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Collection
Collateral Appraisements
Title
Collateral Appraisements
Object ID
Coll App 1912 F002 M
Date Range
1912
Collection
Collateral Appraisements
Title
Collateral Appraisements
Description
Appraisements of real estate for inheritance tax. Some personal property appraisals are also included. Appraisals include: name of decedent; location and description of real estate; description of personal property; valuation of real estate and personal property; and assessed tax. May also include names of heirs. Arranged chronologically by year, then alphabetically by first letter of decedent's last name. Handwritten; from 1886, handwritten on printed forms.
System of Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by year, then alphabetically by first letter of decedent's last name.
Date Range
1912
Date of Accumulation
1849-1913
Year
1912
Creator
Register of Wills
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0011
People
McCullaugh, P. J.
McCullagh, P. J.
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Collateral appraisement
Lancaster
Letters
Affidavits
Place
Lancaster
Extent
16 boxes (8 cubic feet)
Object Name
Appraisal
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Coll App 1912 F002 M
Box Number
011
Additional Notes
Or McCullagh, P. J.
Included letter and affidavit.
3 items, 1 piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at research desk. Photocopy made by staff member.
Classification
RG 03-00 0312
Description Level
Item
Less detail
Collection
Edward Hand Reunion and Genealogy Collection
Title
Edward Hand Reunion and Genealogy Collection
Object ID
MG0116
Date Range
1805-1984
  1 document  
Collection
Edward Hand Reunion and Genealogy Collection
Title
Edward Hand Reunion and Genealogy Collection
Description
Collection consists largely of information on the descendants of Edward Hand and on the Hand Family Reunion. Contains correspondence, genealogical materials, family charts, photographs, and commemorative booklet 1912, on Lancaster County in the Revolutionary War. Also, three documents concerning the settling of the Hand estate.
Date Range
1805-1984
Year Range From
1805
Year Range To
1984
Date of Accumulation
1805-1984
Creator
Hand family
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 03
People
Hand, Edward
Lear, Robert H.
Brien, Edward
Brien, Dorothy Hand
Hand, Jasper
Subjects
Genealogy
Family records
Letters
Search Terms
Genealogy
Family records
Family reunions
Rock Ford
Correspondence
Letters
Manuscript groups
Finding aids
Extent
1 box, 27 folders, .5 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0116
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
Edward Hand Reunion and Genealogy Collection (MG-116), Folder #, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pa.
Other Numbers
MG-116
Classification
MG0116
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Added to database 1 May 2019.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Lancaster & Marietta Turnpike Road Co. Collection
Title
Lancaster & Marietta Turnpike Road Co. Collection
Object ID
MG0048
Date Range
1848-1916
  1 document  
Collection
Lancaster & Marietta Turnpike Road Co. Collection
Title
Lancaster & Marietta Turnpike Road Co. Collection
Description
Collection contains correspondence, accounts, newspaper clippings, Pennsylvania and federal tax returns, stock certificate book, minute books, record books, and a receipt and payment book.
Date Range
1848-1916
Year Range From
1848
Year Range To
1916
Date of Accumulation
1848-1916
Creator
Lancaster & Marietta Turnpike Road Co.
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 02
Subjects
Lancaster & Marietta Turnpike Road Co.
Roads
Toll roads
Business records
Stockholders
Letters
Search Terms
Business records
Conewago Trap Rock Company
Correspondence
Finding aids
J. E. Baker Company
John Goll and Company
Lancaster and Marietta Turnpike Road Company
Lancaster and Marietta Turnpike
Lancaster Automobile Club
Lancaster Motorist
Letters
Manuscript groups
Marietta Hollow Ware and Enameling Company
Muller and Bush
Roads
Stockholders
Taxes
Toll roads
Turnpikes
Extent
4 boxes, 26 folders, 7 volumes, 2 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0048
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.
Other Numbers
MG-48
Classification
MG0048
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Collection was cataloged prior to 1997. Added to database 29 May 2018.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Farmers' Northern Market Company Collection
Title
Farmers' Northern Market Company Collection
Object ID
MG0049
Date Range
1871-1953
  1 document  
Collection
Farmers' Northern Market Company Collection
Title
Farmers' Northern Market Company Collection
Description
Contains records starting with the purchase of land for construction of the Northern Market in Lancaster. Includes financial documents of stockholders, minutes, lease agreements, tax returns, ledger books, bank statements, and forms. Also, some personal papers of Menno B. Hess, a member of the Board of Directors.
Date Range
1871-1953
Year Range From
1871
Year Range To
1953
Date of Accumulation
1871-1953
Creator
Farmers' Northern Market Company (Lancaster, Pa.)
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 02
People
Hess, Menno B.
