Indiana Historical Society - Manuscripts and Archives Department

NEW HARMONY

COLLECTION, 1814-1884

Collection #

M 0219

Table of Contents

Collection Information

Historical Sketch

Scope and Content Note

Box and Folder Listing

Calendar

Cataloging Information

Processed by

Charles Latham, August 1987

Paul Brockman, February 2000

COLLECTION INFORMATION

HISTORICAL SKETCH

New Harmony, in Posey County in southwestern Indiana, was the site of two utopian experiments in the early nineteenth century.   The first, the Harmony Society, was a group of German Pietists who had come to Pennsylvania in 1804 and founded a communist society.  Led by George Rapp and his adopted son Frederick, they settled at New Harmony from 1815 to 1825, but then moved again, to Economy, Pa., on the Ohio River near Pittsburgh.  In 1825 the New Harmony settlement was sold to the British industrialist and philanthropist, Robert Owen.  Owen attempted to put into effect there his theories of socialism and human betterment.  These were based on absolute equality of property, labor, and opportunity, combined with freedom of speech and action.  The Owenite community failed within two years, but Owen and his family continued both their ownership of the land at New Harmony and their interest in social reform. 

Robert Owen (1771-1857), born in Wales, had limited schooling.  He worked as a draper, then managed a Manchester cotton mill.  Impressed by the need to improve working conditions in the mills, he in 1800 assumed control of the New Lanark mills in Scotland, owned by his father-in-law David Dale, and sought to establish ideal conditions there.  The New Lanark mills, while becoming a landmark of industrial reform, also continued to be an outstanding financial success.

Owen worked to establish free education and to protect child labor.  In 1825 he bought the Rappite settlement at New Harmony, with the idea of establishing an industrial democracy and a model educational system.  He attracted there a notable group of scientists and educators, led by William Maclure.  After the failure of New Harmony, Owen continued to write, lecture, and work for his ideals.  His views became more radical, and at the end included a belief in spiritualism. 

Robert Dale Owen (1801-1877) was the eldest son of Robert Owen.  After being educated by private tutors and at a progressive school in Switzerland, he ran the schools at his father's factory at New Lanark and then at New Harmony.  When Robert Owen left New Harmony shortly after its founding, he left Robert Dale in charge.  After the failure of New Harmony, Robert Dale worked in various progressive circles, with Frances Wright, with his father, and with a group in New York called "The Free Enquirers."

  Robert Dale Owen served in the Indiana legislature (1836-1838, 1851) and was an active and useful member of the Indiana Constitutional Convention of 1850.  He served in the national House of Representatives (1843-1847).  While there, he sponsored the bill setting up the Smithsonian Institution; later he served as chairman of the Smithsonian building committee.  In the 1850s he served as a diplomat in Italy, and embraced spiritualism.  During the Civil War he was an influential advocate, first of emancipation, then of the rights of freedmen, but he opposed immediate enfranchisement of African-Americans.  He wrote several books as well as an autobiography.

William Owen (1802-1842) was Robert Owen's second son.  Educated by tutors and in Switzerland, he came to America with his father in 1824, settled at New Harmony, and remained there until his death.  He tried without great success to look out for his family's business interests at New Harmony.  He married Mary Bolton, daughter of an Englishman who had come to New Harmony as a student of William Maclure and who later ran a mill there. 

  William and Mary Owen had one daughter, Mary Frances, born in 1837.  Her first husband was Henry Fitton (1837-1873).  On his death she married Joel W. Hiatt.

David Dale Owen (1807-1860) was the third son of Robert Owen.  He studied in Switzerland, at New Harmony, at London University, and at Ohio Medical College.  He became an accomplished geologist.  At different times he served as geologist of the United States and as state geologist of Indiana, Kentucky, and Arkansas.  He also did important federal geological surveys in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota.  He married Caroline Neef, daughter of Joseph Neef, an Alsatian teacher and a disciple of Pestalozzi, who had been brought to New Harmony by William Maclure.

Richard Owen (1810-1890) was Robert Owen's youngest son.  Educated at New Lanark, in Switzerland, and in Glasgow, he came to New Harmony in 1828 and taught in the community schools.  After the breakup of the community, he engaged in business at both Cincinnati and New Harmony.  In the 1850s he taught natural science and also earned a medical degree.  He served in both the Mexican and Civil Wars; during the latter he was for a time commanding officer of Camp Morton, the prison camp in Indianapolis.  From 1864 to 1879 he held the chair of natural science at Indiana University.  His wife was Anna Neef, sister of his brother's wife Caroline.

James M. Dorsey (1776-1857) was born in Maryland, but in 1804 moved with his family to Oxford, Ohio.  When the school (later Miami University) was founded there in 1811 Dorsey was selected as the teacher.  He also served as clerk, justice of the peace, postmaster, and member of the state legislature.  In 1816 he organized "The Rational Brethren of Oxford," a utopian society which never actually came into being.  In 1827 Dorsey went to New Harmony to take charge of educating "the young Harmonians."  The $3000 which he was authorized to spend the first year was to come from rents which did not materialize.  Dorsey shortly was delegated by the Owen family to take care of their business interests at New Harmony, and remained there until at least 1833.

Miner K. Kellogg (1814-1889) was born at Manlius Square, New York, and came to New Harmony with his parents in 1827.  After the failure of the New Harmony community, the family briefly joined another utopian group near Jeffersonville, then returned to Cincinnati.  At an early age, Kellogg attracted attention as a portrait painter.  He received from President Van Buren an unusual appointment to West Point to study geometry.  As a painter, he gained perhaps most of his reputation from his portraits of famous men, including Presidents Washington, Jackson, Van Buren, Polk, and Garfield, General Winfield Scott, and Sir Stratford Canning.  He also painted many women in exotic costume, as well as landscapes in the Mediterranean and the American West.  In his youth, while living in Cincinnati, Kellogg became a friend of the sculptor Hiram Powers.  He later served as his agent, and from 1847 to 1850 devoted his time to arranging exhibitions of Powers's famous statue of a Greek Slave.  Their relationship ended in a disagreement.

  In the 1850s Kellogg traveled and painted in Europe and the Near East.  He was a friend of the archaeologist A. H. Layard, and handled all the news releases of the latter's excavations at Nineveh.  Kellogg became an art collector of considerable discernment.  He ended his days at Toledo, Ohio.

Charles Alexandre LeSueur (1778-1846) was born at LeHavre, and attended the Royal Military School.  In 1800-1804 he was a member of a French scientific expedition to Australia, and in 1815-1816 on another to the West Indies.  In 1816 he came to America, and in the following two years he made a western tour with William Maclure.  Coming to New Harmony in 1826, he taught drawing there until 1837, then continued his scientific work in Paris, writing and illustrating many works.

William Maclure (1763-1840) was born in Scotland.  Quite early in his career he made a fortune, which enabled him to spend the rest of his life in scientific pursuits.  After two earlier visits to the United States, he became a citizen in 1803, and settled in Philadelphia.  He traveled widely, and did pioneer work in the geology of North America and the West Indies.  An early member of the Academy of Natural Sciences, he served for twenty-three years as its president.

Maclure was enthusiastic over Pestalozzi's educational methods.  He tried to start an agricultural school in Spain, and encouraged two Pestalozzian schools in Paris, one run by Phiquepal d'Arusmont, the other by Mme. Fretageot, both of whom later came to New Harmony.  He persuaded Joseph Neef to come to America to spread Pestalozzi's system, and set up an agricultural school at New Harmony, which survived the demise of the utopian community.  Later he founded the New Harmony Working Men's Institute.  Mainly for reasons of health, he spent most of his later years in Mexico.

Thomas Say, born in Philadelphia in 1787, is called the father of descriptive entomology in America.  An original member of the Academy of Natural Sciences, he accompanied Stephen Long's expeditions to the West in 1819 and 1823.  In 1824-1828 he published "American Entomology,"  and in 1830-1834 "American Conchology";  he also prepared a work on ornithology.  He went to New Harmony in 1825, and died there in 1834.

William Augustus Twigg (1794-1877) was born in London, and came to the United States with his family in 1818.  Landing in Baltimore, he came first to Illinois, then to Vincennes, finally to New Harmony.  In 1828 he married Virginia DuPalais, a niece of Charles Alexandre LeSueur.  He became a lawyer, and at different times acted as judge, merchant, and druggist.  In 1830 he was appointed a brigadier general in the Indiana volunteers.  He was largely responsible for the establishment of an Episcopal Church, St. Stephen's, in New Harmony in 1841.  When William Maclure died in Mexico in 1840, Twigg took on a mission to that country to settle the estate.  After the Civil War he was appointed postmaster in New Harmony.

Frances Wright (1795-1852) was born at Dundee and educated at Glasgow.  In 1818-1820 she traveled in America, and wrote a book about her experiences.  From 1821 to 1824 she lived in Paris, moving in liberal circles.  In 1824 she came to New Harmony.  She wrote articles for the New Harmony Gazette, and concurrently established a settlement at Nashoba, Tenn., where Negro slaves could work out their liberty.  This experiment failed.  Between 1829 and 1836 she delivered many lectures on social questions, attacking slavery and organized religion and advocating female suffrage.  In 1838 she married Phiquepal d'Arusmont, but they were later separated.  She died in Cincinnati.

