Guide to the Laura C. Holloway Letters - Brooklyn Public Library

Brooklyn Public Library
Grand Army Plaza
Brooklyn, NY 11238
Guide to the Laura C. Holloway Letters
Contact: Brooklyn Collection
Phone: 718.230.2762
Fax: 718.857.2245
Email: bcref@brooklynpubliclibrary.org
www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org
Finding aid prepared by Joy Holland
Copyright © 2012 Brooklyn Public Library. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Creator: Various authors
Title: The Laura C. Holloway Letters
Date Span: 1868-1926
Abstract: Collection consists of letters addressed to Mrs. Laura C. Holloway also
known as Mrs. Laura C. Langford, or Mrs. Laura C. Holloway-Langford, as
well as miscellaneous materials including newspaper clippings, publications,
other printed materials and a cabinet card. Of particular interest are letters to
Mrs. Holloway from Susan B. Anthony.
Quantity: 67 letters
Location: Map Room, Shelf 6.7
Repository: Brooklyn Public Library – Brooklyn Collection
Reference Code: BC0047
Biographical History
Laura Carter Holloway, also known as Laura Holloway-Langford, was born in Nashville, Tennessee
in 1843, one of the fourteen children of Samuel Carter, hotel keeper, and Ann Vaulx Carter. She was
educated at the Nashville Female Academy, and married Lieutenant Junius Brutus Holloway of the
Union Army in 1862. The marriage was not a happy one and the pair quickly separated. A son of the
marriage, George Holloway, was born in 1862.
At the end of the war Sam Carter moved his family to New York, where Laura began a career as an
author and journalist. Her first book, Ladies of the White House, appeared in 1870, and its sales made
Laura Holloway independently wealthy. Also in 1870 she became literary and woman’s page editor
at the Brooklyn Daily Eagle newspaper. Alongside her journalism, she continued to write books,
among them The Hearthstone or Life at Home, a Household Manual (1883), The Mothers of Great Men and
Women…(1883), Chinese Gordon, the Uncrowned King (1885), Five Years of Theosophy (1885), The Buddhist
Diet-Book (1886), The Woman’s Story (1888), and Atma Fairy Stories (1903).

Holloway’s interests included Theosophy, the Shakers, phrenology, the occult, vegetarianism and
social reform. Laura C. Holloway is considered an important force in the dissemination of ideas on
Eastern religions. In 1884 she met Helena Blavatsky, leader of the movement, and worked with the
Theosophists for about six months. She was also a leader of Brooklyn’s Seidl Society, the aim of
which was to sponsor concerts at Brighton Beach to be available at low cost to working class
women. Through this activity she came into contact with Susan B. Anthony, as well as her future
husband, Edward L. Langford, whom she married in 1890.
Colonel Edward Langford was deputy police commissioner of Brooklyn, and later an officer of the
Brooklyn & Brighton Beach Railroad that ran from Prospect Park to the Brighton Beach Hotel. He
was also active in the affairs of the Seidl Society. Colonel Langford died in 1902.
After his death, and through her friendship with Eldress Anna White, Holloway became more
involved with the Shakers, and in 1906 she put down a deposit on a farm in New Lebanon,
Columbia County, NY. Her son George retired from the army in 1911 and came to Upper Canaan
to manage the farm, but on his sudden death from heart disease in 1914, Holloway entered a period
of financial difficulties and depression. The last years of her life were marred by poverty and
struggles over the manuscript of a book she had written about Madame Blavatsky. Laura C.
Holloway died in 1930.
Scope and Content
The Laura C. Holloway Letters comprise 67 items spanning the years 1869 – 1926, almost all
handwritten. Seventeen of the letters relate to Holloway’s book, The Ladies of the White House. In
addition there are five letters from poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox, four from Brooklyn Daily Eagle
President Herbert F. Gunnison and one from Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Most notably, there are 10 letters written between 1881– 1889 to Mrs. Holloway from Susan B.
Anthony, who joined the Women’s Rights Movement in 1852 and dedicated her life to woman’s
suffrage (see www.susanbanthonyhouse.org for further information on Susan B. Anthony.)
Correspondence from Susan B. Anthony was primarily in reference to the planning for the 40 th
Anniversary Council of the First National Women’s Suffrage Convention, at which Mrs. Holloway
was expected to present a paper on Women in Journalism.
Also part of the collection are a letter from William Howard Taft, President 1909–1913; and notes
from Andrew Johnson, President 1865-1869.
The collection is arranged in seven series.
Guide to the Laura C. Holloway Letters
Brooklyn Public Library – Brooklyn Collection
2of 8

