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Collection
Robinson and Krauskop Family Papers
Title
Robinson and Krauskop Family Papers, 1826-1944
Object ID
MG0902
  1 document  
Collection
Robinson and Krauskop Family Papers
Title
Robinson and Krauskop Family Papers, 1826-1944
Description
This collection contains genealogical data, Civil War Widow's Pension receipts, Lancaster city tax receipts of the family of John and Catharine Robinson, an affidavit of the birth of Anna Duke Krauskop, and an itinerary and program of the Liberty Bell's journey to the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco in 1915.
Admin/Biographical History
John Robinson (1826-1866) married Catharine Burns on 9 March 1851. Their daughter, Susan (b. 1851), married Lewis Krauskop. John Robinson served in Co. B, First Pennsylvania Reserves, in the Civil War.
Year Range From
1826
Year Range To
1944
Date of Accumulation
1826-1944
Creator
LancasterHistory (Organization)
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 19
People
Robinson, John
Robinson, Catharine Burns
Krauskop, Susan Robinson
Baker, John C.
Robinson, Hugh
Krauskop, Lewis
Krauskop, Lewis Henry, Jr.
Robinson, Robert
Robinson, William L.
Robinson, Elizabeth
Robinson, Catharine
Robinson, Mary A.
Robinson, Sophia B.
Beal, G. C.
Barr, A. C.
Warfel, Albert
Killinger, David P.
Krauskop, Anna Edith Duke
Duke, Jacob
Duke, Anna Shenk
Duke, Henry Martin
Duke, Abraham Howard
Krauskop, Edna May
Krauskop, Ethel Margaret
Richards, Rev. John William
Subjects
Family records
Search Terms
Finding aids
Manuscript groups
Receipts
Vital records
Programs
Certificates
Civil War
Pension records
Family records
Liberty Bell
Extent
6 folders
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0902
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Robinson and Krauskop Family Papers, 1826-1944 (MG0902), Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org. Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Accession Number
2001.MG0902
Other Numbers
MG-902
Other Number
MG-902
Classification
MG0902
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Transferred from Document Collection Box 30, Folder 12, Items 1-15, 16 March 2022
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Swisher and McElree Family Papers
Title
Swisher and McElree Family Papers, 1788-1919
Object ID
MG0918
  1 document  
Collection
Swisher and McElree Family Papers
Title
Swisher and McElree Family Papers, 1788-1919
Description
This collection contains documents and ephemera related to the Swisher and McElree families of Lancaster County.
Year Range From
1788
Year Range To
1919
Date of Accumulation
1788-1919
Creator
LancasterHistory (Organization)
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 19
People
Geyer, George S.
Groff, Fred F.
Huber, Christian S.
Huber, Hettie Ann Swisher
Kohr, John
Kohr, John Jr.
McElree, Catharine
McElree, Esther Ann
McElree, Joseph
McElree, Letitia
McElree, Martha Ann
McElree, Mary
McElree, Rachel
McElree, Rachel Rockafield
Moore, J. P.
Reese, Letitia
Strine, John Jacob
Swisher, Albert
Swisher, Catharine Jane
Swisher, Christen
Swisher, Eliza
Swisher, Elizabeth
Swisher, Elizabeth R. McElree
Swisher, Francinah
Swisher, James Henry
Swisher, John
Swisher, Patrick B.
Swisher, Rachel
Swisher, Robert
Subjects
Family records
Search Terms
Bills of sale
Family records
Finding aids
Manuscript groups
Marriage certificates
Memorial cards
Probate records
Extent
2 folders
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0918
Related Item Notes
Photographs 1-05-01-39 to 1-05-01-44
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Swisher and McElree Family Papers, 1788-1919 (MG0918), Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org. Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Accession Number
1967.63
Other Numbers
MG-918
Other Number
MG-918
Classification
MG0918
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Transferred from Document Collection Box 33, Folder 8, Items 1-12, 15 April 2022.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Land Records from Elaine Ewing Holden
Title
Land Records from Elaine Ewing Holden, 1747-1848
Object ID
MG0903
  1 document  
Collection
Land Records from Elaine Ewing Holden
Title
Land Records from Elaine Ewing Holden, 1747-1848
Description
This collection contains various deeds and land drafts for property owned by the Galbreath family in Donegal Township, Lancaster County; tracts of land in Warren County and McKean County, Pennsylvania; lands owned by Martin Mylin in Lampeter Township; lots in the borough (now city) of Lancaster; and a letter form James Buchanan to Col. Henry Carpenter regarding property in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
Year Range From
1747
Year Range To
1848
Date of Accumulation
1747-1848
Creator
LancasterHistory (Organization)
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 19
People
Connelly, Susanna
Connely, John
Logan, James
Brown, John
Shultz, Theobald
Breneman, Melchior
Galbreath, James
Galbreath, Bartram
Penn, Thomas
Penn, Richard
Peters, Richard
Hockley, Richard
Carpenter, Col. Henry
Buchanan, James
Hains, Anthony
Mylin, Martin
Furrer, Martin
Mylin, Barbara
Mylin, Jacob
Keesy, Catherine
Rohrer, John
Meck, George
Meck, John
Harnish, D. W.
