This finding aid is made available for public use following the Universal 1.0 Public Domain Dedication Creative Commons designation.
Autograph letter index. Link to PDF finding aid added in fall 2018
Cataloged and listed.
This collection is located on-site.
Reader must use microfilm of entire collection. See MN# 86-2143.
The collection is equally divided between letters written by members of the Otis family and letters and documents relating to them. The earlist item is a 17th century marriage settlement and there are a few letters written in the 19th century. The bulk of the collection, however is from the second half of the 18th century. The largest number of letters were written by Joseph Otis (1726-1810), his brother Samuel Allyne Otis (1740-1814), and their father, James Otis (1702-1778). There are a few letters from and relating to Joseph's more famous brother, James Otis of Boston (1725-1783) who was one of the more colorful and incendiary figures in pre-revolutionary New England. Also, letters and documents of George Washington, John Bradford, Josiah Quincy, and Edward Wigglesworth. The letters deal largely with legal and business matters, but there is some comment on events of contemporary interest.
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Otis family papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
Microfilm available.
Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
Source of acquisition--Bancroft. Method of acquisition--Purchase; Date of acquisition--1953. Accession number--M-53.
Collections related by provenance: Columbia University also has the Sydney Howard Gay Papers in Ms Coll\Gay and Gay-Otis Family Papers in Ms Coll\Gay-Otis.
Family of Hingham, Barnstable, and Boston, Mass.
Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 08/--/89.
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Collection inventory is available as