Historical note:

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Scope and content:

            This collection consists of the papers of three generations of the Blaine and MacLellan families, who resided in Newport from 1882 to 1986. Alexander MacLellan (1856-1939) emigrated from Scotland in 1882, and served as a head gardener at several large estates. His daughter Rowena (1886-1965) married jeweler Joseph W. Blaine (1875-1953). Their son Joseph W. Blaine Jr. (1920-1986) was an electrical engineer who retired young to devote himself to the study of history. More extensive notes on each can be found preceding the inventories for each subgroup.

            This collection is divided into four subgroups, as follows:

Subgroup 1: Alexander MacLellan Papers

            Series 1. Diaries and memorandum books (box 1)

            Series 2. Poetry (box 2)

            Series 3. Miscellaneous (box 2)

Subgroup 2: Blaine Family Papers

            Series 1: Joseph W. Blaine (box 2)

            Series 2: Rowena (MacLellan) Blaine (box 3, 11, 12, 13)

            Series 3: Joseph W. and Rowena (MacLellan) Blaine letters from Joseph Jr. (boxes 3, 4)

            Series 4: Extended family (box 4)

            Series 5: Family material (box 4)

Subgroup 3: Estate of E.C. Blaine Records (boxes 4, 5, 6, 11)

Subgroup 4: Joseph W. Blaine Jr. Papers

            Series 1: Personal papers (boxes 6, 7, 12)

            Series 2: Historical notes (boxes 7, 8, 9, 10)

            Sources used in writing this finding aid, in addition to the papers, include Newport directories, 1882-1986; the Social Security Death Index; and the 1900 U.S. Census, Rhode Island E.D. 217, page 10.

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Provenance:

            These papers were left by Joseph W. Blaine to Patricia Ann (Brightman) Walsh in his will, which was proved in Newport on October 27, 1986. She donated the papers to the Rhode Island Historical Society in 2001 and 2002, as Patricia Walsh Rose. The majority of the records were donated in 2001 except where noted by the 2002 accession number on the folder. The items given in 2002 were primarily the diaries of Rowena (MacLellan) Blaine and Joseph W. Blaine Jr.

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Processing note:

            For the most part, Rick Stattler processed subgroups 1 and 4, and Karen Eberhart processed subgroups 2 and 3. Portions of the collection were transferred to the Printed Collection and to the Graphics Division.

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Inventory:

Subgroup 1: Alexander MacLellan Papers

Alexander MacLellan (1856-1939) was born at Lanarkshire, Scotland on December 24 1856, the son of Duncan and Janet (Inglis) McLellan. He became a skilled gardener in his native land, and emigrated to the United States in 1882. Within the year, he settled in Newport, R.I., where he initially worked at the estate known as The Breakers. He came to serve as head gardener at a variety of Newport estates, including Grey Craig and Stoneacre (where the garden was designed by nationally known landscape architect Frederic Law Olmsted). He also worked as an independent horticulture contractor. In 1913, he established a nursery in Middletown, R.I. which he operated in addition to his other interests. He was a founder and president of the Newport Horticultural Society, and a prolific poet.

Circa 1890, Alexander changed his name from McLellan to MacLellan. One of his brothers who emigrated to the United States also followed this spelling, while another one continued to use McLellan. Alexander's first son, who died in 1889, was recorded in the death records as Duncan McLellan.

MacLellan married Mary Davies (1853-1934) and had five children: Rowena (1886-1965), who married Joseph W. Blaine Sr.; Duncan (1888-1889); Janet, who never married (1889-1959); Alexander Davies (1891-1955); and Gladys (1894-1921). He was a member of United Congregational Church in Newport. He resided at 33 Webster Street (10/1900- ?), and then at 87 John Street in Newport through his death on December 31, 1939.

Subgroup 1, series 1: Alexander MacLellan Diaries

MacLellan kept a traditional diary from 1878 to 1902. His "diaries" from 1916 through 1939 were kept almost at random in memorandum books. Because the entries are not chronological, they are not strictly diaries, but the entries are diary-like in nature. MacLellan's grandson J.W. Blaine Jr. compiled cross-references to many of these volumes, showing which months can be found on which pages.

Box 1, folder 1. 1/1/1878 - 12/31/1878; 1/1/1879 - 11/10/1879 (2 vol.)

Box 1, folder 2. 1/1/1880 - 7/29/1880; 7/30/1880 - 11/11/1881 (2 vol.)

Box 1, folder 3. 12/7/1881 (one entry); 1/1/1882 - 4/24/1882 (2 vol.)

Box 1, folder 3a. 4/25/1882 - 2/25/1884; 1/1/1884 - 9/24/1885 (2 vol.)

Box 1, folder 4. 9/25/1885 - 10/12/1888; 10/13/1888 - 12/31/1890 (2 vol.)

Box 1, folder 5. 1/1/1891 - 4/11/1894

Box 1, folder 6. 4/12/1894 - 10/17/1898

Box 1, folder 7. 10/18/1898 - 11/21/1900 and 12/17/1934 - 6/16/1936

Box 1, folder 8. 5/23/1901 - 5/17/1902, in memorandum book dated 1898-1902

Box 1, folder 9. 2/23/1916 - 4/19/1919, in memorandum book dated 1916-1918

Box 1, folder 10. 12/28/1917 - 9/26/1919 and 11/8/1924 (loose pages from memorandum book)

Box 1, folder 11. 7/6/1925 - 7/28/1925 (on back cover of lost memorandum book)

Box 1, folder 12. 1926-1928, and 1938 - 12/28/1939

Box 1, folder 13. 1/1928 - 1/9/1931, and 9/21/1938 - 9/23/1938

Box 1, folder 14. 1/1931 - 12/1934

Box 1, folder 15. 9/15/1936 - 11/29/1939, in memorandum book / ledger dated 1915

Box 1, folder 16. Ledger / memorandum book, 1933-1934

Box 1, folder 17. Notes on diaries by Joseph W. Blaine Jr., 1967

Subgroup 1, series 2: Alexander MacLellan poetry

MacLellan was a prolific amateur poet, and was published frequently in Newport newspapers and in horticultural publications. In 1967, his grandson made extensive preparations to publish an anthology of these poems. Although the book was apparently never published, the files have been preserved. The files in this series consist mostly of MacLellan's original drafts, interspersed with Blaine's notes and memoranda.

