Otis family papers, 1687-1868

Summary Information

At a Glance

Call No.:
MS#0957
Bib ID:
4079184 View CLIO record
Creator(s):
Otis Family; Gay Family
Repository:
Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Physical Description:
4 boxes (4 boxes)
Language(s):
English .
Additional Description:
https://www1.columbia.edu/sec/cu/libraries/inside/projects/findingaids/scans/pdfs/34_NE-O_38.pdf
Access:
You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located on-site.

Reader must use microfilm of entire collection. See MN# 86-2143.

Description

Summary

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.

Arrangement

Cataloged and listed.

Using the Collection

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located on-site.

Reader must use microfilm of entire collection. See MN# 86-2143.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

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.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Otis family papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Related Archival Materials

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.

Accruals

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Alternate Form Available

Microfilm available.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--Bancroft. Method of acquisition--Purchase; Date of acquisition--1953. Accession number--M-53.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 08/--/89.

Biographical / Historical

Family of Hingham, Barnstable, and Boston, Mass.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form
Autographs (manuscripts) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Name
Bradford, John, 1747-1830 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Gay, Sydney Howard, 1814-1888 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Otis, James, 1702-1778 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Otis, James, 1725-1783 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Otis, Joseph, -1810 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Otis, Samuel Allyne, 1740-1814 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Quincy, Josiah, 1744-1775 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Washington, George, 1732-1799 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Wigglesworth, Edward, 1732-1794 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Place
United States -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Subject
Families -- Massachusetts -- Barnstable CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Families -- Massachusetts -- Boston CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Families -- Massachusetts -- Hingham CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Marriage -- Massachusetts CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID