Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

William Wingate Sewall, Collector of Customs at Aroostook County, will be sending President Roosevelt some maple sugar. Sewall hopes Roosevelt’s boys can come deer hunting soon, and he describes the camp he has built at Hook Point with his son Fred Sewell. Major General Henry C. Merriam and Civil Service Commissioner Charles Lyman have recently visited. If Roosevelt is too busy to visit Maine, Sewell might be able to come to Oyster Bay.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-01

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

William Wingate Sewall is relieved to hear that Archibald B. Roosevelt is doing well. Sewall’s family has lost many members to diphtheria. Sewall recommends burning all clothes, toys, and books that Archie may have touched, to avoid a later outbreak of the disease in the Roosevelt family. Sewall enjoyed a presentation delivered by Jonathan P. Dolliver. He alerts President Roosevelt that his friend Henry R. Colesworthy’s son will be visiting Washington soon. The young man hopes to shake Roosevelt’s hand, and Sewall hopes Roosevelt will oblige him. Sewall also hopes that some of the Roosevelt family might visit in the summer.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-23

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

William Wingate Sewall sends congratulations to President Roosevelt on the recent election results. Sewall is extremely pleased by the outcome. He also includes a sarcastic commentary about the Democratic candidate, Judge Alton B. Parker, to amuse Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-11-12

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

Transcription of an excerpt from William Wingate Sewall’s ledger book noting financial transactions for the Elkhorn Ranch.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1885-1886

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

This excerpt from William Wingate Sewall’s ledger book notes a trip to Little Missouri, Dakota Territory, and the beginning of the construction of the Elkhorn Ranch house.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1884-07-24

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-11

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Language

English

William Wingate Sewall asks Theodore Roosevelt whether he might help the daughter and wife of James Cicle, the guard who died while Roosevelt was president. Sewall reports that his family is well and that his wife’s nephew heard Roosevelt speak in Spokane, Washington, on his trip out west. He wishes Roosevelt would visit and come stay at one of his camps.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-03

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-19

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Language

English

William Wingate Sewall tells President Roosevelt what he thinks of Senator Benjamin Tillman, accusing Tillman of having an Ananias club and saying that “when he threw something at Dorr”–a land agent whom Tillman had accused of being a swindler–“he forgot it was a boomerang.” Sewall hopes the stockings he sent suited Roosevelt and hopes to see him while in Washington.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-16

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

William Wingate Sewall thanks President Roosevelt for all the things he has done on his behalf. Sewall promises that the gift of socks will be started immediately, and that Roosevelt should let him know if they could be improved in any way. He sends his wishes that Roosevelt and his family have a merry Christmas and happy New Year.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-21

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

William Wingate Sewall and his wife, Mary Alice Sherman Sewall, send President Roosevelt several pairs of socks, which they hope he will accept as a Christmas gift. Sewall updates Roosevelt on life in Maine, and mentions that he approves of recent actions by Roosevelt. He would like to see Roosevelt again before Roosevelt leaves on his African safari, and tells him that he plans to be in Washington, D.C., next March.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-15

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

William Wingate Sewall congratulates President Roosevelt on the election results. He was very glad to hear that William H. Taft and Charles Evans Hughes both carried New York. The result is as much an accomplishment for Roosevelt as if he had run himself. Sewall will send the stockings when they are done. He asks if Roosevelt would also like a few pairs of drawers.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-04

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

William Wingate Sewall congratulates President Roosevelt on the nomination of William H. Taft as the Republican candidate for President. He is sure that Taft will be a good president, even though the people may prefer Roosevelt himself. Sewall hopes to have Roosevelt and his family visit after leaving office, and says that he has a place prepared where they can enjoy some peace and quiet. He recently saw Mr. Powers, who is not looking well.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-24

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

William Wingate Sewall sends his letter to President Roosevelt through William Emlen Roosevelt “so as to avoid” Roosevelt’s secretary. Sewall expresses his strong desire to travel with Roosevelt to Panama but assures him that it will not hurt his feelings or damage their friendship if he does not invite Sewall.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-19

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

William Wingate Sewall writes President Roosevelt hoping to find out when he is sending Kermit Roosevelt to visit Sewall; he also informs Roosevelt that Emlen Roosevelt is sending his youngest son, Philip James Roosevelt. Sewall says that there will be much hunting and fishing available for the boys throughout the summer and fall. Sewall wishes President Roosevelt could also visit, but understands that Roosevelt’s fight with the “corpulent corporations” takes precedence. Sewall is confident that Roosevelt can win though, as he is the only “man on earth today who has the confidence of the people not only of the U.S. but of the entire world.” Sewall also opines that Senator “Tillman ought to be choked” and he “would like the job” if Roosevelt does not wish to do it himself.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-06-10

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

William Wingate Sewall has 100 cattle to practice on during winter. He does not believe cattle are too hard to care for and the work has not been difficult. The country is “queer” and dirty but the soil looks healthy and the water is good. Sewall guesses there is a chance to make money with cattle and Theodore Roosevelt is optimistic. If he can make a profit, Sewall wants to get back to the “clear water and trees” soon. Overall, he thinks that Dakota Territory should have been left to the animals.

Collection

State Historical Society of North Dakota

Creation Date

1884-08-17

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

Since he last wrote, William Wingate Sewall has a new son. Mary Alice Sherman Sewall and the boy are doing well. There are 250 cows on the ranch and, even though some of them do not have calves, their herd is doing the best out of any along the Little Missouri River.

Collection

State Historical Society of North Dakota

Creation Date

1886-08-07

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

William Wingate Sewall is doing well in Dakota Territory but all they have for fruit is chokecherries and there has not been rain since June. The hot, dry weather has mostly ruined the garden. The cattle are doing well and only a few have been lost. In a postscript, Sewall estimates they have 1,200 cattle and announces that Theodore Roosevelt will be returning to the ranch soon.

Collection

State Historical Society of North Dakota

Creation Date

1886-08-01

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

William Wingate Sewall has been “holding the fort” at the ranch while the other ranch hands are on the roundup. The weather has been nice and he has been spending time tending the garden. Sewall does not think Dakota Territory is very good for farming, but the cattle are doing well. He hopes that Theodore Roosevelt will not lose money on the cattle but doubts he can ever make much profit. Sewall accompanied Roosevelt on a recent hunt and Roosevelt killed a large elk. He hopes to go on his own hunt with Wilmot Dow when the weather is cooler. Sewall is now into his last two years in Dakota Territory and it will be a “joyful day” when he returns home to Maine.

Collection

State Historical Society of North Dakota

Creation Date

1886-06-27

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930

William Wingate Sewall describes the pursuit and capture of three thieves that stole a boat from Theodore Roosevelt. The boat, the best one on the Little Missouri River, had been purchased by Roosevelt in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it was very useful. Sewall and Wilmot Dow built a new boat and they headed after the thieves a few days after the boat went missing. The thieves were captured without violence and Roosevelt accompanied them to Dickinson, Dakota Territory, for trial. Sewall and Dow continued down the river with the boats to Mandan, Dakota Territory, and then took a train back to Medora, Dakota Territory.

Collection

State Historical Society of North Dakota

Creation Date

1886-04-21

Creator(s)

Sewall, William Wingate, 1845-1930