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Author
Godcharles, Frederic Antes,
Date of Publication
1927
Call Number
974.9 L245 v.31
Responsibility
by Frederic A. Godcharles.
Author
Godcharles, Frederic Antes,
Place of Publication
Lancaster, Pa
Publisher
Lancaster County Historical Society,
Date of Publication
1927
Physical Description
77-86 p. ; 23 cm.
Series
Journal of the Lancaster County Historical Society ; v. 31, no. 6
Subjects
Pennsylvania - History - Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775.
Pennsylvania - History - Revolution, 1775-1783.
Pennsylvania - History - 1775-1865.
Pennsylvania - History - War of 1812.
Pennsylvania - History - Civil War, 1861-1865.
Pennsylvania - History - 1865-
Location
Lancaster History Library - Journal
Call Number
974.9 L245 v.31
Less detail
Collection
William Walton Griest Collection, Series 25
Title
Sworn statement of Thomas J. Harnish regarding Conestoga Traction Company
Object ID
MG0065_S25_F062_In07_It06
Date Range
1921/10/11
  2 images  
Collection
William Walton Griest Collection, Series 25
Title
Sworn statement of Thomas J. Harnish regarding Conestoga Traction Company
Description
Sworn statement of Thomas J. Harnish regarding the assessment of Conestoga Traction Company. Signed by Thomas J. Harnish and notarized by Charlotte F. Wiley, Lancaster.
Date Range
1921/10/11
Creation Date
11 October 1921
Creator
Harnish, Thomas J.
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 02
Storage Container
Box 0044
People
Harnish, Thomas J.
Wiley, Charlotte F.
Subjects
Affidavits
Search Terms
Affidavits
Conestoga Traction Company
Extent
1 item, 2 pages scanned
Object Name
Affidavit
Language
English
Object ID
MG0065_S25_F062_In07_It06
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), William Walton Griest Collection (MG0065), Series #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
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. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Accession Number
Unknown.MG0065
Other Numbers
MG-65, Series 25
Other Number
MG-65, Series 25, Folder 62, Insert 7, Item 6
Classification
MG0065
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Originally cataloged by KC, 2002-2003. The project was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission’s Archives and Records Management Grant, ME 230340, 2002-2003.
Added to database 29 December 2023.
Images
Less detail
Corporate Author
National Society of the Colonial Dames of America.
Date of Publication
1925.
Call Number
780 A512
Responsibility
published under supervision of National Committee for the Preservation of Existing Records of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America.
Corporate Author
National Society of the Colonial Dames of America.
Place of Publication
Philadelphia, Pa
Publisher
Priv. print.,
Date of Publication
1925.
Physical Description
xxvii p., 2 l., [3]-202 p. front. (port.) facsims. 25 cm.
Notes
Without music.
Subjects
War songs - United States.
Location
Lancaster History Library - Book
Call Number
780 A512
Less detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Notification that bridge repairs were completed
Object ID
Bridge F0925 I005
Date Range
1921
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Notification that bridge repairs were completed
Description
Document type: Notification that bridge repairs were completed.
1. Mercer's Mill Bridge
Sadsbury Twp. and West Fallowfield Twp., Chester County
Location: 1.5 miles below Christiana.
2. Steeleville Bridge, also known as Octoraro No. 1
Location: At Steeleville, Sadsbury Twp.
3. Ross' Fording, also known as Octoraro No. 1.5
4. Newcomer's Bridge, also known as Octoraro No. 2.5
Colerain Twp. and Upper Oxford Twp., Chester County
5. Worth's Bridge
Colerain Twp. and Lower Oxford Twp., Chester County]
System of Arrangement
Records are arranged by township, then chronologically within each township.
Date Range
1921
Year
1921
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0013
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Bridges
Christiana, Pennsylvania
Colerain Twp.
Creeks
Fords
Lower Oxford Twp., Chester County, Pennsylvania
Mercer's Mill
Mercer's Mill Bridge
Mills
Newcomer's Bridge
Notifications
Octoraro Creek, East Branch
Ross Ford
Sadsbury Twp.
Steeleville Bridge
Steeleville, Sadsbury Twp.
