Robert Merrill Bartlett Papers, 1923-1993, n.d.
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Administrative/Biographical History
Robert Merrill Bartlett (O.C. 1921, A.B.) was an ordained minister, a recognized authority on Pilgrim history, a writer, lecturer and author. He was a member of the founding group of the United Church of Christ.
He was born in Kingston, IN, on December 23, 1898, the son of Rev, Robert Alexander Bartlett and Minnie Lou Dobson Bartlett (d. dates). At least one sibling, Paul, attended Oberlin College (1928-29) as did his great grandfather (A.B. 1853). During WW1 he was attached to a field artillery officer’s training unity at Camp Taylor, Kentucky (c. 1916-18). He entered Yale Divinity School, earning a B.D. in 1924. Yankton College presented him and honorary D.D. in 1940.
In 1923 he married Theresa Sue Nuckols (O.C. A.B. 1923). In 1924 they began a three year assignment at Yenching University in Peking, China. There he taught contemporary western literature, speech and English. Returning to the U.S. in 1927, he embarked on a long ministerial career in Congregational Churches in Norwood, Longmeadow and Shrensbury, MA (3 historic New England Churches) and Lansing, MI (n.d. for terms). In addition he taught courses at Boston School of Theology, Springfield College and Michigan State University (n.d.). He lectured throughout the U.S., in England and Holland on Pilgrim history. Active participation in denominational Affairs involved him in the establishment of United Church of Christ, as well as in the World Council of Churches and the National Board of Christians and Jews.
He was a prolific author. Included among his 25 books in fields of biography, religion, and history are: volume on Dr. James Yen; The Pilgrim Way (1971); The Faith of the Pilgrims: an American heritage (1978); Those Valiant Texans: a breed apart (1989); The Call of the Phoenix: vignettes of old and new China (1987). For over 10 years he contributed poetry and essays to the Christian Science Monitor.
His renown as a foremost scholar of Pilgrim history grew naturally from his research into this own Pilgrim/Mayflower ancestry. In retirement the Bartlett’s lived in a 1660 Pilgrim house in Plymouth, MA, the 10th generation of Bartlett’s to live in it. He served as President of the Society of Descendants of Robert Bartlett for 20 years, was a member of Alden-Kindred, and the Duxbury Rural and Historical Society. He was an Elder of the MA Society of Mayflower Descendants, a trustee and fellow of the Plymouth Society. He often lectured at Plymouth Plantation and was editor of the Mayflower Quarterly.
In retirement he spent winters in Naples, FL, where he helped found the Naples Congregational Church. He died in Naples on April 25, 1995 survived by his wife of 68 years and their children, Susan Jan Weber (b. 1927), Mary Warren Reynolds (b. 1930), and Robert Hill Bartlett (b. 1934).
Sources Consulted
Student file of Robert M. Bartlett (RG 28) and the Papers of Robert M. Bartlett (30/237).
Forms of Material (links to similar genres) Administrative Information
The papers of Robert Merrill Bartlett document Bartlett's career as a teacher, writer, and historian. The collection consists of a small amount of biographical material (1 folder of clippings and family history) and .05 lin. ft. of correspondence. The correspondence includes letters written from China (1925-27). In addition to the correspondence, the collection contains clippings, writings, an oral history, and photographs concerning Bartlett's experiences in China and Chinese History in 1920s. The writings series cover three areas of Bartlett’s interests; The Pilgrims, China, and religion and church history. Titles of manuscripts include “Chinese Revolutionaries” (c. 1986), “The Beleaguered City Peking” (October 24, 1924), “Alpine Pilgrims” (n.d.), and “The Church of the Palatinate” (n.d.). The writings concerning the Pilgrims (along with notes) provide a resource of information concerning Pilgrims and life in New England in the 1600s.
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS
Series I. Biographical, c. 1983-1991, n.d. (2 folders, 0.05 l.f.)
The biographical materials include copies of articles and news clippings concerning Robert M. Bartlett's life. Also included is Pilgrim Robert Bartlett 1603-1976, a genealogy written by Robert M. Bartlett, n.d., and A Goodly Heritage, a family history written by Cora Cort Taylor, n.d.
Series II. Correspondence, 1925-27, 1933, 1941, 1982 (2 folders, 0.05 l.f.)
The correspondence is divided into two subseries. Subseries 1 consists of a typescript summary of letters received (1933), and 4 letters concerning professional matters. A separate folder contains carbon copies of letters written by Bartlett from China reporting on his experiences (1925-27). Subseries 2 consists of references copies of letters between Margaret Sanger and Bartlett, and two letters from John W. McCormack to Bartlett. The letters in sub-series 2 are not to be copied. See Provenance statement.
Series III. Talks and Sermons, 1927-1933 (2 folders, 0.10 l.f.)
These talks given by Bartlett include "Our Pilgrim Heritage" (1993), "The Religion of the Pilgrims" (1973), "Fifty Years Ago in Longmeadow" (1957), and a lecture concerning the Intellectual Revolution in China (1927). Two sermons include "Two Apples" (1943) and "Counterfeit" (1927).
Series IV. Writings, 1923-27, 1930, 1943, 1971-1987, 1990, n.d. (71 folders, 1.25 l.f.)
Writings of Robert M. Bartlett including "The Obstinate Illusion: A Historical Novel of China and America, 1920-1950" (1991), "Chinese Revolutionaries" (c. 1986), "Jimmy Yen: Humanitarian of the Century" (1986), and miscellaneous writings concerning China, pilgrims, and religion.
Series V. Clippings, 1925-61, 1971-87, n.d. (4 folders, 0.05 l.f.)
Newspaper articles concerning events in China, history of the pilgrims, and Florida's natural habitats.
Series VI. Oral History, c. 1983-84 (30 cassettes, 0.25 l.f.)
Thirty cassette tapes of an oral history of Jimmy Yen. The interview was conducted by Robert Bartlett.
Series VII. Photographs, 1924-27, 1962, n.d. (6 folders, 0.50 l.f.)
Photographs of people, buildings, and daily activities in China (1924-1927), photographs of events and buildings concerning pilgrims, photographs for the book "Why We Are Alike: A Child's Story of the Great Religions" (n.d.). Also included are negatives and glass lantern slides of China.