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Johnson, Clifton
Clifton Johnson Papers, bulk ca. 1885-ca.1935
Collection Overview
Collection Overview
- Quantity: 37 linear feet
- Abstract: Clifton Johnson was born in the village of Hockanum in Hadley, Massachusetts, on January 25, 1865. Johnson was an important literary figure with some 125 published books and countless magazine and newspaper articles to his credit. A friend of William Dean Howells and John Burroughs, he was an acquaintance of many other late 19th and early 20th century authors and editors. Johnson was a self-styled folklorist, an illustrator, photographer, author, and editor. He died on January 22, 1940.
This collection of approximately 7,000 items comprises a wide range of materials reflecting Johnson's life and work. It includes a large collection of photographs and artwork, plus many of Johnson's personal notebooks, diaries, published articles, correspondence, and ephemera. The Clifton Johnson Collection was presented to the library by Clifton Johnson in 1939. It is an active collection with new accessions constantly being made by purchase and by gift. - Restrictions: The collection is open to research. Access to glass plate negatives is restricted.
- Provenance: The Clifton Johnson Collection was first presented to the library by Clifton Johnson in 1939. The first donation mostly comprised of Johnson's personal schoolbook collection of over 1,000 volumes of 17th, 18th, and 19th century schoolbooks. Over the years various acquisitions were made by purchase and gift, and a large donation of Johnson's photographs and glass plate negatives and personal papers was made in 1987. In 2005 600 pieces of original artwork by Johnson were donated to the collection. It is an active collection with new accessions constantly being made by purchase and by gift.
- Preferred Citation: Clifton Johnson Collection, Special Collections, Jones Library, Amherst, Massachusetts.
- Processing Information: Photographs were first processed in 1987. Papers and artwork were processed by Kirstin Kay in 2006.
- Related Material: Clifton Johnson Schoolbook Collection: Over 1000 volumes of 17th, 18th, and 19th century schoolbooks which range from almanacs to spellers, on topics from arithmetic to zoology. The majority are American imprints, there are a number of English and foreign language texts. It is of value for students of the history of education, the history of children's books and of life in New England from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century.
- Johnson Editions Collection: Nearly complete collection of the 125 volumes authored, illustrated, or edited by Clifton Johnson. The collection includes first editions, editions owned and marked by Johnson, and later reprints.
Background Note
The accomplished local author Clifton Johnson was born on January 25, 1865 in the village of Hockanum in Hadley, MA. He was the oldest of four children of Chester and Jeanette Johnson. His siblings included Henry R., Charles E. and Jeanette (Nettie). The Johnson ancestors had lived in Hockanum along the Connecticut River since the late 1700s. He attended the Hockanum one-room schoolhouse and then Hopkins Academy in Hadley.
In 1880 at 15 he dropped out of Hopkins Academy to work in Northampton, MA at Bridgman and Childs book and stationery store (later Bridgman and Lyman) to help pay off the family mortgage. As his brothers became old enough, they too worked at Bridgman and Childs. About 1886 Johnson taught one winter semester at the Hockanum schoolhouse. During the mid-1880s he began to write articles and produce illustrations for local papers and magazines in the Springfield and Northampton areas. In the fall of 1887 Johnson left Hadley to attend the Art Students League in New York City. In the late 1880s and early 1890s Johnson spent large amounts of time in both Hadley and New York City, writing articles, making illustrations, taking his first photographs, and attending literary and art functions.
On May 25, 1896 Clifton Johnson married Anna McQueston (1876-1954), also of Hockanum, and they took residence in his childhood home. They had six children, five surviving to adulthood. Their children included Margaret, Arthur, Roger, Irving, Oliver (died in infancy), and Katherine. Son Roger Johnson took over Johnson's Bookstore in Springfield, MA in the 1920s, which was started by Clifton and his brother Henry R. Johnson. Irving Johnson and his wife Electa became famous for their round-the-world voyages from the 1930s through the 1960s.
The first book authored by Johnson was The New England Country, published in 1892, and his last was Sailing for Gold, published in 1938, two years before his death. He wrote a biography of his friend, John Burroughs, the naturalist, and one of Hudson Maxim, the inventor. He also wrote a series of travel books including the Highways and Byways of America series with coverage of 48 states, and volumes on travel in England, Scotland, Ireland, and France. Each volume was illustrated with his photographs or drawings. Johnson was almost exclusively interested in documenting the rural, countryside inhabitants of small towns and farmlands.
Johnson was also interested in children's literature and illustrated and edited several volumes of children's stories. During the course of his research on children and education, Johnson began to gather children's books and wrote several volumes on the history of rural schoolhouses and early American schooling. By the end of his life, he had amassed an important collection of juvenile books and schoolbooks, which are now housed at the Jones Library.
Johnson was very active with clubs and organizations in Hadley, MA. He participated in the Hadley Men's Club with blind poet Clarence Hawkes and was administrative head of the Hadley Free Library for several years. He also was an elected Democratic delegate of Hadley for several years. In 1930 Clifton and his brother Henry R. had a barn on the Porter-Phelps-Huntington property moved to the center of Hadley to house the new Hadley Farm Museum.
Johnson continued to write and photograph through the mid-1930s. He died on January 22, 1940 in a Brattleboro, VT hospital.
The accomplished local author Clifton Johnson was born on January 25, 1865 in the village of Hockanum in Hadley, MA. He was the oldest of four children of Chester and Jeanette Johnson. His siblings included Henry R., Charles E. and Jeanette (Nettie). The Johnson ancestors had lived in Hockanum along the Connecticut River since the late 1700s. He attended the Hockanum one-room schoolhouse and then Hopkins Academy in Hadley.
In 1880 at 15 he dropped out of Hopkins Academy to work in Northampton, MA at Bridgman and Childs book and stationery store (later Bridgman and Lyman) to help pay off the family mortgage. As his brothers became old enough, they too worked at Bridgman and Childs. About 1886 Johnson taught one winter semester at the Hockanum schoolhouse. During the mid-1880s he began to write articles and produce illustrations for local papers and magazines in the Springfield and Northampton areas. In the fall of 1887 Johnson left Hadley to attend the Art Students League in New York City. In the late 1880s and early 1890s Johnson spent large amounts of time in both Hadley and New York City, writing articles, making illustrations, taking his first photographs, and attending literary and art functions.
On May 25, 1896 Clifton Johnson married Anna McQueston (1876-1954), also of Hockanum, and they took residence in his childhood home. They had six children, five surviving to adulthood. Their children included Margaret, Arthur, Roger, Irving, Oliver (died in infancy), and Katherine. Son Roger Johnson took over Johnson's Bookstore in Springfield, MA in the 1920s, which was started by Clifton and his brother Henry R. Johnson. Irving Johnson and his wife Electa became famous for their round-the-world voyages from the 1930s through the 1960s.
The first book authored by Johnson was The New England Country, published in 1892, and his last was Sailing for Gold, published in 1938, two years before his death. He wrote a biography of his friend, John Burroughs, the naturalist, and one of Hudson Maxim, the inventor. He also wrote a series of travel books including the Highways and Byways of America series with coverage of 48 states, and volumes on travel in England, Scotland, Ireland, and France. Each volume was illustrated with his photographs or drawings. Johnson was almost exclusively interested in documenting the rural, countryside inhabitants of small towns and farmlands.
Johnson was also interested in children's literature and illustrated and edited several volumes of children's stories. During the course of his research on children and education, Johnson began to gather children's books and wrote several volumes on the history of rural schoolhouses and early American schooling. By the end of his life, he had amassed an important collection of juvenile books and schoolbooks, which are now housed at the Jones Library.
Johnson was very active with clubs and organizations in Hadley, MA. He participated in the Hadley Men's Club with blind poet Clarence Hawkes and was administrative head of the Hadley Free Library for several years. He also was an elected Democratic delegate of Hadley for several years. In 1930 Clifton and his brother Henry R. had a barn on the Porter-Phelps-Huntington property moved to the center of Hadley to house the new Hadley Farm Museum.
Johnson continued to write and photograph through the mid-1930s. He died on January 22, 1940 in a Brattleboro, VT hospital.
Scope & Contents
The Clifton Johnson Papers consists of manuscripts, notes, printed articles, diaries, correspondence, legal documents, photographs, artwork, scrapbooks, and ephemera. All is of both personal and professional material by Clifton Johnson. The bulk of the writings date from the 1890s through about 1920. Johnson's large collection of photographs (made by him) are mostly also from about 1890 to 1930. Artwork completed by Johnson is nearly all pen and ink illustrations and sketches for reproduction in his books and articles. Photographs and artwork were generally intended to provide illustration for his writings and volumes. Extensive personal and professional correspondence includes letters to and from friends like John Burroughs and Ray Stannard Baker, New York editors, family members, and fans of his work.
The material represents Johnson's wide interests in local history, farming, children's literature and education, literary figures, and personalities of New England. Johnson was especially interested in the local history of Hockanum and Hadley, and includes many tidbits of interest on local characters and practices. He was also very interested in the "old time" ways of living and farming from the late 1700s through the mid-1800s. Also included is Johnson writings, photographs, and artwork completed during trips to rural England, Scotland, Ireland, and France from about 1900.
This collection is organized into 11 series:
The Clifton Johnson Papers consists of manuscripts, notes, printed articles, diaries, correspondence, legal documents, photographs, artwork, scrapbooks, and ephemera. All is of both personal and professional material by Clifton Johnson. The bulk of the writings date from the 1890s through about 1920. Johnson's large collection of photographs (made by him) are mostly also from about 1890 to 1930. Artwork completed by Johnson is nearly all pen and ink illustrations and sketches for reproduction in his books and articles. Photographs and artwork were generally intended to provide illustration for his writings and volumes. Extensive personal and professional correspondence includes letters to and from friends like John Burroughs and Ray Stannard Baker, New York editors, family members, and fans of his work.
The material represents Johnson's wide interests in local history, farming, children's literature and education, literary figures, and personalities of New England. Johnson was especially interested in the local history of Hockanum and Hadley, and includes many tidbits of interest on local characters and practices. He was also very interested in the "old time" ways of living and farming from the late 1700s through the mid-1800s. Also included is Johnson writings, photographs, and artwork completed during trips to rural England, Scotland, Ireland, and France from about 1900.
This collection is organized into 11 series:
Series Descriptions
Series 1: Manuscripts (1876-1925)
Series 2: Notebooks and Miscellaneous Writings (ca. 1885-ca. 1930)
Series 3: Articles and Booklets (1885-about 1910)
Folders are organized by alphabetically by publication title. Articles within are sorted chronologically. See also Clifton Johnson's ledger of article titles from 1881-1899 in Subjects: Johnson, Clifton - Bibliography for additional article titles not held by the Jones Library.
