Mrs. E.E. Thompson / Highland House Papers, 1879-1985

Collection number: MC 181
Size: 4 boxes (1.33 cu.ft.)

About Amanda Elizabeth Homiston Thompson (1864-1950)

Amanda Elizabeth Homiston (Mrs. E.E.) Thompson was born in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin in 1864, the daughter of Aurelias Homiston and Amanda E. Thompkins. She married Elmer Ellsworth Thompson on September 15, 1885 and they had two children, a daughter, Ethel Elizabeth, in 1886 and a son, Sereno Wright, in 1889. In 1896 they adopted another daughter, Ina. They lived for a while in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin and then in Williamsburg, Virginia. By 1921 they were in Durham, New Hampshire at Highland House. According to Eloise Woodman in her book Descendants of Captain John Woodman: The Man From Oyster River, Sarah J.Woodman, owner of the Highland House, leased the House and Farm in 1921 for three years. There is no mention to whom. The 1944 Durham Town Report shows Mrs. E.E. Thompson and Ina E. Thompson as owners of Highland House.

Upon Sarah J. Woodman’s death in 1935, Fred B. Philbrick became executor of her estate. This could explain why materials from Newmarket Light, Heat and Power Co. are in this collection of papers, since Mr. Philbrick was its Treasurer and later its General Manager.

Partial Thompson Family Tree

About the Mrs. E.E. Thompson/Highland House Papers

The Mrs. E.E. Thompson/Highland House collection consists of five series. The first series contains correspondence to and from members of the Thompson family, 1879-1985, and photographs, with the majority of the correspondence to Mrs. E.E. Thompson at Highland House being between 1933-1940. The second series concerns the operation of Highland House and contains bills and receipts, solicitations for advertising business, and correspondence written by one of the residents. Series 3 consists of receipts, bills, and checkbook registers for the Newmarket Light, Heat, and Power Co., whose connection to Highland House is speculated on above. The fourth series contains miscellaneous materials – bank books belonging to people whose connection to the Thompsons and Highland House is unknown, printed items, and booklets and pamphlets. Finally, Series 5 is comprised of oversized materials, most of which are newspaper advertisements.

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

[Identification of item], [Folder number], [Box number], Mrs. E.E. Thompson/Highland House Papers, 1879-1985, MC 181, Milne Special Collections and Archives, University of New Hampshire Library, Durham, NH, USA.

Acquisitions Information

Donation: Agnes R. Lylis, Hampton, NH, November 2, 2001 (Accession number: 2001.38)

Collection Contents

Series 1: Thompson Family, 1879-1985

This series consists of correspondence of Mrs. E.E. Thompson (1879-1940) in folders 1-4; correspondence of Ethel Thompson (Mrs. Harry Rand) in folders 5-9; correspondence of Sereno and Ina Thompson in folders 10-11; family miscellaneous materials in folders ; and photographs in folder 12.

Box 1
Box 1, Folder 1		December 1872 - December 1921 To Libby in Sun Prairie, Wisc. from H. Gilbert, Dec 22, 1872 From Libby in Spencer, Wisc. to Papa (transcribed), Nov 27, 1883 From Libby in Sun Prairie, Wisc. to "Dear All" (transcribed), Sept 2, 1889 To Elizabeth from Emma, July 1907 To Mrs. Thompson in Williamsburg, Va. from Rebie (transcribed), Aug 10, 1910 To Mrs. E.E Thompson in Williamsburg, Va. from S.M. Bixby and Co., Dec 20, 1918 To Mrs. Thompson in Williamsburg from H.A.R., Dec 1, 1921
Box 1, Folder 2		June 1924 - June 1931 To Mr. Thompson at Highland House from Mrs. F.R. Brown, June 26, 1924 (all the following are addressed to Highland House, Durham, N.H.) To Mrs. Thompson from Frank P. Farnum, Dec 23, 1927 To Mrs. Thompson from Florence W. Libbey, Dec 30, 1927 To Mother Thompson from "Your Boy, C.", May 7, 1930 To Mrs. Thompson from Charlotte, Apr 12, 1931 To Elizabeth from S.C., Oct 13, 1930 To Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Thompson from Mr. and Mrs. George Webster, 1930 To Mrs. Thompson from Mary O'Leary, June 4, 1931
Box 1, Folder 3		August 1933 - September 1940 To Mr. E.E. Thompson from Harrie, Aug 15, 1933 To Mr. E.E. Thompson from Ethel, Aug 16, 1933 To Mrs. Thompson, Ina and Ethel from Mrs. Laur and Mabelle, Dec 19, 1933 To Mrs. E.E. Thompson and Daughter from Emily and Walter Hale, Dec 19, 1937 To Elizabeth from Emma, Apr 24, 1938 To Mrs. E.E. Thompson from Ethel, Aug 29, 1938 To Mrs. E.E. Thompson from Ethel, Sept 1, 1938 To Elizabeth from Emma, Oct 9, 1938 To Mrs. E.E. Thompson from ---- Gouch, Oct 22, 1938 To Elizabeth from Emma, Oct 29, 1938 To Mrs. E.E. Thompson from Mr. and Mrs. Thistle, Nov 1, 1938 To Mrs. Thompson from Edith M. Philbrick, Feb 26, 1939 To Elizabeth from Mrs. Geoge T. Chase, Mar 9, 1939 To Aunt Elizabeth from Edith, Apr 3, 1939 To Mrs. Thompson from Stanley Cullington, Apr 6, 1939 To Mrs. Thompson from Dr. John D. Butler, Mar 6, 1940 To Elizabeth from Emma, Mar 29, 1940 To Aunt Elizabeth from Willard, Sept 1, 1940
Box 1, Folder 4		Undated Correspondence From Elizabeth to H.S. Shaw, undated Fragment from Emma, undated To You and the girls from M Isabel and Helen G. Hallett, undated To Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson from Florence H. Copley, undated To Mrs. Thompson from Miss Gouch, undated To Mrs. Thompson from Geraldine (Mrs. A.C. McMahon), undated To Mrs. Thompson from "Erne," undated To Mrs. Thompson from Geraldine, undated To Mrs. Thompson from Mrs. M.E. Griffiths, undated (this reads as a eulogy for Elmer Ellsworth Thompson)
Box 1, Folder 5		June 1898 - June 1943 To Grandpa from Ethel, June 27, 1898 To Ethel in Burke, Wisc. from A. Homiston (Grandpa), July 16, 1900 To Ethel in Williamsburg, Va from Pearl Schuick Thomas, Jan 30, 1924 To Ethel at Highland House from Mildred, Apr 26, 1930 To Ethel from Aunt Em, Dec 25, 1931 To Mrs. Harrie Rand from Mary Selby De Iturralde, Jan 15, 1942 To Ethel from Aunt Em, June 2, 1943
Box 1, Folder 6		May 1944 - July 1948 and undated To Mr. and Mrs. Harrie Rand from Helen Marie Thompson, May 6, 1944 To Ethel from Bertha, May 15, 1944 To Mrs. Ethel E. Rand from PFC R.A. Thompson, June 7, 1944 To Ethel from Aunt Emma, June 8, 1944 To Ethel from Marge, Weldon and Little Harrie, Oct 1947 To Mr. and Mrs. Harrie Rand from Claire, Leon and "The Boys," Oct 14, 1947 To Mr. and Mrs. Harrie Rand from Mother, Oct 15, 1947 To Ethel from Grace, 1948 To Ethel from Pauline and Norman, July 20, 1948 To Miss Thompson from Mrs. A.O. Gorman Munkhouse, no date
Box 1, Folder 7		To Mrs. Harrie Rand, July 1948: 15 Sympathy Cards
Box 1, Folder 8		To Mrs. Harrie Rand, July 1948: 18 Sympathy Cards
Box 1, Folder 9		To Mrs. Harrie Rand, July 1948: 19 Sympathy Cards
Box 1, Folder 10		June 1898 - December 1985 From Sereno to Grandpa (A. Homiston), June 27, 1898 (transcribed) To Sereno from Ella Hegy, May 12, 1909 To Sereno from Aunt Em, Sept 22, 1909 To Sereno from Aunt Em, Dec 20, 1909 To Sereno from Aunt Em, Feb 10, 1910 To Sereno from Aunt Em, Mar 29, 1910 To Ina from Ethel, Aug 29, 1938 To Ina from Weldon, Aug 29, 1938 To Ina from Marilyn, Bill, Carrie and Donna Dresser, Jan 8, 1965 To Ina from Steve and Annette Stevens, Dec 5, 1985
Box 1, Folder 11		Paper Ephemera Fond du Lac High School Report for Libbie Homiston, Mar 28, 1879 Congregational Sunday School Card with class roll from Sun Prairie, Wisc. for Sereno Thompson Two car registrations to Elmer Thompson in 1931 and 1932 A Nationwide Cash-Credit Account Card (Ina) Baby Announcement for a David Francis Evans for Ina in 1987 Envelope of miscellaneous receipts saved by Ina in 1986 and 1987 Copy of a newspaper article from the Commonwealth of Fond du Lac, Wisc., Friday, Oct 4, 1895: an obituary of Almira Homiston Copy of a newspaper article from the Sun Prairie Countryman of Sun Prairie, Wisc., Thursday, June 4, 1908: an article featuring the Commencement of the Sun Prairie High School in which has a class picture showing an Arthur and Willard Thompson. The article states that Willard Thompson was assigned the Salutatory. Copy of a newspaper article from the The Daily Commonwealth of Fond du Lac, Wisc., Saturday, Jan 29, 1910: An article giving birthday congratulations to Mrs. R.W. Bass on her 80th Birthday
Box 1, Folder 12		Photographs B&W 1 1/2" by 2 1/2" photo of an unidentified male in uniform (?) B&W 3" by 4 1/2" of unidentified male and 2 women: written on back - "Papa, Addie B. and Susan Mae sitting on the bumper." B&W 3" by 4 1/2" photo of unidentified male and a woman: written on back - "Papa and Addie B. at the wheel." B&W 3" by 4 1/2" photo of unidentified baby in a highchair B&W 3" by 4 1/2"- 5 photos sent from Los Angeles, Ca on Sept 2, 1918 to Mrs. E.E. Thompson, Williamsburg, Va. (1 of "Mr. and Mrs. Rood, Fern Robinson and cousin"; 1 of "Bird cage in Griffith Park, Glendale, Ca. and 2 of "Lojango Canyon, CA" and an unidentified photo B&W 3 1/2" by 5 1/2" photo of an unidentified house. Written on back: "Home in Williamsburg across from Palace Green by Tyler Family." B&W 4" by 6 1/2" photo of the Community Church in Durham sent to Mrs. E.E. Thompson at Highland House by Clement Moran, Durham, N.H. B&W 2" by 2 1/2" daguerreotype photo of unidentified woman B&W 5" by 7" photo of an unidentified woman, circa 1940 Hand Colored copy from a photo of an unidentified woman, circa 1930 Color 5" by 7" photo, "To Ina, From Jim Douthart, Lunar Eclipse, July 1982." Color 4" x 6" photo of unidentified white cat

Series 2: Highland House

This series contains financials of the Highland House, including bills & receipts in folder 1; and soliciations for advertisements, material pertaining to Highland House Farm, and letters from Ralph C. Bentley (H.H. guest) in folder 2.

Box 1
Box 1, Folder 13		Assorted combination of bills and receipts (1926-1940) for E.E. Thompson, Highland House or Mrs. E.E. Thompson: included is an envelope of electric bills from 1931
Box 1, Folder 14		Assorted combinaton of bills and receipts (1946-1947) for Mrs. E.E. Thompson and Ina Thompson
Box 1, Folder 15		Copies of Bank Loans, Chattel Mortgages, Insurance Policies and Bank receipts by Mrs. E.E. and Ina Thompson
Box 1, Folder 16		Mixed correspondence (1931-1938) to Highland House: notes asking for weekly rates, requests for charity donations and social security paperwork
Box 1, Folder 17		Mixed correspondence (1939-1947) to Highland House: notes sending thanks for a great stay, late payment notices and social security paperwork
Box 2
Box 2, Folder 1		Advertisement listings of Wholesale Food & Produce Prices 1938-1940
Box 2, Folder 2		Advertisements for blankets, sheets, linens, glassware, dishes, uniforms and paper goods (Several advertisements are dated 1939-1940)
Box 2, Folder 3		Newspapers, Travel Magazines and State Publications soliciting advertisements of Highland House, dated 1930-1940
Box 2, Folder 4		Newspapers, including an example in print and Sportmans Magazine soliciting advertisement of Highland House: none dated
Box 2, Folder 5		Assorted advertisements to Highland House: example of items include newspaper ads, movie theater notices, piano tuning and water sports equipment
Box 2, Folder 6		More assorted advertisements to Highland House: examples of items include personalized pencils, hotel stationary, tennis equipment and mattresses
Box 2, Folder 7		This folder contains a variety of papers having to do with the farming industry. There are notes and advertisements having to do with poultry, egg production, fertilizer and different feeds.
Box 2, Folder 8		This folder contains a variety of papers having to do with farming. There are notes from the New England Milk Producers' Association (1930-1940) and Merrimack Farmers' Exchange Price List.
Box 2, Folder 9		There are 7 letters from Ralph C. Bentley to various people: to a farm in Methuen, MA, looking for a market for his milk as he has just bought the Arthur C. Willey farm in Newmarket, N.H.; to Mrs. Florence E. Bentely asking her and Floss to come to Highland House; to Misses B.J. and M.L. Spring asking them to come to Highland House for a visit; to Mrs. L.M. Brown asking her to come and see the farm; to Mr. Christie in East Kingston asking the price of about 1500 chicks and 2 letters to First Radio Parish Church.

