Mayo family papers

Collection

Identifier: UA-28.1

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Over fifty Civil War letters of Perry Mayo, written to his family in Calhoun County, Michigan, from June 1861 to May 1864, constitute the bulk of this collection. They include vivid descriptions of battles, marches, military personnel and camp life, together with observations on the conduct of the war.

Also in this collection are numerous and fragmentary attempts at genealogy, with related correspondence which, in addition to Mayo, include such family names as Angell, Bryant, Carpenter, Coryell, Freytag, and Price. A published volume relating to the Price family of Barrett Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania is also included. There is a folder of transcribed letters dated 1885-1888.

There are also documents relating to the history of Michigan State University and to the Michigan State Grange, in which the Mayos were active participants. Photographs include portraits of Perry Mayo, his wife, Mary, and other family members.

Finally, there are letters of recommendation for Nelson S. Mayo, who was apparently removed from his position at Kansas State Agricultural College for political reasons.

Dates

Creation: 1861 - 1966

Creator

Mayo family (Perry Mayo, 1839-1921) (Family)
Buell, Jennie (Author, Person)
Price, Violet Hallett (Author, Person)

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

Perry Mayo (son of James and Sarah Price Mayo) was born June 14, 1839 in Stroudsburg, Monroe County, Pennsylvania. In 1849 the family moved to Calhoun County, Michigan. On May 10, 1861, Mayo enlisted in Company C of the 2nd Michigan Infantry. He served briefly with the 20th Michigan Infantry in 1864. He was discharged from the 2nd Michigan on July 21, 1864. On April 19, 1865 he married Mary Anne Bryant and they settled in Marshall Township, Michigan. Perry Mayo died on January 5, 1921.

Mary Mayo (born 1845) was very active in the community, particularly with the Patrons of Husbandry (also known as the Grange). She was an outspoken advocate of the education of women, and helped establish the women's course (later called home economics) at Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University). She died in 1903. Mary Mayo Hall, a women's dormitory, was named in her honor in 1931.

Extent

0.66 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Legal Status

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