A Guide to the Roger D. Branigin-Kenneth Dale Owen Manuscripts in the
Working Men's Institute, New Harmony, Indiana
Finding aid prepared under the direction of Arthur E.
Bester, Jr. by I.C.C. Graham and Josephine M. Elliott
Indiana University Digital Library
Program
© 2009
New Harmony, Indiana
2. After reviewing finding aids and determining that secondary sources are inadequate
or unavailable, researchers may request items from the archives
3. Requested items will be brought to the researcher in the public reading room where
all work must take place. Notes may be taken. However, all photographing, scanning,
transcribing or in any way copying of an item must be cleared by the director.
4. Any materials reproduced or quoted in papers or publications must give credit to
the WMI as their source. Requests to use materials in papers or publications must be
submitted in writing for approval by the board of trustees of the WMI.
Negotiations for purchase of the Branigin-Owen Collection were conducted from August, 1965 to October,
1967. Acquisition, processing, and cataloguing were performed by Josephine
M. Elliott whose services were contributed as her part of this gift to the Workingmen's Institute.
The Roger D. Branigin-Kenneth Dale Owen Manuscripts consist of correspondence, personal
papers, and a journal of Robert Dale
Owen; business and legal papers of the Owen family; correspondence and a journal of Mary Jane Robinson Owen; and papers relating to
the sale of Harmonie to
Robert Owen.
Robert Owen, 1771-1858. Born in Wales. "Philanthropist" by his own
designation, mill owner, idealist and social dreamer, educational and labor reformer.
Bought the town of Harmonie from George Rapp and the Harmony Society in 1824; set up the
Preliminary Society which lasted from May to November of 1825, and then the
Community of Equality which was dissolved in May, 1827. He abandoned his attempts at social reform in this
country after the failure at New
Harmony; but he continued promulgating his ideas until his death.
Robert Dale Owen, 1801-1877. Oldest son of Robert Owen, one of the leaders of the
Owen Community, co-editor with Frances
Wright of the
New Harmony Gazette and the
Free Enquirer, philosopher, social reformer, member of
the Indiana Legislature and of Congress, U. S. Minister to the Kingdom of the
Two Sicilies at Naples (1853-1858),
spiritualist.
Mary Jane Robinson Owen (Mrs. Robert
Dale), 1813-1871. Married Robert Dale Owen
April 12, 1832. A lady of breeding and education, who
spent most of her married life as a devoted mother and wife. Accompanied her husband to
Europe during his ministry to Naples and spent some time at
Stuttgart, Germany, in company of her sister-in-law,
Jane Owen Fauntleroy, where they both looked after the welfare
and education of the various Robert Owen grandchildren.
The collection is organized into four series. Series I. Robert Dale Owen Correspondence and
Personal Papers, consists of six folders and includes correspondence, two journals, and
other personal papers of Robert Dale
Owen. Series II. Owen
Family Business and Legal Papers, consists of one folder and includes
various business and legal papers of the Owen family. Series III. Mary Jane
Robinson Owen Correspondence and Journal, consists of four folders and
includes correspondence and a journal of Mary Jane Robinson Owen.
Series IV. Papers Concerned with Sale of Harmonie to Robert Owen, consists of one folder and
includes papers related to the sale of Harmonie to Robert Owen by the Harmony Society.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
IUCAT , the IU Libraries' online
catalog. Materials about related topics, persons or places can be found by searching the
catalog using these terms.
| |
Series:
Robert Dale Owen
Correspondence and Personal Papers, 1825-1896
|
| |
Subseries:
Correspondence, 1832-1896
|
|
|
Folder 3 |
Owen, Robert
Dale. On board the Lord Melville, Sept. 7, 1832; London, September 8,
1832. To Mary Jane
Owen. Passy, France. c/o M.
Phiquepal d' Arusmont.
(2 pp.)
|
| |
|
| |
Scope Note:
Mary was to remain with
Frances (Wright) and Phiquepal
for a winter while Robert went first to England and was
then to return to America to settle business
affairs.
His unhappiness and loneliness without Mary; description of sister Jane's state
of spirit over recent deaths of mother and two sisters; his and father's
differing views.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. London. September 12-15,
1832. To Mary Jane Owen. Passy, France.
c/o M. Phiquepal d' Arusmont.