Sources

  Estabrook, Arthur A., "The family history of Robert Owen," in Indiana

Magazine of History, March 1923, pp. 63-101

Bestor, Arthur E., Jr., Backwoods Utopias, Philadelphia, 1950

Who Was Who-- Science and Technology

Dictionary of American Biography

Materials in collection

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

This collection fills three manuscript boxes.  It consists of original letters, contracts, and deeds, and one box of photocopies.  Items relating to the Owen family are arranged by sender, and chronologically within group.  The papers of James M. Dorsey, William Augustus Twigg, and the Harmony Society are arranged chronologically.

  Taken as a whole, the collection affords some interesting material both on the New Harmony community over half a century and on many of the diverse personalities associated with the community over that period.

  Box 1 contains material relating to the Owen family.  The items relating to Robert Owen, in Folders 1-6, include an 1827 letter outlining his beliefs, a copy of his arrangement with George Rapp, and an outline of how he distributed land to the different communities at New Harmony.

  The most voluminous Owen family material, in Folders 7-16, concerns Robert Dale Owen.  It shows him in action in Congress and as a trustee of the Smithsonian Institution; as a diplomat and as a purchasing agent for the Union government; and as a reformer and author.

The one letter from David Dale Owen (Folder 6) concerns a geological survey of 1847.  Three 1880 letters from Richard Owen are to John H. Holliday who was writing a history of New Harmony; there is also an essay about the Educational Society at New Harmony (Folders 17-18). Finally, there are single items written by William Owen, Henry Fitton, and Joel Hiatt (Folders 19-21).

  The James M. Dorsey papers (Box 2, Folders 1-6) include seven from Robert Owen to Dorsey. One of these comments on methods of land distribution, and another on Alexander Campbell, leader of the Disciples of Christ.  Another series, of 1830, from William Owen to Dorsey, describes Owen's travails on a trip to New Orleans to try to sell the community's agricultural products.  Finally, a series from Robert Dale Owen comments on William Owen's financial problems and other affairs at New Harmony.

  The William Augustus Twigg papers (Box 2, Folders 7-12) contain three items concerning C. A. LeSueur: an 1815 contract between him and William Maclure, the termination of that contract, and an 1838 letter describing LeSueur's activities after his removal to Paris.  There are also four items, dating 1828, relating to the New Harmony Thespian Society.  The papers relating to Twigg himself concern his military service (1830-1832), the baptism of his children by Episcopal missionary bishop Jackson Kemper in 1838, his mission to Mexico in 1840 to settle William Maclure's estate, and his appointment as New Harmony postmaster in 1866.

Folders 13-16 of Box 2 contain two letters from Thomas Say, one concerning his book on conchology; one from William Maclure's brother Alexander describing Thomas Say's death; three letters from the d'Arusmont family; a song, "Ebor Nova," written by Stedman Whitwell of New Harmony; and the transcript of an account by Achilles Fretageot of a flatboat trip to New Orleans in the winter of 1833-1834.

  The papers of Miner K. Kellogg (Box 2, Folders 22-30), contain considerable material about Kellogg's life, particularly the brief period when as a boy he lived at New Harmony.  They include an undated private journal, and notes for an autobiography which are partly in finished form (including his New Harmony period) and partly in the form of lists and sketches.  There is also the beginning of a Life and Times of Kellogg, which does not get beyond his family background.

  Box 3 contains photocopies of the documents published by Indiana Historical Society as Indiana Decade of the Harmony Society, 1814-1824 (2 volumes, 1975 and 1978), which were donated by the editor, Karl J. R. Arndt.

BOX AND FOLDER LISTING

Box 2:  James Dorsey, 1827-1849; William Twigg, 1815-1864; General Correspondence, 1824-1860; Miner Kellogg, n.d.

Box 3:  Photocopies of Harmony Society Manuscripts, 1814-1824 (used in Arndt, Indiana Decade of the Harmony Society)

CALENDAR

ROBERT OWEN                                                 

  3-31-1821   Robert Owen, New Lanark, to Miss Somervill, Edinburgh.     

                           Sending copy of my works.  General statement of beliefs.

                           ALS  4p

  8-20-1826   T. J. V. Neef and ten others, New Harmony, to Robert Owen.    

                           Petition expressing dissatisfaction with the operation of

                           the community, esp. with one teacher using corporal

                           punishment.  ALS  2p

  4-23-1827   Robert Owen, New Harmony, to Frederick Rapp.              

                           Arrangement to pay $30,000 for land.  ALS 1p.   Copy--

                           original in Darlington Collection, University of Pittsburgh

                           Library.

  7-26-1827   Robert Owen, Liverpool.                                  

                           "The conditions on which I have made the contracts for the

                           land with the new communities..."  ALS 4p

9-8-1827    Robert Owen to W. Hone, Belvedere Place.                  

                           Concerning copies of The Life of James Allen, the Piper.

                           ALS  3p  (Transferred from Mitten collection)

  11-11-1828  Robert Owen, London, to Miss Ronalds, Croydon.            

