Hoyt family papers, 1855-1924

Series I: Hoyt, James Otis, 1855-1896

The bulk of James Otis Hoyt's papers date from the 1860s, when he was a student at Harvard College and Harvard Law School. Of his correspondence, most are letters of a personal nature, including a number of love letters from a woman named Sara W. There are also a number of his writings, including a dissertation written in his junior year at Harvard entitled "On Carey's View of Trade as the Instrument of Commerce" and a later work entitled "Concerning the Liability of Partners as to Third Partners." There are also financial documents (mostly bills), and teaching materials from his time as a teacher at St. Mark's School and at Harvard.

Series II: Hoyt, Mrs. James Otis (Emily Fellows), 1885-1909

Mrs. Hoyt's papers are composed of personal correspondence and financial documents. Personal correspondence includes letters from friends (many are condolences written at the time of her husband's death) and from Mary, written during her time at Bryn Mawr. Among the financial documents are insurance policies, a deed to a family plot in Woodlawn Cemetery, and correspondence and official papers relating to the estates of her brother, Richard Christian Fellows, and Augustus Schell.

Series III: Other Family Members, 1882-1924

This series contains the papers of Emily Hoyt (sometimes called Pansy), Mary Fellows Hoyt, and James O. Hoyt's mother, Harriet M. Hammond Hoyt (Mrs. James B. Hoyt). Emily's papers include financial documents and personal correspondence, the bulk of which are letters written to her by Mary in 1917 and 1918 during her time as an American Red Cross nurse in France. Mary's papers include her personal correspondence and financial documents. There are also several official papers for both sisters, including an automobile registration and Mary's passport. The letters addressed to Mrs. James B. Hoyt are mostly from her young grandchildren. The folder titled "Unidentified Correspondence" includes letters addressed to "Miss Hoyt" and to "The Misses Hoyt."

Series IV: Documents, 1860s-, 1910s

This series is comprised of the less personal documents that were included in the family's collection. There are a number of calling cards and invitations, and ephemera, such as advertisements, programs, and mailings from various clubs. Of particular interest is a large collection of American and European postcards from the 1900s and 1910s, amassed by Mary Fellows Hoyt. Also included are the plans for a boat, a house, and a building which is most likely the family's townhouse at 310 west 75th st. in New York, built in 1893.