Blodgett Family Papers, 1869-74

The Blodgett family papers contain a small collection of family letters written by members of the family of Dr. Benjamin Coleman Blodgett(1838-1925), pianist, composer and founder of the Smith College School of Music.

Dr. Blodgett, son of Henry and Louise (Allen) Blodgett, was born in Boston, Massachusetts. The Blodgetts came to Newton in the mid-1850s, and the first Newton Directory (1868) listed Benjamin’s father Henry as a cabinet maker.

About 1853, Benjamin, already an accomplished musician, became the organist for the Eliot Church and in 1862 he married Althea Pulsifer of Newton, Massachusetts.

By 1865 he was teaching at the Maplewood Institute for Young Ladies in Pittsfield, Massachusetts and in 1878 began a twenty-five year career at Smith College. There he was Director of the School of Music until the college discontinued its affiliation with the school of music and art in 1902. Blodgett died in Seattle, Washington at the age of 87.

The correspondence in this collection was written by the children and grandchildren of William and Louisa Blodgett. Benjamin Coleman Blodgett’s letters, 1873-74, from England and Germany contain details of travel and family matters. Letters from Pittsfield contain a few references to teaching, but are mostly about family matters. Included is a program for a piano recital dated 1871.

Letters, dated 1873, from Benjamin’s brother William (1840-1922) and wife Addie (1847-1907) were posted from New Hampshire. They mention among other things, brother Benjamin’s trip to Europe.

Twelve letters from Benjamin’s sister Anna Louisa Stanton, were written from England and dated 1869-1873. In these letters Anna Louisa relates details of her life in London, comments on family events in Newton, and visits from her brother Benjamin.

There are also a few letters from Anna’s children: one from Ellie (Ellen), writing to her grandmother and two from Lewis, writing to his grandfather from Hanover, New Hampshire 1872.

No. of folders: 1
Finding Aids: Yes

References: Collection files and news clipping, Dictionary of American Biography
Location for other materials: Smith College Archives