Charles P. Wells Family Papers
Content Description
The largest portion of the collection is by far the correspondence found in the Personal subseries. Dating primarily between 1812 and 1875, there are a variety of correspondents, many of them family members. Also found here are Wells’ writings, including Bible study notes, poetry, and essays. The correspondence is arranged alphabetically by author, and then chronologically. Other unique items include contracts made with friends and a souvenir from the opening of the Erie Canal.
Wells’ time in partnership with Henry Humphrey is the focus of the business subseries. Some of the papers (an 1870 deed) are from after the dissolution of the partnership, but this remains the best place for the items. Within this series are documents from the formation of the partnership.
Family refers to items sent to, or owned by, members of the Wells family, but Charles P. Wells was not the intended recipient. Letters from Jane Strong Wells to her brother-in-law, Gustavus Davis, are an example of this.
Included with this collection are toys and other childhood memorabilia.
Dates
- Creation: 1655 - 1870
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open to the public and must be used in the John M.K. Davis Reading Room of the Watkinson Library, Trinity College Library, Hartford, Connecticut. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws when using this collection.
Conditions Governing Use
Digital surrogates may be provided in accordance with the duplication policy of the Watkinson Library.
Copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their heirs unless otherwise specified. It is the researcher's responsibility to secure permission to publish materials from the appropriate copyright holder.
Archival materials may contain sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal and/or state right to privacy laws or other regulations. While we make a good faith effort to identify and remove such materials, some may be missed during our processing. If a researcher finds sensitive personal information (e.g. social security numbers) in a collection, please bring it to the attention of the reading room staff.
Biographical / Historical
Charles P. Wells was born in Hartford, Connecticut on May 14, 1811, the son of John J. Wells and Anne Hubbard Wells. He became interested in the drug business at an early age, and stayed in that field for a number of years. Wells had a partnership for a portion of that time with Henry Humphrey. Additionally, Wells was a devoted Bible scholar and was involved in local churches. In 1838 Wells married Jane Naomi Strong. They had two children, Charles T. Wells and Mary Catherine Wells.
Extent
3 Cubic Feet (3 records storage cartons)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Charles P. Wells (1811-1876) was a lifelong resident of Hartford, Connecticut. This collection contains correspondence, business records, and personal effects from his life.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in one series with three subseries. Subseries 1: Personal Subseries 2: Business Subseries 3: Family
Geographic
Occupation
Topical
- Title
- Charles P. Wells family papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jennifer Sharp
- Date
- 2016
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Watkinson Library - Archival Collections Repository
Trinity College Library
300 Summit St.
Hartford Connecticut 06106