Martha's Vineyard Museum
A Finding Aid to the Daughters of the American Revolution Collection, 1756-1955
Table of Contents
- Summary Information
- Biography/History
- Scope and Content
- Arrangement
- Administrative Information
- Related Materials
- Index Terms
- Collection Inventory
- Series I. Martha's Vineyard Chapter and Sea Coast Defence Chapter Papers
- Series II. Martha's Vineyard Chapter D. A. R. Historical Society Records
- Series III. D. A. R. Museum Collections
- Series IV. Additions to Collection
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 350 |
| Creator | Daughters of the American Revolution. Sea Coast Defence Chapter. |
| Creator | Daughters of the American Revolution. Martha's Vineyard Chapter. |
| Creator | Daughters of the American Revolution. Martha's Vineyard Sea Coast Defence Chapter. |
| Title | Daughters of the American Revolution collection |
| Date | 1756-1955 |
| Extent | 3 boxes + 8 oversize folders (1.85 cubic feet) |
| Language | The materials are in English. |
| Abstract | This collection contains organizational records, 1896-1955, created by the Edgartown and Tisbury, Massachusetts, chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution (D. A. R.), as well as, pamphlets, publications and primary source documents, 1756-1921, collected by the Sea Coast Defence Chapter, D. A. R. Museum. |
Administrative Information
Restrictions on Access
There are no restrictions.
Restrictions on Use
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 350, Daughters of the American Revolution Collection.
Acquisition Information
A portion of this collection, Series III, was a gift of the Daughters of the American Revolution, M. V. Sea Coast Defence Chapter in 1995. (Accession no. 1995.073). The immediate source of acquisition and date of accession of the remainder of the materials are unknown.
Publication Information
Martha's Vineyard Museum
Gale Huntington Research Library59 School Street
P.O. Box 1310
Edgartown, MA 02539
(508)627-4441
Revision Description
Addition to the Collection; Addition of Series IV: Additions to Collection [CJ] August 2015
Processing Information
Finding aid prepared by Betsy Pfau and Keith Gorman in 2007. Revised by Insley Julier in May 2013. Machine-encoded by Nathaniel Janick April 2014.
Creation of this finding aid was sponsored by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.Related Materials
Related Material
For museum objects received from the Daughters of the American Revolution, Martha's Vineyard Chapter in 1955, see accession number 1955.003. For museum objects received from the Daughters of the American Revolution, Martha's Vineyard Sea Coast Defence Chapter in 1995, see accession number 1995.073.
Index Terms
Corporate Name(s)
- Nathan Mayhew Schoolhouse (Vineyard Haven, Mass.)
Family Name(s)
- Luce family
Genre(s)
- Brochures
- Clippings
- Correspondence
- Deeds
- Essays
- Museum records
- Newspapers
- Pamphlets
- Posters
- Protection certificates
- Receipts
Geographic Name(s)
- Edgartown (Mass.)
- Tisbury (Mass. : Town)
- Vineyard Haven (Mass.)
Personal Name(s)
- Mayhew, Nathan, 1796-1865
Subject(s)
- Martha's Vineyard (Mass.) -- Genealogy
- Martha's Vineyard (Mass.) -- History
- History Societies, etc. -- Massachusetts -- Martha's Vineyard
- Museums -- Acquisitions
- Museum loans
- Museum registration methods
- United States -- Genealogy
- United States -- History
Biography/History
The Daughters of the American Revolution (D. A. R.) was founded in 1890. According to the D. A. R. National Society website, the group defines itself as a "volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education for children." Members of the D. A. R. are required to "prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution" in order to be eligible for membership. While the D. A. R. is principally a genealogical society, the organization also supports historic preservation initiatives and collects historical material, including publications, decorative arts, manuscripts and early American imprints.
Martha's Vineyard originally supported two Daughters of the American Revolution chapters: the Martha's Vineyard Chapter of Edgartown, Massachusetts, founded October 1, 1896, and the Sea Coast Defence Chapter of Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts, founded October 12, 1896. Eventually, the two chapters merged in November 1988, forming the D. A. R., Martha's Vineyard Sea Coast Defence Chapter. Similar to the D. A. R. National Society, the local island chapters actively collected and exhibited historical objects and archival materials. The Sea Coast Defence Chapter was organizing loan exhibitions as early as 1899 and the Martha's Vineyard Chapter was collecting objects and archives by 1912 and possibly earlier. Each of the chapters originally supported "historical rooms" where their collections were displayed to the public. To facilitate exhibition, both chapters elected officials from among their members to manage and exhibit their historical collections.
