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:
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:
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:
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.
Provenance:
Collection purchased at auction from R.M. Smythe Company, New York, New York.
Restrictions:
The collection is open for research.
Rights:
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.