Harnish, Michael
Keesy, Jacob
Bausman, John
Bausman, Elizabeth
Cooke, David
Shippen, Henry
Humes, James
Bachman, John
Carpenter, Henry
Miller, Jacob
Miller, Elizabeth
Getz, John
Getz, Eleanor
Forney, Jacob
Humes, Agnes
Laughree, Samuel
Steinman, John F.
Kieffer, Christian
Humes, Dr. Samuel
Subjects
Deeds
Correspondence
Search Terms
Finding aids
Manuscript groups
Land records
Deeds
Land drafts
Correspondence
Patents
Extent
14 folders
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0903
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Land Records from Elain Ewing Holden, 1747-1848 (MG0903), Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org. Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Accession Number
2001.MG0903
Other Numbers
MG-903
Other Number
MG-903
Classification
MG0903
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Transferred from Document Collection Box 30, Folder 13, 17 March 2022
Documents
Less detail
Collection
John B. Eshleman Papers
Title
John B. Eshleman Papers, 1855-1887
Object ID
MG0917
  1 document  
Collection
John B. Eshleman Papers
Title
John B. Eshleman Papers, 1855-1887
Description
This collection contains letters and post cards written to John B. Eshleman of Cordelia, West Hempfield Twp., from 1855 to 1887, as well as one insert with biographical information.
Admin/Biographical History
John B. Eshleman was born 11 February 1839 in West Hempfield Township. He had a common school education and taught in West Hempfield and Columbia for 36 years. In 1880 he was elected to the Pennsylvania State Legislature. He served two terms as a Lancaster County Commissioner beginning in 1893. He was also a justice of the peace. He died 21 June 1906 and is buried at Ironville Methodist Church Cemetery in West Hempfield Twp.
Year Range From
1855
Year Range To
1887
Date of Accumulation
1855-1887
Creator
LancasterHistory (Organization)
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 19
People
Eshleman, John B.
Eshleman, Martin
Eshleman, Jacob B.
Smith, W. S.
Burn, Samuel
Eshleman, Henry S.
Weaver, Simon
Conklin, Samuel
Myers, John
Meyers, E. K.
Albright, S. K.
Subjects
Correspondence
Search Terms
Finding aids
Manuscript groups
Correspondence
Letters
Civil War
Extent
1 folder
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0917
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), John B. Eshleman Papers, 1855-1887 (MG0917), Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org. Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Accession Number
2003.MG0917
Other Numbers
MG-917
Other Number
MG-917
Classification
MG0917
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Transferred from Document Collection Box 33, Folder 7, Items 1-7, 14 April 2022.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Washington Fire Company Records
Title
Washington Fire Company Records, 1820-1879
Object ID
MG0521
Date Range
1820-1879
  1 document  
Collection
Washington Fire Company Records
Title
Washington Fire Company Records, 1820-1879
Description
The Washington Fire Company Records contain the eleven articles and a list of members for the Washington Fire Company of Lancaster in 1820, a minute book for 1857-1879, constitution and by-laws printed in 1857, and an undated account sheet.
Admin/Biographical History
The Washington Fire Company was organized in 1820 at the home of John Landis. (Ellis and Evans, History of Lancaster County, pp. 389-390)
Date Range
1820-1879
Year Range From
1820
Year Range To
1879
Date of Accumulation
1820-1879
Creator
LancasterHistory (Organization)
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 11
People
Ackerman, Jacob
Albright, Jacob
Albright, William
Allen, Ezekial
Bachman, Christian
Barnett, Joseph
Barter, Martin
Beam, William
Beitler, John
Bitner, Abraham
Bowman, Joseph
Brady, David
Bruner, Casper
Buckins, William
Bundel, Jacob
Calder, George
Carpenter, Michael
Dewees, Paul
Dorwart, Henry
Dorwart, Jacob
Dorwart, John
Dorwart, Martin
Faesig, Jacob
Fetter, Jacob
Flick, Christian
Flick, George
Flick, Henry
Frailey, Jacob
Gable, Jacob
Garver, Jacob
Gast, Conrad
Gibbs, Henry
Greiner, John
Gross, Michael
Gumpf, Jacob
Gundaker, George
Haldy, Lewis
Hartman, John
Heitshu, Daniel
Holsworth, William
Hoover, George
Hoover, George Taylor
Hoover, Joseph
Kautz, George
Kessler, Michael
Kreider, John
Kuntz, George
Kuntz, Jacob
Kurtz, William
Lind, William
Longenecker, Henry
Lorentz, Benjamin
Lutz, Peter
McCully, Jacob
McGeehan, Edward
McGloughlin, John
McComsey, William
Metzger, John
Metzger, Philip
Milchsock, Augustus
Miller, John P.
Murray, Thomas
Myers, Jackson
Nagle, Henry
Pontz, George
Ramsey, William
Reed, John
Reitzel, John
Remley, Frederick
Roth, George
Russel, William
Sener, Jacob
Sener, John
Shaeffer, Charles
Shufflebottom, Josiah
Smith, Arnold
Stone, James A.
Stone, John
Stormfeltz, Peter
Tripple, Joseph
Trissler, George
Weigand, George
Westheffer, Michael
Westwood, Thomas
White, H. M.
Williams, James W.
Williams, Nelson
Wineow, Henry
Wineow, Jacob
Young, George
Young, Henry
Zecher, Christian
Zecher, Jacob
Zeller, Ephraim
Zimmerman, John
Subjects
Business records
Fire stations
Minutes (Records)
Search Terms
Business records
Finding aids
Fire departments
Manuscript groups
Minutes
Washington Fire Company
Extent
4 folders
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0521
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Washington Fire Company Records (MG0521), Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org. Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Accession Number
2022.MG0521
Other Numbers
MG-521
Other Number
MG-521
Classification
MG0521
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Noted at item level
Documents
Less detail
Collection
American Fire Engine and Hose Company Records
Title
American Fire Engine and Hose Company Records, 1834-1883
Object ID
MG0522
Date Range
1834-1883
  1 document  
Collection
American Fire Engine and Hose Company Records
Title
American Fire Engine and Hose Company Records, 1834-1883
Description
This collection contains an agreement, constitution and by-laws, and minutes for the American Fire Engine and Hose Company of Lancaster.
Admin/Biographical History
A meeting for the formation of the American Fire-Engine and Hose Company was held 1834, and the company was organized in 1835. (Ellis & Evans, 390)
Date Range
1834-1883
Year Range From
1834
Year Range To
1883
Date of Accumulation
1834-1883
Creator
LancasterHistory (Organization)
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 11
Subjects
Business records
By-laws
Fire stations
Invitation cards
Minutes (Records)
Search Terms
American Fire Engine and Hose Company
Business records
By-laws
Finding aids
Fire departments
Invitations
Manuscript groups
Minutes
Extent
1 box 9 folders .5 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0522
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), American Fire Engine and Hose Company Records, 1834-1883 (MG0522), Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org. Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Accession Number
Unknown.MG0522
Other Numbers
MG-522
Other Number
MG-522
Classification
MG0522
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
The volumes in Folders 2-8 were transferred from MG-266 Daybook and Ledger Collection, Series 4 on 10 March 2009. Added to database 1 August 2022.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Brinton Family Collection
Title
Letter from Benjamin Bacon to Martha Whitson
Object ID
MG0038_F021_In04
Date Range
1873/07/04
  2 documents  
Collection
Brinton Family Collection
Title
Letter from Benjamin Bacon to Martha Whitson
Description
Letter from Benjamin Bacon to Martha Whitson, which mentions the disbanding jubilee of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society.
Date Range
1873/07/04
Creation Date
4 July 1873
Creator
Bacon, Benjamin C.
