COLLECTION GUIDES

ca. 1861-1914

Guide to the Photograph Collection


Collection Summary

Title: Adams-Thoron photographs
Dates: ca. 1861-1914
Physical Description: 89 photographs in 1 box and 1 oversize box
Call Number: Photo. Coll. 42
Location: In the Massachusetts Historical Society Photo. Archives.
Repository:
Massachusetts Historical Society
1154 Boylston StreetBoston, MA 02215library@masshist.org

Abstract

This collection contains photographs relating to the Adams and Hooper families, including Henry Adams and various Adams and Hooper family and friends; photographs of the Adams Memorial to Marian Hooper Adams in Rock Creek Cemetery (Washington, D.C.); photographs of Samoa by an unidentified photographer; stereographs of the Civil War; and photographs from Henry Adams's travels to Egypt in 1872-1873 and Fiji, ca. 1891.

Biographical Sketches

Henry Adams

Henry Brooks Adams (1838-1918) was the son of Charles Francis Adams (1807-1886) and Abigail (Brooks) Adams (1808-1889), the grandson of John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), and the great-grandson of John Adams (1735-1826). Henry Adams (HA) was a journalist, professor, historian, and political observer. From 1860-1868, HA worked for his father as a secretary and accompanied him to Europe. HA was a professor at Harvard College between 1870-1877 and then moved to Washington, D.C., although he continued to maintain a house in Beverly, Mass. HA married Marian Hooper in 1872 (see below for brief biographical information about her); they had no children. Throughout his life, HA traveled extensively and spent time in Europe, Egypt, Japan, Cuba, and the South Seas. His books include: History of the United States, vols. 1-9, Mont Saint Michel and Chartres, and The Education of Henry Adams.

Marian (Hooper) Adams

Marian "Clover" Hooper (1843-1885) was the daughter of Dr. Robert William Hooper (1810-1885) and Ellen (Sturgis) Hooper (1812-1848). She grew up in Boston, was educated with other girls at the school run by Elizabeth and Louis Agassiz in their home in Cambridge, Mass., and married Henry Adams in 1872. Marian (Hooper) Adams (MHA) was a noted photographer and, with her husband, was active in Washington, D.C. social circles. MHA died by suicide on 7 December 1885. Henry Adams commissioned Augustus Saint-Gaudens to make the memorial that marks her grave at Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Louisa C. (Hooper) Thoron

Louisa "Looly" or "Loulie" Chapin Hooper (1874-1975) was the second of five daughters of Edward William Hooper (1839-1901) (Marian Hooper's brother) and Fanny (Chapin) Hooper (1844-1881). A niece of Marian and Henry Adams, she was close to them and corresponded frequently with her uncle. On 2 October 1915, she married Ward Thoron (1867-1938), a Washington, D.C. lawyer, and later the treasurer of the Merrimack Manufacturing Company. (It was Ward Thoron's second marriage; he married Ellen Warder in 1893, but they divorced in 1911.) He corresponded regularly with Henry Adams and also undertook assignments and research for him.

Theodore F. Dwight

Theodore F. Dwight (1846-1917) worked in the library of the U.S. State Department. He first met Henry Adams around 1880 when he helped Adams locate documents required for his research projects. In December 1885, Dwight became Henry Adams's secretary and assistant. In 1888, Dwight resigned from his position at the State Department and began cataloging the Adams family's library and papers. In 1892, Dwight became head of the Boston Public Library.

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Sources

The Massachusetts Historical Society (MHS) library holds the following materials containing more detailed information about Henry Adams:

Chalfant, Edward. Both Sides of the Ocean: A Biography of Henry Adams, His First Life, 1838-1862. Hamden, CT: Archon Books, 1982.

Chalfant, Edward. Better in Darkness: A Biography of Henry Adams: His Second Life, 1862-1891. Hamden, CT: Archon Books, 1982.

Samuels, Ernest. The Young Henry Adams. Cambridge: Belknap Press, 1948.

Samuels, Ernest. Henry Adams: The Middle Years. Cambridge: Belknap Press, 1958.

Samuels, Ernest. Henry Adams: The Major Phase. Cambridge: Belknap Press, 1964.

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Collection Description

This collection consists of 89 loose photographs relating to the Adams and Hooper families. Among the images are portraits of Henry Adams and various Adams and Hooper family and friends, including Elizabeth Cameron; photographs of the Adams Memorial to Marian Hooper Adams in Rock Creek Cemetery (Washington, D.C.); photographs of Samoa by an unidentified photographer; and stereographs of the Civil War, many of which were taken by Brady & Co. of Washington, D.C. and some of which have inscriptions on the verso in the hand of Marian Hooper Adams. There are also a number of photographs from Henry Adams's travels. These include photos taken by Henry Adams and other photographers of his trips to Egypt in 1872-1873 and Fiji, ca. 1891, as well as photos taken by Joseph Paxson Iddings of Henry Adams's trip to Wyoming in 1894. Many of these travel photographs are duplicates of photographs also found in the Henry Adams photographs (Photo. Coll. 40). The collection includes one tintype, one color slide, stereographs, and other black-and-white, paper-based photographs.

