Correspondence and other papers of the Robertson family of Washington County, New York, and several other related families, dealing mostly with family matters and the migration westward of family members to Ohio, Missouri, Minnesota, and California. The papers of Smith Robertson consist of his letters written while a student at Union College (Schenectady, New York) and as superintendent of Common Schools in Tompkins County; also as a medical student at Geneva Medical College, at Yale University, and while traveling to Washington, D.C. Chief subjects include education, medicine, travel, and personal affairs. Correspondents include Horace Mann, Henry Barnard, and Douglass Boardman; he also describes meeting John Quincy Adams. Also, a painting by F. E. Robertson (brother of Mary "Grandma" Moses). Robertson family genealogy, including data on George Robertson (born in Scotland and lived in Dryden, New York); Smith Robertson, Hiram Robertson (husband of Mary Cornell); also material on related families, including Bishop, Brown, Houtz, King, Snyder, Teeter, and Wood.
Robertson family papers, #243. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
Includes collections #184, #243, #908, and #852.
From Smith Robertson at Union College, Schenectady, to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Robertson, at Varna; is concerned with the College. (SR member of July 1843 graduating class.)
To SR, Union, from E. Canfield, Sandisfield.
From W. Smith at Yale to SR at Union; is concerned with life at Yale; courses; death of a friend.
From SR at Union to William H. Lacy at Cortland Academy, Homer. "Seward runs behind while Bouck runs far ahead of his ticket"; other political comments. Also, references to college life, studies, professors.
From B. C. Whiting, Binghamton, to SR.
From O. S. Wood, Dryden, to SR at Union.
Printed report form from Union; addressed to George Robertson; includes tuition bill and marks for term January 8-April 1, 1841; also general information on courses, admission requirements, etc.
From Ruel Smith, Rochester, who is studying medicine in the office of a professor of surgery at Geneva Medical College; mentions practices of medical students who procured corpses already buried for their dissections. To SR at Union.
Term report from Union as in April above; for period April 30-July 28, 1841.
From Cousin Molly, Albany, to SR at Union.
From SR at Union College to William H. Lacy, Cortlandville; remarks about newly elected state legislators; plans for present term at College and future entering of Law School.
To SR at Union from N. B. Smith, Ithaca.
Term report from Union for period January 7-April 1, 1842.
From William Smith at Yale to SR at Union.
From Howard Townsend, Albany, to SR at Union; tells of H's journey to Washington, D.C.; his meeting John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, hearing Henry Clay speak, dining at the White House with President Tyler, and seeing the sights of the Capital.
From James Wood, Jr., Union College, to SR in Dryclen, about an overpayment of a debt; SR now in a lawyer's office.
To SR from a cousin. Tells of the illness of his Aunt Sally.
Term report from Union for period April 29th-July 27, 1842
From Cyrus Robertson in Albion, Michigan, to his brother, SR; concern about worth of Michigan land SR wishers to sell
From Walter Mott, cousin of SR; invitation to SR to visit Mott in Albany at; the Medical College and perhaps see an operation performed.
From Howard Townsend at Union to SR in Etna .
From Mitchell (fraternity brother of SR?) ; "Ike" and others to SR.
From N. R. Biddlecomb, and others to SR urging his return to Union Coll. and reporting events since his departure.
From State of New York, Secretary's Office, Department of Common Schools Albany to SR--Superintenderit of Common Schools, Tompkins Co., Ithaca. Re: a law of 1843 stating that all appeals presented to the State Secretary's Office must have first been submitted to and had a decision rendered by th& superintendent of schools in the particular county.
From M. Scofield, Whitesboro, to SR.
From SR at. Union Coll. to parents; has returned to College
From D. R. Houts, Ithaca, to SR at Union College.
From Hiram D. Robertson at Albion, Michigan, to Parents (George Robertson) about trip to Detroit.
From Asa Barton, Union Coll. to SR at Varna, Tompkins Co. about news of SR's fraternity at Union, Sigma Phi.
