Studio tintype photo of Civil War soldier, full length, holding his rifle.
Sticker on back reads: "Zaloudek 10-28-72" (original date of donation). Handwriting on back in faint pencil is: "Benjamin McComsey 61 to 65."
Benjamin McComsey volunteered to serve in the Civil War. He was killed Nov. 7, 1862 in Berlin, MD. This item transferred to Objects collection from Archives. See Notes for typed biographical info.
This item transferred to Objects collection from Archives. Accompanying this tintype is a perforated paper bookmark with cross-stitched "A Present for Bennie." Typed biographical info is:
"This is the chief treasure of the McComsey family. Young son Benjamin volunteered to serve in the Civil War, and these letters (In Archives) tell the story of the remainder of his life.
Benjamin was the son of William McComsey, who was City Treasurer of Lanc. in the late 1880's. A descendant of Mathias McComsey, who was born in Manor Township in 1787. Benjamin's mother was Mary Dorwart, daughter of Henry, a tailor in Lancaster.
Benjamin died Nov. 7, 1862 in Berlin, Md. in the 18th year of his life. He is buried in the McComsey plot at Lancaster Cemetery."
Additional items given by this donor are 1972.026.1-.5. This includes a wedding hat, pair of lady's snow glasses and three shawls.
Large black leatherbound volume with boldly molded and decorated boards having tooling and gilt on both boards and spine. On spine is "Schoolcraft's History of Indian Tribes. / Illustrated by S. Eastman, U.S.A. / Part Third." Longer complete title on title page. Henry R. Schoolcraft. Published by authority of Congress by Lippincottt, Grambo & Co.
Gilt edged pages have elaborate impressed floral and scroll designs with centered American shield. Inside of covers is a large pasted-on panelof dark blue felted fabric with foliate designs. End papers have beautiful wallpaper-like, full-color designs of flowers and leaves in gold, green and red. Inscribed in pencil is "JBH Jr." on tissue page covering title page.
Appraiser notes a letter of presentation to Buchanan by Charles E. Mix, Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs, dated Oct. 15, 1857. Not presently located (in pages?).
Provenance
Descent within James Buchanan Henry family to donors.
Abrasions and wear; cracking at hinge of front board and spine. Detached back board along with some pages. Most pages have liquid stains at the top; many pages have light to heavy foxing with some acid burn at edges.
Object ID
2013.008.025
Place of Origin
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Credit
Gift of the Family of Eleanor N. Henry (John D. McNeill Jr., Mary Catherine Henry West, James Buchanan Henry IV, and Elizabeth Henry Richardson)
Marbelized covers and burgundy leather-like spine with "Louisa Winter" stamped in gold lettering. On a front flyleaf written in brown ink: "Louisa Regan/ Adamstown/ Lancaster/County/ April 20 Penn." First page has stamped ink drawing with " To the memory of Louisa Winter" on a cemetery monument. 36 pages.
German alphabet (in German script) book for children.Yellow cardboard covers with drawing on front and German script alphabet, upper and lower case, on back. Inside front cover are letters with animal and name for each, a through z. (No j or q.) "Hoch Deutsches/ Reformirtes/ ABC/ und/ RamenBuchlein/ fur/ Kinder/ welche anfangen zu lernen." 35 pages. Pages of various letter and word combinations, text, a multiplication table, upper & lowercase English letters and Roman numerals. Philadelphia: Schafer & Koradi (no date).
Hardbound dark blue book with gold-edged pages "From the press of / The Inquirer P. & P. Company,/ Lancaster, PA." Title page: "Memoirs/ of/ Miss Henrietta B. Miller/ Late Teacher of Fairview School,/ Who died at/ Waynesboro, Penna./ December 23, 1874/ The Amiable Friend. The advocate of Education./ The Model Teacher. The Real Christian./ Waynesboro, PA./ Published by the Author/ 1877", Rev.Henry Miller, Waynesboro, PA. 160 pages.
Provenance
Names on flyleaf. In ink: "? Kate Getz/ Reamstown/ Lan/ Cou/ Pa"
Below in pencil: "Mrs. H. R. Lutz/ February 15 1885/ Denver Lan Co?/ H.R. Lutz"
