All Items 3

John Lancaster 1978 transcript of Sidney Brooks letter to Obed Brooks, 1838 December 20

Lancaster, John, 1943-

A typed transcript created in 1978 by John Lancaster of a letter from Sidney Brooks to his father Obed Brooks dated December 20, 1838. Sidney writes regarding his health and related expenses. He states that he trusts his sickness is about done with, and he now begins to consider himself as well as anyone can expect to be after recovering from this type of illness. He elaborates on how he is feeling lately, and then goes on to discuss the expenses relating to his illness. He discusses particular bills including payment to a classmate, Mr. Hutchinson, who attended to him after Mr. Eaton had left and before Harriet came, doctor's bills, several bills to Mr. Sandford who owns the boarding house, the club bill, and the college bill. Presumably Mr. Hutchinson and Mr. Eaton refer to classmates Prosper Kimball Hutchinson and Joseph Eaton and Harriet stands for Harriet Newell (Brooks). The identity of Mr. Sandford has not been determined. This document is a transcript of a letter in Box 1 Folder 3 of this collection.

John Lancaster 1978 transcript of Sidney Brooks letter to Obed Brooks, 1838 June 28

Lancaster, John, 1943-

A typed transcript created in 1978 by John Lancaster of a letter from Sidney Brooks to his father Obed Brooks dated June 28, 1838. Sidney writes in order to give Obed an account of his expenses as he states his father had requested. He explains that the following account covers his expenses from the time he commenced studying to the present (first at Phillips Academy in Andover and then at Amherst College). The left side of the account provides details regarding income received and the right lists details regarding expenses. Following the account Sidney writes a few explanatory notes pertaining to particular expenses. He justifies the expenses by writing that he is laboring and in so doing he trusts that he will not want for means of a livelihood hereafter. He also discusses how he is doing in Amherst in general and with his studies in particular. This document is a transcript of a letter in Box 1 Folder 3 of this collection.

John Lancaster transcript of Sidney Brooks letter to Obed Brooks, Jr., 1837 November 29

Lancaster, John, 1943-

A typed transcript created in 1978 by John Lancaster of a letter from Sidney Brooks to his brother Obed Brooks, Jr. dated November 29, 1837. Sidney writes regarding Amherst and his experiences at Amherst College. He asks Obed to follow him with his disembodied spirit so that Sidney can give him a sense of the place, the College, and his college experiences. Sidney begins the virtual tour at the hotel Amherst House. He describes the town of Amherst including its location, its buildings, the main street, and town buildings that relate to the College such as President Heman Humphrey’s house. He then discusses the college grounds and buildings including some details about what takes place in certain buildings, such as Professor Hitchcock's (Edward Hitchcock) chemistry lectures in the laboratory. Sidney goes on to describe his room in South College and the view from the building, noting features of the surrounding area such as Mount Holyoke and the Connecticut River. He describes a typical day for students with activities such as chapel, recitations, and meals. On the last page, Sidney includes other notes to Obed, telling him that he likes the baby's name and asking Obed to remind him on what day their mother died. He also notes that it is Thanksgiving and writes of a memory of their mother. This document is a transcript of a letter in Box 1 Folder 2 of this collection.