Mrs. E.E. Thompson / Highland House Papers, 1879-1985

Collection number: MC 181
Size: 4 boxes (1.33 cu.ft.)

About Amanda Elizabeth Homiston Thompson (1864-1950)

Amanda Elizabeth Homiston (Mrs. E.E.) Thompson was born in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin in 1864, the daughter of Aurelias Homiston and Amanda E. Thompkins. She married Elmer Ellsworth Thompson on September 15, 1885 and they had two children, a daughter, Ethel Elizabeth, in 1886 and a son, Sereno Wright, in 1889. In 1896 they adopted another daughter, Ina. They lived for a while in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin and then in Williamsburg, Virginia. By 1921 they were in Durham, New Hampshire at Highland House. According to Eloise Woodman in her book Descendants of Captain John Woodman: The Man From Oyster River, Sarah J.Woodman, owner of the Highland House, leased the House and Farm in 1921 for three years. There is no mention to whom. The 1944 Durham Town Report shows Mrs. E.E. Thompson and Ina E. Thompson as owners of Highland House.

Upon Sarah J. Woodman’s death in 1935, Fred B. Philbrick became executor of her estate. This could explain why materials from Newmarket Light, Heat and Power Co. are in this collection of papers, since Mr. Philbrick was its Treasurer and later its General Manager.

Partial Thompson Family Tree

About the Mrs. E.E. Thompson/Highland House Papers

The Mrs. E.E. Thompson/Highland House collection consists of five series. The first series contains correspondence to and from members of the Thompson family, 1879-1985, and photographs, with the majority of the correspondence to Mrs. E.E. Thompson at Highland House being between 1933-1940. The second series concerns the operation of Highland House and contains bills and receipts, solicitations for advertising business, and correspondence written by one of the residents. Series 3 consists of receipts, bills, and checkbook registers for the Newmarket Light, Heat, and Power Co., whose connection to Highland House is speculated on above. The fourth series contains miscellaneous materials – bank books belonging to people whose connection to the Thompsons and Highland House is unknown, printed items, and booklets and pamphlets. Finally, Series 5 is comprised of oversized materials, most of which are newspaper advertisements.

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

This collection is open.

Copyright Notice

Contents of this collection are governed by U.S. copyright law. For questions about publication or reproduction rights, contact Special Collections staff.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], [Folder number], [Box number], Mrs. E.E. Thompson/Highland House Papers, 1879-1985, MC 181, Milne Special Collections and Archives, University of New Hampshire Library, Durham, NH, USA.

Acquisitions Information

Donation: Agnes R. Lylis, Hampton, NH, November 2, 2001 (Accession number: 2001.38)

Collection Contents

Series 1: Thompson Family, 1879-1985

This series consists of correspondence of Mrs. E.E. Thompson (1879-1940) in folders 1-4; correspondence of Ethel Thompson (Mrs. Harry Rand) in folders 5-9; correspondence of Sereno and Ina Thompson in folders 10-11; family miscellaneous materials in folders ; and photographs in folder 12.

Box 1
Box 1, Folder 1December 1872 - December 1921
  • To Libby in Sun Prairie, Wisc. from H. Gilbert, Dec 22, 1872
  • From Libby in Spencer, Wisc. to Papa (transcribed), Nov 27, 1883
  • From Libby in Sun Prairie, Wisc. to "Dear All" (transcribed), Sept 2, 1889
  • To Elizabeth from Emma, July 1907
  • To Mrs. Thompson in Williamsburg, Va. from Rebie (transcribed), Aug 10, 1910
  • To Mrs. E.E Thompson in Williamsburg, Va. from S.M. Bixby and Co., Dec 20, 1918
  • To Mrs. Thompson in Williamsburg from H.A.R., Dec 1, 1921
Box 1, Folder 2June 1924 - June 1931
  • To Mr. Thompson at Highland House from Mrs. F.R. Brown, June 26, 1924 (all the following are addressed to Highland House, Durham, N.H.)
  • To Mrs. Thompson from Frank P. Farnum, Dec 23, 1927
  • To Mrs. Thompson from Florence W. Libbey, Dec 30, 1927
  • To Mother Thompson from "Your Boy, C.", May 7, 1930
  • To Mrs. Thompson from Charlotte, Apr 12, 1931
  • To Elizabeth from S.C., Oct 13, 1930
  • To Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Thompson from Mr. and Mrs. George Webster, 1930
  • To Mrs. Thompson from Mary O'Leary, June 4, 1931
Box 1, Folder 3August 1933 - September 1940
  • To Mr. E.E. Thompson from Harrie, Aug 15, 1933
  • To Mr. E.E. Thompson from Ethel, Aug 16, 1933
  • To Mrs. Thompson, Ina and Ethel from Mrs. Laur and Mabelle, Dec 19, 1933
  • To Mrs. E.E. Thompson and Daughter from Emily and Walter Hale, Dec 19, 1937
  • To Elizabeth from Emma, Apr 24, 1938
  • To Mrs. E.E. Thompson from Ethel, Aug 29, 1938
  • To Mrs. E.E. Thompson from Ethel, Sept 1, 1938
  • To Elizabeth from Emma, Oct 9, 1938
  • To Mrs. E.E. Thompson from ---- Gouch, Oct 22, 1938
  • To Elizabeth from Emma, Oct 29, 1938
  • To Mrs. E.E. Thompson from Mr. and Mrs. Thistle, Nov 1, 1938
  • To Mrs. Thompson from Edith M. Philbrick, Feb 26, 1939
  • To Elizabeth from Mrs. Geoge T. Chase, Mar 9, 1939
  • To Aunt Elizabeth from Edith, Apr 3, 1939
  • To Mrs. Thompson from Stanley Cullington, Apr 6, 1939
  • To Mrs. Thompson from Dr. John D. Butler, Mar 6, 1940
  • To Elizabeth from Emma, Mar 29, 1940
  • To Aunt Elizabeth from Willard, Sept 1, 1940
Box 1, Folder 4Undated Correspondence
  • From Elizabeth to H.S. Shaw, undated
  • Fragment from Emma, undated
  • To You and the girls from M Isabel and Helen G. Hallett, undated
  • To Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson from Florence H. Copley, undated
  • To Mrs. Thompson from Miss Gouch, undated
  • To Mrs. Thompson from Geraldine (Mrs. A.C. McMahon), undated
  • To Mrs. Thompson from "Erne," undated
  • To Mrs. Thompson from Geraldine, undated
  • To Mrs. Thompson from Mrs. M.E. Griffiths, undated (this reads as a eulogy for Elmer Ellsworth Thompson)
Box 1, Folder 5June 1898 - June 1943
  • To Grandpa from Ethel, June 27, 1898
  • To Ethel in Burke, Wisc. from A. Homiston (Grandpa), July 16, 1900
  • To Ethel in Williamsburg, Va from Pearl Schuick Thomas, Jan 30, 1924
  • To Ethel at Highland House from Mildred, Apr 26, 1930
  • To Ethel from Aunt Em, Dec 25, 1931
  • To Mrs. Harrie Rand from Mary Selby De Iturralde, Jan 15, 1942
  • To Ethel from Aunt Em, June 2, 1943
Box 1, Folder 6May 1944 - July 1948 and undated
  • To Mr. and Mrs. Harrie Rand from Helen Marie Thompson, May 6, 1944
  • To Ethel from Bertha, May 15, 1944
  • To Mrs. Ethel E. Rand from PFC R.A. Thompson, June 7, 1944
  • To Ethel from Aunt Emma, June 8, 1944
  • To Ethel from Marge, Weldon and Little Harrie, Oct 1947
  • To Mr. and Mrs. Harrie Rand from Claire, Leon and "The Boys," Oct 14, 1947
  • To Mr. and Mrs. Harrie Rand from Mother, Oct 15, 1947
  • To Ethel from Grace, 1948
  • To Ethel from Pauline and Norman, July 20, 1948
  • To Miss Thompson from Mrs. A.O. Gorman Munkhouse, no date
Box 1, Folder 7To Mrs. Harrie Rand, July 1948: 15 Sympathy Cards
Box 1, Folder 8To Mrs. Harrie Rand, July 1948: 18 Sympathy Cards
Box 1, Folder 9To Mrs. Harrie Rand, July 1948: 19 Sympathy Cards
Box 1, Folder 10June 1898 - December 1985
  • From Sereno to Grandpa (A. Homiston), June 27, 1898 (transcribed)
  • To Sereno from Ella Hegy, May 12, 1909
  • To Sereno from Aunt Em, Sept 22, 1909
  • To Sereno from Aunt Em, Dec 20, 1909
  • To Sereno from Aunt Em, Feb 10, 1910
  • To Sereno from Aunt Em, Mar 29, 1910
  • To Ina from Ethel, Aug 29, 1938
  • To Ina from Weldon, Aug 29, 1938
  • To Ina from Marilyn, Bill, Carrie and Donna Dresser, Jan 8, 1965
  • To Ina from Steve and Annette Stevens, Dec 5, 1985
Box 1, Folder 11Paper Ephemera
  • Fond du Lac High School Report for Libbie Homiston, Mar 28, 1879
  • Congregational Sunday School Card with class roll from Sun Prairie, Wisc. for Sereno Thompson
  • Two car registrations to Elmer Thompson in 1931 and 1932
  • A Nationwide Cash-Credit Account Card (Ina)
  • Baby Announcement for a David Francis Evans for Ina in 1987
  • Envelope of miscellaneous receipts saved by Ina in 1986 and 1987
  • Copy of a newspaper article from the Commonwealth of Fond du Lac, Wisc., Friday, Oct 4, 1895: an obituary of Almira Homiston
  • Copy of a newspaper article from the Sun Prairie Countryman of Sun Prairie, Wisc., Thursday, June 4, 1908: an article featuring the Commencement of the Sun Prairie High School in which has a class picture showing an Arthur and Willard Thompson. The article states that Willard Thompson was assigned the Salutatory.
  • Copy of a newspaper article from the The Daily Commonwealth of Fond du Lac, Wisc., Saturday, Jan 29, 1910: An article giving birthday congratulations to Mrs. R.W. Bass on her 80th Birthday
Box 1, Folder 12Photographs
  • B&W 1 1/2" by 2 1/2" photo of an unidentified male in uniform (?)
  • B&W 3" by 4 1/2" of unidentified male and 2 women: written on back - "Papa, Addie B. and Susan Mae sitting on the bumper."
  • B&W 3" by 4 1/2" photo of unidentified male and a woman: written on back - "Papa and Addie B. at the wheel."
  • B&W 3" by 4 1/2" photo of unidentified baby in a highchair
  • B&W 3" by 4 1/2"- 5 photos sent from Los Angeles, Ca on Sept 2, 1918 to Mrs. E.E. Thompson, Williamsburg, Va. (1 of "Mr. and Mrs. Rood, Fern Robinson and cousin"; 1 of "Bird cage in Griffith Park, Glendale, Ca. and 2 of "Lojango Canyon, CA" and an unidentified photo
  • B&W 3 1/2" by 5 1/2" photo of an unidentified house. Written on back: "Home in Williamsburg across from Palace Green by Tyler Family."
  • B&W 4" by 6 1/2" photo of the Community Church in Durham sent to Mrs. E.E. Thompson at Highland House by Clement Moran, Durham, N.H.
  • B&W 2" by 2 1/2" daguerreotype photo of unidentified woman
  • B&W 5" by 7" photo of an unidentified woman, circa 1940
  • Hand Colored copy from a photo of an unidentified woman, circa 1930
  • Color 5" by 7" photo, "To Ina, From Jim Douthart, Lunar Eclipse, July 1982."
  • Color 4" x 6" photo of unidentified white cat

