1669-1926
Guide to the Microfilm Edition
Abstract
This microfilm edition is composed of five collections: the Horace Mann papers, 1669-1926; Horace Mann papers II, 1826-1882; Horace Mann papers III, 1709-1904; Horace Mann papers IV, 1827-1835; and Horace Mann papers V, 1841-1849. These collections pertain to the lives of Horace Mann (1796-1859), Mary Tyler Peabody Mann, Thomas Mann, Elizabeth Palmer Peabody, Elizabeth Amelia Dwight, George Albert Hubbell, William Bentley Fowle, Benjamin Pickman Mann, Horace Mann (1844-1868), and George Combe Mann, among others.
Biographical Timeline
4 May 1796 |
Mann is born in Franklin, Mass., the son of Thomas and Rebecca (Stanley) Mann. |
20 June 1809 |
Thomas Mann, father of Horace, dies. |
22 July 1810 |
Stephen Mann (born 1792), brother of Horace, drowns in Uncas Pond. |
Fall 1816 |
Mann enters Brown University in Providence, R.I., as a member of the sophomore
class. |
1 Sep. 1819 |
He graduates from Brown University with high honors. |
Fall 1819 |
Mann obtains a legal apprenticeship in the office of Josiah J. Fiske of Wrentham,
Mass. |
Feb. 1820 |
He returns to Brown University as a tutor in Latin and Greek; he is later appointed
school librarian as well. |
Feb. 1822 |
He attends Tapping Reeve's Law School in Litchfield, Connecticut. |
21 Dec. 1823 |
Mann is granted the privilege of practicing law in the Norfolk Court of Common Pleas
(Mass.). |
1824 |
Calvin Pennell, Mann's brother-in-law, dies. |
1825 |
Thomas Stanley Mann, Horace's older brother, loses three children within days of each
other. |
21 Dec. 1825 |
The Norfolk bar recommends that Mann be admitted to practice before the Supreme Judicial
Court. |
1 May 1827 |
Mann is elected as representative to the Massachusetts General Court from
Dedham. |
29 Sep. 1830 |
He marries Charlotte Messer, daughter of Brown University president Asa Messer. |
1 Aug. 1832 |
Charlotte Messer Mann dies. |
11 Aug. 1834 |
The Ursuline Convent in Charlestown, Mass., is attacked by a mob. For ten days, Mann
heads an ad hoc committee of citizens to investigate the incident, until he falls ill. |
Nov. 1834 |
Mann is elected as a Whig senator in Massachusetts. He is president of the Senate from
1836 to 1837. |
1835 |
Thomas Stanley Mann (born 1788) dies. |
11 Oct. 1836 |
Asa Messer dies. |
1837 |
Rebecca Stanley Mann dies. |
29 June 1837 |
Mann is elected secretary of the Board of Education of Massachusetts. |
Jan. 1840 |
Barre, Bridgewater, and Lexington are selected as sites for the new Normal Schools.
|
Spring 1840 |
Mann journeys south along the coast and then westward with George Combe. |
4 July 1842 |
He gives the Fourth of July oration in Boston. |
26 Mar. 1843 |
Mann proposes marriage to Mary Tyler Peabody. |
1 May 1843 |
The couple marry and depart on the Britannia for Europe
with Samuel G. and Julia Ward Howe. They visit England, Scotland, Hamburg, Magdeburg, Berlin,
Potsdam, Leipzig, Saxon Switzerland, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Baden-Baden, Utrecht, Leyden,
Haarlem, Amsterdam, Paris, England, and Ireland. |
Nov. 1843 |
The Britannia arrives in Boston after a rough
passage. |
24 Feb. 1844 |
Horace Mann, Jr. is born. |
27 Dec. 1845 |
George Combe Mann is born. |
Apr. 1848 |
Mann is elected from the Eighth District to the U.S. House of Representatives. |
15 Apr. 1848 |
At midnight, Daniel Drayton and Edward Sayres sail down the Potomac in the Pearl with 76 freedom seekers. They are apprehended on Apr.
16. |
30 Apr. 1848 |
Benjamin Pickman Mann is born. |
30 June 1848 |
Mann gives his maiden speech in Congress, strongly supporting the anti-slavery
cause. |
July 1848 |
Mann decides to serve as attorney for Drayton and Sayres in "the Pearl case." Drayton's trial begins. |
Nov. 1850 |
He is re-elected from the Eighth District. |
15 Sep. 1852 |
Mann is nominated as the Free-Soil candidate for governor of Massachusetts. He is
simultaneously appointed by the "Christian Connexion" as the president of Antioch College in
Yellow Springs, Ohio. He loses the gubernatorial election and accepts the presidency of
Antioch. |
Sep. 1853 |
The Manns arrive in Yellow Springs, Ohio. |
5 Oct. 1853 |
Mann is inaugurated as president of Antioch. |
Aug. 1858 |
George Combe dies. |
20 Apr. 1859 |
Antioch College is sold at auction to a group of Mann's friends led by Josiah
Quincy. |
29 June 1859 |
Mann gives his final baccalaureate address. |
2 Aug. 1859 |
Horace Mann dies. |
Collection Description
This microfilm edition of the papers of Horace Mann is composed of five separate collections of Horace Mann papers held by the Massachusetts Historical Society (MHS). The five collections are: the Horace Mann papers, 1669-1926; the Horace Mann papers II, 1826-1882; the Horace Mann papers III, 1709-1904; the Horace Mann papers IV, 1827-1835; and the Horace Mann papers V, 1841-1849. The first collection is the largest and is represented in Series I-III of this microfilm. The Horace Mann papers II, III, IV, and V are represented in Series IV-VII of this microfilm. Series VIII consists of oversize material from all of the Horace Mann papers.
This collection consists of the papers of Horace Mann and other family members, including material from Mann's career as a lawyer, legislator, abolitionist, educator, and president of Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Mann's correspondence constitutes the bulk of the collection. His correspondents included most of his prominent contemporaries in his various fields of interest. The collection also contains the correspondence of reformers Mary Tyler Peabody Mann (1806-1887) and Elizabeth Palmer Peabody (1804-1894), as well as some of the letters of Elizabeth Amelia (White) Dwight (1809-1883). Also included in the collection are a number of Horace Mann's journals, legal papers, and speeches on wide-ranging subjects, such as education, politics, slavery, temperance, and religion.
Other individuals represented in this collection are: Thomas Mann (1756-1809), George Albert Hubbell (b. 1824), William Bentley Fowle (1795-1865), Benjamin Pickman Mann (1848-1926), Horace Mann (1844-1868), and George Combe Mann (b. 1845), among others.
Acquisition Information
Horace Mann papers: Gift of George Combe Mann and Benjamin Pickman Mann, Jan. 30, 1915. Additional material gifts of Laura E. Richards, 1940, and Horace Mann, Oct. 1945.
Horace Mann papers II: Deposited by Horace Mann (of Maine), May 1952.
Horace Mann papers III: Acquired by purchase, 1954.
Horace Mann papers IV: Gift of Mr. Wilder Dwight, Oct. 4, 1920.
Horace Mann papers V: Acquired by purchase, Waterston Fund I, Nov. 30, 1918.
Other Formats
Digital facsimiles of the Horace Mann, Jr. travel diary are available on Life at Sea, a digital publication of Adam Matthew Digital, Inc. This digital resource is available at subscribing libraries; speak to your local librarian to determine if your library has access. The MHS makes this resource available onsite; see a reference librarian for more information.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Expand allI. General correspondence, 1669-1926
Arranged chronologically.
This series consists of Horace Mann's correspondence with many of his important contemporaries, including George Combe (1788-1858). Almost every one of the letters is individually described in the MHS manuscript catalog.
