Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
This collection contains administrative records and historical materials from the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA), as well as personal papers and records compiled by the MSPCA's founder, George T. Angell. The collection also contains publications published from 1822-2019.
The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA or MSPCA-Angell) is a non-profit organization that protects animals, relieves their suffering, advances their health and welfare, and prevents cruelty. The MSPCA was founded in 1868. It is the second-oldest humane society in the United States.
This collection was created by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA or MSPCA-Angell). The MSPCA is a non-profit organization that protects animals, relieves their suffering, advances their health and welfare, and prevents cruelty. The MSPCA was founded in 1868 by George T. Angell, a Massachusetts lawyer, and Emily Appleton, a Boston socialite and animal lover. It is the second-oldest humane society in the United States.
MSPCA-Angell accomplishes its goals through animal advocacy, pet adoption support, veterinary care services, and humane education, to name a few. Their services include the Angell Animal Medical Center, animal care and adoption centers, community outreach, relocation and shelter membership, advocacy, law enforcement, and educating the public (https://www.mspca.org/, accessed November 2023, May 2026).
George Thorndike Angell was born in 1823 to a school teacher and a Baptist minister. Rebekah Angell began working after his father passed away, and Angell was sent to stay with various relatives. Excelling in his education, he graduated from Dartmouth College in 1846, went on to study at Harvard Law School, and began practicing law in 1851. Long before his work for animals, Angell became known for his activism. This includes his work with abolitionist Samuel E. Sewall.
In February 1868, two men raced on horseback from Worcester to Brighton causing both horses to drop dead of exhaustion. Horrified by this, Angell, together with prominent Bostonian Emily Appleton, founded the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the third animal welfare organization in the country, on March 23, 1868. Appleton had already looked into founding an SPCA a year earlier. She met with Henry Bergh of New York, gathered the first donors and drafted a petition to the legislature. This petition did not get much attention until she met with Angell, who had more legal connections to get the organization formed.
That same year, the first Massachusetts state law against animal cruelty passed with overwhelming support and Angell published Our Dumb Animals, the first magazine in the country dedicated “to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.” Before the start of the 20th century, the MSPCA saw the dedication of its first official headquarters, the formation of the first American Band of Mercy, the creation of the American Humane Education Society, and the distribution of numerous humane classics.
After Angell passed away, Dr. Francis H. Rowley became the second president of the MSPCA in 1910. Rowley’s term included the purchase of the first motorized horse ambulance and the opening of Angell Memorial Animal Hospital; he also oversaw the opening of the first branch of the MSPCA and the first official animal shelter. In 1929, that the MSPCA began to spread its influence abroad with the founding of the American Fondouk. From 1868 until present day, the organization has been influential in the creation of humane organizations and animal legislation in and out of the country. This included not only issues surrounding horse cruelty, but also pigeon shooting, greyhound racing, and issues of farm animal cruelty in the early 21st century.
[Historical note contributed by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals].
This collection contains materials from the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) and its founder, George Thorndike Angell. These materials contain information about the early animal advocacy work undertaken by Angell and the MSPCA in Boston, the United States, and abroad, as well as many personal family records and photographs of the extended Angell family. Other materials include annual reports from the 1990s and 2000s reflecting the policies and practices of the MSPCA and stories that highlight the ways that the organization has advocated for and helped animals in that year. The collection also contains publications published from 1822-2019.
The collection currently encompasses four main series. 1. George T. Angell. 2. MSPCA Presidents, 1905-2019. 3. Administrative and Historical Records. 4. Publications. The first series contains correspondence, photographs, and scrapbooks compiled by the MSPCA's founder George Thorndike Angell (1823-1909) regarding animal cruelty incidents, laws and legislations, and the activities of the MSPCA and other organizations. The second contains a volume produced in the early days of the MSPCA. The third contains historical research and orginizational files from the MSPCA. The fourth contains publications collected and produced by the MSPCA.
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.