Subjects
Farmers' Northern Market Company (Lancsaster, Pa.)
Farmers' markets
Business records
Stockholders
Search Terms
Business records
Correspondence
Farmers' markets
Farmers' Northern Market Company
Finding aids
Letters
Manuscript groups
Minutes
Northern Market
Stockholders
Extent
2 boxes, 39 folders, 1 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0049
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.
Other Numbers
MG-49
Classification
MG0049
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Collection cataloged prior to 1997. Added to database 29 May 2018.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Eleanor Fulton, Presbyterian Collection
Title
Eleanor Fulton, Presbyterian Collection
Object ID
MG0050
Date Range
1703-1991
  1 document  
Collection
Eleanor Fulton, Presbyterian Collection
Title
Eleanor Fulton, Presbyterian Collection
Description
The work of Eleanor Fulton, a professional researcher. Contains information on the Presbyterian Church in Lancaster County, including First Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Donegal Presbyterian Church. Also, genealogy notes for local families and St. James Episcopal Church.
System of Arrangement
Organized by subject, arranged chronologically.
Date Range
1703-1991
Year Range From
1703
Year Range To
1991
Date of Accumulation
1703-1991
Creator
Fulton, Eleanor
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 02
People
Ashmead, William
Buchanan, James
Fulton, Robert
Woodhull, John
Subjects
Genealogy
Letters
Presbyterian Church
United States--History--War of 1812
Search Terms
Booklets
Correspondence
Diaries
Donegal Presbytery
Ephemera
Genealogy
Letters
Newspaper clippings
Presbyterian Church
War of 1812
Extent
2 boxes, 56 folders, .75 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0050
Location of Originals
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.
Other Numbers
MG-50
Classification
MG0050
Description Level
Fonds
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Marshall W. Warren Family Collection
Title
Marshall W. Warren Family Collection
Object ID
MG0053
Date Range
1817-1977
  1 document  
Collection
Marshall W. Warren Family Collection
Title
Marshall W. Warren Family Collection
Description
This collection contains the records of the Marshall W. Warren family, including a marriage announcement, personal notebook, correspondence, and family bible records.
Date Range
1817-1977
Year Range From
1817
Year Range To
1977
Date of Accumulation
1817-1977
Creator
Warren family
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 02
People
Warren, Elizabeth Herr Frantz
Warren, Marshall William
Subjects
Family records
Genealogy
Letters
Obituaries
Probate records
Search Terms
Correspondence
Finding aids
Genealogy
Letters
Manuscript groups
Obituaries
Probate records
Warren Cork Company
Wills
Extent
1 box, 10 folders, .25 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0053
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Related Item Notes
See also the Photograph Collection
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.
Other Numbers
MG-53
Other Number
MG-53
Classification
MG0053
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Collection cataloged prior to 1997. Added to database 12 June 2018.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
William Wright Collection
Title
William Wright Collection
Object ID
MG0056
Date Range
1729-1962
Collection
William Wright Collection
Title
William Wright Collection
Description
The William Wright Collection contains the papers of William Wright and his descendants. The papers include wills, land drafts, inventories, releases, receipts, correspondence, genealogical information, photographs, and copies of obituaries.
Date Range
1729-1962
Year Range From
1729
Year Range To
1962
Date of Accumulation
1729-1962
Creator
Wright family
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 02
People
Bartram, Elizabeth
Bartram, John
Bartram, William
Benson, Evelyn A.
Cartlidge, John
Johnson, C. Edwin
Johnson, Frank L.
Johnston, C. Edwin
Logan, William
Postlethwaite, John Jr.
Say, Thomas
Wright, Benjamin
Wright, Elizabeth
Wright, Hannah
Wright, James
Wright, Joseph
Wright, Joseph B.
Wright, Lillian
Wright, Mary
Wright, Thomas
Wright, William
Wright, William Jr.
Wright, William Sr.
Subjects
Family records
Wills
Deeds
Letters
Genealogy
Search Terms
Conestoga Manor
Correspondence
Deeds
Family records
Genealogy
Letters
Obituaries
Receipts
Wills
Extent
1 box, 26 folders, .5 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0056
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Notes
(It appears there is a correlation between this Wright family and the John Wright who petitioned the Philadelphia courts for the formation of Lancaster County in 1729. Further research must be done on this link. There were several interesting envelopes containing documents in bad repair. These envelopes all had the return address of C. J. Rainear & Co., Inc, 210 N. 21st Street, Philadelphia 3, PA. One envelope has been retained with the collection. Further investigation is necessary to determine the relationship between this company, the donor and the Wright family.)
