Alice and Rita Lawrence Papers
1874-1935


Finding Aid Prepared by M. MacLean
October 2001


Date Range: 1874-1935
Size of Collection: 3.5 linear ft. (ca. 110 items in 1 box and 2 Flat Boxes)
Date of Acquisition: Transferred from the Brander Matthews Museum, 1971.
Material on Microfilm: No material on microfilm
Terms of Access: Available for faculty, students, or researchers engaged in scholarly or publication projects.
Restrictions on Use or Access: Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the Librarian for Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Location in Stacks: In sequence and in Ms. Flat Box Series.
Processing Information: Processed by Henry Rowen in June 1979; revised by M. MacLean May 2000
RLIN ID: 89-A514

BIOGRAPHY

       Alice Montgomery Lawrence, ca. 1865-1895 and Rita Margarita Woodhull Lawrence ca. 1867-1939 were well-known amateur actresses in New York City during the 1880s and 1890s. Many of their performances were benefits for various charities.

SCOPE AND CONTENT

       The collection consists of correspondence, programs, clippings, and other theatrical memorabilia relating to the Lawrence's amateur theater careers.


Cataloged Correspondence, Manuscripts & Documents

1  Allen, Edward Heron
     I love you so!
       [n.p.], 5 February 1888
       1 page a.ms.s. (poem)

1  Amory, Rhina [Mrs. William, Jr.]
     To Rita Lawrence
       [New York], 12 February 1887
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Amory, William Jr.
     To Rita Lawrence
       [New York], 20 February 1887
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Backus, George
     To Rita Lawrence
       [New York], 1893
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Barber, M. Louise
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       Brooklyn, 15 January 1886
       4 page a.l.s.

1  Barber, M. Louise
     To Rita W. Lawrence
       Brooklyn, 16 January 1886
       4 page a.l.s.

1  Barnard, Anna E.
     To Alice & Rita W. Lawrence
       [New York], 14 May 1888
       1 page a.l.s.

1  Barry, Helen
     To Rita Lawrence
       [New York], 1890
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Bloom, Edward L.
     Receipt for Theatre Rental
       New York, 6 February 1893
       1 page a.d.s.

1  Bond, Frederick
     To Rita Lawrence
       [New York], 1888
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Bond, Frederick
     To Rita Lawrence
       [New York], 23 March 1888
       3 page a.l.s.

1  Booth, Agnes
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       [New York], 6 March 1888
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Burroughs, William F.
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       Larchmont, NY, 10 April 1892
       3 page a.l.s.

1  Carter, Edward
     To Rita Lawrence
       New York, 23 April 1888
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Collins, Laura Sedgwick
     Receipt for Salary
       [n.p.], 19 May 1892
       1 page a.d.s

1  Corlies, Susan M.
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       Pelham Manor [NY], 11 November 1888
       4 page a.l.s.

1  Coward, Edward Fales
     To Rita Lawrence
       [New York], 11 February 1887
       1 page a.l.s.

1  Curtis, Henry Holbrook
     To William Thomas Lawrence
       [New York], 1890
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Cutting, Robert Livingston Jr.
     To Rita Lawrence
       [New York], [1890]
       3 page a.l.s.

1  de Blossieres, A. G.
     To Miss Lawrence
       [New York], 17 April 1888
       1 page a.l.s.

1  De Forest, Fanny A.
     To Miss Lawrence
       [n.p.], 18 February 1893
       3 page a.l.s.

1  De Forest, Harriet
     To Miss Lawrence
       Summit, NJ, 18 February 1893
       2 page a.l.s.

1  de Wolfe, Elsie Anderson
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       [New York], [23 February 1888]
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Dixey, Henry E.
     To Alice Lawrence
       [New York], 22 December 1885
       1 page a.l.s.

1  Drew, Josephine Baker (Mrs. John)
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       [New York], [n.d.]
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Eldridge, Louisa
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       [New York], 20 February 1889
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Fitch, Clyde
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       [New York], 9 April 1892
       3 page a.l.s.