[Identification of item], Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Records, MC 00743, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Gift of Jan Holmquist, September 2023 (Accession 2023.0136)
Gift of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, May 2026 (Accession 2026.0031)
Processed by: Katelyn Cuomo, 2023 November; Finding aid written by Katelyn Cuomo, 2023 November; Updated by Gevorg Vardanyan, 2024 April; finding aid updated and addition added to the collection by Katelyn Cuomo, 2024 May; finding aid updated and addition added to the collection by Rebecca Speas, 2026 May; Collection guide historical note updated with contributions from the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA), 2026 June; Finding aid updated and addition added to the collection by Ell Woolard, 2026 August.
The collection is organized into six principal series:
Originally found between the pages of "Nil Desperandum" held in box 9-001
This folder contains a newspaper clipping from the Wakefield Daily Item reporting on the funeral services of George T. Angell.
This volume was published in 1906 by the Macmillan Company in New York. It appears that this volume of stories of the good deeds of animals is one of several copies purchased by George T. Angell as Christmas gifts in 1908.
This volume has a typed and signed note from George T. Angell pasted onto the front flyleaf, dated Christmas Day 1908.
This box contains the volume A Classical Dictionary: Containing an Account of the Principal Proper Names Mentioned in Ancient Authors by Charles Anton, published in New York by Harper and Brothers, 1843.
The leather of the volume binding is shedding.
The spine is partially detached.
Published in Boston by Crocker and Brewster, 1838.
This folder contains the volume A Greek and English Dictionary by Reverend John Groves, published in Boston by Hilliard, Gray and Company, 1835.
Shedding from the leather binding is present.
This volume has an inscription on title page: "Geo. T Angell from Henry Bergh." Henry Bergh (1813-1888) was an American activist and founder of the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Published in London : S.W. Partridge, 9 Paternoster Row.
The boards are detached from the volume. The front cover has a color paper image pasted on that is peeling.
The album contains photographs of George Angell, Angell family members and friends, and postcards of European sights and scenes.
The photo album is leather bound with metal clasps and contains silver gelatin prints and card photographs. The spine is loosened and shedding.
This volume was published in New York City by Robert Carter & Brothers.
This volume has several internal inscriptions, including: "Geo. T. Angell" on the inside front board and title page; "R. T. [Rebekah Thorndike] Angell from G. T. Angell June 1, 1860" on the first page; and a later addition in blue pencil "see life of Rev Geo Angell on [illegible] [S-99?]" on the same page.
Published in Boston by Phillips, Sampson & Company.
This scrapbook contains a variety of newspaper clippings, photographs, pamphlets, correspondence, certificates, and autobiographical sketches regarding the life of George T. Angell, his work with the Massachusetts SPCA, and his death in 1909. Loose materials from this scrapbook are included in subsequent folders.
This scrapbook is in poor condition and requires careful handling. The boards are detached from the pages; significant shedding and brittleness are present.
This volume contains extensive handwritten notes and annotations by George T. Angell.
This volume contains extensive handwritten notes and annotations by George T. Angell.
This folder contains four items separated from the Blue Scrapbook held in Box 1-011, Folder 1: 1) A transcription of the obituary for Rebekah Thorndike Angell, mother of George T. Angell, published in The Watchman and Reflector (Boston), August 6, 1868. 2) A letter to George Angell from English social reformer Catherine Smithies, dated September 8, 1875. 3) A handwritten autobiographical writing by George T. Angell from the last printed on June 16, 1884. 4) A certificate awarding George T. Angell honorary memberhip in the Sociedad Humanitaria Cubana (Cuban Humane Society).
Eliza Mattoon Angell's diary is written in a volume labeled daily for 1914; later entries bear handwritten notes altering the date to 1915 and 1916.
The front and back boards are detached from the volume.
Included are email correspondence between MSCPA and Elizabeth "Beth" Guepin, an Angell family descendant and donor of the Blue Scrapbook materials.
