1843 John Codman, Rufus Anderson Pres. Allen to Rev. Joseph B. Felt, Historians For Sale

1843 Autograph Letter Signed by Rufus Anderson Introducing Pres. William Allen to Rev. Joseph B. Felt – Rare Historical Association

Offered here is an original handwritten and signed letter dated January 2, 1843, from Rev. Rufus Anderson, one of America’s most influential missionary organizers, introducing President William Allen to renowned historian Rev. Joseph B. Felt of Boston.

In this warm recommendation, Anderson notes that Allen is engaged in “similar pursuits” and that an interview would be “mutually pleasant & valuable.” The letter captures a rich intersection of 19th-century American religious, academic, and historical scholarship.

The verso address panel references:

Rev. Joseph B. Felt – Boston-based historian

Rev. Dr. John Codman – prominent Congregational minister

Pres. Dr. Allen – the bearer of the letter, believed to be President William Allen

This letter is a rare opportunity to own a direct connection between several pillars of American theological and academic history.

1 page, folded bifolium with address panel

Hand-signed “Rufus Anderson”

Dated Andover, Jan 2, 1843

Excellent legibility; very light wear consistent with age

Historical value for collectors of early American education, missionary work, or theological correspondence

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📚 Summary of Importance:

This letter connects four prominent 19th-century American figures—Rufus Anderson, William Allen, Joseph B. Felt, and John Codman—across the spheres of religious thought, missionary expansion, and historical scholarship. It demonstrates the collegial and collaborative networks that shaped early American academia and the recording of colonial and ecclesiastical history.

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👤 Biographies of Individuals Mentioned:

Rufus Anderson (1796–1880)

An influential Congregationalist minister and missionary strategist, Anderson served as Foreign Secretary of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) from 1832 to 1866. He was instrumental in shaping the modern Protestant missionary movement and was based in Andover, Massachusetts.

Rev. Joseph B. Felt (1789–1869)

A respected historian and Congregational minister, Felt authored several foundational texts on early American history including The Ecclesiastical History of New England and Historical Account of Massachusetts Currency. He was commissioned by the federal government to organize and preserve early American colonial records.

William Allen (1784–1868)

Former president of Dartmouth College (1817–1819) and Bowdoin College (1820–1839), Allen was a scholar and compiler of the American Biographical and Historical Dictionary (1809), one of the earliest works of American biography. He was deeply involved in theological and literary circles throughout New England.

Rev. John Codman, D.D. (1782–1847)

A Harvard-educated Congregational clergyman and pastor in Dorchester, MA. Codman was known for his Calvinist convictions and ecclesiastical leadership, publishing sermons and theological discourses that influenced 19th-century Congregational thought.