Richard Mott Papers, 1799-1863

Ms. Coll. 961
ca. 400 items (2 boxes)

Table of contents

• Biographical background
• Links to images
• Summary of collection
• Related collections
• Arrangement and description of collection
• Box 1 : Letters by Abigail Field Mott; Maria Mott; Richard Mott
• Box 2 : Letters to members of the Mott family

Biographical background

Richard Mott (1767-1856) was the son of James and Mary Mott. In 1785 [or 1787] he married Abigail Field (1766-1851) of Purchase, N.Y.

Richard was acknowledged as a minister in 1787 and traveled in 1799 with Philadelphia Friends to New England.

The Motts were residents of Mamaroneck and Purchase, N.Y. and later Burlington, N.J. They were both clerks of their respective Monthly Meetings and he served as clerk of New York Yearly Meeting.

Source for biographical information: Dictionary of Quaker Biography; "Adam and Anne Mott: their ancestors and their descendants" by Thomas C. Cornell, (Poughkeepsie, N.Y. : Printed for the family, 1890.)

Links to images

The following list brings together all of the image links found throughout this finding aid.

Page 1 of ALS of Abigail Mott, 11 mo. 11, 1827, Hickory Grove [N.Y.], to Margaret Allinson of Burlington, N.J., telling of controversy within the Society of Friends. Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 (each approx. 117k)

Page 1 of ALS of Richard Mott, 10 mo. 21, 1845, Purchase [N.Y.], to Samuel B. Tobey of Providence, R.I., discussing Wilburite controversy within the Society of Friends. Page 2 | Page3 (each approx. 117k)

Summary of collection

ALS, receipts, illustrations, portraits, photographs.

Chiefly letters (1799-1853) by Richard and Abigail Mott addressed to Margaret Allinson (later Parker), John Cox, William Rotch, Jr., Samuel B. Toby and others, as well as letters (1799-1856) to Richard Mott from Richard Carpenter, John Cox, Jonathan and Thomas Evans, Joseph John Gurney, John Pease, William Rotch, Jr. and others.

Topics discussed include news of Friends, travel, various Meetings and ministers, Elias Hicks and the Separation of 1827-1828, John Wilbur and the Wilbur-Gurney controversy.

Also includes letters of other members of Mott family as well as some miscellaneous manuscripts, receipts and portraits.

Related collections

Additional Mott family material may be found in: Joseph Tallcot family papers, 1724-1857 (bulk 1788-1853), Ms. Coll. 1015; Gummere-Mott family papers, 1715-1919, Ms. Coll. 1148.

Arrangement and description of collection

Arranged alphabetically by correspondent. Box 1 primarily contains letters and other papers written by Abigail Field Mott (1766-1851), Maria Mott (d. 1817?), Richard Mott (1767-1856) and Richard F. Mott. Box 2 contains letters and other papers written to members of the Mott family by others.

Box 1

11 folders

1. Mott, Abigail Field (1766-1851). Letters by.
   23 ALS, 1825-1847. Also photograph of Abigail Mott.
   letters are addressed to:
   • Margaret Allinson, Burlington, N.J. [5 ALS 1825-1830] later Margaret Parker, Shrewsbury, N.J. [17 ALS 1832-1847]
   • Samuel Boyd Toby, Providence, R.I. [1 ALS 1845]

   topics:

   • travel to attend various Meetings and news of same
   • news of family (in particular, her husband Richard Mott) and Friends
   • conflict within the Society of Friends (see image below)
   • Hicksite Separation and controversy (see image below)
   • mentions of Elias Hicks, Phebe Willis, Stephen Grellet, Joseph John Gurney
   • remarks on memorial to and character of H. [Hannah?] Field [1829]
   • death of Martha Willis [1832]
   • death, character and funeral of Esther Griffin [1832]
   • tells of a dream AM had [1834]
   • mentions reading through a diary of a deceased Friend, not with a view to publish it but "only to see whether it contained any thing that was not consistent with the principles of our Society" [1841]
   • mentions receiving a letter from J.J. and Eliza Gurney shortly before his death [1847]
   • alludes to Wilbur controversy in letter to S.B. Toby [1845]

   Page 1 of ALS of Abigail Mott, 11 mo. 11, 1827, Hickory Grove [N.Y.], to Margaret Allinson of Burlington, N.J., telling of controversy within the Society of Friends. Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 (each approx. 117k)

