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Abstract

Long-time residents of Hadley, Massachusetts, the Nash and Scott families were united in 1881 when John Nash, a farmer, married Lizzie Scott. Of their seven children, Herman B. Nash, graduated from the Massachusetts Agricultural College in 1917, and immediately enlisted in the army, serving in France at the close of World War I. His youngest sister, Helen, kept the family connected during these years by writing and distributing a family newsletter, the Plainville News.

The Nash-Scott Family Papers contain a number of photographs, including an album capturing a trip to the west coast in 1915 and a canoe trip to Labrador in 1920. Herman B. Nash’s scrapbook documents not only his time as a student at M.A.C., but also his service in France, featuring candid photographs taken by Nash during and after the war as well as identification cards, company rosters, and a German propaganda leaflet picked up near the front. Pamphlets, genealogical notes and postcards complete the collection.

Access:

The collection is open for research.

Language:

English
Nash-Scott Family Papers, 1781-1987
15 boxes
Call no.: MS 581

Background on Nash-Scott family

Nash family

Nash family

John Nash was the son of Samuel Nash and was raised on the family homestead in Hadley, Massachusetts. He was born in January 1847 and became a farmer. John met Lizzie Scott at the North Hadley Church. Lizzie was born in North Hadley in July 1858. Her mother died when she was fifteen and she was therefore left to care for her younger siblings. The two were married in May 1881 and went on to have seven children, George, Alice, Ethel, Luella, Ruth, Herman, and Helen. Lizzie died in July 1927 and John died two years later in 1929.

Not all of the Nash children survived into childhood. Alice died when she was only nine years old after being bitten by a dog. George had several health issues growing up and died when he was 37. Ethel became a teacher in Connecticut after going to Smith College and Northampton Commercial College. Ruth went to New York City for a time after graduating. She helped keep up the family farm along with operating a poultry farm.

Luella worked at the Amherst Library after graduating from Mount Holyoke College. During World War I, she helped in the war effort by taking a job as a secretary in the Department of Agriculture in Washington D.C. After the war in August of 1920 she married Walter Buchanan, a high school math teacher. The two lived in several towns in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Luella died in 1971.

The youngest Nash sibling, Helen, never lived far from home. Like Ethel, Helen became a teacher after studying at Northampton Commercial College in 1920. She taught in Brooklyn for a while but returned home to help her mother who was ill. She became in Elementary school in Hadley for almost forty years before become the librarian at Hopkins Academy for two years before retiring. Helen lived to be 86 years old when she died in June 1987.

Herman Nash, the second of John and Lizzie's two boys was born in 1895. He graduated from Massachusetts Agricultural College in 1917 and immediately joined the Army. During World War I, Herman served in France from 1918-1919. He ended up teaching agriculture in Allerey, France at the American Expeditionary Forces University.

Upon returning home Herman met Grace Leonard; she taughter at Hopkins Academy while he served on the school committee board. Herman taught school in Connecticut and Massachusetts before the family settled in Springfield where he worked for the Post Office until he retired in 1961. Until 1955 he served in the Army Reserves and served in a training post during World War II. Herman was 82 when he died in 1977.

Before marrying Herman, Grace taught at various schools in Massachusetts. She was originally from Marshfield, Massachusetts and went to Boston University to study teaching. The couple had three children, Howard, Herman Jr. and John. Grace spent the rest of her life raising her children. In 1973 Grace died at the age of 77.

Contents of Collection

Joined togther by the marriage of John and Lizzie in 1881, the Nash and Scott familes were both long-time Hadley residents. This collection of family papers features the history of individual family members as well as of the area of western Masachusetts in which the lived and worked. Highlights include scrapbooks from the Massachusetts Agricultural College, World War I era letters, genealogical materials, a family newsletter, and numberous photographs and photo albums.

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Series Descriptions
Series 1. Correspondence 1831-1987

A significant amount of the collection includes the correspondence of Herman Nash. While serving in World War I, Herman wrote almost daily to his family and friends back home. In his letters he discussed daily routines and where he was. The letters his family wrote to him, mainly from his mother are also in the collection. After the war and throughout their marriage Grace kept a lengthy correspondence with her friends from college and other Nash family members.


Series 2. Family History and Materials 1781-1981

The Nash-Scott papers includes a wide variety of family materials from diaries and school papers to genealogies and scrapbooks. An extensive amount of area history to be found in the collection along with family history and genealogy. Postcards from family travels are included in the collection from New York to California to Texas. Several family members assembled scrapbooks to commemorate special events or local news. Information about daily life in the Nash family during the 1930s and 1940s can also be found. Issues of the newsletter Plainville News, created by Helen Nash, kept her older siblings apprised of the happenings at home.


Series 3. Photographs 1853-1975

The collection contains a significant number of Nash family photos from John and Lizzie to Herman and Grace. Along with Nash photos there are also a variety of photographs from the Scott and Leonard families. The series includes several photo albums, one of the albums is from John and Lizzie's trip to Labrador and another from Helen Nash's time as a school teacher in the early 1920s.


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Inventory of Collection
Series 1. Correspondence 1831-1987

Correspondence 1831-1915
Box 1:1
Correspondence 1916
Box 1:2
Correspondence 1917
Box 1:3
Correspondence 1918 Jan-Mar
Box 1:4
Correspondence 1918 Apr-Aug
Box 1:5
Correspondence 1918 Sept-Dec
Box 1:6
Correspondence 1919 Jan-Feb
Box 1:7
Correspondence 1919 Mar-Apr
Box 1:8
Correspondence 1919 May-Aug
Box 1:9
Correspondence 1919 Sept-Dec
Box 1:10
Correspondence 1920-1921
Box 1:11
Correspondence 1922
Box 1:12
Correspondence 1923
Box 1:13
Correspondence 1924 Feb-May
Box 1:14
Correspondence 1924 June-Nov
Box 1:15
Correspondence 1925-1927
Box 1:16
Correspondence 1928
Box 1:17
Correspondence 1930-1932
Box 1:18
Correspondence 1933-1934
Box 1:19
Correspondence 1935-1936
Box 1:20
Correspondence 1937-1939
Box 1:21
Correspondence 1940
Box 1:22
Correspondence 1941
Box 1:23
Correspondence 1942 Feb-Mar
Box 1:24
Correspondence 1942 Apr-May
Box 1:25
Correspondence 1942 June-July
Box 1:26
Correspondence 1942 Aug-Sept
Box 1:27
Correspondence 1942 Oct-Dec
Box 1:28
Correspondence 1943 Jan
Box 1:29
Correspondence 1943 Feb
Box 1:30
Correspondence 1943 May-June
Box 1:31
Correspondence 1943 July-Aug
Box 1:32
Correspondence 1943 Sept-Oct
Box 1:33
Correspondence 1943 Nov-Dec
Box 1:34
Correspondence 1944
Box 2:35
Correspondence 1945-1946
Box 2:36
Correspondence 1947-1949
Box 2:37
Correspondence 1950
Box 2:38
Correspondence 1951-1952
Box 2:39
Correspondence 1953-1955
Box 2:40
Correspondence 1956-1957
Box 2:41
Correspondence 1958-1959
Box 2:42
Correspondence 1960 Jan-July
Box 2:43
Correspondence 1960 Aug-Dec
Box 2:44
Correspondence 1961
Box 2:45
Correspondence 1962
Box 2:46
Correspondence 1963 Jan-June
Box 2:47
Correspondence 1963 July
Box 2:48
Correspondence 1963 Aug-Dec
Box 2:49
Correspondence 1964
Box 2:50
Correspondence 1965 Jan-Aug
Box 2:51
Correspondence 1965 Sept-Dec
Box 2:52
Correspondence 1966
Box 2:53
Correspondence 1967
Box 2:54
Correspondence 1968
Box 2:55
Correspondence 1969
Box 2:56
Correspondence 1970
Box 2:57
Correspondence 1971
Box 2:58
Correspondence 1972-1973
Box 2:59
Correspondence 1974-1975
Box 2:60
Correspondence 1984-1987
Box 2:61
Correspondence undated
Box 2:62
Correspondence: cards 1900-1980 2 folders Box 2:63-64
Correspondence: cards, Christmas 1900-1980 2 folders Box 2:65-66

Series 2. Family History and Materials 1781-1981

American Education 1968 Feb
Box 8:170
Amherst-Hadley church anniversaries 1859-1981
Box 4:1
Anniversaries and weddings 1923-1973
Box 4:2
Ashland High School 1918
Box 4:3
Austin, Samuel, Sermon, Preached at the Dedication of the New Meetinghouse in Hadley 1808
Box 2:67
Better Say: grammar book undated
Box 4:4
Bills and accounts 1838-1944
Box 4:5
Birth certificates 1895-1896
Box 4:6
Boston University Centennial 1939 Sept
Box 8:171
Bostonia 1917, 1944-1946
Box 7:161
Breckenridge, William E., Polyphase Duplex Slide Rule 1924
Box 2:68

Walter Buchanan's copy.

Buchanan, Walter and Luella, Address book 1963-1975
Box 3:69
Buchanan, Walter Gray: naval service undated
Box 4:7
By Mead and Stream: Flower Poems 1939
Box 4:8

Illustrated by Charles G. Noakes.

Calling cards, business cards 1930-1945
Box 4:9
Charters: Junior Extension Service of the Massachusetts Agricultural College 1928-1939
Box 7:162

Presented to two clubs, Real Good Sewers Club and Silver Wing Handicraft Club, led by Helen E. Nash.

Currency, European 1914-1922
Box 4:10
Currency, souvenir undated
Box 3:70
Descendents of William Scott of Hatfield, Mass., 1668-1906 undated
Box 3:71
East Springfield book reports 1930-1960
Box 4:11-12
Essay on constitutionality of judicial salaries in Massachusetts ca.1843
Box 4:13
Family history 1929-1986
Box 3:72
Grand jurors list 1922
Box 3:73

Herman B. Nash listed.

Funerals and deaths 1973-1985
Box 4:14
Hadley anniversary 1959
Box 4:15
Hadley Historical Society 1975-1989
Box 4:16
Hampshire County Pomona Grange, No. 8 1923
Box 4:17
Hampshire Gazette 1827
Box 4:18
Hankerchief 1923
Box 3:74

Sent from France by Madame Remy about 1923; a wedding gift.

Historical Society of Plainville, Record book, transcript ca.1835
Box 3:75
Hopkins Arms 1969
Box 3:76

Helen Nash's copy of the Hopkins Academy yearbook; the students dedicated the yearbook to Nash for her years of service to the school.

Howell, Clarence V., They Eat Their Cake and Keep It 1947
Box 3:77
Hurricane: publications 1938
Box 3:78
Invitation: Nash, Herman B. 1949
Box 3:79
Jones Library: Nash papers 1994
Box 4:19
Leonard family genealogy ca.1960
Box 7:163
Leonard family genealogy 1988
Box 7:164
Leonard, George: diary, typed exerpts 1821-1881
Box 4:20
Leonard, George, Marshfield Sixty Years Ago: A Lecture 1872
Box 3:80
Leonard, J." Division of Fisheries and Game receipt 1922
Box 4:21
Leonard, Mabel, Recipe book 1936
Box 3:81
Life 1945 Nov 12
Box 8:172

Includes photograph of Herman Nash, page 46.

Map: Hadley 1958
Box 3:82
Marshifield High School 1893-1920
Box 4:22
Memorabilia undated
Box 10

Various family memorabilia including spectacles, leather baby shoes, fans, leather wallet, and medals.

Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Information for Expectant Mothers 1924
Box 3:83
Musical scores: Boston University ca.1911
Box 8:173
Nash, Alice, "East Meets East: Japanese in Boston, 1868-1941" 1989
Box 4:23
Nash, Alice, History From the Attic: A Compilation of Primary Source Materials Relating to What a New England Farm Family was Doing During 1919 1985
Box 3:84
Nash, Alice, Research: Nash, Grace 1986-1987
Box 4:24-26
Nash, Enos 1781-1791
Box 4:27
Nash family: art work ca.1970
Box 8:174-175

Miscellaneous printed paintings and photographs collected by Nash family.

