Special Special Collections & Archives at Miami University

Hide Advanced Search
Clear

Helen Peabody Collection Edit

Summary

Identifier
023 3 PEABODY
Finding Aid Author
Finding aid prepared by Jacqueline Johnson
Finding Aid Date
20110000
Description Rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of Description
English

Dates

  • 1826-1905 (Creation)

Extents

  • 2.50 Boxes (Whole)
  • 1.00 Boxes (Whole)
  • 1.00 Boxes (Whole)

Agent Links

Subjects

Notes

  • Abstract

    This collection includes correspondence, reports, genealogical information, photographs, and miscellaneous items pertaining to the life of Helen Peabody and the founding of Western Female Seminary. Principals and Presidents Western Archives Peabody Family History Peabody Oversized Materials

  • Arrangement

    Biographies, Correspondence, Principal Reports, Photographs

  • Conditions Governing Access

    Materials do not circulate and are made available to users in the Reading Room

  • Conditions Governing Use

    Researchers are requested to cite the Miami University Special Collections and Archives, Western College Memorial Archives, Oxford, Ohio in all footnote and bibliographical references

  • Custodial History

    When Peabody died, she bequeathed her home to the Home and Foreign Missionaries and the rest of her estate to the Board of Foreign Missions. Documents contained in this collection are from documents archived by Western College officials and representatives. Although she had thirteen siblings she left none of her fortune to family.

  • Preferred Citation

    Researchers are requested to cite the Helen Peabody Collection, Miami University Libraries. Western College Memorial Archives in all footnote and bibliographical references.

  • Existence and Location of Originals

    http://westernarchives.lib.muohio.edu/show_content.php?unique_id=58

  • Other Descriptive Information

    http://westernarchives.lib.muohio.edu/show_content.php?unique_id=63

  • Biographical or Historical Information

    A native of Newport, New Hampshire, Helen Peabody was the founder and first principal of Western Female Seminary in Oxford, Ohio. She attended Mt. Holyoke Seminary, now known as Mt. Holyoke College from which she graduated in 1848. Peabody studied under the administration of Mary Lyon. Immediately after her graduation she served as a member of Lyon's faculty. In this capacity Helen's leadership abilities were recognized. The Western Female Seminary was founded by Daniel Tenney and Peabody was chosen as its first principal. Helen Peabody served as head of the seminary for more than years. She was a leader in female education and helped to shape the lives of hundreds of young women who also dreamed of receiving a formal education. During her administration the seminary building was destroyed by fire on seperate occasions. The building was reconstructed and dedicated for use by faculty and students. Peabody successfully led the seminary through a Typhoid epidemic and sustained it through the Civil War period. Seemingly resistant to changes in womens education she requested a leave of absence in 1877 and never returned as Principal. Peabody moved to California and died on October 8, 1905

  • Related Materials

    http://westernarchives.lib.muohio.edu/show_content.php?unique_id=59

  • Scope and Contents

    The collection begins with biographical information on the life of Helen Peabody about her appointment as principal at Western Female Seminary and her official principal reports (1867-1887). Reports reveal Peabody's devotion to Western College and her personal as well as professional thoughts about the events occurring at Western College as well as United States history. Peabody's collection contains documents regarding her personal family struggles of her fourteen siblings, as well as photographs of Peabody and the students at Western Female Seminary.

    BOX 1: Helen Peabody 1855-1888

    Folder 1: Helen Peabody (1855-1888) general information

    •“Helen Peabody: An Appreciation,” The Herald and Presbyter. November 15, 1905 •Page Two of Helen Peabody Article •Copy of Envelope for Miss Helen Peabody, $80.00 •Information Dictated by Miss S. B. Pike to Dorothy Preston ‘29 •Notes “from the notebook of Nannie Mills, class of 1862… 76 Wishes of Miss Peabody” •“Helen Peabody” Information Card •Letter to Mr. Peabody from Carrie D. White, August 14, 1890 •Copy of Information on Helen Peabody, 1848 •Helen Peabody Brief on Blue Construction Paper

    Folder 2: Helen Peabody- Chaplet

    •Helen Peabody Chaplet Book

    Folder 3: Helen Peabody- Psalms

    •Helen Peabody’s Book, Psalms

    Folder 4: Helen Peabody, Bobbe Burk

    •Notes for a presentation given by about Bobbe Burk (seven pages)