(11 pp. on one 60 x 45 cm. sheet)
Scope Note:
Recounts for Mary Jane the
news from America; David Dale's broken-off romance with
Mary Pickersgill; description of a lecture meeting;
his and the family's daily routine; a note from Jane Dale
Owen to Mary
Jane; his love and respect for his young wife; neither
Frances nor Phiquepal needs go
to America regarding their business affairs since Robert can attend to the
matter for them.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. London. September 16-20,
1832. To Mary Jane
Owen. Passy, France. c/o M.
Phiquepal d' Arusmont.
(9 pp. on one 60 x 45 cm. sheet)
Scope Note:
Immortality should be bestowed on he who first taught mankind to transmit
his thoughts and feelings to paper! Francis Place, the
political economist, expressed great approval of
Moral Physiology and desired to have a 3000 edition printed
there. Father warned of risks to his good name.
Supplies he is gathering together and purchases he is making for their new
home; urges her to look after her health; great success of his father's
Exchange Baazer which he would like Robert Dale to stay and
help direct; Robert
Dale feels he is honor-bound to both
William and the d'Arusmonts to
return to America.
Pages B 1, 2, 3 are "physiological facts" intended to increase Mary Jane's knowledge of the mental,
emotional and physical facts of a marital relationship.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. London. September 26-27,
1832. To Mary Jane
Owen. Passy, France. c/o M.
Phiquepal d' Arusmont.
(4 pp.)
Scope Note:
Expressions of love to his wife on the eve of departure for America.
On board the steamer for Gravesend. "My father is a
good man... Just before I embarked he presented me &
Dale with a deed making over to us unreservedly the
whole of his American property, in trust
for ourselves & William &
Richard, requiring us only to pay $500 dollars
yearly to some poor relations of ours...;" Comments on
Eliza (Mary
Jane's sister); Sylva,
Alexis.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. Crescent Place, London. September 29, 1832. To Mary Jane Owen. Passy,
France. c/o M. Phiquepal d' Arusmont.
(4 pp.)
Scope Note:
Rode back to London with Jane to
attend to some forgotten business & left again at 8 A.M.
Remainder of letter is from Jane describing her
continuing sadness over the loss of her three dear ones, and her love
& regard for Mary
Jane.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. A second time on board a Gravesend boat; on board the
American ship Washington. September 29,
1832. To Mary Jane
Owen. Passy, France. c/o M.
Phiquepal d' Arusmont
(4 pp.)
Scope Note:
His feelings for other women, especially Margaret, as
compared with those for Mary
Jane; last goodbyes.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. Going down the Thames; September 29, 1832. Off
Margate; September 30,
1832. In the Downs; October 1,
1832. To Mary Jane
Owen. Passy, France. c/o M.
Phiquepal d' Arusmont.
(4 pp.)
Scope Note:
Shipboard people and incidents; in re-reading a packet of old letters he
contrasts the increased strength and depth of his love and passion for his
wife.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. Off Dover; October 2, 1832. Off
Dungeness; October
3. On shore at Deal; October 9. Off Beachy
Head; October
6. Anchored in the Downs, off Deal; October 9. Endorsed October 15, 1832. To Mary Jane Owen. Passy,
France. c/o M. Phiquepal d' Arusmont.
Scope Note:
Reviews the development of their love and physical relationship. Pros and
cons of their deciding to stay in London as father
wishes Robert
Dale to do; his feelings of obligation to
Frances and others "of our friends from the country
who settle in Harmony on
the faith of my return hither."
Possible itinerary for Mary's
return to America. Bad storms in the
Channel delays boat for several days more. Personal
longings not to leave wife for long months, but duties and obligation to
others, as well as probable advantages to himself override his heart.
How well liked Mary is by the
members of his family - father, Jane,
Dale. He urges further education of sister-in-law
Eliza there in France because
he would like to match-make for brother William.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. Off Dungeness (or Denge
Ness); October 11,
1832. Off Beachy Head; October 12, midday.
Deal; October
13. To Mary Jane
Owen. Passy, France. c/o M.
Phiquepal d' Arusmont.
(4 pp.)
Scope Note:
Still delayed by unfavorable winds plus an accident to the Captain. Much
longer delay will preclude attempting the journey at all since it will soon
be too late in the season in America to reach Harmony before the
Ohio freezes.
