Guide to the Ralph and Jennie Eastman Papers M2349
Alyssa Tou
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
2018
Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford 94305-6064
specialcollections@stanford.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Ralph and Jennie Eastman papers
creator:
Eastman, Amos Ralph, 1874-1936
creator:
Eastman, Jennie Martha Topping, 1879-1958
Identifier/Call Number: M2349
Physical Description:
4 Linear Feet
(8 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1893-1936
Abstract: Correspondence and other material related to American educators working in the Philippines in the early 20th century.
Biographical / Historical
Amos Ralph Eastman and Genevieve “Jennie” Martha Topping Eastman were two of a group of about five hundred teachers sent by
the United States government to the Philippines in 1901 during the colonial period as part of a project to change the country's
social, political, and economic life by way of educational reforms. These so-called “Thomasites," named for the ship they
arrived on, were the precursors of today’s Peace Corps volunteers, and are credited with turning the Philippines into the
third largest English-speaking nation in the world. Throughout their time in the islands, they kept up a steady correspondence
with family in Michigan that provide a look at the early period of American colonialism in the Philippines.
Scope and Contents
Primarily written correspondence between Ralph and Jennie Eastman and their families. Sympathy notes upon Ralph’s death. Photographs,
drawings, ephemera. Jointly kept manuscript diary kept in the Philippines, classroom notebooks, attendance roll books, geography
notes, one issue of on-board ship newspaper published by the teachers.
Processing Information
Collection preserves order given by seller, arranged by date and correspondent and separated into Philippine and non-Philippine
material.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.
Conditions Governing Use
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not
an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission
or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Philippines -- History -- 1898-1946.
Education -- Philippines -- History
Teachers -- Philippines
Eastman, Amos Ralph, 1874-1936
Eastman, Jennie Martha Topping, 1879-1958
Series 1. General correspondence
Box 1, Folder 1-3
Letters from Jennie Topping to Ralph Eastman
1899-1901
Box 1, Folder 4-6, Box 2, Folder 1-5
Letters from Ralph Eastman to Jennie Topping, later Jennie Eastman
1898-1936
Box 2, Folder 6-8, Box 3, Folder 1-3
Letters to Ralph Eastman from various correspondents
1893-1911
Box 3, Folder 4
Letters to Jennie Topping from various correspondents
Box 3, Folder 5-6
Letters from Ralph Eastman to his parents, non-Philippine
1898-1923
Box 3, Folder 7-9
Letters to Ralph and Jennie from Ralph's parents
1902-1904
Box 3, Folder 10, Box 4, Folder 1-4
Letters to Ralph and Jennie from Jennie's mother, Laura Topping
1901-1904
Box 4, Folder 5-6
Letters to Ralph and Jennie from F. Mae Topping, Jennie's sister
1902-1904
Box 5, Folder 1
Letters to F. Mae Topping from various correspondents
1902
Box 5, Folder 2-3
Letters to Laura Topping, Mrs. Orlando Topping from various correspondents
Box 5, Folder 4
Undated and miscellaneous letters
Series 2. Philippine materials
1901-1906
Box 6, Folder 1-5
Letters to Ralph Eastman's parents from Ralph and Jennie
1901-1905
Box 6, Folder 6-7, Box 7, Folder 1-5
Letters to Mrs. Orlando Topping, Laura Topping, from Ralph and Jennie
1901-1905
Box 7, Folder 6-7, Box 8, Folder 1-4
Letters to F. Mae Topping from Jennie and Ralph Eastman, Philippines
1901-1905
Box 8, Folder 5
Letters to Ralph and Jennie Eastman from Philippines
1902-1906
Box 8, Folder 6
Manuscript diary kept jointly by Ralph and Jennie Eastman
1902-1904
Box 8, Folder 7
Scrapbook containing printed newspaper clippings of letters by Ralph from the Philippines
Box 8, Folder 8
Manuscript class room notebooks, attendance roll books, kept by Ralph Eastman, Philippines
half-box 9, Folder 1
The Briny Budget published by teachers onboard the transport Thomas, Honolulu
1901-08-01
half-box 9, Folder 2
Ephemera from the Philippines
