Collection Overview
John G. Whittier
Bruce E. Graver collection on John G. Whittier
1831-1890
5 box(es) (10.0 linear feet)
The collection is comprised of a series of letters composed by John G. Whittier, 19th century newspapers, and various publications of his poetry and writings.
Providence College
Phillips Memorial Library
Providence, RI 02918-0001
rppc_whittier
The records are in English.
Biographical InformationThe son of two devout Quakers, John Greenleaf Whittier was born and raised on the family farm on December 17, 1807, in Haverhill, Massachusetts. His first published poem, "The Exile's Departure," was published in William Lloyd Garrison's
Newburyport Free Press in 1826. At Garrison's urging, Whittier attended Haverhill Academy from 1827 to 1828, while supporting himself as a shoemaker and schoolteacher.
A Quaker devoted to social causes and reform, Whittier worked passionately for a series of abolitionist newspapers and magazines. In Boston, he edited the
American Manufacturer and the Essex Gazette before becoming editor of the New England Weekly Review. Whittier was also active in his support of National Republican candidates; he was a delegate in 1831 to the national Republican Convention in support of Henry Clay, and he himself ran unsuccessfully for Congress the following year.
His first book, "Legends of New England in Prose and Verse", was published in 1831. For the next thirty years until the Civil War, Whittier wrote essays and articles as well as poems that were concerned with abolition. In 1833 he wrote "Justice and Expedience" urging immediate abolition. In 1834 he was elected as a Whig for one term to the Massachusetts legislature. The folowing year he was mobbed and stoned in Concord, New Hampshire, for his beliefs. In 1836 Whittier moved to Amesbury, Massachusetts where he worked for the American Anti-Slavery Society. Later while working as the as editor of the
Pennsylvania Freeman, in May 1838, the paper's offices were burned to the ground and sacked during the destruction of Pennsylvania Hall by a mob.
Whittier helped to establish the antislavery Liberty party in 1840 and ran for the U.S. Congress in 1842. In the mid-1850s he helped form the Republican party, supported the presidential candidacy of John C. Frémont in 1856, and helped to found the
Atlantic Monthly in 1857.
The Civil War inspired the famous poem, "Barbara Frietchie," but with slavery abolished in 1865 Whittier turned his attention to topics of religion, nature, and rural life. His his most popular work, Snow-Bound (1866) sold 20,000 copies, enough to leave Whittier and his extended family without financial need.
In the early 1880s, he formed close friendships with Sarah Orne Jewett (1849–1909) and Annie Fields (1834-1915), both well-known New England authors. For his seventieth birthday dinner in 1877, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Mark Twain, Oliver Wendell Holmes, James Russell Lowell, and William Dean Howells were in attendance. While Whittier's critics often considered him to be just an average poet, they thought him a nobel and kind man whose verse gave unique expression to ideas they valued. Whittier passed away at Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, on September 7, 1892.
Biographical Timeline
1807
Born December 17 in Haverhill, Massachusetts, on the farm remembered in “Snow-Bound,” to John and Abigail Hussey Whittier, the second of four children. The Whittiers came to New England in 1638 and the first Whittier had, in his old age, personally built the house in which Whittier was born.
1814-1815
Begins to attend the short winter terms of the district school.
1821
One of his teachers introduces him to the poetry of Burns and he begins to write verses himself.
1826
William Lloyd Garrison, publishes Whittier's "The Exile’s Departure," and encourages Whittier to get an education and develop his literary talents.
1826-1827
Whittier publishes more than eighty poems in local newspapers.
1829
Supports himself by shoemaking and school teaching for two terms at Haverhill Academy while completing his formal education.
1830
Edits the Boston weekly newspaper, The American Manufacturer, a position obtained for him by Garrison.
1830-1832
Edits the Essex Gazette (Haverhill), a less prestigious position which enables him to live at home. His father dies.
Edits the New England Review in Hartford for some eighteen months. Nervous and physical exhaustion force his resignation and he returns to the farm.
Publishes "Legends of New England", his first book.
1833
Whittier is elected to the state convention of the National Republican party and unsuccessfully seeks office as a Whig.
Urged by Garrison, joins the Anti-Slavery party and is a delegate to the first meeting of the American Anti-Slavery Convention.
Begins to write Abolitionist verses and publishes "Justice and Expediency", a powerful anti-slavery tract.
1835
Elected to the Massachusetts legislature. Continues to live at home and oversee the management of the farm. Edits the Haverhill Gazette.
1836
Sells the farm and moves with his mother and sisters to nearby Amesbury, where he continues to live until his last years.
1837
Works actively for the Abolitionist cause in New York and Philadelphia. Publishes Abolitionist verse, "Poems Written during the Progress of the Abolition Question in the United States".
1838
Publishes the first authorized collection of his poetry, "Poems". Edits the Pennsylvania Freeman.
1839
Breaks with Garrison over the issue of Abolitionist tactics and helps to found the Liberty party.
1840
Resigns the editorship of the Pennsylvania Freeman in ill health and returns home for good.
Begins his gradual withdrawal from political activism.
Publishes "Lays of My Home" suggesting the renewal of his early interest in regional and historic subjects for his verse.
Edits the Middlesex Standard in Lowell.
Publishes "Voices of Freedom".
Becomes a corresponding editor of the National Era, which serves as the chief outlet for his poetry and prose for the next decade. Publishes "Super-Naturalism in New-England", which Hawthorne after reviewing the volume finds deficient in imagination.
Publishes "Margaret Smith’s Journal".
Publishes "Songs of Labor", "Poetical Works", and "Old Portraits and Modern Sketches". During the 1850’s writes many of his best poems, including "Telling the Bees," "Skipper Ireson’s Ride," and "The Double-Headed Snake of Newbury".
Persuades Charles Sumner to run for the Senate. After Sumner’s election, the shift of Whittier’s poetic energies from the political to the personal and legendary becomes still more pronounced.
1857
With the founding of the Atlantic Monthly, Whittier gains a wide reading public in the company of the period’s most respected authors. His Mother passes away.
1860
Publishes "Home Ballads". His sister Mary dies.
1864
His sister Elizabeth dies. A niece, also named Elizabeth, moves into the Amesbury home to look after him. With the Emancipation Proclamation and the Union victory in the Civil War, Whittier believes the cause of freedom has been won and that he may turn his writting to other topics.
1866
"Snow-Bound", his masterpiece, is an immense popular success and gives him financial security for the first time.
1867
"The Tent on the Beach", and "Other Poems" signals Whittier's decision to "lay aside grave themes, and idly turn / The leaves of memory’s sketch-book". Writes an increasing number of religious and devotional poems.
1870
Publishes "Ballads of New England".
1872
"The Pennsylvania Pilgrim, and Other Poems", containing "The Brewing of Soma" the final stanzas of which, beginning "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind," have become Whittier’s best-known hymn.
1886
Harvard grants him an honorary LL.D., an acknowledgment that this "uneducated farm boy" and one-time "radical" reformer belonged in the company of Harvard-educated Emerson, Lowell, and Holmes and Bowdoin-educated, Harvard-associated Longfellow.
1888-1889
Houghton Mifflin Co., publishes a definitive edition of his poetry and prose in seven volumes.
1890
Privately prints his last book, "At Sundown".
1892
Passes away on September 7 at Hampton Falls, New Hampshire and is buried in the family plot in Amesbury, where in his boyhood his family had regularly attended Friend’s Meeting.
Scope and Content NoteThe collection contains personal correspondence, newspapers containing various poems and writings by Whittier, souvenir programs, cabinet cards, sheet music, autographs, an auction catalog of Whittier's personal book collection. Additional materials include ephemeral, such as flyers and news clippings, along with memorial service materials commemorating Whittier's passing.
ArrangementThe collection is arranged in three series.
Series list
- Correspondence
- Subject files
- Newspapers
Index Terms
Researchers wishing to find materials related to this collection should search the HELIN catalog with these index terms -- View the catalog record for this collection.