Upper Oxford Twp., Chester County
West Fallowfield Twp., Chester County
Worth's Bridge
Extent
1 item, 1 piece
Object Name
Announcement
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0925 I005
Box Number
013
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Classification
RG 02-00 0324
Description Level
Item
Less detail
Collection
William Byron Hornberger Genealogy Research
Title
William Byron Hornberger Genealogy Research
Object ID
MG0983
Date Range
c. 1902-1990
Collection
William Byron Hornberger Genealogy Research
Title
William Byron Hornberger Genealogy Research
Description
This collection contains letters, correspondence, research notes, documents, tourist maps, and other ephemera collected in the course of William Byron Hornberger's research in to his family's genealogy. Includes information about the Hornberger, Weaver, Goldthwait and other allied families compiled during the 1980s and 1990s.
Admin/Biographical History
William Byron Hornberger was born in Lancaster County and lived in Lititz where he was a graduate of the 1961 class of Warwick High School. He was accepted into the Navy Enlisted Scientific Education Program and was a graduate of Perdue University's electrical and computer engineering program. He served in the United States Navy for more than 20 years and went on to a post-active duty civilian career with Lockheed-Martin. He was the son of William Buch Hornberger and Charlotte Naomi Weaver, both of Lititz.
Date Range
c. 1902-1990
Creation Date
c. 1902-1990
Date of Accumulation
c. 1985-1990
Creator
Hornberger, William Byron (1943-2021)
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives North
Storage Wall
Side 13
People
Hornberger, William Byron
Hornberger, William Buch
Hornberger, Charlotte Naomi Weaver
Weaver, McKee Gallagher
Weaver, Ada Pearl Eicher
Goldthwait, James
Goldthwait, Anna Hornberger
Hornberger, Amanda Louisa Buch
Smith, Lillian
Pinkerton, Bruce
Weaver, Ida Miran
Weaver, Anna Mary
Reese, Buena Vista Eicher
Eicher, Missouri Gaster
Holler, Walter
Holler, Buelah
Subjects
Genealogy
Search Terms
Finding Aids
Manuscript groups
World War II
Genealogy
Families
Maps
Spanish-American War, 1898
Extent
1 box, 11 folders, 57 items, 336 pages to scan
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0983
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Related Item Notes
William Byron Hornberger Photograph Collection
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Series #, Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
This collection has been given in memory of William Byron Hornberger.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions.
Copyright
Collection items may be photographed. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org.
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
2023.052
Other Numbers
MG-983
Classification
MG0983
Description Level
Fonds
Less detail
Collection
Charles E. Schuler Papers
Title
Charles E. Schuler Papers
Object ID
MG0780
Date Range
1917-1927
  1 document  
Collection
Charles E. Schuler Papers
Title
Charles E. Schuler Papers
Description
Charles E. Schuler Papers contain postcards collected by Charles E. Schuler during his time fighting in World War I. The collection also includes postcard booklets, as well as military paperwork such as "safe arrival" postcards, and letters rewarding and congratulating him for his bravery and courage while fighting in World War I. There is also a photograph of Private Charles E. Schuler in uniform.
Admin/Biographical History
Charles E. Schuler was born on November 16, 1896 to parents Charles Schuler and Elizabeth "Lizzie" May Tillbeck Schuler. He fought in WWI as a Private in the U.S. Marine Corps, and was honorably discharged after the end of the war in 1919. He was later married to Reba C. Schuler (1899-1964). Together they had two children, Charles and Jere. Charles passed away in 1962.
Date Range
1917-1927
Creation Date
1917-1927
Year Range From
1917
Year Range To
1927
Date of Accumulation
1917-1927
Creator
Schuler, Charles E., 1896-1962
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 15
People
Schuler, Charles E.
Clarke, Thomas S.
Pershing, John J.
Schuler, Loyd
Subjects
Letters
Marines
Photographs
Postcards
Real photo postcards
United States. Army
United States. Army. American Expeditionary Forces
United States. Marine Corps.
World War, 1914-1918
Search Terms
American Expeditionary Forces
Correspondence
Finding aids
Letters
Manuscript groups
Photographs
Postcards
Real photo postcards
United States Army
United States Army, American Expeditionary Forces
United States Marine Corps
World War I
WWI
Extent
1 box, 3 folders, 32 items, 143 pages to scan, .5 cubic feet
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2019-02-28
Condition Notes
Item in folder 3, insert 4 is fragile.
Object ID
MG0780
Related Item Notes
Photographs in the Photograph Collection.
Medals and insignia in the Curatorial Collection.
World War I Collection, 1916-1972, MG-45
World War I Papers for Frank Schober, MG-797
World War I Papers of Thomas, James, and Victor Kegel, MG-798
William Barlow Papers, MG-781
William Raymond Elbert Papers, MG-784
Military Records for Charles A. Meisenberger, MG-782
Diary Collection, 1836-1978, MG-247
William J. Buch Papers, 1917-1958, MG-658
Photographs of Charles Schuler in the Photograph Collection.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Restrictions are noted at the item level. Please contact research@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit to view the letter in Folder 3, Insert 4.