Series 4: Diaries and Journals (1881-1922)
Series 5: Correspondence (1882-1929)
Series 6: Financial and Legal Documents (1896-1937)
Series 7: Photographs (1888-1932)
Series 8: Artwork (1888-1932)
This series is divided into three subseries: Illustration, Miscellaneous Artwork, and Oversize Artwork. The artwork is particularly strong in landscapes of western Massachusetts; rural villages and people of England, Ireland, Scotland, and France; drawings of 18th and 19th century household utensils and objects; and drawings of children or for children's stories.
The first subseries Illustration includes artwork that Johnson completed for publication. All pieces of artwork that have been identified as being published in a book or article have been sorted by publication name. Also, any pieces of illustration that were obviously intended to be published but may not actually have been printed have also been included. Items include drawings, mockups, book dummies, and some printers proofs. Artwork is listed alphabetically by book or article publication name. Identified, published items are marked on the back of the piece with publication and page number. Some items were printed in multiple publications; wherever possible, such items have been filed under the earliest known publication.
The second subseries Miscellaneous Artwork includes pieces that could not be identified as published. They are filed by subject matter. This also includes one sketchbook by Johnson and a single watercolor painting.
The third subseries includes all oversize drawings and all paintings. Oversize drawings 16x20 inches or less in size are contained in Box 1. Box 2 holds drawings 20x28 inches or less. Boxes 1 and 2 are filed alphabetically first by published illustration then by miscellaneous subject. Box 3 contains six unframed oil paintings. Seven additional framed oil paintings are hung on the paintings rack.
Series 9: Scrapbooks (1887-ca. 1900)
Series 10: Subjects (1887-ca. 2000)
Series 11: Johnson Family Papers (ca. 1900-ca. 1995)
Series 1: Manuscripts (1876-1925)
- 3 boxes
- 1.5 linear feet
Series 2: Notebooks and Miscellaneous Writings (ca. 1885-ca. 1930)
- 2 boxes
- 1 linear foot
Series 3: Articles and Booklets (1885-about 1910)
- 1 box
- 0.5 linear foot
Folders are organized by alphabetically by publication title. Articles within are sorted chronologically. See also Clifton Johnson's ledger of article titles from 1881-1899 in Subjects: Johnson, Clifton - Bibliography for additional article titles not held by the Jones Library.
Series 4: Diaries and Journals (1881-1922)
- 1 box
- 0.5 linear foot
Series 5: Correspondence (1882-1929)
- 4 boxes
- 2 linear feet
Series 6: Financial and Legal Documents (1896-1937)
- 1 box
- 0.5 linear foot
Series 7: Photographs (1888-1932)
- 3,000 prints
- 2,000 negatives
- 20 linear feet
Series 8: Artwork (1888-1932)
- About 600 items
- 3 linear feet
This series is divided into three subseries: Illustration, Miscellaneous Artwork, and Oversize Artwork. The artwork is particularly strong in landscapes of western Massachusetts; rural villages and people of England, Ireland, Scotland, and France; drawings of 18th and 19th century household utensils and objects; and drawings of children or for children's stories.
The first subseries Illustration includes artwork that Johnson completed for publication. All pieces of artwork that have been identified as being published in a book or article have been sorted by publication name. Also, any pieces of illustration that were obviously intended to be published but may not actually have been printed have also been included. Items include drawings, mockups, book dummies, and some printers proofs. Artwork is listed alphabetically by book or article publication name. Identified, published items are marked on the back of the piece with publication and page number. Some items were printed in multiple publications; wherever possible, such items have been filed under the earliest known publication.
The second subseries Miscellaneous Artwork includes pieces that could not be identified as published. They are filed by subject matter. This also includes one sketchbook by Johnson and a single watercolor painting.
The third subseries includes all oversize drawings and all paintings. Oversize drawings 16x20 inches or less in size are contained in Box 1. Box 2 holds drawings 20x28 inches or less. Boxes 1 and 2 are filed alphabetically first by published illustration then by miscellaneous subject. Box 3 contains six unframed oil paintings. Seven additional framed oil paintings are hung on the paintings rack.
Series 9: Scrapbooks (1887-ca. 1900)
- 15 items
- 2 linear feet
Series 10: Subjects (1887-ca. 2000)
- 2 boxes
- 1 linear foot
Series 11: Johnson Family Papers (ca. 1900-ca. 1995)
- 2 boxes
- 1 linear foot
Series 1: Manuscripts, [1876-1925?]
| Description | Date |
|---|---|
| Boy Lost!: autograph typescript 9 p. Fictional story of the boy Tom Thompson and his family's visit to Boston, Bunker Hill, and getting lost on Nantasket beach across Boston Harbor. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Childhood Picture Parade of the States: dummy 19 p.; cover Manuscript is a dummy with glued photographic prints of children from around the United States. Hand-lettered title page and captions. Cover is of wood-grained paper with gold hand-lettering and rules. Unpublished |
[After 1915] |
| Civilization and the Indians: autograph manuscript 25 p. Manuscript describes settlers' recollections of interactions with Indians in the Great Lakes region during the early and mid-1800s. Unpublished |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Colonial Captive: autograph manuscript 2 p. Start of story describing period during the French and Indian War. Missing sections, second page is numbered 31. Unpublished |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Country of the Girl Queen: autograph manuscript signed 26 p. (3,800 words) Describes the landscape of Holland: canals, windmills and fields and the people. Many corrections. See Artwork series for unpublished illustration. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Early works: autograph manuscripts, dummies, mockups Roughly 57 early writings, plus several dummies. Includes the Howler, a humorous newspaper lettered by hand with ink illustrations, and Proverbs, a collection of proverbs with some decorative illustration. Unpublished |
[1876 - 1888] |
| Field-Life Around a Schoolhouse: autograph manuscript 29 p.; contents page, dummy, article (1 s.) Collection of writings on various plants, animals and the environment around the local schoolhouse [in Hockanum]. Unpublished. Note: includes article "How to Raise Mosquitoes" by Mary Mann Miller. |
[ca. 1890] |
| Historic Hampshire: autograph manuscript 5 p.; 3 illustrations; envelope Revision notes for a new edition of Historic Hampshire. "Text improved by an expert." |
[1931] |
| Life in a Country School: autograph manuscript 182 p.; dummy; mockups; illustrations Johnson records the writings and essays of school children at the Hockanum schoolhouse, Hadley, Massachusetts. Unpublished |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Literary Curiosities: autograph manuscript? 2 p. notes; 2 s. illustrations; 3 dummies Notes to publisher describe a series of volumes based on literary curiosities: each is 2 volume set with republished source material and a companion discussion book by Johnson; note discusses binding, boxing and royalties. Dummies include The Story of the New England Primer, A Pickle for the Knowing Ones and its companion A Queer Yankee. See those items in the Manuscripts series. Note: Story of the Horn-Book and A Rustic Poetess may have been intended for this series. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Little Dog Turpie and the Hobyahs: autograph manuscript signed 13 p.; 2 dummies; 1 colored ill.; 1 cardboard template Notes and incomplete story outline of a "Famous English fairytale retold by Clifton Johnson, Illustrated by Rodney Thomson". Story tells of Little Dog Turpie who chases away the Hobyahs from an old man and woman's house. They give the dog away and the Hobyahs destroy their house. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Of Praise and Blame: autograph typescript signed 8 p. (1,900 words) Typescript on Johnson's thoughts of how both praise and criticism can affect a person. Unpublished |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Oldtown Chronicles 24 notebooks; 102 p. loose "Intimate and humorous glimpses of New England village life in the middle of the nineteenth century. By Nicholas Hodge, as recorded by Clifton Johnson." About Hadley, MA. Some topics include food and clothing, holidays, tramps and paupers, sports and social, hunting, funerals, fires, gypsies, the Civil War. Note: last page of notebook "Aristocracy" contains Hodge's note of finding a young Dickinson (possibly Emily Dickinson's brother) smoking in his barn. Unpublished |
[After 1924] |
| Old Town in New England 18 notebooks; 173 p. typescript Contains notebooks XII-XXIX, others missing. History and life of Hadley, MA from the colonial period through early twentieth century. Typescript incomplete. Unpublished |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Plish and Plum: autograph typescript 20 p.; 1 s. (2 p.) dummy; envelope "A favorite humorous story of two dogs and two boys in serial pictures and verse. By Wilhelm Busch. Retold in English by Clifton Johnson." Unpublished |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Queer Yankee: autograph manuscripts signed 1 notebook (4,500 words); 1 revised copy, pamphlet with corrections; 6 photographs by Johnson Manuscript recounts tales of "Lord" Timothy Dexter of Newburyport, MA in the late 1700s as he audaciously displays his wealth as a new rich elite. Unpublished. Note: see "Literary Curiosities" in the Manuscripts series for dummy. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Quotations and sayings 32 packets with envelopes Collection of loose clippings of sayings, superstitions, home remedies, games, brain teasers, rhymes and more. Some written in Johnson's hand. Many published in What They Say in New England. |
[ca. 1890s - 1910s] |
| Robin Hood Tales Everyone Should Know: autograph manuscript signed 13 p. typescript; 3 s. dummy; notes; map; envelope Typescript of contents page and introduction for edition of Robin Hood story for children. Notes to publisher state manuscript length of 60,000 words and illustrations to be completed by J. Scott Williams. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Robinson Crusoe: autograph manuscript 4 p. Introduction to text with revisions. Includes numbered pages 1, 3, 11, 12. Others missing. |
[1931?] |
| Rural Philosopher: autograph manuscript signed 29 p. (3,000 words); 23 p. draft; notebook; note Manuscript records Johnson's visit with Reuben Palmer of the Hudson Valley, NY on a trip to see John Burroughs. Palmer was an unlearned old man but had spent great time thinking on the origins of Indians, that the world was indeed flat, and that the sun did not heat the earth. Unpublished |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Rustic Poetess: autograph manuscript signed 32 p.; 3 cuts; original chapbook; 3 photos Manuscript tells the quaint story of Nancy Luce of Martha's Vineyard, "author and chicken lover" as told by a neighbor to Johnson. She wrote poems about the hens she kept and named them and marked their graves with marble gravestones. Chapbook: Works of Nancy Luce, printed 1875. |
