Henry W.B. Willis Collection
Abstract
The bulk of this collection is approximately 74 letters, primarily between Henry Willis and Sarah Freeman Willis from 1852 to 1860. Other correspondence involves various Willis and Freeman family members including parents, brothers and sisters. These letters offer a view of family relationships and domestic activities for two New York/New Jersey families during the middle years of the 19th century.
Dates
- Creation: 1846-1865
Language of Materials
English Latin
Restrictions on Access
Available for use in the Manuscripts Division
Restrictions on Use
Various copying restrictions apply. Guidelines are available from the Manuscripts Division.
Biography of Henry W.B. Willis
The papers and documents in this collection reveal that Henry W. B. Willis went to sea as a young man aboard the ship EXCHANGE (1846-1847), Capt. Funk, master. Included are letters from Willis' father and other family members instructing him on proper behavior. In 1848 he was a mate aboard the Ship ENTERPRISE and still with Capt. Funk.
In 1852 correspondence begins between Henry Willis and Sarah ("Sorchy") Freeman. The letters are essentially love and courting letters, and by November 1854, Henry and Sarah were married, and he was in Rio de Janeiro as Master of the Clipper SUNNY SOUTH. Willis made several voyages as Master of the SUNNY SOUTH from 1855 through 1857. By January 1858 he was working at the Freight Office of the New York and Harlem Railroad in New York. Letters in this collection suggest that Henry Willis died sometime between 1860-1865.
Extent
1 box(es) (ca. 100 items)
2 volume(s)
Index to Personal, Corporate and Vessel Names
- ?, Matt 1/6
- ?, Millie 1/6
- Atkins, Lizzie 1/1
- Ayres, Ellis 1/4
- Belloni, Louis 1/4
- Blauvelt, David 1/4
- Bloodgood, Cele 1/2
- Bloomfield, ? 1/1
- Bloomfield, Ellis 1/3
- Bostwick, Joe 1/3
- Campbell, Augustine 1/2
- Clarkson, ? (Dr.) 1/4
- Clifford, George 1/3
- Cloutman, Sarah A. 1/3
- Clusman, ? 1/2
- Conger, Libby 1/2
- Cox, John 1/3
- Crane, Hannah 1/6
- Daniels, ? (Mr. & Mrs.) 1/2
- Daniels, ? 1/1
- Dunn, Henry 1/1, 1/3
- Dunn, Jane 1/1
- Eddy, ? 1/2
- EXCHANGE (Ship) 1/1
- Freeman, Clem 1/2, 1/3
- Freeman, Gussie (Miss) 1/6
- Freeman, M.F. 1/5
- Freeman, Robert R. 1/2, 1/6
- Freeman, Ross 1/6
- Freeman, Sarah B. 1/1, 1/2
- Funck, S. (Capt.) 1/1
- Goodrich, Emily 1/3
- GREAT WESTERN 1/1
- Gregory, ? (Capt.) 1/2, 1/3
- Gregory, ? (Mrs.) 1/2
- H.T. Kirsted & Son 1/2
- Harris, S.R. (Dr.) 1/4
- Hearn, Eliza 1/1
- Hinsley, ? (Dr.) 1/1
- Hurst, Catherine 1/1
- Jauvin, G.L. 1/4
- Knight, Sarah B. 1/6
- Kuster, John 1/1
- Lewis, John 1/2
- Littell, ? (Mrs.) 1/3
- Marsh, Canfield 1/1
- Martin, ? (Capt.) 1/3
- McDonald, Margaret 1/5
- McKenzie, John H. 1/6
- Mickle, Louisa 1/1
- Miller, ? (Dr.) 1/1
- Morris, Annie 1/2
- Napier Johnson & Co. 1/4
- NEW WORLD (Steamer) 1/5
- New York and Harlem Railroad 1/4
- Pridham, Bell 1/3
- Pyatt, Edward 1/4
- Radcliff, ? (Mrs.) 1/3
- Radcliffe & Wheedon 1/2
- ROE (Schooner) 1/3
- Rosencrans, Henry 1/3
- Sayler, R. 1/4
- Schenck, ? (Mr. & Mrs.) 1/3
- Sessions, G.W. 1/6 1/6 1/6
- Sessions, George 1/3
- Steele & Burgess 1/6
- Summerfield, ? 1/5
- Summerfield, Susie 1/5
- SUNNY SOUTH (Ship) 1/3
- TEJACA 1/3
- Titus, Susan Amelia 1/1
- Walden, C.C. 1/4
- Waldon, ? 1/4
- Willis, Amelia 1/1, 1/6
- Willis, Ann Amelia 1/1
- Willis, Anne Maria 1/1
- Willis, Bob 1/5
- Willis, Charles B. (Capt.) 1/1
- Willis, Clarence 1/1
- Willis, Emily 1/1
- Willis, George 1/2
- Willis, William 1/3, 1/4, 1/5
- Willis, William (Jr.) 1/1
- Willis, William W. 1/1
Genre / Form
Geographic
Occupation
- Merchant mariners--United States
- Shipmasters' spouses--New Jersey--Metuchen
- Shipmasters--New York (State)--New York
Topical
- Title
- Henry W.B. Willis Collection (Coll. 182)
- Subtitle
- An Inventory of the Collection at the G.W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Manuscripts Repository
G. W. Blunt White Library
Mystic Seaport Museum, Inc.
112 Greenmanville Avenue
Mystic CT 06355 United States
860.572.5367
collections@mysticseaport.org