The Martha's Vineyard Chapter, D. A. R., created a separate administrative entity known as the Martha's Vineyard Chapter Historical Society, to oversee their museum materials. Their collections were housed in a building opposite the court house in Edgartown, later known as the Dukes County building. In 1954, the chapter voted to make the structure available to the Dukes County Savings Bank. Shortly thereafter, in 1955, the group transferred their historical collections to the Dukes County Historical Society, which had recently opened a "fireproof building." The 1955 gift to the Dukes County Historical Society, (predecessor to the Martha's Vineyard Museum), included both museum objects and archival materials.
In 1903, the Sea Coast Defence Chapter, D. A. R., purchased the Nathan Mayhew schoolhouse on Main Street in Vineyard Haven and officially incorporated the Sea Coast Defence Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution Historical Association. The association was charged with both, collection management and overseeing the operation and preservation of the historic property. The building served as a headquarters for chapter meetings and a historical museum, open to the public in the summer months. By 1965, membership in the Vineyard Haven chapter had shrunk, and the Dukes County Historical Society stepped in to provide support, enabling the museum to open for the summer season. Dwindling membership and funding continued to plague the Sea Coast Defence Chapter until its merger with the Edgartown chapter in 1988. The merged D. A. R. Martha's Vineyard Sea Coast Defence Chapter retained control of the museum in Vineyard Haven until 1995-1996, when they vacated the premises and de-accessioned their collections. At the time of the museum's dissolution a number of objects and archival materials were donated to the Dukes County Historical Society.
In addition, in pursuance of the D. A. R.'s historical, patriotic and educational objectives, the local chapters sponsored annual essay contests for school children in the past. For many years, the groups hosted a yearly tea party in commemoration of George Washington's birthday. The current chapter continues to support education, funding two scholarships for graduating high school seniors heading to college or university.
Scope and Content
Series I Martha's Vineyard Chapter and Sea Coast Defence Chapter papers is comprised of an artificial collection of D. A. R. materials assembled by previous processors or a former volunteer, intern or staff member of the Martha's Vineyard Museum, dating from 1896-1940. The series consists of printed or published reports, brochures, programs and newspaper clippings, but it also includes manuscript essays, notes and some organizational records. Series II Martha's Vineyard Chapter D. A. R. Historical Society records, 1912-1955, consists of registrar's records of gifts and loans to the D. A. R. historical collections including, museum objects and archival materials. It is unclear whether these records formed part of the 1995 accession of D. A. R. museum material, found in Series III, or whether they were acquired at a different time (possibly when the Edgartown chapter transferred some of their collections to the Dukes County Historical Society in 1955). Series III D. A. R. Museum Collections, contains archival materials, 1756-1921, acquired by the Dukes County Historical Society, directly from the M. V. Sea Coast Defence Chapter, D. A. R. museum. (See accession no. 1995.073). These original historical documents and pamphlet publications formed part of the collections of the D. A. R. museum, and were gifted to that institution by various donors over a number of years. The historical documents accessioned in 1995 were combined, at the time of their arrangement and description in 2007, with an artificial collection of D. A. R. materials already held by the Martha's Vineyard Museum. Due to the ambiguous provenance of Series I and Series II, the materials have been retained in this artificially created record unit.
