Overview
Letters between members of the Greene and Appleton families, especially concerning John Singleton Copley Greene and his wife, Mary Anne Appleton Greene.
Dates
- Creation: 1844-1853
Language of Materials
Collection materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions on physical access to this material.
Extent
.3 linear feet (1 folder in 1 box)The letters are predominantly from John Singleton Copley Greene to various members of his first wife's family, though there are letters from his wife, Mary Anne Appleton Greene, to her family as well. Letters especially concern Mary Anne's illness (she is referred to as "Diamond" in the letters) and eventual death in 1852. Many letters are written by J.S.C. Greene as he and his family are sailing on their yacht the "Cygnet."
Biographical / Historical
Letters concern the Greene and Appleton families, both distinguished families of New England during the 19th century. The following individuals are prominent in this set of letters:
- John Singleton Copley Greene (1810-1872): Son of wealthy merchant Gardiner Greene (1753-1832) and Elizabeth Clarke Copley Greene (1770-1866). Gardiner Greene was the first president of the Boston branch of the United States Bank. He obtained an M.D. degree from Harvard in 1831, though he never practiced medicine. He is said to have led the life of a "playboy" until the death of his first wife, Mary Anne Appleton Greene, when he underwent a religious conversion. He eventually studied theology and served in the Christ Church ministry.
- Mary Anne Appleton Greene (b. ca. 1820-d.1852): Daughter of William Appleton (1786-1862), a shipping merchant based in Boston who later served as a Massachusetts congressman, and Mary Ann Cutler Appleton (b.ca. 1794). She was the first wife of John S.C. Greene.
- Sarah Elizabeth Appleton Lawrence (b.1822): Sister of Mary Anne Appleton Greene, and wife of Amos Adams Lawrence (1814-1886).
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Physical Location
b
Immediate Source of Acquisition
*93M-44. Gift of Henry Copley Greene, Cambridge, Mass.; received: 1941 Jan. 5. Transferred from Houghton Department of Printed Books, *41-2436F.
Processing Information
Processed by: Bonnie B. Salt
These letters were first cataloged in the Houghton Department of Printed Books. In August of 2003, they were recataloged.
- Title
- Green family. Greene-Appleton family letters: Guide.
- Author
- Houghton Library, Harvard College Library
- Language of description
- und
- EAD ID
- hou00204
Repository Details
Part of the Houghton Library Repository
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