Papers of the Tuttle family, 1895-1975 (inclusive), 1900-1953 (bulk)

The papers of the Tuttle family consist of diaries, correspondence, writings, and photographs. They are principally the personal papers of Frances Kemble (Davidson), Adoniram Judson Tuttle, and their children, Lucile Burdette and Stephen Davidson.

The diaries and journals (1v-37v) include information about Judson and Frances' wedding and first trip to Assam; the birth of their daughter Lucile; child care and education; friends and coworkers; India and its people; trips to Europe and the United States; missionary work; and Adoniram Judson Tuttle's illness and death. Biographical information includes vitae, passports, school records, obituaries, memorials, and clippings.

Series II, Correspondence, consists mainly of letters between husband and wife, parents and children, sister and brother.

Adoniram Judson Tuttle and Frances Davidson Tuttle wrote to their families in the United States regularly; in addition, some of Frances' private letters to her mother and sisters describe more intimate details of her life. When Adoniram Judson Tuttle travelled, he and Frances Davidson Tuttle wrote each other daily, and they sent weekly, sometimes daily, letters to the children after they had gone away to school. In most cases a carbon copy of general family letters was sent to each child or set of relatives, with more personal notes pencilled at the end. While away at school Lucile and Stephen wrote regularly to their parents and each other; Lucile's "regularly" was weekly, Stephen's monthly.

The letters of Adoniram Judson Tuttle and Frances Davidson Tuttle (#44-138) are arranged in one chronological sequence, with letters to each other, their children, and other family members interfiled. Because of the frequent separation of Adoniram Judson Tuttle and Frances Davidson Tuttle place names have been added to the folder descriptions. Letters to the Tuttles (#139-151) from their families, friends, and other missionaries are arranged separately at the end of sub-series II-A and include some business correspondence and letters of condolence at Adoniram Judson Tuttle's death.

The letters of Lucile Burdette Tuttle and Stephen Davidson Tuttle to their parents, each other, and relatives are arranged separately, except that their joint letters to their parents (1936-1939) are interfiled with Lucile Burdette Tuttle's correspondence. Lucile Burdette Tuttle's letters (#152-194) describe her school days, teaching experiences, and work in India. There are a few letters to Lucile Burdette Tuttle, including sympathy cards at her mother's death (#195-205). Stephen Davidson Tuttle's letters (#206-230) concern his school days, travel, music, and teaching positions. There are a few letters from relatives, others concerning research, and one folder about his estate.

Series III, Writings, contains sermons, articles, reports, talks, notebooks, and poetry.

Most of Adoniram Judson Tuttle's writings (#234v-246v) deal with missionary work and include a sermon on The Scriptural Basis of Mission; an historical sketch of the Gauhati Field; as well as notes for other sermons and addresses. The Assam Conference Reports, 1895-1938, include Adoniram Judson Tuttle's reports as secretary and treasurer of the Assam Baptist Conference.

Frances Davidson Tuttle's writings (#248-255) pertain to articles and talks on missionary life and India; there are many notes. There is one folder of poetry, some by Frances Davidson Tuttle, and a list of books read. Lucile Burdette Tuttle's writings (#258-266) are primarily notes for talks, along with some unpublished articles and stories. There are also reports on Adoniram Judson Tuttle's work at Mongoldai and her own work for the girls' hostel at Cotten College.

Stephen Davidson Tuttle's writings are meager, consisting of one musical score and some high school compositions.

Series IV, Photographs, consists mainly of snapshots of Assam, the Gauhati mission, and the Tuttle family as missionaries there; they are arranged in four sub-groups: Tuttle family, mission buildings and missionaries, albums, and Indians and India.

The Tuttles sent many of these pictures to family in the United States, annotating them on the reverse; most are undated. Of the relatives appearing in the pictures only Frances Davidson Tuttle's sisters are identified. The albums contain similar photographs, with some duplication; for the most part the photographs in them are neither identified nor dated.