Box 2, folder 1. Numbered list of poems compiled by Joseph W. Blaine Jr., 1967

Box 2, folder 2. Poems #1 - #20

Box 2, folder 3. Poems #21 - #40

Box 2, folder 4. Poems #41 - #60

Box 2, folder 5. Poems #61 - #80

Box 2, folder 6. Poems #81 - #100

Box 2, folder 7. Poems #101 - #120

Box 2, folder 8. Poems #121 - #140

Box 2, folder 9. Poems #141 - #160

Box 2, folder 10. Poems #161 - #180

Box 2, folder 11. Poems #181 - #200

Box 2, folder 12. Poems #201 - #220

Box 2, folder 13. Poems #221 - #240

Box 2, folder 14. Poems #241 - #261

Box 2, folder 15. Poems #262 - #286

Box 2, folder 16. Poems, unnumbered

Box 2, folder 17. Notebooks, 1914-1928; 1913-1936 (with nursery inventory, 1931-1933)

Box 2, folder 18. Transcriptions by J.W. Blaine Jr., 1969

Box 2, folder 19. Notes on poems by J.W. Blaine Jr., 1967-1973

Subgroup 1, series 3: Alexander MacLellan miscellaneous

Box 2, folder 20. Account book, 1901-1902

Box 2, folder 21. Biographical notes by J.W. Blaine Jr., 1967 

Box 2, folder 22. Correspondence, 1885-1939

Box 2, folder 23. Deeds, etc

Box 2, folder 23a.Duncan MacLellan burial, 1889

Box 2, folder 23b.Gladys MacLellan estate papers, 1921

Box 2, folder 24. Indexes from lost ledgers, 1902-1925

Box 2, folder 25. Inventory of Renfrew Ave. garden, 1931

Box 2, folder 26. Lawsuit vs. landlord George Vernon & Co., 1934-1940

Box 2, folder 27. Papers found in family bible, 1886-1907, n.d.

Box 2, folder 28. Richard Gardener notes, ca. 1939

Box 2, folder 29. Y.M.C.A. membership committee memorandum book, 1892-1895

Box 2, folder 30. Miscellaneous, 1879-1967

Subgroup 2: Blaine Family Papers

Joseph W. Blaine Sr. (1875-1953) was the son of Edwin Carlos Blaine (1840-1904) and Sarah Penelope Sophia (Carry) Blaine (1849-1879). When he was nineteen, his father Edwin remarried to Jennie Eliza Blaine (1864-1951). Joseph worked in his father's jewelry shop in Newport, and after his father's death in 1904 he operated the shop under the name "Estate of Edwin C. Blaine" until 1952. He married Signe Adina Hallborg (1881-1912) in 1909. They had one daughter, Constance Baldwin Blaine (1912-1992). Signe died three weeks after the birth of Constance, presumably due to complications from the birth. In 1918, Blaine remarried to Rowena MacLellan, a 1909 graduate of Rhode Island Normal School who taught in the Newport school system until her marriage. Joseph and Rowena had one son, Joseph W. Blaine Jr. (1920-1986). The family lived in a rented apartment at 3 Fowler Street in Newport until they were evicted in 1948. After that point they purchased a house at 51 Friendship Street. Joseph W. Blaine Sr. died March 16, 1953, and his widow Rowena resided at 51 Friendship St. until moving to a nursing home in late 1964. She died in April of 1965.

            Contents:

2.5 linear feet of miscellaneous, diaries, correspondence and other papers of Joseph W. Blaine, Signe (Hallborg) Blaine, Rowena (MacLellan) Blaine and other relatives. The diaries written by Rowena (MacLellan) Blaine cover nearly every year of her life from age 19 to her death at age 79.

Subgroup 2, series 1: Joseph W. Blaine

Box 2, folder 31. Address books, 1920's -1940's

Box 2, folder 32. Alpha Musical Club - Constitution, minutes, dues, 1898-1899; dues, 1903-1904

Box 2, folder 33. Correspondence from Blaine, Irving E., 1918-1947, n.d.

Box 2, folder 34. Correspondence from Blaine, Joseph W. Jr., 1948 (formal loan agreement)

Box 2, folder 35. Correspondence from Blumenkranz, Emil (aka Henry H. Wright), 1912-1948

Box 2, folder 36. Correspondence from Burdick, Edwin S., 1922-1923

Box 2, folder 37. Correspondence from Burdick, William, 1903-1923, 1935

Box 2, folder 38. Correspondence to [Chaloux?], John, 1892

Box 2, folder 39. Correspondence from Cobb, Emily Frances (Blaine), 1952, 1963

Box 2, folder 40. Correspondence from Hallborg, Henry E., 1943

Box 2, folder 41. Correspondence from Pitman, William S., 1906-1954

Box 2, folder 42. Correspondence from various, 1894-1963, n.d.

Box 2, folder 43. Household inventory, c. 1910

Box 2, folder 44. Membership cards, 1942-1948

Box 2, folder 45. Newspaper clippings, 1918, 1953

Box 2, folder 46. Receipts, 1904-1940

Box 2, folder 47. Second Baptist Church of Newport - Junior Brotherhood accounts, 1913-1916; mailing list, 1914

Box 2, folder 48. Writings - "Merlin" and "The Story of the Book", n.d.

