Letter to Augustus W. Smith, May 16, 1842

The bulk of the Olin papers are family letters written, between 1830 and 1870. Of these family letters the largest collections are the letters of Julia M. Olin to her husband, the Reverend Stephen Olin, and those to her son, Stephen Henry Olin. Many of the latter were written to Henry while he was a student at Wesleyan. They reveal her own activities and interests, her ambitions for her son, and her keen awareness and vicarious involvement in her son's education. There is an equally large selection of letters of the same period from Henry to his mother. His letters from Wesleyan (during the mid 1860's) tell more of his extracurricular activities (trips to New York, visits with friends, relatives, and professors, and happenings of the collegiate societies) than of his studies. Correspondence also remains Hen ry and Mrs. Olin while he was studying in New York following graduation from Wesleyan. Only a few letters appear written by Rev. Stephen Olin. The largest group are those he wrote during the controversy he was involved in with E. Robinson. There is a lot of material on this including letters from Robinson to Olin (one of which appears as a newspaper article) and a long reply from Olin, apparently in his own hand. Also there is a long letter from Olin tofue editor of the N. A., Review (where all the name calling appears to have gene on) and a good deal of correspondence between Olin and T. P. Durbin. The controversy apparently arose over an ini tial criticism by Robinson of a work by Olin which Olin met with critical remarks about Robinson's works and which Robinson in turn countered. There are numerous letters written to Rev. Olin from his wife, relatives, friends, and associates. Many of the latter relate to Rev. Olin's religious office and duties in one way or another and are almost invariably headed by the greeting 'Reverend and Dear Brother' or a similar form of Christian address. Some concern the University in minor matters, some are recommendations, and a good part of them relate to the Methodist church in one way or another.

Stephen Henry Olin appears frequently both in the letters he wrote and in those he received. Also some of his essays remain written either in high school or college. Stephen Henry seems responsible for the drawings:and maps which are to be found in the Olin papers. He apparently enjoyed drawing and often illustrated his letters to his mother with little sketches. Also in these papers are texts of the memorial service held for Stephen Henry Olin at Wesleyan.

There are miscellaneous items including Wesleyan University programs, receipts, civil war printed items, various poems, writings and prayers.