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Collection
Sally E. Nungesser Papers
Title
Rental agreement between Joshua Stevens and Fountain Black
Object ID
MG0839_F002
Date Range
1833/07/08
  1 document  
Collection
Sally E. Nungesser Papers
Title
Rental agreement between Joshua Stevens and Fountain Black
Description
Manuscript copy of a rental agreement between Joshua Stevens of Indiana and Fountain Black of Kentucky for Stevens' house on Washington Street in Indianapolis, Indiana. The document includes a description of the house and terms of the agreement. Signatures of Joshua Stevens, Fountain Black, and [B. M. Hatton].
Date Range
1833/07/08
Creation Date
8 July 1833
Creator
Stevens, Joshua, 1790-1858
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 19
People
Black, Fountain
Stevens, Joshua
Subjects
African Americans--History
Contracts
Search Terms
Agreements
Dwellings
Houses
Indianapolis, Indiana
Leases
Persons of color
Rental properties
Stevens and Smith Center
Washington Street
Extent
1 item, 2 pages to scan
Object Name
Agreement
Language
English
Object ID
MG0839_F002
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Related Item Notes
Thaddeus Stevens Collection (MG0115)
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Box #, 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. 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
Gift of Peggy Kellermeyer in honor of Kenneth and Sally Nungesser.
Accession Number
2021.007
Other Numbers
MG-839
Other Number
MG-839, Folder 2
Classification
MG0839
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Added to database 29 December 2023.
Digitization of this document was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 202010016624, 2020-2023.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Gibbons Diaries, Family Papers, and Mill Records
Title
Agreement from Daniel Gibbons and others
Object ID
MG0846_F016
Date Range
1831/07
land up to the dam on the west side of the creek. 26 February 1783. (James returned to Chester County and lived there for a time while sitting as a magistrate in Wilmington, Delaware.) (1 item, 4 pages to scan) Folder 2 Letter from James Gibbons to Christian Stauffer, charging him with making certain
  1 document  
Collection
Gibbons Diaries, Family Papers, and Mill Records
Title
Agreement from Daniel Gibbons and others
Description
Agreement by Daniel Gibbons and six others to pay the sums posted beside their names for the purpose of erecting the Friends meeting house on 9th Street near Spruce Street in Philadelphia.
Admin/Biographical History
Some of the names of the signers in the document are hard to read.
Date Range
1831/07
Creation Date
July 1831
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 19
People
Gibbons, Daniel
Conard, Abraham
Conard, Isaac
Peart, Thomas
Subjects
Business records
Contracts
Quaker church buildings
Quakers
Society of Friends
Search Terms
Agreements
Business records
Financial records
Hicksite Friends' Meeting House
Meetinghouses
Quakers
Society of Friends
Extent
1 item, 2 pages to scan
Object Name
Agreement
Language
English
Object ID
MG0846_F016
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Gibbons Diaries, Family Papers, and Mill Records (MG0846), Object ID, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL. 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 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. 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
2021.008
Other Numbers
MG-846
Other Number
MG-846, Folder 16
Classification
MG0846
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Cataloged by MB, 8 July 2021. Added to database 28 July 2021.
Documents
Less detail

An act to incorporate the city of Lancaster with the several subsequent acts relating thereto; and the ordinances for the regulation of the said city, passed by the Select and Common Councils

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/lhdo17638
Corporate Author
Lancaster (Pa.).
Date of Publication
1834.
Call Number
090 L224mh 1834
Responsibility
Arr. and published by Councils.
Corporate Author
Lancaster (Pa.).
Place of Publication
Lancaster
Publisher
Printed by Hugh Maxwell,
Date of Publication
1834.
Physical Description
1 v. (various pagings) 20 cm.
Notes
Library copy missing title page.
Subjects
Lancaster (Pa.). - H. Maxwell - (1834)
Ordinances, Municipal - Pennsylvania - Lancaster.
Lancaster (Pa.) - History.
Lancaster (Pa.) - Politics and government.
Location
Lancaster History Library - Rare Books
Call Number
090 L224mh 1834
Less detail

The Anti-slavery record. Vol. I, for 1835

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/lhdo13486
Date of Publication
1835.
Call Number
973.7115 A627
Place of Publication
New York
Publisher
Published by R.G. Williams, for The American Anti-slavery Society,
Date of Publication
1835.
Physical Description
iv, 174 p. 19 cm.
Notes
Joseph Gibbons embossed on front cover; Autographed by Joseph Gibbons, 1835.
Subjects
Slavery - United States
Additional Corporate Author
American Anti-Slavery Society.
Location
Lancaster History Library - Rare Books
Call Number
973.7115 A627
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
Alice E. Brown Family Papers
Title
Alice E. Brown Family Papers
Object ID
MG0583
Date Range
1727-1963
Community. She was born in Salisbury Twp., daughter of the late John H. & Lizzie F. Brown. She was a member of Latta Memorial Presbyterian Church of Christiana. Alice graduated from the Millersville Normal School in 1934. She was a School Teacher for 7 years at the former Simmontown one-room schoolhouse
  1 document  
Collection
Alice E. Brown Family Papers
Title
Alice E. Brown Family Papers
Description
The Alice E. Brown Family Papers contain genealogy and family records, deeds, land drafts, ads and ephemera for local businesses, bonds, estate papers, wills, and personal papers. Some of the deeds and maps are for property also owned by the Coates and Pownall families. Alice's father was a race horse breeder and the collection contains certificates from the American Trotting Register for some of his horses.
Admin/Biographical History
"Alice E. Brown, age 93, of Christiana, PA passed away on Monday, March 15, 2010 at Tel Hai Retirement Community. She was born in Salisbury Twp., daughter of the late John H. & Lizzie F. Brown. She was a member of Latta Memorial Presbyterian Church of Christiana. Alice graduated from the Millersville Normal School in 1934. She was a School Teacher for 7 years at the former Simmontown one-room schoolhouse. She also worked for Dr. Beacher of Gap. She was known as a wonderful artist. She was preceded in death by 4 siblings: Norris, Phares, Lela, and Leah Brown. She was the last of her immediate family. Funeral service will take place from the Shivery Funeral Home, 111 Elizabeth Street, Christiana, PA on Wednesday, March 17th, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Jane DeFord officiating. Interment will be in the Sadsbury Friends Burial Grounds, Gap, PA."
From the obituary of Alice E. Brown, Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, 16 March 2010.
Date Range
1727-1963
Year Range From
1727
Year Range To
1963
Date of Accumulation
1727-1963
Creator
Brown, Alice E., 1916-2010
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 12
People
Bedard, A. J.
Beecher, Eleanor
Beecher, Samuel
Beyer, W. F.
Brinton, Susanna
Brown, Alice E.
Brown, Barbara
Brown, Clemson
Brown, David
Brown, David, Jr.
Brown, Elizabeth F.
Brown, Hannah
Brown, J. Norris
Brown, Jacob
Brown, John H.
Brown, John Henry
Brown, Leah
Brown, Lindley T.
Brown, Lizzie F.
Brown, Lydia
Brown, Margaret C.
Brown, Phares
Brown, Samuel
Brown, Sarah "Sallie"
Brown, William
Coates, Lindley
Davis, Benjamin F.
Dubree, Absolom
Dubree, Ann
Elliot, Joseph
Eshleman, Jacob
Fleming, John
Hipple, Mary Ann
Hostetter, Abraham F.
Howell, Philip
Jackson, Mary Louise
Kunkel, H. Clinger
Lindley T. Brown
McNeely, Abigail
Mews, Hannah
Mews, John
Moore, Thomas
Murray, John
Murry, John
Murry, Susanna
Pownall, Deborah
Pownall, Ellen
Pownall, George H.
