Historical note:

            John H. Crawford of Pawtucket (ca.1836-1896) was a mechanic who eventually came to own the Atwood-Crawford Company, manufacturers of wooden spools for textile mills. He married Mary D. Freeman (ca.1839-1909) in 1862. Their son Walter Crawford (ca.1865-1909) was also involved in the business. He married Abby Newell (1873-a.1951). Her parents are unknown, but she was probably a granddaughter of Elisha Newell (1797-1864) of Pawtucket, and a niece of western settler James Newell and of Harriet (Newell) White of Attleboro, Massachusetts.

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Scope and content:

            This collection includes an early account book of John Crawford; letters received by Mary Freeman before and after her marriage; a diary of Walter Crawford from 1887 listing his bicycle-riding adventures (with a receipt for the bicycle); scattered notebooks, some of which appear related to the Atwood-Crawford Company; a short history of the Elisha Newell family; and 8 rather depressing letters to Harriet White from her brother and sister-in-law James and Ann Newell as they migrated westward.

            There are also papers of two persons whose relation to the family remains unknown: Elizabeth Davis of Oakham, Mass. and Eliza Allen of Attleboro.

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Provenance:

            These papers were donated in 1995 by Martha Crawford, whose husband Richard L. Crawford was a grandson of Walter Crawford.

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Processing note:

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Inventory:

1. Crawford, John.

            Account book, in account with Central Falls Lumber Co., 1866

            Letter, from nephew Daniel and niece Julia of Johnston, 1873.

2. Crawford, Mary (Freeman).

            Letters received, 1858-1865. Correspondents include:

            Susan C. Perry of Rehoboth, Mass., 1858 (2)

            Everett [Freeman?], cousin, of Amboy, n.d.

            Susan Freeman, cousin, of Sterling Conn., 1865

            E.C. Stowers of Kickamuit, 1862

            M.E. Hervey of Coventry, 1861

            Hellen E. Thayer of Canton, Mass. 1860

            Em ___ of Warren, 1859

3. Crawford, Walter

            Diary, 1/1/1887 to 9/9/1887.

            Personal account book, 1895.

            Memorandum books, 1897 and 1902.

            Bicycle receipt, 1887

4. Crawford, Abby (Newell)

            Personal account book, 1917-1921

            Account book, possibly Atwood-Crawford Company, 1933

            News clippings of Atwood-Crawford Company, 1935 and 1937

5. Elisha Newell family history.

6. White, Harriet (Newell)

Letters, James and Ann B. Newell to Harriet and Joshua White, 1857-1858. 8 items. Written from "Seville" (possibly Seville, Ohio), and "Hennepin" (possibly Hennepin County, Minnesota?)

7. Davis, Elizabeth

            Autograph book pages with locks of hair, 1829-1830

8. Allen, Eliza

            Unsigned poem, "The Spider and his Wife"

            Photocopy of "Head of Class" certificates.

            Letters received, 1818-1823:

            Amana Kent, cousin, of Attleboro, 1818

            Nancy Allen, sister, of Attleboro and Pawtucket, 1821, 1823.

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Subjects:

Allen, Eliza

Atwood-Crawford Company

Bicycles - Rhode Island - Pawtucket

Central Falls Lumber Co.

Crawford, Abby (Newell)

Crawford, John H.

Crawford, Mary D. (Freeman)

Crawford, Walter

Davis, Elizabeth

Diaries, 1887

Freeman, Everett

Hervey, M.E.

Newell, Elisha

Newell, James

Pawtucket, R.I.

West (U.S.) - Description and travel, 1848-1860

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RIHS1822