The Dutton Family papers document the lives of three generations of the family. The papers span the years Helen Axford Wiley (Dutton) and Philip Drew Dutton studied at Oberlin (c. 1910-17), their years as missionaries in China and the Philippines (1919-52), and the military service of their son Colonel Thomas Chester Dutton (ret.1970). A substantial portion of this documentation is personal correspondence; however, the papers also include unpublished manuscripts, reports, diaries and journals, as well as photographs and newspaper articles.

The papers are arranged in seven series: I. Correspondence; II. General/Class Letters of the Oberlin Theological Seminary Class of 1916; III. General Reports from China by Philip D. Dutton; IV. Miscellaneous Manuscripts and Printed Materials; V. Unpublished Manuscripts; VI. Diaries and Journals; VII. Publications.

Series I. Correspondence, 1911-1972, n.d. (1.6 l.f.)

Correspondence of the Dutton Family, including letters between Philip and Helen Dutton and their son, Thomas. Also included are letters of other family members and correspondence from Silliman University (Philippines) students to Philip and Helen Dutton (1952-56).

Series II. General/Class Letters, Oberlin Theological Seminary, Class of 1916, 1916-1940 (0.1 l.f.)

Letters from Philip Dutton to his classmates from the Oberlin Theological Seminary Class of 1916. The letters describe his work as a minister in Madison, Ohio, 1916-17, and his missionary work in China, 1919-40.

Series III. General Reports from China by Philip D. Dutton, 1922-1939 (1 folder)

Reports of Philip Dutton documenting his work as a missionary in China, including his work at Taigu (or Taiku), Shanxi Province.

Series IV. Miscellaneous Manuscripts and Printed Materials, 1916-1984, n.d. (0.4 l.f.)

This series consists of a variety of documents, including greeting cards, awards and certificates, newspaper clippings, telegrams, and photographic material.

Series V. Unpublished Manuscripts, 1931-1940, n.d. (0.2 l.f.)

This series contains writings of Philip Dutton and Helen A. Dutton. The writings primarily document activity in China.

Series VI. Diaries and Journals, c. 1916-1981, n.d. (0.5 l.f.)

Diaries and journals of Philip and Helen Dutton, including accounts of trips in China, poetry (in English and Chinese), and a journal of class notes.

Series VII. Publications, 1931-36 (0.1 l.f.)

The published writings of Philip and Helen Dutton are found in this series. The writings primarily document their work in China.

Series VIII. Photographs, 1910-1957 (0.01 l.f.)

Consists of a CD-ROM and printouts of Dutton family members, 1910-1957.

See RG 28, Alumni and Development Records for alumni files on Philip D. Dutton (1891-1975; A.B. 1913, B.D. 1916), Helen A. (Wiley) Dutton (1889-1982; A.B. 1917), and Thomas Chester Dutton (1918-84; A.B. 1941).

Researchers interested in missionary work in China are advised to consult the records of the Oberlin Shansi Memorial Association (RG 15) and Miscellaneous Missionary Records (RG 38), as well as the Archives' Guide to Missionary Records.

Those interested in the Oberlin Theological Seminary should consult RG 11. The papers of Arthur N. Brown (RG 30/122) include additional letters of the Oberlin Theological Seminary Class of 1916.

A collection of Chinese poems translated by Helen Wiley Dutton, Secrets told in the Bamboo Grove, (Peking: The French Bookstore, 1940) is held by the Oberlin College Library, Special Collections.