Box 2, folder 49. Writings - Mineralogy, c. 1893

Box 2, folder 50. Writings - "Progress of Applied Chemistry During the Present Century", 1893

Box 2, folder 51. Writings - School papers, 1892-1893, n.d.

Subgroup 2, series 2: Rowena (MacLellan) Blaine

Box 3, folder 1. Correspondence from Blaine, Constance, 1948, 1950

Box 3, folder 2. Correspondence from Blaine, Hope (Woodmansee), 1923-1945

Box 3, folder 3. Correspondence from Blaine, Irving E., 1917, 1950-1953

Box 3, folder 4. Correspondence from various, 1913-1962, n.d.

Box 13, folder 1. Diaries, 1905-1909, 1914-1915

Box 13, folder 2. Diaries, 1913-1927

Box 13, folder 3. Diaries, 1928-1942

Box 13, folder 4. Diaries, 1943-1957

Box 12, folder17. Diaries, 1958-1965

Box 3, folder 5. Estate inventory - prepared by JWB Jr., 1965

Box 3, folder 6. Household account book, 1930-1944

Box 3, folder 7. Memoranda books, 1910-1964

Box 11, Vol. 1. Memoranda and account book, 1919-1961

Box 3, folder 8. Memoranda book, c.1938-1949 (includes index by JWB, Jr.)

Box 3, folder 9. Memoranda book, 1949-1955 (includes index by JWB, Jr.)

Box 3, folder 10. Memoranda book, 1896-1897, 1955-1964 (includes index by JWB, Jr.)

Box 3, folder 11. Newspaper clippings, 1910-1956, n.d.

Box 3, folder 12. Power of attorney for Joseph W. Blaine, 1952

Box 3, folder 13. Receipts, 1938-1955, 1964

Oversize folder. School certificate, 1901

Box 3, folder 14. School certificates and report cards, 1898-1909, 1913

Box 3, folder 15. School papers, 1897-1906

Subgroup 2, series 3: Joseph W. and Rowena (MacLellan) Blaine

Letters from son Joseph W. Blaine Jr. to his parents, jointly. Some letters are also addressed to Janet MacLellan. These letters are filled with every detail of Joseph Jr.'s daily life, and also document his unique perspective as an eccentric recluse. In his letter dated 10/13/1948, he wrote "You know why I want to be alone? I'm a nut & I like to do nutty things, but I don't enjoy having people know I'm a nut. Except you folks, of course, and that's because we're the same kind of nuts... I want to be a nut on my own property and let the rest of the world go its merry and so-called sane way." In a 1/29/1955 letter he discusses why he's never had a telephone. On 6/11/1956, he wrote about his purchase of a television: "Help HELP HELP I am the captive of a one-eyed monster! Yes, three weeks ago I bought a factory reject TV set. and I've done nothing since, except stare at it."

Box 3, folder 16. 9/1938 - 6/1939     Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Mass.

Box 3, folder 17. 9/1939 - 12/1939   Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Mass.

Box 3, folder 18. 1/1940 - 6/1940     Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Mass.

Box 3, folder 19. 9/1940 - 12/1940   Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Mass.

Box 3, folder 20. 1/1941 - 6/1941     Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Mass.

Box 3, folder 21. 9/1941 - 12/1941   Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Mass.

Box 3, folder 22. 1/1942 - 4/1942     Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Mass.

Box 3, folder 23. 5/1942 - 8/1942     Bridgeport, Conn.

Box 3, folder 24. 8/1942 - 12/1942   Schenectady, N.Y.

Box 3, folder 25. 1/1943 - 5/1943     Schenectady, N.Y. and West Lynn, Mass.

Box 3, folder 26. 5/1943 - 8/1943     Schenectady, N.Y.

Box 3, folder 27. 9/1943 - 12/1943   Schenectady, N.Y.

Box 3, folder 28. 1/1944 - 6/1944     Schenectady, N.Y.

Box 3, folder 29. 7/1944 - 12/1944   Schenectady, N.Y. and Boston, Mass.

Box 3, folder 30. 1/1945 - 6/1945     Schenectady, N.Y.

Box 3, folder 31. 7/1945 - 12/1945   Schenectady, N.Y.

Box 3, folder 32. 1/1946 - 6/1946     Schenectady and Syracuse, N.Y.

Box 3, folder 33. 7/1946 - 12/1946   Syracuse, N.Y.

Box 3, folder 34. 1/1947 - 6/1947     Syracuse, N.Y.

Box 3, folder 35. 7/1947 - 12/1947   Syracuse, N.Y.

Box 3, folder 36. 1948                       Syracuse and Liverpool, N.Y.

Box 4, folder 1. 1949                       Liverpool, N.Y.

Box 4, folder 2. 1950                       Liverpool, N.Y.

Box 4, folder 3. 1951                       Liverpool, N.Y.

Box 4, folder 4. 1952                       Liverpool, N.Y.

Box 4, folder 5. 1953                       Liverpool, N.Y.

Box 4, folder 6. 1954                       Liverpool, N.Y.

Box 4, folder 7. 1955                       Liverpool, N.Y.

Box 4, folder 8. 1956 - 1958            Liverpool, N.Y.

Box 4, folder 9. 1959 - 1960            Liverpool, N.Y.

Box 4, folder 10. 1961 - 1962            Liverpool, N.Y.

Box 4, folder 11. 1963                       Liverpool, N.Y.

Box 4, folder 12. 1964                       Liverpool, N.Y.

Box 4, folder 13. 1965                       Liverpool, N.Y.