Admiration and love for Mary's person and habits of physical cleanliness - a fit mother
for their children-to-be.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. Margate. On board steamboat going to
London, 11 o'clock; October 16, 1832. To Mary
Jane Owen. Passy, France. c/o
M. Phiquepal d' Arusmont.
(4 pp.)
Scope Note:
The Washington sailed without him, & he is to remain in
London during the winter working as secretary of
Association of the Industrious Classes &
editor of
The Crisis. Mary Jane is to come as quickly as
she can arrange it, depending on her desires regarding further perusal of
her studies.
Bring along to London several items of housekeeping
interest & particularly a French servant who will be useful for
their life in Harmony.
Details of how to make trip from Paris, through
Calais, to London.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. London. October 18, 1832. To Mary
Jane Owen. Passy, France. c/o
M. Phiquepal d' Arusmont.
(4 pp.)
In French.
Scope Note:
Includes a letter written as part of Robert's by
Mrs. Catherine Steer to friends in
Calais by way of introduction for Mary should she need it on the trip.
|
|
|
Folder 4 |
Owen, Robert
Dale. Baltimore; July 15, 1833.
Wheeling; July
18. On board the Lady Washington below
Marietta; July
19. Cincinnati; July
22. To Mary Jane
Owen. c/o Samuel Robinson, New
York.
(8 pp. on 1 sheet 29 x 54 cm. plus one
more.)
|
| |
|
| |
Scope Note:
Describes his trip & the fellow passengers. Mentions the
Pollocks & Flash, a West
Indian, who may be interested in joining the community of New Harmony. Observations on
effect of marriage on a woman's life. This letter is entrusted to
Thomas Say, "an original, but of sterling goodness,"
who will deliver it to Mary
Jane in New York.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. On board the Warsaw Steamboat between
Cincinnati &
Louisville. July 25,
1833. To Mary Jane
Owen. c/o Samuel Robinson, New
York. Endorsed by Robert Dale as "an
important letter."
(11 pp.)
Scope Note:
Recapitulates on instructions for her stays at Wheeling
& Cincinnati; Jane's
investments to be placed in hands of Frances Wright's
former agent, J. W. Gaslay.
Candid, though tender, analyses of the quality of their love for each other,
since his has given his wife pain. "Oh believe, that should I even love
others more, I shall love none better than you."
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. On board Steam Boat Warsaw, near
Louisville; July 27,
1833. New Harmony; August 1. To Mary Jane Owen. c/o Samuel
Robinson, New York.
(11 pp. on 1 sheet 42 x 54 cm.)
Scope Note:
Observations about young married couples aboard steamboat; arrival at
N. H. &
comments about Richard &
Martha & their home
Rosebank begun 18 months ago. Description of
N. H. where the comforts
"have to be created" but whose natural beauties strike him each time he
returns. A page of "Commissions for Dale."
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. Rosebank, New
Harmony; August 7-8, 1833. To Mary Jane Owen. c/o Samuel
Robinson, New York.
(11 pp. in one sheet 42 x 54.)
Scope Note:
Anticipation of their new home & life in New Harmony; household needs;
mention of Martha's serious illness.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. New
Harmony. August 18-29, 1833. To Mary Jane Owen. c/o Thomas
Pollock, Wheeling, Va.
(12 pp. in one sheet 42 x 54 cm.)
Scope Note:
Life in N. H. good,
& one which appeals to him; value of land increasing, difficulties
of getting anything built here; Martha's health
slightly improved; comments on health of all family members; preparations
for her arrival; "For Dale. Commissions."
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. New
Harmony. August 21-22, 1833. To Mary Jane Owen. c/o Isaac
S. Smith, Buffalo, New York.
(4 pp.)
Scope Note:
Great relief he experienced over her reaction to his "confessional" letter.
Special note to the "Little Struggle" (baby they are expecting). Thoughts
about starting a school. Phiquepal in N. H. & affairs are being
arranged amiably.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. New
Harmony. September 1-5, 1833. To Mary Jane Owen. c/o Thomas
Pollock, Wheeling, Virginia.
(12 pp. in one sheet 43 x 54 cm.)
Scope Note:
Describes his daily routine - meals at Rosebank with
Richard, business rounds, making preparations for
wife's arrival.
Discussion about manners & possibility of his writing a book on
subject anonymously - "By an American Citizen." Activities in getting house
ready - a "Dutch" house - hopes to have a house out in the country in a year
or so. "For Dale - Business" - some special kitchen
items for Martha.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. New
Harmony. September 13-19, 1833. To Mary Jane Owen. c/o Dr.
