This collection includes letters, diaries, autobiographical writings, and financial papers of the Southworth and Dickinson families of Springfield, Massachusetts, as well as the related Shepard, Boltwood, Thurston, Caffee, Deane, and Browne families. The papers document several generations of middle- and upper-class families residing in Massachusetts, Ohio, North Carolina, Maine, New York, and California. The nineteenth century papers discuss such pivotal events in American history as the abolitionist movement and the Civil War. There are also significant items concerning the events surrounding the Spanish-American War and World War I. Also of interest are business records of the family owned paper mill in Western Massachusetts, and the papers of Alice. H. Southworth and her life partner Anna Jenks in the early and mid 20th century.

Terms of Access and Use:

Restrictions on use:

The Sophia Smith Collection owns copyright to unpublished works by family members in this collection. Copyright to materials authored by others may be owned by those individuals or their heirs or assigns. Permission must be obtained to publish reproductions or quotations beyond "fair use." It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights.