The Alice Jones Emery Papers primarily consists of materials relating to Emery’s position as Class Agent for the Oberlin College Class of 1891.

The correspondence series, which constitutes the bulk of the collection, contains letters received from former classmates in response to Alice Jones Emery’s requests for individual class letters. Spanning a period of over twenty years, these letters handsomely document the warm friendship and spirit retained by Oberlin College graduates (see the series description for the names of some key correspondents).

The clippings and miscellaneous series consist of articles, printed matter, and writings (i.e. songs and recollections) relating to members of the Class of 1891. These materials provide additional documentation concerning the careers and activities of the class members beyond their years at Oberlin.

Finally, the collection consists of a small amount of financial records that provide some detail concerning bank accounts and expenses incurred for reunions and other activities of the Class of 1891.

The collection is arranged around four series. The series are I. Correspondence, II. Clippings, III. Financial Records, and IV. Miscellaneous.

Series I. Correspondence, 1931-55, n.d. (4 Folders)

The correspondence series includes letters written in response to Alice Jones Emery’s requests for information from members of the Oberlin College Class of 1891. The letters include responses from classmates such as Clark B. Firestone, Seabury Cone Mastick, George W. Mead, Henry Martyn Metcalf, R. [Romanta] T. Miller, Jr., and Robert A. Millikan. The series also includes one letter from a niece of Alice Jones Emery.

Series II. Clippings, 1933, 1937-55, n.d. (1 Folder)

The clipping series consists of articles written by or about classmates from the Class of 1891. Included are articles about Robert A. Millikan, James B. McCord, George W. Mead, Nellie Brooks, R. [Romanta] T. Miller, Jr., and Seabury Mastick. Among the clippings are columns written by Clark B. Firestone, including a series entitled The Office Window.

Series III. Financial Records, 1931, 1933-55 (2 Folders)

The financial records include two bank account books from the Oberlin Savings Bank Company, and documents relating to finances for class activities in the years of 1931, 1933 and 1946. Included in this series is a letter regarding a credit of $150 from the Class of 1891.

Series IV. Miscellaneous, 1941, 1943, 1946-49, 1951-52, n.d. (2 Folders)

This series contains printed matter and writings relating to members of the Class of 1891. Included are two pamphlets regarding Dr. James B. McCord’s work in Africa, 1943, 1946; two printed meditations from Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, 1948; a commencement program from Pacific University, 1952; Poems and A Christmas Story by Martha Norburn Mead, 1949; and, a program from the American Association University Women Convention, 1941. The writings consist of recollections written by class members (Nellie Summer Brooks, Edwin S. Chamberlin, and Clark B. Firestone), several drafts of the class song, The Spirit of ’91, and the rough notes for a skit performed at the 30th class reunion in 1921. Also included here is a document relating to the class gift for the Miller Room, founded by class member R.T. Miller.

The papers of Alice Jones Emery were received from the Oberlin College Library on January 21, 1971.

Class of 1891, College General (RGO), Series 25. Class Files; Seabury C. Mastick Papers (RG 30/350); Alumni Records, Student files for members of the Class of 1891 (RG 28).