Undated material, 1.1-1.13
Correspondence, 1669-1830
Correspondence, 1831-1833
Correspondence, 1834-1837
Correspondence, 1838-1840
Correspondence, 1841-1842
Correspondence, 1843-1844
Correspondence, 1845-1846
Correspondence, 1847
Correspondence, Jan.-May 1848
Correspondence, June-Sep. 1848
Correspondence, Oct.-Dec. 1848
Correspondence, Jan.-May 1849
Correspondence, June-Dec. 1849
Correspondence, Jan.-Feb. 1850
Correspondence, Mar.-May 1850
Correspondence, June-Aug. 1850
Correspondence, Sep.-Dec. 1850
Correspondence, 1851
Correspondence, Jan.-July 1852
Correspondence, Aug.-Dec. 1852
Correspondence, 1853-Mar. 1854
Correspondence, Apr.-Dec. 1854
Correspondence, 1855-Mar. 1857
Correspondence, Apr. 1857-1858
Correspondence, 1859-1926
Horace Mann to George Combe, copies of letters, 1839-1858
II. Lectures, sermons, and legal notes, 1820-1859
Arranged chronologically.
This series contains Mann's lectures, sermons, speeches, and legal notes. Undated miscellaneous notes are at the end of the series.
1a. "Speech of Horace Mann in Boston Legislature," [182-]
1b. Closing arguments for a civil suit, [182-]
1c. [1825]
2a. Bill in aid of the Western Railroad, [183-]
2b. Legal notes, Commonwealth vs. Leach & Manley, [183-]
3a. Insanity, [183-]
3b. "Chaos," [183-] [probably 1838]
4. Education, physical education, and health matters, [183-]
5. "Remarks upon the comparative profits of Grocers and Retailers as derived from Temperant or Intemperant Customers" and other remarks on intemperance, [1834]
6. "Lecture on Elementary Education, Delivered at the Annual Meeting of the Association of Teachers in Barnstable County," 11 Nov. 1835
7. Education, 1839
8a. "Normal Schools," [184-]
8b. "Acquisitiveness," [184-]
9. Importance of the study of nature and physical laws, [184-]
10. Practicability of the improvement of man, [184-]
11. Truth and knowledge, [184-]
12. Education, [184-]
13. Language, [184-]
14a. Historical view of education, its dignity and degradation, [1840]
14b. Knowledge, with a lecture on the Commonwealth school system on the left-hand pages, crossed out, [1842]
15. "Darmstadt," trade schools and 'real' schools, [1843]
16. "For the Common School Journal," "How is Reading to be taught? Lesson on the Sounds of Letters," [1844]
17. Definition of education, [1845]
18. "Educated Manufactory Labor," [1845]
19. "Bridgewater speech," 19 Aug. [1846]
20. "Motives of Teachers," [1847]
21a. Liberty, and miscellaneous notes on slavery, Drayton & Sayres case, [1848]
21b. "Speech in Drayton & Sayres Case," 1848
22a. "Mercantile Association," [185-]
22b. "Political Economy," [185-]
23a. National government, [185-]
23b. Morality and politicians, [1850]
24. Samuel G. Howe, [1850]
25. Slavery or freedom in newly-acquired territories, [1850]
26. "Temperance -- Following Gen. Houston's Speech," [Feb. 1852]
27. "Portland, Maine, 4th of July Address," on slavery, [1 July 1853]
28. Dedicatory, Antioch College, [Oct. 1853]
29. "No. 1, Georgie," 30 Oct. 1853
30. "No. 2, Horace," 4 Dec. 1853
31. "Liberty," [1854]
32. "Miracles," [1854]
33. Education, [1854]
34. "No. 4, Horace," "Liberty is the Law of God," 19 Feb. 1854
35. "No. 3, Georgie," "Sin -- the Transgression of the Law," 9 Apr. 1854
36. [No. 5], "Testimony against Evil, a Sin," 14 May 1854
37. [No. 6], "The Prodigal Son," 17 Sep. 1854
38. Cincinnati Mercantile Library Association, introductory lecture, 28 Nov. 1854
39a. Class lists, [1855]
39b. Astronomy, [1855]
40. "The Two Natures," 6 Nov. 1855
41. "Sermons: Retribution," 24 Feb. 1856
42. "The Kingdom of Heaven," 23 Nov. 1856
43. Graduation speech, [1857]
44. "Psalms 139: part of 14th verse, I am fearfully and wonderfully made," 20 Sep. 1857
45. "Where God's creatures dwell," 31 Oct. 1857
46. Baccalaureate addresses, [1857 & 1858]
47. "Temptation," 21 Nov. 1858
48. "Relation of Colleges to Community," 15 Dec. 1858
49. Human immortality, [May 1859]
50. "Last Baccalaureate of Horace Mann," 1859
