Brinley Family Papers, 1643-2005

Englishmen and colonial Americans, Loyalists and Patriots, colonial Canadians and American citizens, the members of the Brinley family were a diverse group of characters, ranging from auditors to officers, businessmen, lawyers, legislators, book-collectors, historians, aristocratic ladies and housewives, devoted mothers, husbands, and fathers. A few were slave-holders. Yet through decades of tumultuous social and political change, the family maintained certain distinctive traits and traditions, clinging most notably to their strong ties to England and to the status quo at home. The Brinleys were wealthy, business-minded members of the colonial elite, profoundly Protestant, and most were highly educated and steeped in knowledge. Many became prominent public figures and many more served their respective nations in uniform.

The roots of the Brinley family extend back to England, where the common ancestor of the North American branch of the family, Thomas Brinley, served as Auditor of the Revenue for James I and Charles I. When Thomas' son Francis emigrated to Newport, Rhode Island, in the mid-seventeenth century, the family's wealth and prestige were transplanted with him, and many of the Brinleys or their relatives, such as the Auchmutys or Tyngs, rose to public office or wielded a sword under the colonial government, serving as judges or military officers from the time of King Philip's War to the French and Indian War.

Like many of their fellow colonists, the pre-Revolutionary Brinleys were also profoundly religious. Thomas Brinley helped found King's Chapel in Boston, and its cemetery bears the remains of many of his ancestors and descendants. The Brinleys wrote prayers and religious poetry, raised their children with Protestant ideals, purchased pews, and spared no expense in the education of their children, putting almost all of their sons through Harvard. Great education fostered even greater wealth, and under British rule, the family enjoyed great economic success. Thomas Brinley of Boston was a well-to-do merchant, as was his grandson, Edward. Colonel Francis Brinley opened a prosperous farm in Framingham, bequeathing it to his son Nathaniel. As the colonies grew in size and population, the Brinley's sold off parts of their extensive land-holdings, adding further to their wealth, and marriages with elite mercantile and landowning families such as the Malbones and Cradocks only strengthened their social standing.

Personal prosperity and public service forged a strong British identity in most of the pre-Revolution Brinleys, and with the onset of the American Revolution, they were often seen as patriots of a different feather, suffering accordingly for their loyalty. Brinleys were prominent among the Loyalists who petitioned Governor Thomas Hutchinson and General Thomas Gage, and when the fortunes of the empire turned, some fled to England or Nova Scotia, while others were imprisoned. At home, the Brinleys suffered the confiscation and sale of their properties, with little recompense.

Despite the hardships, the Brinleys who fled were graciously reabsorbed back into English and colonial Canadian society, while those who remained in America recovered their pre-war standing, even while remaining in contact with relatives overseas. In the new United States, the Brinleys continued as their ancestors had, enjoying the wealth and business opportunities afforded them by their religious affiliations, political offices, law practices, Harvard education, and military service. One Brinley became active in political circles in Boston, another assembled one of the grandest private libraries in 19th century America, and yet another served under Secretary of State Daniel Webster. This last Brinley, Francis Brinley, Jr., also continued the grand procession of Brinleys in uniform, serving three times as commander of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company.

Through the devastation of revolution and Civil War and transplantation from continent to continent, the members of the Brinley family kept alive a distinctive Brinley identity. This fact was not lost upon them, as one particular trait extends through three centuries: the need for Brinleys to know their ancestors. Perhaps George Brinley spoke for all of his family when he wrote: "There is an instinctive impulse in the breast of every human being, which prompts us to inquire not about ourselves... but to trace past generations, examine the family ties, and to ascertain from what nation we sprung, and whether our Forefathers held a distinguished rank in society, or were doomed through ages to enjoy a mediocrity."

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The Brinley collection documents the changing fortunes of a wealthy, educated, and prosperous Anglo-American family from the early eighteenth through the late nineteenth century, and their genealogical interests since. Though varied in scope, the collection offers a valuable reflection on social status in America, from the enjoyment of ties to the highest elite during the colonial period to the sufferings of upper-class Loyalist, and the lifestyle and career choices of wealthy Americans during the nineteenth century. The collection is divided into four series:

The papers of the colonial-era Brinleys speak of finances and conveyances, and are a great source of insight into entrepreneurship and land transactions in early America, with some information on the Brinleys in the British colonial establishment. Among the highlights are a remarkable folio list of the extensive personal library of Francis Brinley of Newport, 1713, which included dozens of standard works on law and imperial ambitions along with dozens more from the most radical religious sects of the day -- Familists, Ranters, Seekers, and Diggers among them. Religious records and poetry offers glimpses into the minds, hearts, and day to day lives of the privileged stratum in New England, and particularly the life of Colonel Francis Brinley.

The colonial records come to an end with the shot heard round the world, when the American Revolution wreaked havoc on the fortunes and fate of the Brinley family. Although the collection does not document their emotional duress, it does chronicle the extensive damage to their purses, and can be useful in understanding the impact of the Revolution on landed Loyalists. A number of letters in the collection were written by expatriate Brinleys seeking help from their relatives in the new United States in reclaiming their abandoned (or confiscated) American property.

The other side of the Loyalist story is covered by collateral relatives, the Putnams, whose most prominent representative was Major-General Israel Putnam, a hero of the Battle of Bunker Hill. The collection includes a copy of the sermon given at Putnam's funeral, as well as publications by Putnam's son Daniel in 1818 defending Putnam's role at Bunker Hill, and responding to Major-General Henry Dearborn's self-serving history of the battle.

The papers of the next generation of Brinleys describe their lives in the early Republic, as well as the lives of those family members who returned to England or resettled in what is now Canada. These items speak of the strength of family bonds even as political realities rent the family apart. Like their predecessors, the papers of this generation demonstrate moneyed interests, but they also betray a shift into more political thinking. Francis Brinley, Sr., was especially excited about politics, writing newspaper editors on everything from body snatchers to slavery, canals, and the price of milk. His documents are a fine source on the politics of early republican America in general and of the city of Boston in particular. Also notable are several detailed letters concerning the education of Francis, Jr., both before and during his attendance at Harvard, which have much to say about university education in the early nineteenth century; Robert Brinley's passport to France under the Directory; a copy of The Newport Herald, ripe with details of the world in the year in 1788; and the arithmetic book of George Brinley, useful in understanding the history of education in America during the early Federalist period.

The generation that came of age in the mid-to-late nineteenth century, is represented by letters of Francis "Frank" Brinley, Jr., and of George Brinley the book collector, two upper-class men who led very different lives. Frank, like his father, was a public figure who served in several political and military offices. His papers represent, in many ways, the highest ideals of New England society at this time, building a life around erudition and service. Frank's cousin George was more of a private man, and one of the great book collectors of his time. While both cousins took an interest in history, they pursued their interests in different ways: while Frank led and contributed to several historical societies, George gathered an immense personal library, but reportedly allowed only one other person access to it. Almost all of the materials in the collection pertaining to George deal with the auction of that library after his death, and may be useful to the researcher interested in book-collecting and in American library history. An autobiography of George Brinley, Sr., is of particular value.

In addition to the Brinleys, four other branches of the family are substantially represented in the collection: the Auchmuty, Cradock, Tyng, and Putnam families. A few letters from a member of the Malbone family are also included. Married to Brinleys, all of these families seem to have had common business and political interests.

The Brinley collection also includes some miscellaneous materials, in which the connection to the Brinleys is unclear. There are letters, business, papers, songs and poems, and newspaper clippings. Some of the names appearing here are Blake, Bowers, Moore, Murphy, and White. Notable items include a certificate of service for Isaac Bowers in the War of 1812 and a certificate from the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Finally, the collection also contains a wealth of Brinley family genealogical research notes assembled primarily by Nancy Brinley. These materials include copies of Brinley family documents held at other repositories, publications, notes and correspondence. Photographs and art work representing family members literally bring the Brinleys to life as do treasured family objects such as a silver salver and fish knife, which were passed down the generations.

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Series 1. Original Manuscripts and Documents 1643-19401700-1900 0.5 linear feet

Original letters and documents relating to the Brinley family and collateral relatives. The series is organized by family, and then by writer and generation, in roughly chronological order. Although there is some correspondence among family members, particularly during the later generations, the collection includes a good number of legal documents, obituaries, clippings, and other miscellaneous material.

Series 2. Copies from Other Repositories 1690-1900 0.5 linear feet

Photocopies of letters and documents held in other repositories, most of which were collected by Nancy Brinley in the course of genealogical research. The series is focused primarily on Daniel Putnam and the Malbone family, with a few items relating to Francis Brinley.

Series 3. Genealogy 1911-20051983-1992 2.75 linear feet

Genealogical notes and correspondence, mostly by Nancy Brinley, relating to the history of the Brinley and Malbone families, and particularly early generations of the American family (e.g. Col. Francis Brinley).

Series 4. Art and Artifacts 1741-2005

Paintings and photographic portraits of several members of the Brinley family, along with two intriguing pieces of eighteenth-century silver owned by the family. Noteworthy are an early nineteenth century copy by Charles U. Bond of a 1729 John Smibert portrait featuring Deborah Lyde Brinley and her infant son Francis, and a silver salver from 1741, which descended from generation to generation in the family.

Series 1. Original Manuscripts and Documents 1643-1940

Brinley family 1643-1940

An Abstract of Mr. Brinley's Title to Lands at Horton, Co. Bucks and Stanwell, Co. Midsx. 1643 Nov 25

Deed for land purchased by Francis Brinley 1699 Apr

Power of attorney, signed 1699, Nov 6

An Accot: Taken of my Bookes Fr Brinley March 27:th 1713 1713 Mar 27

"Genealogical Gleanings in England" 1883 Oct

Inventory of Francis Brinley's Library undated

Mortgage of John Barne's property to Francis Brinley 1733 Jan-June

Miss Sarah Hutchinson's account 1736

Indenture, Boston 1740 Aug 1

Account book (fragment) 1742 Mar 10

A Ruff Computation of the Charges of my Farme at Framingham and what it may Produce if rightly Conducted, by Francis Brinley 1742 Mar 26

Indenture 1745 Oct 25

To The Honble Francis Brinley Esqr. Surveyr Genll of his Majesty's Customs at Boston, from Jos. Hull in North London 1748 Jan 3

Note of Receipt settling John Dun's Account, Framingham 1752 Oct

To His Excell:y Coll: Shirley 1754 July 30

Letter to Colonel Shirley (fragment)

Memo: Feb:y 4th: 1760 Minnits on the Affair of Framingham Commons 1760 Feb 4

Poetry of Francis Brinley on the occasion of his wife's death, transcribed by Harvard Francis Brinley's hand, and the originals bearing the date of March 15th, 1761. 1881 Jan 24

Memo: May 10th, 1763 1763 May 10

Diary (fragment) 1763 Oct

Diary (fragment) 1964 Dec

Assessment of Col. Francis Brinley's Pew at King's Chapel 1765-1766

Assessment of Col. Francis Brinley's Pew, decd at King's Chapel 1767-1768

Conveyances of Francis Brinley circa 1769

Lists conveyances of land to Francis Brinley during the period 1693 to 1769.

Signature of Francis Brinley undated 3 copies

Letter (fragment) undated

Letter to Messrs: Samll: & Wm Baker (fragment) undated

A Prayer for the Morning undated

Letter with autograph, Halifax (fragment) 1702 Sept 27

Benja Newberry to Anne Richardson, Newport 1707 Nov 7

History of a suite by Elisha Hutchinson of Boston and John Saffin of Bristoll, Esqrs, against Thomas Aives of the Narraganst Country in Kingstown, written in Halifax. circa 1703

Business note to Mrs. Marry Wardell 1735 Apr

Letter with Francis Hutchinson's autograph, Boston (fragment) 1746 Jan 7

Letter from Shrimpton Hutchinson, Boston (fragment) 1786

Letter with Shrimpton Hutchinson's autograph (fragment) undated

To Mrs Mary Gerrish, to the of Buffield Lyde, Esqr, & Cap.t Goddard Boston. 1775 Sept 15

Signed witness of debt paid 1762 Nov 29

Power of Attorney, Saint John, New Brunswick 1794 Feb 1

To Mr. Edward & Nath.l Brinley, from Thomas Murray, St. John, New Brunswick. 1794 Sept 26

