DACS

]> ca1000-138 Guide to the Arthur Benjamin Calef Papers, 1851 - 1861 Processed by: Thea de Armond; machine-readable finding aid created by: Valerie Gillispie &hdrsca;

Machine-readable finding aid derived from XML authoring program. Date of source: October 2007 Description is in English Finding aid was prepared using DACS Guide to the Arthur Benjamin Calef Papers, 1851 - 1861 Special Collections & ArchivesWesleyan University Middletown, CT, USA

Descriptive Summary Special Collections & Archives, Wesleyan University Calef, Arthur Benjamin, 1825-1900. Arthur Benjamin Calef Papers, 1851 - 1861 1000-138 Material in English 0.25 1 For current information on the location of these materials, please consult Special Collections & Archives staff. Arthur Benjamin Calef, Wesleyan class of 1851, served in a variety of governmental positions in Middletown and Middlesex County, Connecticut and in the state as a whole, as well as being a delegate to the National Republican Conventions in 1860 and 1864. Excepting two copies of court records from 1851 and 1853, the collection contains correspondence addressed to Arthur Benjamin Calef dating from 1856 to 1861. John Woodruff is the author of the bulk of the correspondence; his letters - usually marked private - chiefly relate to the political situation in Washington, D.C. and Connecticut, especially with regards to pre-Civil War tensions, campaigning, and Calef's appointment to the position of Middletown Postmaster. Other letters are also primarily politically motivated, but include requests for references from Calef or requests that he exert his influence to procure letter-writers certain positions, etc. These letter-writers include Connecticut Governor William A. Buckingham. Administrative Information Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Copyright for Official University records is held by Wesleyan University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Arthur Benjamin Calef Papers, Collection #1000-138, Special Collections & Archives, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, USA.

Acquisitions Information

Acquired before 1997.

Processing Information

Processed by Thea De Armond, October 2007

Encoded by Valerie Gillispie, October 2007

Biographical Note

Arthur Benjamin Calef was born in Sanbornton, NH on June 30, 1825. He attended Wesleyan University between 1847 and 1851. He studied law in Middletown, CT, serving as clerk of the Middlesex County courts for eight years. In 1855, he was elected State Treasurer of Connecticut; three years later, he was elected Middletown City Attorney. He also served as a Middletown councilman, alderman and recorder. He was trustee, secretary, lecturer on constitutional law, and president of both Psi U and the Alumni Association at Wesleyan University. In 1860 and 1864, he was a delegate to the National Republican Convention. He served as postmaster - elected by Republicans - from 1861 - 1869. From 1884 - 1895, Calef was Middletown City Court Judge. He was a Son of the American Revolution and a Freemason. He died in 1900.

John Woodruff was born in West Hartford, CT on February 12, 1826. He received little schooling and moved to New Haven in 1845, where, three years later, he was elected a member of the common council. He served in the Thirty-fourth Congress (March 1855 - March 1857) as a member of the American Party, and, after unsuccessfully running for reelection to the Thirty-fifth Congress, was elected as a Republican to the Thirty-sixth Congress (March 1859 - March 1861). In 1862, he was appointed internal revenue collector for the second district of Connecticut. He died in 1868.

Collection Overview

Excepting two copies of court records from 1851 and 1853, the collection contains correspondence addressed to Arthur Benjamin Calef dating from 1856 to 1861. John Woodruff is the author of the bulk of the correspondence; his letters - usually marked private - chiefly relate to the political situation in Washington, D.C. and Connecticut, especially with regards to pre-Civil War tensions, campaigning, and Calef's appointment to the position of Middletown Postmaster. Other letters are also primarily politically motivated, but include requests for references from Calef or requests that he exert his influence to procure letter-writers certain positions, etc. These letter-writers include Connecticut Governor William A. Buckingham.

Online Catalog Headings

These and related materials may be found under the following headings in online catalogs.

Calef, Arthur Benjamin, 1825-1900. Woodruff, John, 1826-1868. Buckingham, William A. (William Alfred), 1804-1875. Connecticut--Politics and government--1775-1865. Washington (D.C.)--Politics and government--19th century. Middletown (Conn.)--Politics and government. Detailed Description of the Collection 11 Middlesex County Superior Court records (copies), 1851 and 1853 12 Letters to Arthur Benjamin Calef, February 1856-March 1858

The majority of the letters are from John Woodruff from Washington, D.C. and New Haven, Connecticut

13 Letters to Arthur Benjamin Calef, September 1858-January 1859

The majority of the letters are from John Woodruff from New Haven, Connecticut

14 Letters to Arthur Benjamin Calef and Master George Brown, February 1859-December 1859

Only one letter is addressed to Master George Brown. The bulk of the letters are from John Woodruff from Washington, D.C. and New Haven, Connecticut

15 Letters to Arthur Benjamin Calef, January 1860-November 1861.