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Series I: Manuscripts
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BOX-FOLDER MSS1757/1 |
Clippings, undated
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1 folder, 1 page |
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MS01: A photocopied newspaper article about William Corcoran being burned while
experimenting with phosphorus in an attempt to make matches. |
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BOX-FOLDER MSS1757/2-3 |
Correspondence, 1942-1991,
undated
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2 folders, 339 letters |
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MS02: Letters received by Emma Corcoran. Most of the letters
were sent by Kenneth Pettengill, Emma's future husband, as well as family and
friends such as her mother, also named Emma Corcoran, her sister Mary Corcoran,
friends such as "Crawford", and other suitors. A number of letters were sent to
Emma before her service with the WAVES, while she was still at Hyannis State
Teacher’s College and while she was living in Orleans, Massachusetts, with her
family.
The majority of the letters from Kenneth date from 1944 onward. They concern
his Navy service training and studies regarding radio, his life on the
submarine USS Runner (SS 275), leisure activities, planned visits, speculations
regarding his and Emma's eventual marriage, Emma's interest in joining the
WAVES, news of friends and family, literature, and Kenneth's daily
activities.
Letter dated 1/18/1946 includes a one dollar bill. Some letters are only
partial pages (6/8/1942 - 2/21/1991). The letter dated 2/21/1991 is addressed
to "Mother," sent from an unknown author. Also includes a few picture postcards
(6/11/1944). |
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BOX-FOLDER MSS1758/1-7 |
Correspondence, 1944-1945
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7 folders |
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MS02 (continued) |
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BOX-FOLDER MSS1759/1-7 |
Correspondence, 1945-1946, 1948, 1954,
1991, undated
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7 folders |
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MS02 (continued) |
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BOX-FOLDER MSS1762/1 |
Correspondence, undated
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1 folder |
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MS02 (continued) |
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BOX-FOLDER MSS1762/2-7 |
Correspondence, 1944-1949,
undated
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5 folders, 170 letters |
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MS03: Letters written by Emma Pettengill, most sent to Kenneth Pettengill, one
sent to "Crawford," a family friend of the Corcorans, and two sent to unknown
recipients. Includes partial pages of letters (2/1944 to 10/4/1949).
Topics include Emma's health, leisure time and visits with friends, summertime
in Cape Cod, family news, dating life for both Emma and Ken, Emma's enlistment
in the WAVES in February 1945, political news, daily life as a WAVE
including her duties as a librarian and a meteorologist, President Franklin D.
Roosevelt's death in April of 1945, visiting Quonset Point Naval Air Station,
and her impressions of Norfolk. |
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BOX-FOLDER MSS1763/1-2 |
Correspondence, 1944-1949,
undated
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2 folders |
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MS03 (continued). |
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BOX-FOLDER MSS1763/3 |
Correspondence, 1945-1946,
1949
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1 folder, 13 letters |
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MS04: Letters written by Emma's husband Kenneth Pettengill and sent to his
mother regarding his Navy service, travels and leisure trips, and Ken's plans
to marry Emma. The last letter, dated July 7, 1949, mentions their son, Kenny
Junior. |
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BOX-FOLDER MSS1763/4 |
Correspondence, 1952-1956,
undated
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1 folder, 5 letters |
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MS05: Letters received by Emma's husband Kenneth Pettengill, seemingly written
by friends and family, including Mr. and Mrs. Donald Marshall, Frank Pettengill, Kit
Parker, and Emma and Kenneth's daughter Claire Pettengill. Topics covered include news of family and friend's lives and activities, Frank Pettingell's marriage and assignment to Fort Benning. |
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BOX-FOLDER MSS1763/5 |
Correspondence, 1945,
undated
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1 folder, 3 letters |
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MS06: Three letters, including a letter written to Emma (or "Corky") by Annie
Shaw (6/2/1945), an incomplete letter written by Emma's sister Mary to an
unidentified recipient, and a letter fragment from an unidentified author to an
unidentified recipient. Topics covered include social activities and news from home. |
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BOX-FOLDER MSS1763/8 |
Military papers, 1944-1946,
undated
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1 folder |
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MS07: Photocopies of military papers for Emma and Kenneth, including a Navy
Training Course Certificate for Radio Material for Kenneth Pettengill
(12/15/1944); orders to proceed home and release from active duty for Emma
Corcoran (2/5/1945); enlisted record for Emma Corcoran (5/23/1946); discharge
certificates for Emma Corcoran and Kenneth Pettengill (5/23/1946); and a notice
of separation for Kenneth Pettengill (undated). |
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BOX-FOLDER MSS1763/9-10 |
Printed material, 1944-1945,
undated
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2 folders |
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MS08: A Massachusetts Department of Public Works Registry of Motor Vehicles
operator license for Emma Corcoran (10/2/1944); a New York Telephone Company
bill for Emma Corcoran (4/24/1945); a ticket stub for a Cincinnati Bengals
football game at Soldier Field (undated); a program for a service at the Chapel
of the Immaculate Conception at Norfolk, Virginia (undated); and a commencement
program for Hyannis State Teachers College for the class of 1944. |
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Series II: Photographs
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BOX-FOLDER MSS1763/11 |
Original photographic print, circa 1944
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1 black-and-white photographic
print |
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PH01: A portrait of Kenneth Pettengill, wearing his Navy uniform, sitting on a
bench next to a harbor, ca. 1944. |