Letter to an unkown recipient, Boston 1749 Mar 19

The Newport Herald, Volume II, Numb. 86 1788 Oct 16

Letter to Nathaniel Brinley at Boston, Newport 1797 Apr 22

Letter to one of Francis' brothers undated

To Godfrey Malbone junr. Esqr. In Newport from Boston 1752 Jan 18

To Mr Thomas Brinley, London 1785 July 10

Settlement of wages at Framingham from Nath Brinley to Patrick and "His Shay Merk" 1767 Nov 10

Wm Hutchinson's receipt on the sale of a slave to Nathaniel Brinley 1779

Letter to Elizabeth Brinley in Brooklyn 1789 June 10

Letter to Robert Brinley in London regarding his visit to America 1796 Dec 22

Letter with Nath Brinley's autograph (fragment) 1808 June

Letter with autograph, Nath Brinley (fragment) undated

Genealogical list undated

Letter to Robert Brinley circa 1784

Passport for trip to France 1796

Transaction of business from the James Lyold and Company, signed by Robt Brinley, Boston 1797 May 18

Deed of Conveyance to William Thornton 1818 Dec

Receipt of a donation to Harvard University's Public Library, Cambridge 1846 may 1

Newspaper advertisement for the "Let" of "a large House." undated

Letter to Mrs. Elizabeth Brinley from Nathaniel Lawrence 1834 Apr 7

Letter to George Brinley, London 1783 Feb 21

A Memorandum of the certificates to be procured by me undated

Letter to her sister Catherine circa 1790 June

Copy of the Will of Mrs. Elizabeth Brinley dated 14.th June 1791 1791 June 14

To Nat Brinley, Halifax 1784 Feb 11

To Mr. Nathaniel Brinley, Boston 1795 Feb 28

To Mr. Robert Brinley, Boston Massachusetts 1799 Aug 3

Letter to Mr. Nathaniel Brinley, Boston 1782 June 27

My dear Cousin, letter to Robert Brinley Esqr 1822 Sept 24

My dear Sir, letter to an unidentified relative 1853 Jan 5

Envelope addressed to Robert Brinley, Esqr, Senr, Tynsborough Massachusetts with seal included. undated

Letter to her sister 1784 Aug 28

Obituary undated

Letter from Miss Brinley to Ed Brinley 1859 Oct 19

Note of Inheritance, signed "EB" 1860

"Miss Elizabeth Brinley," poem by L.H.S. 1862 Sept 28

Letter to M.r Francis Brinley from W.m Sullivan Eq. 1809 Aug 4

Certfication of membership to the Trustees of Donations to the Protestant Episcopal Church 1811 Oct 1

Letter from Rev Dr T.M. Harris to M:r Francis Brinley; [followed by] Mr. Brinley's return letter 1814 July 24

Letter to Mr Francis Brinley at Boston from Rev. Dr Harris 1814 Aug 24

Letter to the Editor, The Mercury and New England Palladium, concerning the price of milk 1815 Dec 24

Letter to the Editor, The Massachusetts Centinel, concerning the state constitution 1820 May 22

Letter to the Editor, The Massachusetts Centinel, concerning Chief Justice Parker 1820 Oct 14

Letter to the Editor, The Massachusetts Centinel, concerning religious matters 1820 Oct 27

Major Russell, Sir. Letter to the Editor, concerning imprisonment for debt 1821 May 26

Communication for the Centinel, suggestions for Harvard College 1822 Aug 18

Letter of Fr. Brinley Sen. to me [Francis Brinley Jr.] accompanying the College bills & c. 1829 Mar 6

Communication. Roxbury Omnibus Coaches, Letter to the Editor. 1837 Aug 13

Letter to the Editor concerning Roxbury Omnibus Coaches 1837 [Nov or Dec?]

