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Custodial History

This collection was formerly identified as Mss. Acc. 2010.107.

Preferred Citation

Arthur Samuel Burt Diary, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchase. Acquired: 02/18/2010.

Biographical / Historical

Born in England in 1846, Burt married Ellen Augusta Alexander in 1871. He died in Bristol, Ma. in 1890.

The following is quoted from an obituary:

"A Messenger informed me yesterday of the death of Rev. Arthur Burt of Smith Mills, in the town of Dartmouth Mass. He fell asleep on the morning of May 5th. In company with Bro. B. S. Batchelor I drove over to his late residence to see his sorrowing family and arrange for his funeral, which will take place on Thursday, May 8th. Bro. Burt had been suffering for many months from heart trouble so that many times he would be obliged to sit down two or three times during the delivery of a sermon. His disease has increased in severity so that he was compelled to resign his pastorate some time since. Bro. Burt was born in England and was about 43 years old. He came to America when about 23 years of age. I do not know how long he has preached but most of his labor has been in New York and New Jersey. He came to Massachusetts about 14 months ago and has labored very acceptable until compelled to retire from his work. He married his wife in Cayuga County N.Y. where most of her friends reside. He leaves a wife and seven children, four sons and three daughters. Our brother was highly esteemed by all who knew him, but in our loss we are consoled by the though that he has exchanged a life of sickness and pain for a rest of bliss. He was conscious of his near approach to the end of the journey but was sustained by the hope of mortality. I. H. Coe."

Sources: Obituary from the "Herald of Gospel Liberty" June 26th, 1890 (included with the diary) and ancestry.com Note Author: Ute Schechter

Scope and Contents

Diary of reverend and missionary Arthur Samuel Burt (1846-1890). His last entry is was made about 4 months before his death and mentions handing over the church's ministry to someone else as his health is deteriorating. The entire journal is about his ministry, funerals, conventions, visitations, marriages, his travels and family. Burt visited many people in the area and lists most of them by their full name. At the end of his life he lives in New Bedford, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Also included is a 1890 newspaper with his obituaries, some loose notes, a poem and a copy of a letter to Burt that talks about the Starkey Seminary.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Clergy--1880-1890
• Clergy--United States--Diaries
• Massachusetts--Religious Life and customs--19th century
• Missionaries--United States--19th century