                           Little chance to meet you since I am planning to leave for

                           Mexico.  Am more sanguine than ever in my expectations of a

                           great and effective change in the social system.  Things

                           going well at New Harmony.  You will be wanted in organizing

                           the infant school there.   ALS  3p

ROBERT DALE OWEN

  7-16-1829   R. D. Owen, in Kentucky , to the editors of the National   

                           Intelligencer, New York.  I hear that Mr. C.Schulz of

                           Virginia has challenged me, Miss Wright, and Mr. Houston,

                           editor of the Correspondent, to a theological debate.

                           I disapprove of the spirit in which the Correspondent is

                           conducted, and decline to enter into any discussion whatever.

                           ALS  1p

  8-2-1840    R. D. Owen, New York, to Julius R. Ames, Albany.

                           I am sending you by our excellent friend Josiah Warren a

                           number of popular and other tracts.  Warren is an old friend

                           of the cause of equal exchange of labor.  ALS  2p

  12-9-1843   R. D. Owen, Washington City, to Jos. H. Hedges, Philadelphia. 

                           Here is the autograph you requested.  ALS  1p

3-15-1844   R. D. Owen, House of Representatives, Washington, to L. J. List,

                           Esq.  I enclose a copy of my speech on the Oregon question.

                           My bill may pass the House.  ALS  1p

  5-13-1844   R. D. Owen, Washington, to Richard E. Stilwell, Esq.

                           I send my autograph.  I am a Representative, and a trustee

                           of the University of Indiana.  ALS  2p

  [1846?]     Order for 2000 copies of R. D. O.'s speech on the Mexican

                        War.

  7-24-1846   R. D. Owen, Washington.   Enclosing a copy of Schiller's

                           "The Ideal."  ALS  1p  Torn from a book.

  7-28-1846   R. D. Owen, Washington, to editor of a paper.

                           Enclosing lines written by an amiable lady about the

                           unfortunate McNulty.  ALS  1p

  8-11-1846   R. D. Owen, Washington.   At the President's levee this evening

                           I would like to introduce to you a lady from New York.

                           ALS  1p

  11-18-1846  R. D. Owen, New York, to Professor Silliman.

                           I had hoped to talk with you in New Haven next Friday about

                           types of stone which could be quarried near Washington

                           out of which the new Smithsonian Institution could be built.

                           ALS   4p

3-26-1847  R. D. Owen, [Washington], to Robert J. Walker, Secretary of   

                           the Treasury.  On behalf of brother Dr. [David Dale] Owen,

                           asks about decision in regard to geological survey of

                           Wisconsin. ALS 3p

  4-20-1847   R. D. Owen, Washington, to Hon. Ro .J. Walker.

                           I am leaving for the West tomorrow.  It would be a great

                           favor if my brother's business could be expedited today.

                           ALS  1p

  10-10-1847  R. D. Owen, on board steamboat above Marietta, to Hon. Benj.

                           Tappan.  Mr. Stanton has given me news of you.  Through

                           him I have sent an article about the extension of slavery, on

                           which  your  comments would be welcome.  I am on the way to

                           Washington on the business of the Smithsonian Institution.

                           ALS  4p

  12-20-1847  R. D. Owen, Washington, to M. K. Kellogg, Cincinnati.

                           Re: possible placement of Mr. Powers's The Slave in a tower

                           at the Smithsonian.  ALS  3p

  5-17-1848   R. D. Owen, Washington, to M. K. Kellogg, Baltimore.

                           Have you received any answer from Mr. Powers to our

                           proposition re: The Slave?  I agree that Smithson might

                           be painted in his laboratory.  ALS  3p

  9-13-1848   R. D. Owen.   I enclose for Mr. Defrees a copy of the article

                           I wrote a year ago about the non-extension of slavery.

                           Please return to the Sentinel office.  ALS  1p

  12-22-1848  R. D. Owen, Washington, to M. K. Kellogg, National Academy of

                           Design, New York.  I enclose letters to Messrs. Durant and

                           Slidell.  Please send me sketch and suggestions about tribune

                           for The Slave.  Address me at Rathbun Hotel, New York.

                           ALS  3p

  6-23-1850   R. D. Owen, New Harmony, to Mrs. Bolton, [Louisville]. 

                           I too have suffered from stage fright.  Clay's speech on

                           Compromise was a great one.  I wish I could have been in the

                           Senate to support him.  ALS  4p

  7-6-1850    R. D. Owen, New Harmony, to Mrs. Sarah T.Bolton.

                           Long description of the Flower family.  My Fourth of July

                           oration was successful.  What have you written lately?  ALS  6p

  6-?-1852    "Memoranda regarding revised Bills."  R. D. Owen 1852.

                           Memoranda of the important changes, as compared with the old

                           law, made in Bills, reported from the Committee on Revision."