Whittier, John Greenleaf, 1807-1892
Poets, American -- 19th century
Abolitionists -- United States
Quakers -- United States
Open for research.
Acquisitions InformationThe collection was donated to Providence College in May 2010 by Bruce E. Graver of Rhode Island.
Custodial HistoryPrior to Providence College's acquisition of this collection, Bruce E. Graver devoted over twenty years to collecting signed correspondence, newspapers containing poems by Whittier, and books published by Whittier before donating his collection to Providence College.
Preferred CitationBruce E. Graver collection on John G. Whittier, Providence College, Phillips Memorial Library, Special and Archival Collections
Processing InformationThe collection was processed in June 2010 by the Special Collections staff of Phillips Memorial Library.
Some materials may be restricted. For further information contact Special and Archival Collections, Phillips Memorial Library, Providence College.
Terms governing use and reproduction: Photocopying and scanning of materials is a fee based service available in the repository and is allowed at the discretion of the Librarian of Special and Archival Collections when in compliance to the College's policy on copyright and publication.
Researchers are advised that express written permission to reproduce, quote, or otherwise publish any portion or extract from this collection must be obtained from the Providence College Phillips Memorial Library. Although Providence College has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Certain restrictions may be imposed to protect the confidentiality of living individuals.
Digital Images
This finding aid includes links to digital images of some or all of the collection. The images presented here are provided as historical resources in support of study and research.
The digital images linked to this finding aid may be used for educational and scholarly purposes, but any such use requires that the preferred citation is included with that use. For commercial use contact Special and Archival Collections, Phillips Memorial Library, Providence College.
The books that are part of this collection are cataloged separately and can be found in the Library's catalog by using the search term PC Whittier
Inventory
Correspondence
1860-1890
(26 folders)
letters (correspondence)
Scope and Content NoteThis series contains correspondence with a variety persons Whittier had cause to be in contact with during the course of his life.
ArrangementThis series is arranged alphabetically
1
1
Adderman, Mrs.1890 Oct 15Thank you note.
1
2
Dana, Richard Henry1869 Mar 5Regarding Dana's recent tribute to Edward Everett.
1
3
Getchele, Emily1868 Sep 14Thank you note.
1
4
Gillingham, Mary E.1884 Feb 4Thank you note.
1
5
Larcom, Lucyca. 1890Whittier discusses his current affairs and state of health.
1
6
Larcom, LucyNov 5Thank you note.
1
7
Murray, L. E.1888 Jan 9Note discussing an encyclopedia entry on Whittier's birth date.
1
8
Newman, A. A.1887 Mar 23Thank you note.
1
9
Pickard, Elizabeth (Lizzie)1870 May 11Whittier describes a trip he took to New York.
1
10
Pickard, Elizabeth (Lizzie)Mar 16Whitttier informing his niece, Lizzie, of his intention of staying at Amesbury due to a cold.
1
11
Pickard, Elizabeth (Lizzie)undatedPart of a letter from Whittier regarding a photograph.
1
12
Poland, Mary L.1886 Dec 19Thank you note.
1
13
Poland, Mary L.undatedContains five lines of Whittier's poetry.
1
14
Sargent, Mary1875 Dec 5Whittier sends his regrets for missing a meeting of the Radical Club.
1
15
Scudder, S. H., Higgenson, T. W. & Chubbrick, I.1886 Feb 23Whittier responds to an invitation to the Decennial Anniversary of the Appalachian Club.
1
16
Stewart, Jr., George1877 Feb 21See Whittier's Prose Works, vol. I - This item is tipped into the front cover page.
Stewart was a Canadian journalist and editor of the
New Dominion.
1
17
Stewart, Jr., George1878 Nov 16See Whittier's Prose Works, vol. II - This item is tipped into the front cover page.
Thank you note.
1
18
Tilton, Theodore1861 Jul 19Regarding the publication of one of Whittier's poems.
1
19
Underwood, Hannah E.1870 Oct 8Thank you note.
1
20
Unidentified correspondent1860 Jun 1Discusses Italian politics.