Subgroup 2, series 4: Extended family

Constance Baldwin Blaine

Box 4, folder 13a. Address book, undated; Bible Picture Attendance Record, undated;

                                    Yet Another Day: A Prayer for Every Day of the Year, 1905

Signe Adina (Hallborg) Blaine

Box 4, folder 14. Diaries, 1897-1903, 1910-1912 

Box 4, folder 15. Papers and correspondence, 1897-1910

Box 4, folder 16. Practice School teacher reports, 1901-1903

Marion Emeline (Blaine) Birkholz

Box 4, folder 17. Correspondence from Hope (Woodmansee) Blaine, 1958

Emily Frances (Blaine) Cobb

Box 4, folder 18. School papers, 1895-1896, n.d.

Henry E. Hallborg

Box 4, folder 19. Papers, 1901, 1936, 1941

Gladys MacLellan

Box 4, folder 19a. School report card, 1909-1910

Jeanette (or Janet) MacLellan

Box 4, folder 20. Correspondence and papers, 1925-1959

Subgroup 2, series 5: Family material

Box 4, folder 21. Birth announcements sent to Blaine family, 1911-1952

Box 4, folder 22. Birthday books, n.d.

Box 4, folder 23. Blaine family correspondence, 1906-1963 Typescript by J.W. Blaine Jr., 1973

Box 4, folder 24. Deeds, 1930-1948

Box 4, folder 25. Formal announcements and invitations sent to MacLellan and

                                    Blaine families, 1896-1915

Box 4, folder 26. Formal announcements and invitations sent to MacLellan and

                                    Blaine families, 1916-1962

Box 3, folder 6. Household accounts - Blaine family, 1930-1944

Box 4, folder 27. Newspaper clippings - Blaine family, 1951, n.d.

Box 4, folder 28. Newspaper clippings - MacLellan family, 1921-1959

Box 4, folder 29. Newspaper clippings - Ward family, 1943-1946

Box 4, folder 30. Newspaper clippings - Whitmarsh family, 1934-1958

Box 4, folder 31. Newspaper clippings - Woodmansee family, 1943, 1955, n.d.

Subgroup 3: Estate of E.C. Blaine Records

The jewelry store on Thames Street in Newport, RI was opened circa 1865 by Harley Willie Pray. Edwin C. Blaine took over the business from the original owners in 1873 and ran it until his death in 1904. According to Edwin's will, the business was to be operated for the benefit of the family. Jennie E. Blaine, Edwin's second wife, received a percentage of the profits from the store for the remainder of her life. His son, Joseph W. Blaine, took over management of the business and operated it under the name "Estate of E.C. Blaine." The name of the business was changed to "Edwin C. Blaine, Inc." in 1933. Emily Francis (Blaine) Cobb was the clerk for a time. The business was sold outside the family in 1952, but continued to be operated as Blaine Jewelers for many years.

            Contents:

            3 linear feet of financial and sales records from the jewelry store, 1904-1953

Box 4, folder 32. Account book, 1904-1906

Box 4, folder 33. Account book, 1939-1951

Box 4, folder 34. Account book, 1904-1945

Box 4, folder 35. Bank statements, 1940-1945

Box 4, folder 36. Bank statements, 1946-1949, 1952-Aug 1953

Box 4, folder 37. Bill carbons, 1946-1952

Box 5, folder 1. Check book stubs, Jun 23, 1950 - Jul 27, 1953

Box 5, folder 2. Correspondence , 1916, 1932-1952, n.d. 

