Vassar College Digital Library
Guide to the Sarah Josepha Hale Papers, 1850-1877 (bulk 1863-1867)

Table of Contents

Collection Summary

Repository: Archives and Special Collections Library, Vassar College Libraries
Creator: Hale, Sarah Josepha Buell, 1788-1879
Title: Sarah Josepha Hale Papers
Dates: 1850-1877
Dates: 1863-1867
Quantity: 0.4 cubic feet (2 boxes)
Abstract: Thirty original letters by Hale and typescript copies of letters to and from Hale (originals also available) concerning the inclusion of the word "female" in Vassar Female College, women's education, other business of Vassar College, missionary work, and women in the church. Other correspondents include Milo P. Jewett, Benson J. Lossing, John H. Raymond, and Matthew Vassar.
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Biographical Note

Sarah Josepha Buell was born in Newport, N.H., on October 24, 1788. She married David Hale, a lawyer, in 1813 and they had five children. Widowed in 1822, she turned to writing to earn a living. She published several books of verse and a novel, Northwood, in the 1820's, and became editor of the Ladies' Magazine in 1828. She had high standards as an editor, and the magazine reflected her interests, primarily what she called the "women's sphere;" she was opposed to woman's suffrage but was a great proponent of education for women and the kindergarten movement. In 1837 she became editor of Godey's Lady's Book, a magazine which made a practice of avoiding the controversial issues of the day. Despite these somewhat conservative views, she was committed to advancing the interests of women--her efforts on behalf of Vassar College are reflected in this group of letters. In the 1850's she became interested in careers for women--such as medicine, foreign missionary work. Sarah Hale, however, should be remembered not primarily as a feminist but as a highly skilled editor. She did not retire from Godey's until she was ninety; she died in Philadelphia the following year, 1879.

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Scope and Content Note

Thirty original letters by Hale and typescript copies of letters to and from Hale (originals also available) concerning the inclusion of the word "female" in Vassar Female College, women's education, other business of Vassar College, missionary work, and women in the church. Other correspondents include Milo P. Jewett, Benson J. Lossing, John H. Raymond, and Matthew Vassar.

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Access

This collection is open for research according to the regulations of the Vassar College Archives and Special Collections Library without any additional restrictions.

Restrictions on Use

Permission to quote (publish) from unpublished or previously published material must be obtained as described in the regulations of the Vassar College Archives and Special Collections Library.

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  • Folders 4-63 are typescripts, originals are in the Autograph File.
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Subject Headings

Names:

  • Jewett, Milo P.
  • Lossing, Benson J. (Benson John), 1813-1891
  • Raymond, John H. (John Howard), 1814-1878
  • Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868

Organizations:

  • Vassar College
  • Vassar Female College

Subjects:

  • Editors
  • Women and religion
  • Women in missionary work
  • Women's colleges--New York (State)--Poughkeepsie
  • Women--Education
  • Women--Employment

VCL Categories

  • Education
  • Religion
  • Vassar College
  • Women's History
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Encoding Information

Encoded by Elizabeth Clarke, April 2007.

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Preferred Citation

Sarah Josepha Hale Papers, Archives and Special Collections Library, Vassar College Libraries.

Processing Information

Original processing date unknown.

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Series List

Series I. Correspondence from Hale (Box 1)

Series II. Correspondence to Hale (Box 2)

