Scope and Contents This collection consists primarily of letters from Alanson Royce to his family, describing his farm in New Buffalo, Michigan, and his migration to Mornington, Missouri, where he also farmed. In his letters home Royce discusses Missouri's economy and agricultural prospects, as well as education and social conditions. There are very few references to slavery. Royce farmed in Missouri until 1862, when his pro-Union views angered local Confederate sympathizers and forced him to flee to Illinois....

Scope and Contents Charles Francis and his wife, Elizabeth, migrated from Wethersfield, Connecticut, through New York and Indiana, eventually settling in New Buffalo, St. Joseph County, Michigan. His papers include correspondence from various members of the Francis family in Connecticut, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri and Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The collection also contains a ledger of Charles Francis, in which he recorded his daily work as well as expenses and receipts.Much of the...

Scope and Contents 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...

Scope and Contents The Jacob Gerrish papers consist of diaries, deeds, correspondence, and receipts. Gerrish, who lived in New Buffalo, Berrien County, Michigan, kept five diaries during the years 1836-1850. He used the diaries to record his work as a carpenter and blacksmith, his dealings with lumber and land, daily expenses, religious and social activities, and weather conditions. The collection also contains a transcription of the diaries, made by E. S. Sherwood in 1916.In addition, the...

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of letters addressed to Wessel Whittaker of New Buffalo, Michigan. His correspondents discuss agricultural prices and supplies in Milwaukee, construction of the Monroe-New Buffalo Railroad, and the Wing Party in New Buffalo. One letter (1838) was written by Millard Fillmore, then a member of Congress. Fillmore asked for information about land which he owned in Berrien County, Michigan.