Box 5, folder 3. Correspondence - Newport Trophy, 1930

Box 5, folder 4. Correspondence - sale of business, 1952

Box 3, folder 6. Daily to-do list, Feb-Nov 1912

Box 11, vol. 2. Day book, Oct 27, 1905-Apr 20,1906

Box 11, vol. 3. Day book, Apr 21, 1906-Oct 6, 1906

Box 11, vol. 4. Day book, Oct 8, 1906-Mar 12, 1907

Box 11, vol. 5. Day book, Mar 13, 1907-Aug 27, 1907

Box 11, vol. 6. Day book, Aug 28, 1907-Jan 25, 1908

Box 5, folder 5. Day book sheets, 1950

Box 5, folder 6. Day book sheets, 1950

Box 5, folder 7. Day book sheets, 1951

Box 5, folder 8. Day book sheets, 1951

Box 5, folder 9. Day book sheets, 1952

Box 5, folder 10. Day book sheets, 1952 - Jul 1953

Box 5, folder 11. Finished business sheets, Mar - Sep, 1952

Box 5, folder 12. Insurance, 1949-1950

Box 5, folder 13. Inventory, 1904-05

Box 5, folder 14. Inventory, 1906-1907

Box 5, folder 15. Inventory, 1908

Box 5, folder 16. Inventory, 1909

Box 11, Vol. 7. Inventory, 1911-1951

Box 5, folder 17. Invoices, A-K, 1948-1951

Box 5, folder 18. Invoices, L-Z, 1948-1951

Box 5, folder 19. Invoices, 1952

Box 5, folder 20. Invoices, 1952-1953

Box 5, folder 21. Loan application with Newport Trust Co., 1934-1935

Box 5, folder 22. Merchandise purchased, 1949-1950

Box 5, folder 13. Monthly sales, 1907-1908

Box 5, folder 23. Office of Price Stabilization, 1951-1952

Box 6, folder 1. Payroll books, 1937-1946

Box 6, folder 2. Payroll books, 1946-1951

Box 6, folder 3. Profit distribution, 1926

Box 6, folder 4. Rhode Island Unemployment Compensation Board, 1939-1951

Box 11, Vol. 7. Stock Register, 1911-1951

Box 5, folder 15. Supplier accounts, 1905

Box 6, folder 5. Taxes - Federal, 1933-1940

Box 6, folder 6. Taxes - Federal, 1941-1945

Box 6, folder 7. Taxes - Federal, 1946-1953

Box 6, folder 8. Taxes - Rhode Island sales and use, 1948-1951

Box 6, folder 9. Wedding book, 1927-1933

Subgroup 4: Joseph W. Blaine Jr. Papers

Joseph William Blaine Jr. (1920-1986) was born in Newport, the only son of Joseph W. and Rowena (MacLellan) Blaine. He had a half-sister, Constance B. Blaine (1912-1992), through his father's first marriage. He was known to his family as Bill, although he used Joe or Joseph in later life. Joseph graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1942. He then worked for twenty-three years as an electrical engineer at several General Electric facilities: Bridgeport, Conn. from May to August of 1942; Schenectady, N.Y. for most of the period from 1942 to 1946; a brief stint at West Lynn, Mass. from March to May 1943; a stint at a Massachusetts Institute of Technology laboratory from August through December of 1944; and finally in Liverpool near Syracuse, N.Y. from May 1946 onward. There he worked as a test engineer in the company's Heavy Military Electronic Equipment Department. Upon the death of his mother in April of 1965, he retired early and returned to Newport, where he moved into his late parents' house at 51 Friendship Street. He became an avid researcher of Newport history, and an active member of the Newport Historical Society. One major project which was never published was a compilation of the poems of his grandfather Alexander MacLellan.

Blaine lived a life of extreme frugality. Much of his diet reportedly consisted of peanut butter, bread and canned soup, which he would warm using the motor on his television. Many of his historical notes were written on the backs of soup labels. On October 20, 1986, he fell from a ladder while cleaning his gutters, and died from the resulting injuries. He left an estate valued at $124,649 in addition to his house. These assets were put into a trust, with the income to benefit his half-sister and Patricia A. Walsh, a former employee of the Newport Historical Society. Ms. Walsh, who had little more than a friendly passing acquaintance with Blaine, was also left a life tenancy of the house.

Subgroup 4, series 1: Joseph W. Blaine Jr. personal papers. 1 linear foot.

The large majority of these papers are letters from Blaine's parents and sister Constance. The letters from 1938 to June 1942 were mostly sent by his parents while he was attending college, and the 1942-1944 letters were sent by his parents while he worked at a variety of General Electric plants during wartime. From 1958 to 1964, the majority of the letters are from his widowed mother. See subgroup 2, Series 3 for Blaine's letters back to his parents. Most of the letters from 1965 to 1980 are from his sister Constance. These later letters are frequently accompanied by Blaine's draft responses, and are marked by Constance's increasing interest in the Evangelical Free Church. In the final surviving exchange between the two dated December 1980, he calls her gifts of Christian tracts "junk mail," and she responds, "unless you repent this grave and blasphemous sin ... you have nothing to look forward to in hell."

Joseph W. Blaine Jr. kept very detailed diaries from the age of 14 to the day of his death at the age of 66. During his youth he does not write everyday but as he gets older the diaries become more detailed with descriptions of nearly everything he does. There are two sets of diaries. The first set records his daily activities and thoughts. The second set is one continuous diary (1943-1974) which is devoted to his observations regarding women who have caught his attention. Of note also are his very detailed records on his health in the file titled Medical records and notes.

Box 6, folder 10. Correspondence, 1927-1934 and early undated

Box 6, folder 11. Correspondence, 12/1938 - 6/1939 (rec'd in Worcester, Mass.)

Box 6, folder 12. Correspondence, 9/1939 - 12/1939 (rec'd in Worcester, Mass.)

Box 6, folder 13. Correspondence, 1/1940 - 3/1940 (rec'd in Worcester, Mass.)

Box 6, folder 14. Correspondence, 4/1940 - 8/1940 (rec'd in Worcester, Mass.)

Box 6, folder 15. Correspondence, 9/1940 - 12/1940 (rec'd in Worcester, Mass.)

Box 6, folder 16. Correspondence, 1/1941 - 6/1941 (rec'd in Worcester, Mass.)

Box 6, folder 17. Correspondence, 9/1941 - 12/1941 (rec'd in Worcester, Mass.)

Box 6, folder 18. Correspondence, 1/1942 - 4/1942 (rec'd in Worcester, Mass.)

Box 6, folder 19. Correspondence, 5/1942 - 8/1942 (rec'd in Bridgeport, Conn.)

Box 6, folder 20. Correspondence, 8/1942 - 12/1942 (rec'd in Schenectady, N.Y.)

Box 6, folder 21. Correspondence, 1/1943 - 6/1943 (rec'd in Schenectady, and West Lynn, MA.)

Box 6, folder 22. Correspondence, 7/1943 - 12/1943 (rec'd in Schenectady, N.Y.)

Box 6, folder 23. Correspondence, 1/1944 - 6/1944 (rec'd in Schenectady, N.Y.)

Box 6, folder 24. Correspondence, 7/1944 - 12/1944 (rec'd in Schenectady, and Boston, Mass.)

Box 6, folder 25. Correspondence, 1945 - 1949 (rec'd in Liverpool, N.Y.)

Box 6, folder 26. Correspondence, 1950-1952, 1957 (rec'd in Liverpool, N.Y.)

Box 6, folder 27. Correspondence, 12/1958 - 1959 (rec'd in Liverpool, N.Y.)

Box 6, folder 28. Correspondence, 1960 (rec'd in Liverpool, N.Y.)

Box 6, folder 29. Correspondence, 1961 (rec'd in Liverpool, N.Y.)

Box 6, folder 30. Correspondence, 1962 (rec'd in Liverpool, N.Y.)

Box 6, folder 31. Correspondence, 1963 (rec'd in Liverpool, N.Y.)

Box 6, folder 32. Correspondence, 1964 (rec'd in Liverpool, N.Y.)

Box 6, folder 33. Correspondence, 1965 (rec'd in Newport, R.I.)

