Browse the Collection

A letter from Morrell and Lois Robinson through the Board of Mission to their friends and loved ones providing a report on their missionary work and the general state of the region of Cuba where they are working. They describe the work of the pediatric clinic, report on the Mayari, Felton, Arroyo Blanco, Oriente, and Nicaro congregational areas, and provide updates on their personal lives and that of their family.

A scrapbook of photographs, newspaper clippings, programs, and decorations documenting the lives of Rev. Morrell Robinson, his wife, Lois, and their children, Morrell "Steed" Jr., Esther, and George, from their time at First Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, Florida, to their time as missionaries in Mayari, Cuba, and through their time in the Tampa Heights neighborhood of Tampa, Florida.

A letter from Lois and Morrell to their friends describing their trip back to the States and the talks they gave while there, attesting to the good leadership of Bishop John Branscomb in Cuba, reflecting on the success of the annual conference and the work of the local Cuban pastors, reporting on the work of the clinic, discussing the beginning of Bible School season, giving updates on both the children, thanking their friends for all the letters and well wishes, and asking that they keep Cuba in their thoughts as the threat of civil war becomes more present.

A letter from R.Y.[?]. Allen to Robert Paine responding to his letter from July 4th, 1849, and detailing his thoughts on how best to set up a series of Methodist circuit preachers in the San Francisco area. Allen suggests sending two to three missionaries to either walk or ride circuits by the bay and by the mountains.

A letter from James O. Andrew to Robert Paine sharing news of the spread of cholera in New Orleans and nearby areas, commending the choice of preacher to be sent to California on mission, offering a few additional names for consideration, mentioning that Bishop Caper had written to him about changing routes with Paine, and giving an update on his and his wife's health.

A letter from Jesse Boring to Robert Paine recommending his estimates on the financial needs for the first year of the California mission and requesting Paine write him immediately.

A letter from Jesse Boring to Robert Paine updating him on the California-bound missionaries' plans to travel on to New Orleans and providing an informal report (with the promise of a formal one forthcoming) of the collections they've made in support of the mission.

A letter from Jesse Boring to Robert Paine reporting on the planned departure of the missionaries aboard a steamship and including an itemized report of the mission finances.

A letter from Jesse Boring to Robert Paine giving an update on the mission and requesting additional missionaries be sent to support the mission, discussing the presence of Northern Methodist missionaries, and addressing published comments made in regards to Boring's management of the mission's finances.

An incomplete letter from Jesse Boring to Robert Paine repeating his request for additional missionaries to be sent to California, reporting on the various regions the mission is attempting to extend into, mentioning his concerns about losing membership to the Northern Methodists, and requesting permission to organize a local Conference in April of 1851.

A letter from Jesse Boring to Robert Paine mentioning his recovery from a grave illness, expressing his concerns over the apparent disregard for the California Mission as reflected in the reports from the Annual Conference, vehemently pleading the case of the mission and outlining the challenges they face in supplying literature and service to their congregations, requesting an allotment of books be sent, reporting on the work of the mission, observing that there is ample opportunity to extend missionary work (via Southern California) to Mexico, noting the success of Catholic missions,

An incomplete letter from Jesse Boring to Robert Paine expressing his dismay over his treatment by the Board of Managers and Secretaries in regards to his handling of the mission finances, detailing the struggles the missionaries and their families have had to endure only to be so poorly treated by the church itself, expressing his concern that the delay in sending monetary aid is too late to make up the lost ground, announcing his intention to no longer personally draw on the missionary funds so that more of the money may be spent to support additional missionaries, assuring Paine of his

A letter from Jesse Boring to Robert Paine expressing his regret that he seems to have offended Paine either by his own unintentional actions or by a misrepresentation of his actions by another, explaining his perspective of the events and discussions which he assumes are the cause of Paine's displeasure, expressing that he would rather step down than have Paine step back from his position overseeing the California Mission, reporting on the mission's work, requesting additional missionaries, and asking for a swift response.

A letter from Jesse Boring to Robert Paine expressing his relief that the misunderstandings of their previous correspondence have been cleared, apologizing for any possible missteps on Boring's part, clarifying his request for more experienced preachers, expressing his opinion that certain complaints lodged against him were made in an effort to redirect attention away from the one filing the complaint, reporting on the work of the mission, and requesting Paine come to the following year's conference in California.

A letter from Jesse Boring to Robert Paine thanking Paine for considering him for the position on the California Mission, tentatively accepting the appointment but asking for several more weeks to consider the offer before answering firmly, reviewing his qualifications for the role, and noting that he has contacted another possible candidate to join the mission.

A letter from John Early to Robert Paine mentioning that he and his wife travelled to Philadelphia to settle his daughter Bettie (Elizabeth) for medical treatment, sharing his plans to travel to Western Virginia, arguing that it is too expensive to send one of the Bishops to California and that he will discuss the matter with Bishop Andrew, confirming Paine's decisions to transfer two preachers to the St. Louis Conference, recommending that preachers be pulled from the Mississippi and St.

A letter from John Early to Robert Paine mentioning that his wife and daughter (Elizabeth) are both unwell, discussing his recent travels and future travel plans, making recommendations for possible preachers to assign to the Kansas Mission, discussing the transfer of William Parsons, expressing his concerns about the St. Louis Conference management, and discussing possibilities of sending a Bishop to the Pacific Conference and how to manage that Bishop's conferences while they are gone.

A letter from John Early to Robert Paine discussing the preparation of missionaries for the China Mission, including where to transfer new preachers in the meantime so they can be best prepared for the work.

A letter from John Early to Robert Paine presenting options for arranging their attendance schedules at various conferences, reporting on the Western Virginia, Kentucky, and Louisville Conferences, mentioning that he is preparing certificates for ministers converting from other denominations, and discussing an issue of funding for missionaries to be sent to Central America.

A letter from H. H. Kavanaugh to Robert Paine reporting on his experiences of the Conferences he has attended, mentioning that the St. Louis Conference had some turmoil, discussing a draft made by D. W. Lewis and how he handled the matter, suggesting the bishops divide their work for the coming year at the April meeting, , proposing Paine call a meeting of the Bishops, requesting the transfer of a preacher to assist the Indian Mission Conference, discussing his concerns over the missionary funds and the support of the Indian Mission Conference in the coming year.

A letter from Holland Nimmons McTyeire to Robert Paine reporting that Brother Blythe has set out for California and explaining the situation which led to McTyeire deciding not to send Brother Petway along with Blythe.