Harvey Harris Bloom papers

The papers of Harvey Harris Bloom consist of a journal, short writings, and a few letters. Included are fourteen letters written by Bloom to his brother John and three others to relatives and friends, between 1857 and 1862, while he was teaching at an academy in Millington, New Jersey, and then attending Yale College. The letters contain news of family and friends and describe social events, and contain advice to his brother about school and thoughts on God and nature. One letter to John (1860 Nov 7) concerns Lincoln's election; one to a cousin (1861 Apr 22) describes a massive Union rally in New York City.

The first volume of Bloom's journal covers the period August-December, 1853, while he was at school, and contains meditations on life, education, and friendship, as well as notes on Bloom's activities. The other volume relates in some detail his first journey to Millington in December of 1855 and his return in January of 1857 via Monmouth, New Jersey. Entries for the intervening period consist of brief essays on such subjects as human mortality.

Short writings by Bloom make up the balance of the collection. These include disputations and essays on topics of current politics, education, and so forth, some written while Bloom was at Yale; meditations on faith and religion, including a declaration of his intent to consecrate himself to the service of God; several short gothic stories, poetry, and a few other items. Also in the collection is a deed of Levi and Mary Talmage to Mrs. Jabez Goodell for land in Parma, New York, dating 1819.