1
21
Unidentified correspondent1881 May 20Thank you note.
1
22
Unidentified correspondent1882 May 8Discusses a picture of Mr. [Gerten].
1
23
Unidentified correspondent1886 Nov 21Discusses the American political landscape.
1
24
Unidentified correspondent188[6] Jun 15Discusses one of Whittier's poems
1
25
Walker, A.1881 Feb 26Reponding to a request made by Walker.
1
26
Whipple, Edwin P.1879 Jun 27Discusses an article on Charles Sumner by Whipple.
1
27
Whipple, Edwin P.1880 Feb 26Invitation note to Whipple to vist Whittier in Danvers, Ma.
1
28
Whipple, Edwin P.1881 Mar 8Discusses Whipple's review of one of Whittier's poems.
Subject files
1840-1909
(35 folders)
clippings (information artifacts)
cabinet photographs
autographs (manuscripts)
souvenir programs
sheet music
manuscripts for publication
publications
auction catalogs
Scope and Content NoteThis series contains a variety of materials relating to Whittier's writings and his life not found elsewhere within the collection.
ArrangementThis series is arranged by topic.
1
29
John G. Whittier autographs1861-1888
1
30
Souvenir of Lexington1875
Prints Whittier's poem "Lexington, 1775" along with the Order of Exercises in Lexington on
April 19, 1875, the centenary of the battle, when the poem was read aloud.
1
31
Order of Exercises, 100th Anniversary: Battle of Lexington1875 Apr 10Contains "Lexington - 1775" by Whittier and "April 19th, 1875" by Julia Ward Howe.
1
32
"Will Whittier's fame survive?" - The Literary Digest1907 Dec 28
1
33
"Deficiencies in our history, An Address delivered before the Vermont Historical and Antiquarian Society at Montpelier, October 16, 1846" by James Davie Butler1846Presents "Song of the Vermonters" as an authenic historical document without crediting Whittier.
1
34
"Essays from Reviews" - George Stewart1892
1
35
"At the Piano: Verses with a Whittier Prelude" by Elizabeth Hume.undatedContains a poem about a Moskowski piano piece.
1
36
Catalog No. 152, Library of John G. whittier - Books, autographs, and original manuscripts1903
1
37
Transcribed manuscript of poems for "Lays of my home"1841
1
38
"A Sabbath Scene" by John Greenleaf Whittier1854
1
39
"Moll Pitcher & The Minstrel Girl" by John Greenleaf Whittier1840
1
40
"The Supernaturalism of New England" by John Greenleaf Whittier1847
1
41
"Stranger in Lowell" by John Greenleaf Whittier1845
1
42
Excerpts from Snow-Bound, A winter idyl - J.G. Whittier (reprint)ca. 1950Soft-bound illustrated Christmas card ca. 1950s.
1
43
"Agricultural Exhibition. Order of Exercises in the Congregational Church, Amesbury"1858 Sep 28Contains first printing of an Ode, renamed "A Song of Harvest" and collected in
Home Ballads,1860.
1
44
"Proceedings at the Presentation of a Portrait of John Greenleaf Whittier to Friend's School, Providence, RI"1884 Oct 24Now known as Moses Brown School, Whittier's cousin, Gertrude Whittier Cartland and her husband
were principals of the school in the 1850s.
1
45
"Whittier's earliest poems, 1825-1826. Never before printed", by Samuel Pickard1906No. 147 of 500 copies. Contains the first printing of "Lafayette" and a reprint of
"Lines on the Death of Alexander I, Emperor of Russia".
1
46
"Whittier's home at Amesbury. A detailed account of souvenirs of the poet it contains for the use of Visitors, to whom this house is freely open", by Samuel T. Pickard1909
1
47
"The Branded Hand", by John Greenleaf Whittierca. 1845Issue No. 9 of the
The Anti-Slavery Bugle, published in Salem, Ohio.
