Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the Barden Family Papers

Summary
Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0824
Creators:
Barden, Henry, 1806-1871
Barden, William Wallace, 1843-1932
Dates:
1842-1934
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
3 Cubic feet
8 boxes
Repository:
Business correspondence of homeopathic physicians Henry Barden and his son, William Wallace Barden, of Penn Yan, New York and Barden Family correspondence.
Scope and Contents note
Scope and Contents note
The collection consists of business correspondence of homeopathic physicians Henry Barden and his son, William Wallace Barden, of Penn Yan, New York. The collection also contains personal corespondence to and from extended family members in New York State and the Midwest, specifically Michigan. The business correspondence contains orders for products, requests for medical advice, and testimonials from satisfied customers. Many of the order envelopes are annotated by Barden. Materials are both handwritten and typescript.
Arrangement
Arrangement
A rough arrangement was imposed by Sarah Markham prior to auction by R.M. Smythe Company, Inc., circa 2000. The collection is divided into two series. The contents of Series 1: Family Correspondence are arranged alphabetically by surname of the individual to whom the correspondence was addressed. Series 2: Business Correspndence is arranged chronologically. The original arrangement was retained. The letters were removed from their associated envelopes and flattened, but remain together.
Series 1: Family Correspondence, 1842-1934
Series 2: Business Correspondence, 1856-1892
Biographical/Historical note
Biographical/Historical note
Henry Barden (1806-1871) graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City, in 1833, and began practice in Benton, New York, locating finally in Penn Yan about 1840. Henry Barden married Caroline Purdy and they had two children, Helen J. (nee Barden) Van Wyck (1840-1915) and William Wallace Barden.
William Wallace Barden (1843-1932) was born in Penn Yan, New York. He graduated from Philadelphia University Homeopathic Medical College and Schools of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Chemistry in 1869.
Administration
Author
Alison Oswald
Immediate Source of Acquisiton
Collection purchased at auction from R.M. Smythe Company, New York, New York.
Processing Information
The collection was processed by Alison Oswald, archivist, 2018.
Using the Collection
Restrictions on Access
The collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
Barden Family Papers, 1820s-1930s, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Keywords
Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Patent medicines Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Business records -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Correspondence -- 19th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Correspondence -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Family papers Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Homeopathy Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Alternative medicine Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Business records -- 19th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs -- 1890-1900 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
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