Benjamin F. Bosworth Papers, 1818-1824, 1836-1865
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Administrative/Biographical History
Benjamin Franklin Bosworth was born in 1801 to Olive and Alfred Bosworth in Saratoga Springs, NY. He was a student at Lenox Academy, a college preparatory school, from 1818 to 1821. Although he attended Union College in Schenectady, New York, it is neither known when he graduated nor where he attended medical school. He became a doctor and settled in Boston, New York. In 1832, Benjamin's son, Franklin S. Bosworth, was born in Boston, New York. Two years later, Benjamin's wife, whose name is unknown, died of consumption, and Benjamin left his child with his grandparents in Saratoga Springs, New York.
In 1836, Benjamin and his brother, Increase Child Bosworth, moved to Chicago. Three years later, in 1839, their parents and Franklin S. joined them, settling in Dundee, Illinois. Around the same time, Benjamin married again, giving up medicine for business pursuits, and became a merchant in McHenry, Illinois. The name of his second wife is also unknown. He had two daughters in this marriage. In 1843, Benjamin Franklin Bosworth died in McHenry, Illinois.
Benjamin Franklin Bosworth's daughters died shortly after their father's death. Franklin S. Bosworth was raised by his grandparents in Dundee, Illinois. Increase Bosworth, Benjamin's brother, was a merchant in Dundee and took care of his brother's estate. Franklin S. Bosworth was the father of Edward Increase Bosworth (A.B. (Yale) 1883, B.D. (Oberlin) 1886, A.M. 1893, D.D. 1901; d. 1927), former faculty member and Dean of the Oberlin Theological Seminary, 1883-1927, and great-grandfather of Edward Franklin Bosworth (A.B. 1916, B.D. 1923; d. 1957), former Dean of College Men at Oberlin College, 1927-1946, and Dean of Men, 1946-1956.
Administrative Information
The papers consist of two series: Correspondence, 1818–1824, 1836, and Estate Materials, 1843–1865, and n.d. Estate Materials is further divided into two subseries: Estate Correspondence, 1843–1865, and Financial Records, 1843–1845 and n.d. The Correspondence series includes a series of letters from Benjamin Franklin Bosworth’s school days at Lenox Academy in upstate New York and Union College. The materials are modest, but they do shed light into the life of a student at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Of particular interest is Bosworth's description of housing for students during his schooling. The Estate materials offer a view of the financial details of a small mercantile operation of the mid-nineteenth century in McHenry, Illinois. This material includes a comprehensive list of Bosworth's assets and debts, invoices, notes of credit, and correspondence documenting the legal procedures associated with the settlement of an estate.
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS
Series I. Correspondence, 1818-1824, 1836
This series documents Bosworth's life as a student at Lenox Academy and Union College. The bulk of the correspondence is with his parents and brother, although there is one letter of introduction from Andrew Yates of Union College and one promissory note of 1824.
Series II. Estate Materials, 1843-1865, n.d.
This series, divided into two subseries, documents the handling of Benjamin Franklin Bosworth's estate by his brother, Increase Child Bosworth. It includes Estate Correspondence and Financial Records.
Subseries 1. Estate Correspondence, 1843-1865
This subseries includes letters pertaining to the settling of estate debts and to the legal handling of Benjamin Franklin Bosworth's estate by B. S. Morris of Chicago. The correspondence documents the major sites of BFB's business: Chicago, Albany, Buffalo, and McHenry, Illinois.
Subseries 2. Financial Records, 1843-1845, n. d.
This subseries includes three types of materials: the comprehensive record of the estate account, the records of debts, and receipts from the estate.
INVENTORY
Series I. Correspondence, 1818–1824, 1836
Box 1
Correspondence, 1818-1824, 1836
Series II. Estate Materials, 1843–1865, n.d.
Subseries 1. Estate Correspondence, 1843–1865
Box 1 (cont.)
Estate Correspondence, 1843–1865
Subseries 2. Financial Records, 1843–1845, n.d.
Box 1 (cont.)
Estate Records, 1843–1845
Estate Debts, c. 1843–1845, n.d.
Receipts from Estate, c. 1843–1845, n.d.
CORRESPONDENCE CALENDAR
Series I. Correspondence, 1818–1824, 1836
1818, June 9, Lenox Academy, BFB to Olive Bosworth (mother). Account of his boarding house and Latin “Preceptor.”
1818, September 6, Lenox Academy, BFB to Olive and Alfred Bosworth. After thanking his parents for his conception, BFB informs them that he has changed to a new boarding house and is continuing the study of Latin.
1818, September 23, Lenox Academy, BFB to Alfred Bosworth. BFB requests permission to go to Saratoga Springs with his landlord.
1820, September 5, Lenox Academy, BFB to Alfred Bosworth. Asks his father for more money for boarding.
1821, October 29, Union College, BFB to Oliver C. Bosworth (brother). Asks Oliver whether he plans to leave home soon.
1822, July 10, Union College, BFB to Oliver C. Bosworth. Tells of the celebration of the Fourth of July and of his financial situation.
1822, August 4, Union College, College to Alfred Bosworth (father of BFB). Tuition Bill.
1823, April 10, Union College, Andrew Yates for BFB. Letter of introduction and recommendation for employment.
1824, July 5, Saratoga Springs, BFB to Esek Cowen. Promissory note for 7 Dollars.
1836, May 3, BFB to Alfred Edwards. Informs Edwards of money and letters of recommendation sent to “good houses” in New York.
Series II. Estate Materials, 1843–1865, n.d.
Subseries 1. Estate Correspondence, 1843–1865
1843, September 13, Woodstock, E.I. Smith to Hon. Richard M. Young. Request for information regarding procedures for BFB estate settlement for widow and children.
1843, October 20, Chicago, B.S. Morris to Increase Child Bosworth. Requests his consultation before settling BFB's estate case before a particular judge, Mr. Barwick.
1844, July 17, Albany, Gregory and Co. to M. Edward Bosworth. Notice and legal papers regarding an outstanding debt for goods purchased by BFB.
1845, February 12, Albany, Lewis Benedict to I.C. Bosworth. Notice of receipt of payment of debt of $323.11 leaving a small balance of debt.
1845, February 21, Albany, Gregory and Co. to I.C. Bosworth. Notice of receipt of payment of debt.
1845, June 20, McHenry, L.S. Church to I.C. Bosworth. Notification of the date of settlement.
1845, October 31, McHenry, A.M. Nixon to I.C. Bosworth. Regarding the settlement and management of BFB's former business.
1845, November 14, Place?, J.O? Anton? to BFB. Regarding the author's surprise at BFB's lack of recognition of his deposit of money for him. Request of reply.
1850, January 23, McHenry, A.M. Nixon to I.C. Bosworth. Letter of introduction for Mr. Lucius Church regarding timber belonging to the Estate.
1852, April 6, Woodstock, William Sloan of Don P. McHenry Co. to I.C. Bosworth. Regarding the settlement of the legal claim of Hall and Johnson on BFB's estate.
c. 1852, December 24, Chicago, William Sloan to I.C. Bosworth. Requesting that the money owed to Hall and Johnson be delivered immediately.
1854, January 25, McHenry, A.M. Nixon to I.C. Bosworth. Inquiring if some timber owned by the estate is for sale.
1856, April 27, Buffalo, Sidney Shepherd to I.C. Bosworth. Notice of receipt of $50 towards an outstanding debt of BFB.
1865, February 4, Chicago, W.M. Greenwood (Atty at Law) to I.C. Bosworth. Reply to request for information from B.S. Morris, Esq. assuring complete cooperation when Morris returns from a trip.