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Mary Morton Stephens Baker Collection

1 box (0.5 linear feet)

(1872 – 1879)

bulk 1873-1874

Edward H. Nabb Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury, University, Salisbury, Maryland

Identifier SC2021.018
Creator(s) Baker, Mary Morton Stephens; Baker, William Howard
Acquisition

Purchased by Dr. Beatriz Hardy (Dean of Libraries and Instructional Resources) in November 2020
Language(s) English
Use Records are open for research. Copyright, including literary rights, belongs to the author(s) or their legal heirs. Permission to publish or reproduce must be obtained from the Nabb Research Center which extends beyond "fair use."
Preferred Citation "Item, collection title and identifier, box # and folder # (if applicable), Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland."
Attribution Finding Aid written by Kate Harris, September 2021
Related Materials None
Separated Materials See Nabb Center Staff
Abstract

The Mary Morton Stephens Baker Collection contains letters from William Howard Baker, a law student at Harvard, to his fiancé Mary Morton Stephens of Philadelphia. Their frequent letters over 2 years, 1873 and 1874, portray student and daily life, academic studies and extra curricular activities. The two discuss books read, politics, social functions, church attendance as well as their love for one another and, eventually, their upcoming marriage. Also in the collection are correspondence to Mary and other family members from various senders.

Biographical History

William Howard Baker (1852-1885) was from Chester County, Pennsylvania and attended Harvard with the intention of pursuing a law degree. Mary Morton Stephens (born 1852) was the daughter of Lemuel Stephens a chemistry/medical professor who taught and practiced in Philadelphia. William Howard Baker eventually married Mary, opened a law practiceb and had a daughter in 1882.  Mary and William were married until William's death in 1885.

Scope and Content Note

The bulk of the letters in the Mary Morton Stephens Baker Collection are addressed to Mary Morton Stephens from William Howard Baker. Six letters are to Mary Morton Stephens and other family members from a variety of authors. These letters cover courtship and education in New England and Pennsylvania in the late 19th Century.

Arrangement Statement See Nabb Center Staff

Subject Terms

  • Topical Terms
    • Education
    • Personal correspondence
    • Social Life and Customs
  • Location Terms
    • Massachusetts
    • Pennsylvania

Inventory List

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  1. Letters to Mary Morton Stephens from William Howard Baker, July-September 1873
  2. Letters to Mary Morton Stephens from William Howard Baker, October-December 1873
  3. Letters to Mary Morton Stephens from William Howard Baker, January-April 1874
  4. Letters to Mary Morton Stephens from William Howard Baker, May-June 1874
  5. Letters to Mary Morton Stephens Baker, 1879
  6. Letters from family and friends, 1872-1879

Artifacts

See Nabb Center Staff

Attachments

None