Papers of the Howitt family, 1829-1934

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1.19m (9 boxes) Original ms., and printed. Comprises the personal papers of the prominent pioneer Howitt Family and is made up of correspondence, publications, including newspaper cuttings, poetry (some poems by the well-known English writers and poets Mary and William Howitt), photographs, a recipe book, a scrapbook, financial records, legal documents, ephemera, miscellaneous writings and family history documents. A diary kept by sculptor Thomas Woolner on his return journey to England in 1854 is included. The collection contains a great deal of correspondence and includes letters written to and from Godfey Howitt, MD and Phoebe Howitt, mainly to their family, letters to and from their daughter, Edith Mary Howitt (later Anderson), many to members of her extended family overseas and to her husband, Robert Anderson. There are many letters to and from their daughter, Edith Anderson (later Thompson) to members of her family, including her future husband, Steve Thompson. The writer, Louisa Anne Meredith, was friendly with members of the Howitt Family and the collection contains some letters written to the family. Included are a number of photographs, some in their original albums, mainly of members of the family and extended family, including Louisa Anne Meredith. There is a recipe book, probably kept by the grand-daughter, Edith, which reflects dishes of the day. The financial records and legal papers are evidence of the wealth of the family.