2
1
Glass encased portrait of J.G. Whittierundated
2
2
Glass negative of J.G. Whittierca. 1890
2
3
Manuscript journal of poems collected by Elizabeth (Lizzie) Whittier1866-1867
2
4
In Memoriam - John Greenleaf Whittier1892 Sep 9Order of exercises for a Whittier memorial service held at
New Hampshire Female College Conference Seminary, Tilton, NH.
2
5
Centenary clippings of J.G. Whittier's birth1907
2
6
Engraved Memorial Service Invitation - Citizens of Amesbury, MA1892 Dec 17
2
7
"In Memoriam John G. Whittier" - Rev. Dewitt S. Clark1892 Sep 11Sermon preached by Clark on September 11, 1892 at the Tabernacle Church, Salem, MA.
2
8
Obituary notices - J.G. Whittier1892 Sep
2
9
Mr. Mead's Sermon of the death of Col. Whittier1808
2
10
News clippingsundated
2
11
J.G. Whittier cabinet cards1866, undated
2
12
First day of issue Whittier stamp envolope1940 Feb 16
2
13
Sheet music - "The Corn Song" by J.G. WhittierundatedLyrics from Whittier's poem "The Huskers", published in
Songs of Labor.
2
14
Sheet music - "The Dark Eye Has Left Us - Song of Indian Women" by J.G. Whittier1843Earliest known musical setting of a Whittier poem by the Scottish tenor William Dempter.
See box 3
2
15
Sheet music - "Little Eva; Uncle Tom's Gaurdian Angel" by J.G. Whittier1852Musical setting of Whittier poem used as promotioal advertizing for
Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel,
Uncle Tom's Cabin.
See box 3
2
16
Sheet music - "The Negro Boatmen. Songs and Chorus." Words by J.G. Whittierundated
See box 3
Newspapers
1829-1892
3 box(es)
newspapers
Scope and Content NoteThis series is comprised of 19th century newspapers that Whittier either edited, namely
The National Era or had poems published in. Whittier served as Corresponding Editor for The National Era, an abolitionist newspaper published in Washington, D.C., and frequently contributed articles and poems to the paper. Additionally, issues of The National Era carry writings by Harriet Beecher Stowe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Grace Greenwood, and Celia Thaxter. Phoebe Cary is represented in the Philadelphia Album.
ArrangementThis series is arranged chronologically within each newspaper title.
3
The Hartford Times1830 Jul 12
Reprint of "The Indian's Tale" from
The Essex Gazette.
3
The New York Times1837 May 25
3
Pennsylvania Inquirer and Daily Courier1840 Apr 22Contains extracts of "Moll Pitcher and the Minstrel Girl".
3
New York Daily Tribune1845 Aug 4Contains a notice of Massachusetts celebration of West Indian Emancipation and a notice
regarding Captain Jonathan Walker whose story is the basis of "The Branded Hand".
3
The Independent1859 Dec 22Contains initial publication of "Brown of Osawatomie" and a letter by from Italy by Harriet Beecher Stowe.
3
The Independent1888 Nov 29Contains "At Deer Island on the Merrimac".
4
The National Era1848 Nov 30Contains initial publication of "The Wish of Today", dated 20th 11th Month 1848.
4
The National Era1849 Jun 21
4
The National Era1849 Jun 28
4
The National Era1849 Jul 5Contains "Sketches of Modern Reforms and Reformers, in Great Britain and Ireland"
by Harriet Beecher Stowe.
4
The National Era1849 Jul 12Contains second installment of "Sketches of Modern Reforms and Reformers, in Great Britain
and Ireland" by Harriet Beecher Stowe.
4
The National Era1849 Jul 26Contains fourth installment of "Sketches of Modern Reforms and Reformers, in Great Britain
and Ireland" by Harriet Beecher Stowe.
4
The National Era1849 Aug 2Contains fifth installment of "Sketches of Modern Reforms and Reformers, in Great Britain
and Ireland" by Harriet Beecher Stowe.
4
The National Era1849 Aug 9
4
The National Era1849 Aug 23Contains sixth installment of "Sketches of Modern Reforms and Reformers, in Great Britain
and Ireland" by Harriet Beecher Stowe.
