Alexander M. and Laura S. Bartlett Papers, 1850-1989, n.d. | Oberlin College Archives

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

Series 1. Biographical File, 1864, 1978, undated

This series consists of one file which includes a general catalog entry and other notes of significant events in Alexander’s and Laura’s life. Also included is a copy of an article, entitled “A Congregational Romance; Or, Victorian Love by Mail,” written by Victor Hicken of Western Illinois University, which makes use of the courtship letters in the correspondence series in this collection.

Series 2. Correspondence, 1852-1853, 1864-1865, 1883, 1989, undated

This series is arranged chronologically, includes many letters written between Alexander and Laura during their courtship. These letters make up the primary source material for Victor Hicken’s article located in Series 1. Also included in the Correspondence series are letters between Alexander and Laura and their family and friends. A final folder includes two letters between Eugenia Stephens and Merrill Lynch & Co. concerning the transfer of these letters.

Series 3. Writings, 1850, 1852, n.d.

Series 3 consists of one folder and includes three unpublished essays by Laura Bartlett.

Alexander Maitland Bartlett (1826-1883)

As an Oberlin College graduate with three degrees (AB 1853, AM 1856, School of Theology 1859), Alexander Bartlett’s career focused on education and ministry. He was born in Salisbury, Connecticut, February 5, 1826, one of five children in the family of Isaiah Bartlett (1793-1867), a mechanic and farmer and Miriam Mason Bartlett (1795-1860). Alexander Bartlett was descended from Richard Warren (ca. 1585-ca. 1628), a passenger on the Mayflower and one of the signers of the Mayflower Compact, as well as Robert Bartlett (ca. 1603-1676), a passenger on the ship Anne and a settler of Plymouth Colony. Alexander Bartlett came to Oberlin College from his home in Johnston, Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1847.

After his graduation in 1853, Alexander married an Oberlin student, Laura Salome Merrill (OC 1850-1852) on August 25, 1853 in First Church in Oberlin.

Alexander Bartlett’s career began immediately following graduation from Oberlin with the AB degree in Mansfield, Ohio, 1853-1855, and Putnam, Ohio, 1855-1857, as Superintendent of Public Instruction. He completed his AM at Oberlin in 1856, and earned a divinity degree at the Oberlin School of Theology, 1857-1859. Thereafter he served Congregational churches in Wellington, Ohio, 1860; Conneaut, Ohio, 1863; and Austinburg, Ohio, 1866. He returned to Marysville, Tennessee, and served as Superintendent of Schools, 1870-1873, and then as Professor of Latin at Marysville College, 1873-1883.

Alexander Bartlett died in Marysville, Tennesee, on November 19, 1883.

Laura Salome Merrill (1829-1891)

Laura Salome Merrill (often went by Salome or Saloma) was born on November 16, 1829 in Nunda, New York, the fifth daughter of eight siblings of Riley Merrill, Sr. (1794-1860) and Anna Cravath (1796-1854). Her father, an educator, worked in the Nunda, New York public schools, and her family was well-educated. She and four of her siblings attended Oberlin College. Laura Merrill entered the Literary Department of Oberlin College in 1850, left in 1852 without graduating, and then returned to Oberlin in 1853 to marry Alexander Bartlett. The couple raised two sons (Robert and Addison) and four daughters (Clara, Cora, Nellie, and Edith). All of Laura and Aelxsnder Bartlett's children except Edith graduated from Marysville College in Tennessee.

Laura Merrill Bartlett died on July 16, 1891 and was buried in Marysville, Tennessee with Alexander Bartlett.

Sources Consulted

Alumni files of Alexander Bartlett and Laura Merrill Bartlett (RG 28).

Find a Grave, database and images, memorial page for Deacon Isaiah Bartlett (12 Jun 1793–11 Jul 1867), https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/92942113/isaiah-bartlett, accessed April 17, 2024.