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 01
Storage Container
Box 0001
People
Bacon, Benjamin C.
Whitson, Martha Hobson
Subjects
Abolitionists
Antislavery movements
Letters
Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society
Search Terms
Abolitionists
Antislavery movements
Correspondence
Finding aids
Letters
Manuscript groups
Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society
Extent
1 item, 5 pages to scan
Object Name
Letter
Language
English
Object ID
MG0038_F021_In04
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Notes
Preferred Citation: Letter from Benjamin Bacon to Martha Whitson, 4 July 1873, Brinton Family Collection (MG0038), MG0038_F021_In04, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL. Date accessed (day, month, year).
LancasterHistory is committed to preserving and providing access to materials chronicling Lancaster County's heritage. As a historical resource, this document reflects the racial prejudices and actions of the era. In order to maintain the historical integrity and context of collection items, LancasterHistory does not censor historical documents or edit language, titles, or organization names when transcribing original content.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment--contact research@lancasterhistory.org prior to visit.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact research@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-38
Other Number
MG-38, Folder 21, Insert 4
Classification
MG0038
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Cataloged prior to 1997. Box 1 was recataloged by JB, Fall semester 2006. Added to database 5 January 2022.
Digitization of this document was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 202010016624, 2020-2023.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Brinton Family Collection
Title
Letter from Benjamin Bacon to Martha Whitson
Object ID
MG0038_F021_In05
Date Range
1870/05/01
  2 documents  
Collection
Brinton Family Collection
Title
Letter from Benjamin Bacon to Martha Whitson
Description
Letter from Benjamin Bacon to the members and friends of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society. Sent to Martha Whitson. The document describes the formation and beliefs of the New England Anti-Slavery Society on 6 January 1832. William Lloyd Garrison and The Liberator are also mentioned.
Date Range
1870/05/01
Creation Date
1 May 1870
Creator
Bacon, Benjamin C.
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 01
Storage Container
Box 0001
People
Bacon, Benjamin C.
Garrison, William Lloyd
Whitson, Martha Hobson
Subjects
Abolitionists
Antislavery movements
Letters
Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society
New-England Anti-Slavery Society
Search Terms
Abolitionists
Antislavery movements
Correspondence
Finding aids
Letters
Manuscript groups
New-England Anti-Slavery Society
Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society
Extent
1 item, 6 pages to scan
Object Name
Letter
Language
English
Object ID
MG0038_F021_In05
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Notes
Preferred Citation: Letter from Benjamin Bacon to Martha Whitson, 1 May 1870, Brinton Family Collection (MG0038), MG0038_F021_In05, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL. Date accessed (day, month, year).
LancasterHistory is committed to preserving and providing access to materials chronicling Lancaster County's heritage. As a historical resource, this document reflects the racial prejudices and actions of the era. In order to maintain the historical integrity and context of collection items, LancasterHistory does not censor historical documents or edit language, titles, or organization names when transcribing original content.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment--contact research@lancasterhistory.org prior to visit.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact research@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-38
Other Number
MG-38, Folder 21, Insert 5
Classification
MG0038
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Cataloged prior to 1997. Box 1 was recataloged by JB, Fall semester 2006. Added to database 5 January 2022.
Digitization of this document was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 202010016624, 2020-2023.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Gibney Road Property Records
Title
Gibney Road Property Records, 1846-1955
Object ID
MG0919
  1 document  
Collection
Gibney Road Property Records
Title
Gibney Road Property Records, 1846-1955
Description
This collection contains deeds, indentures, articles of agreement, descriptions of property and a land draft pertaining to property on Gibney Road in West Lampeter Twp. and one deed for property in Penn Twp.
Year Range From
1846
Year Range To
1955
Date of Accumulation
1846-1955
Creator
LancasterHistory (Organization)
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 19
People
Mylin, Abraham S.
Harnish, Michael
Kreider, John
Beichler, Christian
Kreider, George H.
Spring, Jacob
Kendig, David
Kendig, Susan
Doulin, Wilmer J.
Kendig, John M.
Landis, Musser C., Sr.
Landis, Esther
Kline, Abraham
Brown, Henry G.
