The Winterthur Library

The Winterthur Library

The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum

5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, Delaware 19735

Telephone: 302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

Creator: McNary family

Title: Papers

Dates: 1791-1910

Call No.: Col. 28

Acc. No.: 77x644

Quantity: 0.4 cu. ft. (1 box)

Location: 16 A 3

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

This branch of the McNary family resided or had contacts in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania, with Springfield, Mass. as a focus of their activity. Margarette McNary Spencer and Martha A. McNary both wrote poetry, at least some of which was published in newspapers.

Samuel McNary (1768-1815) married Martha Beach (1766-1815) in Middletown, Connecticut, in 1791. Samuel died in Somers, Tolland County, Connecticut, in 1815. Their children were Martin, Samuel (1793-1860), Isaac (1802-1860, married Polly, who died 1877), Sarah, Martha, Margarette (1809-1886; married James Spencer [1815-1888]), and John.

The son Samuel McNary (1793-1860) married Aurelia Butler (1798-1882; daughter of Anna Easton and John Butler). Their children were Elizabeth (1823-1891; married Joseph Lyman Chandler), James Martin Beach (1827-1908; married Abbie Spencer Clark), Martha Ann (1835-1918; married Joshua Newell Oviatt), and Samuel Rutledge (1829-1883; married Sarah Adelaide Preston [1832-1894]). This family lived in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Aurelia Butler, who married Samuel McNary (1793-1860) was the youngest child of Anna Easton and John Butler. Her siblings included Anna (1779-1848), Lemuel (1781-1872), William (1782-1868), Katherine (born 1784; not mentioned in this collection), Harriet (discrepancy in dates; born 1786; or 1794-circa 1832), James Chandler (1788-1821), Charles Frederick (born 1790), and John Bartlett (1793-1870).

Martha Ann McNary and her husband Joshua Newell Oviatt (1832-1915) moved to New Britain, Connecticut, where he established the newspaper New Britain Record. Newell Oviatt may have been associated with Elihu Burritt through the printing business, as well as in church; Oviatt was a deacon of the Congregational Church. Martha Ann and Newell had two children, Annie McNary and Edward Mason. Newell was the son of Catherine Mason and John Oviatt.

Elihu Burritt (1810-1879) is the subject of a Wikipedia article. He lived in New Britain, Hartford County, Connecticut, and was known for his promotion of pacifism. He was a lecturer and author, and often was called “The Learned Blacksmith,” because as a young man, he worked as a blacksmith.

SCOPE AND CONTENT

Contains a variety of documents, though mostly letters and poems. The collection gives insights into personal and family matters, shows relationships between the McNary family and the Butler family, and reveals facets of American political and educational life during the 1800s. Most of the letters contain greetings to and updates regarding distant family members. Samuel McNary's 1853 appointment to the Springfield, Massachusetts, school committee is included; as is an invitation to an inaugural ball for William Henry Harrison in 1841; also, a form letter reply from New York Governor Theodore Roosevelt. Legal papers include a quitclaim deed, probate papers, and letters of appointment. A letter (undelivered?) and poem "To Charles Dickens" is also included. The collection also includes two copies of "The Springfield Musket" from December 1864, apparently an ephemeral newspaper printed for distribution at a fair in that city.

The collection includes an account book kept by an unknown milliner in 1850. Blank pages in the volume were used by M. McNary Spencer for writing poems. The milliner sold bonnets, hats, ribbons, buttons, and lace. Among the school-related items are an invitation to the Springfield High School alumni meeting of 1855 and a pale turquoise ribbon stamped with a picture of the school, the dates 1848-1855, and the word “Alumna.” Printed eulogies to the memory of Elihu Burritt (died 1879) and James C. Butler (killed during a militia exercise in 1821) are found. In addition to her poems, there are a number of compositions written by Martha A. McNary, including tributes to her pets. An undated (but probably late 19^th century) inventory of the estate of Sarah A. McNary of Hartford, Connecticut, is a room-by-room listing of furniture, carpets, table wares, and other household goods.

ORGANIZATION

The items are in accession number order, not chronological order.

PROVENANCE

Gift of Mrs. Roberta E. Townsend, Cheyney, Pennsylvania.

ACCESS POINTS

People:

Butler family.

Butler, James Chandler, 1788-1821.

Butler, John Bartlett, 1793-1870 - Family.

Peabody, William Bourne Oliver, 1799-1847.

McNary, Isaac, 1802-1860 - Estate.

Burritt, Elihu, 1810-1879.

Spencer, Margarette McNary, 1809-1886.

McNary, Martha A. (Martha Ann McNary Oviatt), 1835-1918.

McNary, S. Rutledge (Samuel Rutledge), 1829-1883.

McNary, Sarah Adelaide Preston, 1832-1894 - Estate.

Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870 - Appreciation.

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919.

Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841 - Inauguration, 1841.

Topics:

Family – Correspondence.

Women poets.

Ribbons.

Millinery.

Inventories of decedents’ estates – Connecticut – Hartford.

