Selden family papers, 1785-1920.
Collection Number: 1655

All the material in the collection may not be covered by this guide.

ALS, Amasa Kellogg, Hartford to Aunt, Abigail Jones, New City. Original Letter donated by Miss Hitchcock.

ALS, George Bowen, New York to cousin, Mary Selden, Troy. Original Letter donated by Miss Hitchcock.

ALS, Mary Osborn, Montville, to friend Eliza Vail, Troy. Original Letter donated by Miss Hitchcock.

ALS, Harriet Yvonnet Gale, Albany to brother, William S. Gale, Whitesboro. Original Letter donated by Miss Hitchcock.

Fragment of letter Sept. 1855 - Miss Hitchcock from Margaret Gale Hitchcock, from Clifton Springs Watercure, to unknown person; contains directions for making boiled flour as a baby food for babies with weak digestions.

Letter (photostat) from William J. Selden, comments on status of agricultural pursuits. "…..upon the subject of his going into the mercantile business. If he is determined upon it. I think a country store where a general assortment is kept, in some village {sic}, would be a much better school, than a retail Dry goods store in a city. there is very little exercise to be got in the latter place, & the information very limited, if he wishes to do business in the country, all the information he could get of city business would be good for nothing, city merchants seldom succeed in the country, whereas most of the successful city merchants commenced in the country. Such a store as Knoxes in Knoxville would be a good place - if you & he still wish. I will try to get him in in Troy. It would be very difficult to get in where he would get any compensation for the 1st year, as there are 10 or 20 applications for every vacancy. My advice would be that he should turn his attention to the cultivation of the earth.....an educated farmer in my humble opinion, is the only true gentlemen we have in the land of liberty, speculation, and cheating...." Original at Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois.

Letter (photostat) from William J. Selden, description of St. Croix, Virgin Islands. "…..This is the pleasantest winter resort I have yet found…. The roads are very fine throughout the Island superior to our best McAdam roads being composed of ground coral and shells. They are never wet nor dusty, riding is one of our principal amusements. We generally go out twice a day sometimes in carriages & sometimes on horseback.....We have abundance of the finest fish, poultry, mutton, etc. Fruit is very cheap, large oranges & bananas 18 for a sixpence...the thermometer seldom varies more than 2 degrees from 80 ....and the water being about the same temperature makes it delightful sea bathing....There are two Catholic, two Moravian, two Lutheran & two Episcopal Churches on the Island. I think even you could not find much fault with the institution of slavery on the Island. The Blacks are not compelled to work hard & have each a piece of land to cultivate. Most of them have a pony, pigs, fowls, etc. The vegetable markets are supplied by the slaves & many of them are quite well off. We are now in the Holidays & they have it all in their own way. Most of the houses are thrown open to them & they have it all in their own way. Most of the houses are thrown open to them & they march in with their rude instruments of music & set of such a drumming, dancing & singing as to almost deafen one. The government have ordered school houses to be erected throughout the Island & one day in the week is to be set apart for their education under the direction of the Moravians. The schoolhouses are handsome large & airy stone buildings....." 2 pcs. Location of original not known. Was returned to donor in 1955; she died in 1966.

J.W. Bailey. "Knox College by Whom founded and Endowed: Also a Review of a Pamphlet Entitled Rights of Congregationalists in Knox College." Chicago: Press and Tribune Book and Job Printing Office, 1869 (1 reel negative microfilm of our 131 pp. pamphlet).