Series 2: Highland House

This series contains financials of the Highland House, including bills & receipts in folder 1; and soliciations for advertisements, material pertaining to Highland House Farm, and letters from Ralph C. Bentley (H.H. guest) in folder 2.

Box 1
Box 1, Folder 13Assorted combination of bills and receipts (1926-1940) for E.E. Thompson, Highland House or Mrs. E.E. Thompson: included is an envelope of electric bills from 1931
Box 1, Folder 14Assorted combinaton of bills and receipts (1946-1947) for Mrs. E.E. Thompson and Ina Thompson
Box 1, Folder 15Copies of Bank Loans, Chattel Mortgages, Insurance Policies and Bank receipts by Mrs. E.E. and Ina Thompson
Box 1, Folder 16Mixed correspondence (1931-1938) to Highland House: notes asking for weekly rates, requests for charity donations and social security paperwork
Box 1, Folder 17Mixed correspondence (1939-1947) to Highland House: notes sending thanks for a great stay, late payment notices and social security paperwork
Box 2
Box 2, Folder 1Advertisement listings of Wholesale Food & Produce Prices 1938-1940
Box 2, Folder 2Advertisements for blankets, sheets, linens, glassware, dishes, uniforms and paper goods (Several advertisements are dated 1939-1940)
Box 2, Folder 3Newspapers, Travel Magazines and State Publications soliciting advertisements of Highland House, dated 1930-1940
Box 2, Folder 4Newspapers, including an example in print and Sportmans Magazine soliciting advertisement of Highland House: none dated
Box 2, Folder 5Assorted advertisements to Highland House: example of items include newspaper ads, movie theater notices, piano tuning and water sports equipment
Box 2, Folder 6More assorted advertisements to Highland House: examples of items include personalized pencils, hotel stationary, tennis equipment and mattresses
Box 2, Folder 7This folder contains a variety of papers having to do with the farming industry. There are notes and advertisements having to do with poultry, egg production, fertilizer and different feeds.
Box 2, Folder 8This folder contains a variety of papers having to do with farming. There are notes from the New England Milk Producers' Association (1930-1940) and Merrimack Farmers' Exchange Price List.
Box 2, Folder 9There are 7 letters from Ralph C. Bentley to various people: to a farm in Methuen, MA, looking for a market for his milk as he has just bought the Arthur C. Willey farm in Newmarket, N.H.; to Mrs. Florence E. Bentely asking her and Floss to come to Highland House; to Misses B.J. and M.L. Spring asking them to come to Highland House for a visit; to Mrs. L.M. Brown asking her to come and see the farm; to Mr. Christie in East Kingston asking the price of about 1500 chicks and 2 letters to First Radio Parish Church.

Series 3: Newmarket Light, Heat, and Power Company, 1897-1917

This series contains mostly bills, receipts, and checkbook registers for the Newmarket Light, Heat, and Power Company.

Box 2
Box 2, Folder 10Receipts and bills (1898-1900) of James W. Burnham who was President of the Newmarket Light, Heat and Power Co. Also included is the Amended New Hampshire Charter for Newmarket Light, Heat and Power Co. of 1897.
Box 2, Folder 11Receipts and bills (1901) for Newmarket Light, Heat and Power Co.
Box 2, Folder 12Receipts and bills (1901)
Box 2, Folder 13Receipts and bills (1901)
Box 2, Folder 14Receipts and bills (1901-1904)
Box 2, Folder 15Receipts and bills (1908-1917) with a change to Fred B. Philbrick, Treasurer and later General Manager of Newmarket Light, Heat and Power
Box 3
Box 3, Folder 1Checkbook (1890-1891); Checkbook Register (1896-1897)
Box 3, Folder 2Checkbook Register (1898); Checkbook Register (Mar-May 1899)
Box 3, Folder 3Checkbook Register (June 1899); Checkbook Register (July 1899)
Box 3, Folder 4Checkbook register (Jan 1900); Checkbook Register (Apr-Sept 1911)
Box 3, Folder 5Checkbook Register (1911-1912); Checkbook Register (1912-1913)
Box 3, Folder 6Checkbook Register (1914)
Box 3, Folder 7Checkbook Registers - not dated

