Temporary record

These letters were written by two brothers, Hanford W. Edson and Elmer R. Edson, to their family. The brothers attended Phillips Exeter Academy and Williams College. Hanford went on to earn an A.M. at Harvard in 1909. He died in 1921. Their father, Rev. Hanford A. Edson, was a pastor of the 2nd Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis from 1864-1873. He had also attended Williams, graduating in 1855. Rev. Edson attended Union Theological Seminary, University of Halle in Germany , and earned a Doctor of Divinity in 1874 from Hanover College in Hanover, Ind. In the letters to their family the boys write about school work, trips, glee club , Y.M.C.A., and domestic chores. Financial matters are also a concern.

Hanford, the elder brother, contemplates attending seminary during his senior year at Williams. His letters of 1889-1890 focus on deciding if he should attend seminary or take a teaching position at Robert College in Constantinople. In the spring he accepts the position at Robert College for two years. Hanford also plans a trip through Europe prior to beginning his teaching duties in Constantinople. Later letters seem to indicate that he is employed at Williams College, although no specific job is mentioned.

Elmer's letters are written during his time at Phillips Exeter Academy and at Williams. In his letters he concentrates on his social activities as well as his studies. He joined his brother at Williams where they both lived in the Delta U. house. One of the last letters from Hanford to his parents indicates that Elmer would like to attend medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. There are no letters from Elmer discussing this, however. Both brothers frequently write to their sister Helen who becomes ill during this period. In a letter prior to her illness, (December 12, 1891), Elmer writes about the development of frogs, complete with drawings, which seems to interest her. By 1894 , however, she seems near death. Hanford writes to his mother in December 1894 about Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, Dr. William Hammond, M.A. Starr, Dr. Sinkler, and Dr. J.W. Taylor. Of Mitchell he writes, he is "an earnest Christian and a gentleman...." and "have no fear that he would be too hard on a little girl." In addition to the letters, there are three programmes from events at Williams College.

M-3159.2

Brothers and sisters
Clergy--Presbyterian
Family--Massachusetts
Phillips Exeter Academy--Students
Williams College--Students

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