History of Amherst College During Its First Half Century, 1821-1871.

ma32 Snell Family Papers 1793-1940 Finding Aid Finding aid prepared by Daria D'Arienzo, Deborah Pelletier, Melanie Posey. Encoding funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Amherst College Archives and Special Collections

Amherst, MA

Finding aid encoded using Perl scripts and edited in XMetal 2.0. Encoded by Sarah Sorscher. 2003-01-16 Finding aid written in English. 2005-09-23 ma32 converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02-5c.xsl (sy2003-10-15). Amherst College Archives and Special Collections Snell Family Papers 1793-1940 Finding Aid Accession Number: 85-005 Processed: 1985 Spring By: Daria D'Arienzo, Archivist of the College Deborah Pelletier Melanie Posey Encoding funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Collection Overview Snell family Snell Family Papers 1793-1940 1835-1870 19 boxes (15 linear ft.) Amherst College Archives and Special Collections The Snell Family Papers contain the papers and photographs of Ebenezer Strong Snell (Class of 1822) and his immediate family, including his wife, daughters, parents and sisters. English. Biographical Note

Ebenezer S. Snell was born in North Brookfield, Massachusetts on October 7, 1801, the son of Dr. Thomas Snell and Tirzah Strong. Snell graduated with the first graduating class at Amherst College in 1822. His life is closely associated with the development of Amherst College. In 1827 he was appointed Instructor of Mathematics. In 1829 he became Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy. From 1834 to 1876, he served as Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy.

On September 8, 1828, he married Sabra Clark of Conway, Massachusetts. They had five daughters. He died in Amherst on September 18, 1876, at the age of 74.

Basic biographical data for Professor Snell, a copy of which follows, is found in the Amherst College Biographical Record, 1973.

SNELL, Ebenezer Strong. s Rev Dr Thomas and Tirzah (Strong) b No Brookfield Oct 7 1801. MA Amh 1825; LLD Amh 1860; Western Reserve 1865. prep with father and at Amherst Acad for sophomore class; Williams 1819-21. Asst later prin Amherst Acad 1822-25; tutor Amh 1825-27; instructor in mathematics 1827-29; asst prof math and nat philos 1829-34 prof same 1834-76. Ed with revisions Olmsted's School Philosophy; Sch Astronomy; College Natural Philosophy (twice); College Astronomy (twice). d Amherst Sep 18 1876. See Tyler History of Amherst College pp 570-575. m Sep 8 1828 Sabra C dr Scotte Clark, Conway. ch Rebecca; Mary L; Martha P; Tirzah S: Sabra C (Portrait in possession of Amh).

Snell's biographical file in the Archives contains further basic biographical data.

Birth and death dates for other important family members include:

Thomas Snell - Nov. 21, 1774-May 4, 1862 - father of ESS Tirzah Strong - Apr. 22, 1780-June 8, 1855 - mother of ESS Sabra Cobb Clark Snell - 1807-1883 - wife of ESS Rebecca Emerson Snell - Jul. 2, 1829-Dec. 5, 1841 - daughter of ESS Mary Louisa Snell - Aug. 8,1831-1899 - daughter of ESS Martha Porter Snell - Oct. 30, 1835-1860 - daughter of ESS Tirzah Strong Snell (Hall) - Nov. 10, 1839-1925 - daughter of ESS Sabra Clark Snell - Jan. 31, 1845-Mar. 8, 1932 - daughter of ESS

For a more detailed biography of Professor Snell, see Tyler's History of Amherst College During Its First Half Century, 1821-1871.

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Snell Family Papers contain the papers and photographs of Ebenezer Strong Snell (Class of 1822) and his immediate family, including his wife, daughters, parents and sisters.

The Snell Family Papers are a valuable source for Snell family history and many aspects of Amherst College history. The bulk of this collection focuses upon Professor Ebenezer Snell's family and personal life, yet it also concerns Snell's career at Amherst as Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy. The Snell Family Papers cover the period from 1793 to about 1940. The bulk of the material spans the years 1835-1870. The history of Amherst College and also the teaching of science, including astronomy, meteorology and physics, are documented in the notebooks, College-related correspondence, architectural and mathematical drawings, College account records and scientific materials of Professor Snell. The family related materials provide insight into family life in Amherst in the mid-to-late 1800's and include family correspondence, diaries and journals, household account books and photographs.

The Snell Family Papers provide sources for research into both the professional and academic and the personal lives of the Snells.

See series 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 12 for Amherst College related material.

Organization of the Collection

This collection is organized into fourteen series:

1. Reverend Thomas Snell, Papers 2. Correspondence 3. Diaries, Journals and Biographical Notes 4. Trips 5. Lecture Notes 6. Notebooks 7. Account Books 8. Scrapbooks 9. Printed Material 10. Herbaria 11. Snell House 12. Family Photographs 13. Cased Images 14. Drawings Information on Use Terms of Access and Use

There is no restriction on access to the Papers for research use. Particularly fragile items are restricted for preservation purposes.

Requests for permission to publish material from the Papers should be directed to the Archivist of the College. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights.

Preferred Citation

Please use the following format when citing materials from this collection:

[Identification of item], in Snell Family Papers [Box #, folder #], Amherst College Archives and Special Collections, Amherst College Library

Additional Formats

Images from this collection are also available online as part of the Five College Archives Digital Access Project.

History of the Collection

The history of the Snell Family Papers is not clear. Some of the materials were given by Mrs. E. Snell Hall between 1972 and 1976. Other materials have come to the archives in various ways over the years.

Accession Number: 85-005 Processed: 1985 Spring By: Daria D'Arienzo, Archivist of the College Deborah Pelletier Melanie Posey Search Terms Snell, E. S. (Ebenezer Strong), 1801-1876 Snell, Sabra Cobb Clark, 1807-1883 Snell, Thomas, 1774-1862 Strong, Tirzah, 1780-1855 Snell, Rebecca Emerson, 1829-1841 Snell, Mary Louisa, 1831-1899 Snell, Martha Porter, 1835-1860 Snell, Tirzah Strong, 1839-1925 Snell, Sabra C. (Sabra Clark), 1845-1932 Amherst College Amherst College -- History -- Sources Amherst College -- Alumni and alumnae -- Sources Amherst College -- Faculty -- Sources College teachers -- Massachusetts -- Amherst -- Biography College teachers -- Massachusetts -- Amherst -- Correspondence Amherst (Mass.) -- History -- Sources Amherst (Mass.) -- Social life and customs -- Sources Amherst College. Class of 1822. Snell. Additional Information Series 1: Reverend Thomas Snell, Papers

SERIES 1: REVEREND THOMAS SNELL, PAPERS, 1793-1898, includes handwritten and printed sermons, a biography, the program celebrating the centennial of his ordination, his funeral and memorial services and a picture of Appleton House. This material is arranged by type.

1 1 Genealogy n.d. 1 2 Biography of Rev. Snell by Christopher Cushing from The Congregational Quarterly 1862 Oct 1 3 Ordination of Rev. Snell: Centennial Celebration Program 1898 1 4 Sermons: handwritten 1793-94, 1853 1 5 Collected sermons of Rev. Snell: printed pamphlets 1839-40 1 6 Sermons of Rev. Snell and funeral program 1811-54, 1862 1 7 Funeral services for Rev. Snell 7 May 1862 1 8 Appleton House: drawing by E.S. Snell 1864 Series 2: Correspondence

SERIES 2: CORRESPONDENCE, 1819-75, includes letters from Ebenezer Strong Snell to his wife, daughters, parents, sisters and colleagues. Amherst College related correspondence includes a letter to the Trustees of Amherst College requesting a leave of absence to travel in Europe; a letter to the Trustees of Amherst College regarding his agreement to teach mathematics to the first Freshmen at the Massachusetts Agricultural College, and a similar letter to the Trustees of the Massachusetts Agricultural College; recommendations and letters of introduction for students; letters about Amherst College or work related business, including letters ordering apparatus for scientific work; and letters to Snell from students. Also included is incoming and outgoing correspondence of Snell's wife (Sabra Cobb Clark), his daughters, and other family members. The material is arranged in three groups: letters from Ebenezer Strong Snell, letters to Ebenezer Strong Snell and letters to and from other family members.

2 1 "Love knot" from ESS to Sabra (wife) 1828 2 2 ESS letters to Sabra (wife) 1862 2 3 ESS letters to daughters 1854-75 2 4-5 ESS letters to parents 1819-55 2 6-7 ESS letters to sisters 1825-73 2 8 ESS to Amherst College Trustees 1856 Aug, 1867 Oct 2 9 ESS to Prof. Baird 1850 Oct 2 10 ESS to Dr. Clark 1854 Jun, 1854 Aug 2 11 ESS to James C. Coffin: photocopy 1842 Nov 23 2 12 ESS recommendation for Francis P. Cotton (Class of 1845) 1845 Aug 12 2 13 ESS to George R. Cutting (Class of 1871, re organization of Literary Societies) 1871 May 16, 17 2 14 ESS to Dr. Earle 1866 Jul 20 2 15 ESS to Mr. Emerson 1866 Feb 9 2 16 ESS to Dr. Hitchcock 1854 Aug 15 2 17 ESS to Mr. Howland 1851 Dec 31 2 18 ESS to the Massachusetts Agricultural College Trustees (copy) 1867 Aug 2 19 ESS to C.W. Shepard (Class of 1827) 1832 Aug 9 2 20 ESS to Asa D. Smith, President of Dartmouth (copy) 1865 Nov 30 2 21 ESS to Strong Snell 1837 Jun 15 2 22 ESS to Prof. W.S. Tyler 1856 Jul 11 2 23 ESS to Mr. Wightman 1850 Mar 8 2 24 To ESS from Amherst College students, Class of 1851, 1853, 1858. Reply to 1853. 1851, 1853, 1858 2 25 To ESS from James Green with appended reply 1838 Dec 17 2 26 To ESS from Samuel M. Worcester 1850 Aug 29 2 27 Sabra Snell (wife): incoming and outgoing correspondence; membership certificate in Hampshire Agricultural Society 1836-58 2 28 Rebecca Snell (daughter) letter to grandparents 1836 Feb 26 2 29 Sabra Snell (daughter): letter from Jacob Abbott 1867 Sep 29 2 30 Sarah Snell (sister) to mother 1824 Oct 8 2 31 Strong Snell (brother) to parents and sisters 1826-68 2 32 Thomas Snell: fragment on behalf of Mr. Whiting n.d. 2 33 To Louisa C. Strong from Charles L. Strong 1829 Sep 19 Series 3: Diaries, Journals and Biographical Notes

SERIES 3: DIARIES, JOURNALS, AND BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES, 1837-1932, includes two notebooks of Ebenezer Strong Snell, containing autobiographical notes, journal entries, and reports to the Trustees of Amherst College. Materials also include a diary and obituaries of Sabra Snell (ESS daughter) and an account of the last two years of Martha Snell's life (ESS daughter) by her betrothed.

Material is arranged by person and type.

Sub-series A: Ebenezer Strong Snell 3 1 Autobiographical notes, journal entries, letters and Reports to Trustees, and household and College accounts (in one notebook) 1860-76, 1830-58 3 2 Journal 1827 3 3 Autobiography and Reports to Trustees (in one notebook) c. 1870, 1840-56 3 4 Transcripts of autobiography and transcripts of Reports to Trustees [1875-76] Sub-series B: Martha Snell 3 5 "An account of the last two years of Martha Snell's Life," by Henry S. Kelsey (Class of 1855) her betrothed [1860] 3 6 Texts given to Martha Snell for her night meditation [1840s-50s ?] Sub-series C: Sabra Snell (daughter) Diary 3 7 Diary 1856 Apr-1858 Oct 3 8 Obituaries 1932 Sub-series D: Unidentified Author 3 9 To My Mother's Memory", "The Lyre n.d. Series 4: Trips

SERIES 4: TRIPS, 1858 and 1866, includes journals kept by Ebenezer Strong Snell and his wife Sabra during their trip to Europe, Snell's passport and a contemporary map of London. Snell's European journal includes several letters to his daughters. The second volume of Snell's journal contains an account of a trip through the Midwest in 1866. Material is arranged by type. For other material related to the European trip see Series 2, 9 and 10.

4 1 E.S. Snell's journal of tour of Europe (2 vols.) and the Midwest USA 1858, 1866 4 2 Sabra Snell (wife) journal of tour of Europe 1858 May 31-Aug 3 4 3 Passport: E.S. Snell 1858 4 4 Whitbread's New Plan of London 1858 Series 5: Lecture Notes

SERIES 5: LECTURE NOTES includes the notes for Snell's lectures given at Amherst College as Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy and elsewhere. Most are undated, but fall between the 1830's and 1860's. Snell seems to have presented the lectures several times. The notes are arranged alphabetically by subject.

5 1 Architecture n.d. 5 2 Evolution n.d. 5 3 Lightning and Lightning Rods 1862, 1868 5 4 Magnetism/Electricity n.d. 5 5 Mechanics I n.d. 5 6 Mechanics II n.d. 5 7 Meteors n.d. 5 8 Meteorology n.d. 5 9 Natural Philosophy synopsis 1843 Nov 5 10 Natural Philosophy 1854-1855 5 11 Optics I n.d. 5 12 Optics II n.d. 5 13 Planetary Disturbances: delivered at the Smithsonian Institution 1855 Dec 19 5 14 Pneumatics [post 1851] 5 15 Sound n.d. 5 16 Telegraphy 1867, 1868 Series 6: Notebooks

SERIES 6: NOTEBOOKS, c. 1835-70, includes science and mathematics notes, catalogues of apparatus, and architectural drawings. Material is arranged alphabetically by subject.

6 1 Astronomy (Practical): Observations and Calculations 1835-54 6 1 Calendar 1861-1900 6 2 Differential and Integral Calculus n.d. 6 3 Natural Philosophy Algebra 1870 6 4 Physics 1840 6 5 Philosophical apparatus at Amherst College: catalogue 1852 Series 7: Account Books

SERIES 7: ACCOUNT BOOKS, 1825-96, includes Snell's personal and household accounts, and some Amherst Academy and Amherst College related accounts. The household accounts were continued by his family after Snell's death in September 1876. The accounts are arranged in two groups and organized chronologically.

7 1 Household accounts; also Amherst Academy 1825-35 7 2 Household accounts 1835-74 7 3 Household accounts 1875-96 7 4 Accounts with Amherst College and meteorological records and description of trip to museum in Boston (not by ESS) 1859-70, 1835-37, n.d. 7 5 Accounts with Amherst College and others 1835-78 Series 8: Scrapbooks

SERIES 8: SCRAPBOOKS 1820's-70's, includes autograph books, poetry, obituaries and news articles. The material is arranged by compiler and type.

8 1 Autograph book given to ESS by the Class of 1858 1858 8 2 Poetry, obituaries and miscellaneous news articles [1820's-70's] 8 3 Funeral poetry (handwritten) 1851 8 4 Record of the Edgeworth Library 1826 8 5 Autograph book of Mary L. Snell (ESS daughter) 1840's-50's Series 9: Printed Materials

SERIES 9: PRINTED MATERIAL, 1830-91, includes texts, articles, newsclippings, meteorological tables, programs and obituaries which were written by or about Ebenezer Snell, or collected by Snell or members of the family. Material is arranged by type and/or by author.

9 1 "Differential Calculus," by ESS 1851 9 2 "Introduction to Astronomy," ESS revision 1890 9 3 "Introduction to Natural Philosophy," ESS revision 1891 9 4 "On Planetary Disturbances." Lecture delivered at the Smithsonian Institution by ESS 1855 Dec 19 9 5 "On the Vibrations of the Fall over the Dam at Holyoke, Mass.," by ESS c. 1857 Aug 13 9 6 "Vibrations in the Waterfall at Holyoke, Mass.," by ESS [c. 1859] 9 7 "Discussion of the Barometric Observaions of Prof. E.S. Snell of Amherst College," by F. H. Loud 1881 9 8 "Coffin's Astronomical Tables" 1842 9 9 "The Gyroscope, with Experiments and Explanations" 1857 9 10 Meteorological tables and articles, obituaries, travel correspondence, articles written by ESS in the Express 1830's-50's, [c. 1840s-71, 1858] 9 11 Miscellaneous newsclippings and death announcements [1850's-80's] 9 12 Songs at the reception of Prof. Snell by the students of Amherst College 1858 9 13 Commemorative program after the death of ESS 1877 9 14 Pennell, Christopher: article and letter 1890, [1897?] Series 10: Herbaria

SERIES 10: HERBARIA, 1830-58, contains pressed flowers and plant impressions made and collected by Ebenezer Snell and his wife Sabra. Material is arranged chronologically.

10 1 Impressions of vegetable leaves 1830 10 2 Herbarium from European trip 1858 10 3 Herbarium from European trip 1858 10 4 Pages from herbarium from European trip 1858 10 5 Sabra Snell Herbarium from European trip ("Herbarium by mother on her European trip) [1858] 10 6 Pressed flowers n.d. 10 7 Watercolors of flowers n.d. Series 11: Snell House

SERIES 11: SNELL HOUSE, 1838-1940, includes a "Housebook" prepared by Sabra Snell (ESS daughter), notes on Snell House, and one inscribed piece of wood from the house. Note that the "Housebook" also contains photographs of family members and one group photograph in front of Snell House. The material is arranged by type.

11 1 "Housebook," by Sabra Snell (ESS daughter) for Elliot Snell Hall 1909-10 11 2 Random notes taken from a "Housebook" by Sabra Snell n.d. 11 3 Snell House notes: by Prof. Sam Williams n.d. 11 4 Photographs of Snell House [c. 1890's-1940's] 11 5 Sampler made by Rebecca Snell 1838 11 6 Piece of wood used by ESS in workshop [1842] Series 12: Family Photographs

SERIES 12: FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS, c. 1860's-1930's, includes pictures of Ebenezer Snell; Sabra, his wife; their daughters; his sisters; their grandchildren. The photographs are arranged by person.

12 1-4 Ebenezer Strong Snell n.d. 12 5 Ebenezer Strong Snell, Class album 1857 12 6 Ebenezer Strong Snell, Class album 1858 12 7 Ebenezer Strong Snell, Class album 1860 12 8 Ebenezer Strong Snell, Class album 1861 12 9 Engraving of Ebenezer Strong Snell n.d. 12 10 Sabra Clark Snell (wife) n.d. 12 11 Daughters of E.S. Snell [1920's?], n.d. 12 12 Tirzah Snell Hall and family [1880's-90's?] 12 13 Tirzah H. Hall (daughter of Tirzah Snell Hall and granddaughter of ESS) n.d. 12 14 Martha Snell Hall Cowles, (granddaughter of ESS) [1880's?], 1903 12 15 Elliott Snell Hall (Class of 1896, grandson of ESS) 1887, [1890's?] 12 16 Thomas Snell (brother of ESS) n.d. 12 17 Tirzah Snell Emerson, Martha Snell Porter (sisters of ESS) n.d. 12 18 Unidentified man [Titus?] [1860-65?] 12 19 Photo of ESS painting "from memory" of the living room of his old home (original in Map Case 1, Drawer 12) 1838 Series 13: Cased Images

SERIES 13: CASED IMAGES, c. 1840's-1860's, includes images of Ebenezer Strong Snell; Sabra, his wife; their daughters and her parents. The images are arranged by person.

13 1-2 Rev. Dr. Thomas Snell (ESS father) n.d., [c. 1852-62?] 13 3 Tirzah Strong Snell (Mrs. Thomas Snell, ESS mother) [c. 1845- 55?] 13 4 Ebenezer Strong Snell [1840's?] 14 1-5 Ebenezer Strong Snell [1840's?], [1850's], [post 1854], [1858?], [1860's] 15 1-3 Sabra Cobb Clark Snell (ESS wife) [1840's?], [post 1854], [1860's?] 15 4-5 Martha Porter Snell (ESS daughter) [1840's?], [ca. 1850] 16 1-2 Martha Porter Snell (ESS daughter) [c. 1850?], [post 1854] 16 3-4 Mary Louisa Snell (ESS daughter) [1850's-60's?] 16 5 Sabra Clark Snell (ESS daughter) [c. 1850-55?] 17 1-2 Martha and Tirzah Snell (Hall) [c. 1850?] 17 3-5 Tirzah Strong Snell (Hall), (ESS daughter) [ca. 1840-45?], [ca. 1855] Series 14: Drawings

SERIES 14: DRAWINGS, includes architectural and geometrical and scientific drawings, and drawings of scientific apparatus. Some of these seem to have been used to illustrate Snell's lectures. There is also one folder of astronomical calculations.

Finally, there is a painting done by Ebenezer Snell "from memory" in 1838 of the Snell family living room.

These materials are arranged by type.

18 1 Geometrical drawings n.d. 18 2 Architectural drawings n.d. 18 3 Architectural drawings n.d. 18 4 Astronomical calculations 1830-44 18 5 Astronomical drawings n.d. 18 6 Drawing of apparatus n.d. 18 7 Wash: Half moon (incomplete) [by ESS?] n.d. 18 8 Wash: waterfall [by ESS?] n.d. 19 1 Mosques of Achmet and Alexandria n.d. 19 2 Cathedral n.d. 19 3 Cathedral interior n.d. 19 4 Cathedral window and ceiling n.d. 19 5 Cathedral facade n.d. 19 6 Moorish and Gothic arches n.d. 19 7 Floor plan of a temple n.d. 19 8 Persian mullah n.d. 19 9 Parts of a cathedral n.d. 19 10 Baalbec Aqueduct n.d. 19 11 Pantheon n.d. 19 12 Chinese Pagoda n.d. 19 13 Rochester Cathedral n.d. 19 14 Norwich Cathedral (interior) n.d. 19 15 Chinese Pagoda n.d. 19 16 Maison Ciaree n.d. 19 17 Colliseum: Column of Trajan n.d. 19 18 Temple of Apollinopolis n.d. 19 19 Parthenon: Caryatid Porch n.d. 19 20 Petersborough Cathedral n.d. 19 21 Egyptian Propyloeum: Apollinopolis-Luxor n.d. 19 22 Greek Columns n.d. 19 23 Ground plans: St. Paul's, St. Peter's n.d. 19 24 Temple of Juno: Fortuna virilis n.d. 19 25 Unidentified Pagan Temple n.d. 19 26 Arch of Constantine n.d. 19 27 Mosque of Payass n.d. 19 28 Greek Temples - Erectheum and Theseum n.d. 19 29 Map of Olympia n.d.