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Collection Overview
Scope and Contents of the Materials
This collection documents the theatre’s several changes in management, plays performed, and financial history.
Collection Historical Note
Established in 1836 by William Pelby, the National Theatre was located on Portland Street in Boston’s West End. Designed by William Washburn, the National was destroyed by fire in April 1852 and was rebuilt and reopened in November. The theatre burnt down again in 1863; it did not reopen.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository:
Boston Public Library Archival and Manuscript Finding Aid Database
Access Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Use Restrictions:
Items in this collection may be subject to copyright restrictions. The Boston Public Library does not hold copyright on the material in this collection. Researchers are responsible for identifying and contacting the persons or organizations that hold copyright.
When reproducing material from this collection please include the credit line "Courtesy of the Trustees of the Boston Public Library/Rare Books."
Related Materials:
Boston Theatre (Federal Street) Records, MS Th. 1
Boston Theatre and Opera House Collection, MS Th. 2
Tremont Theatre Collection, MS Th. 4
Preferred Citation:
National Theatre Collection, MS Th. 11. Rare Books and Manuscripts Department, Boston Public Library. Courtesy ot the Trustees of the Boston Public Library/Rare Books.
Processing Information:
Finding aid written by Rare Books and Manuscripts Department staff.
Finding Aid Revision History:
Updated by Kimberly Reynolds, January 2013.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Box:
[Box 1],
[
Item OS],
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All]
- Box 1
- Folder 1: Massachusetts. Court of Probate. (Suffolk Co.). Ms.D. (copy); Boston, 26 August 1850
- Inventory and appraisement of Real and personal property belonging to the estate of William Pelby, including the National Theatre. 3s. (3p.) Appraisers: Edward D. Clark, John C. Oliver, & Matthew Hunt; Judge of Probate: Edward G. Loring.
- Folder 2: Minot, William, 1783-1873. Ms.D.S.; Boston, 11 March 1852
- Memorandum between William Minot, Charles Wells & Nathaniel Lovering, trustees of the Joseph Lovering estate, and William Sohier on mortgage upon National Theatre. 2s. (3p.)
- Folder 3: Leonard, Joseph. Ms.D.S.; Boston, 26 April 1852
- Bond to lease the National Theatre. 1s. (2p.)
- Folder 4: Sohier, William Davies, 1787-1868. Ms.D.S.; Boston, 10 May 1852
- Agreement between Sohier, J.A. Page and Samuel Jepson to build the National Theatre. 1s. (4p.) (draft?)
- Folder 5: Sohier, William Davies, 1787-1868. Ms.D. (draft?); Boston, 10 May 1852
- Agreement between Sohier, J.A. Page and Samuel Jepson to build the National Theatre and lease it to Joseph Leonard. 1s. (4p.)
- Folder 6: Sohier, William Davies, 1787-1868. Ms.D.S.; Boston, 10 May 1852
- Contract with John A. Page, Thomas J. Whidden and Samuel Jepson to build theatre on the site of the old National Theatre and to lease it to Joseph Leonard. 3s. (7p.)
- Folder 7: Charlestown. National Theatre. Ms; [Boston], [183?]
- Plan of the building site. 1s. (1p.)
- Folder 8: Massachusetts. Court of Probate. (Suffolk Co.) Printed form filled out in ms. (retained copy); [Boston], [1850]
- Petition of Rosalie Pelby requesting permission to sell National Theatre from William Pelby's estate. 1s. (2p.)
- Folder 9: Boston. National Theatre. Ms.D. (draft); [Boston], 10 May 1852
- Proposed form to be signed by subscribers to the new building. 1s. (1p.)
- Folder 10: Sohier, William Davies, 1787-1868. Ms.D.S.; Boston, 10 May 1852
- Indenture to lease land for National Theatre to John A. Page, Thomas J. Widden and Samuel Jepson. 1s. (3p.)
- Folder 11: Sohier, William Davies, 1787-1868. Ms.D. (copy); Boston, 2 December 1852
- Giving the stockholders of the National Theatre and option to purchase the land under the Theatre and his share in the Theatre. 1s. (2p.)
- Folder 12: National Theatre Association, boston. Ms.D.; [Boston], [185?]
- Memo on land purchased by William Sohier and Rosalie Pelby and sold to the stockholders of the National Theatre Association. 1s. (2p.)