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.
Other Numbers
MG-780
Classification
MG0780
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Processed and finding aid prepared by EM, February 2019.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Military Records of Charles A. Meisenberger
Title
The Military Records for Charles A. Meisenberger
Object ID
MG0782
Date Range
1894-1942
  1 document  
Collection
Military Records of Charles A. Meisenberger
Title
The Military Records for Charles A. Meisenberger
Description
The Military Records for Charles A. Meisenberger contain the military materials and paperwork, documenting the career Charles A. Meisenberger had in the Army, from 1898 to 1938, when he was last discharged. Meisenberger served in the Spanish American War, the China Insurrection, the Mexican War, and World War I. This collection contains, letters from the War Department, photographs of Meisenberger and his gravestone, Honorable Discharge certificates, obituaries, and other military information.
Admin/Biographical History
Charles A. Meisenberger was born on December 18, 1874. He served in the military for 40 years, and served during the Spanish American War, the China Insurrection, the Mexican War, and World War I. Meisenberger was married to Mary E. Buch before they eventually divorced. Together they had three children: Charles A. Jr., Vintage, Paul A. and Catherine Mary. He passed away on October 5, 1941 at the age of 66.
Date Range
1894-1942
Creation Date
1894-1942
Year Range From
1894
Year Range To
1942
Date of Accumulation
1894-1942
Creator
Meisenberger, Charles A., 1874-1941
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 15
People
Buch, Mary E.
Meisenberger, Charles A.
Strickler, Daniel Bursk
Subjects
Letters
Military discharge
Photographs
United States. Army
World War, 1914-1918
Search Terms
Correspondence
Finding aids
Letters
Manuscript groups
Military discharge
Photographs
United States Army
World War I
WWI
Extent
1 box, 1 folder, 21 items, 32 pages, .5 cubic feet
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2019-03-05
Object ID
MG0782
Related Item Notes
World War I Collection, 1916-1972, MG-45
World War I Papers for Frank Schober, MG-797
World War I Papers of Thomas, James, and Victor Kegel, MG-798
Charles E. Schuler Papers, MG-780
William Barlow Papers, MG-781
William Raymond Elbert Papers, MG-784
Diary Collection, 1836-1978, MG-247
William J. Buch Papers, 1917-1958, MG-658
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
Military Records of Charles A. Meisenberger (MG-782), Folder #, Insert #, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pa.
Other Numbers
MG-782
Classification
MG0782
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Processed and finding aid prepared by EM, February 2019.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
World War I Papers of Thomas, James, and Victor Kegel
Title
World War I Papers of Thomas, James, and Victor Kegel
Object ID
MG0798
Date Range
1917-2014
  1 document  
Collection
World War I Papers of Thomas, James, and Victor Kegel
Title
World War I Papers of Thomas, James, and Victor Kegel
Description
The World War I Papers of Thomas, James, and Victor Kegel collection contains materials written and collected by three brothers who fought during World War I in the 109th Machine Gun Battalion. The collection contains letters written by the brothers to their families while in the service, and some other letters from their loved ones. There are also newspaper articles, literature on the battalion they fought in, post cards, military paperwork, and photographs.
Admin/Biographical History
Thomas Kegel (1895-1958), James Kegel (1891-1927), Victor Kegel (1898-1923) were three brothers who served together in the 109th Machine Gun Battalion during World War I. Their parents were Charles and Mary Rogers Kegel, and they had eleven children. Their family home was on 59 Locust Street in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They were all drafted in 1917, and were trained in Camp Hancock in Augusta, Georgia. After their extensive training, they were sent to fight in the trenches in France. On separate occasions, each brother was wounded during the war, but they all survived and came home to Lancaster after the war in 1919.
James L. Kegel was born on August 10, 1891. He was a poultry dresser and dealer and was married to Arabella E. Raymond Kegel (1884-1966) on August 27, 1911. They had three children: Charles, James, and Mary Annabelle. James passed away at the age of 35 on February 9, 1927, due to pneumonia.
Thomas Kegel was born on January 18, 1895. He married Veronica R. "Fannie" Karch Kegel. Together, they had four children: Thomas, Helen, Dorn Anne, and John. He was a watchmaker, in addition to other various occupations. By a doctor's recommendation in 1939, Thomas and his family moved to Miami, Florida, due to his injuries and struggles with PTSD. He passed away on February 18, 1958.
