James Family Papers and Sermons, 1808-1888

5 archives boxes (2.5 linear ft.)

Abstract:

Family correspondence and sermons documenting the family and career of William James as a Presbyterian minister in New York State.

Terms of Access and Use:

Restrictions on access:

There is no restriction on access to the William James papers for research use. Particularly fragile items are restricted for preservation purposes.

Restrictions on use:

Requests for permission to publish material from the Papers should be directed to the Archives and Special Collections. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights.

Amherst College Archives and Special Collections

Biographical Note

William James was born in 1797. He was a graduate of Princeton. He preached for a time at Clarkson, N.Y. and assumed the pastorate of the Brick Presbyterian Church, Rochester, N.Y., in 1826. He resigned in 1830 to go to the Third Presbyterian Church at Albany, N.Y., where he died Feb. 16, 1868, aged 71. Rev. James was the half-brother of the theological philosopher Henry James, Sr., and uncle of the philosopher William James and novelist Henry James. His daughter, Elizabeth Tillman James, married Julius Hawley Seelye (Amherst College Class of 1849) in 1854.

Scope and Contents of the Collection

Family correspondence and sermons documenting the family and career of William James as a Presbyterian minister in New York State.

This collection is organized into four series:

1. Correspondence
2. Miscellaneous
3. Sermons with Bible Locations
4. Fragmented Sermons by Subject

Information on Use

Terms of Access and Use

Restrictions on access:

There is no restriction on access to the William James papers for research use. Particularly fragile items are restricted for preservation purposes.

Restrictions on use:

Preferred Citation

Please use the following format when citing materials from this collection:

[Identification of item], in William James Papers [Box #, folder #], Amherst College Archives and Special Collections, Amherst College Library

History of the Collection

Processing Information

Finding Aid:

1970s; revised 2002

Additional Information

Contact Information

Amherst College Archives and Special Collections

Robert Frost Library
PO Box 5000
Amherst, MA 01002-5000

Phone: (413) 542-2299
Fax: (413) 542-2692

Email Reference Form: http://www.amherst.edu/library/archives/askus
URL: http://www.amherst.edu/library/archives

Language

English.

Sponsor

Encoding funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Contents List

Series 1: CORRESPONDENCE
Series 1, Correspondence, contains family letters. They are arranged first alphabetically by author's name and then chronologically. If the author of a letter cannot be determined, the letter is filed under the name of the recipient. Of particular interest in this series are the letters to and from the brothers and sisters of William James, which document the amputation of Henry James' (1811-1882) leg. Also of special interest are the letters from William James to Marcia Ames James, Catherine Barber James Prince and from Catherine Barber James Prince to Elizabeth Tillman James Seelye concerning mental health and its cures.
Unidentified fragments: 1 letter to "T'Anna" [Anna Hawley Seelye Emerson?] possibly from Elizabeth Tillman James Seelye; 1 religious poem;1 letter fragment	n.d.	Box 1: folder 1

Bixler, Elizabeth to Catherine B.J. Prince	[1883?]-1886	Box 1: folder 2

Blumenthal, Rosa to Catherine B. J. Prince	1877	Box 1: folder 3

Butler, John S. to Elizabeth R.J. Seelye	1864	Box 1: folder 3

Emerson, Anna Hawley Seelye - 33 pp. diary	N.D.	Box 1: folder 4

Holt, H.A. to Catherine B.J. Prince (1 letter); includes ANS, Martha Thatcher to C.B.J. Prince and AMS, Mary Lizzie Crawford to C.B.J. Prince	1876	Box 1: folder 5

Hotchkin, Fanny Page [?] to Elizabeth T.J. Seelye (7 letters); to William James Seelye (1 letter, 1862)	1862-1864	Box 1: folder 5

James, Augustus to William James (1 letter)	1828	Box 1: folder 6

James, Henry, Sr. (1811-1882) to William James (1 letter)	1835	Box 1: folder 6

James, Jannett to William James - includes A.N.S. from Mrs. E. Smith (1 letter)	1830	Box 1: folder 6

James, John B. to William James (1 letter)	1828	Box 1: folder 6

James, Marcia Lucretia Ames - to Rachel Ames (1 letter); to Jannett James (1 letter); to William James, includes ANS to Mrs. Law (3 letters); to Elizabeth T.J. Seelye includes A.N.S. to Catherine B.J. Prince to E.T.J. Seelye (1 letter)	1825-1863	Box 1: folder 7

