin in 1963-1965. A few materials were also purchased as they became available. The papers of Elijah L. Hamlin and Augustus C. Hamlin were acquired as a gift from Mrs. Elinor Hamlin Waid, wife of Jesse E. Waid, Esq. in 1965. A portion of the collection, mostly the correspondence of Hannibal Hamlin, was microfilmed by Columbia University in the 1960's; this microfilm is also available at Fogler Library (Microfilm H181). At some point after the collection's arrival at the Library, a detailed card index to a majority of the correspondence was prepared by Library staff. The index lists each letter alphabetically by surname of sender; a brief synopsis of the content of many letters is also provided. In addition, a chronological index is available for the years 1800 through 1866.

The collection is arranged in eleven series: I. Papers of Hannibal Hamlin; II. Papers of Ellen Emery Hamlin; III. Papers of Charles Hamlin; IV. Papers of Cyrus Hamlin; V. Papers of Hannibal E. and Frank Hamlin; VI. Papers of Charles E. Hamlin; VII. Papers of Myra Sawyer Hamlin and Louise Hamlin; VIII. Hamlin family photographs; IX. Papers of Elijah L. Hamlin; X. Papers of Augustus Choate Hamlin; and XI. Ancillary materials. Some of the series have several sub-series.

The series outline and description which follows lists the major types of papers to be found in each series and sub-series.

Series Outline and Description

Series I: Papers of Hannibal Hamlin

Subseries 1: Correspondence

The largest sub-series, correspondence, is a mixture of political and personal and begins with incoming letters, 1840's-1891. Correspondents include James G. Blaine, Jacob Brinkerhoff, Salmon P. Chase, Neal Dow, William Pitt Fessenden, Preston King, Thomas B. Reed, William H. Seward, and Israel Washburn, Jr. The correspondence also includes many letters from Hamlin's father-in-law, Stephen Emery, and his son, Charles Hamlin, who was actively involved in his father's business affairs.

The sub-series also includes outgoing correspondence from Hannibal Hamlin, 1828-1891. Hamlin kept no copies of his own letters, but in planning a biography of his father in 1886, Charles Hamlin appealed to recipients of his father's letters to send them to him. The letters included here are those received from that appeal. Considerable correspondence from Hannibal Hamlin can also be found in the papers of Ellen Hamlin, Charles Hamlin and Elijah Hamlin.

Subseries 2: Writings and speeches

This sub-series opens with a few articles written by Hannibal Hamlin, followed by his speeches, both manuscript and printed, arranged in chronological order. The speeches were given during his political life in both Maine and Washington. A few speeches of other politicians are also included here.

Subseries 3: Financial and legal records

This small sub-series contains a daybook, 1833-1849, documents outlining Hamlin's financial and property holdings, bills and receipts, and a copy of his will, 1878.

Subseries 4: Political life

This very small sub-series contains a few notes and lists compiled by Hamlin, some political flyers, and newspaper clippings.

Subseries 5: Records as Collector of Customs

The records included here document Hamlin's brief tenure as Collector of Customs at the port of Boston, and include his commission, 1865, various papers of those seeking positions in the office, and letters and reminiscences about Hamlin's resignation from the post.

Subseries 6: Records as Minister to Spain

Included in this sub-series are letters of appointment to the post, 1881, Hamlin's presentation address, calling cards of various dignitaries, and correspondence, 1882.

Subseries 7: Memorabilia

This sub-series, a mixture of political and personal, includes various tributes to Hamlin, invitations, membership cards, calling cards, Hamlin's writing set and a blotter fragment from his desk.

Subseries 8: Books from library of Hannibal Hamlin

Many books stamped "Library of Hannibal Hamlin" were included with the collection. They are found in this sub-series, arranged alphabetically by author. Many date from the early part of the 19th century and have a strong religious or political tone.

Subseries 9: Materials relating to the death of Hannibal Hamlin

Although Hamlin had been retired from public service for almost ten years, his death in 1891 was the occasion for a great many newspaper articles and resolutions honoring his life. Those materials are gathered in this sub-series.

