The Jackson Homestead Manuscript and Photograph Collection

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The Samuel Francis Smith Homestead Society was established in 1958 as a result of an article written by Newton Centre Resident, Jean Deitz in the Boston Globe with the purpose of purchasing and maintaining the home as a shrine to the author of the hymn, "America."

Samuel Francis Smith was born in Boston on October 21, 1808. He graduated from Harvard University, Cambridge, MA in 1829 and attended the Andover-Newton Theological Seminary in Andover, MA, where he penned the hymn "America" in 1831, graduating a Doctor of Divinity from the seminary in 1832. In 1834, Smith married Mary White Smith and accepted a position as Professor of Modern Languages at Colby College in Waterville, ME. The Smith Homestead was built in 1836 and in 1842, Smith returned to Massachusetts to accept a position as Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Newton Centre. In 1880, Dr. Smith completed The History of Newton. He resided at 1181 Centre Street until his death on November 16, 1895.

The Homestead, located at 1181 Centre Street, Newton MA, 02159, suffered two fires. The first occurred on the night of July 3, 1968 and the second on the afternoon of May 3, 1969. An African-American family had been hired to move into the Homestead, but were unable to as a result of the second fire.

The Samuel Francis Smith Homestead Society collection consists of the papers of first president, Walter J. Kreske and those of the subsequent president, Wheaton Wilbar. Among the papers of the Samuel Francis Smith Homestead Society are by-laws, membership lists, membership solicitation materials, an accession book, meeting minutes, lists of officers, administrative notes, financial records, photographs, copies of newsclippings, architectural plans, insurance records, correspondence, and miscellaneous publications.

No. of boxes: 1 RC

Finding Aids: Yes

Accession #s: D-96-2 and D-00-5

Processed by Joleen Westerdale-Robertson, November 2000