Summary of an interview author had with Mrs. Frida Berggran who witnessed the 1910 appearance of Halley's comet in a small village in Sweden. The villagers were apparently unaware that the comet was coming.
Robert Woodward Barnwell writes to his father, William H. W. Barnwell, about recent renovations and improvements on the campus of the South Carolina College and tells his father he reads the Charleston Courier daily for news of any Boston ship that might have arrived with his order of winter clothing. October 16, 1848.
Letter from C. G. Memminger in Charleston to William H. W. Barnwell, who is convalescing "in the country." Memminger assures Barnwell that his pulpit is being adequately filled and tries to allay fears that Barnwell has about the spiritual health of his congregation. April 25, 1848.
Solicitation from Rev. Jarvis Buxton to William H. W. Barnwell for funds to erect an Episcopal church in Rutherfordton, NC. Buxton details services being held at the local court house and in a female academy, where they contend for space with local Presbyterians. February 16, 1848.
Letter from William H. W. Barnwell in Charleston to wife Catherine Barnwell at Laurel Bay plantation discussing his church duties and his intention of sending fruit to the family. April 13, 1848.
Letter from William H. W. Barnwell in Columbia to wife Catherine Barnwell in Charleston. Barnwell mentions the death of an infant in Charleston and the need for his family to find a new place to live. December 5, 1848.
Letter from William H. W. Barnwell to wife Catherine Barnwell concerning his stays at Woodward and Laurel Bay plantations near Beaufort, his upcoming trip to "Paris" Island and the slaughter of beef cattle for the upcoming Christmas season. December 18, 1848.
Short note from William H. W. Barnwell from "Zion's Parsonage" to wife, Catherine Barnwell, informing her of plans to travel to Columbia before returning home. December 3, 1848.
Letter from Joseph S. Large, Maumee City, OH., to William H. W. Barnwell, editor of the "Episcopal Protestant," returning issues of the periodical that were sent to him. Large writes "the editor would be much benefitted, I should think, by a few months residence at some retreat for the insane." December 12, 1843.
Robert Woodward Barnwell writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, about a washing machine he has purchased for her and includes a recipe for soap. He also informs her of a calf he is sending via his servant "Aleck" and tells her to "let the negroes know that if it is missing, I will have every one on the plantation punished." 1859.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, updating her on the growth of his two young sons, Singleton and Robert. Barnwell also refers to "Carolina's backwardness" in its attack of Fort Sumter and believes the action ruins any hope "of redeeming our pledge of independence." 1861.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, Erlangen, Germany, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, informing her of the opening of the Librarianship at South Carolina College and his desire to apply for the position. 1856.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to father, William H. W. Barnwell, describing the politics surrounding his reelection as professor at South Carolina college. June 19, 1857.
Letter from Rev. Pierre P. Irving, New York, to William H. W. Barnwell enclosing a contribution to be published in "The Episcopal Protestant." January 18, 1845.
Joseph Walker Barnwell writes to sister, Esther Hutson Barnwell, from Germany, where he is matriculating at the university in Gottingen. Barnwell describes the difficulty of learning the language, the bathing habits of the Germans and his views on German servants, and comments that the Americans he has met abroad do not distinguish between Northerners and Southerners. October 24, 1869.
Letter from Stephen Elliott Barnwell, Valdosta, GA, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, detailing his escape from the Union troops who captured Jefferson Davis, in whose entourage he was traveling. Barnwell describes pretending to take a bucket to fetch water for his horse before fleeing into a swamp and leaving his horse and possessions behind. Before fleeing, Barnwell "took the liberty of bidding the Pres goodbye -- and expressing as briefly as I could my admiration for the firmness and pertinacity with which he stuck to the good cause -- with which he seemed well pleased." June 11, 1865.
Letter from Joseph Walker Barnwell, Gottingen, Germany, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell. Barnwell writes of trying to speak only German, a task made harder by an increase in other Americans arriving in Gottingen, and discusses the current state of Prussian political and military affairs. October 1, 1869.
Birthday greetings from Robert Woodward Barnwell to sister, Catherine Osborn Barnwell. Barnwell writes of giving up dancing parties and advises Catherine to avoid them as well. February 28, 1849.
Letter from Ann Barnwell, Beaufort, to Meta Barnwell requesting supplies from Charleston. In addition to acquiring cotton and silk fabric, Ann asks Meta to inquire of a local bookseller of the status of her subscription to Audubon's Birds of America. May 9, 1842.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, updating her on his school work. Included in the letter is a version of the poem "Wait for the Wagon." March 15, 1849.
Robert Woodward Barnwell, South Carolina College, writes to father, William H. W. Barnwell, about a dispute over room and board at an off-campus house. February 25, 1848.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, describing the ill health of South Carolina College's president, William Preston. January 25, 1849.
Partial note from Edward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, informing her that he and his father have arrived in Lake George, NY. August 6, 1853.
Letter from Jeremiah Murphy to William H. W. Barnwell asking for contributions to build a church in Lincolnton, NC, and writing of local "persecution" of Episcopalians from other Protestant churches. June 26, 1843.
Letter from Rev. James H. Thornwell to William H. W. Barnwell discussing their different opinions on religious doctrine and lamenting the growing influence of "Popery". April 21, 1843.
Letter from Rev. James W. Cooke to William H. W. Barnwell confirming the death of Bishop William Boone's wife in China while performing missionary work with her husband. Rev. Cooke includes a list of medical supplies needed for the mission and asks Barnwell for help in obtaining them. April 4, 1843.
Rev. Stephen Tyng of Philadelphia writes to William H. W. Barnwell about his inability to find a clergyman meeting Barnwell's specific qualifications. April 3, 1843.
Rev Edward Neufville writes to William H. W. Barnwell for advice on a "Romanish" priest in Savannah, John Fielding, who wishes to convert to the Protestant Episcopal Church. January 23, 1840.
Letter from Joseph W. Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, informing her of his success with his United States Court examination. He jokingly describes his first trial, a larceny case, as a "brilliant debut" before conceding that he "did not say a word -- the case was too clear." June 17, 1869.
Joseph Walker Barnwell writes to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, about his lack of religious conviction and a mix up with a package that led to the spoilage of its contents. June 14, 1869.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to sister describing his unceasing work tending to sick and wounded Confederate soldiers in Virginia. Barnwell writes that he hopes to return to Columbia the following April when South Carolina soldiers end their tour and perhaps save his summer salary at South Carolina College. January 28, 1862.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, describing his work visiting camps and hospitals and procuring supplies for wounded and sick South Carolina soldiers in Virginia. The letter contains pages written by his wife, Mary, describing a trip to Munson Hill in Northern Virginia that Barnwell had taken with Generals Beauregard and Johnston. According to Mary, Barnwell could see Union soldiers atop the U.S. Capitol Building and, while there, witnessed a skirmish among picket lines. September 7, 1861.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell to aunt, Martha Ann Mathews, from Offenbach am Maim, Germany. Barnwell writes of studying German before his entrance to a university and describes his Sunday travels to Frankfurt to attend an English church. April 28, 1854.
Robert Woodward Barnwell writes to father, William H. W. Barnwell, describing his visit to Salzburg, Austria, and his increased competency with the German language. October 6, 1854.
Robert Woodward Barnwell writes to his father, William H. W. Barnwell, about advice and gifts he has received as he prepares for a trip to Europe and alludes to a painful end to his father's ministry in Charleston. January 26, 1854.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, New York, to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell. Barnwell describes touring New York City over several days as his steamship, the Franklin, is undergoing repairs before sailing for Europe. February 11, 1854.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, Philadelphia, to sisters. Barnwell describes touring Philadelphia with his cousin, Nathaniel Barnwell Fuller, as they wait to travel to Europe and gives a physical description of the two as noted in their new passports. He also writes of making inquiries with a Naval Commander about ship timber in the hopes his father can make a deal to sell Live Oak lumber from South Carolina. February 8, 1854.
Letter from Robert Woodward Barnwell, to father, William H. W. Barnwell, discussing his preliminary preparations for a trip to Europe and his brother Edward's attempt to find employment at "Mr. Huberts office" in Charleston. January 19, 1854.
Letter from Rev. Francis L. Hawks to William H. W. Barnwell attempting to answer questions Barnwell has about his ancestor, John Barnwell, and specific events surrounding the Tuscarora War in North Carolina. April 8, 1857.
Letter from Rev. Edward E. Ford in Augusta, GA, to William H. W. Barnwell requesting that Barnwell procure some religious tracts for him in Charleston. On the letter Barnwell has annotated the costs and freight associated with the purchase. December 9, 1834.
Letter from Rev. Benjamin C. Webb, White Sulphur Springs, VA., to William H. W. Barnwell concerning the placement of a Mr. Mckay in Webb's parish. September 19, 1851.
Letter from Rev. Joseph Walker, Beaufort, enclosing a paper to William H. W. Barnwell for publication in Barnwell's "The Episcopal Protestant." Walker also writes of division in the Episcopal Church, mentioning the recent decision in New York to establish an "abolition church." March 18, 1844.
Letter from Edward Barnwell to mother, Catherine Osborn Barnwell, detailing the effects of a recent hurricane in Charleston, including the destruction of Mr. Barnwell Rhett's cottage on Sullivan's Island near the "Moultrie House". September 11, 1854.
Letter from Rev. Benjamin Johnson, St. Matthews, SC, to William H. W. Barnwell informing Barnwell that due to overwhelming duties with his own congregations, he is unable to preach in Barnwell's place in Charleston. April 6, 1853.
Letter from Stephen Elliott to William H. W. Barnwell informing him of his arrival in New York and his intention to sail for England on the packet "St. Andrews." November 23, 1836.
Letter to William H. W. Barnwell from Rev. John A. Vaughan informing Barnwell of the receipt of a parcel that Vaughn is to forward oversees to "Mr. Boone." February, 1839.
Letter from Charles Aldis of Bank of America, treasurer of the "Foreign Mission of the P. E. Church", acknowledging the receipt of $1000 received from William H. W. Barnwell on behalf of St. Peter's Church in Charleston for "support of the Rev Dr Boone Missionary to the Chinese." April 12, 1839.
Second letter from author with mother's impression of 1910 appearance of Halley's comet enclosed. Eyewitness account of 1910 appearance of Halley's comet in Newark, Ohio, by Amy B. Smith, mother of letter writer. Questions included: 1. What were the circumstances when you saw the comet? 2. Describe the appearance of the comet. 3. Did you experience any particular emotions when you saw the comet? 4. Did anything interesting, unusual or funny happen while the comet was visible? 5. What did you think a comet was in 1910? 6. What did your parents, relatives, friends or teachers tell you about the comets in 1910? 7. As you grew older did your view or understanding of the nature of comets change? 8. As you grew older did you ever think about your experience of seeing Halley's comet? If so, under what circumstances? 9. Do you feel privileged to have seen Halley's comet? 10. Do you feel that seeing Comet Halley has affected you personally in any way? If so, how?
"Offer to help with project. Author also claims to have created a computer program in 1984 that predicted Halley's 1986 appearance would be ""faint and difficult to see."""
Offer to help with project. Includes secondhand account of 1910 appearance of Halley's comet. Also, letter writer apparently saw the return of Halley's comet on October 13, 1985.
"Author mentions a similar project being conducted by Joseph Lauter who has been collecting personal accounts of Halley's comet sightings in 1910 and publishing them in ""Halley's Comet Watch Newsletter."""
Letter refers to two Babylonian tablets in the British Museum that contain one of the earliest recorded appearances of Halley's comet in 164 B.C. Clipping not included. Photocopy