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions. Original documents may be used by appointment--contact Research@LancasterHistory.org 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
William Wright Collection (MG-56), Box #, Folder #, LancasterHistory.org
Other Numbers
MG-56
Classification
MG0056
Description Level
Fonds
Less detail
Collection
Yeates, Lancaster County Historical Society Collection
Title
Yeates, Lancaster County Historical Society Collection
Object ID
MG0205
Date Range
1699-1934
Ledger Collection, Series 10 Estate Records on 20 March 2009. Folder 36 Restricted access—please use transcription in the library. Letter copybook of Jasper Yeates. Contains copies of his correspondence to friends, family members and colleagues13 and is indexed. The letters are on a variety of topics as
  1 document  
Collection
Yeates, Lancaster County Historical Society Collection
Title
Yeates, Lancaster County Historical Society Collection
Description
Yeates, Lancaster County Historical Society Collection provides insight into the Yeates family, local social history, and details of legal business from 1743-1870. These documents have been collected by the Lancaster County Historical Society over many years. Collection includes letters, receipts, articles, eviction notice, advertisement, estate inventories, wills, deeds, treaty, court transcript, drawings, photographs, copy of house plan, post road distances, daybook, letter book, catalog of books in Jasper Yeates' library, and an alphabetical catalog of law books.
Date Range
1699-1934
Year Range From
1699
Year Range To
1934
Date of Accumulation
1699-1934
Creator
LancasterHistory (Organization)
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 05
People
Atkinson, Matthew
Bausman, William
Bond, Phineas
Bowman, Valentine
Bradford, W.
Brien, Edward
Burd, Edward
Carson, John
Coates, Samuel
Conyngham, David
Conyngham, Elizabeth Yeates
Conyngham, Redmond
Dallas, George M.
Davis, Jonathan
Davison, Benjamin
Dickey, Robert
Duncannon, Thomas
Edward, Thomas
Erter, Henry
Ewing, John
Ferguson, John
Fohren, Michael
Gibson, John
Gillchrist, John
Godcharles, Frederic A.
Graff, Conrad
Gregg, Andrew
Grubb, Peter
Hamilton, Charles
Hamilton, James
Hamilton, John
Hamilton, William
Hand, Edward
Hand, Jasper
Hayes, A. L.
Henry, John
Hess, David
Jago, John
Javin, William
Keeportz, Daniel
Kittera, William
Kremer, Philip
Krug, Jacob
Kurtz, William
Lindsay, William
Loudersmith, Wendel
Lyon, Joseph Barnet
Magaw, David
Marshall, J.
McClellan, John
McKean, Thomas
Millar, John
Miller, Michael
Minich, Henry
Muhlenberg, William Augustus
Nesbitt, John
Nissley, Martin
Ord, John
Philips, David
Postlethwaite, John
Poultney, Thomas
Price, Eli K.
Probst, John
Ramsey, Robert
Rawle, William
Riegart, Adam
Rine, Widow
Ross, George
Ross, J.
Scott, James
Sergeant, Thomas
Shippen, Edward
Shippen, Evans Wallis
Shippen, Robert
Simpson, John
Smith, Charles
Smith, Mary Yeates
Stein, Charles
Steinman, Fredrick
Stevenson, Henry
Stewart, Charles
Sturmii, Johannis Christophorus
Thomas, John
Tilghman, Benjamin C.
Tilghman, E.
Tilghman, Edward
Tilghman, William
Tilghman, William B.
Towson, William
Underwood, John
Wallace, George
Wallace, William
Waln, Nicholas
Warden, J.
White, William
Wickersham, Elijah
Willson, Samuel
Yeates, Catharine
Yeates, Jasper
Yeates, Jasper, Jr.
Yeates, John, Jr.
Yeates, John, Sr.
Yeates, Margaret
Yeates, Sarah Burd "Sally"
Zantzinger, Paul
Subjects
Business records
Deeds
Family records
Law libraries
Letters
Library catalogs
Wills
Search Terms
Business records
Correspondence
Deeds
Family records
Finding aids
Letters
Manuscript groups
Wills
Extent
6 boxes, 49 folders, 13 books, 6 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0205
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Copies
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Related Item Notes
Yeates, Aungst Collection (MG0206)
Yeates, Carson Collection (MG0207)
George M. Steinman Collection (MG0184)
Jasper Yeates Colonial Law Library
Objects in the Curatorial Collection
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Yeates, Lancaster County Historical Society Collection (MG0205), Folder #, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Restrictions noted at the item level. The letter copybooks in Folders 31 and 36 are restricted--please use the transcriptions available in the library.
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-205
Classification
MG0205
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Folders 1-34 and Books 1-2 were processed and finding aid prepared prior to 1997. Added to PP on 26 March 2022.
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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Copyright
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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.
Less detail

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