Beecher family papers, 1822-1903 (bulk 1822-1865): Scope & Contents of the Collection

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Beecher Family papers contain material relating to Lyman Beecher; seven of his thirteen children: Catharine E., William, Edward, Mary, Henry Ward, Charles, Thomas Kinnicut; a daughter-in-law, Katherine Edes Beecher; and a grandson, Frederick W. Beecher. Included in the collection are correspondence, sermons, lecture notes, funeral sermons, a poem and biographical information relating to members of the Beecher family. Much of the collection consists of correspondence from 1822-1836 between members of the Beecher family, including Lyman, Catharine, Edward, Mary, William and George. These letters discuss Edward's position at Yale College, his ordination and his future career as a minister, theological issues, Catharine's Hartford Female Seminary, and family matters, such as the Beecher family's move from Litchfield to Hartford, Connecticut. In a letter to George dated April 25, 1826 Catharine writes, "the interest of brothers and sisters in each others employment and concerns should be suffered to decay, by neglecting" letter writing. Catharine's letters to Mary Lyon, dated 1828-1836 and to Zilpah Grant Banister, dated 1844-1859, discuss Catharine's Hartford Female Seminary, plans to advance the cause of women's education, plans to publish textbooks, the need for more teachers, and objections to Lyon's plans to open Mount Holyoke Female Seminary. The sermons in the collection are dated ca. 1870 and were written by Edward Beecher. Topics include "Is dancing a proper amusement for Christians?" and "Has more evil than good been accomplished by fictitious writing?" There are also lecture notes taken by Frederick W. Beecher on sermons by his father Edward Beecher and others. The biographical information includes a memorial article for William Beecher; a memorial volume for Henry Ward Beecher; and an address delivered at the funeral of Charles Beecher.