Collection Description

This collection consists of the papers of John Appleton Knowles of Boston, Dedham, and Cohasset, Mass., primarily diaries, 1902-1903, 1917-1918, 1920-1949. The first two diaries contain entries about Knowles' studies at Harvard (Class of 1903), athletics, and social activities, including Hasty Pudding shows and dates with Agnes Lincoln (later Dean) and others, as well as entries related to Knowles family matters. Diaries beginning in 1917 discuss Knowles' work as a director for the St. Croix Paper Co. and other business and financial matters; his separation and divorce from his first wife Anna (Clement) Knowles (later Dowd); visits with his sons John and Robert; events leading to World War I; his service during World War I as captain in the Officers' Reserve Corps, including training at Forts McPherson and Oglethorpe, Ga., and combat in France with Company A, 326th Infantry, 82nd Division; and injuries sustained in a gas attack and his recuperation at the hospital. Entries also describe parties, dinners, dances, movies, plays, and other social activities; membership in clubs such as the Harvard Club, Dedham Country and Polo Club, and others; attendance at athletic events; visits with his sisters Harriette and Leslie and their families; health matters, including his struggle to give up alcohol; marriage to his second wife Nancy Boyle; and news of World War II, including air raids and rationing.

The collection also contains a scrapbook of clippings, correspondence, photographs, ephemera, etc., primarily related to Harvard athletics, 1897-1920; an inventory of Knowles' estate, 1912; a volume of accounts of his great-grandfather Capt. William Appleton related to the ship Hamilton, 1829-1830; and miscellaneous Knowles and Appleton family papers, including genealogies and a few family letters.