Series I: Correspondence, 1767–1982, inclusive
Language of Materials
Scope and Content Note
Series I consists of two subseries. The bulk of the materials is from the Bowers Family and were written during the nineteenth century. There are also materials from the Bowers's extended family.
Subseries I.A: Bowers Family Correspondence, 1767–1982, undated, inclusive
Scope and Content
Subseries A consists of correspondence to and from the Bowers family. The bulk of this correspondence is from the nineteenth century, but some date back to the late eighteenth century and as far forward as the late twentieth century. Most of this correspondence deals with day-to-day family matters. Because there were a number of letters to Margaretta Bowers and Martha S. Bowers, their correspondence is separated. The rest of the correspondence is placed in general correspondence and arranged chronologically.
General Correspondence, 1767–1798, inclusive
General Correspondence, 1801–1839, inclusive
Correspondence to Margaretta M.S. Bowers, 1803–1841, inclusive
Correspondence to Martha S. Bowers, 1839–1874, inclusive
General Correspondence, 1841–1894, inclusive
General Correspondence, 1901–1982, inclusive
General Correspondence, undated
Subseries I.B: Other Family Correspondence, 1808–1938, inclusive
Scope and Content
Subseries B consists of correspondence specifically to and from the Stewart and Smith families. Martha Wilson and her cousins Alexander L. Stewart and Charles S. Stewart make up the entirety of the Stewart family correspondence. The Smith family section consists mainly of correspondence from Roy Smith's efforts to gather genealogical information about his family.