    Folder 5: Helen Peabody, Miscellaneous Book

    • Miscellaneous Book Helen Peabody “Names of Flowers analyzed by Woods’s Botany” List, September 16, 1846 Transcript and other Information on Chapters (ten pages) • Two Copied Lists of Botany/plants inventory • Summary Typed-Up Information about the Botany Inventory

    Folder 6: Helen Peabody, Mt. Holyoke, Giving, Debtor

    • “Giving” Helen Peabody ’48 Transcript • “I am a debtor” Miss Peabody ’48 Transcript

    Folder 7: Helen Peabody Susan Peabody remembers her time with Helen Peabody and at Western, -Western Transferred to Peabody Family Box 1 Folder 3, 1946; This is a typed copy of booklet-Peabody Family It is notes after a pleasant weekend with Miss Susan Peabody by Gold Thwaite

    • Western Information (ten pages)

    Folder 8: Helen Peabody, Principal’s Reports, 1867, 1869, 1871

    • Letter to the Board of Trustees of Western Female Seminary from Helen Peabody, June 19, 1867 (seven pages) • Letter to the Trustees of the Western Fem. Sem. By Helen Peabody, June 16, 1869 (six pages) • Western Female Seminary “Shall it be Rebuilt” 1871 Report Cover with Annual Report of the Principal of the Western Female Seminary, 1871 (eleven pages total)

    Folder 9: Helen Peabody, Principal’s Reports, 1877, 1878, 1879

    • Letter to the Board of Trustees of W. F. Seminary, June 13, 1877 from Helen Peabody (two pages) • Letter to Messrs of the Board of Trustees from Helen Peabody, June 19, 1878 (three pages) • Letter to Fathers and Brethren from Helen Peabody, June 18, 1879

    Folder 10: Helen Peabody, Principal’s Reports, 1880, 1881, 1882

    • Letter to Messrs of the Board of Trustees from Helen Peabody, June 16, 1880 (two pages) • Official Report to the Trustees, 1880-1881 from Helen Peabody, June 15, 1881 (two pages) • Letter to Gentlemen of the Board of Trustees from Helen Peabody, June 14, 1882 (three pages)

    Folder 11: Helen Peabody, Principal’s Reports, November 1882, 1883, 1884

    • Letter to Messrs of the Board of Trustees from Helen Peabody, November 8, 1882 (two pages) • Letter to Gentlemen of the Board of Trustees from Helen Peabody, June 13, 1883 (two pages) • Letter to Gentlemen of the Board of Trustees from Helen Peabody, June 1884 (three pages)

    Folder 12: Helen Peabody, Principal’s Reports, 1885, 1886

    • Letter to Gentlemen of the Board of Trustees of the W. F. Seminary, from Helen Peabody, June 17, 1885 (three pages) • Letter to Gentlemen of the Board of Trustees from Helen Peabody, June 17, 1886 (three pages)

    Folder 13: Helen Peabody, Principal’s Reports, 1887, 1888

    • Letter to the Trustees of the Western Female Seminary from Helen Peabody, June 15, 1887 (eight pages) • Letter to Members of the Board of Trustees from Helen Peabody, June 12, 1888 (three pages)

    Folder 14: Helen Peabody, Mary Campbell

    • Account of a Memorial Twilight Meeting at Western Female Seminary February 12, 1882 (four pages) • “Life of Miss Campbell” Article • “H. Peabody- Mary Campbell” Envelope with: Mary Margaretta Campbell (book)

    Folder 15: Helen Peabody, Discipline

    • Card about the disciplinary case of Lottie Castner in June 1887 • Letter to the President and Honorable Members of the Board of Trustees of W. F. Seminary, from Lottie C. Castner, June 14, 1887 (two pages) • Letter to Miss Peabody from Lottie Castner, June 9, 1887 • Letter to My Poor Lottie from Helen Peabody, June 11, 1887 • “More Indignation?” Oxford Citizen, Thursday, July 14, 1887

    Folder 16: Helen Peabody, Resignation

    • “The Western” Article about Miss Helen Peabody’s resignation • “W. F. Seminary, Miss Helen Peabody Deposed” Article

    Folder 17: Helen Peabody, Letters (transcripts)

    • Letter to Miss Peabody from Mary O., April 4, 1856 • Letter to Miss Peabody from Mary N., April 4, 1856 (two pages) • Letter to Miss Peabody from Augusta C., April 6, 1856 (two pages) • Letter to Miss Walker from Helen Pbd, July 25, 1863 • Letter to Miss Butler from Adelia W. Cone, May 27, 1946 with Letter to Dr. Keely from Helen Peabody, Jan. 13, 1864 • Letter to Mrs. Nms, from Helen Peabody, Rev. E. N. Bushnell, October 17, 1868

    Folder 18: Helen Peabody, Letters (transcripts)

    • Letter to Dr. McKee from Helen Peabody, M. 18, 1872 (two pages) • Letter to Mr. R. Williams from Helen Peabody, March 18, 1872 • Letter to Friend from Helen Peabody, April 2, 1872 • Letter to Mr. Roger Williams, from Helen Peabody, April 5, 1872 • Letter to Mr. R. Williams from Helen Peabody, April 8, 1872 • Letter to Mr. Williams from Emily Jessup, July 2, 1872

    Folder 19: Helen Peabody, Letters (transcripts)

    • Letter to Miss Peabody from Fannie B. Ross, May 5, 1904 • Letter to Miss Peabody from Mary McCrae Culter, 12/16/’04 • Letter to Mr. F. B. Campbell from Helen Peabody, December 22, 1904 • Letter to Miss Johnson from Helen Peabody, June 16, 1905 • Letter to Class of 58 from Helen Peabody, July 14, 1905 • Letter to Dr. Ballard from Helen Peabody, July 31, 1905 • Letter to Laura from Helen Peabody, August 2, 1905 • Letter to Helen Peabody from Jennie D. McCleery, Undated

    Folder 20: Helen Peabody, Letters (transcripts)

    • Letter from Helen, October 28, 1880 • Letter from Helen, December 8, 1880 • Letter from H., September 8, 1882 • Letter from H., November 12, 1888 • Letter c/o Mr. William Farris from Helen, June 17, 1890 • Letter to Miss Peabody from Alice Haworth, January 9, 1897

    BOX 2: Helen Peabody 1855-1888

    Folder 21: Helen Peabody, Charles Letters (transcripts)

    • Letter to my dear brother and sister from Helen, August 30, 1855 • Letter to my dear brother from Helen, October 5, 1855 (two pages) • Letter to my dear brother from Helen, November 24, 1855 (two pages) • Letter to my dear brother from Helen, March 10, 1866 (two pages) • Letter to my dear brother from Helen, December 13, 1880 • Letter to my dear brother from Helen, December 30, 1880 • Letter to my dear brother from Helen, May 6, 1884 • Letter to my dear brother from Helen, January 20, 1886

    Folder 22: Helen Peabody, Charles Letters (transcripts)

    • Letter to my dear brother from Helen, January 4, 1887 • Letter to my dear brother from Helen Peabody, March 28, 1887 • Letter to my dear brother from Helen, May 6, 1887 • Letter to my dear brother from Helen, August 15, 1887 • Letter to my dear brother from Helen, August 17, 1887 • Letter to brother from Helen, November 14, 1888 • Letter to my dear brother from Helen, January 22, 1889

    Folder 23: Helen Peabody, Charles Letters (transcripts)

    • Letter to my dear brother from Helen, July 11, 1890 (two pages) • Letter to my dear brother from Helen, July 26, 1890 • Letter from Helen from Kanazawa, Japan, September 19, 1890 • Letter to my dear brother from Helen, November 24, 1890 • Letter to my dear brother from Helen, February 16, 1891

    Folder 24: Helen Peabody, Henry, Mildred, Jeanie (transcripts)

    • Letter to Henry G. Peabody from aunt Helen, February 8, 1859 (four pages) • Letter to my dear little girlie San from Tante, October 14, 1903 (three pages) • Letter from Jeanie Mateer, Undated

    Folder 25: Helen Peabody, Susan Letters (transcripts)

    • Letter to my dear little girlie from Auntie, November 14, 1883 (two pages) • Letter to Dr. Hickok from Susan Peabody, January 20, ‘56 • Letter to my dear girlie from Auntie H., November 4, 1885 (three pages) • Letter to Miss Susan Wade Peabody from Herrick B. Young, January 27, 1956

    Folder 26: Helen Peabody, Endowment Fund

    • “The Helen Peabody Endowment Fund” Letter to Friend from Leila S. McKee

    Folder 27: Helen Peabody, Family Tree, Memorandum, Will, In Memorandum

    • Peabody Family Tree Copy • “The Peabody Family Tree 1852” List • H. Peabody Memorandum Notes • “Memorandum, Miss Peabody” (three pages) • Will of Helen Peabody (two pages) • “Contest the Will of Helen Peabody: Heirs of Founder of Western College at Oxford Will Go to Law,” Article • Information on granite stone erected by Henry and Susan Peabody for Helen Peabody

    Folder 28: Helen Peabody, Death • “Peabody” Obituary Article, 1905 • “Miss Peabody’s Ashes Are Buried at Oxford: Her Remains Were Almost Lost in San Francisco Horror- Girls Act as Pallbearers,” Article • “The Western College Mourns: Miss Helen Peabody: The Distinguished First Principal Called to Her Reward,” The Oxford News Vol. XXI No. 5, Friday, October 13, 1905 (eight copies of large article) • “Miss Helen Peabody, Deceased, Bequeathed Properties Here as a ‘House of Rest’ for Mission Workers” Article from Pasadena Paper October 12, 1905 (four pages) • Note signed by Elizabeth Pendleton on Miss Peabody’s death • “College Day at Western College: Memorial for The Late Helen Peabody” Article 10/11/05 • “The Late Helen Peabody” Newspaper Photograph • “The Western College: The Helen Peabody Memorial Service and Interment” Article • “Warm Tributes to a Noble Woman: Miss Helen Peabody, Deceased, Bequeathed Properties Here as a ‘House of Rest’ for Mission Workers” Article from Pasadena, Thursday, October 12, 1905 • “Her All to Missions” Article from Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections

    Folder 29: Helen Peabody, Photographs, Young, with others

    • Portrait of Miss Helen Peabody • Portrait of Miss Helen Peabody • Circle Portrait of Miss Helen Peabody • Small Photograph of Miss Helen Peabody, 1862 • Photograph of Miss Helen Peabody “in her younger days” • Small Photograph of Miss Helen Peabody • Photograph at Mount Holyoke of Miss Helen Peabody and a Friend • Photograph of Miss Helen Peabody and her brother, Mr. Charles Peabody, Mrs. Wilbur Peabody and her three children, Helen, Harold, Ruth • Photograph of Miss Helen Peabody and her brother, Mr. Charles Peabody and family • Photograph of Helen Peabody with Susan, About 1874 • Large Portrait of Helen Peabody

    Folder 30: Helen Peabody, Photographs, Old

    • Photograph of Miss Helen Peabody, Mr. Preserved Smith, Lamp, Presented by one of the classes for Peabody Hall Porch • Photograph of Helen Peabody, (found after Miss Peabody’s death, October 1905) • Photograph of Pres. Helen Peabody 1872 • Photograph of Helen Peabody that belonged to Kate Scott Milligan, Class of 1880 • Photograph of Helen Peabody • Photograph of Helen Peabody • Photograph of Pres. Helen Peabody in 1872 • Photograph of H. Peabody, President • Photograph of Miss Helen Peabody, President 1855-88 • Large Portrait of Miss Peabody (might be some of her family in book on table) • Copy of Large Portrait of Helen Peabody

    Folder 31: Helen Peabody, Photographs (Duplicates)

    • Photograph of Helen Peabody (young) • Photograph of Helen Peabody picture belonged to Kate Scott Milligan, Class of 1880 • CDV of Helen Peabody • CDV of Helen Peabody • CDV of Helen Peabody • Large Portrait of Miss Helen Peabody, President, 1855-88

    Folder 32: Helen Peabody, Photographs, Homes

    • Photograph of Miss Peabody’s Birthplace, Newport, N.H. • Small Photograph of Miss Helen Peabody’s Home in Pasadena, California • Photograph of Miss Peabody in her Pasadena House

    Folder 33: Donations from Judy Waldron, Western College Alumnae Association

    • “A Card from G. Y. Roots,” Article • “W. F. Seminary,” Article • "Helen Peabody Correspondence donated from Patterson Place (Elizabeth Johnson, Archivist) Summer 2012 (October 5, 1855; Copy of letter written to Henry G. Peabody to his aunt Helen, February 8, 1859, Henry G Peabody, Letter from Charles Edward Mahew, April 28, 1936

  • Processing Information

    Collection processed by Western Archivist.

External Documents

Instances

  • Type
    Text
    Container 1 Type
    Box
    Container 1 Indicator
    1
  • Type
    Text
    Container 1 Type
    Box
    Container 1 Indicator
    2

Components