William Price, Cincinnati, Ohio.
(4 pp.)
Scope Note:
William & Richard planning
to meet her & Jane at
Cincinnati; mare he has purchased for
Jane; Martha's &
Richard's plans for trips. Purchases for
Dale to make - much of it horseman's equipment so
needed in this Western country.
September 19th -
William & Richard have
returned due to Richard's indisposition.
Mary's &
Jane's departure has been postponed numerous times
because of Jane's illness; anxious weeks for both
Mary & Robert Dale who awaits
them with great impatience.
|
|
|
Folder 5 |
Owen, Robert
Dale. Naples. May 8, 1855. To Julian Dale Owen.
Germany.
(8 pp., signature cut)
|
| |
|
| |
Scope Note:
Vivid description of the erruption of Mt. Vesuvius;
fatherly advice to his young son.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. Naples. August 11, 1855. To Mary
Jane Owen. Germany.
(8 pp.)
Scope Note:
Family news; Jane's imprudent expenditures and
incurring of debts; pecuniary embarrassment of U. S. diplomats in matter of
salaries and when paid; however, a raise seems likely; family financial
set-up, especially as concerning Jane;
Cuba to be had only by purchase and even then the
slaves would not be liberated.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. New York. August 1, 1859. To Mary Jane Owen.
(12 pp.)
Scope Note:
Description of his visits to various publishers regarding the publication
of his book,
Footfalls on the Bounday of Another
World,
published January, 1860 by
Lippincott. Concerns about
Julian and getting him placed in a proper position.
Friends and relatives he has visited.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. New York. March 12, 1864. To Mary Jane Owen. New Harmony?
(4 pp.)
Scope Note:
Money matters, investments; his employment, or lack of it. Proposed title
for a new book -
The Debateable Land between this
world and the next.
His work on the American Freedmen's
Inquiry Commission drags on; "We sent yesterday, at
Mr. Sumner's request, a Bill we had prepared, to
organize a Freedman's Bureau. I hope it will become a law."
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. Philadelphia. June 6, 1864. To Mary Jane Owen. New Harmony?
(6 pp.)
Scope Note:
Informs her of details regarding publication of
Debateable Land, to be out within 5 or 6 weeks; War
Department very satisfied with Report of Freedman's
Commission; excitement in town over opening of Sanitary Fair.
Requests news of Julian who is in
Arkansas in the Army; engagement to Helen
Shepard - "...very different person from that dear, good
Mollie; but yet, perhaps, for the active, practical
life he is likely to lead, she may prove a more suitable helpmate.-seems
likely."
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. Philadelphia. June 18, 1864. To Mary Jane Owen. New Harmony.
(4 pp.)
Scope Note:
Delayed in connection with American Freedman's Inquiry
Commission business and the matter of his book; deep regrets
over being away from home and family for so long; happy for
Julian over his approaching marriage to
Helen Shepard.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. New York. May 11, 1867. To Mary Jane Owen. New Harmony.
(4 pp.)
Scope Note:
Has sold the statue of Eve brought back from Italy and
intended for Julian, to a wealthy New York merchant in
order to clear himself of certain debts; he is sending check for $950 home
to Mary. Asks if a portrait of
Lincoln he sent home has ever arrived.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. Cambridge. January 25, 1869. To Col. Julian
Dale Owen. New Harmony,
Indiana.
(4 pp., envelope)
Scope Note:
Family affairs; land and rental arrangements with
Richard and sons.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. Dansville, New York. March 26, 1875. To Mrs. Annie
Cooper. New Harmony,
Indiana.
(6 pp.)
Scope Note:
A welcoming-into-the-family for Julian's intended
third wife.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. New York. April 2, 1877. To Julian Dale
Owen. New Harmony,
Indiana.
(4 pp.)
Scope Note:
Enumeration of what is being given to Julian of the
personal property from the old family "Mansion."
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. Crosby Side, Lake George. June 20, 1877. To Julian Dale
Owen. New Harmony,
Indiana.
(4 pp.)
Scope Note:
Dictated to and largely written by second wife, Lottie,
who describes his illness in a personal note of her own.
|
| |
Langley, S. R.
Smithsonian Institution, Washington
U.S.A. November 6, 1896. To the family of
the Honorable R. D.
