Main content
Student Correspondence and Writings Collection
Notifications
Held at: Princeton University Library: University Archives [Contact Us]
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: University Archives. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
The Student Correspondence and Writings Collection contains original materials from the university archives that document aspects of student life as experienced by students at Princeton University. Materials included in this collection either date from the period that the student attended Princeton or the content of the correspondence and writings directly relates to the student's time at the university.
Notes within the contents list provide further details on the contents of individual folders.
Many of the items which comprise the Student Correspondence and Writings Collection have been cataloged individually, and are searchable through the Princeton University Library's online catalog . The information presented in the folder list of this finding aid duplicates that found in the online catalog records.
Additional student correspondence and writings will be added to the collection as accrued by the University Archives.
The documents which comprise the Student Correspondence and Writings Collection have been collected by the Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library over a span of several years, primarily beginning in the 1990s. Whenever possible, accession numbers have been included with folder descriptions. In 2009, many items which were formerly a part of the General Manuscripts Collection were moved to the Student Correspondence and Writings Collection.
For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.
This collection was processed by Mudd Library Staff. Finding aid written by Daniel Brennan in March 2009. Description of AR.2014.070 created by Ada Rauch '17. Finding aid updated by Annalise Berdini in December 2020. Finding aid updated by Phoebe Nobles in 2022.
Appraisal information was not recorded at time of processing.
- Publisher
- University Archives
- Finding Aid Author
- Daniel Brennan
- Finding Aid Date
- 2009
- Access Restrictions
-
Collection is open for research use.
- Use Restrictions
-
Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. The Trustees of Princeton University hold copyright to all materials generated by Princeton University employees in the course of their work. For instances beyond Fair Use, if copyright is held by Princeton University, researchers do not need to obtain permission, complete any forms, or receive a letter to move forward with use of materials from the Princeton University Archives.
For instances beyond Fair Use where the copyright is not held by the University, while permission from the Library is not required, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.
Collection Inventory
Series 1: Student Correspondence and Writings Collection, 1769-2009 consists of materials integrated with the collection prior to 2011.
Documents within Series 1: Student Correspondence and Writings Collection, 1769-2009 are arranged alphabetically by the name of the individual that created them.
Physical Description9 boxes
Consists of Job M. Allen's personal journal documenting his Junior year at the College of New Jersey in 1836. The journal contains handwritten entries in which Allen muses upon student life, current events, and the status of his education.
Physical Description1 folder
There are seven letters and one fragment of a letter included in this folder. One of the letters, from June 12, 1773, is a copy. Some letters are from Thomas to Moses, and some from Moses to Thomas, including two written during the time Moses was a student at The College of New Jersey.
Physical Description1 box
Consists of Philip E. Barringer's correspondence during his years as a student at Princeton University. The correspondents are primarily friends and relatives and the letters cover topics such as trips, current events. The collection also contains one particularly scathing letter from the Rev. Alford Kelley, Class of 1886, condemning Barringer's use of the word "hell" in an article printed in the Princeton Alumni Weekly.
Physical Description1 folder
Foreword and first two chapters of the memoir of John Benn, Class of 1926, which discuss his student years at Princeton.
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of the correspondence of F. Tremaine Billings during his student years as well as his undergraduate transcript. Some of the letters are accompanied by small explanatory notes written by Billings.
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of Leonard L. Bleecker's diary from April 1916 to May 1917, in which he recorded daily events and ideas. Also included are some clippings, grades, and other loose papers related to Bleecker's student life.
Physical Description1 folder
The book contains a collection of memories of Chester's family members, especially of his father, William Merrill Chester, Class of 1913. The William Merrill Chester chapter offers information about student life at Princeton in the early 20th century.
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of one manuscript containing the recollections of Samuel Craig Cowart, Class of 1876
Physical Description1 folder
(References to Scott Fitzgerald in letters of 1917 December 2 and January 1918)
Physical Description1 folder
Letters from James C. Davis to his parents regarding student life, as well as other class records, and a letter to the Princeton Alumni Weekly.
