Guide to the Barnett and Stevens family papers
1901-1928, 2014
An Alaska Historical Society collection
Collection number: HMC-1167-AHS.
Creators:
Barnett, Harriet.
Stevens, Eunice.
Title: Barnett and Stevens family papers.
Dates: 1901-1928, 2014, bulk 1901-1928.
Volume of collection: 0.2 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Materials in this collection are in English.
Collection summary: Correspondence of a missionary who worked at the Jessie Lee Home with Albert Newhall.
Biographical note:
Harriet (Hattie) L. Barnett and Georgia Stevens were sisters, born in Vermont. Georgia Stevens was married to Fred Stevens and lived in Verdon, South Dakota. Barnett served as a missionary in the New York City Mission under Dr. A. F. Shauffler for 18 years. She continued work as a missionary in Moroni, Utah for two years before going to Unalaska, Alaska under the Women’s Home Missionary Society of the Methodist church in 1901 to the Jesse Lee Home. She continued her mission work in Nome, Alaska, moving there in 1911. She moved back to Unalaska in 1914. In early 1916, Barnett left Unalaska and possibly traveled to Nome once more, before moving to South Dakota to live with her sister and brother in-law due to her failing health. Harriet Barnett died on December 16, 1916.
Collection description:
The collection contains a diary written by Harriet Barnett regarding her travels aboard the steamer Excelsior; correspondence; and photographs. Correspondence from Harriet Barnett to her sister Georgia Stevens includes subjects such as Barnett’s Christian faith, her travels on steamships throughout Alaska and people she had contact with, work at the Jesse Lee Home, and her life in Unalaska and Nome. The collection also includes correspondence and circulars written by Albert Newhall, a doctor and missionary at the Jesse Lee Home, and his second wife Emma. The correspondence from the Newhall’s was written to Harry Stevens, Georgia’s son and Harriet’s nephew. This correspondence includes comments regarding Harriet Barnett and the Newhalls’ decision to leave Unalaska for Barrow. The photographs are of unidentified people in Alaska. There is also a copy of a photograph of Harriet Barnett. The collection also includes diary and correspondence transcriptions and descriptions completed by Ray Hudson.
Arrangement: The collection is arranged in the order it arrived to the Archives.
Digitized copies: This collection has not been digitized. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Rights note: The Alaska Historical Society owns copyright to materials created by the Barnett and Stevens families.
Preferred citation: Barnett and Stevens family papers, Alaska Historical Society collections, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Works used in preparation of inventory: Biographical information was provided by Sharron Shreurs and Ray Hudson.
Related materials: Albert W. Newhall letters, HMC-0188.
Custodial history: The collection was originally in the possession of Eunice Stevens, daughter of Harry Stevens.
Acquisition note: This collection was donated to the Alaska Historical Society in 2014 by Sharron Schreurs, Eunice Stevens’ daughter. The Historical Society retains ownership of the collection and has placed it on deposit with Archives and Special Collections.
Processing information: This collection was described by Veronica Denison in 2014.
Location of originals: Sharron Schreurs has the original photograph of Harriet Barnett, however a copy is available in the collection.
Container list:
| Folder | Description | Dates |
| 1 | Diary | 1901 September 26-October 7 |
| 2 | Correspondence from Harriet Barnett to Georgia Stevens and Harry Stevens | 1901-1915 |
| 3 | Letters and circulars written by Albert and Emma Newhall | 1924-1928 |
| 4 | Diary and correspondence transcriptions | 2014 |
| 5 | Photographs | undated, 1920 |
| 6 | Harriet Barnett news clipping and obituary; “The Coming of the Bear” by Harriet Barnett | 1903, 1915 |