Main content
Grace L. J. McClure Papers
Notifications
Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division. 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
Grace Latimer Jones McClure was an American educator and writer. McClure was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1879. She graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 1900, and studied philosophy at The Ohio State University. In 1904 she became a teacher at the Columbus School for Girls in Columbus, Ohio where she taught English and Italian art, eventually serving as the headmistress of the school from 1926 through 1938. In 1921, she married Charles F.W. McClure, Professor of Biology at Princeton University.
This collection primarily consists of materials related to American educator and writer Grace Latimer Jones McClure's unpublished book, A Clippership Honeymoon. They include research notes, annotated drafts, typescripts, and correspondence related to the editing of the book and McClure's efforts to have it published. Also included is the original source material - nine diaries written from 1850-1862 by Charles F.W. McClure's aunt, Malvina "Mallie" McClure, that document her early life in mid-19th century Cambridge and her travels as the wife of sea captain, Seth Williams. Several volumes of these diaries document their honeymoon voyage on his clipper ship Gem of the Ocean.
The collection also includes correspondence related to her position as the headmistress of the Columbus School for Girls, and as an active member of the Princeton University community in Princeton, New Jersey.
In addition, two diaries from Malvina's mother and Charles F.W. McClure's grandmother, Mary McClure, are included.
Gift of Professor E.D.H Johnson in 1972 and in 1974 (AM 21529)
The collection inventory was originally created by Michael Heist in August 2007.
Collection was processed by Sara Rogers in August 2018. Finding aid written by Sara Rogers in August 2018.
No materials were removed from the collection during 2018 processing beyond routine appraisal practices.
People
- McClure, Charles F. W. (Charles Freeman Williams), 1865-1955
- McClure, Malvina, 1834-1867
- McClure, Mary
Organization
Subject
- Publisher
- Manuscripts Division
- Finding Aid Date
- 2007
- Access Restrictions
-
Collection is open for research use.
- Use Restrictions
-
Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.
Collection Inventory
Primarily consists of professional correspondence related to McClure's role as a teacher and headmistress at the Columbus School for Girls. Letters from fellow educators, administrators, and potential commencement speakers are included. Additionally, there are letters related to the McClures' involvement with the Princeton University community, and Grace's participation in various clubs and organizations in Princeton, New Jersey.
Letters to her husband, Charles F.W. McClure, and her father George D. Jones are also included.
Physical Description1 box
Includes two letters from Jane Addams.
Physical Description1 folder
Includes a signed photograph of John Drinkwater.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes five letters from former First Lady, Frances F. Cleveland Preston. Also included is an emergency passport issued in 1914 from the American Embassy at Rome.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
Letters addressed to Charles F.W. McClure from multiple correspondents.
Physical Description1 folder
Letter addressed to Grace McClure's father, George D. Jones.
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of materials related to the researching, writing, editing, and publishing of A Clippership Honeymoon. Also includes additional outlines of short stories written by McClure based on her research into maritime history and clipper ships.
Physical Description4 boxes
Consists of letters written and received by McClure related to the writing, editing, research, and publishing of A Clippership Honeymoon. Correspondence is arranged chronologically and correspondents include Gene Rea, editor of the text; McClure family members; and literary agents and publishers.
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of collected clippings, notes, and catalogs related to the topic of clipper ships and women at sea.
Also included is a letter from Seth Williams, and photographs of Seth Williams, Mary McClure, and John Nay McClure.
Physical Description2 folders
Annotated drafts and notes related to multiple chapters of A Clippership Honeymoon.
Physical Description5 folders
Annotated drafts and notes related to multiple chapters of A Clippership Honeymoon.
Physical Description6 folders
Bound copy of chapters IV through XIII.
Physical Description1 folder
2 folders
Correspondence, drafts, and research related to other stories written about clipper ships by Grace McClure.
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of nine diaries, a book, and a notebook owned by Malvina "Mallie" McClure who was born Susan Malvina McClure in Raymond, New Hampshire in 1834. The youngest daughter of John Nay McClure and Mary McClure, she spent much of her early life in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She married Seth Williams (1834-1869), a sea captain, and spent several years, including the first year of their marriage, traveling with him aboard the clipper ship the Gem of the Ocean. She died March 1, 1867.
Physical Description2 boxes
Nine diaries written by Malvina "Mallie" Williams (née McClure) that Grace McClure used as reference for A Clippership Honeymoon. The diaries recount Mallie's early life in Cambridgeport; her marriage to Seth Williams and their honeymoon year on the clipper ship Gem of the Ocean; and other events related to her life as the wife of a sea captain. Diaries were assigned volume numbers by McClure, and each have a brief synopsis of the dates and content attached to the front cover. Bookmarks from McClure were also left in their original locations.
Physical Description2 boxes
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Published by T. Allman & Son, 42, Holburn Hill.
Inscribed "Mallie S. Williams, May 9th, 1861, Port Louis, Mauritius." Also includes the stamp "H.J. Snelling, Mauritius."
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of two diaries from Mary McClure, the mother of Malvina "Mallie" McClure and grandmother of Charles F.W. McClure. Born in New Hampshire in the early 19th century, she married Jedediah Nay and had three children. When Nay died, she remarried a distant cousin of his, John Nay McClure, and had three additional children - Charles Freeman, John Freeman, and Susan Malvina. The McClure family moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts in the 1840s and there she spent the rest of her life. She died in 1867. The diaries recount several years of her life in the Cambridgeport area. Any notes or markers placed by Grace McClure have been left in their original locations.
Physical Description1 folder