James, William - to Mlle. Catherine B.J. Prince (1 letter); to Mlle. Anne B.J. Edwards, Catherine B.J. Prince and Elizabeth T.J. Seelye (1 letter); to Ezra Ames (father of M.L.A. James) (1 letter); to Mr. & Mrs. McClennahan (1 letter); to Anne McB. J. Edwards (1 letter)	1850-1865	Box 1: folder 8

James, William - to Henry James, Sr. (1811-1882) (4 letters); to Jannett James (1 letter)	1835-1865	Box 1: folder 9

James, William - to Marcia L.A. James (4 letters); to William James, Sr. (1 letter)	1820-1826	Box 1: folder 10

James, William - to Catherine B.J. Prince (7 letters)	1856-1867	Box 1: folder 11

James, William - to [Catherine?] Sedgwick (1 letter); to Elizabeth T.J. Seelye (1 letter); to Julius H. Seelye (1 letter)	1855-1863	Box 1: folder 12

James, William - to Sarah Seymour (3 letters)	1860-1862	Box 1: folder 13

Prince, Catherine Barber James - to William James (2 letters); to William Henry Prince (3 letters)	1850-1864	Box 1: folder 14

Prince, Catherine Barber - to Elizabeth T.J. Seelye, (15 letters); to Julius H. Seelye (2 letters); to William J. Seelye (2 poems and 3 letters)	1859-1865	Box 1: folder 15

[Unknown] to Catherine B.J. Prince, 2 letters	1848-1856	Box 1: folder 16

Prince, William Henry to Elizabeth T.J. Seelye (7 letters); to Julius Seelye (4 letters)	1860-1864	Box 1: folder 17

Roberts, Charles to Elizabeth T.J. Seelye (2 letters)	1868	Box 1: folder 18

Seelye, Elizabeth Tillman James to William James Seelye (1 letter)	1875	Box 1: folder 19

Seelye, Henry E. To Elizabeth T. J. Seelye (1 letter); to Julius H. Seelye (1 letter);	1852-1862	Box 1: folder 19

Seelye, Laurens Clarke to Julius Hawley and Elizabeth T.J. Seelye (1 letter);	1888	Box 1: folder 19

Seelye, Samuel to Julius H. Seelye (1 letter)	1862	Box 1: folder 19

Sen, Kashub Chunder to Mary Chamberlain (1 letter); to [unknown] (1 letter and 2 photos)	1875-1876	Box 1: folder 20

Shattuck, A.F. - to Julius H. Seelye (1 letter)	1868	Box 1: folder 20

Taylor, Chebad - to Sophia P. Humphrey (Mrs. Heman Humphrey) (1 letter);	1808	Box 1: folder 21

Warner, Margaret to Catherine B.J. Prince (1 letter)	[c. 1870]	Box 1: folder 22

Wilson, Julia A. to Elizabeth T.J. Seelye (3 letters)	1860-1861	Box 1: folder 22

Series 2: MISCELLANEOUS
Series 2, Miscellaneous, is very small but contains six copies of an engraving of Albany, New York circa 1847.
List of times awake/asleep of William James	[c. 1868]	Box 1: folder 23

News clippings [2]; religious brochure [2]	N.D.	Box 1: folder 24

Engraving of Albany, NY [6]	[c. 1847]	Box 1: folder 25

Series 3: SERMONS WITH BIBLE LOCATIONS
Series 3, Sermons, is organized by the passage in the Bible that is the subject of each sermon.
Deuteronomy 14.2 on chosen people, national responsibility - ca. 63 pp.			Box 1: folder 26

Psalms 46, on evils of natural constitution, social condition - ca. 25 pp.			Box 1: folder 27

Psalms 84.11 God is sun and shield, spiritual and eternal life - 2 pp.			Box 1: folder 28

Psalms 90.8-9 in conjunction with Hebrews 10.38 prayer of Moses the man of God, Israelites journey - ca. 36 pp.			Box 1: folder 29

Psalms 43.7 in conjunction with Proverbs 28.27 on giving to the poor - 5 pp.			Box 1: folder 30

Jeremiah 2.11 false gods and misplaced glory - 24 pp.			Box 1: folder 31

Micah 4.2-4 nations of world will learn the way of the Lord - 9 pp.			Box 1: folder 32

Matthew 5. 14-16 in conjunctions with Romans 13.8 -10 light of the world - ca. 43 pp.			Box 2: folder 1

Matthew 22.37 moral perfection, love of Lord with heart, mind and soul - ca. 59 pp.			Box 2: folder 2