Subseries 10: Articles and books about Hannibal Hamlin

This sub-series contains a few articles and newspaper clippings written about Hamlin during his lifetime. The majority, however, were written after his death, some on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth, others on the dedication of his statue in Bangor in 1927. A Bible presented to Bangor Theological Seminary in 1908 by Ellen Hamlin in honor of Hannibal Hamlin is also included here.

The Special Collections Department at Fogler Library also holds a Spanish vargueno owned by Hannibal Hamlin and a bronze bust of Hamlin, both items given by his descendants.

Series II: Papers of Ellen Emery Hamlin

Subseries 1: Correspondence

This sub-series makes up the largest section of Ellen Hamlin's papers. For the convenience of the user, letters to her from Hannibal Hamlin, 1856-1891, are presented first. He wrote to her often during his frequent absences from home; the letters talk mostly of personal matters, but also outline Hamlin's activities and his frequent desire to return to Maine and his family.

This section of the collection also contains Ellen Hamlin's personal correspondence, 1841-1920, most of it from members of the Emery and Hamlin families or from family friends. More than two hundred letters of condolence on the death of Hannibal Hamlin can also be found here. A small section of correspondence from Ellen Hamlin, 1881-1882, is also included.

Subseries 2: Personal and financial records

Included here are school papers, diaries, and a date book. Also included are a cashbook and account book, plus receipts, 1881-1882, for items purchased in Paris. Ellen Hamlin's scrapbook of obituaries of Hannibal Hamlin is also contained in this section.

Series III: Papers of Charles Hamlin

Subseries 1: Correspondence

Charles Hamlin received letters from his father frequently while the elder Hamlin was away from home. Covering both personal matters and business affairs, this correspondence began while Charles was a student at Bowdoin and continued throughout Hannibal Hamlin's long political career. These letters, 1853-1889, from father to son are arranged first in this sub-series. They are followed by general correspondence to Charles Hamlin, 1853-1911. Included here are personal letters to Charles while at Bowdoin, letters to Charles and Sarah Hamlin from their son, Charles E. Hamlin while away at college, letters from fellow Civil War veterans, business correspondence, etc. A folder of correspondence to Sarah Hamlin, 1855-1911, mostly from her husband and sons, is also included here. A small amount of Charles Hamlin's outgoing business correspondence, much of it from 1904, forms part of this sub-series.

Subseries 2: Bowdoin College material

Charles Hamlin was a student at Bowdoin from 1853 to 1857. Materials from his study there include bills and receipts for expenses, class notebooks of problems, and lecture notes. Also included is a scrapbook he maintained which contains photographs and autographs of classmates, programs, and memorabilia.

Subseries 3: Financial records

This small sub-series contains account books and ledgers, 1857-1910, insurance papers, bills and receipts, and copies of promissory notes, all relating to Charles Hamlin's various business ventures.

Subseries 4: Business records

Charles Hamlin practiced law in Bangor for most of his life and also served as Reporter of Decisions for many years. The records in this sub-series reflect that involvement as well as some of his business ventures. Included are materials involving the legal affairs of his sister, Sarah Hamlin Batchelder, deeds and receipts for family land holdings in the Dakota Territory, accounts and correspondence relating to Charles Hamlin's part-ownership of the ship "Challenger," and correspondence of the Blanchard Slate Mining Company, 1891-1905, of which Charles Hamlin was president and treasurer. Researchers interested in the Blanchard Slate Mining Company should also consult the Stetson Family Papers (MS 480) which contain records for that company as well.

Subseries 5: Miscellaneous personal papers

This sub-series contains records of the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association and the Maine Gettysburg Commission, including by-laws, reports of committees, correspondence, bills and receipts, drafts of reports to appear in the Commission's book, reminiscences and accounts of the battle at Gettysburg, and newspaper clippings about the commemoration of the battle.

The sub-series also contains copies of speeches given by Charles Hamlin on various occasions, reports and documents, including a company descriptive book and a company clothing register, from his service in the Civil War, scrapbooks he maintained of anecdotes and reminiscences about his father, as well as newspaper clippings at the time of his death in 1891. Two scrapbooks of clippings, 1896-1911, on politics, local history, public affairs, etc., are also included. The sub-series ends with obituaries and eulogies at the death of Charles Hamlin in 1911, as well as documents about his estate.

