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Harman V. S. Peeke Papers

 Collection
Call Number: RG 185

Scope and Contents

This collection is most notable for the substantive quarterly letters in Series I. These letters were written primarily by Harman V. S. Peeke during the Peekes' years in Japan, 1893 to 1929. The letters, addressed to "Dear Friend," are primarily in typescript mimeographed format; some holograph letters have been transcribed by the Peeke family. The letters provide detailed descriptions of Peekes' work and observations on life and events in Japan. Information provided by the Peekes' circular letters is supplemented by numerous articles written by Peeke. The collection also includes two published works by Peeke related to use of the Japanese language.

Dates

  • 1887-1987

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The materials are open for research.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of the Peeke family.

Arrangement

  1. I. Correspondence
  2. II. Writings of H.V.S. Peeke
  3. III. Writings of Others
  4. IV. Collected and Personal Material

Extent

1 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

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/divinity.185

Abstract

Detailed and substantive quarterly letters and writings document the missionary work of Harman V. S. Peeke and his wife Vesta G. Peeke. The Peekes were missionaries in Japan from 1893 to 1929, serving under the Reformed Church in America.

Biographical / Historical

Harman Van Slyke Peeke and Vesta Greer Peeke were missionaries in Japan, serving under the Reformed Church in America. H. V. S. Peeke first sailed from New York to Tokyo in 1887 and returned to the U. S. in 1891. Vesta Greer sailed from New York in 1887 to become a missionary in China but married HVSP in 1893 and thereafter served in Japan. The Peekes had seven children. H. V. S. Peeke's mission work included teaching, evangelism, and mission administration; he became notably expert in the Japanese language. From 1920 to 1926 the Peekes were at Meiji Gakuin, an educational institution in Tokyo. They returned to the U.S. for the last time in 1929. Harman died of cancer on November 27, 1929 in Holland, Michigan.

Title
Guide to the Harman V. S. Peeke Papers
Author
Compiled by Kathryn Lund and Martha Lund Smalley
Date
2002
Description rules
Finding Aid Prepared According To Local Divinity Library Descriptive Practices
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Part of the Yale Divinity Library Repository

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