To Benjamin Russell Eq, article of interest concerning canals and railroads 1837 Dec

Letter to his daughter Sarah circa 1837

Letter to Sarah and to a son undated

Letter to an unknown recipient undated

Letter to the Editor concerning body snatchers undated

Letter to the Editor concerning the repeal of a termination of Massachusetts Lotteries undated

Letter to Robert Brinley. Esq at Tynsborough, Massachusetts, from Francis Brinley, Jr., in Washington 1844 Dec 19

Remarks of Francis Brinley, Commander of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, in response to a toast in honor of the Corps, at the Agricultural Dinner, Barnstable 1858 Oct 13

Hon. Francis Brinley. Newspaper article concerning Major Brinley's health 1883 Oct 17

Honor roll of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, The Boston Commercial 1887 Apr 2

"Death of Hon. Francis Brinley" in Observer 1889 June 15

Obituary, Francis Brinley 1889 June 15

"Death of Francis Brinley" in The Newport Daily News 1889 June 15

Obituary, Francis Brinley in The New York Tribune 1889 June 15

Obituary, Francis Brinley 1889 June 15

Letter from CHB [n.y.] Aug 22

Note of Francis Brinley undated

Articles from an unkown newspaper concerning Francis Brinley (fragment) undated

List of Brinley birthdates, most likely by Francis Brinley undated

Scrapbook undated

Francis Brinley's scrapbook is an assortment of genealogical research and a prime resource for Brinley primary documents that have been pasted onto the pages.

Scrapbook undated

Passport of Sarah Brinley 1861 Aug 5

Letter to George P. Brinley 1889 July 20

Letter to George P. Brinley 1889 July 27

Letter to George P. Brinley 1889 July 28

Letter with signature (fragment) 1870 Aug 11

Letter to his father 1871 June 11

Letter to his father 1871 June 20

Letter to his father 1871 July 2

Letter to his father 1871 July 8

Letter to his father 1872 Sept 15

Letter to his father 1872 Sept 28

Letter to his father 1872 Dec 23

Letter to his father 1872 Dec 28

Letter to his father 1873 Apr 29

Letter to Francis Brinley 1876 May 2

Notification of enrollment in the America Antiquarian Society 1880 Apr 29

Letter with signature (fragment) undated

Letter undated

Letter (photocopy) undated

Newspaper article concerning the death of Nathaniel Brinley, Jr. 1864 Dec 15

Article concerning the loss of the steamer Lexington 1940

Letter to Madam Fogg 1845 Aug 14

Letter to a "fellow sinner" 1855 Aug 27

Letter to R. Brinley, Esq. 1855 Dec 27

Funeral of George Brinley, Esq., Poetry of L.H.S. 1857 Jan 24

Envelope with note and signature of E.M.M. undated

Ciphering book circa 1790

A "ciphering" book was an arithmetic workbook used by American school children in the late 18th century. George Brinley used his workbook circa 1790, and fashioned pages from the documents of other family members as binding, and was likely to have been the author of a few rough poems elegantly inscribed on the binding as well as here and there between math assignments In his schooling, George Brinley learned tables for multiplication, addition of English Money, Troy weights, and cloth measure, as well as rules of reduction, the rule of three in decimals, and other general mathematical concepts of the era.

Autobiography 1843 Nov

Letter to Mrs. Sarah O.P. Brinley 1853 Sept 16

Letter from C. Callaghan 1858 Apr 7

"Passengers Sailed" in the New York Evening Post 1875 Apr 16

"Passengers Arrived" in the New York Evening Post 1875 May 24

"Obituary of George Brinley" in the Newport Daily News 1875 May 27

"Wills in Probate" in the New York Evening Post 1875

"Sale of the Brinley Library," in the New York Evening Post 1877 Augt 2

"Rare Old Books To Be Sold" in the New York Daily Tribune 1879 Feb 11

"Prices For Which The Books etc In The First Part of The American Library of The Late Mr. George Brinley Were Sold, March 10th-15th 1879" 1879

"Inside the Brinley Library" in The Hartford Daily Courant 1879 Feb 12

"The Great Sale of Books" in the New York Daily Tribune 1879 Mar 15

"The Brinley Book Sale" in the New York Daily Tribune 1879 Mar 17

"Books at Great Prices" in the New York Daily Tribune 1880 Mar 25

"Prices For Which The Books in the Second Part of the Brinley Library were sold, March 22nd-25th, 1880" 1880