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Acquisition Information

This collection was donated to the MHS by Faith Thoron (Mrs. Robert) Knapp, the daughter of Ward and Louisa C. (Hooper) Thoron, in 1998. This collection is comprised of materials new to the MHS, as well as materials that had been placed on closed deposit at the MHS in 1977. The literary rights were conveyed by the heirs of Faith T. Knapp in March 2009.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

I. Loose photographs

A. Portraits

Box 1#42.1
Adams, Henry, [Harvard College class photograph], 1858.Original photographer unknown.Photomechanical2 copies.
Box 1#42.2
Adams, Henry, ca. 1889.Taken by William Notman (Montreal, Canada).
Box 1#42.3
Adams, Henry, ca. 1900.Possibly a self-portrait taken by Henry Adams.1 copy photograph.
Box 1#42.4
Adams, Henry, in Lincoln, Mass., 1912.Photographer unknown.
Box 1#42.5
Adams, Henry, and Mabel LaFarge, ca. 1895.Taken by Flynn & Cummins (Harpers Ferry, W. Va.).Tintype.1 copy photograph.
Box 1#42.6
Adams, Henry, and Aileen Tone at Steepleton House, 1914.Photographer unknown.2 duplicate photographs.
Box 1#42.7
Cameron, Rachel, ca. 1893.Taken by C. M. Gilbert (Washington, D.C.).
Box 1#42.8
Gurney, Ephraim Whitman, ca. 1891-1900.Taken by Pach Bros. (Cambridge, Mass.).
Box 1#42.9
Gurney, Ephraim Whitman, n.d.Taken by Fratelli Vianelli (Venice, Italy).2 duplicate photographs.
Box 1#42.10
Gurney, Ellen Hooper, n.d.Taken by Fratelli Vianelli (Venice, Italy).
Box 1#42.11
Hooper, Edward William, n.d.Taken by G. C. Cox.1 copy photograph.
Box 1#42.12
King, Clarence, n.d.Taken by C. M. Bell (Washington, D.C.).
Box 1#42.13
"Marie, at Pavillon d'Angoulême, St. Germain, 1897," 1897.Photographer unknown.
Box 1#42.14
[Two unidentified women at Pavillon d'Angoulême, St. Germain, 1897], 1897.Photographer unknown.
Box 1#42.15
[Unidentified group of Samoans], ca. 1884-1885.Photographer unknown.
Box 1#42.16
Horace [Leymurir?], Charles Gaskell, Florence Alderson, [Mrs. Cuintour?], Robert Cunliffe, Mary Alderson, and one unidentified woman.], Yorkshire, England, n.d.Taken by G. & J. Hall (Wakefield, England).
Box 1#42.17
Portrait of "Grennie," the dog, 1926.Photographer unknown.

B. Views

Box 1#42.18
Beverly, Mass.: House built by Marian and Henry Adams, 1883.Possibly taken by Marian Hooper Adams.

See Photo Notebook, 24 July 1883, #5 or 6, in Photo. Coll. 50, Marian Hooper Adams photographs.

Box 1#42.19
Brookline, Mass.: "The End Room," house of H.H. Richardson, n.d.Photographer unknown.
Box 1#42.20
Coubertin Terrace, Summer 1914.Photographer unknown.
Box 1#42.21-23
Marivault, Summer 1913.Photographers unknown.
Box 1#42.24-25
Rock Creek Cemetery (Washington, D.C.): Adams Memorial, n.d.Photographers unknown.
Box 1#42.26-28
Wyoming: Henry Adams's trip, 1894.Taken by Joseph Paxson Iddings.

See also Photos. 40.351-370, Henry Adams photographs.

Box 1#42.29
[Horses in an unidentified location], n.d.Photographer unknown.

C. Photographs from Henry Adams's travels

Egypt, 1872-1873

Box 1#42.30
"The Governor of Asouan, Feb'y 11th 1873 by H.A," 1873.Taken by Henry Adams.

See also Photo. 40.168, Henry Adams photographs.

Box 1#42.31
"Karnak," ca. 1872-1873.Photographer unknown.

See also Photo. 40.163, Henry Adams photographs.

Box 1#42.32
"Kom ombus," ca. 1872-1873.Photographer unknown.

