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David Chittenden Collins papers

 Collection
Call Number: MS 886

Scope and Contents

This small collection consists of correspondence of David Chittenden Collins with family and a few others between the years 1845 and 1851. The bulk of the letters are thirty-three exchanged between Collins and his wife, Clarissa (Ely) Collins during his business trips to New York City, and three letters to Collins from his daughters. These letters deal almost entirely with household matters and family news; frequent topics are the upbringing of the children, the family's health, and relations with Clarissa Collins' family. The remaining nine letters from other correspondents discuss such matters as renting property and hiring servants.

The letters are arranged alphabetically by author. They were given to Yale University in 1956, and previously formed part of the Daniel Collins Family Papers, Manuscript Group Number 894.

Dates

  • 1845-1851

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The materials are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection are in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use. Copyright status for other collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift in 1956 as part of the Daniel Collins Family Papers (MS 894).

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Catalog Record

A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog

Persistent URL

https://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/mssa.ms.0886

Abstract

The papers consist of family correspondence of which the largest group is made up of letters between David Collins and his wife, Clarissa. Also included are three letters to Collins from his daughters. The letters discuss domestic affairs such as the upbringing of children, health, and family relations.

Biographical / Historical

David Chittenden Collins was probably born in 1803, the son of Elizabeth Watkinson and Alexander Collins. After Alexander's unexpected death in 1815, Eliza moved with her children from Middletown to Hartford, Connecticut. In Hartford, David was employed at his Uncle David Wilkinson's hardware store. In the early 1820s, Collins began a blacksmith shop, where he forged and tempered axes. In 1826, Collins & Co. was formed as a partnership between David, his brother Samuel, and their cousin, William Wells. The company produced axes and was extremely successful. Collins died in 1861.

Title
Guide to the David C. Collins Papers
Status
Under Revision
Author
compiled by Janet Elaine Gertz
Date
April 1983
Description rules
Finding Aid Created In Accordance With Manuscripts And Archives Processing Manual
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
Yale University Library
P.O. Box 208240
New Haven CT 06520-8240 US
(203) 432-1735
(203) 432-7441 (Fax)

Location

Sterling Memorial Library
Room 147
120 High Street
New Haven, CT 06511

Opening Hours