Owen.
(1 p.)
Scope Note:
Request for any papers in their possession concerning establishment of the
Smithsonian.
|
| |
Subseries:
Personal Papers, 1825-1876
|
| |
Papers Regarding Estates, 1857-1876 .
|
|
|
Folder 6 |
Owen, Robert
Dale. New Harmony,
Indiana. March 6,
1876.
(31 pp.)
|
| |
|
| |
Scope Note:
"Report of my proceedings as Trustee of my Grandfathers [sic] Estate and
Of my action in settling up that of my Father: with accompanying
documents including letters 1 to 20; and As Current showing every item of
moneys received and disbursed, in connection with that settlement." Made
to Professor Richard Owen, February 1876.
Robert Dale
Owen included in his report a number of letters to document
his management of Robert
Owen's Estate and that of his grandfather - David
Dale, called the Scotch Estate or "Scotch business" by the
family. These will be listed chronologically and kept as were intended by
him. Not all of them are in this collection.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. Legation of the United States,
Naples. January 13,
1857. To Robert
Owen.
(16 pp., copy)
Scope Note:
Declined to authorize an advance of £500 to his father from the funds of
the Scotch Estate. Endorsement only in R. D. Owen's
hand.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. Legation of the United States,
Naples. January 13,
1857. To John Archibald Campbell
(4 pp., copy)
Scope Note:
Declining to authorize advance of £500 sterling to his father.
Endorsement and note in R. D. Owen's hand; copied by Mrs. R. D. Owen.
|
| |
Owen, Robert.
Seven Oaks Park. January 21, 1857. To Robert
Dale.
(12 pp.)
Scope Note:
Robert Dale
copies out portions of letter.
|
| |
Campbell, James Archibald. 2 Allyn Place,
Edinburgh. June 12,
1857. To Robert Dale Owen. Naples.
(3 pp.)
Scope Note:
Had advanced Robert
Owen £100 and asked whether to advance him £100 more.
Endorsed by R. D.
Owen.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. Naples. June 28, 1857. To James
Archibald Campbell. Edinburgh.
(4 pp.)
Scope Note:
Reply to above authorizing Campbell to advance
Robert Owen a
second hundred pounds. Endorsement and note date later.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. Cox's Hotel, Jermyn St. London.
December
4-21, 1858. To sister, wife, and brothers.
(32 pp., copy no. 1)
Scope Note:
Particulars of his father's death.
|
| |
Owen, Robert.
January 22, 1859.
(2 pp.)
Scope Note:
Funeral expenses; paid to And. Thomas.
Newtown. Endorsed by R. D. Owen.
|
| |
Owen, Robert
Dale. Cox's Hotel, Jermyn St. London.
March 12, 1859. To wife,
sister, and brothers.
(22 pp., copy no. 2.)
Scope Note:
Regarding recovery of debt due by the late Duke of
Kent; also regarding estate of David
Dale.
|
| |
Statement of Account; Estate of Robert Owen deceased.
September 17, 1859.
(4 pp.)
Scope Note:
Endorsement, note, memorandum in February
1876 written by Robert Dale Owen.
|
| |
|
|
|
Folder 1 |
Owen, Robert
Dale. Journal. May 30, 1825 - January 23, 1826.
Scotland, England,
Holland, shipboard
The
New York
, New York City,
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, on
board the keel boat
Philanthropist down
the Ohio River to Mt. Vernon,
Indiana and New
Harmony, Indiana.
(177 pp., 25 x 19 cm.)
|
| |
|
| |
Scope Note:
Journal of two trips taken by Robert Dale - the
first to Holland where his purpose was to study some
cooperative colonies; the second his first journey to the
United States in company of his father, with a
detailed account of their first few months in this country.
The most significant portion of this journal is the second, a description
of the
Philanthropist's journey down
the Ohio River from Pittsburgh
to Mt. Vernon, Indiana, the famous "Boatload of
Knowledge."
|
|
|
Folder 2 |
Owen, Robert
Dale. Journal. 1854-1856.
Naples.
