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J. B. Crosby Diary and John A. Crosby Diary, 1861-1862, 1870-1871

 File — Folder: 3

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The Crosby family papers consist primarily of diaries kept by family members in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Michigan. Hale E. and Mary Chamberlain Crosby, who lived in Concord, New Hampshire and later Ashby, Massachusetts, kept a journal recording their work, their religious and social activities. The Crosbys moved with Mary's parents, the Chamberlains, to New Buffalo, Michigan in 1844.

Their son, J. Birney Crosby, was sent from Michigan to Massachusetts in 1860 to attend school. He kept a diary describing his trip east and his school activities, which also gives a good picture of social, economic, and religious activities. Two further volumes record his enlistment in the 12th Michigan Volunteers and his service in the western theater during the Civil War. One of the diaries was kept in shorthand.

A diary kept by John A. Crosby, J. Birney's brother, describes farm work and rural life in New Buffalo, his religious activities, and his attendance at Oberlin College (1870-1871).

Thirteen other small daybooks, kept by Hale Crosby and Birney Crosby between 1890 and 1900, contain brief entries about social activities and farm work in Three Oaks and Berrien County, Michigan.

The collection also contains several receipts and letter fragments, as well as a discharge of mortgage for land owned by Hale Crosby in Berrien County (1883).

Dates

  • Creation: 1861-1862, 1870-1871

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Extent

From the Collection: 0.25 Cubic Feet (, 7 folders)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: 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