Skip to main content

Thacher family papers

 Collection
Identifier: M174

  • Staff Only
  • Please use the Collection Organization section below to place requests.

Scope and Content

Correspondence, chiefly between Stephen Thacher and his son Peter,together with exchanges with other family members, members of the Bowdoin community, or other acquaintances. Correspondents from the Bowdoin community include various professors and overseers, including Prof. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (Class of 1825), as well as Bowdoin graduates ranging in class year from 1810s to 1840s. The correspondence is followed by some manuscript and typescript notes, and an edited draft of the text of the Packard-Cleaveland History of Bowdoin College prepared by Peter Thacher.

Dates

  • Creation: 1782-1914

Creator

Biographical/Historical Note

The collection centers around two members of the Thacher family, Stephen (1774-1859), an Overseer of Bowdoin College from 1821-27, and his son Peter (1810-94), a member of Bowdoin's Class of 1831.

Stephen, until 1818 a merchant in Kennebunk, Maine, held public office as Judge of Probate for York County (1807-18), postmaster of Kennebunk (1810-18) and, following a move to Lubec, Maine, U.S. Collector of Customs for the town (1818-30). He lived in retirement in Lubec until his death.

Peter, a lawyer, studied under his uncle, William Pitt Preble and in the Portland firm of Fessenden and Deblois. Admitted to the bar in 1836, he practiced in Machias (1836-54) and Rockland, Maine (1854-71), and Boston (1871-92). In 1842, he became Commissioner of the U.S. Circuit Court of Maine, and served as Register in Bankruptcy for the Fifth Congressional District (1867-71). Other members of the Thacher family, including Peter's siblings and children are also represented in the collection.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Correspondence, chiefly between Stephen Thacher and his son Peter,together with exchanges with other family members, members of the Bowdoin community, or other acquaintances.

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Thacher family Papers
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine 04011 Repository

http://library.bowdoin.edu/arch/index.shtml
Contact:
3000 College Station
Brunswick Maine 04011 USA
(207) 725-3288

Acknowledgment of non-neutrality

The George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, like all archives and special collections libraries, is the creation of human beings who have collected, organized, and described things in ways that reflect personal, cultural, societal, and institutional biases. Although we strive to preserve and present collections in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections, we acknowledge that our systems are neither neutral nor perfect. We encourage you to let us know if you encounter materials, descriptive language, or practices that are offensive or harmful, particularly those for which inadequate context or warning is offered. We are committed to modifying and updating our descriptive practices to use respectful and inclusive terminology and appreciate your help in this work. We look forward to supporting you in your research and learning together.