(pp. 1-116; pp. 1-146. 23 x 23
cm.)
|
| |
Pages numbered according to manner in which book was used.
|
| |
Scope Note:
Autograph of Owen Armstrong, September 22, 1927, on flyleaf.
|
| |
Scope Note:
Part I includes:
- List of bed and table linen. (p. 4)
- List of furniture and house furnishings, bought at
Naples; April,
1854. (pp. 5-14)
- Horses, carriage and stable; Spring of 1855. (p. 15)
- Wines ordered; February, 7,
1855. (p. 16)
- List of wines; July 1,
1854. (p. 17)
- Imperative list of payments to menials. (pp. 18-21)
- List of wines consigned to Andrea Guerrero;
April 21, 1855;
June 25, 1856. (p.
23)
- pp. 24-116 blank; section stops here.
|
| |
Part II
Materials are in English and Italian.
Scope Note:
Part II includes:
- Idiomatic phrases, Italian. (pp. 1-2)
- Vocabulary, Italian. (pp. 15-16)
- Quotations from Dante's
Divine Comedy, Italian. (pp.
21-23)
- Truth in Naples. (pp. 24-25)
- Phrases in common use, Italian. (pp. 35-37)
- pp. 38-86 blank
- Salient points in Italian history; arranged not
chronologically. (pp. 87-146) This section includes some
passages referring to the Naples of
1854-1855; section ends here.
|
| |
Series:
Owen Family Business and Legal Papers, 1828-1833
|
|
|
Folder 7 |
Owen, Robert. New Harmony, Indiana. June 6, 1828. Deed to Robert Dale and
William Owen: Factory Square; Tavern and Tavern-lot;
Store and Warehouse. $4000.
(3 pp.)
|
| |
|
| |
Scope Note:
Signed by Robert Owen;
witnessed by John Schnee and James M.
Dorsey; recorded by James P. Drake,
Sept. 20, 1828. Endorsement by
R. D. Owen.
|
| |
Owen, Robert. New Harmony, Indiana. June 6, 1828. Deed to Robert Dale and
William Owen: Printing Office & lot; &
Tobacco Factory. $2000.
(3 pp.)
Scope Note:
Signed by Robert Owen;
witnessed by John Schnee and James M.
Dorsey; recorded by James P. Drake,
Sept. 20, 1828. Endorsement by
R. D. Owen.
|
| |
Owen, Robert. New Harmony, Indiana. June 6, 1828. Deed to Robert Dale and
William Owen: Tanyard & lot; South Orchard
& adjoining field. $1000.
(3 pp.)
Scope Note:
Signed by Robert Owen;
witnessed by John Schnee and James M.
Dorsey; recorded by James P. Drake,
Sept. 20, 1828. Endorsement by
R. D. Owen.
|
| |
Owen, Robert. New Harmony, Indiana. June 6, 1828. Deed to Robert Dale and
William Owen: Lot south of South St. $1000.
(3 pp.)
Scope Note:
Signed by Robert Owen;
witnessed by John Schnee and James M.
Dorsey; recorded by James P. Drake,
Sept. 20, 1828. Endorsement by
R. D. Owen.
|
| |
Owen, Robert. New Harmony, Indiana. June 6, 1828. Deed to Robert Dale and
William Owen: Tract of land, including Cut-off, Grist
& Saw-mills & containing 1500 Acres. Also Labyrinth. $10,000.
(3 pp.)
Scope Note:
Signed by Robert Owen;
witnessed by John Schnee and James M.
Dorsey; recorded by James P. Drake,
Sept. 20, 1828. Endorsement by
R. D. Owen.
|
| |
Owen, Robert. New Harmony, Indiana. June 6, 1828. Deed to Robert Dale and
William Owen: Tract of Land on the Wabash
River and adjoining the 1500 Acre Tract. (Containing about 1760
Acres.) $3000.
(3 pp.)
Scope Note:
Signed by Robert Owen;
witnessed by John Schnee and James M.
Dorsey; recorded by James P. Drake,
Sept. 20, 1828. Endorsement by
R. D. Owen.
|
| |
Extract of Bond by Robert
Owen & Coy. To John Wright,
Alexander McGrigor, and Alexander McGrigor
Junior as Trustees for Mrs. Owen and her
daughters. £6000. Dated October 29,
1828, registered July 23,
1832. John Archibald Campbell, C. L.
(8 pp.)
|
| |
New Harmony Estate in Account with Robert Owen. Statement of yearly
income, from R. Owen's
portion of the Harmony estate, estimated by James M.
Dorsey & R. D. Owen; expenses stated by William
Owen. January 1832. Accounts
side probably written by James M. Dorsey; endorsement,
February 1832 figures and notes
written by R. D.
