Clarence S. Gee collection on John Brown

Collection

Identifier: MS B81g

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection appears to be processed in primarily the order it was received (and in Gee's original order). Therefore, similar materials may appear throughout the collection and in different series. The collection was originally processed item-level (Gee included item-level inventories with the donation). Item-level has been maintained in this finding aid for improved searchability.

The bulk of the collection consists of Gee's correspondence and notes, articles and other published materials including flyers and brochures. The collection contains some Brown manuscript material, such as Brown correspondence and other records (some copies). A bulk of the orginal Brown documents can be found in the first box. Any original material has been designated with an * in the finding aid.

Gee primarily organized his files by either type of material (plays, visual materials, tear sheets, etc.) or by subject (Harpers Ferry, John Brown Associates, Owen Brown, etc.).

The collection also includes decades-long correspondence betweeen Clarence Gee and Boyd Stutler. The letters contain extensive information on John Brown's life and family, as well as discussions of the two Brown scholars' own research and interests. Gee later called this correspodnence "the heart of my collection" and it was the last installment that Gee donated to the library in 1974.

Dates

Creation: 1830 - 1975

Creator

Brown, John, 1800-1859 (Person)
Stutler, Boyd B. (Boyd Blynn), 1889-1970 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Biographical / Historical

Clarence S. Gee, former Pastor of the First Congregational Church in Hudson, was widely recognized as a leading authority on John Brown. Gee graduated from the College of Wooster in 1910 and earned his divinity degree at Auburn Theological Seminary in Auburn, New York. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church at age 30 and served in several Cleveland congregations before coming to Hudson in 1921 as Pastor of the First Congregational Church.

Gee's fascination with John Brown began after learning that Brown had been baptized at the Congregational Church. Later, while serving in various Pastor positions including Granville and Delaware, Ohio, Gee continued to pursue his deep interest in Brown's life.

Over his lifetime, Gee amassed an extensive collection of John Brown materials, including articles, artifacts, and photographs. He corresponded regularly with Brown’s descendants and leading scholars—among them Boyd B. Stutler—organized the first Brown family reunions, visited historic sites associated with Brown, and published numerous articles and other writings.

Gee also maintained a lifelong friendship with Hudson journalist Grace Goulder Izant, who played a key role in encouraging the Hudson Library to acquire his research collection. Gee donated the collection in stages throughout the early 1970s, with the final installment arriving in 1974.

(adapted from Clarence S. Gee, A Centennial Remembrance, Ex Libris).

Extent

15.8 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Research papers of Clarence S. Gee, leading authority on John Brown. Collection consists of correspondence, notes, published articles, artifacts, and photographs on John Brown and the Brown family.