Martha's Vineyard Museum
A Finding Aid to the Seaman's Bethel Collection, 1808, 1875-2001
Table of Contents
Descriptive Summary
| Repository | Martha's Vineyard Museum,
Gale Huntington Research Library 59 School Street P.O. Box 1310 Edgartown, MA 02539 (508) 627-4441 |
|---|---|
| Call Number | RU 246 |
| Creator | Danielson, Maria |
| Creator | Seafarer's Friend |
| Title | Seaman's Bethel Collection |
| Date [inclusive] | 1808, 1875-2001. |
| Extent | 7.5 Boxes and 1 Record Carton (4.927 cubic feet). |
| Language | The materials are in English. |
| Abstract | The collection contains materials from and related to the Seaman's Bethel in Vineyard Haven, Mass. |
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions.
Use and Reproduction Restrictions
Requests to reproduce material from this collection should be directed to the library's staff. Reproduction fees may apply.
Preferred Citation
Martha's Vineyard Museum, RU 246, Seaman's Bethel Collection.
Acquisition Information
The collection's materials were acquired through numerous sources, some of which are unknown.
- Gift of Seafarer's Friend in 2006 (Accession no. 2006.054). [Donation]
- Gift of Maria Danielson (Accession no. 2008.052). [Donation]
- Gift of Kenneth Edwards Sr. (Accession no. 2014.016). [Donation]
Publication Information
Martha's Vineyard Museum
Gale Huntington Research Library59 School Street
P.O. Box 1310
Edgartown, MA 02539
(508) 627-4441
Processing Information
Finding aid prepared and machine-encoded by Clint Johnson in July, 2015. A small part of the collection had been previously processed by Karin Stanley circa 2006. Items added to the collection after the initial processing were prepared for processing by Nathaniel Janick circa 2014. Little of the original processing attempts are present in the final finding aid.
Related Materials
Related Materials
- See also, accession no. 1982.002.005, a photograph of the Bethel's interior.
- See also, accession no. 2001.069, a broadside of the Seaman's Bethel's reading room.
- See also, accession no. 2007.010.003, a shell that has the Seaman's Bethel painted on it.
- See also, the oral history collections for references to the Seaman's Bethel.
Controlled Access Headings
Genre(s)
- Account books
- Bibles
- Business records
- Cartoons (humorous images)
- Certificates
- Correspondence
- Fliers (printed matter)
- Hymnals
- Invitations
- Logbooks
- Membership lists
- Newspaper clippings
- Obituaries
- Periodicals
- Pledges
- Photographs
- Publications (document genre)
- Receipts (financial records)
- Reference sources
- School yearbooks
- Sketchbooks
- Writings (document genre)
Geographic Name(s)
- Marthas Vineyard (Mass.)
- Vineyard Haven (Mass.)
Personal Name(s)
- Edwards, Madison
- Edwards, Mary L.
- Goldberg, Harriet Norris
- Landry, Gene D.
- Luce, Richard G., 1804-1885
- Tilton, George Fred, 1861-1932
- Tower, Austin
- Tower, Helen
Subject(s)
- Boston Seaman's Friend Society
- Natural disasters
- Seafaring life--Massachusetts--Martha's Vineyard
- Seafaring life--Religious aspects--Christianity
- Vineyard Haven (Mass.)--Religious life and customs
Biography/Historical Note
During the late 1800’s, harbors on Vineyard Sound were busy with commercial sailing. The sailors and fishermen on these vessels naturally came ashore in search of diversions from ship life. In order to provide healthy and moral alternatives for these men, aid societies were established. Beginning with the Boston Seaman’s Friend Society in 1827, these religious based societies worked to sustain the “physical, social and moral well-being of seamen of all nations.” The Unitarian Church also set up organizations, one being a Reading Room, Library, and Chapel in Vineyard Haven, under the direction of Rev. Waldo Stevens.
In the late 1800’s Madison Edwards of Woods Hole began assisting with a reading room on Naushon Island at Tarpaulin Cove. The Boston Seaman’s Friend Society took notice of Edward’s work and in 1888 hired him to direct a mission in Woods Hole. The Society then expanded to Vineyard Haven, dedicating a “Reading Room” on October 23, 1893. The establishment quickly became known as the Seaman’s Bethel. A prominent Vineyard Haven resident noted, “The bethel is the greatest blessing that ever came to Vineyard Haven. There is less drunkenness among the fishing fleet; the men are sober, and it is the influence of the bethel’s work.” In addition to religious services, the Bethel offered temporary refuge to destitute seaman, a library and a game room. Over the years curiosities collected by sailors from all over the world found a home at the Bethel.
Madison Edwards and later his son-in-law Austin Towers carried out the work of the Bethel through the late 1950’s. With the decline of commercial shipping and the fishing fleet the Bethel’s services were no longer necessary. The Bethel became a museum and was moved from its wharf-side site to make way for the Steamship Authorities’ new terminal. The chapel went to the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital in 1992 and the “reading room” to the Vineyard Haven VFW in 1995. Material objects from the Bethel have been donated to the Martha's Vineyard Museum.
Scope and Content of Collection
The collection consists of materials found at and relating to the Seaman's Bethel in Vineyard Haven, Mass including bibles, business records, cartoons, certificates, correspondence, fliers, hymnals, invitations, logbooks, membership lists, newspaper clippings, obituaries, periodicals, pledges, photographs, publications, receipts, reference sources, school yearbooks, sketchbooks, and writings. The materials, specifically the correspondence, are predominately regarding Madison Edwards and his work with the Seaman's Bethel.
Arrangement
- Series I: Maria Danielson donation
- Series II: Seafarer's Friend donation
- Series III: Unknown donor donation
- Series IV: Kenneth Edwards Sr. donation
The collection is arranged by accession/donation to preserve provenance and chronologically thereafter when possible.
Contents of Collection
Maria Danielson donation, 1890-1964
|
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence, 1890 May 3-1890 August 21 |
1 | 1 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence, 1891 April 25-1891 December 29 |
1 | 2 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence, 1892 January 7-1892 April 20 |
1 | 3 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence, 1893 September 11-1893 December 15 |
1 | 4 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence , 1894 May 14-1894 October 10 |
1 | 5 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence , 1894 October 1-December 17 1894 |
1 | 6 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence, 1895 June 3-1895 November 27 |
1 | 7 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence, 1896 January 1-1896 March 13 |
1 | 8 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence, 1897 October 12 |
1 | 9 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence, 1899 December 24 |
1 | 10 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence , 1901 January 21-1901 October 31 |
2 | 1 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence , 1901 November 13-1901 December 31 |
2 | 2 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence, 1902 January 6-1902 June 20 |
2 | 3 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence, 1904 September 23, 1904 November 22 |
2 | 4 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence, 1905 May 4,-1905 December 14 |
2 | 5 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence, 1906 January 6-1906 December 31 |
2 | 6 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence , 1907 January 3-1907 January 31 |
2 | 7 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence , 1907 January 31-1907 December 4 |
2 | 8 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence, 1908 September 25-1908 December 4 |
2 | 9 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence, 1909 February 5-1909 December 30 |
2 | 10 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence, 1910 February 1, 1910 March 10 |
3 | 1 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence , 1912 January 3-1912 July 11 |
3 | 2 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence , 1912 July 16-1912 December 30 |
3 | 3 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence, 1913 January 1 |
3 | 4 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence, undated |
3 | 5 | ||
|
Austin Tower United States Coast Guard certificates, 1942, 1945 |
3 | 6 | ||
|
Bethel Letters Madison Edwards correspondence, 1875 February 6-1880 April 28 |
3 | 7 | ||
|
Bethel Letters Madison Edwards correspondence, 1890 April 29-1894 March 21 |
3 | 8 | ||
|
Bethel Letters Madison Edwards correspondence, 1904 March 27, 1905 March 3 |
3 | 9 | ||
|
Bethel Letters Madison Edwards correspondence, 1905 March 19-1909 July 12 |
3 | 10 | ||
|
Bethel Letters Austin Tower correspondence, 1907 April 23-1919 March 17 |
3 | 11 | ||
|
Postal receipts, 1906 |
3 | 12 | ||
|
Madison Edwards receipts, 1892, 1900 |
3 | 13 | ||
|
Seaman's Bethel newspaper clippings, 1914-1964, undated |
3 | 14 | ||
|
Peter Gray and Sons advertisements, circa 1910 |
3 | 15 | ||
|
Mary L. Edwards writings (document genre), 1899,1905, undated |
3 | 16 | ||
|
Mary L. Edwards sketchbook, 1899-1900 |
4 | 1 | ||
|
Hold Fast Brotherhood membership book, 1911-1918 |
4 | 2 | ||
|
Hold Fast Brotherhood membership book, 1911-1918 |
4 | 3 | ||
|
Hold Fast Brotherhood membership book, 1911-1918 |
4 | 4 | ||
|
F. Alwerdt "Hold Fast" pledge card, 1907 |
4 | 5 | ||
|
Madison Edwards photograph, undated |
4 | 6 | ||
Seafarer's Friend donation, circa 1808-2001
|
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
The Sea Breeze periodicals, 1897 October-1901 July |
5 | 1 | ||
|
The Sea Breeze periodicals, 1902January-1916 July |
5 | 2 | ||
|
The Sea Breeze periodicals, 1918 July-1928 October |
5 | 3 | ||
|
The Sea Breeze periodicals, 1934 April-1943 October |
5 | 4 | ||
|
The Sea Breeze periodicals, 1944 January-1957 July |
5 | 5 | ||
|
The Sea Breeze periodicals, 1957 October-1960 April |
5 | 6 | ||
|
The Sea Breeze periodicals, 1966-1978 |
5 | 7 | ||
|
The Sea Breeze periodicals, 1980 June-1992 August |
5 | 8 | ||
|
Seaman's Bethel Launch, Austin Tower at Bow photograph, undated |
6 | 1 | ||
|
Madison Edwards photograph, undated |
6 | 1 | ||
|
Helen (Edwards) Tower photograph, undated |
6 | 1 | ||
|
Austin Tower photograph, undated |
6 | 1 | ||
|
Winter scenes and unidentified people photographs, undated |
6 | 2 | ||
|
Winter scenes and unidentified people photographs, undated |
6 | 2 | ||
|
Winter scenes and unidentified people photographs, undated |
6 | 2 | ||
|
Winter scenes and unidentified people photographs, undated |
6 | 2 | ||
|
Winter scene with various individuals photograph, undated |
6 | 3 | ||
|
Seaman's Bethel interior photograph, undated |
6 | 3 | ||
|
USCGC Cutter John C. Spencer photograph, undated |
6 | 3 | ||
|
Zeb Tilton photograph, undated |
6 | 3 | ||
|
Mrs. C.D.J Smith photograph, undated |
6 | 3 | ||
