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Hall and Wilcox families papers

 Collection
Identifier: 00001

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of letters, legal documents, account books, bank books, school exercises and journals dealing with the Hall and Wilcox families. These two families were connected by marriage: Mrs. E. E. Hall was the daughter of Earl and Mary E. Ferdon Wilcox. Documents originate from Canaan and Columbia Counties, New York; Connecticut; Ohio; Wisconsin; Michigan; and various points in the western states. Materials deal principally with personal matters, agriculture, health, social life, and the westward movement.

Items of special interest include:

  • · A letter (Hall Family Letters, May 8, 1839) that comments on land speculation in Michigan
  • · A journal of F. Lyman Hall (1840-1844) describing, in some detail, his travels through the Midwest
  • · A letter (Hall Family Letters, July 24, 1858) commenting on pioneering conditions in Kansas
  • · Letters (Hall Family Letters, 1859) from Denver, Colorado, during the gold rush
  • · A poem (Wilcox Family Letters, 1859) written by Mary E. Ferdon titled "The Michigan Song" that satirizes various trials of mid-nineteenth century Michigan life
  • · Several letters from members of both families concerning Civil War conditions on the front and in hospitals
  • · A printed circular (Hall Family Letters, July 6, 1867) with information from the Franklin County (Kansas) Immigration Society, including a map showing railroad connections.

Dates

  • Creation: 1795 - 1911

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.

Extent

0.66 Cubic Feet (, 9 volumes in box)

Language of Materials

English

Custodial History

Gift of Luman Hall, transferred by MSU Museum.

Legal Status

Copyright: Michigan State University.

Property Rights: Michigan State University.

Title
Hall and Wilcox Families Papers
Status
4 Published And Cataloged
Date
June 1970
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the University Archives and Historical Collections Repository

Contact:
Conrad Hall
943 Conrad Road, Room 101
East Lansing MI 48824 US
517-355-2330