From W. Smith at Yale University to SR, Varna, Tompkins Co., N.Y,. ,some facts about life at Yale and news of friends
From S. Town of Aurora to SR; letter is about Town helpinc Robertson with a "pioneer enterprise thro' which the cause of primary education will receive so much aid."
From H. Gillam of Aurora to SR about the possible visit of a Mr. Town.
From S. Town of Aurora to SR; letter says that a visit to Tompkins Co. would be impossible. Town speaks of a project undertaken by Tompkins Co. teachers that has spread to other parts of the State; he commends the venture and wishes them success in the future.
From A. Potter, Union College, to SR, Ithaca. Potter isn't sure whether or not he will be able to attend an Institute.
From S. Young, Secretary's Office, Department of Common Schools, Albany to SR, Superintendent of Tompkins Co. Common Schools re: teacher certification for a Mr. Curtis and commending SR on the reputation of the Teachers' Institute
From D. A. Morton, town clerk, Groton, to SR, Super. Common Schools of Tompkins County, listing names of district clerks for the Groton Common Schools.
From Eleaser Carter of Caroline, to SR informing SR that the trustees have refused his (SR's) request for a meeting. Carter says that he will arrange for SR to review the clerk's books and will give SR all the help that he can.
From Cyrus Clark and John S. Holden to SR as Superintendent of Tompkins Co. Common Schools. A notice of an appeal being sent to the N.Y.S. Superintendent of Schools concerning the Board of Trustees' refusal to comply with anexisting statute. SR. had ruled in favor of the Trustees.
George B. Glendening, Cayuga Academy, Aurora to SR; acceptance of invitation to visit SR.
From S. Young, State of New York Secretary's Office, Dept of Common. Schools, to SR. State Superintendent upholds decision of SR in the case of Holden and Clark vs. the Trustees of the town, of Lansing District #7, saying that trustees have right to levy tax.
From Douglass Boardman, Trumansburg, to SR. Letter tells of the electioneering done by Boardman's opponents in an election in the attempts to get another man elected.
From S. Town, Angelica, to SR; reports on the Teacher's Institute in Angelica.
To SR from. S.D. Carr of Groton. A man in the school district refuses to pay taxes on land which is not in said district.
From Douglass Boardman, Trumansburg, to SR requesting that SR send the dates he will be able to visit Trumansburg.
Printed invitation from Alpha of the Sigma Phi with note from How(ard?) Porter.
To SR from S. D. Carr asking that SR visit the Groton district schools and commenting on the next school term.
From Lyman Cobb, N.Y.C. to SR about text books being considered by the Books Committee of the County School Association.
From S. Young, Secretary's Office, Dept. of Common Schools, Albany, to SR granting the request for an extension in handing in the district's annual report and commending the evaluation SR is doing of the Common Schools in Tompkins Co.
From Douglass Boardman, Trumansburg, to SR. The State Superintendent has asked that each district send in the number and description of the books in the school libraries. Boardman also reports that a district meeting will soon take place to discuss new school sites and taxes.
From S. Young, Secretary's Office, Department of Common Schools, Albany to SR. The state regulation calling for a catalogue of books held by each district must be followed.
To SR from D. W. Carley, Newfield. Carley tells of his plans for the ending of the school term and the examination of his pupils.
From S. Town to SR. Town "will come to Ithaca."
From E. Powell, Owego, to SR. Letter sends news of Teacher Institute.
From S. D. Carr, Groton, to SR. Letter about the possible hiring of a Mr. Everson in SR's district.
From Alex Holland, Union Coll., to SR. Acknowledgment payment of money to Union College.
From Horace Mann, Boston, to SR. Can not meet with SR until following April. Commends SR for his (SR's) new work in New York State common schools.
From P. A. Ely, Hector, to SR, Superintendent Tompkins Co. Common Schools. A request of SR can not be fulfilled and Ely does not, have a candidate for the Norman (?) School.
