In this exhibit, the R. Stanton Avery Special Collections has selected items from their extensive collection of family papers and institutional records to pay tribute to students past and present. View Exhibit
In 1845 John Langdon, living at 6 Eaton Street, in the West End of Boston, Mass., kept a diary, now owned by the New England Historic Genealogical Society. This small book contains, on its closing pages, an account of John Langdon and his family, as well as "some account of the Ages of Persons now living or Very Lately Died over 90 yrs. [of age]."A transcription of the entire family account and the list of the elderly may be found in Register 97 (1943) pp. 290-4. The following are excerpts from the account:
John Langdon now Being 90 Years & 41/2 Ms old Born at Hempsted Queens County State of New York Septr 30th 1754, but now Living in the good City of Boston, was Maried to Phebe Seaman in Dutches County State of New York in the Year 1778.We have been Blessed with Ten Children, Five Sons and Five Daughters.We lived together nearly Sixty-three Years.My Wife Departed this Life in this Room 6 Mo 10th 1841 Aged Years 80..6..22.Phebe Langdon Born at North Castle in Westchester County State of New York on the 18th November 1760.
Read InscriptionJohn Langdon and Phebe had the following children, who are described in much more detail in the diary:Samuel Jones, b. 1779Catherine Clowes, b. 1781, d. 1796Gerherdus Clowes, b. 1784, d. 1841Benjamin Seaman, b. 1784Sarah Allison, b. 1785Phebe Rowland, b. 1790Hetty Green, b. 1794Mary, b. 1795, d. 1796John Barton, b. 1797, d. 1826William, b. 1800, d. 1801
John Langdon died shortly after he completed his diary. The exact date of death has not been ascertained.