4
The National Era1849 Aug 30Contains seventh installment of "Sketches of Modern Reforms and Reformers, in Great Britain
and Ireland" by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Also letters from "Grace Greenwood", and a poem by Phoebe Cary.
4
The National Era1849 Sep 6Contains eighth installment of "Sketches of Modern Reforms and Reformers, in Great Britain
and Ireland" by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Also letters from "Grace Greenwood", and a poem by Phoebe Cary.
4
The National Era1849 Sep 13Contains an unnumbered installment of "Sketches of Modern Reforms and Reformers, in Great Britain
and Ireland" by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Also a poem by Phoebe Cary.
4
The National Era1849 Sep 20Contains an unnumbered installment of "Sketches of Modern Reforms and Reformers, in Great Britain
and Ireland" by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Also initial publication of "The Calaf in Boston".
4
The National Era1850 Jan 24Contains letters from Grace Greenwood and initial publication of "The Great Stone Face"
by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
4
The National Era1850 Mar 28
4
The National Era1850 May 30Contains initial publication of "The Hill-Top". Also a brief obituary of William Wordsworth who passed
away on April 23, 1850.
4
The National Era1850 Aug 15
4
The National Era1855 Aug 9
4
The National Era1855 Aug 23
4
The National Era1855 Nov 1Contains the poem "Autumn Leaves" by Lucy Larcom.
5
Philadelphia Album and Ladies' Gazette1829 Mar 4Contains initial publication of "Take Back the Bowl".
5
Philadelphia Album and Ladies' Gazette1829 Jul 1Contains initial publication of "Spirit of Pestilence".
5
Philadelphia Album and Ladies' Gazette1829 Aug 5Contains reprint of "To a Lady" (Currier's Version B) from the
Essex Gazette, February 14, 1829.
5
Philadelphia Album and Ladies' Gazette1830 Jan 9Contains initial publication of "To______". The first three stanzas of this poem originally appeared
in the
Essex Gazette.
5
Philadelphia Album and Ladies' Gazette1830 Apr 17Contains reprint eassy "Life" from the
Essex Gazette, April 3, 1830.
5
Philadelphia Album and Ladies' Gazette1830 Apr 24Contains reprint of "The Unquiet Sleeper" from the
Essex Gazette, April 10, 1830.
5
Philadelphia Album and Ladies' Gazette1830 May 1Contains reprint of "The Murdered Lady" from the
Essex Gazette, April 17, 1830. Also publishes "New England Legends".
5
Philadelphia Album and Ladies' Gazette1830 Jun 12Contains reprint of "Spirit of Pestilence" from July 1, 1829.
5
Philadelphia Album and Ladies' Gazette1830 Jul 3Contains reprint of "The Forsaken" from the earlier published unsigned in
Essex Gazette, June 19, 1830.
5
Philadelphia Album and Ladies' Gazette1830 Jul 31Contains reprint of the short story "Henry St. Clair, A Prize Tale" from
The New York Amulet, July 1, 1830.
5
Philadelphia Album and Ladies' Gazette1830 Aug 28Contains reprint of "Christ in the Tempest" from
New England Weekly Review, August 16, 1830.
5
Philadelphia Album and Ladies' Gazette1830 Sep 11Contains reprint of "To the Memory of J.G.C. Brainard" from
New England Weekly Review, August 30, 1830.
5
Philadelphia Album and Ladies' Gazette1832 Mar 24Contains reprint of "The Demon Lady" from
Albany Literary Gazette.
5
The Independent1875 May 6Contains "Lexington--1775" and the poem "The Nesting Swallows" by Celia Thaxter.
5
The Independent1892 Apr 14The initial publication of "The Wind of March", dated Newburyport, Mass., March 4th, 1892.
5
The New Yorker1838 May 12Reprint of "Pentucket".
5
The New World1843 Occ 7Reprint of "The New Wife and Old".
5
The Illustrated London News1851 Mar 1
5
The Amesbury Daily1892 Sep 10Contains front page obituary for Whittier. See flat files.