From Robert Alien, Joseph Ammack, Samuel Alien, Jonathan Owen, Woodard White, and John Fish, all of Enfield, to SR, Superintendent of Tompkins Co. Common Schools. Letter is an appeal to SR in behalf of a poor family in the school district. The District Board of Trustees has demanded the payment of the rate bill by this man who does not have the money. The petitioners are asking SR to exempt this man from the rate bill.
From S. Town of Aurora to SR, Supt. Tompkins Co. Common School. S. Town can not accept invitation of SR.
From E. G. Starke, Auburn, to SR. A letter which SR mailed to Starke had been sent to the wrong address and the event which Starke had been invited to, had already taken place. Starke is angered by a movement in Albany seeking to abolish County Superintendents. He attacks Silas Wright, U.S. Senator 1833; reelected 1837 and 1843; governor 1845-47, as being the American Cato and states that Wright has not the information needed to make the statements he has been making. Starke comes out against "bigotry and ignorance coupled with rank injustice in high stations."
From Edwin Cooper, Waterloo Academy, to SR. Cooper can not "during his vacation" visit SR but will be in Ithaca for two days during the next institute. He praises SR's work and comments on the effect it has upon other counties.
From S. Young, Ballston, to SR, Ithaca. The letter is an answer to an invitation of SR to Young. Young talks about the prejudices of certain segments of the community against the school system. Young says that education is not for the rich alone, as the mass of people think, but for the poor as well. No one should be denied the opportunity of receiving an education. '"No philanthropist should remit his exertions until our Schools are raised to such a grade of utility as to embrace all the children of the State, the sons and daughters of the rich as well as of the poor. All should here mingle on one common level; all should be blended into one mass during the susceptible period of youth. This is the only means of promoting the harmony of society, of suppressing jealousies and perpetuating in letter and in spirit our republican institutions."
From Edwin Cooper, Waterloo to SR, Ithaca. Cooper will not be able to attend the Teacher Institute in Ithaca because of the illness of his wife.
From Cyrus Robertson, Albion, Michigan, to his brother Smith Robertson, Ithaca.
Lovel (?) Preston, Caroline, to SR. Letter is praising SR for his system of school instruction.
Printed folder - written by Franklin Knight. The folder is a sort of advertisement for a book of facsimiles of letter from George Washington on agriculture Knight has published that will "have a most salutary influence in correcting, in the youth of our country, many false notions regarding the character of agricultural pursuits."
Printed circular for Wickham's "Educational Incentives," particularly Teacher's Tokens with facsimile. Letter from the publisher, Alexander V. Blake, N.Y.C. to SR, telling SR about the invention of a School Ledger which would enable a teacher to keep permanent records of students.
From I (?) Cooper McLean, N.Y. , to SR. A new certificate is to be made out for Miss Samantha Burton enaibling her to teach in any school district in Tompkins' County.
Printed circular from R. Hyde Walworth, President, New York Juvenile Temperance Association to SR and all County and town superintendents, urging them to promote said association and its goals in their district or county.
From Francis Dwight, Albany, to SR. A Mr. D. P. Page will be in the area in the middle of September and will be willing to address a Teacher Institute if there is one at that time.
From Henry McGonegal of Albany, asking SR for a recommendation. McGonegal is seeking a position in Syracuse as a teacher.
From Albert D. Wright, Verona to SR, Ithaca. Dwight had promised SR that he would speak at the Tompkins County Teachers' Institute. He is asking to be released from this engagement since he is being asked by his own district (county) to be in charge of an Institute there.
From E. C. Seymour, Albany, to SR, Ithaca. Letter informs that Seymour will be leaving the school at the end of the term. Professors Perkins and Page will not be able to attend the Tompkins County Institute. Seymour asks the help of SR in finding a job for the next term.
Circular giving details of the coming Cayuga County Teachers' Institute.
From Henry Barnard of Providence to SR, Ithaca. Barnard will be able to attend the Institute and will deliver an address on "What can be done to improve the schools this winter?"
From Henry Barnard,Providence, to SR, Ithaca. The letter confirms Barnard's appearance at the Teachers' Institute, October 14 and announces his plans for an earlier arrival.