- Folder 13: Knickerbocker Insurance Company, Waterford, N.Y. Printed form filled out in ms.; Boston, 1 January 1853
- Insurance policy for William Sohier's share in the National Theatre. 1s. (4p.)
- Folder 14: Mohawk Valley Insurance Company, Amsterdam, N.Y. Printed form filled out in ms.; Boston, 1 January 1853
- Insuring William Sohier's interest in the National Theatre. 1s. (4p.)
- Folder 15: National Theatre Association, Boston. Printed D. filled out in ms.; Boston, 15 January 1853
- Indenture leasing the National Theatre to Joseph Leonard. 1s. (3p.)
- Folder 16: Sohier, William Davies, 1787-1868. Ms.L.S. to the Trustees of the National Theatre Association; Boston, 3 February 1853
- Requesting permission to connect his building with the theatre. 1s. (3p.) Consent noted on page 1.
- Folder 17: Page, John A. Ms.D.S.; Boston, 21 February 1853
- On purchase of wardrobe from Joseph Leonard and William Sohier. 1s. (1p.)
- Folder 18: Barry, Thomas, 1799-1876. A.L.S. to William Sohier; New York, 20 April 1853
- On Joseph Leonard's failure at the National Theatre and recommending the lease be given to Mr. Wright. 1s. (1p.)
- Folder 19: National Theatre Association, Boston. Trustees. Ms.L. to William Sohier; Boston, 23 May 1853
- Exercising their option to purchase Sohier's interest in the Theatre. 1s. (2p.)
- Folder 20: Thorne, Charles Robert, 1814-1893. A.L.S. to J.B. Wright; Newtown, 24 June 1853
- On prospect of Wright's assuming management of the National Theatre. 1s. (2p.)
- Folder 21: National Theatre Association, Boston. Printed D. filled out in ms.; Boston, 19 December 1855
- Leasing the National Theatre to Henry Willard. 1s. (4p.)
- Folder 22: Sohier, William Davies, 1787-1868. Printed D. filled out in ms.; Boston, 18 December 1857
- Leasing the store under the National Theatre to Lewis Chron. 1s. (2p.)
- Folder 23: Loring (John G.) & Co., coppersmiths, Boston. Ms.L.S. to Standish and Woodbury, masons; Boston, 18 June 1856
- Requesting an appraisal of the east wall of the National Theatre. 1s. (1p.) Reply is on same sheet.
- Folder 24: English, William B. A.L.S. to [William Sohier?]; Boston, 14 Feburary 1858
- Discussing financial troubles at the National Theatre. 2s. (5p.)
- Folder 25: English, William B. A.L.S. to Wiliam S. Dexter; Philadelphia, 2 May 1858
- Agreeing to open the National Theatre on terms proposed by William Sohier. 1s. (1p.)
- Folder 26: English, William B. A.L.S. to Wm. Soyer [i.e. Wm. Sohier]; Albany, N.Y., 10 May 1858
- On inability to take over National Theatre until engagements elsewhere are completed. 1s. (2p.)
- Folder 27: English, William B. A.L.S. to [William Sohier?]; Boston, 29 May 1859
- Requesting a reduction in rent to keep the National Theatre open. 1s. (1p.)
- Folder 28: English, Jane. A.L.S. to William Sohier; Boston, 26 July 1859
- Freely expressing her thoughts on the English's relationship with the National Theatre and Sohier. 1s. (4p.)
- Folder 29
- Item a: Conner, James A.L.S. to William Sohier; New York, 13 March 1863
- Describing a house, sending George Lea's letter and relating news of various actresses. 2s. (4p.)
- Item b: Lea, George A.L.S. to James Conner; [New York?], 9 February 1863
- On unwillingness to pay rent for the National Theatre. 1s. (1p.)
- Folder 30: Dwight, Benjamin F. Ms.D.S.; Boston, 1863
- Account for alterations of the National Theatre. 1s. (4p.)
- Folder 31: Bennett, Samuel P. Ms.D.S. (S.P. Bennett & Francis S. Williams); Boston, 29 September 1864
- Condition of the National Theatre Building. 1s. (4p.)
- Folder 32: Boston. National Theatre. Ms.D.; Boston, 3 March-13 June 1851
- Return book, daily account of box office receipts. (15p.) In the hand of Thomas Barry.
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