John L. Moffat papers, 1867-1873.
Collection Number: 37-5-1460
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Title:
John L. Moffat papers, 1867-1873.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Collection Number:
37-5-1460
Abstract:
Correspondence between John and his parents, Dr. Reuben Curtis and Elizabeth Virginia
Barcly Moffat, constitutes the bulk of this collection; there is also correspondence
between Moffat and his brothers Edgar, George, and Burnham, and sister Ada, and several
relatives and friends, including Aunt Liney (Adelaide Curtis) and her sons Gram, Frank,
and Ernest. Moffat's letters discuss his experiences at Cornell University; letters
from family and friends discuss life in Brooklyn, New York. Also included are essays,
class notes, examinations, room and board receipts, an Appleton's Railway Map-U.S.
and Canada, 1871, and memorabilia including reception invitations and dance cards.
Creator:
Moffat, John L. (John Little), 1853-
Quanitities:
.6 cubic feet.
Language:
Collection material in English
Correspondence between John and his parents, Dr. Reuben Curtis and Elizabeth Virginia
Barcly Moffat, constitutes the greatest part of this collection; there is also correspondence
between Moffat and his brothers Edgar, George, and Burnham, sister Ada, and several
relatives and friends, including Aunt Liney (Adelaide Curtis) and her sons Gram, Frank,
and Ernest.
Also included in this collection are essays, class notes, examinations, room and
board receipts, an Appleton's Railway Map-U.S. and Canada, 1871, and memorabilia including
reception invitations and dance cards.
In September 1869, Moffat left his home on Schermerhorn Street in Brooklyn to attend
Cornell University, where he took up residence at Cascadilla Hall with his cousin
Gram (1872) as roommate. (On the same floor of the Hall were also the rooms of Professor
Fiske and Goldwin Smith; see hand-drawn map diagram, Nov. 28, 1869.)
In letters to family and friends, Moffat relates many of his daily experiences at
the University; they in turn reveal something of life in Brooklyn in the early 1870's.
Dr. Moffat was a homeopathic physician who made his calls by horse and carriage. A
series of letters recounts the accidental death of his horse "Skip" and the long search
for a suitable replacement. At times the doctor refers to some medical cases; often
he writes at length on theological matters. The Moffats were members of the Society
of the New Church in Brooklyn, of which Dr. Moffat was Sunday School superintendent,
and where the family participated in many activities such as fairs and theatrical
performances. Mrs. Moffat was also active in matters concerning a hospital and orphan
asylum and benefit dances. Both Dr. and Mrs. Moffat offer an abundance of parental
and spiritual guidance to their son. Two brothers write briefly about their clerical
jobs and about rowing and yacht racing on the Hudson River.
At Cornell, Moffat was a member of the Natural History Society of Cornell University
and the Philidor Chess Club, charter-member of the Chemical Club of Cornell University,
and a corporal in the Independent Cadets; at the time of graduation, he was Captain
of Company C in the Military Department.
Among the subjects on which Moffat writes are the following: cadet uniforms, drills,
and outings; religious services (held in the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Ferris?) and
the move to organize the New Church at Cornell; Moffat's and Curtis' room, and the
food at Cascadilla; activities such as studying, rowing on the lake (Cayuga?), hikes
in the general area; student behavior and student receptions; Moffat's academic courses;
typhoid and other illnesses; the death of Professor Wilder's child Ruth of scarlet
fever (Feb. 27, 1870); travel between Brooklyn and Ithca via the Erie Canal and other
routes.
A letter from Gram Curtis to his uncle Reuben (Dr. Moffat) discusses plans for supplying
water to the University from Fall Creek. (At Commencement Exercises in 1872, Curtis
read his essay entitled "The Supply of Water and Water Power to the University.")
A letter from Mrs. Moffat encloses a letter (Dec. 5, 1871) concerning family history;
a copy made by Moffat remains in the collection. (Reuben Moffat's grandfather, John
L. Moffat, was a surveyor with Simeon DeWitt.)
Letters from Dr. Moffat prescribe and enclose medications for Moffat and fellow students.
A letter (Feb. 24, 1870) discusses typhoid fever, giving descriptions of symptoms
and treatment.
Family and friends' letters mention the Gold Panic of 1869 and the Chicago Fire of
1871.
INFORMATION FOR USERS
John Little Moffat papers, #37-5-1460. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections,
Cornell University Library.
Cornell University Class of 1873.