Restrictions
Access Restrictions
Collection is located in the Brooklyn Collection at the Central Branch at Grand Army Plaza.
The collection may only be used in the library and is not available through interlibrary loan.
Requests to view the collection must be made at least 48 hours in advance of visit.
Use Restrictions
While many items in the Brooklyn Collection are unrestricted, we do not own reproduction
rights to all materials. Be aware of the several kinds of rights that might apply: copyright,
licensing and trademarks. The borrower assumes all responsibility for copyright questions.
Access Points
Subject Topics:
Anthony, Susan B. (Susan Brownell), 1820-1906
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Gunnison, Herbert F., 1858-1932
Holloway, Laura C. (Laura Carter), 1848-1930
Howard, O. O. (Oliver Otis), 1830-1909
Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875
Moulton, Louise Chandler, 1835-1908
Preston, Margaret Junkin, 1820-1897
Trist, Virginia Jefferson Randolph
Wilcox, Ella Wheeler, 1850-1919
Women—Suffrage—United States
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
This collection should be cited as the Laura C. Holloway Letters, Brooklyn Public Library –
Brooklyn Collection.
Related Materials
Available at the Brooklyn Collection:
Brooklyn Archive File, Holloway, Laura C.
Sasson, Diane. Yearning for the New Age. Laura Holloway-Langford and Late Victorian Sprituality.
Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 2012
Guide to the Laura C. Holloway Letters
Brooklyn Public Library – Brooklyn Collection
3of 8

Arrangement
The letters are arranged in seven series.
Series 1.
Letters from Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906, leader of woman suffrage movement.)
1.1 Tenafly N.J. Dec 1, 1881. Suggests LCH should edit a newspaper; invites her speak at the
Woman Suggrage Convention in 1882.
1.2 Rochester N.Y., March 17, 1887. Vol III of the History of Woman Suffrage is being sent to
LCH for review
1.3 Rochester N.Y., June 28, 1887. Hopes LCH will be in Washington for 40 th Anniversary
celebration of the Woman Suffrage Movement. Will LCH give a paper on women in journalism?
1.4 Riggs House, Washington DC, Feb 5, 1888. Again asks LCH to give paper on women in
journalism
1.5 Riggs House, Washington DC, Feb 10, 1888. Is glad LCH has agreed and will put her in
program
1.6 Riggs House, Washington DC Feb 21, 1888. More on the journalism paper.
1.7 Riggs House, Washington DC, April 18, 1888. More on the paper.
1.8 Rochester N.Y., July 7, 1889. SBA must refuse an invitation from LCH for July 12.
1.9 Rochester N.Y., July 10, 1889. SBA is regretting her refusal to attend the Seidl Society
meeting on July 12, and offers to come at a later date
1.10 Rochester N.Y., July 11, 1889. On SBA’s suggestion LCH has asked Eliz. Cady Stanton to
the Seidl Society meeting on Jul 12; SBA very happy that she has accepted.
1.11 Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Aug 13, 1889. SBA offers to come to Brighton Beach on Aug 22 or
23. Includes a note from LCH’s son George, who has redirected the letter to his mother in
Mansfield.
1.12 Undated newspaper article, possibly by LCH, giving an account of SBA’s first speech at a
teachers’ convention.
Series 2
Letters relating to the book, Ladies of the White House
2.1 United States Senate Chamber, Washington Oct 13, 1868. From Martha Patterson, daughter
of President Andrew Johnson.
2.2 Executive Mansion, Washington, Feb 20, 1869. From Martha Patterson
Guide to the Laura C. Holloway Letters
Brooklyn Public Library – Brooklyn Collection
4of 8

2.3 Thurlow, March 17 th , 1869. From V.J. Trist, (Virginia Jefferson Randolph Trist)
granddaughter of President Thomas Jefferson.
2.4 Cleves, OH, April 16, 1869. From Thos. Archer, postmaster, Post Office at North Bend.
2.5 Cleves, April 23 rd , 1869. From Mts Bettie H. Eaton, granddaughter of President William
Henry Harrison, and sister of President Benjamin Harrison
2.6 Thurlow, May 12 th 1869. From V.J. Trist.
2.7 Point Farm near North Bend, OH, May 22 nd 1869. From J. Scott Harrison, son of President
Harrison
2.8 North Bend July 9, 1869. From Bettie H. Eaton
2.9 North Bend, July 24 , 1871. From Bettie H. Eaton
2.10 North Bend, June 23, 1872. From Bettie H. Eaton
2.11 North Bend, April 15, 1881(or 7?). From Bettie H. Eaton
2.12 Executive Mansion, Washington, May 4, 1885. From Daniel S. Lamont(?), Private
Secretary.
2.13 Executive Mansion, Washington, 29 Dec, 1885. From Rose Elizabeth Cleveland (sister of
President Grover Cleveland.)
2.14 Executive Mansion, Washington, June 14, 1886. From D. S. Lamont
2.15 Richmond Virginia, June 25 th 1886. From Mrs (President) Tyler
2.16 Executive Mansion, Washington, Aug 11, 1886. From Frances Cleveland, wife of President
Grover Cleveland
2.17 Executive Mansion, Washington, 9 June 1888. From R.E. Cleveland
Series 3
Letters from Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850-1919, American Poet)
3.1 Meriden CT, Nov 3, 1880
3.2 N. Britain, CT, May 6, 1887
3.3 Shelter Island Heights, July 23, 1887
Guide to the Laura C. Holloway Letters
Brooklyn Public Library – Brooklyn Collection
5of 8