Springfield (Mass.) – Schools.

United States - History - Civil War, 1861-1865 - War Work.

Poems.

Newspapers.

Letters.

Account books.

Clippings.

Deeds.

Eulogies.

Invitations.

Lists.

Wills.

Essays.

Copybooks.

Added title:

The Springfield musket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

Location: 16 A 3

.1 Family register, Samuel and Martha Beach McNary, married November 10, 1791; with engraving of “Father Time” at top. [missing October 1989]

.2 Bill, E. & J. Clark to Samuel McNary, Somers, [Conn.], November 10, 1821. Items listed are “to sell or return,” and include books (short titles listed), toys (not itemized), writing materials, etc.

.3 Account, Infant School (Summer, Fall, and Winter Terms), recording expenses of maintaining the school, n.p., n.d.

.4 List of names, obviously of townspeople, for the use of the "Com. of. School District, No. 11, n.p, n.d. “Colored” people are listed separately.

.5 Deed, Calvin Shattuck, armorer, to Samuel McNary, armorer, for a parcel of land lying in Springfield, Massachusetts, May 23, 1823. Printed form.

.6 Letter, John B. Butler, New York, N.Y., July 25, 1813, to mother Anna Butler, Hartford, Connecticut. Has not written since elopement because did not know what to write. Sends respects to family members – Harriet, Aurelia, and Lemuel.

[family records only list John’s 1821 marriage to Catherine Selina Gazzam, so it is not known what this elopement might be, unless he is referring to his decision to join the army]

.7 Letter, John B. Butler, Pittsburgh, September 24, 1819, to brother Lemuel Butler, East Hartford, Connecticut. Informing brother that their father had died; John will inform Charles and William and Lemuel must use discretion with Mother. Inside is a note from Eliza Butler, East Hartford, to Aurela [i.e. Aurelia] Butler, Springfield, Massachusetts, informing Aurelia of death of her father and her brother James.

[John B. Butler (1792-1870) was a soldier and editor-publisher of Pittsburgh Statesman.]

.8 Letter, John B. Butler, Pittsburgh, May 19, 1835, to Samuel McNary, Springfield, Mass. Sends family news and mentions his newspaper the Statesman

.9 Letter, Joseph Ingraham, City Clerk’s Office, Springfield, [Mass.], December 26, 1853, to Samuel McNary. Informing McNary that he has been chosen a member of the school committee. Paper is embossed with the seal of the city of Springfield.

.10 Letter, Caroline M. Welch, Somers, [Connecticut,] March 4, 1850, to Miss Margaret McNary, Somers. With sad thoughts of leaving school and friend.

.11 Letter, Chls. F. Butler, Verona, [New York,] September 16, 1873, to Mrs. Caroline A. Armatage, Bedford, West Chester Co., N.Y., care of Seth Lyon. Wants her to buy overshoes; don’t visit Anna unless someone else goes as well;

[Charles Frederick Butler became a minister in the Congregational Church; Caroline Butler (Mrs. Fletcher Armatage) was apparently a daughter or granddaughter.]

.12 Letter, Elihu Burritt to Mr. Oviatt, August 17, 1875. Asking him to lead the meeting in the Cherry Street Chapel, n.p.,

.13 Letter, Elihu Burritt to Mr. Oviatt, November 22, 1875. Asking him to lead the meeting in the Cherry Street Chapel, n.p.,

.14 Letter, Eliza P. B. [Butler] to Mr. Samuel McNary, Springfield, Mass., n.d. Family news.

.15 Letter, Consuelo to Miss McNary, n.p., n.d. Spiritual in content, possibly one from an admirer of Miss McNary's poetry. Conseuelo’s signature is decorated with a drawing of a fairy or angel.

.16 Letter, M. McNary, Brooklyn, Long Island, to "My Dear, No Our Dear Dickens," April 24th. Family arguing other whether she should be writing Mr. Dickens, but she wants to thank him for the pleasure his books have given her. With enclosure of a poem, "To Charles Dickens," n.d. (Most of the poem appears at the end of the letter as well.)

.17 Letter (or speech), "Preceptor to Pupils," signed by S. McNary, n.p., n.d. A teacher’s farewell speech to his students.

.18 Account book, unidentified milliner, n.p., 1850-1851. With poetry entered in front of and at end of volume.

.19 Bill, J, P. Haynes to Mrs. J. Spencer, Hartford, Connecticut, April 19, 1883. For food, soap, tea, coffee, and garden seeds, including "5 can Lobster - 16 ea. - 80." On back: two verses of poetry and a note about lengths of fabric.

.20 “An Address, in Rememberance of James C. Butler, deceased, late a member of the Philomathean Society, delivered before the Society, Sept. 12, 1821, by Alex. Brackenridge.” Printed eulogy.

James C. Butler was 32 when he was killed during a militia exercise, leaving behind a widow, Jerusha McKinney, and four children.

.21 another copy of the address above, printed on thinner paper, in larger print, and without a decorative border.

.22 Printed invitation to Samuel McNary, his wife and daughter, to the Harrison Inauguration Ball, Springfield, [Mass.,] issued February 10, 1841, ball to be held March 4. Honorary managers and acting managers are listed. The invitation is decorated with a portrait of General William Henry Harrison and a vignette of soldiers and a farmer outside a log cabin, with a barrel of hard cider nearby.

.23 printed “Order of Services at the Dedication of the Monument, erected in the Cemetery at Springfield, to the memory of Rev. W.B.O. Peabody, D.D., September 29, 1861.”

.24 printed letter, Mr. Trumbull, Secretary of State, Hartford, Conn., July 1, 1862, to James M.B. McNary. Informing McNary he has been appointed a state director of the state bank.

.25 The Springfield Musket, Thursday, Dec. 22, 1864 Apparently the notice on page 4 about Mrs. Stepandgether is about a McNary. This publication was published at the fair for the Soldier’s Rest.

.26 The Springfield Musket, Friday, Dec. 23, 1864.

.27 Circular letter, S. Rutledge McNary, Hartford, Connecticut, attorney for the estate of Isaac McNary, late of Enfield, Connecticut, to Mrs. E. A.B. Chandler, Springfield, Mass., June 6, 1878. Enclosing $242.59 as share from estate; with detail of expenses on second page.

[Elizabeth Chandler was the daughter of Aurelia Butler and Samuel McNary and the sister of S. Rutledge McNary. Her brother Isaac was a manufacturer in Enfield, and died in 1860. His wife was named Polly, and she died in 1877.]

.28 Letter, Theodore Roosevelt, State of New York, Executive Chamber, Albany, to J.M.B. McNary, Union League Club, Brooklyn, N.Y., April 26, 1899. Regarding McNary’s communication in reference to the Druggists Shorter Hours bill.

.29 Ticket, Memorial Exercises at Fairview Cemetery, Burritt Centennial, n.p., May 10, 1910.

.30 Post card, with poem "To Burritt," commemorating Elihu Burritt, New Britain, Connecticut, 1810-1879, n.p., n.d.

.31 Page from book, "Report of Acting School Visitor,” with names of graduates listed for Classes of '87-'89., n.p., n.d.

.32a-bbb Poetry and other writings (manuscripts), Margarette McNary Spencer, n.p., n..d.

.33a-yyy Poetry (printed), Margarette McNary Spencer, n.p., n.d. Primarily newspaper and religious magazine clippings, some of which are noted. Some poems are pasted into a small notebook which was first used as a diary.

.34a-e A printed notice of the meeting of the high school alumni, Springfield, [Mass.,] June 1, 1855; a ticket to the annual meeting of the high school alumni association, June 20, 1855; a blue silk ribbon printed 1848-1855, Alumna, with picture of school building; an envelope addressed to Martha McNary, Springfield.; and an invitation to the annual meeting of the high school alumni association, June 20, 1855, with a picture of the high school building (same picture as on the ribbon).

.35a-e poetry and compositions by Martha A. McNary, ca.1849-1855.

.36 Letter, John B. Butler, Pittsburgh, September 22, 1857, to sisters Harriet and Aurelia McNary, Springfield, Mass. Enclosing a photograph which Adaline insisted he should send them; he doesn’t care for photos.

.37 Letter, John B. Butler, Watertown Arsenal, July 10, 1865, to sister Aurelia McNary, Springfield, Mass. Has enjoyed visit to Watertown Arsenal (near Boston); will leave soon to pick her up for their trip to Hartford, Conn.

.38 Partial letter, John B. Butler, to his mother, n.p., n d. Plans to leave soon for Cincinnati. Submits list of names and locations of some of his relatives..

.39 Will, S. Rutledge McNary, Hartford, Connecticut, October 28, 1873.

.40 Deed (quitclaim), James M. B. McNary to Elizabeth A. Chandler, New York, N. Y., June 21, 1882. Concerning a piece of property in Springfield, Mass.

.41 Inventory Schedule B, estate of Sarah A. McNary, Hartford, Connecticut, n.d. Room-by-room inventory, with values.

[Sarah A. Preston McNary was the wife of S. Rutledge McNary. She died in 1894.]

.42 Will (manuscript copy), E. A. B. McNary Chandler, n.p., who died June 21, 1891. Although the document is headed “will,” it is not a copy of her will. It lists her assets, expenses associated with settling her estate, and deposition of some of her assets.

.43 Genealogy, “My Family,” a list of members of the Butler family, n.p., n.d.

.44a-j Poem to Aunt Betsy, "Notes of a minister" and “Whim Whams of an Old Man.” Assorted poems and compositions.

[no number] typescript of a letter from Margarette McNary Spencer, Collinsville, Oct. 28, 1865, to Julia Bulkeley, [Brooklyn]. Reached home safely; enclosing a copy of the poem “The Crone” and an original sonnet; am sending funeral sermon to Mary; other news. Included with letter is a typescript of “The Crone” and identifications of the people mentioned in the letter