McMullen, Elizabeth
McMullen, James
Gantz, Jacob
Subjects
Deeds
Search Terms
Finding aids
Manuscript groups
Deeds
Indentures
Property records
Land drafts
Extent
8 folders
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0919
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Gibney Road Property Records, 1846-1955 (MG0919), Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org. Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Accession Number
2004.MG0919
Other Numbers
MG-919
Other Number
MG-919
Classification
MG0919
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Transferred from Document Collection Box 33, Folder 9, 15 April 2022.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Frank E. Witmer's 1879 Diary
Title
Diary of Frank E. Witmer
Object ID
MG0847
Date Range
1879, 2020
  1 document  
Collection
Frank E. Witmer's 1879 Diary
Title
Diary of Frank E. Witmer
Description
This collection contains Frank E. Witmer's original 1879 diary, as well as a transcription and index prepared by Dr. David H. Wallace. The diary provides a detailed record of the daily activities of all members of the family. He primarily records the work involved in running a truck farm--planting, maintaining, and harvesting crops, and preparing for market. Other entries of interest include helping a neighbor move a carriage house; building a hog pen; canning; attendance at several Mennonite churches in the area; the process of moving from one house and barn to a new house and barn on the property; frequent visits between relatives and neighbors; and a few mentions of school and the leisure activities of the young men.
Admin/Biographical History
In 1879, Franklin E. Witmer (1855-1931), at age 23, was the eldest son of Aaron L. Witmer, farmer of West Lampeter Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and his wife Mary Ann (Herr) Witmer. The household also included his younger brothers Abraham (Abram), 21, and Jacob Elam (Elem), 19; two school-age girls Sarah Dunlap, 13, an apprentice servant, and Hettie Fritz, 8, a ward of Mr. and Mrs. Witmer; and for part of the year a teen-age boarder-farm hand , Thaddeus (Thad) Brackbill. In Frank's diary, each person's activity was recorded daily, almost as if he had set himself a deliberate project to do so.
Mr. Witmer's truck farm embraced fields of grain (wheat, oats and rye), several acres of tobacco, a varied fruit orchard, a large truck garden, and a greenhouse for vegetables and flowering plants, a small herd of dairy cattle, some hogs and chickens; enough variety to make year-round weekly visits to market in Lancaster. During the year the family moved into a new house, raised a new barn, stables, hog-pen and chicken-house, and rented the old house and barn to a tenant farmer, Jacob Dieter.
The Witmers were Mennonites, regularly attending church in Lampeter Twp. and Strasburg, and occasionally in New Providence and Lancaster. Sarah and Hettie and briefly Elam, attended the Lampeter School. Their chief source of entertainment seems to have been visiting among their extended Witmer and Herr families and neighbors, although Abram and Elam sometimes attended "singing school" and the Lampeter Lyceum and did some "driving about" of an evening. Only Abram seems to have had a special girlfriend.
Although all the men of the family did everything in the way of farm chores, each of the boys also had a specialty. Frank, the oldest, had his own corn and tobacco patches to tend and market, Abram tended to concentrate on the greenhouse and truck-garden, and Elam helped his father provide veterinary services to other farmers in the area.
Frank Witmer married Mary Ann Herr on November 30, 1881; he continued general farming in West Lampeter Township, died there on December 10, 1931, and was buried in the Mennonite cemetery in nearby Willow Street, Pennsylvania.
This history was prepared by Dr. David H. Wallace.
Date Range
1879, 2020
Creation Date
1879, 2020
Creator
Wallace, David H.
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 19
People
Brackbill, Thaddeus
Dunlap, Sarah
Fritz, Hettie
Wallace, David Harold
Witmer, Aaron L.
Witmer, Abraham Herr
Witmer, Franklin Elmer
Witmer, Jacob Elam
Witmer, Mary Ann Herr
Other Creators
Witmer, Franklin Elmer, 1855-1931
Subjects
Truck farming
Diaries
Agriculture
Indexes
Search Terms
Truck farming
Diaries
Farming
Agriculture
Transcriptions
Indexes
Finding aids
Manuscript groups
Extent
3 items, 146 pages to scan
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0847
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use transcription and index, MG0847_F002 and MG0847_F003.
Original diary may be used by appointment--contact research@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
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Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Accession Number
2021.011
Other Numbers
MG-847
Other Number
MG-847, Folder 1
Classification
MG0847
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
PDFs of the transcription and index are attached to the correlating records.
Documents
Less detail

10 records – page 1 of 1.