From Edwin Cooper, Syracuse, to SR, Ithaca. Cooper will not be able to attend the Teachers' Institute. He also encourages SR to accept a copy of a "current volume of the Advocates'" and to encourage the teachers in his district to become subscribers.
From O. O. Wickham, N.Y.C. to SR. Wickham will not be able to attend the Institute and present his "Educational Incentives" to the teachers present. However, he is sending samples and asks that a wall chart called School Chart of Characteristics be placed on the wall of some room at the Institute.
From Charles R. Coburn, Owego, to SR inviting SR and Mr. Barnard to the Owego Institute and Esq. Gillet, if he can be spared. He invites SR to speak to them about education.
From Daniel Jackson, Burdett, to SR about a teacher, Mr. J. W. Carpenter, then teaching at his school, who had the previous year been in trouble over a young woman of the town whom he had since married. Jackson says that except for that one incident, Carpenter's reputation and behavior had been very fine.
From O. O. Wickham, N.Y.C. to SR asking for the names of all of those present at the last Teachers' Institute so that he may advertise his Teacher's Book of Instrumentalities and School Requisites.
From Thomas Slater, Albany, to SR, Professor Perkins will be able to attend the Institute planned for the spring.
From H. Camp, school trustee in Trumansburg, to SR, Supt. of Common Schools, Tompkins County in regard to a notice that there will be a public examination of students in the near future. Camp says, on behalf of the other trustees, that their school will not be taking part in the examination.
From C. S. Ford, Geneva to SR about Ford's appearance as a lecturer at a future Teachers' Institute.
From S. Town, Aurora to SR. Town cannot, at the time, indicate whether or not he will be able to visit Ithaca.
From G. H. Stevens, Danby, to SR. Sherman Miller has been newly elected Town Superintendent of Schools. Canfield and Stevens are going to School [to keep school?]
From Doug(lass) (Boardman) Trumansburg, to SR as Superintendent of Common Schools, Tompkins Co. giving exact time of his arrival in Ithaca.
SR from T. Russell Jencks of Boston.
From Palmer and Jencks, Boston, to SR, Supt. of Common Schools. They have found the journals he enquired about and wish to know if he wants them to be sent to him.
Printed circular from N. S. Benton, Supt., N.Y.S., Secretary's Office, Dept. of Common Schools. A previous circular should be disregarded if it does not apply to a particular Superintendent,.
From J. S. (or I. S.) Mitchell, Canajoharie, to SR.
From Superintendent of Caroline to SR reporting on the salary of the County and town superintendent of schools note attached re: amount of compensation for Dr. Farlin [See Ace. #2241]. Town Superintendent.
From Jacob Abbott of New York to SR. Abbott is not certain whether or not he will be able to attend an Institute scheduled for early October. He thanks SR for the positive information and says that he will send a definite answer when he is able to.
From C. La. (?) Ford, Medina to SR of Ithaca. Ford is not certain whether or not he will be able to speak on Anatomy and Physiology at an Institute in the early part of October
From A.J. Tompkins of Lansing inviting SR to their school celebration.
From Alonzo Wynkoop, Chemung, to SR of Ithaca. Wynkoop asks for SR's assistance in finding qualified teachers to lead an Institute.
From Horace Mann, Boston to SR. Mann sends his regrets and says he will not be able to attend their Institute. He commends SR for the work he is doing.
Printed circular from Andrews and Boyle, Publishers, N.Y.C. to SR requesting the names and mailing addresses of all the town superintendents in the county and all of the teachers in the county. Andrews and Boyle are publishing a weekly newspaper, the Anglo Saxon, and hope to interest the superintendents and teachers in becoming subscribers.
From Jacob Abbott, N.Y., to SR. Abbott will be able to visit the Institute.
Printed circular from 0. C. Gardiner of N.Y.C. to SR, Supt. of Common Schools, Tompkins County. Circular is a testimonial for the magazine American Quarterly Journal of Agriculture and Science; hand written letter {pages 2-3) is sent to encourage SR to subscribe to magazine.
