Guide to the Alexander Family Papers, 1818-1956
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Note
History --History, United States (excluding California) --History, Hawaii Geographical (by Place) --United States (excluding California) --Hawaii
Guide to the Alexander Family Papers, 1818-1956
Collection number: BANC MSS P-N 105 FILM
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California
Contact Information:
- Processed by:
- The Bancroft Library staff
- Date Completed:
- ca. 1963-1967
- Encoded by:
- James Lake
© 1996 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Collection Summary
Collection Title: Alexander Family Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1818-1956
Collection Number: BANC MSS P-N 105 FILM
Creator:
Alexander Family
Extent:
Number of microfilm reels: 6
Repository: The
Bancroft Library
Berkeley, California 94720-6000
Physical Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Abstract: Include papers of William P. Alexander, pioneer missionary to the Sandwich Islands (letters and journals); letters written
by his wife, Mary Ann (McKinney) Alexander; and papers of their son William DeWitt Alexander, including letters from Hiram
Bingham, James Dwight Dana, George Davidson, Nathaniel Bright Emerson, Chester S. Lyman, Susan Lincoln Tolman Mills, William
E. Safford, Cyrus Thomas, etc.
Languages Represented:
English
Information for Researchers
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to The Bancroft Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts
must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Bancroft
Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which
must also be obtained by the reader.
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], Alexander Family Papers, BANC MSS P-N 105 FILM, The Bancroft Library, University of California,
Berkeley.
Biographical Sketch
Both William Patterson Alexander (1805-1884) and Dwight Baldwin (1798-1886) were pioneer missionaries to the Sandwich Islands.
In December, 1830, Dr. Baldwin, having just completed his medical studies at Harvard, married Charlotte Fowler and set sail
with three other bridal, missionary couples aboard a whaler from New Bedford, Massachusetts (The American Board of Commissioners
for Foreign Missions had recently decreed that only missionaries accompanied by their wives should be sent out.). In November
1831, William P. Alexander and his bride of less than a month, Mary Ann McKinney, also sailed from New Bedford on a whaler,
in company with eight other missionary couples. In each case bride and bridegroom were practically strangers to each other,
for neither couple had even met each other until a few weeks before embarking together, not only on a long and perilous journey,
but upon a life-long association in strange and savage lands far from family and friends. However, both of the marriages turned
out to be singularly happy, and the families, united by their mutual labors and also by marriages of their children, unusually
close-knit and harmonious.
Dr. Baldwin was chiefly associated with Lahaina on the island of Maui; William P. Alexander with Waioli (Kauai), Wailuku and
Lahainaluna (also on Maui) and with the Marquessas, to which he went several times. Both couples spent the rest of their lives
in the Islands and contributed much to the growth and culture of the communities in which they lived and worked.
The eldest Alexander son, William De Witt, and eldest Baldwin daughter, Abigail Charlotte (both born in 1833) were married
in 1860. Both young people had been sent to the States for schooling. William De Witt Alexander graduated from Yale in 1855,
and after various teaching positions in the East and Middle West, returned to become Professor of Greek, and later President,
of the famous Punahu School, Honolulu. Abigail Baldwin had attended Mt. Holyoke Seminary, much favored by the daughters of
the Islands' missionary families. Yale and Williams College were favorites for many of the Island youths, particularly Baldwin
and Alexander sons. Both families have been closely associated with the Punahu School; children of several generations have
been pupils and a number have returned to teach there.
Yet another marriage linked the Baldwin and Alexander families -Emily Alexander married Henry Perrine Baldwin in 1870. The
sons and daughters of both families, at least in the earliest generation, tended to marry within the fold of the missionary
families. Most remained in the Islands but some came to the States, particularly to California. Some became teachers and clergymen;
others associated with the raising of cane and pineapples or with the banking and mercantile life of the Islands, while still
others entered political life.
William De Witt Alexander (1833-1913), in addition to his pedigogical career, was largely responsible for the Coast and Geodetic
surveys of the Islands and was appointed Surveyor General of the Republic. He is also noted for his publications on the linguistics
and history of the Hawaiian Islands. Yale granted him an honorary degree in 1903. He had previously served as one of the Islands'
Commissioners to the United States to work out problems of annexation.
James McKinney Alexander (1835-1911) graduated from Williams College and for some time managed the family lands in the Islands.
Although he had a long and successful pastorate in East Oakland, California, he retained a scientific and practical interest
in agriculture.
These papers of the Alexander and Baldwin families are only part of the family archive assembled by Miss Mary Charlotte (daughter
of William De Witt and Abigail) Alexander for the biographies she published of her pioneer grandfathers and for the history
of Punahu School which she prepared with Charlotte Peabody Dodge. Most of the whole collection is now in the safe-keeping
of The Hawaiian Mission Children's Society (more popularly known as The Cousins' Society) in Honolulu. Not only are the details
of family life recorded -the trials and hardships of the missionary pioneers, the experiences of the children in pursuit of
their education, their life in various Island communities (including the administration of Punahu School) -but interesting
glimpses of the political life of the Islands are revealed. Unfortunately, although there are later letters to Miss Alexander
from her brother, Arthur Chambers Alexander, there are none for the period covering World Wars I and II.
