1768-1934; bulk: 1860-1905
Guide to the Collection
Restrictions on Access
The Hartwell-Clark family papers are stored offsite and must be requested at least two business days in advance via Portal1791. Researchers needing more than six items from offsite storage should provide additional advance notice. If you have questions about requesting materials from offsite storage, please contact the reference desk at 617-646-0532 or reference@masshist.org.
Abstract
This collection consists of the papers of the Hartwell and Clark families, primarily Albert Hoit Hartwell, his wife Ella Clark Hartwell, and their daughter Rachael Hartwell Pfeiffer. Materials include correspondence, journals, research papers, printed materials, news clippings, and travel diaries.
Biographical Sketches
Clark family
Jonas Clark (1807-1904), son of Jonas Clark (1777-1867) and Alice Wellington Clark (1781-1869), was born in Waltham, Massachusetts. He was a farmer and served in the Massachusetts Light Infantry, First Regiment, from 1832 until 1835. He married Rachel Smith Bagley (1818-1886) in 1840 in Waltham. They had four children: Ella, Mary (1850-1855), Jonas, and Anne (1858-1957).
Ella Elizabeth Clark Hartwell (1841-1933), the daughter of Jonas Clark (1807-1904) and Rachel Bagley Clark (1818-1886), was born on the Clark farm in Waltham, Massachusetts. She married Albert Hoit Hartwell in 1867, and they lived in Watertown, Massachusetts. The couple had one child, Rachael Rutherford Hartwell, in 1868.
Dr. Jonas Clark (1853-1943) was the son of Jonas Clark and Rachel Smith Bagley Clark. Dr. Jonas Clark moved to California around 1875. Prior to that, he was affiliated with the Boston Eye and Ear Infirmary. Dr. Clark was the brother of Ella Elizabeth Clark Hartwell.
Hartwell family
Alonzo Hartwell (1805-1873) was born in Littleton, Massachusetts, to John Hartwell (1781-1852) and Anna Wheeler Hartwell (1787-1833). He was a portrait painter and also created engravings and woodcuts for various publications. He had a studio in Boston on the corner of Washington Street and Summer Street. He married Sarah Lunt Walker in 1832. They had four children: Henry, Alonzo (1835-1837), Anne (1838-1893), and Albert. Alonzo Hartwell lived in Waltham at the time of his death.
Sarah Lunt Walker Hartwell (1809-1891) was the daughter of William Walker (1780-1854) and Margery Ward Walker (1779-1840) of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She married Alonzo Hartwell in 1832 in Littleton, Massachusetts. (See information about Alonzo Hartwell for the names of their children.)
Albert Hoit Hartwell (1840-1904), the son of Alonzo Hartwell and Sarah Lunt Walker Hartwell, was born in Littleton, Massachusetts. From 1862-1863, he served as corporal in Company A of the 44th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment during the Civil War. Albert married Ella Elizabeth Clark (see Clark family) in 1867, and the couple lived in Watertown, Massachusetts. The couple had one child, Rachael Rutherford Hartwell, in 1868. From 1867 until he retired in 1900, Albert was the superintendent of Hollingsworth & Whitney Co.'s paper mill in Watertown. He was also the first president of the Watertown Co-operative Bank. In 1902, he bought a summer house on Mount Tabor, near the shore of the Cambridge Reservoir in Lincoln, Massachusetts.
Henry William Hartwell (1833-1919) was the son of Alonzo Hartwell and Sarah Lunt Walker Hartwell. With his brother Albert, he served in Company A of the 44th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment during the Civil War. Later, he was one of the architects of the Boston firm, Hartwell, Richardson and Driver.