2. Mott, Maria (d. 1817?) [daughter of Richard Mott]
   ALS Hickory Grove, 3 mo. 20, 1812 addressed to Margaret Allinson, Burlington, N.J.
   topics:
   • mentions travels of her father
3. Mott, Richard (1767-1856). Letters to Margaret Allinson.
   10 ALS 1812-1831 addressed to Margaret Allinson, Burlington, N.J.
   [notes in folder say "Margaret Allinson dau. Wm. Allinson Burlington, N.J., She and her sisters and family were the intimate friends of John G. Whittier" and "Margaret Allinson married Benjamin Parker 1831, and went to live for a time at Shrewsbury, N.J."]
   topics:
   • news of family and friends
   • Hicksite Separation and controversy
   • their friendship and letter writing
4. Mott, Richard (1767-1856). Letters to John Cox (ca. 1754-1847).
   6 ALS 1812-1815 addressed to John Cox, Burlington, N.J.
   topics:
   • New York Yearly Meeting business
   • news of family and Friends
   • prospect of RM traveling as a minister to N.J.
   • discusses Elias Hicks [1813]
   • Peter and A. Barker
5. Mott, Richard (1767-1856). Letters to William Evans (1787-1867).
   3 ALS (his copies?) Mamaroneck and Purchase, N.Y., 1836 and 1845, addressed to William Evans (1836 letter inscribed "Copy of a letter to Wm. Evans 5 mo. 1836")
   topics:
   • coming crisis in the Society of Friends
   • concern over the "soundness" of a Friend in Farmington and controversy over a letter from this Friend that was published by R. Smith in "the Friend" [1836]
   • Wilbur-Gurney split in the Society of Friends and RM's views of the situation and thoughts on the two principals involved
6. Mott, Richard (1767-1856). Letters to William Rotch, Jr.
   47 ALS, AL, ms. copies (R.M.'s) Mamaroneck, Purchase, and Hickory Grove, N.Y.; Burlington, N.J.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Hartford, Conn.; New Port, R.I.; Baltimore, Md.; 1799-1849 addressed to William Rotch, Jr., New Bedford, Mass.
   topics:
   • news of family and Friends
   • sympathy letter on death of Wm. Rotch's wife [1828]
   • Hicksite controversy in the Society of Friends
   • their friendship
   • RM's travels as a minister
   • religious discussions
   • RM's financial difficulties [gristmill 1808]
   • concern over the situation of RM's brother Samuel [1814]
   • death of Matthew Franklin [1815]
   • Mexican War [1847]
   • cholera epidemic in Burlington [1849]
7. Mott, Richard (1767-1856). Letters to Samuel B. Tobey.
   20 ALS Purchase, N.Y.; Burlington, N.J., 1842-1853 addressed to Samuel Boyd Tobey (M.D.), Providence, R.I.
   topics:
   • Wilburite Separation (see image below)
   • controversy and conflict within Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
   • Meeting business
   • discusses case of Rowland [Grund? Grunn?] from R.I. Yearly Meeting coming to New Jersey on a religious visit [1845] and the refusal to see him because of split in R.I.
   • news of family and Friends
   • present state of the Society of Friends
   • mention of Eliza P. Gurney

   Page 1 of ALS of Richard Mott, 10 mo. 21, 1845, Purchase [N.Y.], to Samuel B. Tobey of Providence, R.I., discussing Wilburite controversy within the Society of Friends. Page 2 | Page3 (each approx. 117k)

8. 8. Mott, Richard (1767-1856). Letters to Samuel Parsons.
   9 ALS Union Town, [Pa.?]; Mamaroneck, N.Y.; Hickory Grove, N.Y., 1806-1834 addressed to Samuel Parsons, New York and Flushing, Long Island
   topics:
   • Mott's travels as a minister
   • religious thoughts
   • Hicksite Separation and controversy
   • Meeting business
   • RM's health
9. Mott, Richard (1767-1856). Misc. letters by - and personal and religious items.
   includes:
   • 2 photographs of R. Mott
   • 2 portraits of R. Mott
   • 13 ALS and RM's copies, 1801-1842, addressed to various people (Ann Alexander, A. Barker, John Cox, A. Jordon, Jesse Kersey, Dr. Moore, Hannah B. Mott, Catharine Sharpless, his brother [])
   • 5 misc. ms., includes:
     • a prayer
     • "first draft [of his grandfather] by Richard F. Mott of account in M.S. book"
     • description of Richard Mott's house by Abigail Barker
     • copy of Richard Mott's will
     • "3rd mo. 17, 1846, statement made by my dear R. Mott" [during a severe illness], signed "A. Mott"
10. Mott, Richard F. Letters to grandson of Richard Mott
    18 ALS 1856-1863
    includes:
    • 13 ALS from Richard Carpenter, Scarsdale, 1856-1859

    topics:

    • declines executorship of Richard Mott's estate due to his ill health
    • memorial for Richard Mott and its reception in RC's Monthly Meeting
    • news of family and friends
    • 1857 Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, conflict between and within Meetings

    ALS from John Meader, Providence, 7 mo. 29, 1859
    topics:

    • thanks him for present of a garment belonging to Richard Mott

    ALS from Dr. Joseph W. Taylor, Sussex, 11 mo. 21, 1861
    topics:

    • news of friends and travel in England

    ALS from Deborah C. Thomas, The Grove, 3 mo. 7, 1863
    topics:

    • thanks him for sending family photograph

    2 ALS from Samuel Boyd Tobey, New York and Newport, R.I., 1856 and 1861
    topics:

    • sympathy letter on death of Richard Mott
    • thanks him for sending portrait of Richard Mott
11. Mott, Richard (1767-1856). Receipted bills.
    ca. 45 items, includes misc. receipts and accounts, 1816-1856

Box 2

14 folders

1. Carpenter, Richard
   42 ALS chiefly from Scarsdale, N.Y., 1847-1856 addressed to Richard Mott
   topics:
   • news of Friends
   • chiefly news of various Meetings he has attended
   • Meeting at Scirpio and Job Otis (1848)
   • Free Produce Association
   • concern over young people and Hicksite parties that have music and dancing (1851)
   • concern over situation in Ferrisburg Quarterly Meeting (reminds him of R.I. situation [Wilbur controversy]) 1851
   • travel as a minister to Ferrisburg
   • slavery
   • John Wilbur at Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (1852)
   • controversy within the Society of Friends (Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and John Wilbur)
   • travel in Canada (1852)

   also:

   • ALS from James Brown, Baltimore, 5 mo. 10, 1853, to Richard Mott re news of Richard Carpenter
   • typed note from Amelia Mott Gummere re letters in coll.
   • photograph of Richard Carpenter
2. Cox, John (ca. 1754-1847). Letters 1803-1819.
   40 ALS "Oxmead" (near Burlington, N.J.), 1803-1819, addressed to Richard Mott, Abigail Mott, Mamaroneck, N.Y.
   topics:
   • chiefly news of family and Friends
   • mentions David Sands (1803), Stephen Grellet
   • tells Abigail of the travels of her husband in the ministry
   • Meeting business
   • thoughts on various ministers and their ministry
   • refers to portraits of Billy and Jenny (6 mo. 6, 1812)
   • trip to Baltimore (1812)
   • refers to preaching of Elias [Hicks] who accompanied by Isaac [Hicks] "makes a great noise thro' our country ..." (6 mo. 17, 1813)
   • more references to Elias Hicks in letters of 8.4.1813, 7.20.1814, 2.7.1817, 12.8.1817
   • slavery (1814, 1816, 1817)
   • visit to Washington to present memorial before Congress; speaks of passage of law regarding conscientious objectors to military service
   • health of Susan Emlen

   also:

   • note of Amelia Mott Gummere re portraits of Billy and Jenny (slaves of James Mott) alluded to in letter of 6 mo. 6, 1812
   • portrait of John Cox
3. Cox, John (ca. 1754-1847). Letters 1820-1845.
   32 ALS "Oxmead" (near Burlington, N.J.), 1820-1845, addressed to Richard Mott, [chiefly at] Mamaroneck, N.Y.
   topics:
   • news of family and Friends
   • state of the Society of Friends
   • mentions Stephen Grellet, Anna Braithwaite, Elizabeth Robson, Thomas Shillitoe
   • discusses [Hannah B. Smith] in reply to an inquiry of R.M. (Robert F. Mott marries her)
   • death of [Robert F. Mott] in 1826
   • Hicksite Separation
4. Evans, Jonathan (1759-1839).
   6 ALS Philadelphia, 1800-1806, addressed to Richard Mott and Abigail Mott, Mamaroneck, N.Y.
   topics:
   • expresses friendship and religious advice for Richard Mott as re his travels
   • writes to Abigail Mott of her husband's visit in Philadelphia (1806)
5. Evans, Thomas (1798-1868).
   4 ALS Philadelphia, 1837-1842, addressed to Richard Mott, N.Y.
   topics:
   • events at Manchester Monthly Meeting in 1836[?]
   • Isaac Crewdson, William Bolton and supporters
   • Beaconite controversy
   • tells of visit of J.J. Gurney to Philadelphia
   • meeting and discussion between J.J. Gurney and E. Bates [Elisha Bates]
   • some opposition to views of Gurney
   • Wilbur controversy in New England
6. Forster, Josiah (1782-1870).
   2 ALS Tottenham [England], 1846 and 1847, addressed to Richard Mott, Burlington, N.J.
   topics:
   • J.J. Gurney
   • slavery and sugar imports
   • Mexican War
7. Gurney, Joseph John (1788-1847).
   8 ALS New York [and other locations] 1838-1841, addressed to Richard Mott, Purchase, N.Y.
   topics:
   • tells of his visits to islands (St. Thomas, Tortola, St. Kitt, Antigua, Dominica) (1840)
   • trip to America and Canada; visits to Meetings and Friends families (1838)
   • traveling with Henry Hinsdale
   • traveling with his sister Elizabeth Fry in Europe (1841)
   • speaks of his upcoming marriage (1841)
   • slavery

   also:

   • ALS from Henry Hinsdale to Richard Mott, [1843] containing extract from letter of J.J. Gurney
   • 2 ALS from Mahlon Day to Richard Mott, [1841, 1842] containing copies of letters from J.J. Gurney
   • portrait of J.J. Gurney and illustration of his home (gift of Eleanor W. Taber, 1951)
8. Hull, Henry (1765-1834).
   3 ALS Sheffield, London and Ireland, 1811, addressed to Richard Mott, (care of Samuel Mott, New York)
   topics:
   • tells of his trip to Great Britain
   • discusses his acquaintance with the Gurneys of Earlham
   • Joseph Gurney Bevan
9. Mott family. Letters addressed to.
   9 ALS 1799-1849
   letters are from:
   • Anna Adams (1848) to Hannah B. Mott, Burlington, N.J.
   • Joseph Bowne (1832) to Hannah B. Mott, Mamaroneck, N.Y.
   • John Cox (1816-1820) to Robert Mott and to Abigail Mott
   • William Forster (1820) to Robert Mott, Mamaroneck, N.Y.
   • [H.]. Hull (1847) to Margaret Parker, Shrewsbury, N.J.
   • R.A. Rutter and S. Cresson (1799) to Abigail Mott
   • Anna W. Willis (1849) to Hannah B. Mott, Burlington, N.J.
10. Mott, Richard (1767-1856). Misc. letters to.
    15 ALS 1807-1853 addressed to Richard Mott
    letters are from:
    • E. Bates (1832)
    • Lucy H. Eddy (1853)
    • William Evans (1836)
    • William Forster (1823)
    • Matthew Franklin (1897)
    • Edmund Haviland (1844)
    • Samuel Hilles (no year)
    • Caleb McComber (1823)
    • Sarah R. Arnold (1849)
    • Henry Rowntree (1850, 1856)
    • Phoebe A. Sands (1855)
    • Ann Shipley (184[8])
    • George Withy (1821)
    • Anna Willis (1851)
11. Pease, John (1797-1868).
    6 ALS East Mount, Darlington [England]; at sea; Providence, R.I.; Randolph Co., N.C., 1843-1855, addressed to Richard Mott, Purchase, N.Y. and Burlington, N.J.
    topics:
    • tells of his travels as a minister
    • refers to John Wilbur and Philadelphia Yearly Meeting [1846]
    • on the death of Stephen Grellet

    also:

    • photograph of John Pease (gift of Caroline Allinson, 1940)
    • pencil sketch of residence of John Pease [1845?]
    • portrait of J.P.
    • 2 p. ms. biographical sketch of J.P.
12. Rotch, William (1759-1850).
    15 ALS New Bedford, 1799-1849, addressed to Richard Mott, Mamaroneck, N.Y. and Burlington, N.J.
    topics:
    • their friendship
    • remarks on number of new women ministers
    • doubtful of the merits of plainness and simplicity [1806]
    • concern over the path his children will choose
    • Yearly and other Meetings
    • religious thoughts
    • his health [90 years old in 1849]
13. Shoemaker, John (1764-1817).
    2 ALS Montgomery Co., Pa., 1802, addressed to Richard Mott, Mamaroneck, N.Y.
    topics:
    • religious thoughts
    • fear of "self"
    • news of Friends
14. Willis, John R.
    4 ALS New York and Liverpool [England], 1839-1843, addressed to Richard Mott, Purchase, N.Y.
    topics:
    • mentions visit of Joseph John Gurney
    • re land transaction
    • speaks of many fires in New York City [1840]
    • trip to England [1843] and English Friends

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