Box 6, folder 34. Correspondence, 1966-1970 (rec'd in Newport, R.I.)

Box 6, folder 35. Correspondence, 1971-1975 (rec'd in Newport, R.I.)

Box 6, folder 36. Correspondence, 1976-1981 (rec'd in Newport, R.I.)

Box 6, folder 37. Correspondence, undated

Box 6, folder 38. Baby show certificate, 1922

Box 6, folder 39. Civil Service applications and papers, 1940-1942

Box 6, folder 40. Desk calendar, 5/1942

Box 12, folder 1. Diaries, 1934-1938, 3/1940

Box 12, folder 2. Diaries, 7/1965 - 12/21/1966

Box 12, folder 3. Diaries, 12/22/1966 - 9/21/1968

Box 12, folder 4. Diaries, 9/22/1968 - 5/13/1970

Box 12, folder 5. Diaries, 5/13/1970 - 5/12/1972

Box 12, folder 6. Diaries, 5/12/1972 - 9/18/1974

Box 12, folder 7. Diaries, 9/18/1974 - 9/16/1977

Box 12, folder 8. Diaries, 9/16/1977 - 8/23/1980

Box 12, folder 9. Diaries, 8/24/1980 - 6/23/1983

Box 12, folder 10. Diaries, 6/23/1983 - 2/21/1986

Box 12, folder 11. Diary, 2/21/1986 - 10/20/1986

Box 12, folder 12. Diary - romantic interests, 6/1943 - 8/8/1945

Box 12, folder 13. Diary - romantic interests, 8/8/1945 - 5/6/1947

Box 12, folder 14. Diary - romantic interests, 5/11/1947 - 4/19/1974

Box 6, folder 41. Driving log, 1959-1965

Box 6, folder 42. Expense book, 1956-1984

Box 6, folder 43. Expense book, 1984-1986

Box 6, folder 44. Family cemetery plots, 1966

Box 6, folder 45. General Electric papers, 1942-1944

Box 7, folder 1. Hospitalization of mother, 1964

Box 7, folder 2. House notes - 51 Friendship Street 1965-1966

Box 7, folder 3. Humor, mostly undated

Box 7, folder 4. Income book, 1971-1986

Box 12, folder 15. Medical records and notes, 1934-1984

Box 7, folder 5. Memoranda, 1948-1986

            "Adventures of Daring Dan McStew: A Serial Story" (one page), 1948

            Notes on father Joseph W. Blaine Sr., 1949

            List of library books borrowed, 1965-1972

            Inventory of children's clothes, 1967

            Hair-cutting machine concept paper, 1967

            Reminiscences of the Edward P. Dunn family from 1928 to 1938, 1968

            Reminiscences of crab phobia as youth, 1968

            "The Big Hurricane - September 21, 1938 - As I Recall It Today" (3 pages), 1970

            Memories of German measles or scarlet fever circa 1931, written 1970

            Justification of indexing, 1971

            Reminiscences of 1940s General Electric office memoranda, 1972

            Reminiscences of father's musical talents, 1975

            Notes on suspicious activity kept as an observant citizen (5 items), 1977-1980 

            Invitation to 110th anniversary of Blaine Jewelers, 1978

            "Women as a Class are Crazy," undated

            Magazine subscriptions, 1962 

Box 12, folder 16. Newport Police Department and City offices - notes and

                                    correspondence, 1967-1981

Box 7, folder 6. Patricia A. Walsh memoranda, 1984-1986

Box 7, folder 7. Ration books, 1942, 1943

Box 7, folder 8. Viking Hotel, 1960-1962

Box 7, folder 9. Worcester Polytechnic Institute memorabilia, 1938-1943

Subgroup 4, series 2: Joseph W. Blaine Jr. historical notes. 2.5 linear feet.

            Dates generally refer to when Blaine did his research, and not to the period covered.

Box 7, folder 10. Ann Street Pier, 1980

Box 7, folder 11. Applegate family, 1982

Box 7, folder 12. Atlas of Early Newport - "Records of Island of R.I." transcript, 1976

Box 7, folder 13. Atlas of Early Newport - Sketches, 1976

Box 7, folder 14. Atlas of Early Newport - Notes, 1975-1986

Box 7, folder 15. Bannister family, 1983

Box 7, folder 16. Bay Voyage Hotel, 1974

Box 7, folder 17. Benedict Arnold will, 1678 (typescript) with notes, 1976

Box 7, folder 18. Braman Cemetery, 1981-1982

Box 7, folder 19. Brenton family card file, n.d.

Box 7, folder 20. Brenton Neck / William Brenton, 1980-1985

Box 7, folder 21. Chapin extracts, 1976

Box 7, folder 22. City Bell Tower, 1983

Box 7, folder 23. "Colony House Clock" (typescript), 1975

Box 7, folder 24. Correspondence, historical, 1969-1985

Box 7, folder 25. Correspondence with R.I. State Archives, 1976-1984

Box 7, folder 26. Diary of George H. Richardson, 1868-1899 (typescript), 1986

Box 7, folder 27. Diary of George H. Richardson, 1901-1916 (typescript), 1986

Box 7, folder 28. Direct Tax, 1798, Newport, Schedules D & E (indexed typescript), 1980

Box 7, folder 29. "Early Coggeshall Real Estate in Newport" (typescript with notes), 1982

Box 7, folder 30. Elton Manuel deed collection notes, 1979

Box 7, folder 31. "The Exchange and the Exchange Tavern, 1690-1718" (typescript), 1975

Box 7, folder 32. Gale of 1815 newspaper article from Rhode Island Republican (typescript)

Box 7, folder 33. "The Geology of the Tract Known as Paradise, Near Newport," by T. Nelson Dale, 1983 (typescript copy)