Victor A. Kegel was born on March 29, 1898. He was a poultry dresser after coming back to Lancaster from the war in 1919. He was married to Ellen F. Kegel. He passed away on December 26, 1923, due to inflammation of the brain. He was 25 years old.
Date Range
1917-2014
Creation Date
1917-2014
Year Range From
1917
Year Range To
2014
Date of Accumulation
1917-2014
Creator
Kegel, Thomas, 1895-1958
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 15
People
Delmarra, Red
Eickert, Earl
Fillinger, Joe
Grim, George
Heidig, Hen
Hersh, Ted
Kegel, James
Kegel, Thomas
Kegel, Victor
Kimmel, Fred
Metzger, George
Metzger, Harvy
Rodgers, Harry
Seachrist, Harry
Other Creators
Kegel, James, 1891-1927
Kegel, Victor, 1898-1923
Subjects
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Letters
Machine Gun Training Center (Camp Hancock, Ga.)
Photographs
Trench warfare
United States. Army. American Expeditionary Forces
World War, 1914-1918
Search Terms
Camp Hancock, Georgia
Correspondence
Finding aids
Letters
Machine Gun Training Center
Manuscript groups
Newspaper clippings
Photographs
Trench warfare
United States Army, American Expeditionary Forces
World War I
WWI
Extent
1 box, 61 folders, 91 items, 281 pages to scan, .5 cubic feet
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2019-03-05
Condition Notes
The dosuments in folders 24, 33, and 47 are fragile and require staff supervision.
Object ID
MG0798
Related Item Notes
World War I Collection, 1916-1972, MG-45
World War I Papers for Frank Schober, MG-797
Charles E. Schuler Papers, MG-780
William Barlow Papers, MG-781
William Raymond Elbert Papers, MG-784
Military Records for Charles A. Meisenberger, MG-782
Diary Collection, 1836-1978, MG-247
William J. Buch Papers, 1917-1958, MG-658
Notes
Donation was made possible with the assistance of Charles and Mary Brill.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Restrictions are noted at the item level. The documents in Folders 24, 33, and 47 are fragile and require staff supervision. Please contact research@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
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.
Other Numbers
MG-798
Other Number
MG-798
Classification
MG0798
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Processed and finding aid prepared by EM, January/February 2019.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers
Title
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers, Series E Post Civil War
Object ID
MG0828_SeriesE
Date Range
1866-1925
Collection
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers
Title
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers, Series E Post Civil War
Description
The General Thomas Welsh Family Papers, Series E is a collection of eight documents, which covers the years 1866 through 1925 and consists primarily of recollections by various family members of the life of Thomas Welsh. The series also includes a family history and poems written by Thomas Welsh and his daughter Effie Welsh.
Admin/Biographical History
Thomas Welsh (1824-1863) was a Lancaster County native (born and raised in Columbia), who rose from hardscrabble origins to local fame, first as a Mexican War hero, and then as a brigadier general during the Civil War. He was well known and well respected as a no nonsense officer, for his leadership and gallantry in battle, for his dedication to the service of his country, and for his concern for the welfare of his men.
Welsh lost his father at the age of 2, and went to work to support his family at age 8. He had very little formal schooling, and was largely self-educated. In 1843, at age 19, he left Lancaster County for Washington City, then went west as an itinerant carpenter/laborer to Cincinnati, Little Rock, and Fort Smith.
When the Mexican War broke out in 1846, he enlisted in a Kentucky regiment, and was severely wounded at the battle of Buena Vista (1847) from which he never fully recovered. Returning home to Columbia, he re-enlisted as a second lieutenant, assigned to the 11th U.S. infantry regiment in Mexico City. Within days of his arrival in Mexico City, he was declared unfit for service on account of his battle wound, and sent home again.
Back in Columbia as a civilian, he dabbled in politics, and received a patronage job in the Pennsylvania Main Line of Public Works (the rail and canal system connecting Philadelphia and Pittsburgh). After several years, he opened up a grocery and dry goods store in Columbia's canal basin. He also became an insurance agent. In 1857, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and his reputation grew as a community leader. By 1860, he was president of the Borough Council, a founding member of the Columbia Board of Trade, Vice President of the Columbia Cricket Club, and a canal boat operator, in addition to a dry goods merchant, insurance agent, and Justice of the Peace. He had a wife, 5 surviving children, and legal guardianship of his sister's 4 children.