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of Clifford G. Dixon's handwritten correspondence covering his four years at Princeton. Frequent correspondents include his parents and friends from the Blair Academy. Topic discussed in the letters include Dixon's life on campus, academics, and world events.
Physical Description2 boxes
6 folders
5 folders
1 folder
Consists of the photocopied journal of Christopher Donner (Class of 1933). The journal contains handwritten entries from Donner's senior year at Princeton. The entries generally discuss student life at Princeton in 1933, but also include accounts of several holiday trips Donner took.
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of one letter written by Pierpont Edwards to his brother, Timothy Edwards, on August 18, 1768. In the letter Edwards discusses the proposed dress for the upcoming commencement. He also mentions briefly College President John Witherspoon, who first arrived in Princeton several weeks prior to Edwards' letter.
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of a handwritten journal of Zephaniah Charles Felt containing reminiscences of his fellow classmates, organized alphabetically. Only volume one is present, covering the names Alexander to Delpuech.
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of approximately one dozen letters sent by William Edward Foster to his mother. The earlier dated letters primarily discuss Foster's studies, however after 1861 the main topic of conversation turns to the state of the nation as it rushes towards Civil War. Foster, himself a southerner, expresses concerns about his own safety among northerners and the final letter sent by guardian J. Helms of Philadelphia describes Foster's impending return to North Carolina. Also includes an invitation to the Edgehill Literary Society anniversary exercises in 1858.
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of 48 letters with accompanying envelopes sent between Halsey Augustus Frederick and various family members. The letters discuss routine everyday matters, such as classes, programs attended, and post-graduation plans.
Physical Description1 folder
Two letters to Jeremiah Smith Gordon regarding his studies at Princeton and the sale of furniture.
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of a handwritten manuscript for "College As It Is or the The Collegian's Manual in 1853." The manuscript was published by the Princeton University Libraries in 1996.
Physical Description1 box
Consists of 61 letters written while a Princeton undergraduate. The majority of the letters are to Kenyon's father, and discuss his life as a student at Princeton. For photographs of Kenyon, see AC058, Class of 1916 (Box AD09).
Physical Description2 folders
Diary containing daily entries of Charles V. Kidd, mainly focused on academics.
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of seven letters sent by John Beatty Kyle to his mother and sister while a student at Princeton in the early 1850s. The letters generally discuss family matters and Kyle's life as a student.
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of Richard Esterbrook McConnell's autobiography.
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of John Roberts Miller's diary chronicling the year 1863. In the small bound volume Miller noted daily events, often mentioning even the briefest of encounters with other class members or faculty.
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of letters sent between William Kincaid Newman '31 and his parents, Bernard Joseph Newman and Kate Kincaid Newman. The letters generally discuss the younger Newman's social life and education at Princeton, as well as current events such as Hoover's election. Most of the handwritten letters have been retyped, and these transcripts are included.
Physical Description6 folders
Consists of letters sent by John C. Paulison, to his sister during his time as a student at Princeton.
Physical Description3 folders
Consists of letters sent by Arthur Pomeroy during his freshman year at Princeton.
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of correspondence sent by Howard A. Smith Jr. '41 during World War II.
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of Gail Tirone '83's unpublished novel depicting student life at Princeton during the early 1980s.
Physical Description2 folders
Consists of Cornelius Trowbridge's written recollections of Princeton.
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of typed copies of letters written by John Williams Walker two his brother at two points in his life. The first group of letters date from 1805-1807 when he attended Princeton University as an undergraduate. The second set of letters is from a later period 1808-1809 when Walker was traveling westward from Charleston, South Carolina to the Mississippi Territory. The collection also contains an index to the letters and a brief biography of Walker.
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of 32 letters written in John Witherspoon Wood's own hand to his mother and other relatives. The letters discuss Woods' life as a student at Princeton including current events, academics, and the changing face of the campus. Especially notable is a September 14, 1835 from Woods to his mother in which wrote that 60 of his fellow students nearly lynched an abolitionist.
Physical Description1 folder
Series 2: Additions, 1792-1947 consists of materials integrated with the collection in 2011 or later.
No arrangement has been imposed on items in Series 2: Additions, 1792-1947.
Physical Description11 boxes
1 box
1 box
1 box
1 box
1 box
1 box
1 box
1 box
1 box
1 box
1 box
1 box
1 box
1 box
1 box
1 box
1 box
1 box
1 box
1 box
1 box
The diary primarily documents Hough's religious life, but it also touches on academics and student life.
Physical Description1 box
Includes correspondence written by Peter Carter Speers, Class of 1914, to his mother and father during his time as a student at Princeton. Topics include personal finances, football (Speers played football), academics, Chapel attendance, and other aspects of student life.
Physical Description1 box
The letter covers topics such as final examinations and Commencement; it is accompanied by a typed transcription.
Physical Description1 box
Letter from Joseph Dodd '1813 to his son, Amzi Dodd '1841. Topics include family matters, reminiscences of Princeton by Joseph, wishes for Amzi's successful completion of the academic session and other related matters.
Physical Description1 box
1 box
Volume I of Sawyer's journal, which he wrote during his time as a student in his junior year (1837) and a small his senior year (1838), opens with an account of his upbringing and his religious awakening, and subsequently includes entries that occasionally touch on aspects of college life, such as lectures by the president and attendance at chapel, but mainly focus on his spiritual life and study.
Physical Description1 digital file
1 digital file
Though Volume II of Sawyer's journal begins in his final days as a Princeton student, the journal primarily documents Sawyer's time as a Presbyterian Missionary in Monrovia, Liberia from 1841 until his death 1843. The journal contains detailed descriptions of Sawyer's interactions with the tribesmen, kings and governors he encounters; his efforts to build a school and to establish other missions; and his dealings with local people.
Physical Description1 box
1 digital file
1 box
1 box
This file contains letters and telegrams written and sent home by Seligman, a Princeton undergraduate, to his parents. Arranged chronologically, the letters date from the beginning of his freshman year in September of 1908 to the beginning of his senior year in October of 1911; however there is one letter from March of 1908 and another from December of 1912.
The letters have a lightheartedly humorous and sarcastic tone and are filled with Seligman's requests for money from his parents. Notable people mentioned are Professor John Grier Hibben (November 10, 1908, and February 17, 1910), Reverend A. W. Verman (October 28, 1908), Woodrow Wilson (November 4 and 12, 1908; March 11, 1910; throughout the September to December of 1910 letters), and Moses Taylor Pyne (February 1909 unmarked letter and May 6, 1909). A prominent topic is that of "horsing," or hazing of the freshmen by sophomores. Seligman also discusses the outbreak of Scarlet fever, P-rading, attending sports matches, the Boston Symphony, the new "School of Science" Building, bond buying, and the Elberon Masquerade Dance.
The only reference to Judaism comes up in correspondence on required chapel attendance. Seligman at first refers to a bimonthly requirement of chapel attendance as "a little annoying." On February 15, 1909 his parents receive a letter from the registrar stating "In accordance with your request dated February 13th your son is excused from attendance at our chapel on account of difference in religion." This letter from the registrar is included in the collection.
This file is arranged chronologically.
Physical Description1 box
This folder contains 3 letters--dated August 22, 1818, October 26, 1818, and November 21, 1818--from Edgar Macon '1821 addressed to his father Col. Thomas Macon in Lucketsville, Orange County, Virginia, that relate to Edgar's studies and living on campus and 1 letter from Philip Lindsley to Col. Macon dated September 1, 1818, acknowledging receipt of $200 for Edgar.
Physical Description1 box
This folder contains one letter from Edwin Esmay '1930 to his aunt, Grace Treible Johns of Utica, NY. Grace was the daughter of Rev. Wilson Treible and Eva Blecher Treible, who was a descendant of Gov. Jonathan Belcher. Includes comments on the completion of the new university chapel.