Rachael "Ratie" Rutherford Hartwell Pfeiffer (1868-1905), the daughter of Albert Hoit Hartwell and Ella Elizabeth Clark Hartwell, was born in Watertown and attended Watertown High School. She graduated from Wellesley College in 1891. While taking courses at Harvard College during the summer of 1892, she met George Joseph Pfeiffer. They were married on 28 December 1896 and traveled extensively, spending years abroad in Rome, the Netherlands, France, and Greece. Later, the couple lived in Arlington, Massachusetts, and Rachael was active in the Arlington Women's Club and served on its Executive Committee. She died giving birth to the couple's only child, Hilda, on 28 January 1905.
Pfeiffer family
George Joseph Pfeiffer (1866-1934), the son of George Francis Pfeiffer (1833-1895) and Agnes Schroeter Pfeiffer (1838-1894), was born in Paris and moved to New York at the age of three with his family. He had four brothers: John (1867-1907), Bernard (1869-1896), Curt (1870-1950), and Clarendon (1877-1923). George worked for Borgfeldt Pfeiffer & Co., a wholesale business his father co-founded. George attended the Polytechnic in Zurich, Switzerland, and got a Ph.D. in chemistry. He taught chemistry at Harvard College's summer school, and it was there that he met Rachael Rutherford Hartwell in 1892. They were married in December 1896. Over the next seven years, they frequently traveled to Europe. In September 1906, after Rachael's death, George moved to New York with his daughter Hilda. In 1918, he married Emma Marie Bird (1888-1946), and they had two children: Franklin Pfeiffer (1919-1928) and Alison Pfeiffer (1922-2000).
Hilda Hartwell Pfeiffer Sharman (1905-1995), the daughter of Rachael and George Pfeiffer, was born in Watertown, Massachusetts. Her mother died giving birth; shortly thereafter, in 1906, Hilda and her father moved to New York. In 1927, she graduated from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. After college, she lived with her grandmother, Ella Clark Hartwell, in Watertown and worked in Boston. In 1931 while en route to Europe, she met William Crowley Sharman, who was employed by Braithwaite & Co. and worked on projects in many different countries. Hilda married Sharman in 1933, and they lived in Africa, England, Turkey, and Vermont. They had four children: Joan (1934-2000), John, Lydia, and Anne.
Collection Description
The Hartwell-Clark family papers consist of four cartons and one oversize box containing correspondence, printed materials, photographs, and journals belonging to members of the Hartwell, Clark, and Pfeiffer families. The bulk of the material, spanning 1860 through 1905, is that of Albert Hoit Hartwell, his wife Ella Clark Hartwell, and their daughter Rachael Hartwell Pfeiffer.
The collection includes correspondence between members of the Hartwell, Clark, and Pfeiffer families, as well as between family members and other acquaintances. The majority of correspondence is between Rachael Hartwell Pfeiffer and her parents, Albert Hoit Hartwell and Ella Elizabeth Clark Hartwell, during Rachael's time at Wellesley College, Harvard College, and during her travels to Europe in the 1890s. Also included is correspondence between Ella and Albert while Albert was in North Carolina during the Civil War, and letters to George Pfeiffer and Ella Clark Hartwell on the death of Rachael Hartwell Pfeiffer. Other correspondents include George Joseph Pfeiffer, Hilda Hartwell Pfeiffer, Alonzo Hartwell, Sarah Lund Walker Hartwell, Henry William Hartwell, Annie Hartwell Baker, Jonas Clark (1807-1904), Dr. Jonas Clark (1852-1943), Curt Pfeiffer, Clarendon Pfeiffer, and others.
The Clark family papers consist of manuscript and printed materials related to the Clark family, excluding Ella Clark Hartwell (see Series IV. Albert Hoit Hartwell and Ella Clark Hartwell papers). Materials include a sermon by Reverend Jonas Clarke (1730-1805), discharge papers for Ella's father Jonas Clark (1807-1904), newspapers, and clippings. The Hartwell family papers relate to the Hartwell family, excluding Albert Hoit Hartwell, Ella Clark Hartwell, and Rachael Hartwell Pfeiffer (see Series IV and V). The series contains materials on Alonzo Hartwell and his career as a portrait painter and woodcutter, including a published book incorporating his woodcut illustrations. Also included are a Hartwell family recipe book, the history of the Hartwell family house in Lincoln, military records for Henry William Hartwell, and assorted news clippings.
The collection also contains papers of Albert Hoit Hartwell and Ella Clark Hartwell, including materials related to Albert's business and military service, high school diplomas of both Albert and Ella, journals, news clippings, and other assorted materials. The Rachael Hartwell Pfeiffer papers consist of the personal papers and travel journals of Rachael Hartwell Pfeiffer. Materials include personal journals covering Rachael's childhood (1884-1887), her time at Wellesley College (1887-1891), and subsequent travels (1891-1905). Also included are news clippings, essays by Rachael, and programs and published works. A portion of the material was created in Rachael's memory, following her death in 1905.
The Pfeiffer family papers consist of material related to the Pfeiffer family, including George Joseph Pfeiffer and his daughter Hilda Hartwell Pfeiffer, but excluding Rachael Hartwell Pfeiffer (see Series V). The bulk of the series are copies of the journal American Baconiana, a publication about the life and work of Francis Bacon. George was heavily involved in the journal and authored articles in several of the editions. Also included is a paper about Bacon by Hilda and a book about Bacon inscribed to Hilda from the author, Parker Woodward.
Processing Information
Materials were minimally processed by Nancy Heywood in 1998. Detailed processing was done by Katherine Gaburo in 2024.
Acquisition Information
Deposited by Lydia Sharman, August 1998; donated January 1999.
Restrictions on Access
The Hartwell-Clark family papers are stored offsite and must be requested at least two business days in advance via Portal1791. Researchers needing more than six items from offsite storage should provide additional advance notice. If you have questions about requesting materials from offsite storage, please contact the reference desk at 617-646-0532 or reference@masshist.org.
Detailed Description of the Collection
I. Family correspondence, 1861-1931
Arranged chronologically.
Family correspondence consists mainly of letters to and from members of the Hartwell and Clark families. Included are letters from Albert Hoit Hartwell to Ella Clark (Hartwell) prior to their marriage, during the Civil War when Albert was in North Carolina with the Union army; letters to and from Albert and his brother Henry William Hartwell from their mother Sarah Lunt Walker Hartwell and their father Alonzo Hartwell while both sons were with the 44th Massachusetts Regiment; and letters to Ella after her marriage to Albert from Mary A. Hastings and Lydia Hobart. Included with a letter from Albert are three Confederate currency notes from the state of North Carolina, printed in 1861, for five, ten, and fifty cents each.
The bulk of correspondence is between Rachael Rutherford Hartwell (Pfeiffer) and her parents during Rachael's time at Wellesley College (1887-1891), Harvard College (1891), and her travels through Europe (1891-1903). Also included is correspondence between Rachael ("Ratie") and her parents ("Marmie and Papie"), and her paternal grandmother Sarah Lunt Walker Hartwell, during Rachael's travels to Nantucket and Saratoga Springs, New York (1886); letters from Albert to Ella and Rachael while traveling on business to Rochester, Niagara Falls, Detroit, Chicago, Cincinnati, and Philadelphia (1888); a letter to Ella from Annie Hartwell Baker, Albert's sister; letters from Sarah Lunt Walker Hartwell to Ella and Albert; letters from Rachael to George Joseph Pfeiffer, her future husband (1894-1895); a letter to Rachael from "your old Gramp," likely Jonas Clark, her maternal grandfather (1894); correspondence between Rachael and her parents regarding her stay in Rangeley Lakes, New York (1894); letters to Rachael from several friends, including Florence T. Rubel (1898-1899) and Lillian Corbet Barnes Long (1898-1899); letters from Wellesley College to Rachael as an alumna; letters to Rachael, while she and George were in Greece, from her parents, Eleanor H. Dean, "Annie" (likely her aunt Annie Hartwell Baker), "Orren" (her uncle Orren Goss), Katherine Allen, and "Atherton" (1902-1903); letters to Ella from Henry Hartwell, Anita R. Ellis, Dr. Jonas Clark, and Hilda Hartwell Pfeiffer; and a letter from Ella to Curt Pfeiffer (1909-1931).