Names:
Curtis, Adelaide.
Curtis, Ernest.
Curtis, Frank.
Curtis, Gram.
Moffat, Ada.
Moffat, Burnham.
Moffat, Edgar.
Moffat, Elizabeth Virginia Barcly.
Moffat, George.
Moffat, Reuben Curtis.
Cornell University. Class of 1873
Cornell University -- : Examinations.
Cornell University -- : Students.
Places:
United States -- Maps.
Canada -- Maps.
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)
CONTAINER LIST
Container
|
Description
|
Date
|
|
Box 1 | Folder 1 |
Correspondence
|
1867-1868, June-Oct. 1869 |
Box 1 | Folder 2 |
Correspondence
|
Oct. 1869 |
Box 1 | Folder 3 |
Correspondence
|
Nov. 1869 |
Box 1 | Folder 4 |
Correspondence
|
Dec. 1869 |
Box 1 | Folder 5 |
Correspondence
|
Jan. 1870 |
Box 1 | Folder 6 |
Correspondence
|
Feb. 1870 |
Box 1 | Folder 7 |
Correspondence
|
Mar. 1870 |
Box 1 | Folder 8 |
Correspondence
|
Apr. 1870 |
Box 1 | Folder 9 |
Correspondence
|
May 1870 |
Box 1 | Folder 10 |
Correspondence
|
June 1870 |
Box 1 | Folder 11 |
Correspondence
|
Oct. 1870 |
Box 1 | Folder 12 |
Correspondence
|
Nov. 1870 |
Box 1 | Folder 13 |
Correspondence
|
Dec. 1870 |
Box 1 | Folder 14 |
Correspondence
|
Jan. 1871 |
Box 1 | Folder 15 |
Correspondence
|
Feb. 1871 |
Box 1 | Folder 16 |
Correspondence
|
Mar. 1871 |
Box 1 | Folder 17 |
Correspondence
|
Apr. 1871 |
Box 1 | Folder 18 |
Correspondence
|
May 1871 |
Box 1 | Folder 19 |
Correspondence
|
June 1871 |
Box 1 | Folder 20 |
Correspondence
|
Sept. 1871 |
Box 1 | Folder 21 |
Correspondence
|
Oct. 1871 |
Box 1 | Folder 22 |
Correspondence
|
Nov. 1871 |
Box 1 | Folder 23 |
Correspondence
|
Dec. 1871 |
Box 2 | Folder 1 |
Correspondence
|
Jan. 1872 |
Box 2 | Folder 2 |
Correspondence
|
Feb. 1872 |
Box 2 | Folder 3 |
Correspondence
|
Mar. 1872 |
Box 2 | Folder 4 |
Correspondence
|
Apr. 1872 |
Box 2 | Folder 5 |
Correspondence
|
May 1872 |
Box 2 | Folder 6 |
Correspondence
|
June 1872 |
Box 2 | Folder 7 |
Correspondence
|
Sept. 1872 |
Box 2 | Folder 8 |
Correspondence
|
Oct. 1872 |
Box 2 | Folder 9 |
Correspondence
|
Nov. 1872 |
Box 2 | Folder 10 |
Correspondence
|
Dec. 1872 |
Box 2 | Folder 11 |
Correspondence
|
Jan. 1873 |
Box 2 | Folder 12 |
Correspondence
|
Feb. 1873 |
Box 2 | Folder 13 |
Correspondence
|
Mar. 1873 |
Box 2 | Folder 14 |
Correspondence
|
Apr. 1873 |
Box 2 | Folder 15 |
Correspondence
|
May 1873 |
Box 2 | Folder 16 |
Correspondence
|
June 1873 |
Box 2 | Folder 17 |
15 college essays
|
1870-1872 |
Box 2 | Folder 18 |
Notes, Chemistry and Elocution
|
1870 |
Box 2 | Folder 19 |
Essays, examinations, notes - Part I
|
1870-1873 |
Box 2 | Folder 19 |
Essays, examinations, notes - Part II
|
1870-1873 |
Box 2 | Folder 21 |
"Receipts for Tuition, Board, Room etc. 'Chemicals' (Lab fees) Cornell University"
|
1869-1873 |
Box 2 | Folder 22 |
Programs, invitations, memorabilia
|
1872-1873 |
Box 2 | Folder 22 |
Independent Cadet discharge
|
1872 |
Box 2 | Folder 23 |
Appleton's Railway Map of the United States and Canada
|
1871 |