Owen; added note by William
Owen.
(2 pp.)
See next item.
|
| |
New Harmony Estate in Account with Robert Owen. January, 1832.
(1 p.)
Scope Note:
Accounts side similar to preceding items (with exception of R. D. Owen's note).
Remainder is missing. Probably written by James M.
Dorsey.
|
| |
Stewart, W. E.
Mt. Vernon, Indiana. December 19, 1833. To Robert D. Owen. New Harmony, Indiana.
(3 pp.)
Scope Note:
Statement containing Maclure's boundaries; also stating in what book &
pages Rapp's deed is recorded. Notes written by R. D. Owen, January 1834.
|
| |
Series:
Mary Jane Owen Correspondence and Journal, 1832-1865
|
| |
Subseries:
Correspondence, 1832-1865
|
|
|
Folder 8 |
Owen, Mary Jane.
Passy, France. September 6-9,
1832 (?). To Robert Dale Owen. Crescent Place,
London.
(12 pp. in one sheet 44 x 56 cm.)
|
| |
|
| |
Scope Note:
Written a few hours and over a period of several days after Robert Dale left
Passy, and dreading the long separation from her
husband. A few household details regarding Frances
(Wright) and Phiquepal d'Arusmont, and
their daughter Sylva. A note from Fanny
(Frances) is included.
|
| |
Owen, Mary Jane.
Passy, France. September 13-14,
1832. To Robert
Dale Owen. Crescent Place,
London.
(4 pp.)
Scope Note:
Daily tasks, continued sorrow and pain at absence from husband; urges him
to have Jane (sister-in-law) come to stay in
France for a while.
|
| |
Owen, Mary Jane.
Passy, France. September 14-18,
1832. To Robert
Dale Owen. London (?).
(12 pp. in one sheet 43 x 56 cm.)
Scope Note:
Her deep love in all its aspects for her husband. "...let us consummate our
union by providing a witness and a testimony as soon as is convenient."
Description of the fête at St. Cloud. Health of both
Fanny and Phiquepal not of
best. Refers to Martha Chase whom
Richard had married.
|
| |
Owen, Mary Jane.
Passy, France. September 19-25,
1832. To Robert
Dale Owen. Crescent Place,
London.
(12 pp. in one sheet 45 x 56 cm.)
Scope Note:
Her joy at receiving letter from husband. Small and unimportant difficulties
in the d'Arusmont ménage for Mary. Has bought a few items
of Parisian wear, including corsets! Great admiration for
Moral Physiology.
Expression of love; happiness that hers is reciprocated by him. Daily
doings: walks in the Bois de Bologne, studying French;
pursuing a course of studies which will develop her knowledge for the role
of mother and teacher.
Brief note to Robert from Phiquepal d'Arusmont
informing him that Frances and he will come to
America next spring to attend to the matter of
Nashoba.
|
| |
Owen, Mary Jane.
Passy, France. September 26-27 (?),
1832. To Robert
Dale Owen.
(4 pp.)
Scope Note:
Recounts small episode with kind young Frenchman. Vows to become an
individual again and "resume her own identity." Emancipation from her own
feelings. Plans for partial "independence in pecuniary matters" when they
get to Harmony.
"Morning 18th" entry is questionable.
|
| |
Owen, Mary Jane.
Passy, France. October 8-18,
1832. To Robert
Dale Owen.
(12 p. in one sheet 44 x 56 cm.)
Scope Note:
She practices writing in French; describes daily schedule of work, study,
use of leisure time. Decision to become a rational human being and not one
led by emotional impulses - the motto Self Control.
"People are not married until they become parents, that is real marriage."
Her love for the child Sylva. Difficulties of living
with the d' Arusmonts who though kind, treat her like a
child. They speak constantly in French and in enigmas to each other. "One
may just as well inhabit a house alone as with a couple who are so much
attached to each other and who love other people so little."
|
|
|
Folder 9 |
Owen, Mary Jane. New
York. August 4-6, 1833. To Robert Dale Owen.
New Harmony.
(12 pp. on one sheet 48 x 54 cm.)
|
| |
|
| |
Scope Note:
Reply to R. D.'s
"important" letter of July 25 with
assessment of their feelings and relations. Jane is
quite unwell. She and Jane have plans for a school in
N. H. She feels well
despite advancing pregnancy.
|
| |
Owen, Mary Jane. New
York. August 8-15, 1833. To Robert Dale Owen.