From Oliver Dyer of New York to SR. Mr. Augustus Boyle will not be able to address 'the Teachers' Institute on Phonographics and sends his regrets.
From P. S. Ely, Hector, to SR of Ithaca. Ely's visit to Ithaca has been postponed a week. The Burdett School is in need of a teacher and Ely suggests that SR send them one.
Form letter from N. S. Benton, Supt. Common Schools, Secretary's Office, Dept. of Common Schools, Albany to County Superintendent SR. Blank reports for district trustees are available.
Form letter from Delphian Institute of Union College, Schenectady to SR as a former member asking for a donation of either money or books to keep, in the Institute's attempt to fit up a reading room.
From Alonzo Wynkoop, County Supt. of Chemung, to SR, Ithaca. Three counties, Tompkins, Steuben and Chemung are planning a union Teachers' Institute to which all the neighboring counties are being invited. The letter from Wynkoop is to inform SR of what has been planned so far; who the principal speakers will be, a sample of the notice to appear in the newspapers (handwritten).
From Alonzo Wynkoop, Chemung, to SR, Ithaca. Letter gives SR more news about the union Institute informing him that notices have been sent to newspapers. Wynkoop has had no definite answer from those whom he has asked to address the Institute, If all else fails, he will call upon SR to deliver an address. (first mention is made of Robertson being married as Wynkoop says " . . .and shall hope to meet your bride,. . . .")
From N. S. Benton, State of New York Secretary's Office, Dept. of Common Schools, Albany to SR. Letter says that land is liable to assessment by a district if it lies partially within that district and if the owner/occupant resides on the land in that particular district.
From B. F. Winegar, a member of SR's fraternity, Sigma Phi, at Union College, to SR. The fraternity needs donations from members to build a membership hall. This letter contains second mention of SR having recently married.
From Cyrus Robertson, Albion, Michigan, to his brother, SR.
Printed circular from N. S. Benton, Secretary's Office, Dept. of Common Schools, Albany, to County Supt. SR. The circular contains information pertaining to the reduction of the amount of gratuity allowed to pupils.
From Benj[amin] Cook, Penn Yan to SR. Cook will not be able to attend the whole of an Institute to lecture and teach Phonography but will be present for the second week.
From J. S. (?) Holmes, Deputy Supt. of Common Schools, State of New York, Secretary's Office, Dept. of Common Schools, to SR,. Letter concerns a discrepancy concerning sums of money received during the current year, which appear in SR's abstract of Town Supt.'s Reports.
October 14 letter from James Redfield of Lyons, County Supt. for Wayne County to SR introducing Dr. Calvin Cutler, author of a book on physiology; on same sheet.
October 19 letter from. Calvin Cutler, Ithaca to SR sending SR a copy of the above mentioned book.
From Philip and Sarah Robertson, Conneaut, Ohio, to SR.
From B. R. King & P. R. King, Middleport, N.Y. to their brother and sister, SR and ? (his wife?) sleighing; RR correspondence.
From W. Van Wyck, Union College to SR. The letter asks for funds for the finishing of the Conclave hall for the Sigma Phi fraternity at Union College.
From H. (?) McGonegal, Baldwinsville, to SR asking SR for a recommendation for a teaching position.
From O. O. Wickham, Clinton Hall (pm Williamsburg) , N.Y. to SR. Wickham requests a list of the names and addresses of the teachers in the area so that he may send them ". . .some valuable information which will be to their advantage and advance the cause of education."
Printed circular from Association of Former Students of Cortland Academy to SR; letter asks for donations for a fund to be given to Mr. Wollworth, by his former pupils upon his resignation.
From Thomas (?) Dwight, Albany, to SR. Letter concerns an Institute not being held. There is also mention made of an attack upon the present school system being made at a teachers' convention.
From Thomas (?) Dwight, Albany, to SR. Dwight is asking SR for information of the upcoming Tompkins County Institute.
From Peter Selover, Homer, to SR. The author of the letter had been promised a letter he did not receive. He is now appealing to SR for a certificate and/or a letter of recommendation.
