Hall Family Papers, November 12, 1820-December 2, 1829
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: November 12, 1820-December 2, 1829
Creator
- From the Collection: Hall family (Ernest Hall) (Family)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Extent
From the Collection: 0.66 Cubic Feet (, 9 volumes in box)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Repository Details
Part of the University Archives and Historical Collections Repository
Conrad Hall
943 Conrad Road, Room 101
East Lansing MI 48824 US
517-355-2330
archives@msu.edu