Container List

Correspondence from Hale

Folder 1.1 to Horace Greeley, 2 September 1850
Folder 1.2 to Milo P. Jewett, 17 February 1864
Folder 1.3 to Pliney Earle, n.d.
Folder 1.4 to Horace Greeley, 2 September 1850
Folder 1.5 to Matthew Vassar, 30 April 1860
Folder 1.6 to Matthew Vassar, 5 April 1861
Folder 1.7 to Benson Lossing, 21 December 1863
Folder 1.8 to Milo P. Jewett, 17 February 1864
Folder 1.9 to Milo P. Jewett, 20 February 1864
Folder 1.10 to Matthew Vassar, 19 March 1864
Folder 1.11 to John H. Raymond, 6 June 1864
Folder 1.12 to John H. Raymond, 21 June 1864
Folder 1.13 to John H Raymond, 3 November 1864
Folder 1.14 to Matthew Vassar, 21 January 1865
Folder 1.15 to Benson Lossing, 6 February 1865
Folder 1.16 to Benson Lossing, 6 February 1865
Folder 1.17 to John H. Raymond, 24 February 1865
Folder 1.18 to Benson Lossing, 25 February 1865
Folder 1.19 to John H. Raymond, 2 March 1865
Folder 1.20 to John H. Raymond, 8 March 1865
Folder 1.21 to Matthew Vassar, 30 March 1865
Folder 1.22 to Benson Lossing, 4 April 1865
Folder 1.23 to Benson Lossing, 30 March 1865
Folder 1.24 to John H. Raymond, 5 April 1865
Folder 1.25 from Matthew Vassar [unclear if there was a to MV as of 1 May 2014], 7 June 1865
Folder 1.26 to John H. Raymond, 8 August 1865
Folder 1.27 to Benson Lossing, 26 August 1865
Folder 1.28 to Martin B. Anderson, 14 June 1866
Folder 1.29 to Matthew Vassar, 2 December 1867
Folder 1.30 to Matthew Vassar, 27 March 1868
Folder 1.31 to John H. Raymond, 31 March 1871
Folder 1.32 to John H. Raymond, 12 February 1875
Folder 1.33 to John H. Raymond, 18 June 1877
Folder 1.34 to John H. Raymond, n.d.
Folder 1.35 to Matthew Vassar, n.d.

Correspondence to Hale

Folder 2.36 from Matthew Vassar, 8 May 1860
Folder 2.37 from Matthew Vassar, 11 December 1862
Folder 2.38 from Henry W. Lee, 21 December 1863
Folder 2.39 from Milo. P Jewett, 17 February 1864
Folder 2.40 from Matthew Vassar, 31 March 1864
Folder 2.41 from Milo P. Jewett, 2 May 1864
Folder 2.42 from Matthew Vassar, 8 June 1864
Folder 2.43 from Matthew Vassar, 26 September 1864
Folder 2.44 from Matthew Vassar, 26 December 1864
Folder 2.45 from John H. Raymond, 26 October 1864
Folder 2.46 from Matthew Vassar, 7 June 1865
Folder 2.47 from Matthew Vassar, 28 August 1865
Folder 2.48 from Matthew Vassar, 28 October 1865
Folder 2.49 from Matthew Vassar, 4 December 1865
Folder 2.50 from Matthew Vassar, 4 December 1865
Folder 2.51 from Matthew Vassar, 29 January 1866
Folder 2.52 from Matthew Vassar, 27 June 1866
Folder 2.53 from Matthew Vassar, 25 August 1866
Folder 2.54 from Matthew Vassar, 5 December 1866
Folder 2.55 from Matthew Vassar, 22 February 1867
Folder 2.56 from Matthew Vassar, 7 March 1867
Folder 2.57 from Matthew Vassar, 22 March 1867
Folder 2.58 from Matthew Vassar, 20 June 1867
Folder 2.59 from Matthew Vassar, 20 June 1867
Folder 2.60 from Matthew Vassar, 11 July 1867
Folder 2.61 from Matthew Vassar, 9 September 1867
Folder 2.62 from Matthew Vassar, 3 October 1867
Folder 2.63 from Pliny Early, n.d.

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Details
Abstract

Thirty original letters by Hale and typescript copies of letters to and from Hale (originals also available) concerning the inclusion of the word "female" in Vassar Female College, women's education, other business of Vassar College, missionary work, and women in the church. Other correspondents include Milo P. Jewett, Benson J. Lossing, John H. Raymond, and Matthew Vassar.

Finding Aid Date
Dates: 1850-1877
Collection Title
Sarah Josepha Hale Papers