Printed circular advertising an arithmetic series.
Printed circular advertising Mitchell's Map Establishment.
From Adjt. General W. L. Marcy, Troy, to General Samuel Hatheway, Homer. General Marcy has been asked to give an opinion about whether or not officers who did not parade their companies on a certain required date should be punished. If they did not know that they were required to perform a duty, then they can not be punished for failing to fulfill the obligation. Note: Xerox copy placed in Hatheway Family Papers, Ace. #2281.
Receipt for pay as teacher in District #4, town and county unnamed; signed by Israel Roberts.
From Ebby Hyde, Farmer [Interlaken], to Doctor Frederick Hyde, Cortland Village. Augustus (?) has just left Ebby Hyde's after a visit. Ebby says that he regrets that Frederick could not have been there at the same time as Augustus but says it was not possible. Ebby talks of a trip he is soon to start upon and says he is looking forward to Frederick's visit.
From G. Woodruff, Buffalo, to Dr. Frederick Hyde, Cortlandville. Personal letter containing family news and other items of gossip. Woodruff teases Hyde about his (Hyde's) "unpatriotic bachelorhood."
From C. F. Woodruff, Ithaca, to father (step-father?, father-in-law?) P. Pelton of Monticello, N.Y. Trip by stagecoach from Monticello to Ithaca.
From J. W. French of Albion, New York, to Mr. E. B. Walsworth, of Walworth, Wayne Co. concerning a report to be made out re the Walworth Academy of which Walsworth is principal.
From James S. McRie, Union College, to E. B.. Walsworthth asking for a teaching position at the Walworth Academy where Walsworth is principal.
From George Loomis of Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, Lima, Livingston Co. , to E. B. Walsworth saying that visit to "Lyceum" at Walworth, Wayne Co. at present would not be possible.
From Joseph Rosenkrans of Fort Plain to Mr. Walsworth of Union College: Request that Walsworth deliver sermon in place of Rosenkrans while he (Rosenkrans) must be away.
From Caleb Clark, Truxton, to Dr. Frederick Hyde, Cortland (ville). Clark is ill and wishes Dr. Hyde to prescribe some medicine for him.
From John Foster, Union College, to E. B. Walsworth at Auburn Theological Seminary. In doubt as to date of Auburn Commencement and "propriety" of his [Foster's] addressing the body.
From Silas C. Brown, W. Bloomfield, to his nephew E. B. Walsworth, Auburn, N.Y. Family matters.
From Rev. E. G. Townsend, Sackets Harbor, to E. Walsworth, Auburn. Personal news and comment.
From H. W. Parker, Mexico, N.Y., to E. B. Walsworth, Auburn Theological Seminary. (Rev.) Parker wishes someone to substitute for him for four Sabbaths and asks Walsworth's assistance in securing someone.
From Albert West, Troy to Ira G. Fellows. Will be 21 11/8 (b. 1826). Visit to N.Y.C. - theatre-going, attending Trinity Church.
From Albert West, Troy, to Ira G. Fellows, Pulaski. Mutual friends and daily activities.
From Henry L. Young of Avon, to Rev. E. B. Walsworth, Union Theological Seminary, N.Y. Is invited to assume Presbyterian pastorate at Avon. "This is missionary ground. . . ."
From Albert West, Troy, to Ira G. Fellows. Personal news.
From Albert West, Troy, to Ira G. Fellows. Social news--sleigh rides.
From Albert West, Troy, to Ira G. Fellows, Pulaski. Maple sugar making news from California; "'tell the boys to let well enough alone and stay at home."
Warrant from Almon Baker, trustee of School District #8, Cazenovia, Madison County ordering him to receive school taxes; a list of taxable inhabitants and amounts they owe. 1 item (2 pcs.)
Order to Tax Collector to pay wages earned by Addie Warner as teacher in School District #9, Town of Lincklaen, Chenango County.
A handwritten catalogue of books (15 vols.) belonging to School District #2, Town of Lincklaen.