Box 7, folder 34. George Goulding, 1982

Box 7, folder 35. Hope Street Market, 1972

Box 7, folder 36. Hummell-Langley family, 1983

Box 7, folder 37. "I Ran Rum," original newspaper clippings, 1934

Box 7, folder 38. "I Ran Rum" notes, 1972

Box 7, folder 39. "I Remember 3 Fowler Avenue & Vicinity," 1983

Box 7, folder 40. International Berkeley Society membership list, 1985

Box 7, folder 41. Island Cemetery Company, 1983

Box 7, folder 42. Jackson map transcription project, 1980-1982

Box 7, folder 43. John Howland letter, August 18 1836 (typescript from Newport HS)

Box 7, folder 44. Letters to the Newport Daily News, 1963-1981

Box 7, folder 45. MacLellan family, 1968-1981

Box 7, folder 46. "A Memo about the Early Wharves of Newport, RI," 1983 (with 1986 suppl.)

Box 7, folder 47. Middletown - Bliss Mine, 1985

Box 7, folder 48. Middletown 1808 tax list (indexed typescript), 1986

Box 7, folder 49. "More on Verrazano" (typescript), author unknown, circa 1985

Box 7, folder 50. Mumford map of Newport, 1712/13 (notes, 1980)

Box 7, folder 51. "New England Steamship Company - Possible Employees, 1931" (typescript)

Box 7, folder 52. Newport and Middletown property records index and notes, 1976

Box 7, folder 53. Newport church listing, 1845 (typescript from Newport HS)

Box 7, folder 54. Newport City Hall plat book table of contents, 1980

Box 7, folder 55. Newport fires - notes, 1970

Box 7, folder 56. Newport Historical Society notes and observations, 1966-1975

Box 7, folder 57. Newport Historical Society notes and observations, 1976-1986

Box 7, folder 57a. Newport Hospital Block - bounded by Friendship, Hope,

                                    Broadway, Powel, 1967-1983

Box 7, folder 58. Newport house lots, 1639-1640 - Notes and correspondence, 1982-1984

Box 7, folder 59. "Newport in 1806-15 Per Oliver Read" (typescript and notes), 1978

Box 7, folder 60. Newport Jewish Cemetery, 1985

Box 7, folder 61. Newport Land Evidence, Volume 1, 1780-1783 - Index (typescript), 1984

Box 7, folder 62. Newport land evidence - R.I. Colonial Records notes, 1981-1982

Box 7, folder 63. Newport land records - Notes, 1975-1986

Box 7, folder 64. Newport place names, 1973-1986

Box 7, folder 65. Newport police - Staff and emergency codes, 1978-1985

Box 7, folder 66. Newport police station, 1982-1985

Box 8, folder 1. Newport rights of way/wharves - Coastal Resources Mgt. Council, 1983-1986

Box 8, folder 2. Newport school lands / Newtown, 1984

Box 8, folder 3. Newport streets - "A Capsule History of Newport Streets" (typescript), 1983

Box 8, folder 4. Newport streets - "Downtown Newport 1770-1800-1849: Thomas Hornsby vs. the Old Goat" (indexed typescript of two newspaper articles), 1978

Box 8, folder 5. Newport streets index, 1975

Box 8, folder 6. Newport streets - "List of Streets & Wharves, 1712 to 1965" (typescript), 1973

Box 8, folder 7. Newport streets - Notes, 1971-1973

Box 8, folder 8. Newport streets - Notes, 1974-1975

Box 8, folder 9. Newport streets - Notes, 1976-1985

Box 8, folder 10. Newport streets - "The Streets of Newport" by Benjamin B. Howland, 1892 (indexed typescript), 1972

Box 8, folder 11. Newport tax list, 1815 (indexed typescript)

Box 8, folder 12. Newport Town Meeting notes, 1979-1986

Box 8, folder 13. Newport Tories, 1977-1979

Box 8, folder 14. Newport 1982 voter list, ward 2

Box 8, folder 15. Notes - Frances, The Falconer's Daughter by Elizabeth Nicholson White, 1981

Box 8, folder 16. Old City Cemetery index, 1986

Box 8, folder 17. Old Stone Mill, 1968-1982

Box 8, folder 18. Old Stone Mill, 1979-1986

Box 8, folder 19. Old Stone Mill - Clippings, 1936-1983

Box 8, folder 20. Old Stone Mill - Magnetic calculations, 1948-1949

Box 8, folder 21. Oliver Hazard Perry, 1980

Box 8, folder 22. Paul M. Mumford notes, 1969-1970

Box 8, folder 23. Pelham family, 1972

Box 8, folder 24. Perpetual calendar, 1400-2700 (with Easter and Ash Wednesday), 1975

Box 8, folder 25. Peter Easton's first windmill, 1983

Box 8, folder 26. "Postmasters of Newport, 1712-1968" (typescript), 1979

Box 8, folder 27. Pray family and jewelry store, 1968-1977

Box 8, folder 28. "Preliminary Early History of the John Mawdsley House" (typescript), 1986

Box 8, folder 29. Price's Neck, 1976

Box 8, folder 30. "Public Notary Records, Volume 8" (typescript index), 1985

Box 8, folder 31. "The Quakers and Easton's Point" (typescript and notes), 1980-1982

Box 8, folder 32. "Real Estate Owners per 1876 Newport Atlas" (typescript), undated

Box 8, folder 33. Records of the Colony of Rhode Island, 1638-1644 (photocopy of original)

Box 8, folder 34. Research log, January - June 1970

Box 8, folder 35. Research log, July - December 1970

Box 8, folder 36. Research log, 1971-1980

Box 8, folder 37. Research tips, 1977-1984

Box 8, folder 38. "Reservoirs / The Fountain Lot on Holland Street" (typescript), 1983

