Atwater family papers

Collection

Identifier: D.499

Staff Only

Biographical / Historical

Five generations of Atwater family members are included in the collection, as well as related families: Langworthy, Parrin, Clapp, Washburn, Marsh, Davis, Abbott, and Prole. The first generation also includes: Lyman Barker Langworthy, who was born on October 21, 1787 and was the grandfather of William Andrews Langworthy.

The second generation includes William Langworthy (November 4, 1816-April 25, 1875), who was born in Ballston Spa, New York, and worked as a hardware merchant in Seneca Falls, New York. Langworthy and was Fanny Langworthy’s father. Ann Elizabeth Langworthy was born on May 24, 1831 in Saratoga Springs and was Fanny Langworthy’s aunt.

Stephen Atwater (November 26, 1815-April 12, 1855), was the son of Mead Atwater. Atwater worked as a Civil Engineer, and contributed to the completion of the second Erie Canal aqueduct over Genesee River in Rochester. He later became City Surveyor for Providence, Rhode Island. Stephen Atwater died of tuberculosis on April 12, 1855, and is buried in Swan Point Cemetery, in Providence, Rhode Island. His wife, Mary Weaver Atwater (March 5, 1816-May 19, 1984) was born in Hamilton, New York, and died in Batavia, New York. Sara Atwater Kelsey (October 31, 1826-) was Stephen's sister.

A second family, the Marsh family included: Jamie Peabody Marsh, who was born on May 24, 1841, in Lockport, New York. He moved to Chicago in 1862, where he designed and manufactured steam valves as the James P. Marsh & Co. Marsh died on June 27, 1923.

Edward Weaver Atwater (January 5, 1842-September 2, 1910), was Stephen Atwater's son, and named after Edward Mott Moore, a Rochester physician, fellow Quaker, and family friend. Atwater served in the Civil War. After the war he operated a fruit farm near Palmyra, New York from 1874-1878. He then worked for H. A. Deland & Co., in Fairport, New York from 1878-1886. Atwater then worked at the Johnston Harvester Co., in Batavia, New York from 1886-1910, and served as the company’s president from 1907-1910. During the period from 1886-1907, Atwater also served as the business manager for the Richmond estate. Atwater is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, in Batavia, New York. Edward Weaver Atwater's wife was Fanny Ann Langworthy. Fanny was born on July 29, 1851 in Seneca Falls, New York. She and later died in childbirth on April 14, 1885, in Fairport, New York. She is buried in Seneca Falls, New York.

Richard Mead Atwater was born on August 10, 1844 in Providence, Phode Island. He was Edward Weaver Atwater's younger brother. He worked as a foreign representative for the Johnston Harvester Co., in both Berlin and Paris. Atwater died in October 1920, in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania.

Alice M. Atwater, also referred to as "Anno Dear" was born on November 22, 1851 in Providence, Rhode Island. She was the maiden sister of Edward Weaver Atwater, and raised his children after his wife died. Alice M. Atwater died on July 18, 1936.

(Annie) Caroline Atwater Mason was born on July 10, 1853, and was Edward Atwater Mead's younger sister. She married John Mason, who was a Baptist minister, and later a professor at the Baptist Seminary in Rochester. She authored several novels. Caroline Atwater Mason died on May 2, 1939.

The fourth generation includes: William Langworthy Atwater, who was born in 1873 and was the elder son of Edward Weaver Atwater. He died on January 27, 1945 in Maryland.

Edward Congdon Atwater was born on October 9, 1876, in Palmyra, New York and was the second son of Edward Weaver Atwater. He attended the University of Rochester and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1898. Atwater was a member of Alpha Delta Phi, and Phi Beta Kappa. He later worked as a lawyer, and served as secretary and treasurer of Massey-Harris Harvester Co., the successor of the Johnston Harvester Company. Atwater died on August 28, 1925, and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, in Batavia, New York.

Frances Atwater Clapp was born on August 3, 1883 in Fairport, New York. She was the younger daughter of Edward Weaver Atwater, and married William D. Clapp. She died on January 31, 1958 in Rochester, New York.

The fifth generation includes Edward Perrin Atwater, who was born on July 5, 1902. Atwater served as President of First National Bank in Batavia, New York from 1934-1962. He died on June 6, 1967 in Batavia.

Rowena Marsh Abbott was born on December 24, 1869, in Chicago, and was the younger daughter of James Peabody Marsh. Her passport dates her birth as 1873. Her sister was Frances Washburn. Rowena later married John J. Abbott.

Scope and Contents

The Atwater Family Papers includes two series: First Five Generations, 1787-1960, and letters sent to Frances Marsh Washburn, 1914-1959. The first series consists of letters, diaries, memoranda, reminiscences and notes that span from the eighteenth through the twentieth centuries and document the lives of five generations of family members, who were connected to Rochester, New York. Specifically, the collection includes reminiscences from Lyman Barker Langworthy, which date from 1701-1869. There are fourteen typed transcriptions of letters sent to and from Stephen Atwater, that describe family matters and a property title despute. These letters date from 1844-1855. There is an 1892 memorandum from Mary Weaver Atwaterood regarding her furniture. There are also five deeds from William Langworthy for property bought in Seneca Falls and in Rochester, which are dated from 1851-1860. Ann Elizabeth Langworthy's will, dated September 2, 1875, is also in the collection. There are letters, documents, reminiscences, and a diary from Edward Weaver Atwater from his time serving in the Union Army during the Civil War, 1861-1863. There is one letter that Fanny Ann Langworthy sent to her older son, William Langworthy Atwater on January 25, 1885. Included in the collection are also six letters sent to Richard Mead Atwater from his attorney, Safford E. North, November 19-December 10, 1910 regarding purchase of his stock in Johnston Harvester Company by Massey Harris County Limited. There are twelve photocopies of letters from the American painter, Ogden Wood, which were mostly written to Richard's wife, Abby, from October 19, 1907-August 13, 1912. There are letters, diaries, reminiscences from Alice M. Atwater dating from 1894-1916. Included are also letters from William Langworthy Atwater written to his father while he worked as a clerk in the Manila Ordnance Depot, October 4, 1901-January 22, 1904. There are essays written during Edward Congdon Atwater's years as a student at the University of Rochester. Also included in the collection are letters and reminiscences from Frances Atwater Clapp that range in date from 1902-1954. There are also notes taken from family bibles and diaries, as well as letters and an affidavit from James Peabody Marsh, 1908-1930. There are a number of letters sent to and from Rowena Marsh Washburn Atwater, as well as selections of her writings. There are letters sent to and from Edward Perrin Atwater as well as letters from Julian P. Atwater.

The second series includes letters sent to Frances Marsh Washburn. The majority of the letters were sent from Rowena Marsh Abbott, her sister, Frances Washburn, dating from 1921-1952. These letters have been transcribed and can be found in Volumes 22 and 23. There are also originals of a select number of these letters.

Creator

Atwater family (Family)
Langworthy, Lyman Barker, 1787-1880 (Person)
Atwater, Edward C. (Person)

Dates

Creation: Majority of material found within 1701-1960s

Language of Materials

English

Extent

12 linear feet

Conditions Governing Access

The Atwater Family Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Conditions Governing Use

In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Atwater Family Papers were the gift of Dr. Edward C. Atwater, and his brothers, James P. Atwater, and Julian W. Atwater, 2016.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Atwater Family Papers, D.499, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester