1869-1991
Guide to the Collection
Restrictions on Access
The Charles Alexander Tomes papers are stored offsite and must be requested at least two business days in advance via Portal1791. Researchers needing more than six items from offsite storage should provide additional advance notice. If you have questions about requesting materials from offsite storage, please contact the reference desk at 617-646-0532 or reference@masshist.org.
Abstract
This collection consists of the autobiography and letterbooks of China Trade merchant Charles Alexander Tomes.
Biographical Sketch
Charles Alexander Tomes (1854-1933) was a China trade merchant, partner in Russell and Co. (Hong Kong) from 1885 through its demise in 1891, and partner in Shewan and Co. (later Shewan, Tomes and Co.) with Robert Shewan until 1914.
Collection Description
This collection contains the autobiography and letterbooks of Charles Alexander Tomes. Tomes's autobiography consists of two soft-bound volumes describing his childhood; student days at Harvard University (Class of 1875); life in Hong Kong, 1879-1911; voyages back and forth to the U.S. and Europe; and commercial affairs in the China trade to 1911, when the manuscript, apparently unfinished, ends abruptly. Letterbooks in 15 volumes, 1886-1914, contain copies of business and family correspondence. Some 1951 notes by Alexander H. Tomes describe his family's living expenses in Hong Kong around the turn of the century. The collection also includes some miscellaneous notes and items dating ca. 1920 to 1991, which provide information on the Tomes family.
Arrangement Note
The collection is grouped into two cartons based on size of items. Most of the letterbooks are in Carton 1, with one folder of miscellaneous notes and items relating to the Tomes family. Three oversized letterbooks (Vols. 9, 11, and 12) are stored in Carton 2, along with the two autobiography volumes and one folder of loose items removed from the autobiography volumes.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Alexander Hadden Tomes, Jr. through the China Trade Museum, Milton, Mass., 1984.
Restrictions on Access
The Charles Alexander Tomes papers are stored offsite and must be requested at least two business days in advance via Portal1791. Researchers needing more than six items from offsite storage should provide additional advance notice. If you have questions about requesting materials from offsite storage, please contact the reference desk at 617-646-0532 or reference@masshist.org.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Letterbook, Oct. 1886-June 1887
Letterbook, Apr. 1888-Mar. 1889
Letterbook, Mar.-Nov. 1889
Letterbook, Nov. 1889-Jan. 1891
Letterbook, Feb. 1891-Apr. 1892
Letterbook, May 1892-Sep. 1895
Letterbook, Sep. 1895-Nov. 1897
Letterbook, Nov. 1897-Feb. 1900
Letterbook, Jan. 1901-Apr. 1902
Letterbook, Sep. 1902-Mar. 1903
Letterbook, "Private," Nov. 1905-June 1906
Letterbook, Oct. 1906-Oct. 1907
Letterbook, "Private," Apr. 1910-Aug. 1912
Letterbook, "Special," May 1912-Feb. 1914
Letterbook, "Private," Sep. 1912-Apr. 1914
Notes on the family, ca. 1920-1991
1 folder.Autobiography, 1869-1951
Two volumes and loose papers.The autobiography was written between 1924 and 1927, according to a note by Alexander H. Tomes. There is also a folder of loose items, including notes (1951) by Alexander H. Tomes, as well as some other items dating 1869-1919, which were removed from the autobiography volumes.
Preferred Citation
Charles Alexander Tomes papers, Massachusetts Historical Society.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in ABIGAIL, the online catalog of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related persons, organizations, or subjects should search the catalog using these headings.
Persons:
Organizations:
Subjects:
Materials Removed from the Collection
Loose photographs and photograph albums from this collection have been removed to the Charles Alexander Tomes photographs (Photo. Coll. 278 and 278 XT).