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Appleton-Foster Family Papers
mssHM 27635-27708
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Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Appleton-Foster Family Papers
Identifier/Call Number: mssHM 27635-27708
Physical Description:
1.2 Linear Feet
(1 box )
Date (inclusive): 1717-1897
Date (bulk): 1797-1849
Abstract: This collection contains 79 items related to the Appleton family of Massachusetts and the Foster family of Portsmouth, New
Hampshire, chiefly dating from 1797-1849. Letters reflect the family affairs; social life and customs of New England society
and family life. Some letters contain references to the War of 1812 and to the activities of the Unitarian Church in New England
and Baltimore.
Language of Material: English.
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader
Services.
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.
[Identification of item]. Appleton-Foster Family Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Purchased from Patricia Dykstra in 1957.
The Appleton family of Massachusetts and the Foster family of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, were related through the marriage
of Mary Appleton to John Welch Foster in 1824. Mary Foster's mother, Sarah (Greenleaf) Appleton Haven (died 1838) married,
first in 1780, Dr. Nathaniel Walker Appleton (d. 1795), a Boston physician. The names of five of their seven children appear
in the baptismal records of the First Church of Boston as Charles, George, Mary, William Greenleaf, and Sally. Following Dr.
Appleton's death, Mary Foster married a first cousin of her first husband, Joseph Have of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, around
1815. He was the son of the Rev. Samuel Haven and Mehitabel (Appleton) Haven, aunt of Dr. Appleton.
Mary (Appleton) Foster, daughter of Sarah Haven, married John Welch Foster of Portsmouth (Aug. 31, 1824).
This collection contains 79 items related to the Appleton family of Massachusetts and the Foster family of Portsmouth, New
Hampshire. Letters reflect the family affairs; social life and customs of New England society and family life. Some letters
contain references to the War of 1812 and to the activities of the Unitarian Church in New England and Baltimore.
Some notable items include:
- Letter from James Robertson to Charles Fenton Mercer re Presidential election of 1812. 1813, Feb. 14
- Letter from Mary to Mary (Appleton) Foster, describing social life at Cheltenham, England, and the attendance of the Duke and Duchess of Wellington at an evening party there. 1816, Aug. 6
- List of the members of South Church, Portsmouth, N. H., compiled by Elizabeth Haven (Wardrobe) Thacher and others. c. 1819-1847
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Unitarian churches -- New England
Unitarian churches -- Maryland
New England -- Social life and customs -- 19th century
United States -- History -- War of 1812 -- Personal narratives
Letters (correspondence) -- United States
Family papers -- United States