{"value"=>"<p>The personal correspondence consists of a chronological file (1833-86) of mainly incoming letters from friends and acquaintances, followed by an alphabetical file.</p> <p>The chronological file includes letters from the following notables: Charles P. Daly (5/9/86); Gabrielle M. Greeley (10/10/82, 4/14/83); Henry James [Sr.] (10/2/69);Cornelius Matthews (5/2/79, 5/12/79, 8/15/79, 8/22/79, 9/17/79); Theophilus Parsons (11/14/70, 8/13/71, 5/6/76); Franklin Benjamin Sanborn (3/21/83); William H. Storey (9/9/56); and Whitelaw Reid (7/24/72).</p> <p>The alphabetical file contains substantial correspondence with the American Society for Psychical Research, Benjamin Fisk Barrett, Henry B. Dawson, William H. Holcombe, and Martha U. Osgood.</p> <p>Included also is a separate file of correspondence and papers (1881-86) relating to the Westchester Temporary Home for Destitute Children consisting of miscellaneous correspondence of its board of managers including I. T. Williams, Sarah N. Worthington, and Charles W. Woolsey ; by-laws; typescript of a speech by I. T. Williams; reports, circular letters and other miscellany.</p> <p>The correspondence (1869-85) from Benjamin Fisk Barrett (1808-92) relates to Barret's activities as pastor of the first Swedenborgian church in Philadelphia; his devotion to the theological teachings of Swedenborg; his religious writings and his editorship of the \"Swedenborg Library\"; his criticisms of the New Church leadership; and to his social relationship with Williams. Included is a lengthy draft letter (10/5/70) from Williams in which he expresses his disillusionment with the New Church.</p> <p>The correspondence (1881-83) from William H. Holcombe of New Orleans [La.] relates to Holcombe's search for salvation in the theological teachings of Swedenborg and his efforts to renew Williams's faith in those teachings. Included is a lengthy manuscript narrative of Holcombe's \"conversations\" with a Swedenborgian mystic (S. W. Christy).</p> <p>The correspondence (1876-84) from Martha U. Osgood describes her social life at Bar Mills (Maine); her frequent meetings with the Shakers (Elders John, Vance, and Sister Gillespie); her readings and spiritual thoughts; her delight in New England's seasons and countryside; her visits to Boston and Cambridge where she attended lectures and literary gatherings and where she met William Dean Howells; and other matters. Her letters contain frequent admonishments relative to Williams' melancholy and despondency, which he evidently revealed in his letters to her, which he requested be destroyed.</p> <p>This series is arranged chronologically and by subject</p>"}