Nash family: history, transcripts 1805-1860
Box 4:28
Nash family: letters, transcripts 1810,1823
Box 4:29
Nash family military documents 1917-1923
Box 7:165
Nash family military documents 1940-1945
Box 7:166
Nash family: poems, essays 1923-1960
Box 4:30
Nash family: recollections 1901-1980
Box 4:31
Nash, Grace: Boston University 1917
Box 4:32
Nash, Grace: Boston University, Class of 1917 1957-1966
Box 4:33
Nash, Grace: Boston University, coursework ca.1917
Box 4:34-35
Nash, Grace: Boston University, notebooks 1916-1918
Box 4:36-37
Nash, Grace: cookbook 1930
Box 4:38
Nash, Grace: Hopkins Academy 1919-1923
Box 4:39
Nash, Grace: Marshfield High School 1913
Box 4:40
Nash, Grace: Marshfield public schools 1904-1908
Box 4:41
Nash, Grace: Sanderson Academy 1925
Box 4:42
Nash, Grace, Scrapbook 1909-1971
Box 15
Nash, Grace, Scrapbook: Boston University 1911-1914, 1938
Box 5
Nash, Grace: "We Have a Goodly Heritage" 1972
Box 4:43-44
Nash, Helen: "pet" rock 1976
Box 4:45
Nash, Helen, Scrapbook: Hadley area 1961
Box 5
Nash, Herman: biographical information ca.1971
Box 3:85
Nash, Herman: calendar 1974
Box 3:86
Nash, Herman: diaries 1918-1921
Box 4:46-47
Nash, Herman: diaries, Massachusetts Agricultural College 1914-1917
Box 4:48-49
Nash, Herman: drawing 1944
Box 3:87
Nash, Herman: finances 1906, 1961-1962
Box 3:88
Nash, Herman: hair 1899
Box 3:89

Cut at age four.

Nash, Herman: map, First Army Maneuver Area, Clinton County, N.Y. 1939
Box 3:90
Nash, Herman: Massachusetts Agricultural College 1914-1917
Box 4:50
Nash, Herman: military service, France 1917-1919
Box 3:91
Nash, Herman: military service, scrapbook 1942-1944
Box 3:92
Nash, Herman: notebooks 1938-1971
Box 3:93
Nash, Herman: receipt, Underwood Arms Co. 1974
Box 3:94
Nash, Herman: school work 1907-1914
Box 3:95
Nash, Herman B., Scrapbook 1908-1920
Box 15

Includes content for Nash's days as a student at Smith's Agricultural High School, Northampton and the Massachusetts Agricultural College (MAC) as well as his service during World War I. Approximately 125 photographs from the front lines in France (purchsed there during his service), approximately 75 candid photographs taken by Nash during the war, and ephemera such as identfication cards, arm patch, company rosters, German propoganda leaflet picked up near front, programs, tickets all relating to his service. MAC materials include dance cards, tickets, baseball programs, and miscellaneous ephemera relating to the College.

Nash, J.A., Mount Pleasant Boarding School for Boys, Amherst, Mass. 1846
Box 3:96
Nash, John: probate court 1929
Box 3:97

Appraisal of his estate and effects.

Nash, John: school work ca.1940
Box 3:98
Nash, Lizzie, Diary 1919
Box 3:99
Nash, Ruth, Sewing sample book 1923
Box 3:100
Nash, Samuel: documents, justice of the peace 1844-1852
Box 3:101
Nash, Samuel, Journals 1835-1836
Box 3:102
Nash, Samuel, Log book 1837-1841
Box 3:103
Newspaper clippings 1840
Box 3:104
Newspaper clippings ca.1907, 1969
Box 3:105
Newspaper clippings 1926-1986
Box 4:51
Newspaper clippings: Leonard Bell 1998
Box 3:106
Notebook: funeral arrangements undated
Box 4:52
Pamphlets 1917-1921
Box 4:53
Pamphlets and tickets, souvenirs 1917-1971
Box 3:107
Plainville News 1918-1927
Box 3:108
Postcards: California ca.1930-1960
Box 3:109
Postcards: Canada ca.1930-1960
Box 3:110
Postcards: England ca.1919-1980
Box 3:111
Postcards: France 1919
Box 3:112
Postcards: France, World War I 1917-1919
Box 3:113
Postcards: Luxembourg ca.1919
Box 3:114
Postcards: New England 1921-ca. 1960
Box 3:115
Postcards: New York ca.1919
Box 3:116
Postcards: United States, miscellaneous ca.1930-1960
Box 3:117-120
Reconciliation Trips: flyers 1948 June
Box 3:121
Resolution: Industrical Division Delegates, New York State Convention 1956
Box 3:122
Scott family reunion 1916
Box 3:123
Scott-Nash genealogy 1986
Box 7:167
Scott, Nellie, Diary 1885
Box 3:124
Scott, Nellie, Diary 1887
Box 3:125
Scrapbook: covered bridges 1907-1970
Box 5

Contains newspaper clippings, notes, photographs (18), postcards (30), and real photo postcards (12) of covered bridges in New England.

Scrapbook: history of Springfield 1952-1953
Box 5
Scrapbook: "Stories in Stamps" 1938
Box 5
Smith, M.H., "The End of the World: A Lecture Sermon, Delivered Before the First Universalist Society in Hartford..." 1832
Box 4:54
Stamps, postage ca.1959
Box 6:126
Strong Talk Newsletter 1942
Box 6:127
Trees of Amherst 1959
Box 7:168

Copy belonged to Helen E. Nash.

Van Sickle Junior High School, Van Lore 1942 Mar
Box 6:128
Vet's Voice for Peace 1954
Box 6:129
Wellspring for Young People 1906
Box 6:130
Western New England 1912 Oct
Box 7:169

Issue featuring "Attractive Amherst."

Wills 1851-1960
Box 4:55
World's Fair: medal 1939
Box 6:131

Belonged to John Nash.


Series 3. Photographs 1853-1975

Buchanan, Walter and Luella 1920-1975
Box 6:132
Dickinson, Abigail: daguerreotype undated
Box 12:8
Dickinson, Homer: daguerreotype undated
Box 12:7
Dickinson, Martha: ambrotype ca.1857
Box 13:15

Daughter of Ebenezer Dickinson and grandmother of Lizzie Scott Nash. She taught at Mount Holyoke; her three daughters (Martha, Hannah, and Emily) all graduated from Mount Holyoke.

Dodge, Laura B. and husband ca.1853
Box 13:6

Daguerreotype of husband and wife; Laura B. Dodge granddaughter of Israel Scott.

Labrador canoe trip: photograph album 1920
Box 9

Includes images of St. Lawrence River, Montreal, slums of Sous le Cap, Quebec City, Ste Anne de Beaupre, "Half breed spinning," "Indian squaw, San Prin," Labrador, Maine coast.

Lamson, Andrew and Hannah Scott: daguerreotype undated
Box 12:12
Leonard family 1896-1910
Box 6:133
Leonard family 1913-1922
Box 6:134
Leonard family 1923-1945
Box 6:135
Leonard family 1946-1995
Box 6:136
Leonard, Grace: Boston University classmates 1917-1919
Box 6:137
Nash family: cartes de visite 1870-1900
Box 6:138
Nash family 1900-1920
Box 6:139
Nash family 1921-1995
Box 6:140
Nash family: photograph album 1917-1935
Box 9
Nash, Helen 1920-1984
Box 6:141
Nash, Helen: photograph album 1920-1930
Box 6:142
Nash, Helen: photograph album 1931-1933
Box 6:143
Nash, Helen: photograph album 1934-1939
Box 6:144
Nash, Herman and Grace 1922-1925
Box 6:145
Nash, Herman and Grace 1926-1945
Box 6:146
Nash, Herman and Grace 1946-1975
Box 6:147
Nash, John and Lizzie 1894-1910
Box 6:148
Nash, John and Lizzie 1913-1917
Box 6:149
Nash, John and Lizzie 1918-1921
Box 6:150
Nash, John and Lizzie: photograph albums 1910-1924
Box 6:151-154

Four family photo albums dating from the same time period.

Nash, Laura and John: daguerreotype 1853
Box 12:5
Nash, Lurintha Ball ca.1880
Box 13:1
Nash, Samuel and daughter Jennie: daguerreotype undated
Box 12:11
Nash-Scott family: photograph albums undated
Box 10
Photograph album: unidentified undated
Box 11
Scott, Aaron with sisters: ambrotype ca.1858
Box 14:2

Aaron Scott and sisters, Cornelia and Emily, children of Rufus Porter Scott.

Scott, Cornelia and Hannah: daguerreotype undated
Box 12:3
Scott, Elvira C. ca.1855
Box 13:10

Cased ambrotype of Elvira C. Scott, wife of R. Porter Scott.

Scott, Emily: daguerreotype ca.1853
Box 14:1

Daughter of Rufus Scott.

Scott, Emily: daguerreotype ca.1853
Box 14:3

J. D. Wells, photographer.

Scott, Emily A.: daguerreotype ca.1855
Box 13:9

Cased daguerreotype of Emily A. Scott, daughter of Rufus Scott, with early albumen print of her husband Charles Cleveland.

Scott, Emily and Hannah: daguerreotype ca.1855
Box 12:13
Scott, Emily, Cornelia, and Hannah ca.1855
Box 13:7

Cased ambrotype of Emily, Cornelia, and Hannah Scott, daughters of Rufus Scott.

Scott family ca.1855
Box 13:8

Cased ambrotype of Cornelia Scott Dickinson, Rufus Porter Scott (back row); Aaron Scott, Hannah Scott Clarke (front row).

Scott family 1870-1900
Box 6:155
Scott family 1901-1920
Box 6:156
Scott family 1921-1950
Box 6:157
Scott family: cartes de visite 1840-1900
Box 6:158-160
Scott family: photograph album 1924-1940
Box 9
Scott family: photograph album undated
Box 11
Scott, Frank: Daguerreotype undated
Box 12:9
Scott, Rufus: daguerreotype undated
Box 12:4
Scott, Rufus: daguerreotype undated
Box 12:6
Unidentified elderly woman: daguerreotype ca.1853
Box 13:12
Unidentified infant: daguerreotype undated
Box 12:10
Unidentified man: daguerreotype undated
Box 12:1
Unidentified man: tintype ca.1870
Box 14:4

Man wearing top hat.

Unidentified man and boy: daguerreotype ca.1853
Box 13:4
Unidentified man and woman: daguerreotype undated
Box 12:2
Unidentified, miscellaneous: tintype ca.1865
Box 13:2

Four gem tintypes; three unidentified women, one unidentified man.

Unidentified subject: ambrotype ca.1858
Box 13:13

Ruby ambrotype; image indiscernible.

Unidentified woman: ambrotype ca.1855
Box 13:3

Tintype of two unidentified women enclosed with cased ambrotype.

Unidentified woman: silver gelatin print ca.1900
Box 13:14
Unidentified woman: daguerreotype ca.1853
Box 13:11

J.D. Wells, photographer.

Unidentified young man: daguerreotype ca.1850
Box 13:5
West coast: photograph album 1915
Box 9

Images of trip to West coast including Portland, Oregon, Yellowstone, San Francisco World's Fair, Los Angeles and Pasadena, San Diego Fair, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Hopi and "Apache" adobe houses; all image identified.


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Provenance

Acquired from Alice Nash, 2008.

Processing Information

Processed by Ashley Purvis, August 2009.

Copyright and Use (More informationConnect to publication information)

Cite as: Nash-Scott Family Papers (MS 581). Special Collections and University Archives, UMass Amherst Libraries.

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Names and Subject Terms
Subjects
  • Hadley (Mass.)--History
  • Hadley (Mass.)--Social life and customs
  • Massachusetts Agricultural College
  • Nash family
  • Scott family
  • World War, 1914-1918--France
Genre terms
  • Photograph albums
  • Photographs