Guide to the Patterson Family Papers, 1798-1928, undated (bulk 1820-1859)
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Cite as: Patterson Family Papers, George J. Mitchell Dept. of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine
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This collection focuses on three members of the Patterson family: Benjamin Patterson; his older brother, Actor Patten Patterson; and Benjamin's grandson, Benjamin Patterson Sands. Benjamin Patterson, son of Benjamin Sr. and Elizabeth Patten Patterson, was born August 20, 1798, and was a shipmaster in Saco, Maine. He went to sea in 1815 at the age of seventeen and lead a seafaring life for almost fifty years, never losing a vessel nor having a serious accident. He commanded ships calling at ports in South America, the East Indies, and Europe, and for many years was engaged in the cotton trade. Benjamin Patterson married Lucinda Truesdell on August 11, 1825, and they had seven children. His youngest son, Alfred, also followed a maritime career. Maria L. Patterson, his youngest daughter, left New York via steamer in the spring of 1867 to return to Saco. The steamer and her trunk arrived safely in Boston, but Maria was missing and was never located. Benjamin Patterson died at his home in Saco, Maine, on August 31, 1877.
Actor Patten Patterson, older brother of Benjamin Patterson, was born February 12, 1791, married Lydia Hutchins on September 26, 1821, and had two daughters. A shipmaster at Kennebunkport, Maine, he died January 11, 1869.
Benjamin Patterson Sands was born in Saco, Maine, on December 13, 1859, to Benjamin Patterson's daughter, Emma Patterson, and her husband, Albion Sands. Benjamin Patterson Sands was a non-graduate of the Medical School of Maine at Bowdoin College, Class of 1881. He died on November 6, 1930, in Brookline, Massachusetts.
The bulk of the collection concerns Benjamin Patterson, with two small series for Actor P. Patterson and Benjamin Patterson Sands. In addition to family and business correspondence, there are letters concerning the disappearance of Maria L. Patterson, family records, and images of family members. Bills, receipts, shipping documents, and journals kept by Benjamin Patterson while at sea are also included.
Organized in three series: Actor P. Patterson, 1820-1859, n.d.; Benjamin Patterson, 1798-1877, n.d.; and Benjamin Patterson Sands, 1928, n.d.
Family and business correspondence, bills, receipts, shipping documents, and daguerreotypes of Actor and Lydia Patterson.
Organized alphabetically by material type.
Bills and receipts, 1820-1857
Correspondence, 1825-1859
Daguerreotypes of Actor and Lydia Patterson, n.d.
Shipping documents, 1820-1839, 1850
Journals kept by Benjamin Patterson while at sea, family records, family and business correspondence, and letters to Patterson concerning the disappearance of his daughter, Maria L. Patterson, in 1867. Benjamin Patterson's certificate of citizenship and certificate of admission to the New York Marine Society, as well as bills, receipts, and shipping documents, are included.
Organized alphabetically by material type.
Bills and receipts, 1821-1862, 1873
Bills of sale, 1833 Nov 6
Broadside biographical sketch of Benjamin Patterson and family, n.d.
Broadside reward for recovery of Maria L. Patterson [1867]
Certificate of admission to New York Marine Society, 1828
Certificate of citizenship, 1815 Jun 17
Clippings, 1839, 1877
Correspondence, 1820-1874
Correspondence re: disappearance of Maria L. Patterson, 1867
Deed and mortgage with Harrison Cleaves, 1844 Feb 13
Family records, 1798-1874
Journal (bound with mariner's exercise book), 1815-1868
Journal and log book of bark "Eliza Thornton," 1848 Oct-Nov
Notarized agreements concerning Benjamin and Alfred Patterson, 1865 Apr 5
"Observations and remarks in various ports of the world," 1829-1841
Photograph of Benjamin Patterson, circa 1875
Shipping documents, 1820-1860
Photographs and a tintype of Benjamin Patterson Sands and members of the Sands family, as well as calling cards.
Organized alphabetically by material type.
Calling cards, n.d.
Photographs and tintype, 1928, n.d.