Also present are condolence letters to Ella and Rachael following the death of Albert (1904) and to George and Ella following the death of Rachael (1905). Included among the correspondence are news clippings and other items originally enclosed with the letters.
1861-1867
1882-1905
1909-1919
1931
Undated
Oversize, 1862-1930
II. Clark family papers, 1768-1908
Arranged chronologically.
This series consists of materials relating to the Clark family, excluding those related directly to Ella Clark Hartwell (see Series IV).
A. Printed materials, 1768-1908
Printed materials include a sermon given by Ella Clark Hartwell's great-great-grandfather, Reverend Jonas Clark (1730-1805), and various newspapers and clippings.
Clark, Jonas (1730-1805). The Importance of Military Skill....: A Sermon Preached to the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company in Boston. Boston: Kneeland and Adams, 6 June 1768.
The Olive Branch, vol. 8, no. 28. Boston, Massachusetts. 20 January 1844.
News clippings, 1865-1908
The New England Farmer, vol. 23 (old vol. 48), no. 12. Boston, Massachusetts. 17 October 1868.
B. Jonas Clark papers, 1835-1869
This series contains papers related to Jonas Clark (1807-1904) of Waltham, Massachusetts, father of Ella Clark Hartwell.
Jonas Clark military discharge papers, 1835
Waltham Farmers' Club award to Jonas Clark for displaying green flesh melons, 1869
III. Hartwell family papers, 1812-1919
Arranged chronologically.
The Hartwell family papers contain materials related to the Hartwell family, excluding Albert Hoit Hartwell, Ella Clark Hartwell, and Rachael Rutherford Hartwell (Pfeiffer) (see Series IV and V).
A. Miscellaneous papers, ca. 1800s-1919
Included in this subseries is a booklet of Alonzo Hartwell's woodcuts; a Hartwell family recipe book; a history of the Hartwell family house in Lincoln, Massachusetts; and the military records of Henry William Hartwell.
Alonzo Hartwell woodcuts, 19th century
Alonzo Hartwell business card, 19th century
Hartwell family recipe book, 1867-1919
Inscribed: "Recipes from long, long years of housekeeping."
Hartwell family house history, November 1902
Henry William Hartwell military records, 1905
B. Printed materials, 1812-1873
Printed materials include Notes on the Parables of the New Testament by Hosea Ballou (1812), Mother Goose's Melodies (1833), Hymn Book for the Army and Navy, and The Ducks and the Frogs: A Tale of the Bogs by Fannie Fire-Fly (1848), with woodcut illustrations by Alonzo Hartwell, as well as various news clippings related to the family.
Ballou, Hosea. Notes on the Parables of the New Testament, 2nd ed. Portsmouth, New Hampshire: Gazette Office, 1812.
Inscribed: "William Walker, March 12, 1812 / S.L.W. Hartwell from her father / Rachael R. Hartwell from her Grandmother, S.L.W. Hartwell."
Fire-fly, Fanny. The Ducks and the Frogs: A Tale of the Bogs. Boston, 1849.
With woodcut illustrations by Alonzo Hartwell.
Mother Goose's Melodies. Boston: Munroe and Francis, 1833.
Book of children's songs inscribed: "Alonzo Ward Hartwell." Alonzo was the son of Alonzo and Sarah Hartwell, brother of Albert Hoit Hartwell. Alonzo Ward Hartwell died at age 2 in 1837.
Hymn Book for the Army and Navy. New York: American Tract Society, ca. 1863.
Hartwell family news clippings, 1873
IV. Albert Hoit Hartwell and Ella Clark Hartwell papers, 1857-1907
Arranged chronologically.
This series contains materials related to and created by Albert Hoit Hartwell and his wife Ella Clark Hartwell.
