The Charles Family papers document the lives of two generations of the family. A substantial portion of the documentation is personal correspondence between Harriet Blood Charles and Thomas Charles, their four daughters: Ethelwyn Charles, Mary Agnes Charles, Grace Miriam Charles and Alice Bell Charles Reid, and various friends and relatives. Many of these letters provide descriptions of student life at Oberlin College around 1893-1902. Of a separate special interest are letters from invited commencement speakers at Antioch College (Yellow Springs, Ohio) from 1854 and 1860, including William Seward, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Horace Mann. The papers also include college and church documents, various social invitations, newspaper clippings, and various personal notes.

The collection is divided into eight series. Series 1-6 contain materials, primarily correspondence, relating to each Charles family member: Harriet Blood Charles, Thomas Charles, Alice Bell Charles Reid, Ethelwyn Charles, Grace Miriam Charles, and Mary Agnes Charles. Series 7 contains correspondence of other family members and miscellaneous materials relating to the Charles family. Series 8 consists of photographs of members of the Charles family and other individuals.

Series I. Harriet Blood Charles, 1851–54, 1860–1909 (17 folders)

The correspondence of Harriet Blood Charles includes letters sent to Thomas Charles, their four daughters, and various relatives. Also included are letters received from other family members and friends. 

Series II. Thomas Charles, 1828(1871–1915)–1920 (20 folders)

Subseries 1. Correspondence (Sent and Received)

The correspondence of Thomas Charles includes letters sent to Harriet Blood Charles, their four daughters, and various relatives. Also included are letters received from friends and relatives as well as letters from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, William Seward, and Horace Mann.

Subseries 2. Miscellaneous Papers

The miscellaneous notes of Thomas Charles include bills of sale, a daybook, and poems and notes concerning Quaker history.

Series III. Alice Bell Charles Reid, 1886-87, 1892-1923 (11 folders)

The correspondence of Alice Bell Charles Reid includes letters sent to her parents, sisters, and Emma Blood and Charles Gates. Also included are letters received from friends and relatives.

Series IV. Ethelwyn Charles, 1886(1890-1924)-1965 (38 folders)

Subseries 1. Correspondence (Sent and Received)

The correspondence of Ethelwyn Charles includes letters sent to Harriet Blood Charles, Grace Miriam Charles, and various family members. Also included are letter received from friends and relatives.

Subseries 2. Miscellaneous Papers

The miscellaneous papers of Ethelwyn Charles include a commencement program for the Oberlin College class of 1897, her Chicago teaching certificate, a typed manuscript on John Brown, and writings and clippings on various subjects.

Series V. Grace Miriam Charles, 1886, 1892-1923, 1930, 1936 (28 folders)

Subseries 1. Correspondence (Sent and Received)

The correspondence of Grace Miriam Charles includes letters sent to Harriet Blood Charles, Thomas Charles, and her sisters. Also included are letters received from friends and relatives.

Subseries 2. Miscellaneous Papers

The miscellaneous notes of Grace Miriam Charles include Lincoln High School (Lincoln, Illinois) and Oberlin College and graduation materials, postcards, and various programs and news clippings.

Series VI. Mary Agnes Charles, 1885(1894-1923)-1963 (17 folders)

Subseries 1. Correspondence (Sent and Received)

The correspondence of Mary Agnes Charles includes letters sent to Grace Miriam Charles and various family members. Also included are letters received from friends and relatives.

Subseries 2. Miscellaneous Papers

The miscellaneous papers of Mary Agnes Charles include a bulletin from the 2nd Congregational Church (Oberlin, Ohio), recipes, and a brochure on tourism in Italy.

Series VII. Miscellaneous Family Materials, 1837(1886-1909)-1916 (11 folders)

Subseries 1. Correspondence (Sent and Received)

The correspondence of the Charles family includes letters sent by Haywood Blood to the Charles family, letters sent by Emma Blood Gates to her sisters, letters sent between Charles and Emma Blood Gates and letters sent to various friends and relatives.

Subseries 2. Miscellaneous Papers

The miscellaneous papers of the Charles family include postcards, calling cards, recipes, a marriage announcement, and various notes and social invitations.

Series VII. Photographs, 1906-1923

The photographs of the Charles family include 22 images including a photograph of Thomas Charles, Florence Fitch, 12 photographs of Laramie, Wyoming, and 8 unidentified photographs.

The Charles Family Papers were received from Margaret Downward on 23 October 2003.

See also the letters of students in the Oberlin File (RG 21).