1  Frohman, Daniel
     Statement about Alice M. & Rita Lawrence
       New York, 1890
       1 page t.ms. (carbon)

1  Gaunt, Percy
     Receipt for Orchestra Payment
       New York, 189-
       1 page a.d.s

1  Gwynne, Edith
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       [New York], [ca. December 1887]
       4 page a.l.s

1  Gwynne, Edith
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       [New York], [ca. January 1888]
       4 page a.l.s

1  Gwynne, Edith
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       [New York], 1 January 1888
       1 a.p.c.

1  Henderson, Grace R.
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       [New York], 1890
       1 page a.l.s.

1  Henderson, Grace R.
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       [New York], [1890?]
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Hoey, Josephine
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       [New York], 14 February 1889
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Jackson, Sir Harry V.
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       London, 8 July 1835
       1 page t.l.s.

1  Kelcey, Caroline Hill (Mrs. Herbert)
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       [London], [December n.y.]
       1 a.n.

1  Kelcey, Herbert
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       [New York}, 19 March 1889
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Kelcey, Herbert
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       [New York], 1890
       1 page a.l.s.

1  Kelcey, Herbert
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       New York, [4 February 1890]
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Laughton, Mrs. McAllister
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       Washington, 17 February 1886
       1 telegram

1  Laughton, Mrs. McAllister
     To Sophie Clinch Tilley Lawrence
       Washington, 18 February 1886
       1 telegram

1  Lawrence, Alice Montgomery [to Herbert Kelcey]
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       [New York], [1890]
       3 page a.l.s.

1  Lawrence, Alice Montgomery
     Copyright Certificate
       Washington, 4 March 1891
       1 page ms.d.

1  Lawrence, Rita Woodhull
     Diary
       [v.p.], 1891-1895
       1 volume a.ms.s.

1  Lawrence, William Thomas
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       New York, 14 April 1892
       1 page a.l.s.

1  Lawrence, William Thomas
     "Fresh Air Home" Account
       New York, 15-18 February 1889
       2 page a.d.

1  Nicholas, George W.
     Receipt
       New York, 20 February 1889
       1 page a.d.s.

1  Lawrence, William Thomas
     Account Book
       New York, 28 March - 12 April 1892?
       1 page a.d.

1  Lewis, James
     To Rita Lawrence
       New York, 13 April 1892
       1 page a.l.s.

1  Lyman, Laura C.
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       New York, 9 December 1892
       4 page a.l.s.

1  Lyon, B. de F. (Mrs. John Doane)
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       New York, 2 March n.y.
       1 page a.l.s.

1  Madison, Mathilde
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       [n.p.], [n.d.]
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Madison, Mathilde
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       New York, 1 November 1886
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Madison, Mathilde
     To Rita Lawrence
       New York, ca. February 1887
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Manierre, Alfred Lee
     To Rita Lawrence
       New York, 22 April 1898
       3 page a.l.s.

1  Martin, Mary T.
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       New York, 23 May n.y.
       3 page a.l.s.

1  Meyer, Charles
     Receipt for Wigs
       New York, 22 April 1893
       1 page a.d.s.

1  Ninton, Telfair Mariott
     To Rita Lawrence
       [n.p.], 1890
       1 card a.n.s.

1  Murray, Henry Alexander
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       New York, 5 January 1886
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Pierson, Henrietta B.H.
     To Sophie Clinch Tilley Lawrence
       New York, 1 March 1889
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Potter, Cora Urquhart (Mrs. James Brown)
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       [n.p.], [n.d.]
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Potter, Cora Urquhart (Mrs. James Brown)
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       New York, ca. 1884
       1 page a.l.s.

1  Potter, Cora Urquhart (Mrs. James Brown)
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       New York, February 1886
       6 page a.l.s.
     Note: With copies of 3 related letters

1  Potter, Cora Urquhart (Mrs. James Brown)
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       [n.p.], 24 May 1886
       1 page a.l.s.

1  Potter, Cora Urquhart (Mrs. James Brown)
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       [London], 28 July 1886
       6 page a.l.s.

1  Pryor, Sara Agnes Rice (Mrs. Roger Atkinson)
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       New York, 7 December 1888
       3 page a.l.s.

1  Pryor, Sara Agnes Rice (Mrs. Roger Atkinson)
     To Rita Lawrence
       New York, 7 December 1888
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Reeve, C.C.
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       New York, 21 January 1893
       1 page t.l.s.

1  Roberts, R.A.
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       New York, 1891
       1 page a.l.s.

1  Roeder, Benjamin A.
     To Rita Lawrence
       New York, 29 March 1890
       1 page a.l.s.

1  Roosa, Daniel Bennett St. John
     To Sophie Clinch Tilley Lawrence
       New York, 11 December 1892
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Russell, Robert Howard
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       New York, 20 March 1889
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Ryan, J.S.
     To Rita Lawrence
       New York, 16 November 1890
       1 page a.l.s.

1  Shortridge, Laura Virginia
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       New York, 1892
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Shortridge, Laura Virginia
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       New York, 7 December 1892
       7 page a.l.s.

1  Suydam, Walter L.
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       New York, 2 April 1893
       1 page a.l.s.

1  Teall, Florence Rissell (Mrs. Oliver Sumner) and Cora Urquhart Potter (Mrs. James Brown)
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       Washington, 18 February 1886
       1 page telegram

1  Tosti, Francesco Paolo
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       London, 16 December n.y.
       4 page a.l.s.

1  Warner, Franklin Mott
     To Rita Lawrence
       New York, 1890
       1 page a.n.

1  Weekes, Frederic Delano
     To Rita Lawrence
       New York, 1888
       1 page a.l.s.

1  Wendell, Evert Janson
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       New York, 24 February 1891
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Wendell, Evert Jansen
     To Rita Lawrence
       New York, 3 January 1915
       2 page t.l.s.

1  Wheatcroft, Nelson
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       [n.p.], [n.d.]
       1 page a.n.s.

1  Wheatcroft, Nelson
     To Rita Lawrence
       New York, 1890
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Wheatcroft, Nelson
     To Sophie Clinch Tilley Lawrence
       New York, 26 march 1890
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Wheatcroft, Nelson
     To Sophie Clinch Tilley Lawrence
       New York, 14 April 1890
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Wheatcroft, Nelson
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       New York, 21 April 1890
       1 page a.l.s.

1  Wheatcroft, Nelson
     To Rita Lawrence
       New York, 6 May 1890
       1 page a.l.s.

1  Wheatcroft, Nelson
     To Rita Lawrence
       New York, 25 June 1890
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Wheatcroft, Nelson
     To Rita Lawrence
       New York, 9 December 1890
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Wheatcroft, Nelson
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       New York, 21 February 1891
       1 page a.l.s.

1  Wheatcroft, Nelson
     To Rita Lawrence
       New York, 17 April 1891
       1 page a.l.s.

1  Wheatcroft, Nelson
     To Rita Lawrence
       New York, 25 January 1893
       1 page a.n.s.

1  Wheatcroft, Nelson
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       New York, 25 April 1893
       2 page a.l.s.

1  Williard, Paul
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       New York, 20 April 1893
       1 page a.l.s.

1  Yrmonde, Eugene
     To Alice M. Lawrence
       New York, 1892
       1 page a.l.s.

1  Yrmonde, Eugene
     Receipt for Salary
       New York, 9 April 1892
       1 page ms.d.s.

1  Unidentified Correspondence
     Unidentified Correspondence
       [n.p.], 10-11 May 1892
       5 items
       1 folder


Amateur Theater


Note: The series contains material related to the Lawrence sisters' work with theater, other personalities in theater, and charitable efforts.

1  Invoices, property lists
       New York, 1892-1893

1  Programs, flyers, awards
       New York, 1887-1892
     Note: Including list of photographs transferred from the Alice and Rita Lawrence Scrapbooks to the Dramatic Museum Portrait File

1  Clippings
       New York, 1889-1896

1  Clippings on Sir Squire and Lady Bancroft
       New York, [n.d.] & 1926

Flat Box 281  My Turn Next and The Serenade
       [n.p.], 15 October 1892
       1 poster

Flat Box 281  Ladies Society
     Presented to Misses Lawrence for the December 4 1888 production of Blue and Cherry
       [n.p.], 1888
       1 satin banner
     Note: For the relief of sufferers of yellow fever


Scrapbooks


Note: The series contains five scrapbooks from the Lawrences' acting careers. The scrapbooks contain programs, souvenirs, and clippings.

Flat Box 281  Rita Lawrence Book 1
       [n.p.], 1882-1891

Flat Box 281  Alice Lawrence Book 1
       [n.p.], 1874-1889

Flat Box 282  Rita Lawrence Book 2
       [n.p.], 1890-1893

Flat Box 282  Alice Lawrence Book 2
       [n.p.], 1890-1892

Flat Box 282  Alice Lawrence Book 3
       [n.p.], 1893-1895