Title: Abbot family papers Creator: Abbot, Charles W. Inclusive dates: 1887-1905 Extent: 2 linear feet Abstract:
The Abbot family papers consist of letters written to Charles Abbot from his wife and family members in Warren, Rhode Island, describing their lives and the development of Abbot's daughter, Grace.
Language: The material is in English Repository: William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan
909 S. University Ave. The University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1190 Phone: 734-764-2347 Web Site: www.clements.umich.edu
Charles W. Abbot, his wife Marcia, and daughter Grace (b. 1895) lived in Warren, Rhode Island. Charles served with the 12th United States Infantry at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Fort Duchesne, Utah; and elsewhere. During the Spanish American War, he served as colonel with the 1st Rhode Island Volunteers, before returning to regular service, and his deployment to Manila. By 1903, the Abbot family was living in Washington, DC.
The Abbot family papers consist of letters written to Charles Abbot from his family in Warren, Rhode Island. The majority of the letters are from his wife Marcia, but letters from his parents and friends are also part of the collection.
The letters primarily describe the lives of Marcia and others living in Warren, including news and events, parties and entertainments, and social gatherings with friends and the local elite. What is best documented in this collection is the development and education of the Abbots' daughter Grace. Marcia writes about her involvement as a parent (such as what to read to Grace), and Grace's activities, and sends her daughter's drawings or short notes with many of the letters. Abbot's service and the news about the United States Army are occasionally mentioned.
Included with the correspondence in this collection are numerous drawings by Grace, a few newspaper clippings of local interest, and 6 cyanotypes. The theme of most of the photographs is a Fourth of July parade, two of which include Grace (with letters of Apr. 11, 1903 and July 10, 1898). Also included are two faded images of Grace with a violin (with letter of May 29, 1903).