Matthew 25.34-40 kingdom of Lord to those who believe in Christ, faith, and charity - ca. 26 pp.			Box 2: folder 3

Luke: 15.29-30 faithful son, lost son, killing of fatted calf - ca. 22 pp.			Box 2: folder 4

St. John 6.51 living bread from heaven, eat and live forever - ca. 17 pp.			Box 2: folder 5

Romans 1.16 be not ashamed of Gospel, power of God for salvation to believers - 7 pp.			Box 2: folder 6

Romans 1.28 sin, prevention, choice - 16 pp.			Box 2: folder 7

Romans 5.12 one man's sin passed onto all men - 7 pp.			Box 2: folder 8

Romans 6.1-7 justification of faith, sanctification -25 pp.			Box 2: folder 9

Romans 8.2 law of sin, law of spirit of life - ca. 45 pp.			Box 2: folder 10

Romans 8.13 live through spirit not flesh and mortify deeds of body. - 23 pp.			Box 2: folder 11

I Corinthians 1.22-23 Jews require a sign, Greeks wisdom - 24 pp.			Box 2: folder 12

I Corinthians 1.24 power and wisdom of God - 2 pp.			Box 2: folder 13

I Corinthians 2.1-4 manner necessary to make Gospel effectual - ca. 40 pp.			Box 2: folder 14

I Corinthians 9.24 sacrifices to promote Gospel - 15 pp.			Box 2: folder 15

I Corinthians 14. 20-21 cannot follow Lord and Devil both, reconciliation 5 pp.			Box 2: folder 16

II Corinthians 4.4 light of glory of God, darkness of World - 4 pp.			Box 2: folder 17

II Corinthians 5.20-21 reconciled to God, to be made the righteousness of God in him - 16 pp.			Box 2: folder 18

Galatians 2.20 die with the crucified Christ but lives because he lives in us - ca. 50 pp.			Box 2: folder 19

Ephesians 5 be followers of God, mystery of Christ and church - 9 pp.			Box 2: folder 20

Philippians 1.27 be one spirit, one mind striving for faith of Gospel - 28 pp.			Box 2: folder 21

Hebrews (1.11-12?) perseverance of believers - 20 pp.			Box 2: folder 22

Hebrews 3.12-14 evil heart of unbelief, confidence steadfast to end - 21 pp.			Box 2: folder 23

Hebrews 11.1 faith constant perseverance - 40 pp.			Box 2: folder 24

I John 3.2 sons of God, when He appears we will like Him - 15 pp.			Box 2: folder 25

I John 3.3 every man that hopes to God is purified - 5 pp.			Box 2: folder 26

I John 3.19-20 condemnation - 7 pp.			Box 2: folder 27

Series 4: SERMONS (SUBJECT LISTINGS ONLY)
Series 4, Fragmented Sermons by Subject, lists sermons by subject only; related topics are grouped together. An attempt has been made to place scattered sheets in their proper subject category. No attempt has been made to collate the sheets within these folders since the sermons were often rewritten several times.
God is love; nature of God's moral judgment - 25 pp.			Box 3: folder 1

Faith of children, love of a parent - 13 pp.			Box 3: folder 2

Spirit of prayer, condition of salvation - ca. 75 pp.			Box 3: folder 3

Trial of Christian virtue (Christian probation) perfection of Christian virtue - ca.75 pp.			Box 3: folder 4

Temptation ca. 80 pp.			Box 3: folder 5

Temptation ca. 70 pp.			Box 3: folder 6

Sermon on mount as bulwark of Christianity - ca.25 pp.			Box 3: folder 7

Life and consciousness of life - ca. 20 pp.			Box 3: folder 8

On discipleship - 15 pp.			Box 3: folder 9

God's elect and their trials, experience of church of God - 75 pp.			Box 3: folder 10

Family as sole depository of early promise - 40 pp.			Box 3: folder 11

Gospel clears mystery of God's creation - 75 pp.			Box 3: folder 12

Ministerial labors - 25 pp.			Box 3: folder 13

Natural and spiritual nature of man - 50 pp.			Box 4: folder 1

Inward and spiritual manifestation of God - 60 pp.			Box 4: folder 2

Apostasy - 10 pp.			Box 4: folder 3

Reformation principles - 11 pp.			Box 4: folder 4

Hypocrisy - 10 pp.			Box 4: folder 5

Charity - 15 pp.			Box 4: folder 6

History of Christian religion (Isaiah 51), spirituality of church and divine life, resurrection of believers, natural man, Gospel and regeneration - 50 pp.			Box 4: folder 7

