Though an extremely small collection of personal papers, the Julian Sargent Allen papers (MC 21) consist of letters spanning three years (1880-1883) and primarily focus on outgoing letters to Allen's father, mother, brothers, and sister describing in detail his educational and personal experiences while attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute between 1880 and 1885. Several letters describe Allen's departure from New York City via the Steamer Drew to Albany. He describes his first day at RPI which included an entrance examination, securing lodging at 1 St. Paul's Place, on State Street in Troy and describes in some detail (and includes a small hand drawn map) the area of Troy surrounding his lodgings. In another outgoing letter, Allen describes in some detail (including an illustration) the not quite finished New South end Bridge between Albany and Greenbush, half a mile or more below the NYC & HR (passenger) bridge. This letter also described that Allen had changed his lodgings and began residing at 57 Fourth Street, Troy, NY. Remainder of the letters in the first folder contain pleas for more money, concerns over exams and courses, extra-curricular activities such as church concerts, walks to Albany, and family business. Within the second grouping of correspondence to family members Allen conveys more pleas for money, concern over calculus, and appreciation for home and family. Of particular mention is Allen's insoloence of the Freshman class. Complaints to his mother about his work load, much discussion about St. Paul's Church, the minister, sermons and the choir permeate his letters to his mother. Overall, references are made to courses that students were required to take to earn a degree in Civil Engineering.