"Curious American Books" in the New York Times 1881 Apr 6

"Fine Books at Auction" in the New York Daily Tribune 1881 Apr 6

"Prices For Which The Books in the Third Part of the Brinley Library were sold, April 4th-8th, 1881" 1881

Enveloped addressed to Geo P. Brinly Esqr, Hartford, Conn. 1885 Sept 11

"Prices For Which The Books in the Fourth Part of the Brinley Library were sold, November 15th-18th, 1886" 1886

Letter from Robert E. Dunston 1889 Apr 28

"Prices For Which The Books in the Fifth Part of the Brinley Library were sold, April 18th-20th, 1893" 1893

Envelope signed by E.A.B. 1911 Jan

"The Brinley Mazarine Bible" [n.y.] May 10

"Statement, Fourth Sale Brinley Library" undated

"The Brinley Library Sale" undated

"Very Rare Books" undated

Newspaper fragments covering the sale of George Brinley's library undated

"Psalm Book Once Owned by Brinley" undated

Signature of Edward H. Brinley undated

Cradock family 1717-1807

Letter from John Cradock to his son and daughter 1717 July 28

Letter from Zachary Cradock to his brother 1739 Aug 2

Letter from Zachary Cradock 1744 June 16

My Dearest Life, a letter from George Cradock to his wife 1720 Nov 17

Conveyances of George Cradock 1723-1755

Bond of George Cradock to Francis Brinley 1730 June 24

My Dearest Life, a letter from George Cradock to his wife 1733 Feb 12

Appointment of Robert Auchmuty Esqr- as His Majesty's Commisary and Judge of the Admiralty in His Majesty's Provinces and Colonies of the Massachusetts Bay New Hampshire Rhode Island Providence Plantations and the Narragansetts Country or King's Province in America, and appointment of George Cradock as his Deputy 1733 Sept 26

Bond of George Cradock to Francis Brinley 1746 Dec 30

Letter from J. Berriman 1751 Nov 25

Appointment of George Cradock to Deputy Judge of the Admiralty in Boston by Chambers Russell Esqr 1762 May 17

To George Cradock Esqr at the next House to the Sign of the black & white Horse, South End, Boston, from Andw Belcher 1769 June 2

To Mrs Mary Cradock at her house in Boston via New Yorke (fragment) undated

My Dear Nephew, Letter to Mr. Robert Brinley 1797 Sept 6

Letter to Mrs Catherine Brinley 1807 Aug 12

Auchmuty family 1733-1794

Lease of Boston house from Ebenezer Holmes 1733 Jan 1

Letter to George Cradock 1742 Feb 15

Bill of exchange to Samuel Auchmuty 1744 May 15

Letter from Richard Nicholls 1749 Jan 9

Business note from Josiah Quincy 1752 July 21

Draft on account for a gallon of rum 1755 June 3

Letter to Francis Brinley 1765 Jan 5

Letter to Nathaniel Brinley 1771 June 27

Letter to Nathaniel Brinley 1771 Nov 9

Letter to Nathaniel Brinley 1784 Oct 6

Tyng and Pitt Families 1681-1797

Will 1681 Jan 19

Article concerning his death in the Boston Gazette 1702 Jan 27

Copy of deed of sale 1782 Nov 30

Probate of Jonathan Tyng's will 1723 Feb 13

Will circa 1720

Petition to Massachusetts Senate 1793 June

Warrant to arrest and whip slave 1794 Mar 10

Warrant against Ebenezer Kent 1733 Apr 25

Letter to Elizabeth Pitts 1793 July 2

Letter from William Tyng 1797 June 17

Putnam Family 1790-1818

A Sermon, Ocassioned by the Death of the Honorable Major-General Israel Putnam, of Brooklyn, by Josiah Whitney, A. M. 1790 June 1

Letter to Major General Henry Dearborn, in the newspaper American Friend, by Daniel Putnam, Esq. 1818 June 19

An Account of the Battle of Bunker's Hills; by H. Dearborn, with a Letter to Maj. Gen. Dearborn, Repelling his Unprovoked Attack on the Character of the Late Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, by Daniel Putnam, Esq. 1818