Series 3: Newmarket Light, Heat, and Power Company, 1897-1917

This series contains mostly bills, receipts, and checkbook registers for the Newmarket Light, Heat, and Power Company.

Box 2
Box 2, Folder 10		Receipts and bills (1898-1900) of James W. Burnham who was President of the Newmarket Light, Heat and Power Co. Also included is the Amended New Hampshire Charter for Newmarket Light, Heat and Power Co. of 1897.
Box 2, Folder 11		Receipts and bills (1901) for Newmarket Light, Heat and Power Co.
Box 2, Folder 12		Receipts and bills (1901)
Box 2, Folder 13		Receipts and bills (1901)
Box 2, Folder 14		Receipts and bills (1901-1904)
Box 2, Folder 15		Receipts and bills (1908-1917) with a change to Fred B. Philbrick, Treasurer and later General Manager of Newmarket Light, Heat and Power
Box 3
Box 3, Folder 1		Checkbook (1890-1891); Checkbook Register (1896-1897)
Box 3, Folder 2		Checkbook Register (1898); Checkbook Register (Mar-May 1899)
Box 3, Folder 3		Checkbook Register (June 1899); Checkbook Register (July 1899)
Box 3, Folder 4		Checkbook register (Jan 1900); Checkbook Register (Apr-Sept 1911)
Box 3, Folder 5		Checkbook Register (1911-1912); Checkbook Register (1912-1913)
Box 3, Folder 6		Checkbook Register (1914)
Box 3, Folder 7		Checkbook Registers - not dated

Series 4: Miscellaneous Materials

This series contains bankbooks from other individuals and printed emphemera.

Box 3
Box 3, Folder 8		Bankbooks, 1916-1966 Four bankbooks (1920-1937) for accounts in New York City for Mathilda Deringer One bankbook (1931-1938) for the estate of Mrs. Mathilda Deringer; John A. Deringer, Adm One bankbook (1928-1937) for Miss Edith J. Best in trust for aunt, Mrs. Emily M. Doane One bankbook (1956-1966) for John Howard Deringer at Laconia Savings Bank Empire City Auto Plate and Mat. Co account book with Clarke Brothers Bankers, NY (1916-1918)
Box 3, Folder 9		Paper Ephemera 1856 Quarterly Ticket for Almira Homiston Five cards for John A. Deringer showing membership to the Freemasons A piece of Highland House stationery A postcard to Mrs. F.B. Philbrick Receipt for insured mail Birthday card "from your son Frank." Wedding announcement by Mr. Mrs. John Ray in Portsmouth, N.H. Memorandum for Clarke Brothers, Bankers Misc. Postcards circa 1938 Program for Annual Garden Club Luncheon, 1940 Program for Annual Convention of Rural Letter Carriers, 1944 Small Poster for a Church Program sponsored in Sun Prairie, Wisc., 1898 Highland House Alphabet - looks like verses to a song about Highland House and those who worked there Listing of Community Church Activities in Durham Financial Report of the Community Church in Durham in 1939 Brown envelope with address of Fuller Regalia & Costume Co (Badges a Specialty)
Box 3, Folder 10		Assortment of Booklets and Pamphlets "Dinner is Served, 1940" - a pocket guide to Inns and Hotels The Edison Institute Museum and Village of Dearborn, Michigan The Seacoast Region of New Hampshire Woman's Club of Durham, N.H. Year Book, 1940-1941 1920 Ayer's American Almanac An advertising packet by the Board of Trade for Pittsfield, MA, including a 1912 list of Inns and Hotels Eighth Annual N.H. Egg And Baby Chick Show, 1939 1939 Annual Report of the Town of Durham 1939 Mass. Investors Trust Annual Report Catalogue for Endicott Junior College Personal Finance Co. booklet of "Where Does My Money Go" 1939 New Hampshire Poultry Growers' Association.

Series 5: Oversized Materials

This series contains newspaper advertisments for various items and services.

Oversize Box 1
Oversize Box 1, Folder 1		Newspaper Advertisements
Oversize Box 1, Folder 2		Newspaper Advertisements and Lodging Books
Oversize Box 1, Folder 3		Advertisements for Magazines and Books
Oversize Box 1, Folder 4		Miscellaneous papers, advertisements and a 1938 FBI Wanted Poster
Oversize Box 1, Folder 5		Advertisements for clothes and plants
Oversize Box 1, Folder 6		Advertisements for dishes, furniture, linens and appliances
Oversize Box 1, Folder 7		Advertisements for dishes, furniture, linens and appliances