51. Mary Peabody Mann, "Comment on H.M.'s Management etc. of Antioch," [186-]
52. Notes by George A. Hubbell, [1900]
53. "Great Britain," undated
54. Poverty, undated
55. Speech in Mass. Legislature concerning spending of funds, undated
56. 4th of July address, undated
57. Peace on earth, undated
58. Legal publications, undated
59. Address to Milton Social and Benevolent Society, undated
60. Education, undated
61. Different types of knowledge, undated
62. Address to Milton Social and Benevolent Society, undated
63a. Knowledge, undated
63b. Physical laws, undated
64. The mind, undated
65. "Bunker Hill Monument," undated
66. Education as organic necessity, undated
67. Miscellaneous notes, undated
68. Miscellaneous notes, undated
69. Miscellaneous notes, undated
70. Miscellaneous notes, undated
71. Miscellaneous notes, undated
72. Miscellaneous notes, undated
73. Miscellaneous notes, undated
74. Miscellaneous notes, undated
75. Miscellaneous notes, undated
76. Miscellaneous notes, undated
77. Miscellaneous notes, undated
78. Miscellaneous notes, undated
79. Miscellaneous notes, undated
80. Miscellaneous notes, undated
III. Volumes, 1782-1880
Arranged in arbitrary numerical order.
This series consists of journals, letterbooks, notebooks, accounts, and other volumes, with some loose pages. Included in this series are some of Mann's writings on slavery and those of Mary Tyler Peabody Mann on her husband's life and other topics.
I. Journal, 1837-1843
Ia. Typescript extracts of journal, 1837-1843
II. Journal, May-Oct. 1843
III. Letterbook, 1838
IV. Pocket book, [1850]
IVa. Loose pages from Volume IV
V. Teachers' Institute accounts, 1846-1848
Va. Loose pages from Volume V
VI. Notebook, 1843
VII. Notes on slavery, undated
VIII. Commonplace book, [183-]
IX. Notebook, History of England, [183-]
IXa. Loose pages from Volume IX
X. Mary Mann's Estimate of Horace Mann, 1860-1880
XI. Horace Mann and Slavery -- manuscript of a book, apparently two copies, neither of which is complete
XII. Mary Mann, Sequel to Mr. Alexander's "The Wooing of O'T"
XIII. Thomas Mann's Cyphering Book, 1782
XIV. Jacob Cushing, Almanack for 1795
XV. Benjamin Pickman Mann, "A List of Horace Mann's Publications," 1867
XVI. Benjamin Pickman Mann, "A List of Elizabeth Palmer Peabody's Publications," 1869
IV. Horace Mann papers II, 1826-1882
Arranged chronologically.
This series contains correspondence of Mary Tyler Peabody Mann and Elizabeth Palmer Peabody, 1826-1882.
V. Horace Mann papers III, 1709-1904
Arranged chronologically.
This series contains correspondence and miscellaneous papers, including deeds and will of Thomas Mann, correspondence of Horace Mann, correspondence of Mary Tyler Peabody Mann, and correspondence of Elizabeth Palmer Peabody, 1709-1904.
Digital facsimiles of the Horace Mann, Jr. travel diary are available on Life at Sea, a digital publication of Adam Matthew Digital, Inc. This digital resource is available at subscribing libraries; speak to your local librarian to determine if your library has access. The MHS makes this resource available onsite; see a reference librarian for more information.
VI. Horace Mann papers IV, 1827-1835
Arranged chronologically.
This series contains correspondence from Elizabeth Amelia (White) Dwight to Mary Tyler Peabody Mann, 1827-1835.
VII. Horace Mann papers V, 1841-1849
Arranged chronologically.
This series contains correspondence from Horace Mann to William Bentley Fowle concerning Mann's lectures and writings on education and religious liberty, 1841-1849.
VIII. Oversize material, 1709-1864
Arranged chronologically.
This series consists of oversize material from the various Horace Mann collections that are joined in this microfilm edition.
Preferred Citation
Horace Mann collection, 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:
Materials Removed from the Collection
Photographs from this collection have been removed to the Horace Mann family photographs. Photo. Coll. 500.56.