Box 8, folder 39. "Rhode Island Colonial Records - Extracts re Freemen" (typescript), 1979

Box 8, folder 40. Rhode Island Colony Records notes, 1982

Box 8, folder 41. Rhode Island Court Records, 1647-1670 - first name index (typescript), 1985

Box 8, folder 42. "Rhode Island Freemen, 1655 and 1656" (typescript with index), 1985

Box 9, folder 1. Rhode Island Land Evidence, Vol. I - Abstracts and sketches, 1976-1980

Box 9, folder 2. Rhode Island Land Evidence, Vol. II & III - Abstracts and sketches, 1976-1979

Box 9, folder 3. Rhode Island Republican (newspaper), 1969

Box 9, folder 4. Ringham - Bowdish - Almy families, 1981-1984

Box 9, folder 5. Robert Jeoffries notes, 1983

Box 9, folder 6. Robert LeBlanc correspondence re Bauer/Bogelin family, 1985-1986

Box 9, folder 7. "John David Sullivan Family, 1889-1957," 1982

Box 9, folder 8. Terrill-Thorndike-Bourne family, 1982-1985

Box 9, folder 9. 246 Thames - Blaine employees, 1970-1971

Box 9, folder 10. 246 Thames - Burglary report, 1937

Box 9, folder 11. 246 Thames - Clock notes, 1965-1973

Box 9, folder 12. 246 Thames - Directory research on 1856-1897 neighbors, 1966-1971

Box 9, folder 13. 246 Thames - Directory research - relatives, occupants, employees, 1968-1971

Box 9, folder 14. 246 Thames - Draft history, 1970-1971

Box 9, folder 15. 246 Thames - Historic District Commission letter, 1969

Box 9, folder 16. 246 Thames - Map and deed notes, 1966-1971

Box 10, folder 1. 246 Thames - "Preliminary History, 240-246 Thames Street" (typescript), 1976

Box 10, folder 2. 246 Thames - "References to Mill & Thames, Arranged Chronologically," 1970

Box 10, folder 3. 246 Thames - Survey of photographs, 1967-1970

Box 10, folder 4. 246 Thames - Surveying notes, 1969-1970

Box 10, folder 5. 246 Thames - "254 Thames Street, Newport" (typescript), 1978

Box 10, folder 6. 246 Thames - Miscellaneous notes, 1964-1973

Box 10, folder 7. Topsail Street, Newport, 1975

Box 10, folder 8. Trinity Church records, 1861-1882 - Notes toward index, 1983

Box 10, folder 9. Wanton - Lyman - Hazard House / Ebenezer Gray, 1985-1986

Box 10, folder 10. Weaver Family, 1969-1971

Return to top

Subjects:

Alpha Musical Club (Newport, R.I.)

Arnold, Benedict, 1615-1678

Banister, John, 1707-1767

Bay Voyage Hotel (Jamestown, R.I.)

Blaine, Edwin Carlos, 1840-1904

Blaine, Signe Adina (Hallborg), 1881-1912

Blaine, Constance Baldwin, 1912-1992

Blaine, Joseph W., 1875-1953

Blaine, Rowena (MacLellan), 1886- 1965

Bliss Mine (Middletown, R.I.)

Braman Cemetery (Newport, R.I.)

Brenton Family

Burdick, William, 1871-1935

Cemeteries - Rhode Island - Newport

Cobb, Emily Frances (Blaine)

Coggeshall Family

Diaries - 1868-1916

Diaries - 1878-1939

Diaries - 1897-1912

Diaries - 1905-1965

Diaries - 1934-1986

Direct Tax, 1798

Eccentrics and eccentricities

Electrical engineering

Emigration and immigration - Rhode Island - Newport

Engineering

Exchange Tavern (Newport, R.I.)

Gardener, Richard, 1852-1939

Gardeners - Rhode Island - Newport

General Electric Company

Goulding, George, c1678-1743

Grey Craig (Newport, R.I.)

Hallborg family

Hope Street Market (Newport, R.I.)

Howland, John, 1757-1854

Hummell, Leonard

Hurricanes - Rhode Island - 1938

Hurricanes - Rhode Island - 1815

"I Ran Rum"

International Berkeley Society

Island Cemetery (Newport, R.I.)

Jewelry stores - Rhode Island - Newport

Jewish Cemetery (Newport, R.I.)

MacLellan, Janet, 1889-1959

MacLellan, Alexander, 1856-1939

Manuel, Elton

Mawdsley, John,

Middletown, R.I. - History

Mumford, Paul M.

New England Steamship Company (Newport, R.I.)

New York - Social life and customs

Newport Historical Society

Newport, R.I. - History

Newport, R.I. - Social life and customs

Newport Police Department (Newport, R.I.)

Nurseries (horticulture) - Rhode Island - Middletown

Old Stone Mill (Newport, R.I.)

Old City Cemetery (Newport, R.I.)

Pitman, William S., d. 1962

Poetry

Pray, Harley W.

Price's Neck (Newport, R.I.)

Prohibition - Rhode Island

Rhode Island Republican (newspaper)

Richardson, George H.

Rose, Patricia A. (Brightman) (Walsh)

Scottish Americans - Rhode Island - Newport

Second Baptist Church (Newport, R.I.)

Stoneacre (Newport, R.I.)

Swedish-Americans - Rhode Island - Newport

Thames Street (Newport, R.I.)

Verrazanno, Giovanni de, c1485-1528

Viking Hotel (Newport, R.I.)

Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House (Newport, R.I.)

White, Elizabeth (Nicholson), 1877-1961

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Worcester, Mass.)

World War, 1939-1945

x Walsh, Patricia A. (Brightman)

Young Mens' Christian Association (Newport, R.I.)

End of finding aid - return to top

RIHS1822