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Thomas F. Ring papers

 Collection
Collection MS-1986-134: Thomas F. Ring papers

Dates

  • Creation: 1859-1898
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1890-1898

Scope and Contents

The Thomas F. Ring papers consists of five copybooks of correspondence and notes, and one scrapbook containing correspondence, financial records, manuscripts, typescripts, notes, programs, and reports. They concern the functions of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Catholic Union, the Wayfarers Lodge, the Nightly Adoration Society, and other charitable and religious organizations; Ring's family estate (for which he was a trustee) and professional life; and John Boyle O'Reilly memorabilia. Highlights include an essay by Ring on Christian care of the poor and its implementation in Boston; petitions for assistance to the poor; reports describing visits to prisons and asylums; and material collected in support of a paper Ring delivered on "Child Helping Agencies in the U.S." at the 23rd National Conference on Charities and Correction in 1896.

Creator

Restrictions on access

Collection is open for research. Materials are fragile and require care in handling.

Restrictions on use

These materials are made available for use in research, teaching and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. The original authors may retain copyright to the materials.

Biographical note

Thomas F. Ring was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1841 to Michael and Margaret Ring. He joined the family paper export business and married Elizabeth Crowley in 1867.

Most known for his active participation in Catholic charitable organizations, he founded the first central council of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in 1888. He was also a member of the Boston Board of Overseers and other charitable organizations. Ring lectured frequently and was a prominent Catholic layman.

Ring died on September 16, 1898 in Boston.

Sources:

Dictionary of American Biography, "Ring, Thomas Francis." Garden City, New York: Doubleday, 1984.

Sullivan, Robert E. and James M. O'Toole, eds. Catholic Boston: Studies in Religion and Community, Boston: 1985.

"Thomas F. Ring," Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

Extent

5.75 Linear Feet (6 containers)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Consists of scrapbooks of nineteenth-century businessman Thomas F. Ring's personal and professional correspondence and manuscripts, and materials concerning the St. Vincent de Paul Society and other charitable and religious organizations.

Arrangement

The five copybooks are chronological, followed by the scrapbook.

Provenance

Because the current accessioning system was not used until January 1986, it is not possible to know exactly the dates of acquisition of materials received before that time.

Title
Thomas F. Ring Papers
Status
Completed
Subtitle
1859-1898 (bulk 1890-1898)
Author
Rev. George R. Fuir and Mark Roskoski, Summer 1994; Rachael Young
Date
2019
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the John J. Burns Library Repository

Contact:
John J. Burns Library
Boston College
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill MA 02467 USA
617-552-4861