See also Photo. 40.165, Henry Adams photographs.

Box 1#42.33
"Philoe," ca. 1872-1873.Photographer unknown.

See also Photo. 40.171, Henry Adams photographs.

Box 1#42.34
"Abu Simbel," ca. 1872-1873.Photographer unknown.

See also Photo. 40.176, Henry Adams photographs.

Box 1#42.35
"The Lotus," 1873.Probably taken by Henry Adams.

See also Photo. 40.171, Henry Adams photographs.

Box 1#42.36
"The Landing Place - Luxor," n.d.Photographer unknown.
Box 1#42.37
"Assouan," n.d.Photographer unknown.
Box 1#42.38
"Pharoah's Bed - Philoe," n.d.Photographer unknown.
Box 1#42.39
"Pylon & Colonnade - Philoe," n.d.Photographer unknown.

Fiji

Box 1#42.40
[Unidentified group by stream], 1891.Photographer unknown.
Box 1#42.41
John LaFarge and Henry Adams, 1891.Photographer unknown.

See also Photo. 40.374, Henry Adams photographs.

D. Stereographs of the Civil War

Box 1#42.42
"War Views. Slave Pen, Alexandria, Va. No. 2299."Published by E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. (New York, N.Y.) from a negative by Brady & Co. (Washington, D.C.).

Inscription on verso, in the hand of Marian Hooper Adams: "Washington May 26 1865."

Box 1#42.43
"War Views. Prof. Lowe inflating his Balloon on Gain's Hill, Va. No. 2350."Published by E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. (New York, N.Y.) from a negative by Brady & Co. (Washington, D.C.).
Box 1#42.44
"War Views. Breast Works on the left wing, Battle of Gettysburg. No. 2387."Published by E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. (New York, N.Y.) from a negative by Brady & Co. (Washington, D.C.).

Inscription on verso, in the hand of Marian Hooper Adams: "Washington May 26 1865."

Box 1#42.45
"War Views. All the live stock left on Mr. Gill's plantation after the Battle of Gettysburgh. No. 2398."Published by E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. (New York, N.Y.) from a negative by Brady & Co. (Washington, D.C.).

Inscription on verso, in the hand of Marian Hooper Adams: "Washington May 26 1865."

Box 1#42.46-47
"War Views. Lieut. Gen. Grant at His Head Quarters, Va. No. 2427."Published by E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. (New York, N.Y.) from a negative by Brady & Co. (Washington, D.C.).

Inscription on verso of Photo. 42.46, in the hand of Marian Hooper Adams: "Washington May 26, 1865."

Box 1#42.48
"War Views. Double Turretted Monitor Onondaga, on the James River. No. 2473."Published by E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. (New York, N.Y.) from a negative by Brady & Co. (Washington, D.C.).
Box 1#42.49
"War Views. Evacuation of Port Royal, Va. May 30th 1864. No. 2491."Published by E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. (New York, N.Y.) from a negative by Brady & Co. (Washington, D.C.).

Inscription on verso, in the hand of Marian Hooper Adams: "Washington May 26, 1865."

Box 1#42.50
"War Views. Negro Camp, 27th Regiment Ohio Colored Troops before Petersburgh, Va. No. 2493."Published by E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. (New York, N.Y.) from a negative by Brady & Co. (Washington, D.C.).
Box 1#42.51
"War Views. Burial of dead at Fredericksburgh, Va. No. 2508."Published by E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. (New York, N.Y.) from a negative by Brady & Co. (Washington, D.C.).
Box 1#42.52
"War Views. Wounded at Savage Station, Va. No. 2510." Published by E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. (New York, N.Y.) from a negative by Brady & Co. (Washington, D.C.).
Box 1#42.53
"War Views. Residence of Jeff. Davis, Richmond, Va. No. 3162."Published by E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. (New York, N.Y.).Original photographer unknown.
Box 1#42.54
"War Views. Panoramic View of Richmond, Va. From Libby Hill, looking west."Published by E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. (New York, N.Y.).Original photographer unknown.
Box 1#42.55
"War Views. Rebel Soldiers killed in the Trenches of 'Fort Damnation'... No. 3182."Published by E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. (New York, N.Y.).Original photographer unknown.

Postmarked on verso, Apr. 1865.

Box 1#42.56
"War Views. The Picture is a good view of the Covered Ways inside the Rebel 'Fort Damnation'... No. 3183."Published by E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. (New York, N.Y.).Original photographer unknown.

Postmarked on verso, Apr. 1865.

Box 1#42.57
"War Views. This View was taken in the Rebel Trenches, the morning after the Storming of Petersburgh, Va. ... No. 3188."Published by E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. (New York, N.Y.).Original photographer unknown.