Scope and Content
Correspondence and Papers of William Patterson Alexander (1805-1884) and Dwight Baldwin (1798-1886), pioneer missionaries
to the Hawaiian Islands, and of their descendants. A few early Alexander family letters, 1818-1849, included. Much of the
correspondence is that of William DeWitt Alexander (1833-1913) and of his wife, Abigail Charlotte (Baldwin) Alexander.
Scope and Content
From the estate of Mary Charlotte Alexander and lent for filming, 1961-1963, by DeWitt Alexander.
Originals now in the Hawaiian Mission Children's Society Library, Honolulu.
I. Early Alexander Family Correspondence
reel 1
Miscellaneous letters, 1818-1849, from various members of the family of William Patterson Alexander.
Scope and Content Note
Letters from his brothers, Thomas and Samuel R. Alexander, included. A number addressed to their mother.
II. Miscellaneous papers of William Patterson Alexander
reel 1
Dedications to religious life, 1825-1829
Physical Description: (copy)
Journals and notes, 1831-1832
Physical Description: (originals and copies)
Notes on Washington Islands, 1834
Extracts, 1836-1839, from
Station Reports to American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions
Physical Description: (copy)
His copy of report from Singapore, May 1838, to the Board, sent by James F. Dockinson and Joseph S. Travelli.
Lease, 1841, from Kamehameha IV, King of Hawaii, for land at Waioli, Kauai
Physical Description: (copy)
Travel notes in U.S., 1859
Golden Wedding, Oct. 28, 1881
Scope and Content Note
Invitation and poems by son, James McKinney Alexander.
III. Letters, 1831-1872, of William Patterson Alexander to his wife, Mary Ann (McKinney) Alexander
IV. Letters (and copies of letters) 1832-1852, of William Patterson Alexander to various persons
V. Letters, 1843-1868, of William Patterson Alexander to Dwight Baldwin
VI. Letters, 1851-1884, of William Patterson Alexander to his sons
reel 1
General
Scope and Content Note
Mainly letters to William DeWitt Alexander
VII. Letters to William Patterson Alexander from various persons
VIII. Letters, 1834-1888, of Mary Ann (McKinney) Alexander (1810-1888) to her husband, members of her family and to Maria P. Chamberlin, and letter,
1835, from her nephew, Alexander Grayden
IX. Baldwin Family Correspondence and Papers
reel 2
General
Additional Note
[Letters from Abigail Charlotte (Baldwin) Alexander to her parents are with her correspondence]
Scope and Content Note
A few letters, 1844-1877, from Dwight Baldwin (1798-1886) to his wife, son, David Dwight, daughter, Abigail, and her husband,
William DeWitt Alexander; letters, ca. 1863-1867, from Charlotte (Fowler) Baldwin (1805-1873) to her daughter, Abigail; letters,
1847-1887, from David Dwight Baldwin to his sister and her husband, W. D. Alexander; letter, 1888, from Henry Perrine Baldwin
to his brother-in-law, W. D. Alexander; letter, 1872, from Erdman Baldwin to his cousin, William Douglas Alexander.
With these: extracts, 1837-1842, from reports of Dwight Baldwin to the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions
on the Lahaina Station; copies of letters, 1838-1840, to Lorenzo and Mrs. Lyons; letter to Sophronia (Baldwin) Robinson, 1840,
from Croydon Benton; letters, 1853, from Richard Armstrong to Dwight Baldwin.
X. Letters, 1850-1911, of William De Witt Alexander (1833-1913) to various persons
reel 2
General
Additional Note
Mainly to his parents and his brothers and sisters.
XI. Courtship correspondence of William De Witt Alexander and Abigail Charlotte Baldwin, Dec. 1858-July 1860
reel 2
General
Additional Note
(Letters exchanged after marriage are filed with their individual papers)
XII. Letters, 1865-1910, of William De Witt Alexander to his wife
reel 3
General
Additional Note
Film of portion of letter, Aug. 5, 1867, describing visit to Yosemite Valley, (lent previously) added.
XIII. Letters, 1875-1912, of William De Witt Alexander to his children
reel 3
General
Scope and Content Note
Mainly to his sons, William Douglas and Henry E. M. Alexander and to his daughter, Mary Charlotte Alexander.