[About 1904] |
| Second Cabin on an Ocean Greyhound: autograph manuscript signed 19 p. (2,700 words) General experience of traveling across the ocean on a ship in second class: accommodations, recreation, persons one meets, etc. |
[Probably after 1894] |
| Shakers: autograph manuscript 10 p.; pamphlet History of the Shakers and their experience in New York. Includes pamphlet "The New York Shakers and Their Industries" by Edward Andrews; published by the New York State Museum, Oct. 1930. |
[ca. 1931] |
| Story of the Hornbook: autograph manuscript signed 24 p. (3000 words); 2 typescripts; 8 illustrations History of the hornbook in teaching reading to children during the 1600-1700s. The hornbook was a paddle-shaped piece of wood with a bit of printed paper affixed under a thin slab of transparent horn to protect the paper. Pencil and ink illustrations by Johnson, adapted from Turs's(?) History of the Horn-book, 1896. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Story of the New England Primer: autograph manuscript signed 26 p.; 18 proofs Describing the use of the New England Primer in teaching children to read during the late 1600s to the early 1800s. Illustrations are of engravings from the New England Primer. Much of this material may be published in Johnson's Old-Time Schools and School Books (1904). Note: see "Literary Curiosities" in the Manuscripts series for dummy. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Tale of Two Arrows: autograph typescript signed 10 p. Children's story of two arrows having a conversation and the creatures they meet while stuck in a tree. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Uncle Amazy's Boarder: autograph typescript signed 11 p. Story of Uncle Amazy's last Christmas and the kind teacher and village members who tend him in his last days. Uncle Amazy lived in a shack in Hockanum, Hadley, MA. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| What I Do and What I See - A School Diary: autograph manuscript 18 p. Mockup for a blank commercial diary for children. Covers and illustration by Johnson. See Artwork series for illustrations. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Wonderful Hen: autograph manuscript signed 87 p. (about 15,000 words); envelope By French author A. Virnar, adapted by Johnson. Story of a French hen and her adventures of loosing her feathers and growing hair, then being acquired by a circus. Includes title page, introduction, and contents page. Unpublished |
ca. 1921 |
Series 2: Miscellaneous Writings
| Description | Date |
|---|---|
| Abolitionist: autograph manuscript 5 p.; 2 p. of original notes Describes Alfred Johnson of Hockanum, Hadley, MA as an abolitionist before it was a strong movement in New England. Also gives some description of his wife Drusilla, son Myron, daughter Sarah, and grandson Arthur Johnson, who went on to be a famous movie actor. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Adventures of a Photographer: autograph manuscript signed 23 p. Johnson recounts adventures making photographs while in France, London, Scotland and Ireland. |
[ca. 1900 - 1930] |
| Adventures with a Rubber Boot: autograph manuscript 5 p. Story of little boy Richard and his excitement over receiving his first pair of rubber boots. While trying them out on the road by the school, a boot gets stuck in a mudhole. True story of a Hockanum boy in 1894. Note: see notebook "School Diary" p. 19. |
[Probably about 1895] |
| American Negro: autograph manuscript 93 p. (25 myths) Collection of African American myths and folk tales, presumably gathered while Johnson was traveling the South and Mississippi Valley. Most involve animals, such as "Mr. Alligator's Bad Tooth" (2 p.); "The Braggart Sparrow" (2 p.); "How the Mockingbird Got His Name" (7 p.). Also includes tales such as "The Fiddler's Escape" (2 p.); "The Poor Man and the Snake" (5 p.); "The Rabbit and the Conjure Man" (3 p.) |
[Probably about 1910] |
| Artist - Elbridge Kingsley: autograph manuscript 19 p.; 13 p. first version notebook Recounts Elbridge Kingsley, a renowned engraver from Hadley, MA, and his trips to the countryside in his "car" or closed wagon. Also recalls a conversation between Kingsley and Miss Harriet Richardson, an elderly resident and painter of Hadley and friend of Kingsley's. |
1897 Aug |
| At the Edge of the Woods: autograph manuscript 13 p.; transcript (incomplete); 12 p. early version An account of the home and daily life of [Loren] Pease (Grampa Pease), the oldest inhabitant of Hochanum: keeping hens, a small garden, hunting and eating skunks, woodchucks, and mudturtles. Note: see also notebook "Oldest Inhabitants". |
ca. 1898 |
| Auction 1900: autograph manuscript 12 p. Detailed account of the auction at Dan Cooks (of Hadley, MA?) on March28, 1900. The setting, individuals, items, and the bidding are told in great detail. Note: Along with funerals, auctions were one of the major social events much of the community attended. |
1900 March28 |
| Aunt Drusilla: autograph manuscript 6 p.; 1 s. "Samuel Hall" Bulk describes Drusilla Hall's wedding to Alfred Johnson (uncle of Clifton Johnson) in May of 1834 and her experiences growing up, then becoming a teacher at various villages in the region. Separate sheet "Samuel Hall" describes Drusilla's brother and is written in a different hand (probably early Clifton Johnson writing from 1886). |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Aunt Ruby: autograph manuscript 53 p. February16, 1893 (2 p.): An account of visiting Aunt Ruby. "Aunt Ruby's Tell, September1895" and "October1894" are her ruminations about health and doctors, the old days and gossip about her neighbors. Continuously numbered 1-40, October'94 starts on page number 25. |
1893 - 1895 |
| Autobiography Notes: autograph manuscript signed 4 p.; 2 transcripts A brief account of the first Johnson who settled Hockanum in the mid-1700s. Johnson goes on to describe his own background working in a bookstore at 15 in Northampton; and then back to farming, writing, drawing; taking art courses in New York; then publishing his first book in 1892. |
1924 Jul 17 |
| Bartlett Diary - Hockanum: autograph manuscript 11 p. Johnson introduces and transcribes Levi Bartlett's diary accounts from 1841 (4 p.) - mostly weather and crop accounts. 7 p. of notes describe Levi Bartlett and his wife and sons (almost all had mental problems or suicides) Bartlett lived near the Johnson farmhouse in Hockanum. Earlier copy starts in 1827 (brief). |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Bicknells - autograph manuscript 13 p. Describes the Bicknell family of West Chesterfield. Bulk told in the voice of Julia Bicknell, who describes an elderly neighbor woman's sorry state. |
1894 October15 |
| Big Farm - Beginnings: autograph manuscript 35 p. Describes John McQueston's farm in Hadley, MA. By Anna McQueston Johnson, as told to Clifton Johnson. Includes writings on clearing the land, the hired men, domestic animals. |
[Probably after 1896] |
| Big Farm - Children: autograph manuscript 36 p. Describes growing up and playing on a farm in the 1880s: playing games, pretending to be fighting Indians, making forts, boating, reading. |
[Probably after 1896] |
| Big Farm - Horses: autograph manuscript 36 p. Describes John McQueston's farm in Hadley, MA. By Anna McQueston Johnson, as told to Clifton Johnson. Anna recalls the various horses owned by her father, raising and taking care of them, learning to hitch and ride them. |
[Probably after 1896] |
| Big Farm - Malaria: autograph manuscript 15 p. By Anna McQueston Johnson, as told to Clifton Johnson. Anna describes instances of her and her family being sick on the farm and various folk remedies for recovery. Also describes malaria bouts in the area around 1880. |
[Probably after 1896] |
| Big Farm - Odds: autograph manuscript 6 p. By Anna McQueston Johnson, as told to Clifton Johnson. Anna recalls punishments given out to her and her brothers by her mother and also some superstitions. |
[Probably after 1896] |
| Brooms: typescript 4 p. Carbon typescript describes Levi Dickinson of Hadley, MA starting broomcorn crops and broom-making in the late 1790s. Describes process of planting and broom-making as industry grows and uses new technology like tread machines through decline after Civil War. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Canada, Alaska, Mexico: autograph manuscript 20 p. Facts and figures on Canada, Alaska, Mexico and Central America. Short descriptions of the people and geography. |
[Probably after 1915?] |
| Canoe Club: autograph manuscript 1 p. History of Northampton canoe club and the club building erected in Hockanum. Mentions Calvin Coolidge as a member and praise he bestowed on Hockanum. |
[1920?] |
| Captain Slocum: The Man Who Sailed Alone Around the World: autograph manuscript 20 p. Records life and adventures of Captain Joshua Slocum, the first man to circumnavigate the world alone (1895-1898) on the ship Spray. Presumably recorded as told by Slocum. Includes two of Johnson's diary entries of visits to Martha's Vineyard to see Slocum. Note: many revisions. |
[1910s] |
| Civil War: autograph manuscript 5 p. First person recollection by unnamed man as written by Johnson about a skirmish near Port Hudson, LA (2 p.). Also describes practice of hiring a substitute to take your place in the army if you were drafted (3 p.). Probably based on account by Parsons Cook (see also notebook "Parsons Cook - Civil War)". |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Cooper, Septimius Barstow: autograph manuscript 9 p. Discusses the cooper Barstow, his home in Hockanum, and his mentally-ill daughter Olive. Also mentions the one-room brick schoolhouse and its predecessor, the wood schoolhouse and who tenanted the building after the new one was built. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Copied Notes: autograph manuscript 44 p. Page 1 describes visit (1888) to see Elbridge Kingsley's "house on wheels" on the side of Mt. Tom. Following pages seem to be quotes and life observations. Also quotes from Hadley residents at the town meeting, 1885. Pages 10-43 seem to be Johnson reminiscing about school days and neighbors, often with sayings and name of originator. Last page is titled "Unused Notes: Adirondacks 1901" and probably describes John Burroughs. |
ca. 1885 - ca. 1901 |
| Cotton Mill Operations of New England: Real Life in America: autograph manuscript 13 p. Describes a cotton mill town and the foreign workers, children and the rough tenements. Note: reused material on other topics on verso. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Country Fire: autograph manuscript signed 9 p. An account of the fire that destroyed the nearly 100 year old Lyman Tavern in Hockanum. Details, from the start of the fire in the evening through surveying the remains the next morning. Note: published in >Picturesque Hampshire. |
ca. 1888 |
| Daylight Saving: autograph manuscript 2 p. Hadley residents' unfavorable opinions on keeping Daylight Savings time after MA law was passed in 1921. |
After 1924 |
| Dreadful Creature: autograph manuscript signed 23 p. Children's tale of the girl Susy Lawton, who goes to pick wintergreens and is scared by the mysterious sight of a "dreadful creature" that turns out to be a tree stump. Also characterizes children's excitement to be free at the end of the school day in their one room schoolhouse. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| English Odds: autograph manuscript 9 p. Describes various characters during one of Johnson's trips to England. Includes a sexton in Selbourne, an awful vicar in Faringdon, and attending a Quaker meeting in Cambridgeshire. |
[1890s] |
| English Railroads: autograph manuscript 7 p. Describes traveling by rail in England during the 1890s. Includes dealing with porters, various classes of cars, and English train stations. |
[1890s] |
| Ferry: autograph manuscripts 21 p. Various items about the history of the Rock Ferry in Hockanum and the Mt. Tom Ferry. Includes list of owners of the Rock Ferry from 1755. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| First Fourth of July: autograph manuscript 9 p.; typescript 5 p. Moral children's story of biblical Adam celebrating the first Fourth of July and causing commotion in the Garden of Eden. Adam thinks only of his own fun and nothing of others. |
1907 Jul 04 |
| Flood: autograph manuscript 15 p. Describes the Connecticut River flood of November 1927 in Hadley and Northampton areas. Also includes history of other major floods in the area, including 1854 and 1869. |
After 1927 |
| Getting Ready for Santa Claus: autograph manuscript 2 p. Child's view of waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve. Note: By Anna M. Johnson, written in Clifton Johnson's hand. |
[Probably after 1896] |
| Good-for-nothing: autograph manuscript signed 35 p. Story of Charlie Blakely of Rigsby, MA and his marriage day, as told by two gossiping neighbors. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Gossip and Odds: autograph manuscript 45 p. Gossip from 1895 on many residents of Hockanum and Hadley. Remarks made by E. Shipman about Hockanum residents. Story of "Grampa" Loren Pease, deceased at 100 years old. |
ca. 1893 - ca. 1900 |
| Hadley Odds: autograph manuscript Collection of pages on different topics on Hadley including autos, the Polish, trolley, telephone, various town reports, and the history of the schools in the area. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Hadley: Old Mr. Goodman: autograph manuscript 9 p.; 4 p. modern typescript Bulk describes Edward Goodman of Back Street, Hadley, MA as a penny-pinching old man who owned a dry goods store. One page also describes the types of candy he sold. Note: written over multiple years. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Hair: autograph manuscript 2 p.; 4 p. early draft Sarah Johnson describes the various hairstyles women would wear when she was a young woman. Includes descriptions of curling the hair various ways and styling it in "waterfalls" or "waterwheels". Early draft is probably from 1880s. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Heredity in a Country Village: autograph manuscript 4 p. Describes the early history of settlement in Hockanum and the homes settled by Capt. John Lyman and his many offspring in the village for over 100 years. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Hockanum in the Past: autograph manuscript 6 p. (4 s.) Describes several residents and the history of Hadley and Hockanum in the mid-1800s. Includes Russells, Richardsons, Mr. French, Bartletts, Shipmans, and others. Also includes history and sketches/floor plans of the Johnson house from the 1860s to 1900. |
1887 February and ? |
| Hockanum School: autograph manuscript 32 p. History of the various schoolhouses and school activities in Hockanum over the years since the late 1700s. Note: pencil notes in different hand are by Margaret Johnson Rutter. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Howells: On Trail of W.D. Howells in Ohio: autograph manuscript 14 p. Johnson travels along the Ohio River in search of people who remember the novelist William Dean Howells when he lived in Ohio. He recounts many stories from elderly residents. Note: this was likely written during trip in which Johnson shot photographs to be published in Years of My Youth by W. D. Howells. |
1917 May 29 |
| Hudson Maxim: autograph manuscript 39 p. Various chapters, heavily revised, on Hudson Maxim. May be severely out of order. |
[ca. 1920?] |
| In an Old Burying Ground: autograph manuscript signed 14 p. Describes a forgotten and overgrown cemetery [in Hockanum?] that holds colonial era tombstones but is badly neglected. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Irish: autograph manuscript 5 p. Describes several Irish neighbors of Hockanum and the husbands' drinking spells. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| It Must Be Done!: autograph manuscript 10 p. Story of renovating the Oldtown (Hadley) church meetinghouse. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Jacob Abbott: autograph typescript signed 10 p.; 4 p. article Describes Jacob Abbott as a beloved children's author, teacher, and preacher who lived from 1803 to 1879. One of his pupils was the poet Longfellow at the Portland Academy. Abbott was briefly a professor and preacher at Amherst College in the mid-1820s. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Kite and Horse-chestnut: autograph manuscript signed 11 p. Children's story of a conversation between a kite stuck on a telegraph line and a horse-chestnut in a tree. |
[1891?] |
| Life: autograph manuscript 5 p. Johnson philosophizes on measuring life's quality by the hard work accomplished. Also talks on the best qualities of teachers are those that provoke thought and questions in students. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Lincoln Address: autograph manuscript 11 p. Notes for speech given by Johnson to the students of Hopkins Academy, Hadley, MA about the example set by Lincoln's morals and hard work, freeing the slaves and having pride in yourself, your school and town. He mentions his visit to Booker T. Washington's Tuskegee school and how impressed he was with talking to Prof. George Washington Carver. |
1909 |
| Local Odds: autograph manuscript? 6 p. Various pages including one child's letter inquiring about selling buttons, one child's story about a mouse in the schoolhouse, a child's jingle, two pages on attending revivals. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Long, Lazy Hamlet: autograph manuscript 5 p. Describes Hockanum and the area's early settlement by Native Americans and finally colonial settlement by the Lyman family. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Maine Coast: autograph manuscript 17 p. Describes various areas of Maine including Portland and its fishing industry, Monhegan, and Bootleg harbor. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Memorandum book: autograph manuscript? 43 p. Various notes on books, stories and fairy tales, publishers; notes on various U.S. states - perhaps places to visit? Also includes first drafts of letters about the Hadley school committee, and a letter to John Burroughs. |
[1910s?] |
| Memorial Day Exercises at Hockanum: autograph manuscript 4 p. Discusses parallels between several soldiers who were killed by Indians in Hockanum in 1676 and by several girls killed in the same area by a car accident. Johnson proposes restraint and good sense in the age of the automobile. Note: this may have been for a talk given by Johnson. |
1932 May |
| Methodists and Freethinkers: autograph manuscript 11 p. Describes the Methodist community in Hadley, members, and baptisms in the river. Also mentions the Freethinkers Society in Hadley, started by Frank Edson, which may have only lasted 6 months. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Milkman: autograph manuscript 13 p. Describes the local milkman's routine, the milk cart, the cart horse, and problems along the delivery route. Possibly may be describing Johnson's own father as a milkman. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Millet: autograph manuscript 34 p. Describes the life and art of the French painter Jean-François Millet (1814-1877). He was renowned for the painting "Angelus". See also book Along French Byways. Note: unrelated writings on newspapers and the history of paper on verso. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Mill-girl's Lover: autograph manuscript signed 20 p. (3,000 words) Johnson records a story told by Mrs. Enos Perkins, owner of a boarding house in Hampden Falls, Mass. Her story tells of her boarder, Juliana Smith, who pined for her traveling beau, finally married him, then died shortly after. |
[ca. 1910s?] |
| Mt. Holyoke: autograph manuscript 2 p. Describes Captain O.H. Gilmore and his wife who piloted a steamer based at the Mt. Holyoke house (the summit house?) from approximately 1878-1880. They possibly lived in a little home known as the Champney house. |
Probably after 1915 |
| Night at a Country Store: autograph manuscript signed 18 p. Johnson records the gossip of several men late at night in a New England country store. They tell stories of their neighbors and themselves: keeping bees, quitting tobacco, farming. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Odds: autograph manuscript Various pages on local customs, history of homes and townspeople of Hockanum and Hadley, MA. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Old Fashioned Garden: autograph typescript signed 3 p. Describes the flowers and vegetables raised in an New England country garden. Perhaps gives details of Johnson's garden in Hockanum. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Old Gris'ell: typescript (copy only) 3 p. Describes the parents-in-law of Loren Pease of Hockanum who came to live with him and his wife about 1840. Pease got tired of them and built them a shack to live in two miles away. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Old Man Herrick: autograph manuscript 31 p.; 13 p. draft Herrick was a man from Pittsfield who had served in the War of 1812, married Elizabeth Rose of New York, and then settled in Hockanum. They were noted as strange and farmed a patch of land on the mountain slope until they started to gather and sell crystals to tourists at the Mt. Holyoke Summit House for Mr. French. She moved on to Philadelphia and sold the crystals as "Mount Holyoke Diamonds". Early draft is from 1887. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Oldest Inhabitants Describes "Grampa" Loren Pease as the oldest inhabitant of Hockanum, born about 1800 and living to about 100 years old. The McQuestons acquired most of his farm but allowed him to live on a few acres. In August, 1895 neighbors held a picnic in his honor. Note: see also notebook "At the Edge of the Wood." |
Probably about 1898 |
| Old-time Farm Family: autograph manuscript 40 p. Descriptive account of Aaron Snell and his family, who settled in Norville, MA after the Revolution. Describes their house, activities, church service, farming. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Old-time Life in New England: autograph manuscript signed 6 p. Seems to be notes and research for a new book about the history of New England. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Newspaper, the Magazine, and the Public: autograph manuscript 7 p. Notes for article in Outlook magazine. By Richard Watson Gilder as interviewed by Johnson. |
1899 February04 |
| Pageant of the Children's Year: autograph manuscript 4 p. Notes for photographs to be included in different chapters of Pageant of the Children's Year: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Note: book is unpublished. |
[After 1915] |
| Paris: autograph manuscript 12 p. Describes the impressions the city of Paris makes on an American. City of trees, parks, broad avenues and stylish residents. Arc de Triumphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre are mentioned. |
1899 |
| Parsons Cook - Australia: autograph manuscript 33 p. Several sections of material seem to describe Parsons (Nick) Cook(?) sailing to Brazil and on to Australia. Also may include a section recorded from Irving Johnson about his early sea voyages. Note: some of this material may be published in book Sailing for Gold (1938). |
[Probably after 1928] |
| Parsons Cook - Civil War: autograph manuscript 19 p. Parsons (Nick) Cook talks of enlisting for the Union in "Oldtown" (Hadley, MA) during the Civil War. Mentions the difficulties of being stationed in Louisiana, receiving letters, and skirmishes. |
[After 1890] |
| Parsons Cook - Hadley: autograph manuscript 19 p. Presumably records Parsons Cook's (age 94 in 1928) descriptions of local Hadley residents. Mentions Jonathan Dickinson and tradition of digging for buried treasure in his yard. Also mentions Levi Bartlett, Dave Root, and the Ben (Butcher) Smith Tavern. |
Probably about 1928 |
| Parsons Cook - What They Say: autograph manuscript Sayings and superstitions repeated by Parsons Cook about the weather, lightning, luck. Notes: see also published volume What They Say in New England . |
[Probably about 1928] |
| Political Economy of a Flag Raising on School Grounds: manuscript 4 p. (1 s.) Speech against the use of schools for political ends -- specifically raising party flags on school grounds. Read by Mr. Case in October, 1888 at Hopkins High School, Hadley, MA. Note: unclear whether authored or only copied by Johnson. |
ca. 1888 |
| Population, etc.: autograph manuscript 20 p. Describes statistics recorded by the Hadley annual reports about births, marriages, and deaths. Also includes statistics on taxes, the poor, historical notes on medicine and doctors, the Shays Rebellion, log running on the Connecticut River, drinking, and the town library. |
after 1924 |
| Possible Books: autograph manuscript Approximately 19 p.; index cards Various notes to publishers about titles, some published. Also lists of stories, titles or series for books, including fairy tales. |
[ca. 1910s?] |
| Prize Offer: autograph manuscript signed 25 p. (3400 words) Probably a fictional story about a boy who wants to submit a story for prize money and goes on adventures while trying to write it. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Prophet: autograph manuscript 17 p.; 2 newspaper clippings Describes a Texan man who came to Hockanum in 1884 proclaiming that Christ will appear at Mt. Holyoke in 1884 and that President Arthur must restore the Jewish Sabbath. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Professor Alvord: typescript (copy) 3 p. Describes elderly "Professor" Frank Alvord, who lived in Hockanum, MA. He talks of starting to smoke at an early age and the perils of drinking tea or cider. Written in voice of Professor Alvord. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Pueblo Fairy Tale: autograph manuscript 7 p. Records Native American tale of the origins of summer and winter. |
[Probably after 1905] |
| Quonce: autograph manuscript, typescript 6 p. (3 s.) Describes using the old brick schoolhouse as a residence for the very poor Quonce family after the newer schoolhouse was built about 1810. They had 14 children and lived in one room with a loft above and a cellar below. Once abandoned, the ruins were cleared in 1870. |
1887 Feb |
| Roads: autograph manuscript 7 p. Text copied from Roads, Paths and Bridges by L.W. Page, Director, U.S. Office of Public Roads. Lists sound practices for building and maintaining earthen roads. |
after 1919 |
| Rosina's Garden: autograph manuscript 9 p. Describes Rosina as a strong-minded woman who sets out to create a garden with the help of neighboring Willis "girls". Location unknown. Note: seems to be told in voice of "Thomas". |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Russell: Sam Russell: autograph manuscript 11 p. Various notes on Sam Russell of Hockanum and related events. Mentions the auction of Luther Lyman's home in Hockanum when Clifton and his brothers were young and how they snuck away during school to attend. Also mentions tub races in the Hockanum cove when Clifton was a boy. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Sayings: autograph manuscript 3 booklets List of child-like sayings and definitions. |
[Probably 1880s] |
| School Diary: autograph manuscript 21 p. School diaries of various Hockanum children as copied by Johnson. Includes entries by Hettie and Oscar Johnson and Thayer children, Luther Barstow. Notes studies in school, games played, and the weather. |
ca. 1895 |
| School Fuss 1897: autograph manuscript 32 p. Describes the dissatisfaction with Miss Woodis, the new Hockanum schoolteacher. The children were found to be disrespectful and ran wild in the classroom and schoolhouse. |
1897 |
| School Notes: autograph manuscript 31 p. Copied extracts from various articles and books on the state of education in America in the early 20th century. Includes thoughts on punishment, exercises, recess, and lessons. |
after 1916 |
| Search for Treasure: autograph typescript 14 p. Two boys from Hartford tour the Connecticut Valley and hear of the tale of Captain Kidd's buried treasure on Shepard? Island. Their search comes with poor results. |
ca. 1892? |
| Sense and Sentiment: autograph manuscript 31 p. Critical thoughts on love and what attracts and holds a man and woman together in marriage. Probably bulk is from interview with W.D. Howells - see article "Sense and Sentiment". |
ca. 1895 |
| Sheep: autograph manuscript 1 p. Describes how sheep were sometimes poisoned by browsing on laurel. Lists two folk cures. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Smiths 1894: autograph manuscript 21 p. Describes the Smiths of West Chesterfield, MA. Bulk of August section describes the Smiths' hired man Herbert, his girl Nellie and meetings of the Christian Endeavor club. Bulk of October section gossips about Smith's relatives and neighbors. |
1894 August through 1894 Oct |
| Snow in Woods: autograph manuscript 13 p. Romantically describes a late spring, "sugar" snow. Johnson takes a walk through Hockanum into the woods and describes sights, sounds, and persons he meets. |
1900 March26 |
| Some N'er-do-wells: autograph manuscript 23 p. Describes various poor residents of Hockanum, especially a string of tenants in the old schoolhouse. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Sound Bodies: autograph manuscript signed 8 p. (1,200 words) "The Preparedness of Sound Bodies". Comments on the rejection of 200,000 men during 1915 military enlistment for physical and mental problems. Insists that physical education is paramount to preparedness in peace and war. |
after 1915 |
| Talk - Cambridge: autograph manuscript 5 p. Notes for a talk given before a photographic club on subject of photography in illustration. Includes discussion that photographs poorly illustrate literary fiction because they are usually posed and too artificial. Includes 2 pages on story of trying to make a few photographs of an unwilling man in Kansas in 1908. |
1909 February17 |
| Thanksgiving: autograph manuscript 2 p. Describes Aunt Laura's(?) recollections of having a plentiful amount of mince meat pies after the Thanksgiving celebration, which could be eaten and shared with guests for nearly a month. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Tobacco: autograph manuscript 1 p. Story of two young men who are bashful about their smoking habit when encountering a young lady. |
[Probably after 1890 |
| Tower Place: autograph manuscript 4 p. Describes the once grand farm, now in disrepair, known as Tower Place, built by Stephen Tower in Cummington, MA. See journal "Camping Cummington, 1888". |
[1888 Aug] |
| Valley Vista Farm Visitors: autograph manuscript 2 p. List of prominent visitors to Johnson's farm in Hockanum, MA. Includes names such as John Burroughs, Henry Ford, Robert Frost, Dr. Charles A. Eastman, and Ray Stannard Baker. |
[Probably after 1915] |
| Washington's Birthday: autograph typescript signed 11 p. Two short plays "Revolutionary Tea" and "The End of the Revolution" set during the Revolutionary War. Possibly written to be performed by the children of the Hockanum schoolhouse during Washington's birthday celebrations. |
1893 |
| Water: autograph manuscript 3 p. Describes the importance of water to the Hockanum farms through wells and mountain springs. One farmer hired a man with a divining rod to locate water on his property. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Weather: autograph manuscript 1 p. Mentions that 1894 was remarkable for a prolonged autumn with no frosts until early November. |
[After 1894] |
| When We Were Young, M-Z: autograph manuscript signed 83 p. "Oldtown memories recorded by Clifton Johnson". Includes short writings alphabetized on various topics and townspeople of Hadley, MA. Topics include nicknames, Josiah Nash, peddlers, silkworms, tobacco, etc. Only have writings M-Z, missing A-L. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| White Lies: autograph manuscript 3 p. A discussion on the undesirable use of white lies in society. Mentions Aesop's fable of the boy who cried "Wolf". |
[Probably after 1890] |
| Widow Lois: autograph manuscript Describes Lois Lyman, widow of Edwin Lyman, who lived in Hockanum in the mid-1800s. |
[Probably after 1890] |
| World War: autograph manuscript 7 p. Describes Hadley's organization of a Committee on Public Safety during World War I. Various sub-committees and fundraising efforts aided the national effort to support the war. |
1917-1919 |
Series 3: Articles & Booklets
Subseries A: Periodicals
Subseries A: Periodicals
| Description | Date |
|---|---|
| The American Bookmaker | |
| Elbridge Kingsley - the Artist-Engraver: article and illustrations p. 172-173 | 1885 December |
| The Bookman | |
| Chronicle and Comment: article complete periodical, article p. 408, 409 | 1897 January |
| The Autograph Hunter's Treadmill: article p. 169-170 | 1890-1910? |
| Canal Society of New York State | |
| A Canal-boat Voyage on the Hudson: article Originally published in New England and Its Neighbors by Clifton Johnson, 1902. |
1962 |
| The Christian Union | |
| Winter Life in New England: article and printed photographs p. 171-174 | 1893 January 28 |
| New England Winters - To the Editors of The Christian Union: article p. 335 Letter to Editor referencing Johnson's article "Winter Life in New England". Not by Johnson. |
1893 February 18 |
| New England Country Life - To the Editors of The Christian Union: 3 articles p. 433 Letter to Editor referencing Johnson's article "Winter Life in New England". Not by Johnson. |
1893 March 04 |
| How People Live: X. New England Farm Life: article p. 460 | 1893 March 11 |
