William Gano Pierce Papers
Scope and Content of the Collection
The collection covers 8 series comprising material primarily related to the life of William Gano Pierce. The series’ included are correspondence, books, education materials, newspapers, financial and legal material, broadsides, journals, and essays. The series are arranged according to relevance, and organized chronologically within each series. Some material may be located in oversized boxes or elsewhere in the collection.
Much of the material relates to William Gano Pierce’s life in China, including books and broadsides that he picked up while abroad and letters he sent home to his parents, but it also includes material from his brother George, wife Almira, and other materials collected over the course of his life.
Dates
- Creation: 1799, 1838-1889 (bulk 1849-1855)
Language of Materials
English Latin
Biography of William Gano Pierce (b.1825)
William Gano Pierce was born to Asa (9/16/1787-9/16/1868) and Theolotia (née Perrin) Pierce (9/8/1790-7/6/1867) on December 19, 1825. He had two siblings, Mary (b. 9/7/1815) and George (b. 8/12/1828). He grew up in Providence, and in 1844 graduated from Brown University. He left America through New York for China, living and working in Canton and Shanghai between 1849 and 1854. In China, he worked as a mercantile assistant for Russell & Co.
He participated in the battle of muddy flat while in Shanghai, a battle in which foreign consuls and military attacked the Qing imperial troops after they did not retreat. He left there for home by way of Europe where he visited his brother George. On June 11 1857 he married Almira (Allie) Metcalf (b. 9/22/1835). They lived in Providence, and had one son, Arthur W. Pierce (b. 8/5/1860). He died on December 25, 1875.
Extent
1 box(es) (11 volume(s); approximately 50 item(s))
Abstract
This collection consists of papers relating to William G. Pierce’s life, including his education and his time stationed in Shanghai, China. The collection consists of correspondence with his parents and brother, gifts sent from China to his father in Providence, Rhode Island, newspapers, journals, and other materials.
Genre / Form
Geographic
Topical
- Brown University–Alumni and alumnae.
- Idols and images–China.
- Mercantile system–United States–History–19th century.
- Mercantile system—China—History.
- Ports of embarkation—New York.
- Ports of entry—China—Canton.
- Shanghai (China) — history, Shanghai (China: International Settlement) — Volunteer corps
- Shanghai (China)—Commerce—History.
- Young Ladies’ High School (Providence, R.I.)
- Title
- William Gano Pierce Papers (Coll. 375)
- Subtitle
- An Inventory of the Collection at the G.W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport Museum
- 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