Westerfield Historical Collection

A non-systematic collection of personal and business papers, including ship logs, diaries, account books, and family letters from 1783-1890. Most of the documents are from 1850-60, and chiefly from Maine. It is unknown whether all the material is from the same greater family, or perhaps miscellaneous collected material. Certain family connections are apparent in the personal letters.

Personal letters include family correspondence of late 18th century-19th century. Maine family names include: Goss, Sewall, Waterhouse, Morgan, Barber, Dunham, Merrill, Merritt, Bickford, Bromer, Dennison, Maxim, Thomas, McDonald, Murch, Philbrook, Clark, Cookson, Bridgham. Sentimental letters between Ambrose and Maria Philbrook (1855-59), and letters sent to Mary Bickford from her brothers and an admirer (1862-65) contain Civil War sentiments and experiences. L. Humphrey's diary (F11) reflects twenty-five years of his life in the early 1800's. The ship's logs contain drawings, doodles, and aside comments. 18th century documents include an accounts book (F20), and a tax list (F25). There is one published document in the collection, John Truair's Call From the Ocean or Appeal to the Patriot and the Christian In Behalf of Seamen (1826). Almost sixty years of land sales and transfers (27 documents) detail the rise to prominence of the Rusell family of Pittsfield and Dover-Foxcroft, Maine (F21 & F22). There are photocopies of two non-personal letters from P.T.Barnum.

Included in the collection: Truair, John. Call From The Ocean, or An Appeal to the Patriot and the Christian in Behalf of Seamen. New York, The American Seamen's Friend Society, Printed by John Gray & Co., 1826.