| The New England Lyceum - To the Editors of The Christian Union: article Letter to Editor by Johnson |
1893 March 25 |
| The Circle | |
| Old-Time Maple Sugar Making: article and printed photographs p. 165-166 | 1907 March |
| The Congregationalist | |
| New England's Birthplace: article and printed photographs p. 929-932 | 1893 December 21 |
| Old-time Holidays: article and printed illustrations p. 720-722 | 1894 November 22 |
| The Isle of the Schoals: article p. 126-127 | 1895 Jul 25 |
| Pilgrim's Holland: article, illustration, printed photographs p. 945-949 | 1895 December 12 |
| Camera Hints for Young People: article and printed photographs p. 679-680 | 1897 May 13 |
| What Children Can Do In Country Towns: article and printed photographs p. 701-703 | 1901 May 04 |
| Yankee Characteristics from a Hill-Town Farmer's Point of View: article and printed photographs p. 739-742 | 1902 November 22 |
| It Must Be Done: article and printed photographs (copy) p. 301-302? | 1926 September 02 |
| Country Life in America | |
| Home-Made Carpets: article and printed photograph p. 254 | 1906 Jun |
| Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly | |
| Girl Undergraduates: printed photographs p. 297-304 Article by Rollin Lynde Hartt. "The lighter side of life at Smith College". |
1899 Jul |
| Girl Undergraduates: printed photographs p. 297-304 Article by Rollin Lynde Hartt. "The lighter side of life at Smith College". |
1899 Jul |
| Good Housekeeping | |
| Three Littleville Ghosts: article p. 38 |
1901 January |
| The Cook Who Sailed Alone: article and printed photographs p. 100-104 Article on Capt. Joshua Slocum. See also manuscript Capt. Joshua Slocum. |
1903 February |
| Why the Mud-Turtle Lives in the Water: article see also miscellaneous writing American Negro | 1904 Jul |
| The Frog, the Mouse and the Hawk: article see also miscellaneous writing American Negro |
1904? |
| Happy with Her Music: printed photograph p. 52? | 1895-1910? |
| A Market Day: printed photograph p. 190 | 1895-1910? |
| The Window Plants: printed photograph | 1895-1910? |
| Hampshire County Journal | |
| Hampshire Country Journal cover: cover design and illustration Complete periodical - oversize. See Oversize Artwork box for original. See p. 2 "Our Cover Page" for short writing on Johnson's cover design. |
1887 October |
| Old Trout-Brook at Loudville: illustration Complete periodical; p. 10 - oversize. See Oversize Artwork box for original. Article "Agricultural Interests and Organizations" p. 9-10 may be by Johnson (uncredited). |
1887 October |
| Northampton Lunatic Hospital: illustration Complete periodical; p. 12 - oversize. See Oversize Artwork box for original. Illustration for "Account of Psychiatry and its Cultivators in Hampshire County". |
1887 October |
| Proposed (Turner) Site of the Forbes Library - From West Street: illustration Complete periodical; p. 22 - oversize. See Oversize Artwork box for original. Illustration for "Our Library Facilities". |
1887 October |
| Mount Holyoke and the "Ox-Bow": article Complete periodical; p. 49 - oversize. See Oversize Artwork box for original. Article may be by Johnson (uncredited). |
1887 October |
| Harper's Bazaar | |
| Country of the Girl Queen: article and printed photographs p. 387-392 | 1900 Jun 16 |
| Harper's Weekly | |
| People of the Green Mountains: printed photographs p. 976-977 | 1902 Jul 26 |
| Harper's Young People | |
| The Horse-Chestnut Men: article and printed illustrations p. 272-273 | 1891 February 17 |
| House and Garden | |
| Rural Homes of England: article and printed photographs Periodical complete; p. 199-205 Article and some photographs by Johnson. |
1904 April |
| The Interior | |
| School Compositions: article and printed photographs p. 1086-1088 | 1895 August 15 |
| Country Nature Club: article and illustrations p. 468-469 See also series Artwork: Illustration: Interior magazine and Artwork: Miscellaneous Art: Botanicals. |
1898 April 14 |
| Juliana Horatia Ewing: article and illustrations; autograph note p. 497 Note is writing on Juliana Horatia Ewing. |
1899 April 20 |
| Home of an English Nature Writer: article and printed photographs p. 894-896 | 1901 Jul 11 |
| Old-Time Nature Lover: article and printed photographs p. 1043-1045 | 1902 August 14 |
| A Rustic Poetess: article and illustrations p. 75-76 | 1905 January 19 |
| Grandmother's Schooldays: article and printed photographs p. 981-894 | 1905 August 03 |
| The Story of the Horn Book: article and printed illustrations p. 1587-1590 | 1907 November 28 |
| Ladies Home Journal | |
| A Day in the Country School: printed photographs p. 1? | 1898 March |
| Wedding and a Question: article p. 4 | 1902 Jun |
| New England Magazine | |
| Winter Twilight: article and printed photograph p. 432 Poem "Winter Twilight" by Richard Burton. Photograph by Johnson (uncredited). |
1893 December |
| Tin-Peddler's Cart: article and printed photographs p. 713 fragment Article by Helen Marshall North p. 711-714. Photographs by Johnson. |
1899 August |
| The Winter of the New England Poets: article and printed photographs p. 385-403 | 1909 December |
| Some New England Superstitions: article and printed photographs p. 161-168 Photographs of Loren Pease |
1890 - 1905 |
| The Outing Magazine | |
| Our Imported Pests: article p. 39-44 | 1890 - 1910? |
| The Outlook | |
| The Mantelpiece Turtles: article p. 847, 848 | 1885 - 1910 |
| Suggestions for Small Book-Buyers: article copy | [1893] |
| The Old-Time New England Sabbath: article and printed photographs p.930-932 | 1893 November 25 |
| The Writer and the Rest of the World: article p. 580-582 | 1894 March 31 |
| A Boy's Hunting: article and printed photographs p. 1040-1041 | 1894 Jun 09 |
| The Bryant Centennial: article and autograph note p. 320 Note contains text insertions and corrections for article. |
1894 August 25 |
| Country Home Culture Club: article p. 988 | 1894 December 08 |
| A School-house Christmas: article and printed photographs p. 1039-1041 | 1894 December 15 |
| Ideals for a Country Town: article p. 1084-1086 By the Rt. Rev. F.D. Huntington as interviewed by Johnson |
1894 December 22 |
| Concerning Mr. Joseph Peanut: article and illustration | [1895] |
| Sense and Sentiment: article p. 304-305 By W.D. Howells as interviewed by Johnson |
1895 February 23 |
| The Scrap-Book Habit: article | 1895 Jun 01 |
| Home Culture: article p. 952-954 By George W. Cable as interviewed by Johnson |
1895 Jun 08 |
| Guy Fawkes' Day: article p. 709 With letter to editor from 1895 November 30. |
1895 November 02 |
| The Picturesque in American Life and Nature: article and printed photographs p. 34-42 By Charles Dudley Warner as interviewed by Johnson |
[1898 Jan] |
| The Newspaper, the Magazine, and the Public: article p. 316-321 By Richard Watson Gilder as interviewed by Clifton Johnson. Photographs by Johnson |
1899 February 04 |
| Midsummer in an Old Pasture: article and printed photographs p. 500-508 | 1899 Jul 01 |
| Chickens, Pigs and People: printed photographs p. 291-300 Article by Booker T. Washington. |
ca. 1908? |
| The Outlook: covers | |
| The Outlook: cover design and printed photograph (p. 917?) | 1893 November 25 |
| The Outlook: cover design and printed photograph (p. 105?) | 1894 January 20 |
| The Outlook: cover design and printed photograph (p. 778?) | 1894 November 17 |
| The Outlook: cover design (p. 121?) | 1895 January 26 |
| The Outlook: cover design (p. 581?) | 1895 April 13 |
| Puritan | |
| When the Minister Came to Tea: article and printed photographs p. 465-469 | 1900 January |
| Reader's Guide | |
| Notes by Clifton Johnson to Some Degree Accounting for Himself: article p. A10 | 1924? |
| St. Nicholas | |
| Girl in Hat: printed illustration p. 129 | 1897 October |
| Life on the Mantel-shelf: article and printed photograph p. 647 | 1904 May |
| Unknown Periodical | |
| Galloping of the Mountain and At Hockanum Under the Shadow of the Mount Holyoke: printed photographs Two photographs by Johnson |
1890 - 1900? |
| Mr Rabbit Gets de Bes' of Mr Lion an' Mr Tiger: article African American folk tale probably gathered while Johnson was traveling in the South. | 1903 - 1910? |
| Up in the Berkshires: article and printed photographs p. 47-56 Article by Vance Thompson. Photographs by Johnson. |
1890 - 1905? |
| Schools in the Days of Lincoln: article p. 11-12 Published in Sunday Magazine of ?. |
1909 January 31 |
| Schools in Washington's Time: article p. 9-10 Published in Sunday Magazine of ?. |
1909 February 21 |
| The Village | |
| Our Forest Fires: article and printed photographs p. 19-23 | 1906 December |
| Wide Awake | |
| Opening the Fishing Season: printed illustration | 1893 March |
Subseries B: Newspapers
| Description |
Date |
|---|---|
| Boston Evening Transcript | |
| Literary Cigarette: article By Johnson. "How the Cigarette Has Crept Into Respectable Literature" |
1900 May 09 |
| Dutch Sunday: article By Johnson. "Scenes at a Country Church Service in Holland." |
1900 December 08 |
| Boston Herald | |
| Artist Turns Author to Explain His Pictures: article and printed photographs p. 6-? Article by Mary Caroline Crawford. |
1904 September 20 |
| New England Homestead | |
| Some Whats and a Bogie: article copy "Illustrated by half a dozen school children." |
[1892 May 26?] |
| Bringing Home the Christmas Tree: illustration cover (p. 505? [1]) | 1894 December 22 |
| Thanksgiving Pumpkin: printed photograph cover (p. 473? [1]) Accompanying poem "A Thanksgiving Pumpkin" by Anna M. Johnson. |
1898 November 19 |
| New Year's Eve Exhibition: article and illustrations p. 713 [25] | ca. 1900? |
| Gallery of Portraits: article and illustration p. 45 [29] | ca. 1900? |
| Face of a Clock: article and illustrations p. 146 [30] | 1901 or 1907 January |
| New York Herald | |
| Behind Southern Prison Bars as a Suspected Spy: article By Johnson. On his arrest in Oldport, GA? as a spy during WWI. |
1918 May 05 |
| Saturday Evening Post | |
| Photography and Art: article and printed photographs p. 16-17 Note: oversize. See Oversize Art box for originals. |
1895 - 1910? |
| Photographing Life: article and printed photographs p. 18-19 Note: oversize. See Oversize Art box for originals. |
1895 - 1910? |
| Springfield Homestead | |
| Anticipated Moment: printed photograph p. 1 | 1904 December 10 |
| Springfield Republican | |
| Incidents of Fortune Seeking in California Forty Years Ago: article copy Interview by Johnson of an unknown Springfield, MA man. |
1892 |
| Thackeray on Endowment Orders: article copy Letter to Editor by Johnson on novelist Thackeray's book The Great Hoggarty Diamond. |
1893 March |
| Night Before Christmas - A Hint for St Nicholas: illustration p. 1 | 1895 December 22 |
| Some Old-Time Spelling Books - Points for Young Puritans: article p. 5 | 1904 January 29 |
| Unknown Publication | |
| Publications of the Day - New and Interesting Books: article copy "A Novel Which is Remarkable, to Say the Least." Review by Johnson of A Singular Will by George C. Marsh of Hadley, MA. |
[1902 June 20] |
| Backyard Pet: article By Johnson, illustration may be by Johnson. Publication unknown. |
1887 - 1915? |
Subseries C: Booklets
| Description |
Date |
|---|---|
| How Paper is Made: booklet with printed photographs Text and photographs by Johnson for the Whiting Paper Co. in Holyoke, MA. |
[1893] |