Series IV: Papers of Cyrus Hamlin

This small series consists primarily of documents reflecting Cyrus Hamlin's service in the Civil War. It includes volunteer descriptive lists, 1861-1863, giving payment and clothing issued to soldiers in various regiments in which Cyrus Hamlin served, general and special orders, payment received, and correspondence, 1864-1865. It also contains a folder of condolences on the death of Hamlin in 1867.

Series V: Papers of Hannibal E. Hamlin and Frank Hamlin

The papers of Hannibal Hamlin's youngest sons are arranged in one small series. Of particular interest are letters written to them either separately or together by their father when they were children or young men. Also included are small amounts of general incoming correspondence, much of it from their mother, diplomas and school papers, newspaper clippings about each, and memorabilia.

Series VI: Papers of Charles E. Hamlin

This series opens with incoming correspondence, 1885-1916, much of which deals with the publication of Charles E. Hamlin's biography of his grandfather in 1899. The series also contains school papers, a Harvard notebook, and exercises and letters from a correspondence course in playwriting, 1905-1906.

Much of the series is made up of chapter drafts and a manuscript copy of the text of the Life and Times of Hannibal Hamlin, published by Charles E. Hamlin in 1899. The series also contains draft copies and revisions of various plays and librettos written by Hamlin, including Geraldine, Nicolette, and others. Obituaries, eulogies, and information about the estate of Charles E. Hamlin complete this series.

Series VII: Papers of Myra Sawyer Hamlin and Louise Hamlin

The papers of Myra Hamlin include an essay she wrote entitled Recollections of my childhood in the 60's, as well as a journal of a European trip, 1873-1874. Also included is incoming correspondence, 1873-1914, much of it from Charles E. Hamlin, and correspondence of Myra Hamlin to Anna Hayford Peirce, 1896-1925. Some financial documents and newspaper clippings complete this part of the series.

The papers of Louise Hamlin include incoming correspondence, 1901-1911, as well as correspondence to Ada Peirce McCormick, 1902-1975. Also included are papers, lectures and exercises from Louise Hamlin's course of study at the Pratt Institute Library School, 1908-1909.

Series VIII: Hamlin family photographs

The series begins with photographs and illustrations of Hannibal Hamlin, arranged chronologically, followed by photographs of Hamlin family homes. Also included are photographs of the Hamlin children and grandchildren. A series of cartes de visite of politicians, perhaps belonging to Hannibal Hamlin, and a series portraying actors and musicians, perhaps belonging to Charles E. Hamlin, finishes out the series.

Series IX: Papers of Elijah L. Hamlin

This series opens with a folder of correspondence, 1844-1866, to Elijah Hamlin from his brother, Hannibal Hamlin. A small section of general correspondence, 1836-1859, as well as various personal account books, 1820-1864, follows. The bulk of the series consists of correspondence and other documents from Elijah Hamlin's tenure with the U.S. Fishery Commission. Correspondence of Commissioners G.G. Cushman, 1855-1858, and John Hubbard, 1859-1860, is also included. Correspondents include Canadian Commissioners John Hamilton Gray, Joseph Howe and Moses H. Perley, as well as U.S. Surveyor Richard Cutts.

Series X: Papers of Augustus Choate Hamlin

This series contains correspondence, hospital inspection reports, mortality statistics, orders and circulars from Augustus Hamlin's work as a surgeon and medical inspector during the Civil War. It includes reports and recommendations on conditions in Union hospitals in Washington, D.C. and Nashville, Tennessee. It also includes medical notes on a variety of subjects and notes from Hamlin's European medical studies.

Series XI: Ancillary materials

This series contains scattered documents of various other members of the Hamlin family, as well as items from the Emery family. It also contains correspondence, 1830-1844, between Dixey W. Thompson and his wife, Sarah Purinton Thompson of Topsham, Maine. The Thompsons were the parents of Sarah Thompson Hamlin, Charles Hamlin's wife. Dixey W. Thompson was a sea captain and the correspondence deals primarily with his sea voyages; also included are family financial accounts and wills. The series ends with miscellaneous material not clearly associated with any one person.