XIV. Letters, 1846-1912, to William De Witt Alexander from various persons
Samuel Chapman Armstrong (1839-1893)
Hiram Bingham (1831-1908)
William Fremont Blackman (1855-1932)
Isaac H. Brayton (d. 1869)
Aaron Lucius Chapin (1817-1892)
Nathaniel George Clark (1825- )
Titus Munson Coan (1836-1921)
James Dwight Dana (1813-1895)
George Davidson (1825-1911)
William Radcliffe De Witt (1792-1867)
Nathaniel Bright Emerson (1835-1915)
Graham D. Gilman
Scope and Content Note
(Letter, ca. 1904, encloses portion of a family letter, 1843, concerning British repudiation of seizure of the Sandwich Islands
by Lord George Paulet)
William Mason Grosvenor (1835-1900)
Harvey Rexford Hitchcock (Jr.)
Chester Smith Lyman (1814-1890)
Susan Lincoln (Tolman) Mills (1826-1912)
John Hipple Mitchell (1825-1905)
William Edwin Safford (1859-1926)
XV: Miscellany of William De Witt Alexander (1833-1913)
a. Miscellaneous papers of William De Witt Alexander, 1847-1912
reel 4
General
Scope and Content Note
Include copies of journals, 1847-1850; poems, essays and miscellaneous writings; accounts of Silver and Golden Wedding celebrations;
commission as Surveyor General, Republic of Hawaii; various personal papers.
Two unidentified items: Article on teaching English to natives [ca. 1856?] and Reminiscences of Ecuador, with the papers.
b. Newspaper clippings from papers of William De Witt Alexander
c. Obituary and biographical material for William De Witt Alexander and Abigail Charlotte (Baldwin) Alexander
XVI. Miscellaneous correspondence and papers of Abigail Charlotte (Baldwin) Alexander, 1841-1883
reel 4
General
Scope and Content Note
Include letters from Mary E. Green, members of the Hawley and Sterling families in Connecticut, Anna Eliza (Clark) Gulick,
Melissa P. Dodge, Maria Jane (Chamberlain Forbes) and others.
Miscellaneous papers include a copy of her Journal, July-Nov. 1850, describing visit to island of Hawaii; schedule of studies
outlined by their father for her and her brother, David Dwight Baldwin, on their voyage around Cape Horn on the barque, Croton,
1850; various note-books and compositions while attending Mt. Holyoke Seminary; later writings; drafts of petitions, 1883,
to the Board of Directors, Punahou School, in behalf of William L. Jones.
XVII. Letters, 1844-1879, of Abigail Charlotte (Baldwin) Alexander (1833-1913) to her parents
reel 4
General
Scope and Content Note
A letter, July 28, 1868, to her mother-in-law, Mary Ann (McKinney) Alexander, and draft of letter, 1903, to a friend, included.
XVIII. Letters, Nov. 1860-1903, of Abigail Charlotte (Baldwin) Alexander to her husband, William De Witt Alexander
XIX. Letters, 1871-1909, of Abigail Charlotte (Baldwin) Alexander (1833-1913) to her children
XX. Letters, 1850-1903, of James McKinney Alexander (1835-1911) to his family
reel 6
General
Scope and Content Note
Mainly to his parents and to his brother, William De Witt Alexander. A letter, 1882, from his wife, Mary E. (Webster) Alexander
to her sister-in-law, Abigail, included.
With these: a college essay, ca. 1855, and a letter from L. S., ca. 1847.
XXI. Letter, 1852, of Henry Martin Alexander to his brother, William De Witt Alexander
XXII. Letters, 1862-1903, of Samuel Thomas Alexander (1836-1904) to members of his family
reel 6
General
Scope and Content Note
To his brother, William De Witt Alexander, and niece, Mary Charlotte Alexander.
With copy of a portion of letter from his daughter, Annie, concerning ill-fated trip with her father in Africa, 1904.
XXIII: a. Letters, 1868-1873, of Emily Whitney (Alexander) Baldwin to her brother, William De Witt Alexander and his wife
XXIII: b. Letters, 1873, from Mary Jane Alexander (1840- ) and her sister, Ellen Charlotte Alexander (1852-1926) to their parents
XXIV. Letters, 1870-1906, of William Douglas Alexander to his family
reel 6
General
Scope and Content Note
Mainly to his mother, Abigail Charlotte (Baldwin) Alexander.
XXV. Letters, 1878-1952, of Arthur Chambers Alexander to his family
reel 6
General
Scope and Content Note
Mainly to his brother, William Douglas Alexander, and sister, Mary Charlotte Alexander. Some of the earlier ones have added
notes by their mother.
XXVI. Letters, 1881-1890, of Henry E. M. Alexander (1868-1900) to his parents
XXVII. Correspondence, 1882-1956, of Mary Charlotte Alexander
reel 6
General
Scope and Content Note
Letters, 1882-1883, to her father, William De Witt Alexander; and letters, 1943, from Alexander cousins and 1956, from Ethel
M. Damon.