3.4 Shelter Island Heights, July 28, 1887
3.5 41 W. 60 th St, N. York, no date
Series 4
Letter from and portrait of Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896 Abolitionist, author of Uncle
Tom’s cabin)
4.1 Hartford, March 22, 1888. Briefly explains her religious beliefs.
4.2 Signed cabinet card, portrait of Harriet Beecher Stowe, by Geo. H. Hastings, photographer,
147 Tremont St, Boston, MA
Series 5
Letters from Herbert F. Gunnison (Business Manager and President, Brooklyn Daily Eagle)
5.1 Brooklyn NY, October 14, 1921. Invites LCH to 80 th anniversary celebration of Brooklyn
Daily Eagle
5.2 Brooklyn NY, Jan 10, 1923 Thanks for congratulations, perhaps on remarriage
5.3 Brooklyn NY Oct 16, 1926 Acknowledges receipt of article
5.4 n.l., n.d. Sends an article copied from the files in the Brooklyn Public Library
Series 6
Miscellaneous letters
6.1 Washington, Sept 19, 1868. Copy of a letter addressed to the President, signed
W.J.McDonald
6.2 Fifth Auditor’s Office, Treasury Dept, Jan 28 th 1869. Letter from Eugenia Washington
6.3 Dept of State, Washington, May 22, 1877. Letter from F.W. Seward
6.4 Headquarters Department of the Platte, Omaha, Neb, Dec 21, 1885. Letter from Oliver O.
Howard
6.5 The Brooklyn Magazine, 7 Murray St, New York, Oct. 1, 1886 Letter from Edward W. Bok.
6.6 Office of the Assistant Direector, Metropolitan opera House, 7 th Ave & 39 th St, New York.
Jan 10 th 1888. Letter from Walter Damrosch
Guide to the Laura C. Holloway Letters
Brooklyn Public Library – Brooklyn Collection
6of 8

6.7 Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, Evanston, Ill, Sept 29, 1888 Letter from Frances E.
Willard.
6.8 Private Observatory of Garrett P. Serviss, No. 8 Middagh St, Brooklyn NY, Jan 11, 1892.
Letter from Garrett P. Serviss
6.9 Lexington, VA, Feb 29, 1892. Letter from Margaret J. Preston
6.10 Mayor’s Office, Brooklyn NY, may 7, 1897. letter from F.W. Wurster
6.11 Framingham Mass, Oct 18, 1920 letter from Edna Dean Proctor
6.12 Supreme Court of the United States, Washington D.C. March 27, 1922. Letter from Wm. J.
Taft.
6.13 14, Dover Mansions, Canterbury Rd, Brixton, London S.W. 9. Letter from Havelock Ellis.
6.14 Summerville, South Carolina, n.d. Letter from Louise C. Moulton
6.15 Lexington VA, July 14 (no year). Letter from Margaret J. Preston addressed to a Miss
Cleveland
6.16 28 Rutland Square, Boston Ma, Nov 30 (no year). Letter from Louise C. Chandler
6.17 71 Orange St, Brooklyn NY, no date. Letter from Mrs Henry Ward Beecher.
Series 7
Miscellaneous other items
7.1 The Tennessee Almanac, 1865
7.2 Article. “A Famous American Poet. Margaret J. Preston—Her works and her life” (lacks
continuation)
7.3 Publicity leaflet for new “bridal” edition, Ladies of the White House
7.4 Invitation to 80 th birthday celebration, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 1921
7.5 Article, Oct 26, 1926, Brooklyn Daily Eagle
7.6 Petition to allow working children of Brooklyn two paid holidays at sea shore (no date but
probably Seidl Society business of the 1880s.)
7.7 Envelope addressed to Mrs. Laura C. Holloway, from Holland Patent NY
Guide to the Laura C. Holloway Letters
Brooklyn Public Library – Brooklyn Collection
7of 8

7.8 Photocopy of autograph of Matthew Arnold
7.9 Two notes and an autograph by Andrew Johnson
Guide to the Laura C. Holloway Letters
Brooklyn Public Library – Brooklyn Collection
8of 8