Guide to the George Boardman Noyes Papers, 1835-1944, undated
George Boardman Noyes Papers, George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine
The George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, like all archives and special collections libraries, is the creation of human beings who have collected, organized, and described things in ways that reflect personal, cultural, societal, and institutional biases. Although we strive to preserve and present collections in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections, we acknowledge that our systems are neither neutral nor perfect. We encourage you to let us know if you encounter materials, descriptive language, or practices that are offensive or harmful, particularly those for which inadequate context or warning is offered. We are committed to modifying and updating our descriptive practices to use respectful and inclusive terminology and appreciate your help in this work. We look forward to supporting you in your research and learning together.
George Boardman Noyes was born on April 6, 1837, in Atkinson, Maine, and served as hospital steward with the 11th Maine Volunteers from 1864-1865. Following his graduation from the Medical School of Maine at Bowdoin in 1866, Noyes was a physician in Lisbon Falls, Maine, from 1866-1870, in Grand Manan, New Brunswick, Canada, from 1870-1892, and in Charleston, Maine, from 1892-1908. In addition to being a physician, Noyes was a licensed Baptist preacher. He retired to Stonington, Maine in 1908 and died on July 31, 1927.
The papers contain personal correspondence, mostly from family members, varied business correspondence, and documents ranging from Noyes's appointment as hospital steward during the Civil War to citizenship and pension papers. Also included are Noyes's sermon notes and sermons, newspaper clippings, ephemera, photographs, and pages taken from a family history scrapbook. With the scrapbook pages are a number of tintypes and photographs, some of family members in Civil War uniform. Also of interest are Noyes's lecture notes from lectures at the Medical School of Maine; these are located with the records of the Medical School of Maine.
Letters to Noyes, mainly from members of his immediate family, including news of family and friends. Births, deaths, health, the weather, employment, religion, and politics are the main topics. There are also two letters from Daniel Fulton Ellis, a medical school classmate of Noyes.
Arranged chronologically.
1871-1879
1880-1884
1885-1893
1901-1910, n.d.
Items vary from a claim for a stolen horse to a shipping notice from the National Plaster Company. Also included are notes due Noyes and an advertisement from G. B. Noyes for a new assortment of goods, drugs, chemicals, and remedies.
Arranged chronologically.
1870-1892, n.d.
This series contains various documents from Noyes's Civil War service such as passes, his appointment as hospital steward, and his discharge in 1866; and documents concerning his medical practice, including his appointment as medical examiner for an insurance company and his appointment as health officer for the town of Stonington. Documents concerning the Baptist church include his license to preach and a farewell petition from parishioners. There are formal papers regarding Noyes's citizenship, pension, and position in the Grand Lodge.
Arranged alphabetically.
Baptist church, 1879-1892
Citizenship and pension, 1896-1926
Civil War, 1861-1866
Grand Lodge, 1885-1888
Medical practice, 1886-1917, n.d.
As a licensed Baptist preacher Noyes had handwritten sermons and sermon notes on topics such as christian warfare, idolatry, and providence. The more formal notes with titles are arranged alphabetically by title. Random jottings and newspaper clippings regarding temperance are grouped in the folder of miscellaneous notes.
Arranged alphabetically.
Subjects C-E, Christian warfare-eulogy
Subjects F-L, freedom-light
Subjects P, perfection-psalms
Subjects R-W, repentance-wisdom
Miscellaneous notes
Articles include 1885 county council proceedings in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, with references to Councillor G. B. Noyes, an announcement of office hours for G. B. Noyes, M.D., and the accomplishments of Dr. B. Lake Noyes, son of George Boardman Noyes. There is also a program from the Tulane University Medical School commencement, 1936.
Arranged alphabetically by material type then chronologically.
Clippings: 1885-1937, n.d.
Program from Tulane University Medical School commencement, 1936
Collection of pages taken from a family history scrapbook where material dates from 1835 to 1944 with the bulk between 1862 and 1937. Letters, postcards, stock certificates, and photographs, including a number of tintypes, are included. Family members in Civil War uniform are among the tintypes and photographs. There is also a receipt dated 1866 from Bowdoin College to George Boardman Noyes for medical tickets. In addition to the photographs with the scrapbook there are two undated photographs, one signed.
Scrapbook pages, part 1
Scrapbook pages, part 2
Scrapbook pages, part 3
Scrapbook pages, part 4
Photographs