Series 4: Miscellaneous Materials

This series contains bankbooks from other individuals and printed emphemera.

Box 3
Box 3, Folder 8Bankbooks, 1916-1966
  • Four bankbooks (1920-1937) for accounts in New York City for Mathilda Deringer
  • One bankbook (1931-1938) for the estate of Mrs. Mathilda Deringer; John A. Deringer, Adm
  • One bankbook (1928-1937) for Miss Edith J. Best in trust for aunt, Mrs. Emily M. Doane
  • One bankbook (1956-1966) for John Howard Deringer at Laconia Savings Bank
  • Empire City Auto Plate and Mat. Co account book with Clarke Brothers Bankers, NY (1916-1918)
Box 3, Folder 9Paper Ephemera
  • 1856 Quarterly Ticket for Almira Homiston
  • Five cards for John A. Deringer showing membership to the Freemasons
  • A piece of Highland House stationery
  • A postcard to Mrs. F.B. Philbrick
  • Receipt for insured mail
  • Birthday card "from your son Frank."
  • Wedding announcement by Mr. Mrs. John Ray in Portsmouth, N.H.
  • Memorandum for Clarke Brothers, Bankers
  • Misc. Postcards circa 1938
  • Program for Annual Garden Club Luncheon, 1940
  • Program for Annual Convention of Rural Letter Carriers, 1944
  • Small Poster for a Church Program sponsored in Sun Prairie, Wisc., 1898
  • Highland House Alphabet - looks like verses to a song about Highland House and those who worked there
  • Listing of Community Church Activities in Durham
  • Financial Report of the Community Church in Durham in 1939
  • Brown envelope with address of Fuller Regalia & Costume Co (Badges a Specialty)
Box 3, Folder 10Assortment of Booklets and Pamphlets
  • "Dinner is Served, 1940" - a pocket guide to Inns and Hotels
  • The Edison Institute Museum and Village of Dearborn, Michigan
  • The Seacoast Region of New Hampshire
  • Woman's Club of Durham, N.H. Year Book, 1940-1941
  • 1920 Ayer's American Almanac
  • An advertising packet by the Board of Trade for Pittsfield, MA, including a 1912 list of Inns and Hotels
  • Eighth Annual N.H. Egg And Baby Chick Show, 1939
  • 1939 Annual Report of the Town of Durham
  • 1939 Mass. Investors Trust Annual Report
  • Catalogue for Endicott Junior College
  • Personal Finance Co. booklet of "Where Does My Money Go"
  • 1939 New Hampshire Poultry Growers' Association.

Series 5: Oversized Materials

This series contains newspaper advertisments for various items and services.

Oversize Box 1
Oversize Box 1, Folder 1Newspaper Advertisements
Oversize Box 1, Folder 2Newspaper Advertisements and Lodging Books
Oversize Box 1, Folder 3Advertisements for Magazines and Books
Oversize Box 1, Folder 4Miscellaneous papers, advertisements and a 1938 FBI Wanted Poster
Oversize Box 1, Folder 5Advertisements for clothes and plants
Oversize Box 1, Folder 6Advertisements for dishes, furniture, linens and appliances
Oversize Box 1, Folder 7Advertisements for dishes, furniture, linens and appliances
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Formats

Genealogical Papers
Ledgers & Receipts
Letters & Postcards
Newspapers & Publications
Photographs, Slides & Negatives