Arrangement
- Series I: Martha's Vineyard Chapter and Sea Coast Defence Chapter Papers, 1896-1940, undated
- Series II: Martha's Vineyard Chapter D. A. R. Historical Society Records, 1912-1955
- Series III: D. A. R. Museum Collections, 1756-1921, undated
- Series IV: Additions to Collection, 1773-1907, undated
Collection Inventory
Series I. Martha's Vineyard Chapter and Sea Coast Defence Chapter Papers, 1896-1940, undated Scope and ContentSeries I is an artificial collection of D. A. R. materials, 1896-1940, assembled by previous processors or a former volunteer, intern or staff member of the museum. Some of the materials in the series appear to be official organizational records; unfortunately these were intermingled with other reference material on a topical basis with no regard for provenance. The series also includes; publications issued by the National Society D. A. R.; Martha's Vineyard Chapter record books and printed bylaws, schedules of events and programs, and; Sea Coast Defence Chapter printed and hand-written reports and essays. Additionally, the series includes hand-written essays authored by various individuals and delivered before the D. A. R., (these bear no indication of which chapter they were presented to), and clippings files containing articles on both chapters. ArrangementThe files are arranged by chapter, record form and then in loose chronological order. Miscellaneous materials and materials which were not easily attributable to one chapter or the other are found at the end of the series. | ||||
| Box | Folder | |||
Reports of National Society D. A. R., 1911, 1931-1936 | 1 | 1-2 | ||
National Brochures, circa 1917 | 1 | 3 | ||
M. V. Chapter Registrar's Record and Historian's Record Book, 1896 August - 1901 April | 1 | 4 | ||
M. V. Chapter Bylaws, Calendars and Officers, circa 1915-1920, undated | 1 | 5 | ||
M. V. Chapter 20th Anniversary Program, 1916 | 1 | 6 | ||
Sea Coast Defence Chapter Photograph of Memorial Plaque, circa 1910 | 1 | 7 | ||
Sea Coast Defence Chapter 20th Anniversary Historian's Report and Calendars, circa 1916-1920 | 1 | 8 | ||
Sea Coast Defence Chapter Reports, 1899-1901 | 1 | 9 | ||
Sea Coast Defence Chapter Essays, 1899, undated | 1 | 10 | ||
Essays, 1898-1900, undated | 1 | 11 | ||
Essays, 1900, undated | 1 | 12 | ||
Essays, 1926, undated | 1 | 13 | ||
Essays and Notes, 1912, 1923, undated | 1 | 14-15 | ||
Correspondence, 1939 | 1 | 16 | ||
D. A. R. Papers Written by Members, 1939 NoteList compiled by Harriett M. Pease. | 1 | 17 | ||
Prize Essays, 1940 | 1 | 18 | ||
Clippings, 1897-1921, undated | 1 | 19 | ||
Clippings (photocopies), undated | 1 | 20 | ||
Whiting, Emma Mayhew, "Letters Home." (reprint), 1937 | 1 | 21 | ||
"In Memory of Daniel Waldo Stevens." (pamphlet), undated | 1 | 22 | ||
Series II. Martha's Vineyard Chapter D. A. R. Historical Society Records, 1912-1955 Scope and ContentSeries II contains gift and loan receipt books chronicling collection materials received by the Martha's Vineyard Chapter D. A. R. Historical Society and items returned to lenders, 1912-1955. According to these record books the Edgartown chapter was actively collecting and exhibiting historical objects and archival materials between 1912 and 1944. The receipt books bear some later annotations regarding items removed from the collections in 1955, possibly when the D. A. R. vacated their collection space in Edgartown. In 1955, the Martha's Vineyard Museum received a large donation of museum objects and archival materials from the D. A. R., Martha's Vineyard Chapter, (see accession no. 1955.003). ArrangementRecord books are arranged alphabetically and therein by book number. | ||||
Gifts, M.V. Chapter Historical Society, Book I, 1912-1925 | 2 | 1 | ||
Gifts, M.V. Chapter D. A. R. Historical Society, Book II, 1926-1941 | 2 | 2 | ||
M.V. Chapter D. A. R. Historical Society, Book I, Loans, 1912-1955 | 2 | 3 | ||
M.V. Chapter D. A. R. Historical Society, Book II, Loans, 1912-1944 | 2 | 4 | ||
M.V. Chapter D. A. R. Historical Society, Book III, Loans, 1915-1955 | 2 | 5 | ||
