Work, James Papers
Scope and Contents
The collection includes one box of materials of 201 items, including many of Work’s poetry and published works; biographies by Work’s wife, daughter and great-grandson; an autobiographical letter written near the end of Work’s life; correspondence 1861 to 1914; report on Port Royal Mission sent to Work by Mrs. R. H. Linklater; ordination and university records; obituaries; clippings made by Work of others’ writings; and four hymnals and devotionals.
Dates
- Creation: 1861-1993
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research. Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and copyright holder. Staff may refuse copying of fragile or at-risk materials.
The collection is open for research. Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and copyright holder. Staff may refuse copying of fragile or at-risk materials.
Materials may be accessed by request at the American Baptist Historical Society. For more information on accessing collections or obtaining copies, visit http://abhsarchives.org.
Biographical / Historical
James Work was a Baptist pastor born in the Orkney Islands in the northern most part of Scotland. After graduating from Rochester Theological Seminary in 1863, he spent over 30 years in the Shetland and Orkney Islands with the Baptist Home Mission of Scotland. Work published many small religion tracts and poetry. As a young man in 1851 he came to Hamilton Canada, then in an area known as “Lower Canada”, as a blacksmith. Born to a Presbyterian family, Work was converted and became a Baptist while in Canada. He graduated from the University of Rochester in 1860, then Rochester Theological Seminary in 1863. He returned to Scotland as a Baptist minister with the Baptist Home Mission Society in August 1863, serving as minister in numerous locations, including Lerwick, Kirkall and Wick in the Shetland Islands and Orkney Islands . He then returned to the U.S. in 1892, settling in Buffalo. Work preached occasionally and published several short works before his death in 1914.
Extent
.2 Linear Feet (1 letter manuscript box)
Language of Materials
English
File Plan
Loose Materials
4 items
- The Christian Hymnal, a Collection of Hymns for Divine Worship, selected and arranged by Rec. Oliver Flett. 1871.
- Hymns and Spiritual Songs. In Three Books. By I. Watts, D. D. Edinburgh. Printed by Alex, Chapman and Co. For Jas. and A. Duncan, and J. Shaw, Glasgow.
- Daily Manna for Christian Pilgrims. By Baron Stow. “James Work from Mrs. Leamon [?] Geneva June 15, 1986”
- A Selection of Hymns For the Use of Baptist Congregations: Intended as a Supplement to Dr. Watts’s Psalms and Hymns. “Thomas Hencus my hymn book bought the year 1868”
File 1 - James Work’s Writings
128 items
- James Work’s handwritten poetry along with several published works. Includes: Word of Cheer. Second edition, 1883, The Gospel Sabbath and Other Short Poems. 1893, “Father’s last poem”. Handwritten on notebook paper.
File 2 – Miscellaneous Pages
12 items
- Unplaced pages of handwritten poetry
- A 1-page, printed appeal for publishing aid for a work titled The Soul: Its Appalling Difficulties and Dangers; and Salvation: Its Infallible Assurance and Encouragements. Undated.
File 3 - Biographies
5 items
- Letter from James Work to James Nicolson. 1914? Includes a “brief sketch of my life”.
- My Unforgettable Parents. A short biography by daughter Jean Work Gibson, unpublished, date unknown. Typed.
- The Life of an Orcadian Minister: Rev. James Work (1830 – 1915). Biography by great-grandson Monroe Linklater Payne. April 1969. Ithaca, NY. Unpublished. Typed.
- “Father’s history and work, written by Mother”. Handwritten biography of James Work by wife Jane Harcus Work, including various obituaries, a small newspaper photograph of the elderly James Work, and numerous short publications by James Work.
- James Work, 1830 – 1915, a biography written by Jane Work. Printed copy of above handwritten biography. August 1993.
File 4 - Correspondence and Port Royal Report
15 items
Loose letters
- Sa Ellis to Bro Work. Aug. 12, 1861
- Unknown to Mr. Work. Oct 10. 1863
- Alexander Sinclair to the Rev. James Work. July 20, 1870
- J. P. Ludlow to Revd James Work. July 26, 1864. In envelope.
- J. J. Keyes to Bro. Work. October 6th [?], 1864. (J. J. Keyes was the pastor at Mt. Morris and attended Work’s ordination Feb. 11, 1863, participating in the “laying on of hands.”)
- “From Shetland 1867”. Envelope of various letters to James Work from ministers and other churches.
- Victoria House. March 29, 1888
- James Law to Mr. Work. June 24th, 1914. In envelope.
- Poets House Buffalo, NY to James Work, Esq. Dec. 9, 1913
- James Neil (cousin) to Cousin. July 25, 1868/1888[?]
- Baptist Mission House London to Rev. J. Work, July 24, 1868?. Thank you for Work’s donation. Original envelope included.
- William Coghill? To James Work, June 21, 186
Bound volume
- “Port Royal Mission”. Labeled at later, unknown date as “Mrs. R. H. Linklater 1006 Danby Rd. / Report from Port Royal - to Rev. James Work”. The report appears to be from a missionary in Port Royal, date unknown. The report chronicles the economic and educational developments occurring in Port Royal since its seizure by Union troop and the condition of the freed slaves, particularly their spiritual condition . The author quotes extensively from a Mr. George Peck, physician on the island, concerning the religious practices of the island’s inhabitants.
Newspaper
- “Elmira’s Civil War prison camp fades from memory”. The Ithaca Journal. June 19, 1989.
File 5 – Ordination and University Records
4 items
- Photocopy of Colgate-Rochester Divinity School General Catalogue, Class of 1863, James Work brief graduation record
- Letter to certify Feb. 11, 1863 ordination of James Work in Nunda, NY. Whitman Metcalf, Moderator, S. Stilson (?), Clerk of the Council.
- Anonymous record of Nunda ordination, quoting above letter of certification. udated.
- Letter from Whitman Metcalt,Pastor to James Work, Theological Seminary Rochester, NY, approving a future
- trip back to the Orkney Islands. June 3, 1861.
File 6 – Reviews and Testimonials
9 items
Various clippings reviewing published works by James Work, praising sermons and activities, and memorializing his life.
- Clipping. Anonymous, undated, probably from a church bulletin.
- Review article, “The Great Salvation”.
- Review article, “Vital Principles and Effects of the Gospel”.
- Review article, “Godliness Intensely Practical”.
- Review article, “Words of Cheer”.
- “Death of an old Baptist minister,” Alex Goodfellow. Detailed, one-column obituary, undated, newspaper unkown.
- “Proposed Testimonial to Rev. James Work”, Alex Isdale.
File 7 – Obituaries
7 items
Newspaper obituary clippings, church bulletin obituary, and miscellaneous item.
File 8 –Others’ writings saved by James Work
17 items
Clippings and writings by others.
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the American Baptist Historical Society Repository
3001 Mercer University Drive
Atlanta GA 30341-4115 USA
678.547.6680
678.547.6682 (Fax)
ABHSoffice@ABHSarchives.org