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Bamber family papers

 Collection
Identifier: UA-10.3.447

Scope and Contents

The Bamber family papers consist primarily of correspondence written or received by members of the family of Joseph S. Bamber, a farmer residing in Oakland County, Michigan. The collection includes letters (1862-1865) to Bamber from members of the Hayes family, related to the Bambers by marriage. These letters describe civilian experiences during the Civil War and contain information on food prices, the draft, and "Copperhead" activity in 1864.

Also included are letters (1879-1883) from Bamber's son Albert, a student at Michigan Agricultural College, and letters from various family members to Albert and his brother Herbert, also a student at M.A.C. The letters are concerned with family matters, especially the elder Bamber's sheep.

Miscellaneous papers include a letter expressing sympathy with the Bamber family over Albert's death in 1883, a memorial poem written by one of his classmates, and a humorous account, apparently written by Albert, of the freshman year (1879-1880) experiences of the M.A.C. Class of 1883.

The collection also contains Civil War letters (1861-1864) received by Edward H. Dickerman (3rd Michigan Infantry) from members of his family in Michigan and New England, and from his brothers Samuel (6th New Hampshire Volunteers) and James (8th Michigan Infantry). In addition, there is one letter from Miles Predmore to his brother (1864), describing army life at Fort Creighton in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Predmore and Dickerman's relationship to the Bamber family is unclear.

The Civil War related materials (folders 1 and 4) have been transcribed, scanned and put online at http://civilwar.archives.msu.edu/collection/7-1C-49/bamber/.

Dates

  • Creation: 1861 - 1883

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.

Biographical Note

Joseph S. Bamber was born in Lincolnshire, England on February 4, 1835, and was four years old when he accompanied his parents across the Atlantic Ocean to the United States.

On November 4, 1857, Joseph Bamber married Sarah A., daughter of Noah P. and Elizabeth W. (Hyde) Morse. They had four children, who were named respectively, Herbert, Albert M., Mary E. and Sherman L.

For most of his life, Bamber lived in Highland, Oakland County, Michigan.

Sons Herbert and Albert Morse both attended the Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University). Herbert graduated with a B.S. in 1881. Herbert was a civil engineer in Highland, Michigan. Albert died of typhoid fever on June 1, 1883 while attending M.A.C.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (, 5 folders)

Language of Materials

English

Custodial History

Gift of John A. Cox. Transferred by Michigan State University Museum.

Legal Status

Donor(s) have transferred any applicable copyright to Michigan State University but the collection may contain third-party materials for which copyright was not transferred. Copyright restrictions may apply. Property Rights: Michigan State University.

General Note

A biographical sketch of Joseph S. Bamber can be found in Portrait and Biographical Album of Oakland County, Michigan.

Processing Information

Record group changed from c.00046 to UA 10.3.447 to reflect Herbert and Albert Bamber's connections to MSU. -M. Badgley-Malone, August 2021

Title
Bamber Family Papers
Status
4 Published And Cataloged
Date
April 1968
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

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