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Frederick William Betts Papers

An inventory of his papers at Syracuse University

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Betts, Frederick William.
Title: Frederick William Betts Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1885-1932
Quantity: 2.5 linear ft.
Abstract: Papers of the American clergyman. Betts (1858-1932) was the minister of the First Church Universalist, Syracuse, N.Y. Collection includes letters, notes, and sermons of a Universalist minister, also published articles and clippings by Betts and others.
Language: English
Repository: Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries
222 Waverly Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13244-2010
https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center

Biographical History

Frederick W. Betts (1858-1932) was born in Winnebago County, Illinois on March 6, 1858. He attended St. Lawrence University from 1884 to 1885, and the next year was ordained a Unitarian Universalist minister in Plymouth, New Hampshire. After several years in Plymouth, Betts moved to Syracuse, New York, where he became minister of the First Church, a position he held until his death. He was also active in civic affairs, serving as president of the Associated Charities of Syracuse (1906-1910), president of the Board of Syracuse Public Library, and as chairman of the Syracuse chapter of the American Red Cross. Betts wrote several books, including A Philosophy and Faith of Universalism, The Abiding Life, and Forty Fruitful Years.

Mr. Betts married the former Mary R. Browning in 1878 and the couple had two children, Welcome A. and C. Fred.

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Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Frederick W. Betts Papers consist of correspondence, manuscripts and published material. Correspondence contains two letters, one outcoming (Betts to his parishioners) and one incoming (from the Church secretary, written after Betts' death). Manuscripts include letters, notes, and sermons written by Betts. Published material consists of an article by Patterson and MacCauley, newspaper clippings about Betts and others, and a prayer in Betts' memory.

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Arrangement of the Collection

Correspondence and Printed material are arranged chronologically. Manuscripts are arranged in alphabetical order by type and then chronologically within each type.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

The majority of our archival and manuscript collections are housed offsite and require advanced notice for retrieval. Researchers are encouraged to contact us in advance concerning the collection material they wish to access for their research.

Use Restrictions

Written permission must be obtained from SCRC and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

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Subject Headings

Persons

Betts, Frederick William Archives.

Subjects

Clergy as authors.
Clergy, New York (State), Syracuse.
Sermons, American, 19th century.
Universalists.

Genres and Forms

Clippings (information artifacts)
Letters (correspondence)
Sermons.

Occupations

Clergy.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Frederick William Betts Papers
Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Gift of Mrs. C. Betts, 1963.

Finding Aid Information

Created by: -
Date: 1967-01
Revision history: 31 Aug 2007 - converted to EAD (MRC)

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Inventory

Correspondence
Box 1 1931
Box 1 1932
Manuscripts
Box 1 Lectures 1902, 1904
Box 1 Notes
Sermons
Box 1 1885-1887 (5 folders)
Box 2 1888-1895 (March) (8 folders)
Box 3 1895 (April)-1902 (10 folders)
Box 4 1903-1909 (9 folders)
Box 5 Undated (3 folders)
Published material
Box 5 The Fruits of Imperialism, by Patterson and MacCauley 1902
Clippings
Box 5 About Betts 1901
Box 5 About others 1901-1902
Box 5 Miscellaneous 1904, 1905, 1916, undated
Box 5 Prayer, in memory of Betts

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