                           Notebook.

  3-2-1854    R. D. Owen, Chairman, Building Committee, I.O.O.F., to

                           N. Hayden.  Certificate for ten shares of capital stock.

                           DS  1p

2-7-1855    Franklin Pierce to R. D. Owen.  Grant of power to negotiate

                           a convention with the Sicilian government concerning

                           commerce, navigation, and extradition.  DS  1p

  3-1-1860    R. D. Owen, New York, to Horace Seaver, Boston.

                           Enclosing copy of "Footfalls".  ALS  2p

  10-14-1862  R. D. Owen, New York.  Concerning delays in shipment of

                           breech loading carbines.  ALS  4p

  5-9-1863    R. D. Owen, New York, to F. J. Dreer.  

                           Enclosing letter from Mrs. Davis, a spry lady of over

                           seventy.  ALS  1p

  5-9-1863    Maj. Gen. John A.Dix, Ft. Monroe.  Pass for R. D. Owen

                           and Dr. Howe, U.S. Commissioners, with clerks and

                           attendants, to travel by rail and steamer.  ALS  1p

  7-28-1863   R. D. Owen, American Freedmen's Inquiry Commission, New York,

                           to F. J. Dreer.   Enclosing Lincoln letter and Greek and

                           Turkish stamps.  ALS  2p

7-2-1865    R. D. Owen, New York, to F. J. Dreer, [Philadelphia].

                           Enclosing autograph letters from Charles Sumner,

                           Hugh McCulloch, and novelist Alice Cary.  ALS  1p

  11-25-1865  R. D. Owen, New York, to F. J. Dreer.   Enclosing. clipping.

                           Mention of proposed amendments to Constitution.  ALS  1p

  6-21-1867   R. D. Owen, New York, to Saml. Churchman.

                           Unless you pay $500 at once, you are liable to lose

                           $30,000 to $40,000, and I am, too.  My sources of

                           information are privileged, but very persuasive.  ALS  3p

  2-7-1868    R. D. Owen, Maple Ridge [near Newark, N.J.], to James T.

                           Fields.   I am visiting Mrs. M.E.Dodge, author of "Hans

                           Brinker."  She has read me a story you might like for

                           "Our Young Folks."  Other publishers like her work.  ALS  3p

  11-29-1868  R. D. Owen [care F. J. Dreer], Philadelphia, to I. N. Tifft.

                           On my way from New Harmony I met Mr. Cisneros, nephew of

                           Cuban liberal leader Zarco.  I suggested you as a possible

                           agent for the liberal cause, and mentioned your work for

                           Juarez in Mexico.  ALS  8p

  2-1-1870    R. D. Owen, Cambridge, Mass., to Rev. Edw. Everett Hale.

                           Enclosing a manuscript of memoirs of 25 years of public

                           life.  Am aware of the danger of bias, but have done a

                           lot of research.  Mr. Stanton read part of it, and agreed

                           with my assessment of Lincoln-- a matter on which we once

                          differed.  ALS  3p

  2-1-1870    R. D. Owen, Cambridge, to F. J. Dreer [Philadelphia].

                           Thanks for copies of Celebration pamphlet.  I enclose a letter

                           from Emerson.  We may stop with you on the way West to spend

                           the summer working on "Debatable Land".  ALS  2p

  3-30-1870  R. D. Owen, New York, to F. J. Dreer, [Philadelphia}. 

                           Please send me your remedy for a crick in the back.

                           Could your son make three rings for me like the enclosed?

                           ALS  3p

  4-9-1870    R. D. Owen, Cambridge, to F. J. Dreer, [Philadelphia].

                           Thanks for your lumbago recipe, and for the rings.  Payment

                           enclosed.  Getting on with book-- will have to stay another

                           month near Boston and Cambridge libraries.  ALS  2p

  10-7-1870   R. D. Owen, New Harmony, to F. J. Dreer, [Philadelphia].

                           Sorry I couldn't visit.  Have just finished 140-page

                           address to the Protestant clergy, opening up the subject of

                           spiritualism.  Enclosing letter of S. P. Chase.  ALS  2p

  4-7-1873    R. D. Owen, Boston. to W. D. Howells, [Boston].

                           Please send check for May number of my autobiography.

                           Presume my review of Manual of German Philosophy has not

                           yet been used.  ALS  1p

  5-27-1873   R. D. Owen, Cambridge, Mass., to Col. T. W. Higginson, [Boston].

                           I am afraid I can't speak in the Tremont Temple; my voice is

                           too weak, and I have been too busy to make adequate

                           preparation.  I would be glad to attend a business meeting

                           of the officers.  ALS  3p

  6-10-1873   R. D. Owen, Cambridge, to C. H. Phillips.

                           Sending autograph.  ALS  1p

  11-17-1873  R. D. Owen, New York, to Edwin Barrows.

