| Series | Date | Type | To/From | First Lines | Pub | Full Text | Notes |
| | 1939/09/27 | TLS | from Murphy, John F. X. | This is to certify that I have this day examined the oral cavity of Thomas Merton. | |
| [certification by Merton's dentist in New York concerning state of his teeth] |
| | 1939/09/28 | TLS | from Treleaven, Clifford L. | This is to certify that Mr. Thomas Merton, 35 Perry St., New York, N. Y., reported to me today | |
| [C. L. Treleaven, an optometrist at Columbia University, provided a report of the condition of Merton's vision] |
| | 1939/10/02 | other | Columbia University | OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR Record of Merton, Thomas Admitted Feb. 1935 A.B. Degree Conferred | |
| [contains reproductions of Merton's transcripts from Columbia University for his A.B. degree, conferred February 23, 1938; and for his A.M. degree, conferred February 22, 1939] |
| | 1939/10/02 | HLS | from Mulligan, Edward A. | This is to certify that I have examined Thomas J. Merton today and found him in good physical | |
| [physician's certification for Merton to attend graduate school] |
| | 1939/10/09 | TLS | from Hawkes, H. E. | This certifies that Mr. Thomas Merton was a fine student in Columbia College for three years, | |
| [academic letter of recommendation from H. E. Hawkes, Dean of Columbia College at Columbia University] |
| | 1939/10/13 | other | | Certificate of Baptism + Church of Corpus Christi - NEW YORK - This is to certify that Thomas | |
| [Merton's baptismal certificate / baptism celebrated November 16, 1938 (copy made of document made on the date listed for this item in 1939), Fr. Joseph C. Moore, presider; Edward Rice, sponsor] |
| | 1939/11/02 | other | Ahrendt, Leslie W. A. | CERTIFIED COPY of an ENTRY OF MARRIAGE. Pursuant to the Marriage Acts, 1811 to 1932. | |
| [official copy of the marriage certificate granted to Merton's parents, Owen Merton and Ruth Calvert Jenkins, in London, April 7, 1914 - both were age 27, Owen listed as artist by profession, the marriage was Church of England / Owen's father, Alfred Merton, was listed as a musician; and Ruth's father, Samuel Jenkins, is listed as a publisher] |
| | 1939/11/03? | HLS | from Knisaly, W. J., Fr. | This is to certify that Thomas Merton, son of Owen Merton and Ruth Jenkins was confirmed at Corpus | |
| [statement that Merton was confirmed May 25, 1939, by the Most Reverend Stephen Donahue at Corpus Christi Church / statement written by (writing is unclear) Fr. W. J. Knisaly (sp?)] |
| | 1940/10/16 | other | Bedell, Charles P. | REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE This is to certify that in accordance with the Selective Service | |
| [Merton's Selective Service card under "Thomas James Merton" with physical description and address in Douglaston, Long Island, New York] |
| | 1941/12/09 | other | First National Bank, Olean, New York | NAME Thomas J. Merton St. Bonaventure's College, St. Bonaventure, N. Y. IN ACCOUNT WITH FIRST | |
| [bank statement - Merton closed this account before leaving for Gethsemani - includes five cancelled checks used to withdraw cash and to pay his uncle, Harold B. Jenkins, a bookshop, and R. J. Collins] |
| | 1941/12/09 | TLS | from Plassmann, Thomas / to Frederic Dunne | The bearer, Thomas J. Merton, has been with us for the space of about two years and he has been | |
| [from Thomas Plassmann, O.F.M., President of St. Bonaventure College in New York; to Dom Frederic M. Dunne, O.C.S.O., Abbot of Gethsemani - letter of recommendation attesting to Merton's high moral character, scholarship, and devotion as a Christian] |
| | 1941/12/12 (#01) | TLS | from Ford, George / to Merton | It is a pleasure for me to send you a certificate of baptism and Confirmation. I visited Gethsemane | |
| [from Fr. George Barry Ford - encloses certificates of baptism and confirmation - see items 2 and 3 of the same date] |
| | 1941/12/12 (#02) | other | from Ford, George / to Merton | CHURCH OF CORPUS CHRISTI 535 WEST 121st STREET NEW YORK Name Thomas Merton Date of birth | |
| [certifies Merton's baptism on November 16, 1938] |
| | 1941/12/12 (#03) | other | from Ford, George / to Merton | Church of Corpus Christi 535 WEST 121st STREET NEW YORK Notification of Confirmation | |
| [certifies Merton's confirmation on May 25, 1939] |
| | 1942/01/12 | TLS | from Walsh, Donatus / to Merton | I am enclosing the papers requested some time ago. I am sorry that you had to wait so long | |
| [Fr. Donatus Walsh, O.F.M., sends Merton papers they had on file about him at the Franciscan Fathers in the Province of the Most Holy Name in New York - he sends "all the papers except those addressed to the Order"] |
| | 1942/01/17 | other | by Diocese of Buffalo, New York | The Chancery Diocese of Buffalo TESTIMONIAL LETTERS FORM FOR RELIGIOUS SUPERIORS | |
| [sent by Dom Frederic Dunne, Abbot of Gethsemani, giving details about Merton's background] |
| | 1942/01/24 (#01) | TLS | from Kearney, Raymond A. / Frederic Dunne | In accordance with your request of January 13th we are pleased to forward herewith testimonial | |
| [Fr. Raymond A. Kearney, Chancellor of the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York, provides a reference for Merton as an aspirant to the novitiate of Gethsemani Abbey] |
| | 1942/01/24 (#02) | other | Molloy, Thomas | THOMAS EDMUNDUS DEI ET APOSTOLICAE SEDIS GRATIA EPISCOPUS BROOKLYNIENSIS | |
| [statement of recommendation from Thomas Edmund Malloy, Bishop of Brooklyn] |
| | 1942/01/27 | other | Merton | Franciscus Joseph DEI ET APOSTOLICAE SEDIS GRATIA ARCHIEPISCOPUS NEO-EBORACENSIS | |
| [statement of recommendation for religious life from the Vice-Chancellor of the Archdiocese of New York] |
| | 1942/02/02 | other | from Plassmann, Thomas | The Chancery Diocese of Buffalo Fifty Franklin Street Buffalo, New York TESTIMONIAL LETTERS | |
| [recommendation for from Fr. Thomas Plassmann, President of St. Bonaventure College in New York] |
| | 1942/02/17 | other | from Duffy, John Aloysius | Joannes Aloisius Dei et Apostolicae Sedis gratia Episcopus Buffalensis Rev.mo. P. Friderico M. | |
| [statement of recommendation for religious life from John Aloysius Duffy, Bishop of Buffalo, New York] |
| | 1942/03/03 (#01) | TLS | from Barkman, A. L. / to Merton | Your February 17, 1942. Since it appears that you have no immediate intention of filing a petition | |
| [A. L. Barkman, Inspector in Charge, U. S. Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service in Erie, Pennsylvania - sending to Merton a Declaration of Intention and Immigrant Identification Card] |
| | 1942/03/03 (#02) | TLS[x] | from Griffith, G. Talbot / Bishop McNulty | J. T. Merton left this school some years before I become Headmaster and therefore anything I say | |
| [from G. Talbot Griffith, Headmaster of Oakham School, to John Francis McNulty, the Bishop of Nottingham] record of Merton's skill in the Classics and modern languages at Oakham School and rumors about his time at Cambridge / ends letter with "he was clearly something of a rebel." |
| | 1942/03/12 (#01) | other | from McNulty, John | OMNIBUS HAS LITTERAS VISURIS SALUTEM IN DOMINO Cum dilectus in Christo filius Thomas Jacobus | |
| [letter of recommendation for the religious life from John McNulty, Bishop of Nottingham, England] |
| | 1942/03/12 (#02) | other | from McNulty, John / to Frederic Dunne | Your kind letter referring to Mr. T.J. Merton reached me safely and I at once wrote to the | |
| [letter accompanying recommendation for the religious life from John McNulty, Bishop of Nottingham, England / also enclosed with letter was the message from Merton's former Headmaster from Oakham School, G. Talbot Griffith] |
| | 1942/08/04 | other | Merton, John Paul | I, JOHN PAUL MERTON of 114 Parker Place, Ithaca, New York, being of sound mind and memory do make | |
| [Last will and testament of Thomas Merton's brother, John Paul] |
| | 1943/03/23 | TLS | from Grosset and Dunlap Publishers to Merton | We enclose check drawn to your order on an account carried under the title of A. Donald Grosset, | |
| [check sent to Gethsemani by the sale of some Grosset and Dunlap stock] |
| | 1943/05/24 | HNS | from ? / to Merton | I have had a total of 24 points on around 3 years of Scholastic Philosophy - of which 9 were taken | |
| [note to the "Father Master" at Gethsemani concerning his prior studies in philosophy, theology, and what in the coursework at Gethsemani that he might need to take - written on verso of envelope from M. E. Tobin of Bronx, New York (the date given for this item is its postmark and not the date this note was written - accompanying letter does not exist)] |
| | 1943/12/04 | HLS | from Merton to Frederic Dunne | A longo tempore firmiter firmiusque desideravi ac serio probavi ut aliquando ad religiosum statum | |
| [statement of intention Dom Frederic Dunne to make simple vows] |
| | 1943/12/05 | HLS | from Merton to Frederic Dunne | As the end of my novitiate approaches, I wish to put on record my sincere desire and determination | |
| [statement of intention to Dom Frederic Dunne to make simple vows] |
| | 1944/02/17 | other[x] | | I, Thomas James Merton, in religion frater M. Louis, formerly of St. Bonaventure, State of New York, | Yes |
| [Merton's last will and testiment covering his three years of simple vows (temporary vows), see also "Dunne, Frederick" folder in Section A, and "Memo: Concerning My Will and Testament" in Sub-Section E.1] |
| | 1944/03/19 | HLS | from Merton | Ego, frater Maria Ludovicus, Thomas Jacobus Merton, laicus, promitto stabilitatem meam, conversionem | |
| [Merton's statement of simple vows] |
| | 1946/12/19 | HLS | from Merton to Frederic Dunne | PETITION for Solemn Profession My Dear Rev. Father: As the end of my simple vows approaches | |
| [petition to take his solemn vows as a choir religious in the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance (Trappists) - his Solemn Profession was made March 19, 1947] |
| | 1947/03/19 (#01) | HN | from Merton | Ego frater Maria Ludovicus Merton, acolythus, professus a votis temporariis, promitto stabilitatem | |
✉
| [Merton's statement of Solemn Profession as a Cistercian on March 19, 1947] |
| | 1947/03/19 (#02) | HN[x] | by Merton | Nos, Frater Maria Fredericus Dunne, Abbas monasterii, quod vulgo dicitur Beatae Mariae de Gethsemani | |
| [copy from a book at Gethsemani with statement by Dom Frederic Dunne, accepting Merton's petition for solemn profession / signed by Dom Frederic, Merton, and other witnesses] |
| | 1948/09/29 | HLS | from Merton to James Fox | A longo tempore firmiter firmiusque desideravi ac serio probavi ut aliquando ad religiosum statum | |
| [statement of intention to Dom James Fox for ordination to the priesthood] |
| | 1952/10/08 | TLS | from Merton to James Fox | PRIVATE VOW. In honor of the simplicity and humility of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God, | |
| [Merton's lifelong vow to never accept an election to abbot or titular prior of Gethsemani Abbey or of any other monastery of the Cistercian Order - signed by Dom James Fox and Merton] |
| | 1966/09/08 | TLS | from Merton to James Fox | I Brother M. Louis Merton, solemnly professed monk of the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani, having | |
| [vow to spend the rest of his life in solitude as long as health permits - signed by Merton and Dom James Fox] |
| | undated/no/no (#01) | TNS | to Dunne, Frederic | Frater Louis (Thomas Jas. Merton) My dear Reverend Father:- For the above frater we need | |
| [list of needed documentation for Merton's birth, baptism, confirmation, etc. - addressed to Dom Frederic Dunne] |
| | undated/no/no (#02) | other | | | |
| [black and white photograph (head shot) of Thomas Merton, circa 1950] |
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