When Confederate forces shelled Fort Sumter, marking the beginning of the Civil War, Thomas Welsh raised and organized the first company of volunteers from Lancaster County, and took them into the field as their Captain. Within days, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment, which served out its 90-day enlistment in the Shenandoah Valley.
Returning to Harrisburg, he was appointed Commandant of Camp Curtin, the problem-plagued processing center for new recruits. In short order, Welsh cleaned up the camp's poor sanitary conditions, improved the health of the camp, and implemented soldierly discipline and training.
In October 1861, he resigned from his camp duties, and as Colonel of the 45th Pennsylvania, led his regiment into the field. After brief service outside of Washington, they were sent to South Carolina in December, where they were posted to Otter Island. After the battle of James Island, they were recalled to Newport News, in July 1862, then sent to guard Aquia Creek.
In September, now in brigade command in Burnsides' 9th Corps, Welsh chased Lee's Confederate army west into central Maryland. His brigade broke the enemy line in Fox's Gap, on Sept. 14, then 3 days later achieved the furthest Union advance at Antietam, reaching the edge of Sharpsburg, and nearly cutting off Lee's only avenue of escape. Welsh's gallantry earned him a field promotion to brigadier general, which Congress confirmed on March 13, 1863.
The 9th Corps (Welsh now in command of the 1st Division) was sent west in the spring of 1863, then dispatched south to support Grant's investment of Vicksburg. After Vicksburg fell, they turned east and defeated Confederate General Johnston at the Battle of Jackson. Welsh contracted malaria in the southern swamps, and died in Cincinnati upon their return north. One of his men later recalled, "Had he lived, Welsh would undoubtedly have attained a much higher command. 1
1. Beauge, Eugene, in Albert, Allen D., Ed., History of the Forty-Fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteer Infantry 1861-1865, Williamsport, PA: Grit Publ. Co, 1912, p. 79.
System of Arrangement
The collection is arranged in series:
Series A Thomas Welsh before the Mexican War
Series B Mexican War, 1846-1848
Series C Between the Mexican War and the Civil War, 1848-1861
Series D Civil War
Series E Post-Civil War
Series F Miscellaneous Family Papers
Series G Papers from the families of Gen. Thomas Welsh and Blanton C. Welsh
Date Range
1866-1925
Creation Date
1866-1925
Year Range From
1866
Year Range To
1925
Creator
Wiggin, Richard C.
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 19
Storage Container
Box 0001
People
Welsh, Thomas
Subjects
Autobiographies
Letters
Mexican War, 1846-1848
Poetry
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Search Terms
Autobiographies
Civil War
Family history
Genealogy
Letters
Mexican War
Poetry
Extent
8 folders
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Condition
Poor to excellent
Condition Date
2020-12-29
Parent Object ID
MG0828
Object ID
MG0828_SeriesE
Notes
Added to PP 12/29/2020 by HST
Provenance: Most items passed down through the family, Blanton Charles Welsh to Emilie Benson (Welsh) Wiggin to Nancy Jane (Wiggin) Townsend. Acquired from: Chuck Townsend, Knoxville, Tennessee, 2016/05/15.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact research@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks 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. Some items are photocopies from other collections--researchers must obtain permission for reproduction and publication from the owner of the original material.
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.
Classification
MG0828
Description Level
Series
Custodial History
Organized by Richard C. Wiggin prior to donation.
Less detail
Collection
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers
Title
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers, Series F Miscellaneous Family Papers
Object ID
MG0828_SeriesF
Date Range
1815-1938
Collection
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers
Title
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers, Series F Miscellaneous Family Papers
Description
The General Thomas Welsh Family Papers, Series F is a collection of documents, newspapers, and newspaper clippings that covers the years 1815 through 1929, as well as genealogy and ephemera from the Welsh family Bible from 1850 through 1938. The series also includes two scrapbooks - the first contains articles from the late nineteenth century pertaining to Thomas Welsh and his family; the second contains newspaper articles and ephemera related to Thomas Welsh and his family from 1854 through 1936.
Admin/Biographical History
Thomas Welsh (1824-1863) was a Lancaster County native (born and raised in Columbia), who rose from hardscrabble origins to local fame, first as a Mexican War hero, and then as a brigadier general during the Civil War. He was well known and well respected as a no nonsense officer, for his leadership and gallantry in battle, for his dedication to the service of his country, and for his concern for the welfare of his men.
Welsh lost his father at the age of 2, and went to work to support his family at age 8. He had very little formal schooling, and was largely self-educated. In 1843, at age 19, he left Lancaster County for Washington City, then went west as an itinerant carpenter/laborer to Cincinnati, Little Rock, and Fort Smith.
When the Mexican War broke out in 1846, he enlisted in a Kentucky regiment, and was severely wounded at the battle of Buena Vista (1847) from which he never fully recovered. Returning home to Columbia, he re-enlisted as a second lieutenant, assigned to the 11th U.S. infantry regiment in Mexico City. Within days of his arrival in Mexico City, he was declared unfit for service on account of his battle wound, and sent home again.
Back in Columbia as a civilian, he dabbled in politics, and received a patronage job in the Pennsylvania Main Line of Public Works (the rail and canal system connecting Philadelphia and Pittsburgh). After several years, he opened up a grocery and dry goods store in Columbia's canal basin. He also became an insurance agent. In 1857, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and his reputation grew as a community leader. By 1860, he was president of the Borough Council, a founding member of the Columbia Board of Trade, Vice President of the Columbia Cricket Club, and a canal boat operator, in addition to a dry goods merchant, insurance agent, and Justice of the Peace. He had a wife, 5 surviving children, and legal guardianship of his sister's 4 children.
When Confederate forces shelled Fort Sumter, marking the beginning of the Civil War, Thomas Welsh raised and organized the first company of volunteers from Lancaster County, and took them into the field as their Captain. Within days, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment, which served out its 90-day enlistment in the Shenandoah Valley.
Returning to Harrisburg, he was appointed Commandant of Camp Curtin, the problem-plagued processing center for new recruits. In short order, Welsh cleaned up the camp's poor sanitary conditions, improved the health of the camp, and implemented soldierly discipline and training.
In October 1861, he resigned from his camp duties, and as Colonel of the 45th Pennsylvania, led his regiment into the field. After brief service outside of Washington, they were sent to South Carolina in December, where they were posted to Otter Island. After the battle of James Island, they were recalled to Newport News, in July 1862, then sent to guard Aquia Creek.
In September, now in brigade command in Burnsides' 9th Corps, Welsh chased Lee's Confederate army west into central Maryland. His brigade broke the enemy line in Fox's Gap, on Sept. 14, then 3 days later achieved the furthest Union advance at Antietam, reaching the edge of Sharpsburg, and nearly cutting off Lee's only avenue of escape. Welsh's gallantry earned him a field promotion to brigadier general, which Congress confirmed on March 13, 1863.
The 9th Corps (Welsh now in command of the 1st Division) was sent west in the spring of 1863, then dispatched south to support Grant's investment of Vicksburg. After Vicksburg fell, they turned east and defeated Confederate General Johnston at the Battle of Jackson. Welsh contracted malaria in the southern swamps, and died in Cincinnati upon their return north. One of his men later recalled, "Had he lived, Welsh would undoubtedly have attained a much higher command. 1
1. Beauge, Eugene, in Albert, Allen D., Ed., History of the Forty-Fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteer Infantry 1861-1865, Williamsport, PA: Grit Publ. Co, 1912, p. 79.
System of Arrangement
The collection is arranged in series:
Series A Thomas Welsh before the Mexican War
Series B Mexican War, 1846-1848
Series C Between the Mexican War and the Civil War, 1848-1861
Series D Civil War
Series E Post-Civil War
Series F Miscellaneous Family Papers
Series G Papers from the families of Gen. Thomas Welsh and Blanton C. Welsh
Date Range
1815-1938
Creation Date
1815-1938
Year Range From
1815
Year Range To
1938
Creator
Wiggin, Richard C.
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 19
Storage Container
Box 0001
People
Welsh, Thomas
Subjects
Condolence notes
Letters
Genealogy
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Mexican War, 1846-1848
Search Terms
Condolence notes
Letters
Correspondence
Mexican War
Genealogy
Civil War
Extent
35 folders
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Condition
Poor to excellent
Condition Date
2020-12-29
Parent Object ID
MG0828
Object ID
MG0828_SeriesF
Notes
Added to PP 12/29/2020 by HST
Provenance: Passed down through the family, Blanton Charles Welsh to Emilie Benson (Welsh) Wiggin to Nancy Jane (Wiggin) Townsend.~~Acquired from: Chuck Townsend, Knoxville, Tennessee, 2016/05/15.
In Boxes 1 and 2
Access Conditions / Restrictions
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Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Classification
MG0828
Description Level
Series
Custodial History
Folders 1-35 organized by Richard C. Wiggin prior to donation.
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