Abigail Belden Whelpley papers
Call Number
Date
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
The collection primarily consists of manuscripts written by the Protestant author Abigail Belden Whelpley in the mid-1800s, including prose and poetry pieces most prominently on Christian thought and scripture, contemporary social issues, and the godliness of the natural world. Whelpley's writings also include commentary on the Civil War, the Temperance Society, and international affairs. Additionally, the papers contain correspondence and ephemera, including documents that concern Whelpley's father and son.
Biographical / Historical
Abigail Belden Whelpley was born in Hartford, Connecticut on 19 June 1817, to parents Rev. William Belden and Abigail Frances Hatch. Whelpley lived in New York City with her parents for most of her life, though she later moved to New Jersey and then Massachusetts to live with her brother and nephew. In 1841 she married Rev. Samuel Waldo Whelpley, who came from a family of clergymen similar to hers, and gave birth to her first and only son, Henry Belden Whelpley, in 1842. Though she spent some time working as a housekeeper, Abigail Belden Whelpley spent most of her time writing and contributing to various periodicals, including The Christian Family Annual, The Family Circle and Parlor Annual, and Youth's Parlor Annual. She died in 1880, and is buried in Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery.
Arrangement
The collection largely retains its original order as received at purchase by N-YHS, contained in one document box. The folders are arranged with book chapters first, followed by essays, articles, short stories, and then poetry, with miscellaneous fragments and drafts completing the section on Whelpley's writings. The collection ends with correspondence and ephemera, which are organized chronologically within their folders when applicable. Folder labels are Whelpley's given document titles unless in brackets, in which case there was no title for the given documents and the folder label was devised by the processing archivist.
Scope and Contents
The collection primarily consists of manuscripts written by the Protestant author Abigail Belden Whelpley in the mid-1800s. The manuscripts include book chapters, articles, essays, and poems on a variety of topics, most prominently Christian thought and scripture, contemporary social issues, and the godliness of the natural world. Whelpley's writings also include commentary on the Civil War, the Temperance Society, and international affairs. Additionally, the papers contain correspondence, primarily between Abigail's son, Henry Belden Whelpley, and his cousin, William Belden, who was involved in the stock market crash of 1869, and ephemera, including documents from the early 1800s.
Subjects
Genres
Topics
Access Restrictions
Open to qualified researchers.
Use Restrictions
This collection is owned by the New-York Historical Society. The copyright law of the United States governs the making of photocopies and protects unpublished materials as well as published materials. Unpublished materials created before January 1, 1978 cannot be quoted in publication without permission of the copyright holder.
Preferred Citation
This collection should be cited as the Abigail Belden Whelpley papers, MS 3067, New-York Historical Society.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchase, March 2017.
About this Guide
Processing Information
The collection was processed by archival intern Zora Arum in 2018.
Repository
View Inventory
[Untitled Book], Vol. VI, Undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Contains draft of Chapters 23-26 of book of moral allegories and spiritual teachings written by Whelpley, labeled "Vol. VI" by the author. Chapter titles are "The Search," "Repentance," "The Sabbath," and "The Theatre."
[Untitled Book], Vol. VII, Undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Contains Chapters 27-32 of book of moral allegories and spiritual teachings written by Whelpley, labeled "Vol. VII" by the author. Chapter titles are "Ruling Powers. King Puff," "King Humbug," "King Alcohol," "King Money," "King Fashion. Bishops," and "King Fashion Continued. Beards."
"A few hints to young ladies upon mental cultivation in connexion with some branches of scientific and artistic study", Undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Essay on the benefits of experiential, lifelong, and extensive education for young women.
"Mr. Charles Dickens (Boz)", [1840s?]
Scope and Contents
A biting critique of Dickens and his work.
[Essay on Scripture and Contemporary Politics], 1861, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Essay discussing the relationship between Christian spirituality and the social/labor revolutions of the mid to late 1800s. Includes thoughts on the Paris Commune, Karl Marx, and other contemporary figures and movements.
"A little learning is a dangerous thing", Undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Essay on remembering human ignorance in the face of holy omnipotence in order to inspire humility.
"Some thoughts in connexion with the capabilities of the African race", Undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Very short assessment of the achievements of the people of the African continent.
"An Address delivered to the Female Benevolent Society, Waterville, Oneida County, N.Y.", 1842, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Speech on Christian scripture.
[Pro-Temperance Society Essay], Undated, inclusive
"The Christian Church divided into diverse sects a beautiful and useful arrangement", Undated, inclusive
"Music", Undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Two copies of essay on the godliness of music and Creation.
"Parental Duty", Undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Labeled "original" by the author.
"Have the Courts of the United States a right to determine that the Laws of the Union are unconstitutional?", Undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Essay against judicial review.
[Essay on Popular Literature], Undated, inclusive
"Meditations on God and the Scriptures", Undated
"Popery Inconsistent with the Safety of A Free People", Undated, inclusive
"Sabbath", Undated
Scope and Contents
Essay on the sanctity of the Sabbath and in support of "Blue Laws" that prohibit certain forms of work on Sundays.
"Our Emotional Nature", Undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Essay on the holiness of the emotions with which God has endowed humankind, especially love.
"Letter of a Mother to her son just entering upon the active duties of life", Undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Advice for active citizenship and maintaining a strong moral character.
"Guilt loves company", Undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Short parable signed, "an observer," and labeled by the author, "For the Religious Inquirer."
"The way to do good", Undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Two copies of a parable about a young girl asking a matronly figure moral questions.
"The length of the War not without some advantages", circa 1865, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Essay on the benefits of the Civil War lasting four years.
"Bell, Book And Candle", Undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Poem exploring a variety of themes, including the diversity of Christian beliefs.
[Poem on General Pegram's Death], circa 1844?, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Poem about General James West Pegram's death in the 1844 Lucy Walker steamboat explosion.
[Poem on Losing a Loved One], 1838, inclusive
[Epic Poem About Darius Mede], Undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Rhyming allegorical poem with scriptural and classical references.
"David A Scripture Poem", Undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Two copies of epic poem on King David, with many references to 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel from the Old Testament of the Bible and a dedication to God.
[Writings on Native Americans in Connecticut], circa 1860, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Research on the history and contemporary state of the Native American population in Kent, Connecticut. Includes research on the descendants of the Pequot and Schaghticoke tribes.
[Misc. Fragments and Drafts] (Folder 1 of 3), 1863, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes poetry and prose fragments on Christian scripture, nature, and personal anecdotes. Also contains a pro-Union piece on the victory at Gettysburg, written on 4 July 1863, and a peculiar piece on a free menagerie, perhaps an early zoo.
[Misc. Fragments and Drafts] (2 folders of 3), 1859, 1864, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes poetry and prose fragments on Christian scripture, nature, classic literature, and personal anecdotes.
[Correspondence] (Folder 1 of 2), 1917-1921, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Correspondence to Abigail Whelpley's son, Henry Belden Whelpley, from his cousin, William Belden, who was involved in the "Black Friday" stock market crash that resulted from James Fisk, Jay Gould, and Belden's attempt to corner the gold market in 1869 (though this is not a subject of the correspondence). Contains the last letters Belden wrote before his death, and letters from his wife, Anna, to settle Belden's affairs after the fact.
[Correspondence] (Folder 2 of 2), 1871-1921, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes various miscellaneous pieces of correspondence and personal financial documents, including a letter to Henry Belden Whelpley from Fanny Harrod (James Fisk's wife's lover), an invitation to Henry Belden Whelpley's wedding, a letter to Henry Belden Whelpley from the former Attorney General of New Jersey, Robert Gilchrist, Jr., and other communications to and from various members of the Belden family.
[Ephemera and Print Matter], 1846-1852, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes illustrations of holy relics, painted flowers, a flower-engraved book cover, and copies of Protestant periodicals such as two copies of the 1846 edition of the North American Protestant or Anti-Jesuit Magazine, three copies of The Family Circle and Parlor Annual from 1845-1847, with Abigail Belden Whelpley's published work inside, and the cover of an 1852 edition of The Ladies Wreath: A Magazine.
[Legal Documents] (Folder 1 of 2), 1807, 1826, inclusive
Scope and Contents
1807 certificate of William Belden's status as a freeman of Danbury, having taken the freeman's oath, and a contract for William Belden's 1826 land purchase for land in Witton, Fairfield County, Connecticut.
[Legal Documents] (Folder 2 of 2), 1824, inclusive
Scope and Contents
William Belden's oversized warranty deed / indenture for property in the Seventh Ward of New York City.