Physical Description1 box
1 digital file
This file consists of letters sent to and from Philip Herzig, Princeton Class of 1946, during his time in World War II, when he was stationed in Germany for two years near the war's end. These letters are the originals that are published in the book Your Loving Son, Philip: Letters from an American soldier in World War II. Herzig's widow, Helene Phillips Herzig, edited the book, which was published in 2011.
The letters are arranged chronologically.
Physical Description2 boxes
1 box
1 box
Author was an officer housed at the U.S. Naval Training School at Princeton.
Physical Description1 box
This book is a compilation of the correspondence of William Kincaid Newman edited by his children Katherine K. Newman and James B. Newman.
Physical Description1 box
1 box
Two diaries, one dating primarily from Metzger's sophomore year and the other from his senior year.
Physical Description1 box
1 box
Memoir about the author's parents.
Physical Description1 box
Letter addressed to Rev. A.D. Campbell in Allegheny City, PA. "Dear Mother" is written on a printed circular that lists final class standing for the class of 1846; commencement speakers are also listed.
Physical Description1 item
Note that Philip Richard Fendall's surname has been mispelled "Fendell" in Mudd's undergraduate alumni database.
Physical Description1 item
1 item
1 item
1 item
Addressed to Frank E. Smith, Jr. at the Summer School of Geology and Natural Resources, on the private Pullman car "Princeton" in Denver, Colorado.
Physical Description1 item
Diary kept by Jeremiah Smith Gordon while attending Princeton University, beginning in 1850. Entries run through 1854, with a few later entries from 1856. Lists kept at the back of the volume include lists of expenses, "Communications," "Correspondence," and a page of "Real Estate Expenses" marked 1860 and 1861.
Gordon would go on to become Pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Fannettsburg, Pennsylvania for 47 years. In this diary he writes about prayer, the Sabbath, and attendance at services. Gordon writes about his reading, lectures and recitations for college and criticizes his own habits ("Neglect of study. . . almost total neglect in some things have been visited upon me"). The diary documents playing football, cramming for exams, attending classes and sermons, studying, and attending the circus, as well as voting and attending the campus visit of President Franklin Pierce ("The President appeared at the side door of the cars--my impressions were rather favorable--did not feel interest enough to give him a cheer--not a proper feeling perhaps"). The journal contains a few pages of diary entries from 1854 and from 1856, an essay on economics, poems, two pages of real estate accounts dated 1860, and ten pages of accounts for expenditures while a student.
Physical Description1 volume
1 folder
Includes letters Beckwith sent home as well as letters from women at various colleges who Beckwith dated while a student at Princeton. In part, the latter document Princeton social events such as football games.
Also included is memorabilia from the 27th Annual NCAA Basketball Championship (1965), including a program and press package from the Final Four and clippings related to Bill Bradley '43.
Physical Description1 box
1 folder
Includes letter from Bill Lietzow.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Brothers Gerard "Gerry" Thomas (born 1930) and William R. "Bill" Thomas, Jr. (born 1927) both belonged to the Class of 1951. William R. Thomas had delayed his undergraduate education for Army service. They roomed together, and their letters are written to their father William R. Thomas, mother Virginia Postles and younger brother Jim in Washington, D.C.
Physical Description3 folders
Includes admission letters for both William and Gerard Thomas, a recommendation letter from the U.S. Army and letter of introduction to the engineering school from Dean Kenneth Condit. Also includes some correspondence home to their parents from Gerard Thomas.
Brothers Gerard "Gerry" Thomas (born 1930) and William R. "Bill" Thomas, Jr. (born 1927) both belonged to the Class of 1951. William R. Thomas had delayed his undergraduate education for Army service. They roomed together, and their letters are written to their father William R. Thomas, mother Virginia Postles and younger brother Jim in Washington, D.C.
Physical Description4 folders
Personal journal of Edward D. McDougal, Jr. (Princeton, Class of 1918), written between January and March of 1920., with one short note from 1927 at the back. E.D.McDougal, Jr., whose studies had been interrupted by his service in World War I, was valedictorian, and the journal includes the text of his address as well as an account of the graduation.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder