1839-2016
Guide to the Collection
Restrictions on Access
Series II of the Frank Irving Howe, Jr. family papers (the Senechal family papers) is 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 interrelated Hill, Howe, and Senechal families, primarily Civil War sharpshooter Moses Hill, his wife Eliza Ann (Arnold) Hill, their great-granddaughter Marion Elberta (Howe) Senechal, and her husband Robert Alphonse Senechal. Included are letters written by Moses Hill during his service with the First Company of Massachusetts Sharpshooters in Maryland and Virginia, 1860-1862.
Biographical Sketches
Moses Hill (1823-1862) was born on 22 Mar. 1823 in Bellingham, Mass., the son of Moses and Persis (Phipps) Hill. He worked as a stone mason. In 1846, he married Eliza Ann Arnold (1825-1888), and the couple had two children: Lucina Maria Hill (b. 1848), who married Frank Irving Howe (1841-1893) in 1866; and George Russell Hill (b. 1858), who married Carrie Frances Clark in 1882. During the Civil War, Moses Hill served in the First Company of Massachusetts Sharpshooters, otherwise known as the "Andrew Sharpshooters" after Gov. John A. Andrew. Hill saw action in Maryland and Virginia during the Peninsula Campaign. On 13 Oct. 1862, he was discharged from service due to illness and sent home, where he died of consumption on 29 Oct. 1862.
Eliza Ann (Arnold) Hill (1825-1888) was the daughter of Nathan and Rosina (Ballou) Arnold and the foster daughter of George Harding of Medway, Mass. Her brother was Nathan Arnold, Jr. (1817-1881), who married Maria Green (Harding) Bright in 1839, and her twin sister was Rosina Arnold, who married William Bartlett in 1845.
Frank Irving Howe, Jr. (1875-1946) was the son of Frank and Lucina Maria (Hill) Howe and the grandson of Moses and Eliza Ann (Arnold) Hill. He married Clara Louise Amazeen in 1902, and the couple had five children: Dorothy Howe; Frank Irving Howe III, a.k.a. "Bud"; Evan Carleton Howe, a.k.a. "Pie"; Marion Elberta Howe; and Robert Marshall Howe.
Marion Elberta (Howe) Senechal (1916-2000) was the daughter of Frank Irving Howe, Jr. and Clara Louise (Amazeen) Howe. In 1936, she married stage actor and set designer Joseph Gardner Hill, and they had one son, David Gardner Hill (b. 1937). Marion and Joe Hill divorced in 1941, and Marion re-married in 1948 to Robert Alphonse Senechal. The Senechals had two daughters, Roberta Howe Senechal (b. 1950) and Marianne Senechal (b. 1957). During World War II, Marion worked building Liberty ships at the New England Shipbuilding Corporation's shipyard in South Portland, Me. She got a B.A. in education from the Massachusetts School of Art in 1948 and an M.A. in Education from Gorham State College in 1968. She worked for many years as an art teacher and administrator, first in Rumford, Me. and then in Scotia, N.Y., retiring in 1972.
Robert Alphonse Senechal (1919-2005) was the son of Wilbur Louis Senechal and Aurore (Plante) Senechal. He worked as a boilermaker and was very active in his labor union, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers, Local #29.
Sources
Collection Description
This collection consists of the papers of the interrelated Hill, Howe, and Senechal families, primarily Civil War sharpshooter Moses Hill, his wife Eliza Ann (Arnold) Hill, their great-granddaughter Marion Elberta (Howe) Senechal, and her husband Robert Alphonse Senechal. Series I (the Hill-Howe family papers) contains the papers of Moses and Eliza Hill, their children, and other Hill and Howe family members. Series II (the Senechal family papers) contains the papers of Marion and Robert Senechal, their children, and other Senechal family members.
Included are letters written by Moses Hill during his service with the First Company of Massachusetts Sharpshooters in Maryland and Virginia, 1860-1862, describing life at camp, battles, his health, etc.; Hill and Howe legal, genealogical, and printed material; Senechal family correspondence; personal correspondence of Marion Senechal and papers related to her career as an art educator and her travels; papers of Robert Senechal related to his membership in the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers, Local #29, and his workers' compensation claim for asbestosis; and diaries of Marion and Robert Senechal.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Roberta Howe Senechal, Aug. 2008-Feb. 2012, Jan. 2017.
Restrictions on Access
Series II of the Frank Irving Howe, Jr. family papers (the Senechal family papers) is 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
Expand allI. Hill-Howe family papers, 1839-2016
This series contains papers of the related Hill and Howe families, primarily Civil War sharpshooter Moses Hill, his wife Eliza Ann (Arnold) Hill, their daughter Lucina Maria (Hill) Howe, and other family members. Included are letters, postcards, legal and financial papers, genealogical papers, and printed matter.
A. Correspondence, 1844-1926
This subseries consists primarily of the correspondence of Moses Hill and Eliza Ann (Arnold) Hill, 1844-1862, but also includes letters to Eliza from other family members and friends. Among the correspondents are Eliza's uncle Adin Ballou, sister Rosina (Arnold) Bartlett, brother Nathan Arnold, Jr. (1817-1881), niece Myra (probably Nathan's stepdaughter Mary Elizabeth Bright), daughter Lucina Maria (Hill) Howe, son George Russell Hill, mother-in-law Persis (Phipps) Hill, Maria A. Harding, and Casper Lavater Russell.
Detailed and frequent letters from Moses to Eliza while he was serving in the Civil War, 1861-1862, include letters from Camp Benton, Md. about life at camp; provisions; correspondence and items sent from home; men in the company, including Egbert Oswald Hixon (1824-1864) of Medway, Mass.; deaths and illnesses at camp; drinking and gambling by the soldiers; drills and troop movements; engagements with the enemy; news of battles; the weather; Moses's health and homesickness; the activities of his children Lucina ("Sis") and George ("Bub") and other family members; Gen. Frederick W. Lander; Capt. John Saunders; African Americans; Confederate prisoners; and the reconnaissance hot-air balloon Intrepid. Moses participated in and describes the battles at Ball's Bluff and Edward's Ferry and contrasts his experiences with newspaper reports. Also included are a few letters from Moses to his children, often with sketches, and to his parents Moses and Persis (Phipps) Hill. One letter to Lucina, 24 Dec. 1861, details the lives of enslaved people in Maryland. At the beginning of 1862, Moses's regiment left Camp Benton, and his letters of that year are addressed from Patterson's Creek, Paw Paw Tunnel, Winchester, Yorktown, New Kent, Richmond, Harrison's Landing, and Newport News, Va. Subjects include a skirmish at Bloomery Gap (W.Va.) in mid-February; the death of Gen. Lander; Gen. James Shields; Virginians' fear of the Northern troops; Moses's hopes for peace; his respect for Gen. George B. McClellan; and the Siege of Yorktown, Battle of Fair Oaks, and Seven Days Battles. Included is correspondence between Moses, Eliza, and Lucina while Moses was at Harewood Hospital in Washington, D.C., Sep.-Oct. 1862.
After Moses's death in 1862, the correspondence consists of letters about his pension and Eliza Hill's work with the Soldiers' Aid Society; letters to Eliza from her daughter Lucina, son George, sister Rosina, brother Nathan, niece Myra, uncle Adin Ballou, and others, primarily on family matters; and later letters to Lucina from her husband Frank Irving Howe, daughter Eva Frances Howe, and son Frank Irving Howe, Jr. Letters from Frank, Jr. describe his service in South Carolina in the Fifth Regiment, Mass. Infantry, 1898-1899.
This subseries also contains postcards sent to Caroline Frances Howe and her mother Lucina Maria (Hill) Howe by various family members and friends, as well as miscellaneous undated calling cards and envelopes.
Letters, 1844-1907
NOTE: Most of the correspondence between Moses Hill and Eliza Ann (Arnold) Hill, 1844-1862, was transcribed by Roberta Senechal. These transcripts are included with the original letters.
Postcards, 1905-1926
Miscellaneous calling cards and envelopes
B. Legal and financial papers, 1839-1956
This subseries contains the appointment of George Harding as guardian of Eliza Ann Arnold, 7 Dec. 1839; papers related to the pension of Moses Hill, 1862-1911; Frank Irving Howe, Jr.'s discharge from the army, 31 Mar. 1899; a letter confirming Charles Davis Bent's appointment as special justice of the District Court of Leominster, Mass., 27 Dec. 1956; and other papers.
C. Genealogical papers, 1902-2012
This subseries consists of genealogies of the Amazeen, Bent, Davis, Death/Dearth, Howe, and Richardson families; notes on Priscilla George Howe; papers related to the annual Howe family reunion beginning in 1977, including family trees, a guest book, invitations, correspondence, etc.; a description of Frank Irving Howe, Jr.'s mental illness and other writings about him by family members; obituaries and printed matter; a notebook of handwritten poems, 1977-1979, and other writings by Evan Carleton Howe; and genealogical notes by Roberta Senechal, as well as her correspondence with Barbara Worthley and others on family history, 1980-2012.
D. Printed matter, 1861-2016
Included is a copy of The Christian Banner for the Soldier and the Sailor, 15 Nov. 1861, owned by Moses Hill; programs for plays and commencements; Frank Irving Howe, Jr.'s certificate of membership in the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 19 Feb. 1902; a pamphlet entitled A Pocket Guide to France, ca. 1944, published by the War and Navy Departments and owned by Merchant Marine Robert Marshall Howe; a booklet of World Green Stamps, ca. 1947; and a few other printed items.
The subseries also contains a hardbound copy of "Our Aim Was Man": Andrew's Sharpshooters in the American Civil War, edited by Roberta Senechal de la Roche (Amherst and Boston: University of Massachusetts Press, 2016).
Printed matter, 1861-1947
"Our Aim Was Man": Andrew's Sharpshooters in the American Civil War, 2016
II. Senechal family papers, 1924-2009
This series contains papers of the Senechal family, including correspondence between family members and the personal and professional papers of Marion (Howe) Senechal and Robert A. Senechal.
A. Family correspondence, 1926-2008
This subseries consists primarily of letters to Marion (Howe) Senechal on family matters. Correspondents include her mother Clara (Amazeen) Howe; her first and second husbands, Joe Hill (beginning in 1987) and Robert "Red" Senechal; her sister Dorothy (Howe) Bent and husband Charles D. Bent; her brothers Evan "Pie" Carleton Howe and Robert Marshall Howe; her sisters-in-law Mildred (Wood) Howe and Lucille (Goodwin) Howe; her children David Gardner Hill, Roberta Senechal, and Marianne Senechal; her daughters-in-law Kay (Izumi) Hill and Taiko (Katane) Hill; her nieces and nephews; her aunt Fay (Amazeen) Bailey and Bailey family members; and many others. Included are letters from Robert M. Howe to his mother Clara (Amazeen) Howe and family during his service with the Merchant Marines, 1942-1945, as well as letters from Marion to Robert Senechal before their marriage, 1946-1948, and when Marion took a trip around the U.S., 1954-1955, to Europe with Roberta and Marianne, 1970, and to Africa with Roberta, 1970-1971. Marion's letters from Africa contain detailed descriptions of her experiences and the unrest following Idi Amin's military coup in Uganda in early 1971. Letters from David G. Hill to Marion discuss his work as a pilot for the Navy, 1955-1968, and later for Northwest Airlines, including the pilots' strike in 1978 and other labor issues. Among the political subjects discussed in this subseries are elections, the Reagan administration, the Iran-Contra scandal, and the First Gulf War. Also included are letters about the estate of Clara Howe, family history, and the annual Howe family reunion, as well as some letters to Roberta Senechal, beginning ca. 1980, and correspondence of members of the Senechal family.
1926-May 1980
Aug. 1980-2008
B. Marion Elberta (Howe) Senechal papers, 1924-2007
This subseries consists of the personal papers of Marion Senechal, including correspondence with non-family members, diaries, material related to her education and professional career, writings, and other papers.
Personal correspondence, 1936-2007
Arranged chronologically.
Included is correspondence of Marion Senechal with friends, colleagues, and students on personal and professional matters. Letters relate to her education; her work as an art teacher; her fellowship from the Fund for the Advancement of Education and her trip around the U.S., 1954-1955; health and financial matters; and many other subjects. Letters to Marion and her daughter Roberta from friends in Africa, 1971-1973, include a few from Philip D'Cunha about the political situation in Uganda, persecution of Asians in the country, and his efforts to emigrate to the U.S. Also among the correspondents are Charles Breckheimer, Dorothy Carmichael, Norma and Bob Cottrell, Ryland W. Crary of the National Education Association, Gwendolyn E. Flanagan, Lucille F. Gillmore, Richard Harrison in London, Sue and Donald Lizzul, Patti (Simonian) Mahabub, William and Dorothy Milliken, Charles F. Rickert, and Katie B. Thomas. Marion also corresponded with public officials on political issues.
Volumes, 1928-1946
Volumes consist primarily of the diaries of Marion Howe covering the years before her marriage to Robert A. Senechal. Entries describe her daily activities, school, and social life. Friends and boyfriends mentioned include Jim Bailey, Ethel "Ginger" Calthorpe, Charlie Farrar, Johnny Field, Joe Hill, Bob Nagel, and Mary "Shrimp" Peckham. Marion also wrote about her father Frank Irving Howe, Jr.'s deteriorating mental health, her marriage to Joe Hill, her son David G. Hill, and her work as a housekeeper. Entries are often out of order. The first diary, 1932-1946, is also a memoranda book containing French vocabulary, notes on music, poetry, quotations, sketches, and printed matter, as well as Marion's thoughts on marriage and other subjects. The 1934-1935 and 1934-1937 diaries cover many of the same days, but entries for those days are slightly different.
Also included is an autograph book with signatures and poems by Howe family members and Walpole High School friends, as well as a small memo book containing addresses, notes, quotations, and sketches by Marion Howe.
NOTE: Included are select diary transcripts by Roberta Senechal. For Marion (Howe) Senechal's later journal describing a trip to Africa, 1970-1971, see her travel papers.
Autograph book, 1928-1931
Diary and memoranda book, 1932-1946
Diary, 1 Jan. 1934-19 July 1935 [with gaps]
Diary, 1 Jan. 1934-8 June 1937 [with gaps]
Diary, 14 June 1935-29 July 1944 [with gaps]
Select transcripts of diaries
Memo book, 1943
Educational papers, 1924-1999
Arranged chronologically.
Included are sketchbooks, scrapbooks, course materials, writings, correspondence, transcripts, printed matter, and other papers related to Marion (Howe) Senechal's high school, college, and post-graduate education.
The Artgum of the Massachusetts Normal Art School, Vol. II and III, 1924 [printed]
Scrapbook, 1929-1944
Notes, Civics I, Walpole High School, 1930
Scrapbook, 1930-1939
Certificate for participation in field hockey, Walpole High School, 1932
Course materials for "The Family," Walpole High School, ca. 1934-1935
School notebook, Walpole High School, 1934-1935
Graduation exercises, Walpole High School, 1934
W.H.S. Hill Quill, 1935 [2 issues, printed]
Sketchbook, 1945-1946
Sketchbook, 1946-1948
Massachusetts School of Art yearbook, 1947
The Way Through Art, senior thesis, Massachusetts School of Art, 1948
Commencement program, Massachusetts School of Art, 1948
Sarah Lawrence College correspondence, 1954-1955
Correspondence with colleges, 1958-1984
Newsletter, Walpole High School Class of 1934, 1959
College transcripts and grade sheets, 1962-1983
30th reunion, Walpole High School Class of 1934, 1964
Certificate of in-service art workshop, 1966
Diploma, Master of Science in Education, Gorham State College, 1968
Commencement program, Gorham State College, 1968
Correspondence with University of Southern Maine, 1978-1979
News bulletins and addresses, Walpole High School Class of 1934, 1979-1984
Notebook for "The History of Art,"1983
"A Short History of the Art and Manufacture of Athenian Vases," by Marion Senechal, 1983
50th reunion, Walpole High School Class of 1934, 1984
"Putting on an Art Exhibit," by Marion Senechal, 1985
Course materials for "Aging in America," University of Southern Maine, 1988
Notes for course on English writing, University of Southern Maine, 1990
65th reunion, Walpole High School Class of 1934, 1999
Professional papers, 1931-1985
Arranged chronologically.
Marion (Howe) Senechal's professional papers consist of correspondence, lesson plans, notes, printed matter, meeting minutes, reports, certificates, artwork, and other papers documenting her career as an art teacher and administrator. Included is material related to her Ford Foundation fellowship, the John Hay Fellows Program, and the New York State Art Teachers Association.
Letter of recommendation for Marion Senechal, by Donald Whittredge, undated
"Creating a Plaster Relief," by Marion Senechal, undated
The Teaching of Art Related to the Home, 1931 [printed]
Lesson plans, 1946-1972
Drawings and prints, 1946-1980s
Elementary grade drawing, kindergarten through grade 6, 1948
Talks and articles on art, 1948-1968
Stephens High School (Rumford, Me.) yearbook, 1949
Teacher's certificates, State of Maine, 1949, 1955
Syllabus, undated, 1949-1969
Clippings, 1949-1980
Unit activities and team teaching, lesson plans, 1950-1964
Miscellaneous teaching materials, 1951-1956
Material related to Ford Foundation fellowship, 1952-1954
Research file: R. C. Hoiles, 1952-1955
Teachers' continuing contract, Town of Rumford, Me., 1953
Ford Foundation grant proposal, draft and final, 1953-1954
Questions about public school education, 1954
Miscellaneous notes on education, 1954-1955
Art associations, 1954-1955
Teachers' salaries, Rumford, Me., 1954-1955
NEA Journal, 1955 [printed]
Certificate of membership and prior service, New York State Teachers Retirement System, 1956
Teaching materials: high school crafts, 1956-1960s
Art workshops, 1957
Report on combined art workshops, 1957
New York State Art Teachers Association newsletter, 1957
Teaching materials: 7th-9th grade, 1957-1964
Teacher's certificates, University of the State of New York, 1957, 1965
Miscellaneous work papers, 1957-1977
Regents High School examination, 1958
High school, general, 1958-1961
Notes for grant proposals, 1958-1964
Publicity, 1959-1970
Art supervisor, 1960-1969
John Hay Fellows Program, 1961-1965
Art in Action, 1962-1963 [printed]
Supervisor file: reviews of teachers, 1963-1969
The Scotia-Glenville Journal, 1964 [printed]
New York State Art Teachers Association, 1965-1967
Conference vouchers, approvals, and notices, 1966-1970
Art Department meeting minutes, 1966-1970
Report of discussion forum, 1967?
New York State Art Teachers Association membership directory, 1967
Syllabus for high school, 1967-1968
Council of Administrators in Art Education of New York State, 1967-1969
New York State Art Teachers Association, Capital District, 1967-1970
Scotia-Glenville pay stubs, 1968?
Notes on transfer, Scotia-Glenville High School, 1968
Scotia-Glenville Festival of the Arts, 1968
Correspondence, 1969-1970
13th Annual Art Exhibit, Scotia-Glenville Central Schools, 1970
"Letter to Editor," by Norma W. Cottrell, 1971
Retirement correspondence, 1971-1972
Certificate of appreciation, Scotia-Glenville Central Schools, 1972
Senemah Fine Arts Originals, 1973
Blake Realty, 1973
Self-portraits, 1980s
Certificate of appreciation, University of Southern Maine, 1980
"The Production of Art Exhibits by USM Art Students," by Marion Senechal, 1985
Writings, 1940s-2000
Arranged chronologically.
Included are miscellaneous short stories, essays, poems, and notes written by Marion (Howe) Senechal, as well as biographical writings and a few sketches.
"Life" undated
"Just Any Job," undated
Papers to be typed, ca. 1940s-1950s
Poetry, 1947?-1985
"Dilemma or, Elegy to an Fashioned Doughnut," ca. 1954-1955
"Intellectual Biography," 1957?
Miscellaneous notes for short stories, 1960-1989
"A State of Fusion," 1962
Nominee's intellectual autobiography, 1964
"Sebago," 1966
"Marsden Hartley," 1967
"Jerry: A Short Story," 1970
"On Survival," 1971
"Freedom and Responsibility: A Viewpoint on Welfare," 1977
"Home is Where...," 1977
"Joe Salesman," 1979?
"The Other Side of Lonely," 1979?
"Set 'Em Up, Joe, or a Workingman's Soliloquy," 1979
"T.M.," 1979
"Sometimes It's Better to Leave Well Enough Alone...," 1979
"South Africa," 1979-2000
"What Is a Rosa?" 1980
"To Room Nineteen," 1980
"New Mexico Landscape," 1983
Creative writing notebook, 1985
"Out-Tide," 1985
"Chair," 1986
"Livia: A Short Story," 1986
"Etceteras That May Be of Interest," ca. 1990s?
"The Life Story of Marion Howe Senechal," interview by Sylvia Kaye, 1994
Travel papers, 1954-1984
Marion (Howe) Senechal's travel papers relate primarily to her sabbatical to Europe and Africa in 1970-1971. Included is incoming and outgoing correspondence about arrangements and financial aid; bills and receipts; Senechal's African journal describing her activities, people and sights, and the effects of Idi Amin's military coup in Uganda; notes and printed matter from Africa enclosed with the journal; and miscellaneous printed matter from other trips.
Agreement, Board of Education, 1970
Correspondence, 1969-1970
Bills and receipts, 1969-1971
Europe By Car trip log, 1970
Notes on African travel, 1966-1971
African journal, 1970-1971
Miscellaneous printed matter, 1954-1984
Legal and financial papers, 1948-2007
Arranged chronologically.
Included are real estate documents, deeds, wills, powers of attorney, certificates, and other legal and financial papers of Marion and Robert Senechal.
Certificate of marriage, Robert Senechal and Marion Hill, 1948
Miscellaneous financial papers, 1953-1974
Deed for property in Raymond, Me., 1957
Real estate documents, 39 Union Street, Norfolk, Mass., 1961-1973
Miscellaneous real estate documents, 1963-1981
Passports, vaccination certificates, 1970-1987
Release of all claims, 1972
Powers of attorney from David G. Hill, 1973, 1976
Last will and testament, 1974, 1998-2000
Notes on travel award fraud, 1980s?
Receipt for loan to David G. Hill, 1982
Deeds of gift to Spring Point Museum, South Portland, Me., 1988, 1991
Powers of attorney for Marion and Robert Senechal, 1995-1996
Record of marriage, Robert Senechal and Marion Hill, 2000
Affidavit for collection of personal property, 2006
Letters of authority of personal representative, 2007
Printed materials, 1930-2006
Arranged chronologically.
Included is a booklet entitled Souvenir of the Charles River containing historic photographs of the river; certificates and a program from the Camp Fire Girls; clippings and other printed matter related to Marion (Howe) Hill's work on liberty ships during World War II; six issues of The Franklin Focus, the newsletter of the Franklin Square House for which she was a staff artist; clippings and programs documenting the theatrical career of her first husband Joe Hill and his second wife Marianna (Peterson) Hill; and miscellaneous clippings, certificates, cards, and other printed items.
Souvenir of the Charles River, undated
Camp Fire Girls, 1930-1937
Clippings and printed matter related to war work, 1943-1998
The Franklin Focus, 1945-1947
Joe Hill clippings and programs, 1953-2006
Miscellaneous printed matter, 1943-2000
C. Robert Alphonse Senechal papers, 1933-2009
This subseries consists of the personal papers of Robert A. Senechal, including correspondence with non-family members, material related to his union work, and diaries and annotated calendars describing his daily activities.
Personal papers, 1933-2001
Robert Senechal's personal papers include diplomas; his order to report for induction, notices of classification for selective service, and World War II ration books; correspondence with Lt. Edward Bronski, Abe and Edith Alpert, Joseph McElroy, and others; political poems and cartoons by Senechal; material related to a complaint against the town of Raymond, Me. on a zoning issue, notes on land use ordinances, and a petition to the Board of Selectmen; Senechal's will, a copy of his birth certificate, and other legal papers; letters about the death of Marion Senechal in 2000; and annotated newspaper clippings, 1983-1998.
Union papers, 1953-2009
Included are papers documenting Robert Senechal's participation in the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers, Local #29. The papers consist of letters, notes, employment records, jobsite lists, contracts, dues receipts, statements, memos, and printed matter, including material related to union elections; employee benefits; complaints to the National Labor Relations Board; another union member's accusation that Senechal was a Communist, 1966-1969; and a worker' compensation claim brought by Senechal after he contracted asbestosis, 1982-2009. Among the individuals represented are the union's business manager Edward H. F. Hancock and Boston attorney Michael P. Thornton.
1953-2009
Steward's notebook, 1954-1955
Local #29 contracts, 1956-1976
Articles of Agreement Between the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers and the Northeastern States Boilermaker Employers, 1961-1964 [printed]
Referral complaint, 1963-1965
NLRB case for wrongful discharge, 1965-1980
Handbook for Riggers, revised edition, 1967 [printed]
Boilermakers Blacksmiths Reporter, 1975, 1981 [printed, 3 issues]
Tool shed record book, 1981
Retirement plaque, 1982
Diaries, 1975-2002
Included are annotated monthly wall calendars and pocket diaries recording Robert Senechal's daily activities, work and union matters, health and finances, weather, and news of family members.
NOTE: The annotated wall calendars are stored on-site at Ms. N-2371 (OS).
Annotated wall calendars, 1975-2002
Pocket diaries, 1980-1990
D. David Gardner Hill papers, 1953-1957
This subseries contains school essays and non-family correspondence of David G. Hill, the son of Marion (Howe) Hill and her first husband Joe Hill.
E. Roberta Howe Senechal papers, 1950-1971
This subseries consists of the papers of Roberta Senechal, the daughter of Marion (Howe) Senechal and her second husband Robert A. Senechal. Included is a baby scrapbook, compiled by Marion, containing clippings, drawings, cards, etc.; two report cards and a letter from Roberta to her parents; and bulletins and other handouts from a course Roberta took at the Cambridge (Mass.) chapter of the Boston Church of Scientology in 1971.
Baby scrapbook, 1950-1955
Report cards, 1955-1961, with enclosed letter, 3 Feb. 1960
Scientology papers, 1960-1971
Preferred Citation
Frank Irving Howe, Jr. 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
Photographs from this collection have been removed to the MHS Photo Archives. The following items have also been removed from the collection: a daguerreotype of Eliza Ann (Arnold) Hill and Lucina Maria Hill, ca. 1855 (Photo. 1.570); Robert Senechal's Massachusetts weightlifting championship medal, 26 Mar. 1939; a painting of Frank Irving Howe, Jr. by Marion (Howe) Hill, 1946 (Artwork 01.388); and a DVD of the film On the Job: Women Launching a New Tradition, 1997.