M.V. Chapter D. A. R. Historical Society, Book IV, Loans, 1921-1944 NoteFile also contains loose receipts detached from the preceding record books. | 2 | 6 | ||
Gift and Loan Receipts and Correspondence, 1938-1955 | 2 | 7 | ||
Series III. D. A. R. Museum Collections, 1756-1921, undated Scope and ContentWhen the D. A. R. museum in Vineyard Haven closed in 1995 and the collections were de-accessioned and dispersed, the Martha's Vineyard Museum received a donation of museum objects and historical documents from the Daughters of the American Revolution, M. V. Sea Coast Defence Chapter, (see accession no. 1995.073). Series III contains a large portion of the archival materials accessioned in 1995. According to institutional records, the archival materials received at this time included; cased photographs, black-and-white photographs, pamphlets, programs, newspapers, clippings, accounts, a record book, a scrapbook, bills, receipts, correspondence, prints, certificates, appointments, deeds and other legal documents, dating from 1756-1921. Evidently, at the time of accession or sometime thereafter, the prints and photographs were separated from the collection and publications were removed. These materials are no longer housed with the rest of the historical documents found in this series. Museum objects were transferred to the curatorial department. ArrangementMaterials are arranged in chronological order, with printed pamphlets and reports filed first, followed by newspapers and then, historical primary source documents. Historical documents by the same creator have been grouped together. | ||||
Letter and "Proposals of some things to be done in church government…," by William Homes. Newbury-port [Mass.]: Re-printed by E. Lunt and H.W. Tinges, MDCCLXXIV. (pamphlet), 1774, 1904 | 3 | 1 | ||
"Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Dukes County Academy…," (pamphlet), 1841 | 3 | 2 | ||
"Narrative of the Wreck and Loss of the Whaling Brig William and Joseph of Martha's Vineyard…," (pamphlet), 1848 | 3 | 3 | ||
"Commissioners Appointed to Establish the Boundary Line between Gay Head and the Town of Chilmark." Boston, 1856. 16 p. Folded map. (House doc., no. 48, 1856). (report), 1856 | 3 | 4 | ||
Lillian Nordica Pamphlet and Concert Program, 1876, after 10 May 1914 | 3 | 5 | ||
"First Pilgrimage of the Sons of Martha's Vineyard…," (pamphlet), 1889 | 3 | 6 | ||
"Sketches of old homes in our village," by Mrs. Howes Norris. Vineyard Haven, Mass.: Sea Coast Defence Chapter, D.A.R., 1921 | 3 | 7 | ||
Vineyard Gazette (newspaper), 1860 July 06 , 1861 April 26 | OS GEN 3 | 6 | ||
Chick's Vineyard Haven News (newspaper), 1887 October 27 , 1887 November 03 , 1887 November 24 | 3 | 8 | ||
Chick's Vineyard Haven News (newspaper), 1887 December 01 , 1887 December 28 , 1888 January 04 , 1888 January 11 | OS GEN 3 | 6 | ||
Will of Simeon Butler of Edgartown, 1756 February 17 | 3 | 9 | ||
Cipriani, Giovanni Battista. Ionathan Mayhew, D. D. Pastor of the West Chvrch in Boston, in New England, an Assertor of the Civil and Religiovs Liberties of his Covntry and Mankind, who, Overplied by Pvblic Energies, Died of a Nervovs Fever, Ivly VIIII, MDXXLXVI, Aged XXXXV., 1766 NoteEtching and engraving, plate mark 24.5 x 18.2 cm on sheet, 31.3 x 24.7 cm, mounted on cardstock. | OS GEN 4 | 17 | ||
Letter to Samuel Kingsbury from J. Lyon, 1774 May 19 | 3 | 10 | ||
Letter from James Athearn to John Hancock of Philadelphia, 1775 September 14 | OS GEN 4 | 18 | ||
Receipt for Chase Prize Money, 1777 May 05 | 3 | 11 | ||
Deed from Eliakim Norton to Shubael Dunham, 1791 October 27 | 3 | 12 | ||
Letters to the Children of George West, Care of Lot Luce, 1792-1793 | 3 | 13 | ||
Letter to Lot Luce from Peter Robbins, 1812 November 12 | 3 | 14 | ||
Letter to Caroline Luce from Peggy Luce, 1823 May 21 | 3 | 15 | ||
Deed from Deliverance Chase to William Smith, 1798 June 14 | 3 | 16 | ||
Receipt for Tuition from William Smith, 1802 April 09 | 3 | 17 | ||
Certificate of Protest, Richard Holbrook (master), 1802 December 28 NoteRelates to the brig Lydia laden with coal and salt on a voyage from Liverpool. | 3 | 18 | ||
Deed from Abraham Chase to Tisbury Inhabitants for Burial Ground, 1805 February 02 | 3 | 19 | ||
Massachusetts Militia Notification to Nathan Mayhew, 1819 April 19 | 3 | 20 | ||
Nathan Mayhew Papers, 1820-1849 NoteThese documents were originally found in a red leather wallet. | 3 | 21 | ||
Marriage Intention Certificate, Orrok Branscombe and Hannah New, 1833 July 21 NoteIntention was sworn before Nathan Mayhew, Town Clerk. | 3 | 22 | ||
Account and Receipt for School Supplies purchased by Nathan Mayhew, 1833 September 09 | OS GEN 4 | 19 | ||
Receipts from Thomas Harding to Nathan Mayhew, 1838-1840, undated NoteReceipts relate to the rental of school space. | 3 | 23 | ||
Holmes Hole Meeting Minutes, 1849 NoteNote: Nathan Mayhew chosen as scribe. | 3 | 24 | ||
Financial Records of Nathan Mayhew School, 1849-1851 | 3 | 25 | ||
Letter of Recommendation for Nathan Mayhew, 1853 February 26 NoteSigned by Richard L. Pease, Hebron Vincent and Constant Norton. | 3 | 26 | ||
Davis Cottle Receipts, 1832-1861 | 3 | 27 | ||
Seamen's Protection Certificate for Presbury L. Smith, 1835 May 14 | OS GEN 4 | 20 | ||
Seamen's Protection Certificate for Presbury L. Smith, 1847 August 13 NoteItem was originally framed. | 3 | 38 | ||
Baptist Church, Holmes Hole, 1837 (print), 1837 | 3 | 28 | ||
Pew Deed, Methodist Episcopal Church, Tisbury to Joseph R. Luce, 1845 December 01 | 3 | 29 | ||
Letter from David Davis to George W. Smith, 1851 October 03 | 3 | 30 | ||
Pilot Appointment for Seth Daggett, 1850 May 01 | OS GEN 4 | 21 | ||
Letter from Seth Daggett to his Daughter, 1854 October 31 NoteRelates to difficulties with the steamship Eagle's Wing. | 3 | 31 | ||
Appointment of John Vinson, Asa Nye and Whelden Holmes as Commissioners to Establish the Boundary Between Chilmark and Gay Head, 1855 April 07 NoteThis copy belonged to Holmes who swore his oath July 12, 1855. | OS GEN 4 | 22 | ||
Telegraph to George Dunham from Thomas Dunham, 1856 July 19 | 3 | 32 | ||
Poetry About Chickens, by Nancy Luce, circa 1860 NoteThese two framed items form a pendant. They are in the custody of the curatorial department. (See, 1995.073.104). | 3 | 39 | ||
Pew Deed, Congregational Meeting House, Holmes Hole, Peleg Barrows to Benjamin Nye, 1862 March 01 | OS GEN 5 | 5 | ||
Letter Fragment from W. B. Rochester, 1883 July 02 | 3 | 33 | ||
Vineyard Gazette Clipping, Muster Rolls of Vineyarders in the Revolutionary War, 1896 | 3 | 34 | ||
Posters Advertising Yacht Races in Edgartown and Vineyard Haven, 1902-1904 | 3 | 35 | ||
Yacht Club Regatta Race Results, 1903 August 13 | OS GEN 4 | 20 | ||
Notes on the Life of General William J. Worth, undated | 3 | 36 | ||
Prayer by the Reverend Joseph Thaxter, undated NoteThe prayer was originally written for the laying of the corner stone at the Bunker Hill Monument in 1825. | 3 | 37 | ||
Series IV. Additions to Collection, 1773-1907, undated Scope and ContentSeries IV contains materials found in an archival survey of the Martha's Vineyard Museum related to the Daughters of the American Revolution and added to the collection in August 2015. ArrangementThe series is arranged chronologically with undated material following. | ||||
| Box | Folder | |||
Writ for Thadeus Whyman, 1773 | 3 | 40 | ||
Dukes County election certification, 1778 NoteFragile. | 3 | 41 | ||
Correspondence of the late President Adams: No. 9, 1810 | 3 | 42 | ||
Annual Miscellany, 1812 NoteFragile. | 3 | 43 | ||
Sermon, delivered on the Death of Miss Lydia Worth..., 1817 | 3 | 44 | ||
A Discourse Delivered…at the House of the Widow Zoraida Coffin, Occassioned by the Death of her Daughter Ann F. Coffin, 1828 | 3 | 45 | ||
Rules and Orders…House of Representatives…Massachusetts, 1829 | 3 | 46 | ||
Port of Salem and Beverly Inspection certificate, 1848 | 3 | 47 | ||
Benjamin Luce correspondence, 1848, undated | 3 | 48 | ||
Constant Norton correspondence, 1859 | 3 | 49 | ||
Programme of Dedicatory Exercises of Tablet program, 1901 | 3 | 50 | ||
The Wreck of the Somerset, 1907 | 3 | 51 | ||
Copies of Letters from March 22, 1812 to Sept. 22, 1823, undated | 3 | 52 | ||