                           Sending autograph.  ALS  1p

  7-6-1874    R. D. Owen, [Philadelphia], to F. J. Dreer,[Philadelphia].

                           Have been occupied.  Hope to have tea with you on Tuesday.

                           ALS  1p

  n.d.        R. D. Owen, Clinton Hall Hotel, to J. W. Francis.

                           Accepting invitation.  ALS  1p

  n.d.        R. D. Owen, New Harmony, to Mr. Welles.  Autograph.  ALS 1p

  n.d.        R. D. Owen.  Enclosing vouchers.  The Gov. will please send this

                           note to Mr. Ray after Mr. Lange signs it.  ADS  1p

DAVID DALE OWEN

  5-8-1847    David Dale Owen, New Harmony, to A. J. Chase, Stoneham, Mass.

                           Sorry I can't offer you a position in the geological corps

                           about to explore the new Chippewa Land District.  ALS  1p

RICHARD OWEN

  12-13-1880  Richard Owen, New Harmony, Ind., to John H. Holliday,

                           Indianapolis.  I will be glad to get you materials and

                           pictures about the Community.  ALS  4p

  12-21-1880  Richard Owen, New Harmony, to John H. Holliday, Indianapolis.

                           Am forwarding sketches and likenesses.  Mention of main

                           buildings, prominent individuals.  Tells what became of lands.

                           ALS  7p

  12-25-1880  Richard Owen, New Harmony, to John H. Holliday, Indianapolis.

                           Have shipped a total of twenty likenesses and drawings, also

                           some of my writings.  ALS  3p

  [1884]      Richard Owen.  "Educational Society at New Harmony, Ind."

                           AD  18p

WILLIAM OWEN

  2-20-1837   William Owen  to Mary Bolton.   Now that Harry Prince has

                           gone, I am emboldened to ask your hand in marriage.  ALS  9p

HARRY FITTON

  5-3-1837    Harry [Fitton], New Harmony, to Fannie [Mary Frances] Owen,

                           Nashville, Tenn.   News from New Harmony and of Aunt Betsy.

JOEL HIATT

n.d              [Joel W. Hiatt].   Description of five mounds three miles east

                           of Mount Vernon.  AD  13p

JAMES M. DORSEY PAPERS

  2-6-1827    Robert Owen, New Harmony, to James M. Dorsey, Oxford, Ohio.

                           In a community with so much unavoidable inequality, Mr.

                           Rapp's idea of equality was impracticable.  Plans now to

                           apportion lands in a way to encourage those who want to work

                           together in manufacturing and agricultural communities.  I am

                           confirmed in thinking that an entire change is necessary in

                           the constitution of society. You will not expect much ease or

                           comfort in our new society.  ALS  4p

  5-31-1827   Robert Owen, [New Harmony], to J. M. Dorsey, New Harmony.

                           I entrust to you the general direction of educating young

                           Harmonians.  I have promised $3,000 to education this year.

                           Try to buy things made locally.  ALS  3p

  2-3-1828    Robert Owen, on steamboat George Washington, about 100 miles

                           above Natchez, to Mr. Dorsey, Boarding School, New Harmony.

                           I look forward to seeing you soon and hearing of your

                           trying experiences.  ALS  2p

6-9-1828    Robert Owen.  Power of attorney given to his sons Robert Dale

                           and William, and same transferred to James M. Dorsey.

                           ADS  1p

  7-14-1828   Robert Owen, Wheeling, to J. M. Dorsey, New Harmony.

                           Tells of being with Mr. Campbell, and fixing the date for

                           their debate, and an appraisal of Campbell.  Mentions having

                           visited the communities of Kendal and Zoah.  ALS  2p

  3-21-1829   Robert Owen.   General power of attorney to J. M. Dorsey,

                           witnessed by Robert Dale, William, and David Dale Owen.

                           ADS  1p

  4-4-1829    Robert Owen, New Harmony, to James M. Dorsey, New Harmony.

                           Deed of a lot, witnessed by William and David Dale Owen.

                           ADS  2p

1-31-1830   R. D. Owen, New York, to James M. Dorsey, New Harmony,

                           Complete discussion of political conditions in New York,

                           and the progress he is making there in building up a

                           workingmen's party.  Busy also editing Gazette.  Asks Dorsey

                           to take over both the paper in New Harmony and the complete

                           agency of his property in New Harmony, in place of his

                           brother William, who is too busy and not assertive.  ALS  4p

  4-5-1830    William Owen, New Orleans, La., to J. M. Dorsey, Louisville.

                           Deals at length with a controversy concerning the claims

                           of Mr. Morris at Natchez.  If steam engine is operating

                           and corn is available,  distilling can commence.  ALS  3p

  4-7-1830    William Owen, New Orleans, La., to J. M. Dorsey, Louisville.

