Merlin Stonehouse Papers: Finding Aid mssStonehouse

Gayle Richardson
The Huntington Library
December 2020
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org


Contributing Institution: The Huntington Library
Title: Merlin Stonehouse papers
Creator: Stonehouse, Merlin
Identifier/Call Number: mssStonehouse
Physical Description: 20 Linear Feet (15 boxes, 37 folders, 1 volume)
Date (inclusive): 1796-1970
Abstract: A research collection related to John Wesley North compiled by Merlin Stonehouse, American professor, historian, and author.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Conditions Governing Use

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item]. Merlin Stonehouse papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gifts of Merlin Stonehouse, June 1980 and October 1983. Gifts of Hugh Grauel, June and September 1987.

Biographical / Historical

Merlin Stonehouse was an Associate Professor of History at Occidental College and a member of the History department at the University of California, Los Angeles. Stonehouse published a book about John Wesley North titled: John Wesley North and the reform frontier (1965).

Scope and Contents

A collection of approximately 750 items from 1796-1970, which consists of the papers and research files of Merlin Stonehouse related to John Wesley North and the North and Loomis families. It includes manuscripts, letters, poems, printed material, index cards, photographs, and five daguerreotypes. Persons represented in the collection include: John Wesley North, Ann Hendrix Loomis, George S. Loomis, Mary Ann Lewis Loomis, Gerrit Loomis, Emma North Messer, Edmund Clarence Messer, and Mary Burt Messer. The collection also contains papers and photographs related to pioneer life and the history of Minnesota and Riverside, California. There is also uncataloged addenda consisting of manuscripts, letters, reports, and printed material.

Processing Information

Processed by Huntington Library Staff, circa 1990. In 2020, Gayle Richardson created the finding aid derived from a legacy summary report.

Arrangement

Arranged by subject and format.

General

Former call number: mssStonehouse papers.

Related Materials

Two scrapbooks, mainly regarding the motion picture industry (approximately 1915-1933), and a printed book by Dave Robeson transferred to the Rare Books department. Related material may also be found in the John Wesley North papers (mssNO).

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Frontier and pioneer life -- California -- Riverside
Frontier and pioneer life -- Minnesota
Pioneers -- California -- Riverside
Pioneers -- Minnesota
Minnesota -- History -- 19th century
Riverside (Calif.) -- History -- 19th century
Daguerreotypes (photographs) -- United States
Family papers -- United States
Letters (correspondence) -- United States
Photographs -- United States
Poems -- United States
Research (documents) -- United States
Loomis, Ann Hendrix
Loomis, Gerrit
Loomis, George S.
Loomis, Mary Ann Lewis
Messer, Edmund Clarence
Messer, Emma North, 1852-1938
Messer, Mary Burt
North, J. W. (John W.)

Box 1

John Wesley North 1845-1861

Scope and Contents

Includes manuscripts and letters, photographs, and printed items.
Box 2

Ann H. L. North 1838-1892

Scope and Contents

Includes letters and photographs.
Box 3

George S. Loomis 1796-1896

Scope and Contents

Includes letters and photographs.
Box 4

Mary Ann Lewis Loomis 1821-1869

Scope and Contents

Includes letters and one photograph.
Box 5

Garrit Loomis and others 1828-1854

Scope and Contents

Includes letters, daguerreotypes, and newspapers.
Box 6

Emma Bacon North Messer 1849-1925

Scope and Contents

Includes letters and manuscripts.
Box 7

Edmund Clarence Messer 1856-1914

Scope and Contents

Includes manuscripts, letters, photographs, and printed material.
Box 8

Mary Burt Messer 1882-1940

Scope and Contents

Includes manuscript poems and photographs.
Box 9

Minnesota 1850-1964

Scope and Contents

Includes manuscripts, letters, photographs, and printed material.
Box 10

Riverside 1820-1970

Scope and Contents

Includes genealogical papers and letters.
Box 11

Riverside

Scope and Contents

Includes photographs and printed material.
Box 12

Miscellaneous material mainly related to North family papers

Box 13

Stonehouse papers

Scope and Contents

Includes Washington news correspondent, atomic bomb, war correspondence, interviews, and Al. G. Barnes Circus.
Box 14

John W. North material

Scope and Contents

Material gathered but not used by Merlin Stonehouse for his work on North.
Box 15

Index cards

Folder 1-37

Uncataloged addenda 1942-1967

Scope and Contents

Includes multiple groups of addenda: Loomis family papers (two folders and one volume); correspondence and clippings (two folders); letters by H. L. Stimson, R. G. Richardson, A, O. McCormick (three folders); Stonehouse related correspondence, reports, genealogy, and manuscripts (30 folders).