Draft of a letter to Major General Henry Dearborn undated

Malbone Family 1871

Letter to Francis Brinley 1871 July 28

Letter to Frank and Sarah Brinley (fragment) undated

Miscellaneous 1705-1859

The Brinley collection also includes some miscellaneous materials, for which there is no clear connection to the family. There are wills, letters, business papers, songs, poems, and newspaper clippings all ranging from the early 18th century to the 1950s. Items of interest include a certificate concerning the military service of Isaac Bowers in the War of 1812, a document from the Archbishop of Canterbury, a newspaper article that mentions Edward Lyde, and a blank example of 18th century laid paper. Some of the names appearing in this folder are Blake, Bowers, Moore, Murphy, and White.

Transcript of court suit brought by Hannah White 1705 Jan 1

Letter from Jonathan Belcher (fragment) 1739 June 28

Fragment with signature 1770

Business accounts, unsigned 1797-1804

"General Description of America," poem by eleven-year old Eliza Fay Blake 1804 Mar 4

Letter from John Moore to Lemuel Brooks 1833 Apr 10

Certificate of posthumous administration of goods for Mary E. Murphy by the Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury 1839 July 29

"A Dirge for Miss Septima Fogg" by C.S. Percival 1851 Nov 4

Newspaper article that mentions Edward Lyde 1854 Nov 23

Newspaper clipping from the Boston Daily News 1855 July 24

Letter to the Editor of an unknown newspaper, initialed "N.F." 1868 Apr 25

Certificate of military service for Isaac Bowers in the War with Great Britain 1857 June 17

Song for the "Brotherhood of Good Fellowship," unsigned 1859 Jan 12

Newspaper clippings 1950s

Poem, unsigned undated

Fragment identifying Mary Savage undated

Newspaper article concerning the Putnams at the Battle of Bunker Hill undated

Newspaper article concerning the marriage of Sarah Brinley undated

"The sorrows of a Wife at the tomb of her Husband," unsigned poem undated

"Bachanalian Song," unsigned poem undated

Series 2. Copies from Other Repositories 1690-1900

Brinley, Francis letter (photocopy) 1796

Brinley, Francis scrapbook (microfilm) undated

Brinley, Frank letter (photocopy) 1750

Brinley, George (1842-1919) (photographic print) undated

Putnam family (photocopies) undated

Malbone family letters (photocopies) 1745-1752

Love, Elizabeth notebook (photocopies) 1729-1833

Malbone family (transcriptions) 1857

Malbone family documents (photocopies) 1809-1890

Malbone family documents (transcriptions) 1715-1740

Malbone, Godfrey (photocopies) 1772

Malbone, John (photocopies) 1786-1796

"Inside the Brinley" (transcription) 1879

Putnam, Daniel (photocopies) 1812-1819

Putnam, Daniel correspondence (photocopies) 1820-1824

Putnam, Daniel correspondence (photocopies) 1825

Putnam, Daniel correspondence (photocopies) 1826

Putnam, Daniel correspondence (photocopies) 1827

Putnam, Daniel correspondence (photocopies) 1828

Putnam, Daniel correspondence (photocopies) 1829

Putnam, Daniel correspondence (photocopies) 1830-1833

Putnam, Daniel correspondence (photocopies) undated

Putnam, Daniel deed (photocopies) 1791

Brinley family (photographs of documents) 1690-1853

photocopies 1900

Malbone, Godfrey Connecticut papers (photocopies) undated

Series 3. Genealogy 1911-2005

Publications 1923-2003

Brindley Genealogy, Including the James Brindley Clan of Leek, Francis Brinley and New England, "Southern" Brindleys 2002

Francis Brinley's Personal History

The Battle of Bunker Hill 1968

Faces of a New Nation: American Portraits of the 18th and early 19th Centuries 2003

Bulletins 1920 Apr-1932 Apr

Bulletins 1923 Oct-1950 July

Three Bookmen in the Watkinson Library's Past 1954

Research and Correspondence 1911-2005

Biographical material 1930-1966

"James Brindley of Alton, Staffordshire, and the George Washington Connection" 2003

Brindley World News 2002 Summer-2003 Winter

Brindley family newsletter.