New Harmony,
Indiana.
(12 pp. on one sheet 49 x 59 cm.)
Scope Note:
Effect of his letter on her feelings and resolve to act more "rationally;"
Jane's illness - may delay their departure for
Harmony; law concerning
confiscation of private property for public use; receipt of a letter from
Robert Owen;
Mary Jane cuts her hair;
thoughts about her pregnancy and coming confinement.
|
| |
Owen, Mary Jane. New
York. August 15-19, 1833. To Robert Dale Owen.
New Harmony,
Indiana.
(12 pp. on one sheet 50 x 58 cm.)
Scope Note:
Jane is improving in health; arrival of Mr.
Ryder, with letters of introduction to all his sons from
Robert Owen, who
might come to N. H. to set
up a school for advancing the New System; Mary's opinions of people with this type of character;
decision that they should function as Kershaw's brother and sister and write
to him at Cartagena in Colombia; the would-be meeting
of Martha's father and Robert Owen. Their
suitability and compatibility to each other- "I have made up my mind to be
useful rather than agreable [sic] to you... I think, with you, that we had
better never expect perfect happiness, for I am sure I can never meet your
beau-ideal of one you could really love." Dale thinks
"Dalia would be a very pretty name for Monkey. What do you think? provided
it suits here."
|
| |
Owen, Mary Jane. At the public
house, Lockport; 9 o'clock in the evening of Monday September 16, 1833.
Wheeling; Sunday evening September 22. To Robert Dale Owen.
New Harmony, Indiana.
(4 pp.)
Scope Note:
Misfortunes and contre-temps besetting their travels down the canal.
Expressions of affection and love for her husband- "I hope to make you the
happiest as well as the best husband in the world."
|
|
|
Folder 10 |
Owen, Mary Jane. New Harmony, Indiana. November 6, 1834. To Robert Dale Owen. c/o
Dr. William Price, Cincinnati,
Ohio.
(12 p. on one sheet 48 x 56 cm.)
|
| |
|
| |
Scope Note:
Vexed with husband for not writing; gives doings of townsfolk and their
friends; business remarks; her lectures; R. F. [Robert Fauntleroy?] and his
interest in Jane.
|
| |
Owen, Mary Jane. New Harmony. January 31, 1865 (?). To Robert Dale Owen.
New York (?).
(4 pp.)
Scope Note:
Some delays in arrival of his letters, also fear that some of hers have not
reached him. She thinks abandoned plantations should be let out immediately
by War Department so that crops can be put out. There are some very fine
ones in Julian's neighborhood (near Little
Rock, Arkansas.) Prefers to wait on the building of a house
for a number of good reasons, among them an opportunity to spend the winter
in New York. ".. in short it is a good chance to break
myself loose from some responsibilities here that it would be wrong for me
to bear any longer." Illness and deaths in town; oyster party without the
oysters.
Dated from internal evidence - "Next winter Rose will
be eighteen..." Rosamond born December 13, 1848.
|
| |
Subseries:
Journal, 1833-1858 .
|
|
|
Folder 11 |
Owen, Mary Jane (Robinson).
Journal. England; aboard
Hannibal; New Harmony;
Naples;
Zephyr.
April, 1833-August
16, 1858 .
(108 pp., 17 x 20 cm.)
|
| |
|
| |
Scope Note:
- pp. 1-17 concerned with the return trip to the U.
S. The party left London April 20th
accompanied by Robert
Dale's youngest sister Jane,
Dale (David Dale), Mr. Phiquepal
(d'Arusmont). Descriptions of country-side with sketches of
flora. Sea trip.
- pp. 21-26
The Nursery Journal
December 3-12,
1833. The birth of Florence Dale
(first daughter by that name who died in the summer of 1834)
- pp. 47-54
Florence's Journal begun
January 18, 1837. (Mary Jane wrote "Thirty-six", an
obvious error made at the start of a new year.) Early months of the
second Florence Dale, born Sept. 22, 1836.
- pp. 61-73 one entry August 12,
1853 on board
Devonshire
from New York to London.
Remainder of section April 5, 1858 - August 16, 1858 concerned
with return ocean voyage from Naples to U.
S. Reference to seances.
- pp. 75-109 blank
|
