US-RPB-ms2013.009 Guide to the Francis Family correspondence1875-1887 Finding aid prepared by Karen Eberhart. Brown University Library

Box A Brown University Providence, RI, 02912 Tel: 401-863-2146 email:hay@brown.edu

2013 This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2013-08-09 English Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) Francis Family correspondence MS.2013.009 John Hay LibrarySpecial Collections

Box A Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Tel: 401-863-2146 email: hay@brown.edu

English 0.25 Linear feet (1 folder) 1875-1887 Correspondence from George Blinn Francis and Henry Newton Francis to their family members in West Hartford, CT. Both George and Henry worked as civil engineers on reservoir projects in Rhode Island during the entire time period of this correspondence, 1875-1882. Francis, George Blinn and Francis, Henry Newton (b.1853) Francis, Henry Newton, b.1853 Francis Family correspondence Biographical Note

George Blinn Francis (born circa 1851) and Henry Newton Francis (born 1853) were born in West Hartford, CT to Blinn Francis and Lucy Hart Francis. Their siblings were Jennie, Julia Francis Butler (b. 1849), Laura Hart Francis (b.1850), and Hattie. George married Florence Green in 1881 or 1882. Henry married Emily J. Pettis in 1878 and Julia married Henry C. Butler in 1880.

Collection information

Francis Family correspondence, Ms.2013.009, Brown University Library.

Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.

There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.

The letters are arranged alphabetically by writer and then chronologically.

This collection contains correspondence from George Blinn Francis and Henry Newton Francis to their family members in West Hartford, CT. Both George and Henry worked as civil engineers on reservoir projects in Rhode Island during the entire time period of this correspondence, 1875-1882. Henry worked on the Fruit Hill Reservoir in North Providence, RI and George worked on the Sockanoset Reservoir and a reservoir in Pettanoset. They both worked for Samuel Merrill Gray who was the Engineer for the City of Providence during at least part of that time.

The content of the correspondence is primarily family news and pleas for them to write. Information about the work on the reservoirs is limited but they do discuss how many men are working, their desires for pay raises, and Henry provides a sketch of the hut built for the engineers at Fruit Hill Reservoir.

George's letter dated February 6, 1881 describes skating on Narragansett Bay during a cold snap. Henry provides a lot of details about work on his home - putting down carpets, painting, wall-papering, cleaning, installing a new stove, and purchasing new furniture.

Administrative information

This collection was purchased by the Brown University Library in 2006.

Subjects Civil engineering--United States--1851-1900 Engineers--United States--1851-1900 Middle class--19th century--Family relationships Reservoirs Types of Materials Correspondence RIAMCO Browsing Term Rhode Island/Local Interest George Blinn Francis George Blinn Francis to sisters Julia Francis and Laura Francis, Pettaconsett, Cranston, RI 1 1875 January 17 Scope and Contents note

Working on Sockanosset Reservoir.

George Blinn Francis to Family, Pettaconsett, Cranston, RI 1 1875 March 11 Scope and Contents note

He is in charge of work in Pettaconsett during absence of Mr. Schneider.

George Blinn Francis to sister Laura Francis, Pettaconsett, Cranston, RI 1 1875 May 10 Scope and Contents note

Complains about not getting enough letters from family, got a pay raise, and wishes he could work with brother Henry.

George Blinn Francis to sister Laura Francis, Pettaconsett, Cranston, RI 1 1875 November 8 Scope and Contents note

Traveling home for Thanksgiving.

George Blinn Francis to sisters Julia Francis and Laura Francis, Pettaconsett, Cranston, RI 1 1876 September 15 Scope and Contents note

Mr. Schneider encourages him to go to Philadelphia to attend Centennial, saw brother Henry who had been on a cod fishing excursion and was seasick, Julia must read book “Missionary Patriots” as he knows several of the people described in it.

George Blinn Francis to Family, Pettaconsett, Cranston, RI 1 1876 November 7 Scope and Contents note

Trip by Julia and Laura to Philadelphia, will probably lose his job soon as there is a new board of water commissioners and they want to reduce expenses, he can always do farming as a job.

George Blinn Francis to sister Laura Francis, Providence, RI 1 1877 July 2 Scope and Contents note

Please write.

George Blinn Francis to Family, Providence, RI 1 1877 August 15 Scope and Contents note

Trip to Martha’s Vineyard.

George Blinn Francis to Family, Providence, RI 1 1877 October 23 Scope and Contents note

He and Henry living together, visit of Henry Butler and tour of reservoirs, invites Laura to visit Providence.

George Blinn Francis to Family, Providence, RI 1 1880 April 4 Scope and Contents note

Julia’s marriage to Henry Butler on March 31, working for Mr. Samuel M. Gray in City Engineers office, repairs to Pettaconset.

George Blinn Francis to Family, Providence, RI 1 1881 February 6 Scope and Contents note

Very cold weather which froze Narragansett Bay, he skated on the bay to Gaspee Point and back to Pawtuxet.

George Blinn Francis to Family, Poughkeepsie, NY 1 1882 April 16 Scope and Contents note

Jennie left her husband Niles and her family, George got married to Florence Green and they have just arrived in Poughkeepsie, NY.

George Blinn Francis to Family, Poughkeepsie, NY 1 1882 May 14 Scope and Contents note

Plans for Henry’s new house were enclosed, George works on designing masonry for bridges along a railway line in New York.

Henry Newton Francis Henry Newton Francis to sister Julia Francis, Providence, RI 1 1877 July 6 Scope and Contents note

General news and comments on newspaper clippings enclosed.

Henry Newton Francis to Family, Providence, RI 1 1878 September 15 Scope and Contents note

Reports on honeymoon trip to New York City.

Henry Newton Francis to Family, Providence, RI 1 1878 October 27 Scope and Contents note

Reports on moving into and setting up their new abode in Providence with a long description of the coal-fired stove they purchased.

Henry Newton Francis to sister Laura Francis, Providence, RI 1 1878 December 9 Scope and Contents note

More news on settling into new abode including a sketch of the floorplan.

Henry Newton Francis to sister Laura Francis, Providence, RI 1 1879 August 2 Scope and Contents note

Trips to Buttonwoods Beach, RI and Putnam, CT.

Henry Newton Francis to Family, Providence, RI 1 1880 February 20 Scope and Contents note

Plans for a railroad crossing in Hartford, CT; 3 men drowned in Providence harbor; comments ob presidential candidates.

Henry Newton Francis to Family, Providence, RI 1 1880 November 14 Scope and Contents note

Home renovations, presidential campaign, and politics.

Henry Newton Francis to Family, Providence, RI 1 1880 December 20 Scope and Contents note

Thanking family for his visit and the chickens.

Henry Newton Francis to sister Laura Francis, Providence, RI 1 1881 October 16 Scope and Contents note

Wants to get some grape vines.

Henry Newton Francis to Family, Engineer Headquarters, Fruit Hill Reservoir, North Providence, RI 1 1887 October 14 Scope and Contents note

Work on Fruit Hill Reservoir and sketch of work hut for the engineers.

Jennie Francis Jennie to sister Laura Francis, Lyme, CT, 1879 September 1 1879 September Scope and Contents note

News of the children.