1816-1886
Guide to the Collection
Abstract
This collection consists of diaries kept by merchant, businessman, and philanthropist Amos Adams Lawrence, 1814-1886, during his studies at Harvard University (Class of 1835); on trips to Europe, the southern states, and other parts of the U.S.; and while living in Boston and the vicinity. Also included are Lawrence's personal account books, 1827-1886, with records of household accounts and charitable expenses.
Biographical Sketch
Amos Adams Lawrence (1814-1886), son of Amos and Sarah Richards Lawrence, was a prominent merchant, textile manufacturer, and philanthropist.
Sarah Elizabeth Appleton (b. 1822), daughter of William and Mary Anne Cutler Appleton, married Amos Adams Lawrence in 1842.
Mary Anne Cutler Appleton was the wife of William Appleton and the mother Sarah E. (Appleton) Lawrence.
Collection Description
The Amos Adams Lawrence diaries and account books consist of 53 small volumes in 5 pamphlet boxes and 15 large volumes in cases that spans the years 1814-1886. The collection is divided into three series: Amos Adams Lawrence volumes, Sarah Elizabeth Appleton Lawrence volumes, and Mary Anne Cutler Appleton diaries.
The bulk of the collection includes diaries kept by merchant, businessman, and philanthropist Amos Adams Lawrence from 1814-1886, during his studies at Harvard University (Class of 1835); on trips to Europe, the southern states, and other parts of the U.S.; and while living in Boston, Mass. and the vicinity. The collection also includes Lawrence's personal account books kept from 1827-1886, with records of household accounts and charitable expenses; a list of his Massachusetts rental properties, with the names of towns and residents; and a book of receipts and expenditures for recruiting the 2nd Regiment of Mass. Cavalry under Col. Charles R. Lowell during the Civil War in 1862-1863.
In addition, the collection includes Sarah Elizabeth Appleton Lawrence's diaries kept from 1843-1864 and account books of household expenses and wages for domestic help kept from 1842-1853. Finally, the collection includes diaries kept by Sarah's mother, Mary Anne Cutler Appleton, during a voyage with her husband William Appleton to Italy and France, 1816-1817, along with a line-a-day diary kept in 1836.
Acquisition Information
The Amos Adams Lawrence volumes were a gift of Mrs. Frederick Cunningham in 1927, Mrs. Augustus N. Hand in Nov. 1939, John S. Lawrence in Nov. 1950, and Paul C. Coolidge in Oct. 1989.
The Sarah Elizabeth Appleton Lawrence volumes and Mary Anne Cutler Appleton diaries were a gift of Paul C. Coolidge in Dec. 1987.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Expand allI. Amos Adams Lawrence volumes, 1827-1886
A. Diaries, 1834-1886
This subseries includes diaries kept by Amos Adams Lawrence during his travels in the U.S. and Europe and while engaged in school, work, and personal activities in Boston, Mass. and the vicinity. This subseries also include some manuscript copies of volumes copied by Charles H. Gates, Lawrence's fellow classmate in the Harvard Class of 1835.
Arranged chronologically.
1834
These diaries contain descriptions of a trip to Washington, D.C.
1834-1836
This diary contains entries kept while a student at Harvard and at the start of his career in the manufacturing business. The entries includes descriptions of college life; information on classmates (Class of 1835); and descriptions of trips to Washington, D.C., Western Mass., New York, and other locations.
1834-1835
Manuscript copy of Vol. 1, copied by Charles H. Gates.
1834-1846
This diary contains descriptions of a trip to Washington, D.C. in 1834; Europe from Nov.-Dec. 1839; and Green Bay, Wisconsin in 1846.
1836-1839
This diary contains descriptions of a trip to Washington, D.C. in 1836 and a trip to the midwest and southern U.S. in 1836-1837, as well as entries written while living in Boston, Mass. and the surrounding vicinity. Includes an index written by Charles H. Gates in the front of the volume.
1836-1840
These diaries contain descriptions of travels through the southern and eastern U.S. from 1836-1837 and on a trip to Europe from 1839-1840.
1839-1842
This diary contains descriptions of life in Boston, Mass. and travels through Europe. The diary includes Lawrence's engagement to Sarah Elizabeth Appleton.
1840
This diary contains descriptions of travels in Italy, Scotland, and England.
1842-1858
This diary begins with Lawrence's marriage to Sarah Elizabeth Appleton and contains descriptions of life in Boston, Mass. and the vicinity; life as a capitalist, philanthropist, and cotton manufacturer; and various travels. The diary also contains some personal expenses and newspaper clippings.
1842-1855
This volume contains a manuscript copy of Vol. 5 through 1855, copied by Charles H. Gates, as well as a "List of appointments" of Lawrence's career and an index.
1855-1858
This volume contains a manuscript copy of Vol. 5 from 1855-1858, copied by Charles H. Gates. The diary also contains an index.
1850
This diary contains descriptions of a journey to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
1858-1868
This diary contains description of life in Boston, Mass. and the vicinity.
1858-1865
This volume contains a manuscript copy of Vol. 8 through 1865, copied by Charles H. Gates, and a name index.
1865-1868
This volume contains a manuscript copy of Vol. 8 from 1865-1868, copied by Charles H. Gates, and a name index.
1867
This diary contains descriptions of an ocean voyage and trip through England and France in May and June of 1867.
1870-1871
This diary contains descriptions of a trip from New York to England, France, Switzerland, and Austria. The diary also includes descriptions of life in Boston, Mass. and the vicinity after Sep. 1870.
1871-1877
These diaries contain descriptions of life in Boston, Mass. and the vicinity.
1878-1886
These diaries contain descriptions of life in Boston, Mass. and the vicinity. Entries for Jan.-Aug. 1886 are intermittently in the hand of Charles H. Gates, apparently from Lawrence's dictation.
B. Account books, 1827-1886
This subseries includes Amos Adams Lawrence's personal account books only, excluding business accounts and ledgers. The accounts include personal and household expenses, charities, property, and other investments.
Arranged chronologically.
1827-1835
This account book contains Lawrence's personal expenses, including while he was a student at Harvard College. Also contains notations by his father Amos Lawrence.
1842-1844
This account book contains personal expenses, including household expenses and personal contributions.
1844-1865
This account book contains accounts of land, stables, houses, and other properties owned.
1845-1847
These account books contain personal expenses, including household expenses and personal contributions.
1847-1886
This account book contains accounts of property, real estate, stocks, and other investments.
1848-1876
These account books contain personal expenses, including household expenses and personal contributions.
1861-1876
These account books contain personal expenses, including household expenses and personal contributions.
C. Miscellaneous volumes, 1839-1840
Arranged chronologically.
Rental properties, undated
This volume contains a list of rented properties in Massachusetts, including towns and names of residents.
Passport, 1839-1840
This volume consists of the passport of Amos Adams Lawrence.
Civil War receipt book, 1862-1863
This volume contains receipts and expenditures of recruiting for the 2nd Regiment, Mass. Cavalry under Col. Charles R. Lowell during the U.S. Civil War.
"Greek fund" relief book, 1867
This volume contains accounts of "Greek Fund" relief fund, of which Lawrence was the treasurer.
II. Sarah Elizabeth Appleton Lawrence volumes, 1842-1864
A. Diaries, 1843-1864
This subseries includes diaries kept by Sarah Elizabeth Appleton Lawrence after her marriage to Amos Adams Lawrence in 1842. Diary entries pertain to her life in Boston, Mass. and the vicinity and include descriptions of the weather, daily chores, church attendance, and time spent with family and friends.
Arranged chronologically.
Apr. 1843-May 1844
Oct. 1845-May 1847
May 1847-June 1848
July 1848-Oct. 1849
Nov. 1849-Mar. 1850
Mar. 1850-June 1851
June 1851-Dec. 1853
1854-Jan. 1855
Jan. 1855-Jan. 1856
Feb. 1856-Jan. 1857
Feb. 1857-Jan. 1858
Feb. 1858-Mar. 1860
Mar. 1860-May 1861
Mar. 1861-May 1864
B. Account books, 1842-1853
Arranged chronologically.
1842-1853
This account book contains wages of domestic servants.
1842-1844
These cash books contain accounts of moneys received and expended.
III. Mary Anne Cutler Appleton diaries, 1816-1817, 1836
Arranged chronologically.
1816-1817
This diary contains entries kept during a sea voyage with her husband William Appleton to Europe, including descriptions of visits to Italy and France.
1836
This line-a-day diary contains descriptions of daily activities and events, including a notation of death of her son William in Europe.
Preferred Citation
Amos Adams Lawrence diaries and account books, Massachusetts Historical Society.
Materials Removed from the Collection
An engraving of William Appleton was removed to the Engraving Collection.
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.