1728-1891
Guide to the Collection
Abstract
This collection consists of correspondence between members of the Savage family, as well as correspondence of related Shaw and Hayward families. It also contains the legal and business papers of Samuel P. Savage and Samuel H. Savage.
Biographical Sketches
Samuel Phillips Savage (1718-1797)
Samuel Phillips Savage was born in Boston to Arthur Savage (1731-1801) and Faith Phillips (1690–1775). He was a prominent merchant and judge in Boston and Weston, Mass., as well as an insurance underwriter for goods on various ships. During the American Revolutionary War, he served as chairman on the Massachusetts Board of War. In 1789, he was appointed justice of the peace in Barnstable, Mass. He died at his farm in Weston on 9 December 1797.
Samuel Hay Savage (1827-1901)
Samuel Hay Savage was born in Barnstable, Mass. to William Henry Savage (1782-1832) and Maria Addison Hoffman Savage (1800-1865). In 1860, he married Catherine Davenport Hayward (1833-1923), and they had two children, Adelaide Hay Savage (1861-) and Henry Savage (1864-). He spent most his adult life as a commission merchant, land owner, and businessman throughout Central America, including Guatemala and Sonsonate, El Salvador.
Collection Description
The Samuel Hay Savage family papers consist of three boxes and one oversize box spanning the years 1728-1890. The majority of the collection is comprised of the bills, receipts, and business correspondence of Samuel Hay Savage documenting his merchant ventures and living conditions in Central America from 1835-1891; specific locations mentioned include Guatemala and Sonsonate, El Salvador. A significant number of these letters are written in Spanish. Notable historical figures mentioned in his papers include Rafael Carrera (1814-1865) and Mariano Paredes (1797-1849). A considerable amount of material consists of family correspondence between the Savage, Shaw, and Hayward families. Family correspondents include Samuel Hay Savage's half-brother Henry Savage; grandmother Hope Doane Savage; grandfather Samuel Savage; aunt Hope Savage Shaw; and uncle Lemuel Shaw. This correspondence covers general family matters and travel, including a letter journal written by William Henry Savage to his parents during a walking tour of the Midwest, including descriptions of N.Y., Ky., Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and New Orleans. The collection also includes legal and financial papers that pertain to Arthur Savage and other associated family members' estates, wills, and indenture paperwork. The papers of Samuel Phillip Savage, also included in this collection, relate to his work as a judge in Middlesex County, justice of the peace in Barnstable, and his position as chairman of the Massachusetts Board of War.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Susan Kearns, January 2019.
Custodial History
Samuel Savage Shaw bequeathed a large collection of Savage family papers to Henry Savage, Sr. in 1915. After the death of Savage's widow in 1956, the collection was divided into six parts and distributed to Henry Savage's six children. Five of the six parts are now at the MHS. This collection--along with Ms. N-885.3, N-885.4, N-885.5, and N-99--represents one of the six parts. The sixth and final part remains in private hands.
Detailed Description of the Collection
I. Family correspondence, 1766-1881
Arranged chronologically.
This series is comprised of letters between members of the Savage, Shaw, and Hayward families. Letters primarily pertain to family and estate matters. They discuss the deaths of family members and friends and track the travels of various members in Guatemala, Sonsonate, El Salvador, Tampico, Mexico, and Jamaica. Most notably included is a partially disbound letter journal belonging to Williams Henry Savage written to his parents, Samuel Savage and Hope Doane Savage, during a walking tour of the Midwest including, N.Y., Ky., Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and New Orleans (1817-1818).
1766-1881, n.d.
1796-1806
II. Legal and financial papers, 1728-1888
Arranged chronologically.
This series is comprised of the Savage and other related families' legal and financial papers. The legal documents consist of the wills, indentures, and estate inventories regarding Thomas Savage (1644-1749), Arthur Savage (1680-1735), Faith Russell (1690-1775), Henry Phillips (1704-1730), Gilliam Phillips, and Catherine D. Hayward (1833-). Financial papers consist of bills and receipts belonging to the various households.
1728-1888, n.d.
1800
III. Samuel P. Savage papers, 1741-1791
Arranged chronologically.
Papers pertain to Savage's work as a judge and merchant in Middlesex County, chairman of the Massachusetts Board of War (1777-1783), and justice of the peace in Barnstable. He was appointed to the bench in 1775 and served until his death in 1797. The papers include bills and receipts from the treasury of the Board of War regarding provision of supplies for continental soldiers, as well as several of his judgements occurring 1788-1789. Also included is a photocopy of his 1789 appointment to justice of the peace in Barnstable, signed by John Hancock.
1741-1791, n.d.
1720-1789
IV. Samuel H. Savage papers, 1835-1891
Arranged chronologically.
This series consists of correspondence, bills, and receipts regarding both Samuel and his brother, Henry Savage's merchant businesses in Central America, specifically Guatemala, and Sonsonate, El Salvador. Typical commodities of their businesses included coffee, cheese, and sugar. Correspondence mentions living conditions in Guatemala and El Salvador during an extended period of civil and political unrest. Notable figures and events mentioned include Rafael Carrera (1814-1865), the president of Guatemala from 1844 to 1848 and from 1851 until his death in 1865; Mariano Paredes (1797-1849), the president of Mexico in 1846; and the battle of La Araba. Several of the letters are written in Spanish. The series also includes inventories of Savage's land holdings and an unidentified calendar book (1890).
Preferred Citation
Samuel Hay Savage 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:
Organizations:
Subjects:
Materials Removed from the Collection
Neck piece of handmade lace from this collection has been removed to MHS Artifacts.