Gospel probation, and its end and moral process, second trial of humanity, nature of love, 2nd probation, method of Holy Ghost. - 80 pp.			Box 4: folder 8

Heaven - 40 pp.			Box 4: folder 9

Church - 30 pp.			Box 4: folder 10

House of God under New Testament - 5 pp.			Box 4: folder 11

Truth in Bible, trust in Lord, confidence in man. - 60 pp.			Box 4: folder 12

Justice - 9 pp. (Psalms 121)			Box 4: folder 13

Preaching profession, seed of Gospel, power of God, truth of Gospel - 16 pp.			Box 4: folder 14

Atonement, moral wants of soul, moral act by which it is appropriated, law - 50-pp.			Box 4: folder 15

Nature of spiritual life, Divine Nature - 80 pp.			Box 4: folder 16

Nature of death of Christ, revelation - 35 pp.			Box 4: folder 17

Light, conscience, death, sin - 35-pp.			Box 4: folder 18

Paradise, fall of man, God's moral kingdom, nature of religion, power of Divine perfection. - 80 pp.			Box 4: folder 19

Nature of life, God is our sun, perfection of Divine Nature - 55-pp.			Box 4: folder 20

Worldly interests, Gospel, true destiny of man, everlasting life, and mortification - 31 pp.			Box 4: folder 21

Living Church, endearing to keep unity of spirit in the bond of peace ( Ephesians 4.3) - 4 pp.			Box 4: folder 22

The lamb's wife, discourse of sanctification - 20 pp.			Box 4: folder 23

Body of Christ, dead to law - 177 pp.			Box 4: folder 24

Nature and punishment of sin - 105 pp.			Box 4: folder 25

Law of sin and death in human nature - 11 pp.			Box 4: folder 26

Bondage of children of God - 7 pp.			Box 5: folder 1

Freedom, bondage, deliverance - 38 pp.			Box 5: folder 2

Spirit of life, creatures of God shall be delivered from bondage of corruption - 20 pp.			Box 5: folder 3

Moral perfection, regeneration, man's will, conscience and affection. - 25 pp.			Box 5: folder 4

Holiness of creature/God, union between soul and God, origin of law, regenerate nature - 100 pp.			Box 5: folder 5

Justification, sanctification, moral impossibilities - 5 pp.			Box 5: folder 6

Justification by grace, power of God redemption of Christ, sanctification of believers, death of sin - 85 pp.			Box 5: folder 7

Revelation, development of science, socialistic and utilitarian theories. - 56 pp.			Box 5: folder 8

Infinite of everlasting - 15 pp.			Box 5: folder 9

Divine perfection (intellectual, moral, social) son's of God - 20 pp.			Box 5: folder 10

Moral constitution of man, nature of soul, soul's relation to God - 8 pp.			Box 5: folder 11

Soul of man - 18 pp.			Box 5: folder 12

Divine law, fear of punishment, nature of religious sentiment - 65 pp.			Box 5: folder 13

Edification of believers, Judaism vs. Christianity - 55 pp.			Box 5: folder 14

Old Testament, Jewish people, Moses, promise of Savior - 35 pp.			Box 5: folder 15

Early churches, Judaism and Christianity, essence of faith - 30 pp.			Box 5: folder 16

Immortality brought to light in Gospel, change in state and character of man - 15 pp.			Box 5: folder 17

Spirit of the Gospel in a nation - 20 pp.			Box 5: folder 18

Nature of Gospel - 120 pp.			Box 5: folder 19

Power of Gospel, temptation, Christ head of church and church human body - 110 pp.			Box 5: folder 20

Spontaneous affection, exhortation, life above - 30 pp.			Box 5: folder 21

Miscellaneous, assorted pages from sermons - 75 pp.			Box 5: folder 22

Search Terms

The following terms represent persons, organizations, and topics documented in this collection. Use these headings to search for additional materials on this web site, in the Five College Library Catalog, or in other library catalogs and databases.

Subjects

Brick Presbyterian Church (Rochester, N.Y.)
James, William, 1797-1868.
Mental healing--United States.
Presbyterian Church--Clergy.
Third Presbyterian Church (Albany, N.Y.)

Contributors

Emerson, Anna H. Seelye, 1866-1901.
James, Henry, 1811-1882.
James, Marcia Ames.
James, Marcia Lucretia Ames.
James family.
Prince, Catherine Barber James.
Prince, William Henry.
Seelye, Elizabeth Tillman James, 1833-1881.
Seelye, Julius H. (Julius Hawley), 1824-1895.

Genre terms

Sermons.

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