Collection number: MS 278
Size:
(1 item)
About Morris Cotton
Morris Cotton (1 September 1827-03 April 1921) was the son of Jonathan Cotton and Abigail C. Hobbs of North Hampton, NH. He worked as a farm laborer in early life, and later seems to have published at least one book of music for schools. (Note: He does not appear to be the same Morris Cotton, 1805-1871, who worked as a publisher in Boston.)
About the Morris Cotton Notebook
Cotton's notebook contains an assortment of genealogy, book citations (mostly about music), poetry, and daily items such as clothes, medicine, and capentry. The book is undated, but the latest dated event is 1908. The genealogy for the Cotton/Leavitt families is quite extensive, dating from 1753-1904, and has been copied from the vital records of an unnamed Congregational Church. Births, baptisms, marriages, and deaths are listed in detail. Both families were among the first settlers of the area. The back flyleaf has a smaller list of births in the Roberts family, 1838-1908. One can assume that these records all pertain to Goffstown, although this is not explicitely stated.
The many book citations seem to be in support of Cotton's publishing of E.H. Bascom's "The School Harp: a collection of pleasing and instructive songs, Music and words, original and selected, Designed for the use of schools and singing classes" (pub. 1855). There are also other criptic references to books published.
The notebook is kept in at least two different hands, with older farm records in ink mingling with book citations over erased daybook entries.
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
This collection is open.
Copyright Notice
Contents of this collection are governed by U.S. copyright law. For questions about publication or reproduction rights, contact Special Collections staff.
Preferred Citation
Notebook, Folder 8, Box 26, Morris Cotton Notebook, 1908, MS 278, Milne Special Collections and Archives, University of New Hampshire Library, Durham, NH, USA.
Acquisitions Information
Purchase from Carmen Valentino Rare Books, 2014.
Collection Arrangement
Collection is in original order as received.
