Bowen family papers (MS006) Series II, Papers relating to the construction of Roseland Cottage, Woodstock, Connecticut, 1845-1969, undated (bulk: 1845-1851) (#6.25-6.27, 8.1-8.17, OB.1.4-OB.1.5), contains agreements and contracts (includes drafts); bills and receipts; building and construction specifications; correspondence; design and floor plans; drafts of checks; work account records; photographs; clippings; and a collection of papers describing the rooms at Roseland Cottage. The series is divided into three sections: contracts and specifications, financial records, and other materials. Contracts and specifications includes two drafts and a signed agreement between Henry Chandler Bowen and contractor, Samuel Underwood, regarding the furnishing of materials for construction of Roseland Cottage and an adjoining barn; specifications of architect, John C. Wells, for the carpentry and masonry work at Roseland Cottage and for the construction of the barn; and design and floor plans for the addition to the barn. The correspondence contains letters received by Henry Chandler Bowen relating to the construction work on Roseland Cottage. Several of the letters are from contractor, Samuel Underwood, requesting to be released from his contract; and other letters are from contractor, Edwin Eaton, detailing the work progress on the construction of Roseland Cottage and his decision to hire a Mr. Taylor of Brooklyn, New York, to complete the masonry work and a Mr. Joy of Worcester, Massachusetts, as foreman. The financial records include bills and receipts; drafts of checks; and work account records regarding the payment of laborers and the purchase of supplies associated with the construction of Roseland Cottage; the records were kept by Henry Chandler Bowen, Lewis Chamberlin, and Edwin Eaton. A collection of papers referred to as "Reminiscences of Roseland Cottage," describing the interior furnishings and rooms at Roseland Cottage, as recalled by Anna Mellon; photographs of a collection of paintin gs at Roseland Cottage (includes several photographs of Benjamin Franklin); and newspaper clippings relating to Roseland Cottage and its inhabitants, comprise the section of other materials. The series is arranged alphabetically by section, and thereunder chronologically.
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