Scope and Contents
Most of the letters included in the papers were written by Theodore to his wife, a few by her to her parents. The plan apparently was to make a formal Journal to cover his war experiences. He wrote frequently and fully to Ellen and she copied the letters, slightly edited, into the Journal. The existing letters, however, cover only a part of the war period; gaps in the account are filled by entries from the Journal.
The Alfred mentioned by Ellen was her younger brother. Theodore mentions his sister Julia, and his brothers Louis, Charlie, and Frank. The Olmsteds in East Hartford were life-long friends. The word "contraband" refers to escaped slaves. (Margaret Owen, 1978).
Dates
- 1846-1910
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
The materials are open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection are in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use. Copyright status for other collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Margaret Owen, 1978.
Extent
0.5 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Catalog Record
A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog
Persistent URL
Abstract
The most significant part of the papers consists of the correspondence of Holmes and his wife, Ellen Holmes, between 1863 and 1865 during his service as chaplain in the 1st Connecticut Cavalry. Also in the papers are correspondence, minutes of meetings and resolutions relating to church affairs, 1859-1893.
Biographical / Historical
Theodore James Holmes was born in Utica, New York, April 26, 1833, the son of Sylvanus and Elizabeth Hoyt Holmes. He graduated from Yale College in 1853, taught for three years in the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb in Hartford, and then entered Union Theological Seminary. After graduation in 1859 he went to a mission church in Richmond, Vermont, and in 1861 was called to the Congregational Church in East Hartford, Connecticut. In the same year he married Ellen Louisa Goldsmith, who was born in Little Compton, Rhode Island, December 26, 1841, the daughter of Reverend Alfred and Sarah Merrill Goldsmith. In 1863 Theodore was granted a leave of absence to enlist in the Union forces and was commissioned Chaplain in the 1st Connecticut Cavalry and served until his resignation in 1865. He returned to East Hartford where he remained until 1873. He later held pastorates in Brooklyn, Baltimore, Newton Center, Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and finally returned to Richmond, Vermont for the last few years of his active ministry. He died in Concord, New Hampshire in 1906. (Margaret Owen, donor, 1978).
- Title
- Guide to the Theodore James Holmes Papers
- Status
- Under Revision
- Author
- compiled by Marguerite S. Witkop
- Date
- September 1978
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Created In Accordance With Manuscripts And Archives Processing Manual
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository
Yale University Library
P.O. Box 208240
New Haven CT 06520-8240 US
(203) 432-1735
(203) 432-7441 (Fax)
beinecke.library@yale.edu
Location
Sterling Memorial Library
Room 147
120 High Street
New Haven, CT 06511