Collection number: MC 359
Size:
(7 items)
(0.15 cu.ft.)
About the Stevens Family
The Stevens family of Meredith, New Hampshire was headed by Ebenezer Stevens (9 May 1810 Gilford NH -15 February 1901 Meredith NH), son of Paul Stevens Sr. and Sally Howe, grandson of prominent Meredith founder Col. Ebenezer Stevens. His first marriage (1831) was Therina P. Osgood (1811-1845) and their children Cyrus A. (1831-1906), Celestia A. (1833-1910), and Ebenezer Stevens Jr. (d. 1839). His second marriage (1846) was to Cassandra Swansey (6 Oct. 1818 Gilford NH - 6 June 1901 Meredith NH), daughter of John B. Swansey and Alice Ladd. Their only child was Alice Swansey Stevens (28 June 1849-1 March 1937) who married Henry W. Lincoln (1842 Norton MA - 1901 Meredith NH).
Ebenezer Stevens moved to Meredith in 1837 working as a blacksmith, and later went into partnership with prominent Meredith merchant Joseph W. Lang. Stevens was an avid Free Will Baptist, later became a selectman, justice of the peace, and trustee of the New Hampshire Academy. He and Lang both were involved in the founding of the Meredith Savings Bank and Meredith Mechanical Association.
Cassandra (Swansey) Stevens ran a relatively affluent household which included her daughter ("Baby") Alice, and at least one of her step-daughters (Celestia). Her diaries are detailed and filled to the brim with observations on the town, her family, and politics (she took a keen interest in the 1876 presidential election). Her days include canning, soap making, ironing, cooking, washing, handwork, visitors, and especially visiting with her daughter after Alice's marriage (Cassandra was not fond of her son-in-law).
About the Stevens Diaries
The collection consists of four daybooks kept by Ebenezer Stevens (1855, 1858, 1862-1863, and undated) and three diaries kept by Cassandra Stevens (1866-1877, 1877-1882, and 1888-1889).
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], Stevens Family Diaries, 1855-1889, MC 356, Milne Special Collections and Archives, University of New Hampshire Library, Durham, NH, USA.
Acquisitions Information
Purchase, 2020
Related Material
Photographs and further information on the family can be found in Bruce Heald's "Images of America: Meredith" (Arcadia Publishing, 1996) and Mary E. Neal Hanaford's "Meredith, N.H. Annals and Genealogies" (Concord NH: Rumford Press, 1932).
Collection Arrangement
- Chronological within writer.
