Rauner Special Collections Finding Aids

Guide to the Papers of Charles H. Bell, 1842 - 1893

Contact Information: Rauner Special Collections Library. 6065 Webster Hall Hanover, NH 03755-2519, USA Phone: (603) 646-2037 FAX: (603) 646-0447 Email: Rauner.Reference@dartmouth.edu URL: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~speccoll/

	Creator:	Bell, Charles H.
	Title Remainder:	Papers. 1842 - 1893
	Dates:	1842 - 1893
	Identification:	MS-619
	Size of collection:	1 box (.5 linear ft.)
	Abstract:	Charles Henry Bell, born 1823; died 1893;Dartmouth Class of 1844; and Governor of the State of New Hampshire, 1881-1883. Correspondence documenting his career as a lawyer and politician from Exeter. Some letters relate to New Hampshire in the Civil War and to prohibition.

---

Biography

Charles Henry Bell was born November 18, 1823, in Chester, New Hampshire, the son of John and Persis (Thom) Bell. He attended Pembroke Academy and Phillips Exeter, before entering Dartmouth College; he graduated from Dartmouth in 1844. After college, he studied law, practicing in Exeter. After giving up the active practice of law in 1868, Bell spent most of his time in research and writing, publishing several historical and biographical works, including the Bench and Bar of New Hampshire, and a history of the town of Exeter. He was president of the New Hampshire Historical Society, 1868-1887.

Bell represented Exeter in the New Hampshire state legislature in both House and Senate, holding, at different times, the office of Speaker of the House and president of the Senate. In March 1879, he was appointed by Governor Benjamin Franklin Prescott to serve out a seat in the U.S. Senate; and was governor of the State of New Hampshire from 1881-1883.

Bell died in Exeter, November 11, 1893.

Scope and Contents of Collection

The papers of Charles Henry Bell consist primarily of letters to Bell, 1842 - 1893, in conjunction with his roll as an attorney and politician from Exeter, New Hampshire. Some letters from the Civil War period discuss the activities of N.H. regiments in the war. The papers also contain his cash book, 1850 - 1855, and undated notes on legal forms.

Access to Collection

Unrestricted.

Use Restrictions

Unrestricted.

Preferred citation

Papers of Charles H. Bell; MS-619; Rauner Special Collections Library, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH.

---

BOX : 1

1842-1893

FOLDER : 1

Correspondence 1842-1849

FOLDER : 2

Correspondence 1850-1855

FOLDER : 3

Correspondence 1856-1859

FOLDER : 4

Correspondence 1860-1862

FOLDER : 5

Correspondence 1863-1865

FOLDER : 6

Correspondence 1866-1869

FOLDER : 7

Correspondence 1870-1875

FOLDER : 8

Correspondence 1876-1879

FOLDER : 9

Correspondence 1880-1884

FOLDER : 10

Correspondence 1885-1890

FOLDER : 11

Correspondence 1890-1893

FOLDER : 12

Notes on Legal Forms undated

FOLDER : 13

Memorandum of Cash Payments 1850-1855

Return to the Table of Contents

---