The eulogy is signed Maybell A. Treadgold.
This volume bears the inscription "Rev. George Angell" on the inside cover. It most likely belonged to Reverend George Angell (1786-1827), the father of George Thorndike Angell.
The front board is detached from the volume. The paper is fragile and requires careful handling.
Published in Boston by Crosby and Nichols.
This volume contains daily Bible study verses compiled and analyzed by Reveren William Jay. It was published by the American Tract Society at 150 Nassau Street in New York City. While Jay's introduction to the text is dated 1828, it is likely this American edition was printed approximately between 1832 and 1838. [Source: https://www.americanantiquarian.org/dating-american-tract-society-publications].
This volume has two inscriptions inside the front board: "Geo. T. Angell" (L); "R. T. [Rebekah Thorndike] Angell to her son."
The book was published in London by The Religious Tract Society in 1880. The volume contains an inscription inside the front cover: "Geo. T. Angell from T. B. Smithies London". Thomas Bywater Smithies (1817-1883) was an English businessman and animal welfare campaigner and the son of Catherine Smithies.
This scrapbook, compiled by George T. Angell, contains newspaper clippings and material on George Angell and the MSPCA. It also includes a handwritten excerpt from Elements of History by Joseph E. Worcester.
This scrapbook, compiled by George T. Angell, is comprised of newspaper clippings, leaflets, and pamphlets published by MSPCA and other organizations regarding animal welfare and animal cruelty.
This scrapbook is in poor condition, with shedding, deterioration, and discoloration present.
This scrapbook, compiled by George T. Angell, is comprised of newspaper clippings, leaflets, and pamphlets published by MSPCA and other organizations regarding animal welfare and animal cruelty.
The spine of the volume is detached; pages have discoloration and brittleness..
This scrapbook, compiled by George T. Angell, is comprised of newspaper clippings, correspondence, leaflets, and pamphlets published by MSPCA and other organizations regarding animal welfare and animal cruelty. It contains handwritten annotations and notes.
This scrapbook is comprised of clippings pasted into a printed volume copy of the City of Boston's Auditor's Report for the 1872-1873 year.
This scrapbook, compiled by George T. Angell, is comprised of newspaper clippings, correspondence, leaflets, and pamphlets published by MSPCA and other organizations regarding animal welfare and animal cruelty. It contains handwritten annotations and notes.
Pages have discoloration and brittleness.
This scrapbook, compiled by George T. Angell, is comprised of newspaper clippings, correspondence, leaflets, and pamphlets published by MSPCA and other organizations regarding animal welfare and animal cruelty. It contains handwritten annotations and notes.
Pages have discoloration and brittleness.
This scrapbook, compiled by George T. Angell, is comprised of newspaper clippings, correspondence, leaflets, and pamphlets published by MSPCA and other organizations regarding animal welfare and animal cruelty. It contains handwritten annotations and notes.
The volume has some discoloration and brittleness; some shedding present.
This scrapbook, compiled by George T. Angell, is comprised of newspaper clippings, correspondence, leaflets, and pamphlets published by MSPCA and other organizations regarding animal welfare and animal cruelty. It contains handwritten annotations and notes.
The volume appears to have some burn damage on the spine and corners. Some discoloration and brittleness is present.
This scrapbook, compiled by George T. Angell, is comprised of newspaper clippings, leaflets, and pamphlets published by MSPCA and other organizations regarding animal welfare and animal cruelty.
The volume has some discoloration and brittleness; some shedding present.
This scrapbook, compiled by George T. Angell, is comprised of newspaper clippings, personal correspondence, leaflets, membership certificates, and pamphlets published by MSPCA and other organizations regarding animal welfare and animal cruelty.
The volume has some discoloration and brittleness; some shedding present.
This scrapbook, compiled by George T. Angell, is comprised of clippings, personal correspondence, issues of Our Dumb Animals, leaflets, and more regarding the formation and activities of an MSPCA Band of Mercy. Bands of Mercy were social organizations in the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries aimed towards teaching children and adolescents about humane treatment of animals.
The front boards of the volume have warped upwards at the corners. Some discoloration and brittleness is also present.
This scrapbook, compiled by George T. Angell, is comprised of newspaper clippings regarding animal welfare and animal cruelty.
This scrapbook was compiled in a composition notebook, the marble cover of which is semi-detached from the spine and torn in multiple places.
This volume is comprised of bound copies of different MSPCA publications, including articles, brochures, booklets, sermons, music, poetry, and more. Some materials are in additional languages and scripts. The volume also has a number of photograph prints of George T. Angell, Rebekah "Mother" Angell, and Eliza M. Angell, pasted into the pages.
This volume appears to be a small book to be given upon marriage; it contains a page filled out with the names and date of marriage (January 12, 1860) of Eliza Mattoon, George T. Angell's wife, and her first husband, Charles W. Martin. Published in New York by the American Tract Society, 1829.
The spine is detached from the volume. The volume also contains a fabric ribbon with a stitching pattern attached, reading "Strive & thrive."
Published in Boston by Gould and Lincoln.
This volume is a limited edition facsimile reprint of The Strike at Shane's (1893) published by the American Humane Education Society. It is Number 89 of a 215 limited edition run and includes a note from rare books dealer Judith R. Long, dated June 16, 1984. Originally published anonymously, The Strike at Shane's is now known to be the work of Indiana writer Gene Stratton-Porter (1863-1924).
Published in New York by Charles Scribner & Co.
This scrapbook, compiled by George T. Angell, is comprised of newspaper clippings and handwritten recipes concerning homeopathic and clinical treatments of various diseases and ailments. Some clippings appear to be pasted over older writing by Angell.
This scrapbook was compiled in a composition notebook, but is no longer bound and consists of loose pages. Adhesive, deterioration, and brittleness is present.
This scrapbook, compiled by George T. Angell, is comprised of handwritten notes and newspaper clippings regarding food safety, food adulteration, and other medical issues. It also contains a publication by the Illinois Humane Society, dated March 1871, which appears to have been placed at random in the scrapbook.
This scrapbook was compiled in a composition notebook, but is no longer bound and consists of loose pages. Adhesive, deterioration, and brittleness is present.
This folder contains Wilmsen’s Reader; or the Children’s Friend, by William Wells, published in Philadelphia by Thomas, Cowperthwait & Co., 1847.
The front board is semi-detached from the volume. The inside inscription reads: "Geo T Angell Presented by Mr. Gill".
This volume's full title is: "The Band of Mercy Entertainer: Being a Collection of Plays, Dialogues, Action Songs and Recitations, Suitable for Entertainments". It was published in London by S.W. Partridge and Co., 21 and 22 Old Bailey, E.C.
This ledger book records donations to the MSPCA and includes newspaper clippings reporting bequeathments.
Significant shedding from the leather binding is present. The volume is in fragile condition, so careful handling is required.
Significant shedding from the leather binding is present.
The spine of the volume is detached.
The spine of the volume is detached. The front boards also bear adhesive residue.
Originally found between the pages of the book "Nil Desperandum" located in box 9-001.
The publications series contains several issues of Our Dumb Animals as well as other publications foundational to the animal rights and animal welfare movements. While these publications were not produced by the MSPCA, they heavily influenced the organization.
Access to physical material and digital files not available online may be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room after staff review.
Some materials may not have been digitized or made available online.
Engraving
Originally labeled "Donated by Constance Danielson"
Unbound
"Geo. T. Angell" written on cover
Originally found between the pages of "Nil Desperandum" found in artifact box 9-001
Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
For more information contact us via mail, phone, or our web form.
Mailing address:
Special Collections Research Center
Box 7111
Raleigh, NC, 27695-7111
Phone: (919) 515-2273
[Identification of item], Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Records, MC 00743, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.