A. Albert Hoit Hartwell papers, 1857-1904
The Albert Hoit Hartwell papers consist of a journal of Albert's Civil War experiences; papers on his work for Hollingsworth and Whitney Co. in Watertown, Massachusetts; invitations and programs from various reunions of the 44th Massachusetts Regiment; and papers on his death and estate.
Waltham High School diploma, 1857
Journal, 1862-1863
Military papers, 1862-1863
Wallet and contents, 1869-1871
Recognition of service, 19 April 1870
Journal of travels to the midwest U.S., 1888
Business papers, 1870-1903
Membership to Pequosette Lodge, 1872
44th Massachusetts Regiment reunion materials, 1888-1904
Passport and military record questionnaire, 1890s
Membership card to the Unitarian Club, 1899-1900
Memorial book, 1904
Will probate record, 1904
B. Ella Clark Hartwell papers, 1859-1875
Ella Clark Hartwell's papers include her high school diploma from Waltham High School; a ticket to a dinner celebrating the centennial of Lexington, Massachusetts; her personal bookplate; and a book of candy recipes.
Waltham High School diploma, 1859
Ticket to Grand Centennial Dinner, 19 April 1875
Bookplate, undated
"Candy Receipts," book of candy recipes, undated
C. Printed materials, 1867-1907
This subseries includes news clippings about Albert and Ella's marriage, Albert's retirement, his obituary, the 44th Massachusetts Regiment, and the sale of the Hartwell estate. Also in this subseries are books containing names and addresses of alumni of the Waltham New-Church School, which both Ella and Rachael attended, and a copy of the New Testament of the Bible, given to Albert by his sister Eliza.
News clippings, 1867-1904
Waltham New-Church School, Decennial Complete Catalogue. Boston: Privately printed, 1905.
Names and Addresses of the Alumni of the Waltham New-Church School, 1907
The New Testament, undated
Inscribed: "Albert H. Hartwell from his sister Eliza."
V. Rachael Hartwell Pfeiffer papers, 1879-1905
Arranged chronologically.
This series consists of papers related to and created by Rachael Rutherford Hartwell Pfeiffer.
A. Personal papers, 1884-1905
This subseries includes journals documenting Rachael's early life and college years, programs and diplomas from Watertown High School and Wellesley College, an invitation for her wedding to George Pfeiffer, travel receipts from Rachael and George's trips to Europe, and drafts and final copies of compositions written by Rachael.
Journal, "L'Histoire de Ma Vie," 7 July 1884-20 June 1896
Watertown High School Annual Exhibition program, 24 June 1886
Watertown High School diploma, 1886
Journal pages, 1889-1905
Wellesley College commencement program, 1891
Wellesley College diploma, 1891
Invitation to Rachael Hartwell and George Pfeiffer's wedding reception, 28 December 1896
Travel receipts, 1897
Paper, "Lorenzo Ghiberti," by Rachael Hartwell Pfeiffer, 1900
Paper, "A Tour in Holland," by Rachael Hartwell Pfeiffer, ca. 1900
News clippings, 1900-1905
Notebook, "Notes for a Life of Alonzo Hartwell," 1904-1905
Composition fragments, undated
List of Rachael Hartwell Pfeiffer's silver, undated
B. Printed materials, 1879-1905
This subseries contains a choral book from Rachael's high school, a booklet about Wellesley College, an issue of The Wellesley Magazine featuring an article in memory of Rachael, and a memorial book about Rachael created by Ella Clark Hartwell for Hilda Hartwell Pfeiffer.
Loomis, George B. The Progressive Glee and Chorus Book. New York: Ivison, Blakeman, Taylor & Co., 1879.
Hall, Mary Bingham and Helen Gertrude Edger. Wellesley: The College Beautiful. Boston: Privately printed, 1894.
The Wellesley Magazine, vol. 13, no. 8, May 1905.