| Hadley - The Regicides, Indian and General History: booklet "A souvenir in honor of Major-General Joseph Hooker and in anticipation of the memorial exercises at his birthplace." |
1895 May 07 |
| New World Pilgrims at Old World Shrines: booklets Photographs by Johnson of England and Holland taken for Congregationalist trip in June and July 1896 (also his honeymoon trip). |
1896 |
Series 4: Diaries and Journals 1881 - 1922
| Description | Date |
|---|---|
| Clifton Johnson kept diaries, journals, and writings of his life in Hadley, MA, most extensively from the age of 15 to 22. He also kept journals of various trips in western Massachusetts and New York and to England. All diaries and journals are filed chronologically. | |
| Diary: autograph Diary and 3 copies of transcript |
1881 January 01 - 1882 September 28 |
| Diary: autograph Diary and 3 copies of transcript |
1882 October 01 - 1883 December 31 |
| Diary: autograph Diary and 3 copies of transcript |
1884 January 01 - 1885 February 28 |
| Diary: autograph diary signed | 1885 March 01 - 1885 December 31 |
| Chautanqua: autograph journal 4 p., autograph of Dr. Vincent Trip to Framingham, Chautanqua |
1885 July 20 - 1885 July 29 |
| Diary: autograph diary signed Diary, 3 copies of transcript |
1886 January 01 - 1886 October 31 |
| First Trip to N.Y.: autograph diary 7 p. |
1886 January 06 - 1886 January 13 |
| Camping Out: autograph diary 13 p. Trip to West Chesterfield. |
1886 August 08 - 1886 August 14 |
| Diary: autograph diary signed | 1886 November 01 - 1887 August 26 |
| Trip to N.Y.: autograph diary 9 p. |
1887 January 10 - 1887 January 21 |
| Diary: autograph diary | 1887 September 01 - 1888 November 07 |
| New York 1888: autograph diary 10 p. Sunday Morning in a Negro Church found with this journal. |
1888 March |
| Sunday Morning in a Negro Church: autograph diary 5 p. Bundled with New York 1888 journal. |
[1888 Mar?] |
| Camping Cummington: autograph diary 1 diary; 30 p. loose copy |
1888 August |
| Cummington Camping: autograph diary 5 p. |
1889 July 30 - 1889 August 06 |
| N.Y.: autograph diary Symphony concert with Elbridge Kingsley at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. |
1889 December 15 - 1990 January 05 |
| N.Y. Mission: autograph diary 10 p. Trip to New York City. Includes description of Madison Square Garden. |
1890 March |
| Franklin County: autograph diary 48 p. |
1890 October 24 - 1890 October 29 |
| Whately Glen: autograph diary 5 p. Trip with artist Elbridge Kingsley and wood engraver George Kruell. |
1891 |
| Winter Hills 1892: autograph diary 19 p. Trip to Cummington. |
1892 |
| Hampden, 1892: autograph diary | About 1892 September 30 |
| Recent Hockanum: autograph diary 11 p. loose |
1893 - 1900 |
| Berkshire 1893: autograph diary 21 p. |
1893 April |
| West Chesterfield 1893: autograph diary | 1893 September 01 |
| Whittier House: autograph diary 8 p. Visit to [poet John Greenleaf]? Whittier's hometown. |
1893 October 18 |
| October 1893: autograph diary Description of Rocky Hill Church near Amesbury. |
1893 October |
| Crossing the Atlantic: autograph diary 53 p. Consists of "Crossing the Atlantic" 22 p., "Getting Ashore" 7 p., and "The Voyage Homeward" 24 p., all typescripts with handwritten inserts. Seems to be about Johnson's first trip to England in 1894. |
[1894 March 28 - 1894 Jun] |
| England - Chester, Wales, Shrewsbury: autograph diary Consists of "A Journey to Chester and Along the Welsh Coast" 9 p., "Chester and York" 3 p., "A Sunday in Wales" 12 p., "Through Middle Wales to Shrewsbury and Worcester" 4 p., "Stratford, Warwick and Kenilworth" 2 p., and "Market Bosworth" 3 p., "Hadley in England" 1 p. Possibly records Johnson's first trip to England in 1894. |
[1894 April - 1894 May?] |
| London: autograph diary 26 p. typescript with handwritten inserts Possibly records Johnson's first trip to England in 1894. |
[1894 May?] |
| With Mr. Howells: autograph diary 2 p. loose |
1895 |
| Trip to Hills: autograph diary Covers three different trips to the hills of Franklin County and Berkshire County in 1896. |
1896 April 02; 1896 September 23 - 1896 September 27; 1896 November 03 |
| Poughkeepsie Fight: autograph diary 6 p. Records Johnson fighting a drunk in Poughkeepsie, NY. |
1897 September 6 |
| July 5: autograph diary 7 p., 1 copy of typescript |
1890s? July |
| Block Island: autograph diary 7 p. Trip to Block Island in Long Island Sound. |
ca. 1890s? |
| New Ashford June 2 1901: autograph diary 3 p. |
1901 June 02 |
| Berkshire 1904: autograph diary 7 p. Trip to Pittsfield and Lenox. |
1904 July 25 - 1904 July 27? |
| Train Springfield to Holyoke: autograph diary 1 p. Short account on the train. On verso is autograph signature of Dr. --- (?) of Providence |
1915 March 17 |
| Hoosac Mt., Vermont, Lake George, Adirondacks 1922: autograph diary 21 p. Automobile trip with Anna Johnson and son Arthur. |
1922 June 04 - 1922 June 08 |
Series 5: Correspondence
See separate correspondence index for individual letter description.
Subseries A: Incoming Correspondence
See separate correspondence index for individual letter description.
Subseries A: Incoming Correspondence
| Description |
|---|
| Letters to Johnson are organized chronologically, except for a section of letters by persons of interest which are organized alphabetically by correspondent. |
| 1882 - 1899 |
| 1900 - 1929 |
| Persons of Interest: |
| Ray Stannard Baker |
| John Burroughs |
| George Washington Carver |
| Calvin Coolidge |
| Daniel Chester French |
| William Dean Howells |
| Hudson Maxim |
| Maxfield Parrish |
| Harriet R. Richardson |
| Charles Dudley Warner |
| Booker T. Washington |
| Woodrow Wilson |
Subseries B: Outgoing Correspondence
Outgoing correspondence is organized alphabetically by correspondent.
Outgoing correspondence is organized alphabetically by correspondent.
| Description |
Date |
|---|---|
| John Burroughs | |
| Hadley School Committee | 1903 |
| Anna Johnson | 1893 - 1916 |
| Charles E. Johnson | |
| Nettie and Jeanette Johnson | |
| Enos Lyman | |
| Harriet Richardson | 1887 - 1890 |
| Margaret Johnson Rutter | 1917 - 1928 |
| Thayer Children | |
Series 6: Financial & Legal Documents 1896-1937
Subseries A: Book Contracts
- Quantity: 1 box
Subseries A: Book Contracts
- Includes initial contracts and, occasionally, amendments to contracts between Johnson and various publishing companies for payments and royalties.
- Documents are listed alphabetically by publication title.
| Description |
|---|
| Adventures of a Country Boy |
| Alice in Wonderland |
| Along French Byways |
| Among English Hedgerows |
| Andersen Fairy Tales |
| Artemus Ward's Best Stories |
|
Baron Munchausen
(book never unpublished) |
| Battleground Adventures of the Civil War |
| Bedtime Wonder Tales |
| Being a Boy |
| Birch Tree Fairy Book |
| Book of Country Clouds and Sunshine |
| Book of Fairy-tale Bears |
| Book of Fairy-tale Foxes |
| Boy on a Farm |
| Canoeing in the Wilderness |
| Don Quixote |
| Elm Tree Fairy Book |
| Fairy Tales Everyone Should Know |
| Fir Tree Fairy Book |
| Highways and Byways of California |
| Highways and Byways of Florida |
| Highways and Byways of the Great Lakes |
| Highways and Byways of the Mississippi Valley |
| Highways and Byways of New England |
| Highways and Byways of the Pacific Coast |
| Highways and Byways of the Rocky Mountains |
| Highways and Byways of the South |
| Highways and Byways from the St. Lawrence to Virginia |
| History of Hampden County |
| Hobyahs (book/story never published?) |
| Hudson Maxim Talks |
| Irish Idylls |
| Isle of the Shamrock |
| John Burroughs Talks |
| Land of Heather |
| Little Folks Book of Verse, Mother Goose Rhymes, Narrative Bible |
| Lorna Doone |
| Maine Woods |
| New England |
| New England and Its Neighbors |
| New England Country |
| Oak Tree Fairy Book |
| Old Time Schools and School Books |
| Picturesque Hudson |
| Picturesque St. Lawrence |
| Reynard the Fox |
| Robinson Crusoe |
| Sailing for Gold |
| Songs Everyone Should Know |
| Stories of the Hudson |
| Story of Johnny Cake |
| Story of King Arthur |
| Story of Two Boys |
| Supplementary Reader Covering the Geography of New England |
| Tale of a Black Cat |
| Thoreau |
| Water Babies |
| What to See in America |
| Wonderful Hen |
| Year in the Fields |
Subseries B: Legal & Financial Documents
| Description |
|---|
| Legal and Financial Documents: business Includes two certificates of copyright registration and a series of correspondence and a legal agreement with publishers Macauly Co. |
| Legal and Financial Documents: personal |
| Legal and Financial Documents: receipts and ledger Includes several receipts from various trips and a personal financial account book from 1881 to 1884 while working in Northampton. |
Series 7: Photographs 1890-1935
Johnson also traveled to Canada, Mexico, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, and the Netherlands. Many of his photographs are published in articles and books by Johnson.
- This series includes more than 3,000 prints by Clifton Johnson.
- Also in this series are 1,300 glass plate negatives, 800 interpositives and film negatives, and approximately 60 lantern slides.
Johnson also traveled to Canada, Mexico, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, and the Netherlands. Many of his photographs are published in articles and books by Johnson.
Series 8: Artwork, [bulk 1883-1915]
The bulk of the artwork is completed in pen and ink, ink wash, gouache, or pencil. Works in color are primarily limited to thirteen oil paintings and one watercolor, all of landscapes. This collection also contains some printer's proofs of artwork and are filed with the originals. Many drawings are based on photographs by Johnson, also held in the collection.
The artwork is particularly strong in landscapes of western Massachusetts; rural villages and people of England, Ireland, Scotland, and France; drawings of 18th and 19th century household utensils and objects; and drawings of children or for children's stories.
Subseries A: Illustration
Johnson completed the bulk of his artwork for publication. All pieces of artwork that have been identified as being published in a book or article have been sorted by publication name. Also, any pieces of illustration that were obviously intended to be published but may not actually have been printed have also been included. Items include drawings, mockups, book dummies, and some printers proofs.
Artwork is listed alphabetically by book or article publication name. Identified, published items are marked on the back of the piece with publication and page number. Some items were printed in multiple publications; wherever possible, such items have been filed under the earliest known publication.
- Quantity: approximately 600 items
- All artwork is by Clifton Johnson unless otherwise stated.
The bulk of the artwork is completed in pen and ink, ink wash, gouache, or pencil. Works in color are primarily limited to thirteen oil paintings and one watercolor, all of landscapes. This collection also contains some printer's proofs of artwork and are filed with the originals. Many drawings are based on photographs by Johnson, also held in the collection.
The artwork is particularly strong in landscapes of western Massachusetts; rural villages and people of England, Ireland, Scotland, and France; drawings of 18th and 19th century household utensils and objects; and drawings of children or for children's stories.
Subseries A: Illustration
Johnson completed the bulk of his artwork for publication. All pieces of artwork that have been identified as being published in a book or article have been sorted by publication name. Also, any pieces of illustration that were obviously intended to be published but may not actually have been printed have also been included. Items include drawings, mockups, book dummies, and some printers proofs.
Artwork is listed alphabetically by book or article publication name. Identified, published items are marked on the back of the piece with publication and page number. Some items were printed in multiple publications; wherever possible, such items have been filed under the earliest known publication.
| Description |
|---|
| Along French Byways: 18 items |
| Amherst College Olio: 51 items, 3 published |
| Among English Hedgerows: 2 items |
| Bible Stories My Children Love Best of All: 1 item |
| Child-life of Rural England: 1 item |
| Country of the Girl Queen: 1 item |
| Country School: 2 items |
| District School As It Was: 1 item |
| Farmer's Boy: 2 items |
| Golden Books for Children: 3 items |
| Gulliver's Travels: 4 items |
| Highways and Byways of America series: 2 items |
| Historic Hadley Quarter Millenial Souvenir: 2 items |
| Interior magazine: "Country Nature Club": 10 items Consists of botanical drawings and article header. |
| Interior magazine: "Juliana Horatio Ewing": 1 item |
| Isle of the Shamrock: 24 items |
| Land of Heather: 27 items |
| Life on a Farm: 1 item |
| Little Captain Dopplekop: 2 items |
| Mother Goose Rhymes: 57 items |
| Mother Goose Rhymes My Children Love Best of All (1917 edition): 9 items |
| Mt. Holyoke and Vicinity: 3 items |
| Natural History of Selbourne: 3 items |
| New England Country: 2 items |
| New England Year: 3 items |
| Old Folks of New England: 1 item |
| Old Hadley Quarter Millennial: 2 items |
| Old-Time Schools and School Books: 4 items |
| Outlook magazine: 1 item |
| Picturesque Berkshire North: 3 items |
| Picturesque Berkshire South: 9 items |
| Picturesque Franklin: 32 items |
| Picturesque Hampden I East: 23 items |
| Picturesque Hampden II West: 10 items |
| Picturesque Hampshire: 11 items |
| Poems My Children Love Best of All: 1 item |
| Puck magazine: 1 item |
| Reynard the Fox: 1 item |
| Robin Hood: 1 item |
| The Seasons: 2 items |
| Stories of the Hudson: 1 item |
| Unredeemed Captive: 1 item |
| What I Do and What I See - A School Diary: 31 items |
| Window in Thrums: 1 item |
Subseries B: Miscellaneous Artwork
Artwork that could not be identified as published is filed by subject matter. This also includes one sketchbook by Johnson and a single watercolor painting
Artwork that could not be identified as published is filed by subject matter. This also includes one sketchbook by Johnson and a single watercolor painting
| Description |
|---|
| Adults: 6 items |
| Botanicals: 26 items |
| Buildings: Exterior: 9 items |
| Buildings: Interior: 2 items |
| Children: 12 items |
| Children's Stories: 12 items |
| Drawings by Children: Johnson children: 11 items |
| Drawings by Children: General: 7 items |
| Early Work: 25 items |
| Landscapes: 35 items |
| Logos: 7 items |
| Mt. Holyoke Summit House: 2 items |
| Objects: 31 items |
| Sketchbook: 1 item, 44 p. |
| Watercolor: 1 item |
Subseries C: Oversize Artwork
Oversize drawings 16x20 inches or less in size are contained in Box 1. Box 2 holds drawings 20x28 inches or less. Boxes 1 and 2 are filed alphabetically first by published illustration then by miscellaneous subject. Box 3 contains six unframed oil paintings. Seven additional framed oil paintings are hung on the paintings rack.
Oversize drawings 16x20 inches or less in size are contained in Box 1. Box 2 holds drawings 20x28 inches or less. Boxes 1 and 2 are filed alphabetically first by published illustration then by miscellaneous subject. Box 3 contains six unframed oil paintings. Seven additional framed oil paintings are hung on the paintings rack.
| Description |
|---|
| Illustration: Along French Byways: 2 items |
| Illustration: Amherst College Olio: 7 items |
| Illustration: Canoeing in the Wilderness: 1 item Title page illustration by Mary R. Bassett for a publication edited by Clifton Johnson. |
| Illustration: Farmer's Boy: 2 items |
| Illustration: Goldern Books for Children: 2 items |
| Illustration: Historic Hadley Quarter Millenial: 1 item |
| Illustration: Mother Goose Rhymes: 1 item |
| Illustration: Old-Time Schools and School Books: 1 item |
| Illustration: Picturesque Berkshire North: 2 items |
| Illustration: Picturesque Franklin: 1 item |
| Illustration: Picturesque Hampden I East: 2 items |
| Illustration: Picturesque Hampden II West: 1 item |
| Illustration: Picturesque Hampshire: 1 item |
| Illustration: Stories of the Hudson: 1 item |
| Miscellaneous Artwork: Adults: 2 items |
| Miscellaneous Artwork: Botanicals: 1 item |
| Miscellaneous Artwork: Children: 2 items |
| Miscellaneous Artwork: Children's Stories: 3 items |
| Miscellaneous Artwork: Early Work: 2 items |
| Miscellaneous Artwork: Landscapes: 9 items |
| Miscellaneous Artwork: Warwick Castle: 1 item |
| Illustration: Outing magazine: 1 item |
| Miscellaneous Artwork: Children's Stories: 1 item |
| Miscellaneous Artwork: Early Work: 3 items |
| Miscellaneous Artwork: Landscapes: 10 items |
| Miscellaneous Artwork: "Winter": 1 item |
| Miscellaneous Artwork: "Woodland Waterfall": 1 item |
| Oil paintings, unframed: 6 items |
| Oil paintings, framed: "Green Tree". 18x28 cm. #CJ2006_01_01. Paintings rack. |
| Oil paintings, framed: "Yellow Tree". 18x22 cm. #CJ2006_01_02. Paintings rack. |
| Oil paintings, framed: "Green Grass, Fence, Birch Tree, and Two Hills". On verso: "Sunrise Over River". 29x26 cm. #CJ2006_01_03. Paintings rack. |
| Oil paintings, framed: "Hill Framed by Two Stands of Trees". Signed by artist. 30x24 cm. #CJ2006_01_04. Paintings rack. |
| Oil paintings, framed: "Distant Hills, River, Field, Trees". On verso: "Cabin, River, and Smoke Stack". 30x26 cm. #CJ2006_01_05. Paintings rack. |
| Oil paintings, framed: "River, Pine Trees, Clouds, and Blue Sky". 41x36 cm. #CJ2006_01_06. Paintings rack. |
| Oil paintings, framed: "Farm, Field, and Trees". 33x29 cm. #CJ2006_01_07. Paintings rack. |
Series 9: Scrapbooks
This series consists of 15 scrapbooks of newspaper clippings by various authors, ads, cartoons, and magazine artwork.
This series consists of 15 scrapbooks of newspaper clippings by various authors, ads, cartoons, and magazine artwork.
| Description | Date |
|---|---|
| 8 scrapbooks collected by Clifton Johnson, primarily of newspaper clippings by various authors and some ads and cartoons. | ca. 1900? |
| 7 scrapbooks collected by Johnson of clipped magazine artwork of the 1880s and 1890s. | ca. 1900? |
Series 10: Subject Files
| Description | Date |
|---|---|
| Authographs | 1865-1920s? |
| Burroughs, John: general | 1918-1973 |
| Hadley Farm Museum: clipping | 1946 |
| Hadley Library: Clifton Johnson as trustee | 1908 |
| Hockanum village: history of homes |
|
| Johnson, Clifton: biographical matter |
|
| Johnson, Clifton: bibliography |
|
| Johnson, Clifton: book introductions by Carl Withers |
|
| Johnson, Clifton: clippings, articles about |
|
| Johnson, Clifton: clippings, newspaper about |
|
| Johnson, Clifton: ephemera |
|
| Johnson, Clifton: essays about |
|
| Johnson, Clifton: museum exhibits |
|
| Johnson, Clifton: obituary |
|
| Johnson, Clifton: reviews |
|
| Johnson, Clifton: Song of Hadley |
|
| Johnson, Clifton: talks and programs by |
|
| Jones Library: Clifton Johnson Collection donation |
|
| Kingsley, Elbridge |
|
| Schoolbooks Collection: reference |
|
| What to See in America: photographs: bulk not by Clifton Johnson |
|
Series 11: Johnson Family Papers
Subseries A: Anna McQueston Johnson
Subseries A: Anna McQueston Johnson
| Description |
Date |
|---|---|
| Johnson, Anna: biographical matter | |
| Johnson, Anna: Johnson Hall at UMASS | 1960 |
| Johnson, Anna: photographs | |
| Johnson, Anna: writings 2 letters and notebook. Includes notebook The Country Girl (24 p.) written by Anna Johnson. |
Subseries B: Arthur Johnson
| Description |
Date |
|---|---|
| Johnson, Arthur: clippings | |
| Johnson, Arthur: correspondence: approximately 60 letters | 1918 July - 1919 February |
| Subseries C: Chester Johnson | |
| Johnson, Chester: biographical matter | |
| Subseries D: Charles E. Johnson | |
| Johnson, Charles E.: biographical matter | |
| Johnson, Charles E.: correspondence: 2 letters | 1907 February |
Subseries C: Chester Johnson
| Description |
Date |
|---|---|
| Johnson, Chester: biographical matter | |
Subseries D: Charles E. Johnson
| Description |
Date |
|---|---|
| Johnson, Charles E.: biographical matter | |
| Johnson, Charles E.: correspondence: 2 letters | 1907 February |
Subseries E: Johnson Family
| Description |
|---|
| Johnson family: miscellaneous |
| Johnson family: photographs |
Subseries F: Henry R. Johnson
| Description |
|---|
| Johnson, Henry R: biographical matter |
Subseries G: Irving Johnson
| Description |
Date |
|---|---|
| Johnson, Irving: biographical matter |
|
| Subseries H: Margaret Johnson |
|
| Johnson, Margaret: reminiscences |
|
| Subseries I: Roger Johnson |
|
| Johnson, Roger: biographical matter |
|
| Diaries: kept by Roger Johnson and baby book by Anna Johnson: 7 notebooks | ca. 1901 - ca. 1918 |
| Scrapbooks: created by Roger Johnson: 1 volume with diaries; 2 volumes are oversize | ca. 1901 - ca. 1918 |
| Film: footage by Roger Johnson of bicycle collection, horsemanship, and floods: 1 VHS tape | Probably 1930s-1940s |
| Photographs: caves explored by Roger Johnson: approximately 60 photographs, mainly in NY, MA, CT and also AR, KY, NM and VT. | ca. 1930s |