Historical note:

            The largest portion of this collection deals with Robert L. Beckwith (1855-1925) of Providence, who worked in family textile industry in his early years. He opened his own plant in North Scituate, manufacturing shoe and corset laces in 1889, and by the turn of the century was managing family land interests. He retired in Portland, Oregon.

            The following genealogy of the family was compiled from notes in the collection:

Amos N. Beckwith (1821-1890), son of Truman Beckwith, married Clara Cowling Lippitt (1828-1879) in 1848 and had the following children:

1. Daniel (1849-1917) m. Lydia D. Owen (1849-1947), 1894

2. Alice D. (1852-1884) m. Ernest Louis Oppenheim in 1873, had Beckwith and Clara.

            Clara Oppenheim later became known as Clara Lippitt Beckwith.

3. Robert L. (1855-1925) m. Carrie Joslin

4. Truman II (1859-1930) m. Harriet Parsons 1887, had Truman Jr., Henry P., Elsie, Madeleine

5. Helen S. (1861-1861)

6. Warren L. (1867-1956) m. Ella L. Love, 1898

Robert Lincoln Beckwith (1855-1925) married Carrie (Joslin) Beckwith (1860-1944) in 1879 and had the following children:

1. Amos (1880-1950); no issue; left only $5.00 in father's will.

2. Henry T. II (1882-1951) m. Catherine Dorman, 1921. Son Henry R.

3. William (1884-a.1976) m. Daisy Reisig, 1911; 2nd, Anna Nagle, 1925. Of Rochester, N.Y.

4. Alice B. (1885-a.1969) m. Paul C. Morton, 1920

5. Daniel (1888-1935) m. Ella Karinen, 1914. Son Robert L.

Henry T. Beckwith (1818-1893) was brother of Amos I; his wife was Abby (Hall) Beckwith (1808-1895).

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Scope and content:

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Provenance:

            The collection was donated in 1983 by Alice Beckwith Bacher, who may have been a daughter of William Beckwith (b.1884) of Rochester. She is listed in Alice Beckwith Morton's will as a niece.

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Processing note:

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Inventory:

Lydia Owen Beckwith of Providence (sister-in-law of Robert L.)

Folder 1. Will, 1942. Photostat.

Robert L. Beckwith, shoelace and corset lace manufacturer of North Scituate, R.I.

Folder 2. Letter book, 1889-1902 and 1924. Mostly business from North Scituate, 1889-1894.

Folder 3. Diary/account book, 8/30/1912 - 10/7/1912; and 6/14/1915 - 10/2/1915. Travel through U.S. Also account book, 1917.

Folder 4. Estate records, 1925-1927

Truman Beckwith (grandfather of Robert L. Beckwith)

Folder 5. Bill of lading, ship Eagle, 1821

William J. Beckwith of Rochester, N.Y. (son of Robert L. Beckwith)

Folder 6. Wedding book, to Anna Nagle, 1925

Folder 7. Correspondence, 1936-1976. Mostly estates of relatives; some family letters.

Miscellaneous

Folder 8. Miscellaneous correspondence.

Re estates of Clare L. Beckwith, Carrie Beckwith, Abby G. Beckwith, Daniel Beckwith and Alice Morton, 1895-1969

                        Letter, Warren Beckwith to Alice Morton, 1945

                        Letter, Carrie Beckwith to Clara Lippitt Beckwith, 1854

                        Bill in French to "Mme. Becker", 1866

Folder 9. Genealogical information

Folder 10. Newspaper clippings. Mostly family obituaries and wedding notices; also re Truman Beckwith House on College Hill, Providence.

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Subjects:

Beckwith, Robert L. (1855-1925)

Corset lace industry - Rhode Island - Scituate

Diaries - 1912-1915

Scituate, R.I. - Business records

Shoe lace industry - Rhode Island - Scituate

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RIHS1822