Memorial book for Rachael H. Pfeiffer, 1905
C. Travel journals, 1896-1905
This subseries consists of travel journals documenting Rachael's travels to Europe, including the Netherlands, Italy, France, Greece, and Switzerland, from 1896 to 1902. The journals contain letters she received while traveling and entries documenting her activities. Also included are maps, programs, postcards, drawings, and photographs of experiences and attractions Rachael visited. Of interest is the journal "Letters from Rome," which contains pressed flowers and charcoal rubbings of various inscriptions and carvings. "A Tour in Holland" contains George and Rachael's passport and information on their voyage by ship. Some travel journals include entries by George, as well. In addition to the travel journals, the series contains one scrapbook journal, titled "A Winter at Home," documenting a winter spent in Massachusetts from 1902-1903. This journal includes correspondence, news clippings, and diary entries by Rachael.
Select journal pages were interleaved to protect photographs. Loose items were removed from journals and foldered, categorized by original journal. Removed items are annotated with original page number.
Travel journal, "Mount Tabor Chronicle Volume II: First Journey to Europe," 1896
Items removed from journal "Mount Tabor Chronicle Volume II: First Journey to Europe," 1896
Travel journal, "A Tour in Holland," 1899
Items removed from journal "A Tour of Holland," 1899
Travel journal, "A Tour in France," 1900
Travel journal, "Letters from Rome," 1900-1901
Items removed from journal "Letters from Rome," 1900-1901
Oversize items removed from journal "Letters from Rome," 1902-1905
Journal, "Mount Tablor Chronicle, volume VII: A Winter At Home," 1902-1903
Travel journal, "Mount Tabor Chronicle, volume VIII 1: Journey to Greece," 1903
Travel journal, "Mount Tabor Chronicle volume VIII 2: Journey to Greece," 1903
VI. Pfeiffer family papers, 1902-1928
Arranged chronologically.
This series consists of papers related to and created by the Pfeiffer family, excluding Rachael Hartwell Pfeiffer (see Series V), primarily regarding the life and work of Francis Bacon.
A. American Baconiana, 1922-1928
This subseries contains copies of American Baconiana, a journal edited and supported by George Pfeiffer about the life and work of Francis Bacon. Several copies are inscribed by George for Hilda Pfeiffer and her husband William C. Sharman.
American Baconiana, vol. I, 1922-1924
Inscribed: "Hilda Hartwell Pfeiffer from her father Geo. J. Pfeiffer, January 28, 1926."
American Baconiana, vol. I, no. 2, November 1923
Inscribed: "Wm. C. Sharman from Geo. J. Pfeiffer, Contributor and Editor, Brattleboro, VT Febr. 1934."
American Baconiana, vol I, no. 3, October 1924
Inscribed: "Wm. C. Sharman from Geo. J. Pfeiffer, Contributor and Editor, Brattleboro, VT Febr. 1934."
American Baconiana. vol. II, no. 1, serial no. 4, October 1925 and March 1926
Three copies, one inscribed: "Compliments of Geo. J. Pfeiffer, Esq." and another: "Wm. C. Sharman from Geo. J. Pfeiffer, Brattleboro VT, Febr. 1934."
American Baconiana, vol. II, no. 2, serial no. 5, November 1927 and February 1928
Inscribed: "Wm. C. Sharman from Geo. J. Pfeiffer, Contributor and Editor, Brattleboro, VT Febr. 1934."
B. Other writings, 1902-1923
This subseries includes a copy of Woodward Parker's book The Early Life of Lord Bacon, inscribed to Hilda Pfeiffer, and an essay written by Hilda on Francis Bacon while she was in high school.
Woodward, Parker. The Early Life of Lord Bacon, 1902.
Hilda Pfeiffer, paper, "Francis Bacon, A Great Poet," 1923
Preferred Citation
Hartwell-Clark family papers, Massachusetts Historical Society.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in ABIGAIL, the online catalog of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related persons, organizations, or subjects should search the catalog using these headings.
Persons:
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Materials Removed from the Collection
Photographs from this collection have been removed to the Hartwell-Clark family photographs (Photo. Coll. 420).