                           Have been sued in New Orleans because of a note at

                           Louisville which Mr. Morris was en route to pay.  ALS  1p

  5-6-1830    William Owen, near Baton Rouge, La., to J. M. Dorsey. New

                           Harmony.  Further reference to suit.  Disappointment in

                           connection with sale of produce from New Harmony-- beef

                           and pork packed improperly, etc.  Sugar, molasses, etc.

                           have been bought and are being shipped.  ALS  2p

  n.d.        Richard Owen to Mr. Dorsey.  Mr. Ward has put up the

                           meat wretchedly.  The saddler wishes to pay for his rent

                           in corn.  Rogers family have been ordered to move, but

                           fail to do so.  ALS  1p

  5-10-1830   William Owen, New Orleans, La., to J. M. Dorsey. New

                           Harmony.  More about involved financial difficulties.

                           ALS  3p

  7-3-1830    R. D. Owen, New York, to J. M. Dorsey, New Harmony.

                           Sets forth a plan for taking William out of his

                           financial difficulties by buying his share of New

                           Harmony and lending him additional funds.  National education

                           as a political issue.  Mention of Frances Wright's

                           participation.  ALS  4p

  8-7-1831    R. D. Owen, New York, to J. M. Dorsey.  Sending copies of Miss

                           Wright's lectures, Quen Mab, and of other books recently

                           recently published by us.  ALS  1p

  10-20-1832  R. D. Owen, London, to James M. Dorsey, New Harmony.

                           Difficulties in getting transportation to America.  Will come

                           in spring.  Intend to make New Harmony my permanent residence,

                           and to build in the Labyrinth.  Enclose William's deed.

                           ALS  4p

  3-2-1833    R. D. Owen, Louisville, to J. M. Dorsey, New Harmony.

                           Tells of arrangements to sell the mill at New Harmony, and

                           asks that a complete description of the mill be sent to the

                           buyer, Mr. Tarascon of Shippingport.  ALS  3p.  In Dorsey's

                           hand, in pencil, is written a description of the mill.

  5-20-1833  Robert Owen, London, to [J. M. Dorsey, New Harmony].

                           Hopes to return to New Harmony to spend later days of his

                           life.  Entrusts entire management of his affairs to Dorsey and

                           his sons.  Tells of his work in London, and his hopes and

                           ideals.  Importance of educating both young and old.  Plans

                           meeting in May to announce new system of society.  ALS  4p

  5-10-1849   R. D. Owen, New Harmony, to J. M. Dorsey.  Tells of poor condition

                           of the burying ground, about which Dorsey has apparently sent

                           an inquiry.  ALS  2p

  WILLIAM AUGUSTUS TWIGG PAPERS

  8-8-1815    Paris.  Agreement in French between William Maclure and

                           Charles Alexandre LeSueur re: an expedition to the U.S.

                           LeSueur to make sketches on natural history and to pickle

                           specimens.  The two parties to share credit for any

                           publication, also any profit or expenses from the trip.

                           Witnessed by Isaac Cox Barnet, U. S. Consul at Paris.  ADS  4p

  6-27-1818   William Maclure, Phildelphia, to C. A. LeSueur.

                           Ending the contract between them, and ceding certain items

                           and rights to LeSueur.  ADS  2p

  7-28-1828   William Owen, Jr.  List of stockholders in New Harmony

                           Thespian Society.  ADS  2p

  7-28-1828   William Owen, Jr.  Statement of accounts of Thespian Society.

                           ADS  1p

  n.d.        Three tickets to New Harmony Thespian Society, signed by

                           Wm. Owen, Jr., and John Schnee.  Issued to William Maclure [1]

                           and W. A. Twigg (2).

  n.d.        Cast of characters for "John Bull, or the Englishman's

                           Fireside".  AD  2p

  1-1-1830   Richard Owen, Thomas Ward, and John Wheatcroft, New Harmony,

                           to W. A. Twigg.  Congratulations on appointment as Brig. Genl.

                           of 12th Brigade.  ALS  1p

  8-20-1832   Noah Noble, Indianapolis, to Brig. Genl. Twigg, New Harmony.

                           Thanks for the offer of service by your brigade, but action

                           on the N. W. frontier is the responsibility of the federal

                           government.  If Gen. Scott, now at Chicago with 400 men, asks

                           for help, your brigade may be called on.  ALS  1p

  4- - 1834   Thomas Say, agent for William Maclure.  Agreement with Robert

                           Dale Owen, agent for Robert Owen, to open a part of South

                           Street.  AD  1p (copy)

  6-7-1835    John Badollet, Vincennes, to Wm. Twigg, New Harmony.

                           Had a muddy trip home.  Smallpox here.  The Wabash may flood

                           your bottom land here.  Thanks to you and Mr. LeSueur for

                           your hospitality.  ALS  1p

  3-30-1838   C.A.LeSueur, Paris, to Mr. and Mrs. Twigg, New Harmony.

                           Transatlantic news.  Mention of M. LeBreton, M. Badollet,

                           Mr. Neef.  ALS  3p (French)

  6-13-1838   Jackson Kemper.  Baptismal certificate for three children

                           of William and Virginia Poulard Twigg.  ADS  1p

  11-11-1840  Alexander Maclure, executor of will of William Maclure,

                           to William Augustus Twigg.  Power of attorney in Mexico.

                           ADS  2p

  11-20-1840  Anna Maclure, New Harmony, to William Augustus Twigg.

                           Power of attorney in Mexico.  ADS  2p

  11-25-1840  John Forsyth, Secretary of State, Washington, D.C., to

                           William Augustus Twigg.  Passport.  DS  1p

  12-9-1840   Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, to W. A. Twigg.

                           Power of attorney re: the effects of William Maclure in

                           Mexico.  ADS  1p

   2-26-1841   Robt. Bridges, Secretary, Academy of Natural Sciences,

                           Philadelphia, to W. A. Twigg.  Notice of election as

                           Correspondent of Academy.  ALS  1p

  3-14-1841   Printed invitation in Spanish to a ball in honor of

                           President Bustamente of Mexico.

  4-1-1841    Powhatan Ellis, Mexico City, to W. A. Twigg, Vera Cruz.

                           Wishes for a good trip to New York.  Enclosing a letter

                           from Mr. Maclure.  ALS  1p

  5-24-1841   Samuel George Morton to William Augustus Twigg, Philadelphia.

                           I send you a copy of my memoir of Wm. Maclure.  Please look

                           it over before his son arrives.  I have asked Mr. Speakman to

                           withdraw his caveat to Mexico re: Mr. Maclure's will; he was

                           flurried and embarrassed.  ALS  1p

  8-27-1845   James Whitcomb, Governor of Indiana, to W. A. Twigg.

                           Commission as Associate Judge for Posey County. DS  1p

  11-5-1845   R. D. Owen and brothers, New Harmony, to W. A. Twigg, New

                           Harmony.  Deed of land.  ADS  3p

  1-11-1864   O. P. Morton, Governor of Indiana, to Alexander G. Twigg.

                           Commission as 1st Lt. in 10th Cavalry Volunteers.  DS  1p

  11-22-1866  Alexander W. Randall, Postmaster General, to W. A. Twigg.

                           Appointment as Postmaster at New Harmony.  DS  1p

  OTHERS

  4- -1832    Thomas Say, New Harmony, to Mr. Lorfeuille, Cincinnati.

                           Introducing Mr. Ward, a teacher at Mr. Maclure's school,

                           who comes to Cincinnati to find someone to come here as

                           artist, engraver, and bookbinder.  ALS  1p

  12-18-1833  Thomas Say, New Harmony, to D. Humphreys Storer, Boston.

                           Am engaged on a work on conchology.  Appreciate offer of

                           shells; sending list of those needed.  Have not yet

                           received sufficient subscriptions to pay for coloring in the

                           book.  Several people are helping get subscriptions.  ALS  1p

  10-10-1834  Alexander Maclure to Jacob Gilliams, Philadelphia.

                           Describing death of Thomas Say on 10-10.  He left no will.

                           Mrs. Say coming to New York when river becomes navigable for

                           steamboats.  ALS  1p

  6-9-1840    W. P. d'Arusmont, Cincinnati, to Mme. W. P. d'Arusmont, Paris.

                           Mr. Kellogg, a painter who goes to Europe to study, will

                           bring you this letter.  He did a fine portrait of Gen. Jackson.

   Please help him.  ALS  1p

  8-11-1844   Frances Wright d'Arusmont to Mr. Watson.  Have written a

                           little work for the press.  Mr. Myles will bring it out.

                           Political letters will appear afterward.  ALS  2p

  8-6-1851    F. Sylva P. d'Arusmont, Paris  [to Mrs. Watson].

                           M. Cabet's acquittal has helped him and the cause.  He will

                           see Mr. Owen in London.  We leave Southampton on the 13th.

                           Mr. Petin's system of navigating in the air-- a great

                           discovery.  ALS  3p

  n.d.        "Ebor Nova," written by Mr. Stedman Whitwell of New Harmony.

                           Sung on board the ship New York.  Composed by Signor Garcia.

                           AD  1p

CATALOGING INFORMATION

For additional information on this collection, including a list of subject headings that may lead you to related materials:

1. Go to the Indiana Historical Society's online catalog:  http://opac.indianahistory.org/
2. Click on the "Local Catalog" icon.
3. Search for the collection by its call number, using the letter or letters designation and four digits (e.g., M 0715, SC 2234).
4. When you find the collection, go to the "Holdings" screen for a list of headings that can be searched for related materials.