Brinley family photographs (photographic prints) undated

Brinley/Malbone Letters, Book I 1983-1989

Brinley/Malbone Letters, Book I 1988

Brinley/Malbone Letters, Book I 1988

Brinley/Malbone Letters, Book I 1988

Brinley/Malbone Letters, Book I circa 1988

Brinley/Malbone Letters, Book I circa 1988

Brinley/Malbone Letters, Book I circa 1988

Brinley-Malbone Letters, Book II circa 1988

Brinley-Malbone Letters, Book II circa 1988

Brinley-Malbone Letters, Book II circa 1988

Brinley-Malbone Letters, Book II circa 1988

Brinley-Malbone Letters, Book II circa 1988

Col. Francis Brinley (Early Brinley History), Book I circa 1988

Col. Francis Brinley (Early Brinley History), Book I circa 1988

Col. Francis Brinley (Early Brinley History), Book I circa 1988

Col. Francis Brinley (Early Brinley History), Book I circa 1988

Col. Francis Brinley (Early Brinley History), Book 2 circa 1988

Col. Francis Brinley (Early Brinley History), Book 2 circa 1988

Descendants of Francis Brinley and Aleph Malbone circa 1988

Descendants of Francis Brinley and Aleph Malbone circa 1988

Early Brinley Families circa 1988

Early Brinley Families circa 1988

Early Brinley Families circa 1988

Early Brinley Families circa 1988

Edward Brinley and Sarah Tyler circa 1985

Edward Brinley and Sarah Tyler circa 1985

Genealogical materials circa 1986

Genealogical materials circa 1986

Genealogical materials circa 1985

Computer disks containing files created by Nancy Brinley during her genealogical research.

Genealogical materials circa 1985

Ledger containing files names of documents stored on computer disks.

Genealogical materials 2004-2005

Malbone, Francis Brinley circa 1984-1992

Malbone, Francis Brinley circa 1984-1992

Malbone, Francis Brinley circa 1984-1992

Malbone, Francis Brinley circa 1984-1992

Malbone, Francis Brinley circa 1984-1992

Malbone family research and notes circa 1985

Notebook 1951-1979

Correspondence 1955

Correspondence: provenance of Francis Brinely's Scrapbook 1939-1953

Research manuscript 1911-1912

Index: Francis Brinley's scrapbook circa 1985

Malbone bibliography undated

Newspaper clippings: George Brinely's Bay Psalm Book circa 1947

Correspondence 1982

Research: Putnam-White Trial 1921-1983

Shopleigh, Alexander: biographical information 1942

Series 4. Art and Artifacts 1741-2005

Painting: Deborah Lyde Brinley and Her Son Francis circa 1835 Oil on canvas

Copy of an original by John Smibert in 1729, now a part of the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Malbone silver: research 1944-2005

Photographs ca. 1875-1910 2 folders

Includes photographs of George Brinley III, Mary E. Carter, painting of Colonel Daniel Putnam, Charles Augustus Brinley, Mary Goodrich Frothingham, Israel Putnam, George Brinley (1774-1857), and Catherine Putnam Brinley.

Portrait: Brinley, Deborah ca.1795 Silhouette

Framed silhouette of the daughter of Colonel Francis and Deborah Lyde Brinley.

Portrait: Brinley, Francis 1824 Watercolor

Silver salver 1741-1742

Engraved on reverse "From Godfrey Malbone of Newport. Obt. Nov 1787 to his daughter Elizabeth Hutchinson Obt. 1756, to her daughter Catherine Putnam, to her daughter Catherine Brinley, obt. Oct. 1842, to her son George Brinley, Jr., Obt. May 1875, to his son, George Brinley Tertius, Obt. August 24, 1892, to his son George Brinley, Obt. May 6, 1835, to his nephew Edward Charles Brinley, Jr." Also engraved Malbone/Scott coat of arms on top. Dated 1741-1742 with the touch mark "RA" for Robert Abercromby.

Smibert, John: research 1984-1996

Sterling silver fish knife

Engraved blade shows central image of a fish and a monogram "M", "h", "RH" marks.

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