Early family papers and Genealogical Notes, 1850-1904

The collection contains four series, arranged by Totten family member. Within each series, the papers are arranged chronologically. Note, in pencil on many of the letters, are notes made by Bessie Totten describing the family relation and contents.

Series I: Chelnissa Totten Papers, 1880-1944, is the second largest segment of the Totten Family Papers. Correspondence is particularly heavy during the World War II years of 1940-1944. This collection contains correspondence mainly in the form of personal letters and postcards. There are some pictures, but very little business correspondence. Included is an autograph book from 1879-1881.

Series II: Alice Ladley Totten Papers, 1865-1934, is the third largest segment of the Totten Family Papers. Correspondence is most frequent during the 1900 to 1904 time period. The nature of the collection comprises mostly of personal letters. Alice Ladley is the mother of Bessie L. Totten, whose papers are in Series IV. There is one undated file at the end of the Alice Ladley Totten Papers.

Series III: Jonathan H. Totten, William Emerson Totten and Martha Totten Papers, 1811-1916, is the smallest series of the entire collection. The individual files of Jonathan H. Totten (Bessie’s grandfather) contain personal and business correspondence dating 1835-1864. The files of William Emerson Totten (Bessie’s father) contain personal correspondence dating 1865-1884. The file of Martha Totten contains personal letters dating 1863-1866. Of note in this series is the ciphering book of Jonathan H. Totten dated 1816. Included in this series are three folders of genealogical notes and early family papers spanning 1811-1916. These folders contain correspondence from various family members and family friends, and contain some of the earliest family history in the collection.

Series IV: Bessie L. Totten Papers, 1883-1962, makes up the bulk of the Totten Family Papers. Correspondence is especially plentiful for the years 1923, 1936, 1941, and 1962. This series contains correspondence in the form of business letters and personal letters, with some postcards and pictures. Bessie is the daughter of William Emerson Totten and Alice Ladley Totten. There are three undated files in the back of the Bessie L. Totten collection.