|
Vineyard Haven harbor after Gale of 1898 photograph, 1898 |
6 | 3 | ||
|
West Chop Lighthouse photograph, undated |
6 | 3 | ||
|
Steamship Authority vessel Islander crossing an ice-filled harbor photograph, 1981 |
6 | 3 | ||
|
George Fred Tilton photograph, undated |
6 | 3 | ||
|
Tug Boats at Vineyard Haven Harbor Wharf photograph, 1915 |
6 | 4 | ||
|
Helen May launch vessel from the Vineyard Haven Seaman's Bethel, circa 1900 |
6 | 4 | ||
|
English schooner Newburgh after Gale of 1898 photograph, circa 1898 |
6 | 4 | ||
|
Tug Boats tied up at Vineyard Haven Harbor Wharf photograph, undated |
6 | 4 | ||
|
Fishing boat Alert in Vineyard Haven harbor photograph , undated |
6 | 4 | ||
|
Tug boats taking shelter in Vineyard Haven Harbor Wharf photograph, 1915 |
6 | 4 | ||
|
Unidentified Ceremony at Vineyard Haven Seaman's Bethel photograph, Circa 1960 |
6 | 5 | ||
|
Admiral McMillan photograph, 1955,circa 1950's-1980's |
6 | 5 | ||
|
The Vineyard Haven Bethel of the Boston Seaman's Friend Society: A Short History of the building, its inception and its work publication, 1968, undated |
6 | 6 | ||
|
Who Will Keep the Lights Burning? publication, 1991 |
6 | 7 | ||
|
John Bright captain's logbook , 1860 |
6 | 8 | ||
|
Seaman's Bethel entrance plaquard, undated |
6 | 9 | ||
|
Tisbury Museum flier, undated |
6 | 10 | ||
|
Sealanes Boston Seaman's Friend Society publication, 2001 |
6 | 10 | ||
|
Seaman's Bethel Museum laminated flier, undated |
6 | 10 | ||
|
Vineyard Haven religious services flier, undated |
6 | 10 | ||
|
Captain Richard G. Luce laminated obituary, 1968 |
6 | 11 | ||
|
Captain Edward "Iceberg" Smith cartoon , 1936 |
6 | 11 | ||
|
Wrecks and Salvage excerpt from Tom Tilton Coaster and Fisherman publication, 1982 |
6 | 11 | ||
|
Captain George Fred Tilton laminated biography segment and pen and ink print, undated |
6 | 11 | ||
|
Photographic Memories of a T-Wharfer, 1984 |
6 | 12 | ||
|
The Methodist Hymnal, 1939 |
6 | 13 | ||
|
Tabor Academy Yearbook, 1962 |
7 | 1 | ||
|
Account book, 1850-1866 |
7 | 2 | ||
|
Account book, circa 1808-circa 1869 |
7 | 3 | ||
|
Seaman's Bethel Bible, 1892 |
9 | 1 | ||
Unknown donor donation, 1868-1990
|
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
The Sea Breeze periodicals, 1899 April-1901 January |
8 | 1 | ||
|
What a Journalist Sees and Says excerpt from The Sea Breeze, circa 1911 |
8 | 2 | ||
|
The Sea Breeze periodicals, 1935 April-1957 April |
8 | 3 | ||
|
The Sea Breeze periodicals, 1964 October-1972 |
8 | 4 | ||
|
The Vineyard Haven Bethel of the Boston Seaman's Friend Society: A Short History of the building, its inception and its work publication, 1968, undated |
8 | 5 | ||
|
Seaman's Bethel correspondence, 1868-1917 |
8 | 6 | ||
|
Goldberg affair correspondence, 1992 December 20, 1993 January 12 |
8 | 7 | ||
|
Business Records, 1896-1900 |
8 | 8 | ||
|
Deposit certificate, 1860 |
8 | 9 | ||
|
Silver Sea Tea Benefit invitation, 1936 |
8 | 10 | ||
|
Who Will Keep the Lights Burning? publication, 1991 |
8 | 11 | ||
|
Newspaper clippings, 1926-1990 |
8 | 12 | ||
|
Miscellaneous reference, undated |
8 | 13 | ||
Kenneth Edwards Sr. donation, 1894-1930
|
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence, 1894 January 10-1906 December 30 |
8 | 14 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence, 1907 January 1-1907 March 20 |
8 | 15 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence, 1907 March 21-1907 November 14 |
10 | 1 | ||
|
Madison Edwards correspondence, 1908 January 27-1916 January |
10 | 2 | ||
|
Madison Edwards dedication program, 1930 June 3 |
10 | 3 | ||
|
Seaman's Bethel grounds photographs, 1901, undated |
10 | 4 | ||