Postmarked on verso, Apr. 1865.

Box 1#42.58
[Stereograph of Civil War dead], 1863.Taken by Alexander Gardner.
Box 1#42.59
[Stereograph of troops marching down street in unidentified location], ca. 1861-1865.Photographer unknown.

E. Copy photographs

Box 1#42.60-62
Adams, Henry, n.d. Original photographers unknown.
Box 1#42.63
Adams, Henry, at "Hartwell's House, Honolulu," ca. 1890s.Original photographer unknown.3 copies.
Box 1#42.64
Adams, Henry, with Charles Milne Gaskell and [ ] Boyle. "Before the Chapter House at Wenlock. By F. Doyle. 1870," 1870.Original photograph taken by Francis Grenville Doyle.

Copy print of Photo. 40.181, Henry Adams photographs.

Box 1#42.65-66
Adams, Henry, with the Adams family, n.d.Original photographers unknown.The MHS does not own the original photographs.
Box 1#42.67-72
Hooper family, various dates.Original photographers unknown.The MHS does not own the original photographs.
Box 1#42.73
Jefferson, Thomas, n.d. Copy photograph of painting.Original artist and photographer both unknown.
Box 1#42.74
Photograph of monotype, "Nebuchadnezzar," by William Blake, n.d.Photographer unknown.

F. Color slide

Box 1#42.75
Adams Memorial, Rock Creek Cemetery (Washington, D.C.). Proposed landscape redesign, 1969.Photographer unknown.35mm color slide.

II. Oversize photographs

A. Portraits

Box OS#42.76
Adams, Henry, n.d.Photograph taken by George Cushing.Drawing by J.B. Potter. Photograph of portrait drawing.
Box OS#42.77
Cameron, Martha, n.d.Taken by Frances Benjamin Johnston.
Box OS#42.78
Cameron, Elizabeth, n.d.Taken by Clément Braun.Painting by Andrea Zorn.Photograph of painting.
Box OS#42.79
Tone, Aileen, n.d.Photographer unknown.Drawing by John Briggs.Photolithograph and three copy photographs of crayon and pencil drawing.

B. Samoa

The captions on the following photos were inscribed in an unknown hand.

Box OS#42.80
"Fa-a-uli and her father Lauato," ca. 1888.Possibly taken by John LaFarge.
Box OS#42.81
"Interior of native house. This is either the house we live in or that of Mataafa next us," ca 1888.Possibly taken by John LaFarge.
Box OS#42.82
[Two men in an outrigger canoe at the shoreline of an island], ca. 1888.Possibly taken by John LaFarge.
Box OS#42.83
"The shore on which our house is situated," ca. 1888.Possibly taken by John LaFarge.
Box OS#42.84
"This is Sliding Rock...," ca. 1888.Possibly taken by John LaFarge.
Box OS#42.85
"Samoan house...," ca. 1888.Possibly taken by John LaFarge.Includes 1 copy photograph.
Box OS#42.86
"This is the seashore...," ca. 1888.Possibly taken by John LaFarge.
Box OS#42.87
"Warriors. Samoa, ca. 1888.Possibly taken by John LaFarge.

C. Other views

Box OS#42.88
Tahiti: "The Diadem, higher up. Tahiti," n.d.Photographer unknown.

See also Photo. 40.71, Henry Adams photographs.

Box OS#42.89
Rock Creek Cemetery (Washington, D.C.): Adams Memorial, n.d.Taken by G.C. Cox.
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Photographs Removed from the Collection

Photographs by and of Marian Hooper Adams were removed from this collection and made into a separate collection in May of 2002. See the Guide to the Marian Hooper Adams photographs, Photo. Coll. 50 for further details.

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Preferred Citation

Adams-Thoron photographs, Photo. Coll. 42, Massachusetts Historical Society Photo Archives.

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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:

Adams family--Photographs.
Adams, Henry, 1838-1918, photographer.
Adams, Henry, 1838-1918--Photographs.
Cameron, Elizabeth, 1857-1944--Photographs.
Hooper family--Photographs.
Iddings, Joseph Paxson, 1857-1920, photographer.

Organizations:

Brady & Co. (Washington, D.C.), photographers.
Rock Creek Cemetery (Washington, D.C.)--Photographs.

Subjects:

Egypt--Photographs.
Fiji--Photographs.
Samoa--Photographs.
Slides.
Stereographs.
Tintypes.
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Photographs.
Voyages and travels--Photographs.

Collection processed by Megan K. Friedel, April 2003.

Revised 15 June 2005

Encoded by Kathleen J. Barker, Feb. 2004