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Samuel J. May Correspondence

A description of his letters at Syracuse University

Overview of the Collection

Creator: May, Samuel J. (Samuel Joseph), 1797-1871.
Title: Samuel J. May Correspondence
Inclusive Dates: 1832-1899
Quantity: 3 folders (SC)
Abstract: 19th century Unitarian minister, social and educational reformer.
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

Samuel Joseph May (1797-1871) was a Unitarian minister, pacifist, abolitionist, and social and educational reformer. He graduated from Harvard University in 1817 and then attended divinity school in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After a brief stint in Boston, he accepted the invitation of the Brooklyn, Connecticut Congregational church (the only Congregational body in Connecticut to embrace liberal theology). He later ministered for many years in Syracuse, New York, at what is now known as May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society. He advocated and organized on behalf of freedom and civil rights for blacks, emancipation and voting rights for women, and just rights for workers. His progressive and liberal beliefs meant that he was often at odds with ministerial colleagues, church members, and the public at large.

When he died, Andrew D. White, then president of Cornell University, spoke of him as "the best man, the most truly Christian man, I have ever known."

[Portions of this biographical sketch adapted from the Dictionary of Unitarian and Universalist Biography and from the Harvard Square Library's online article, "Unitarianism in America." ]

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Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Samuel J. May Correspondence consists of correspondence, printed material and writings.

Correspondence is both incoming and outgoing. Of the four incoming letters, one (1832) is from American theologian Noah Worcester to May, in his hand and signed, concerning the return of some articles lent to Worcester by May for his work. The other three (1861) are from an O. Johnson at the "Anti-Slavery Office" in New York. Of the outgoing letters, one (1851) is to "Dear Brother" concerning clothes for fugitive slaves in Canada, one (1858) is to a Hannah Fuller of Skaneateles, and the third (1856) is unaddressed. All are in May's hand and signed by him. The 1851 letter is accompanied by a typed transcription.

Printed material consists of a clipping of May's obituary, and a photograph of him, apparently clipped from a book.

Writings includes, among other things, a letter of recommendation from May regarding Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cardozo, directors of a Normal School in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and a handwritten sheet headed "Circular: To the Friends of Freedom in New York"

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Arrangement of the Collection

Correspondence is divided into incoming and outgoing; within that they are arranged in chronological order. Miscellaneous material is placed at the end.

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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

May, Samuel J. (Samuel Joseph), 1797-1871.

Subjects

Antislavery movements.
Fugitive slaves -- New York (State)

Genres and Forms

Clippings (information artifacts)
Correspondence.
Manuscripts for publication.

Occupations

Clergymen.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Samuel J. May Correspondence,
Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Various.

Finding Aid Information

Created by: MRC
Date: 1 Nov 2007
Revision history: 17 Jun 2011 - adds (MRC); 25 Sep 2015 - adds, expanded folders (MRC)

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Inventory

Correspondence
SC 216, Folder 1 Incoming 1832, 1861
SC 216, Folder 1 Outgoing 1851, 1856, 1858
Printed material
SC 216, Folder 2 Miscellaneous 1871, undated - obituary and a printed photograph of May
Writings
SC 216, Folder 3 Miscellaneous 1853, 1870, undated - includes "To the Friends of Freedom in New York" (manuscript) and "To all friends of education at the South" (clipping)

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