Pownall, Harriet
Pownall, Levi
Wasson, Samuel
Pownall, Martha
Pownall, Theodore
Rhea, Ann
Samson, Margaret
Samson, William
Steele, Elizabeth
Steele, Hugh E.
Swanger, John H.
Taylor, Isaac
Walker, Asahel
Wasson, Ann
Wasson, Ruth
Wasson, Usher
Wayser, Janet L. Knox
Whitson, George
Williams, Robert
Subjects
Advertisements
Deeds
Family archives
Genealogy
Horse breeders
Probate records
Search Terms
Advertisements
Certificates
Deeds
Family records
Finding aids
Genealogy
Horse breeders
Lutheran and Reformed Church
Manuscript groups
Pikeland Church
Probate records
Sadsbury Friends Cemetery
Simmontown School
Union Cemetery
Extent
1 box, 35 folders, .5 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0583
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Related Item Notes
See also the Photograph Collections
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Alice E. Brown Family Papers (MG0583), Folder #, 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
2010.MG0583
Other Numbers
MG-583
Classification
MG0583
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Processed by RW, February 2010; finding aid typed by SH, July 2013. Added to database 26 December 2021.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Grill Family Papers
Title
Grill Family Papers
Object ID
MG0559
Date Range
1823-1925
pertaining to a court case between Adam Grill and Martin Althouse. Some of the documents involve the property of Muddy Creek Church. Creator: Grill family. Conditions for Access: No restrictions. Conditions Governing Reproductions: Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center
  1 document  
Collection
Grill Family Papers
Title
Grill Family Papers
Description
The Grill Family Papers contain deeds and land drafts for property in East Cocalico Township, Lancaster County; an estate inventory for John Miller; letters of administration for the estate of John Grill; a warrant for John Grill to collect the school tax for East Cocalico School District; and receipts pertaining to a court case between Adam Grill and Martin Althouse. Some of the documents involve the property of Muddy Creek Church.
Date Range
1823-1925
Year Range From
1823
Year Range To
1925
Date of Accumulation
1823-1925
Creator
Grill family
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 12
Subjects
Deeds
Probate records
Real property surveys
Search Terms
Deeds
Estate inventories
Finding aids
Land drafts
Manuscript groups
Muddy Creek Church
Probate records
Extent
1 box, 10 folders, .25 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0559
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Grill Family Papers (MG559), Folder #, 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
2010.MG0559
Other Numbers
MG-559
Classification
MG0559
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Processed and finding aid prepared by JP, June-July 2012. Added to database 28 December 2021.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Broadsides Collection
Title
Broadsides Collection
Object ID
MG0357
Date Range
1775-1958
the toll operator clarify rates (i.e., a horse-drawn sleigh = a carriage rate). A printed petition from the citizens of Lancaster regarding the route of the railroad between Columbia and Philadelphia. Citizens want the railroad to go through Lancaster; worried about town economy if railroad passes by
  1 document  
Collection
Broadsides Collection
Title
Broadsides Collection
Description
This collection contains broadsides for lectures, stores, businesses, and organizations.
Date Range
1775-1958
Year Range From
1775
Year Range To
1958
Date of Accumulation
1775-1958
Creator
LancasterHistory (Organization)
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 09
People
Bailey, Francis
Becker, John
Bomberger, M.
Bowman, Michael
Brinton, F.
Bryson, J. H.
Chryst, Drue Young
Chryst, James
Conyngham, Redmond
Cromwell, J.
Deshong, P. M.
Eply, John
Eshleman, Elam Witmer
Fahnestock, William B.
Funk, Amos H.
Gable, Jacob
Haines, Samuel B.
Harbaugh, Henry
Hershey, Benjamin
Jefferies, Thomas
Kennedy, J. P. M.
Landis, Benjamin
Landis, David
Landis, Jesse
Landis, John
Lefever, John
Lehman, John S.
Lindsay, John J.
List, Friedrich
Mathiot, John
Maxwell, Hugh
McCall, H. W.
Mercer, J. Q.
Messersmith, Jacob
Metzler, Christian E.
Michael, J.
Roosevelt, Theodore
Scott, Joseph
Shreiner, Martin
Steele, John F.
Stevens, Enos
Witmer, A. K.
Witmer, Henry
Wylie, S. A.
Subjects
Broadsides
Political posters
Posters
Search Terms
Advertisements
Announcements
Arithmetic
Boys Work Fund
Broadsides
Camons Island
Cheap Job Printer, Lancaster Inquirer
Court of Quarter Sessions
Cromwell & Bomberger
Finding aids
Flyers
Frantz's Mill
Ku Klux Klan (1915- )
Lancaster Adler
Lancaster County Prison
Lancaster Soil Conservation District
Lancaster Unemployed Council
Lititz Turnpike Company
Manor Turnpike Company
Manuscript groups
Mayors
Mount Vista Gold and Silver Mining Company
New York and Pennsylvania Oil and Coal Mining Company
Newspapers
Notices
Paradise Lyceum
Pennsylvania General Assembly, House of Representatives
Petitions
Philadelphia Mourning Store, Jones & Fisher
Poetry
Political posters
Posters
Programs
Railroads
Reports
Review Print
Russel & Myers
S. B. Cox and Company
Sheriffs
Slackwater Turnpike
Steam Book and Job Printing
Stockholders
Stocks
Tolls
Union and Tribune Office
Youth Appreciation Week
Extent
2 boxes, 23 folders, 1 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English, German, and Pennsylvania German
Object ID
MG0357
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Original documents may be used by researchers--contact Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to visit or request at Reference Desk.
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.
Other Numbers
MG-357
Classification
MG0357
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Added to database 3 January 2022.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Revolutionary War Collection
Title
Revolutionary War Collection
Object ID
MG0098
Date Range
1776-1976
  2 documents  
Collection
Revolutionary War Collection
Title
Revolutionary War Collection
Description
The Revolutionary War Collection contains a variety of materials from and about the Revolutionary War in Lancaster County and Pennsylvania. The original records include correspondence, military pay certificates, court records, and an orderly book kept by Lt. Col. Adam Hubley, Jr. during the Sullivan Campaign of 1779. There are also research notes and secondary sources, including a list of prisoners of war, a list of males in Lancaster County in 1776, Continental Hospital Returns 1777-1780, articles, information on soldiers buried in Lancaster County, and an article about John Paul Jones.
Date Range
1776-1976
Creation Date
1776-1976
Year Range From
1776
Year Range To
1976
Creator
LancasterHistory (Organization)
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 03
People
Beddulph, Robert
Boyd, John
Burd, James Edward
Chambers, Stephen
Coedans, James
Cooke, William
Ferree, John
Getty, Christian
Gurney, Francis
Hubley, Adam
Jolly, James A. "Jim"
Joy, Daniel
Kieffer, Henry Martyn
Moore, William
Neal, James
Patterson, Alex
Porter, Thomas
Ramsay, David
Rapp, Brandon
Reid, George W.
Worner, William Frederic
Zellty, John A.
Subjects
Cemeteries
Letters
Military history
Military regulations
Newtown, Battle of, Newtown, N.Y., 1779
Prisoners of war
Soldiers
Stony Point, Battle of, Stony Point, N.Y., 1779
Sullivan's Indian Campaign, 1779
United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783
United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Campaigns
United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Prisoners and prisons
Search Terms
Battle of Newtown
Battle of Stony Point
Cemeteries
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Correspondence
Finding aids
Haudenosaunee Confederacy
Letters
Manuscript groups
Military history
Military records
Military regulations
Prisoners of war
Receipts
Revolutionary War
Soldiers
Sullivan Campaign, 1779
Extent
3 boxes, 40 folders, 1.25 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0098
Notes
Harmful Language Warning: LancasterHistory is committed to preserving and providing access to materials chronicling Lancaster County's heritage. As a historical resource, this orderly book reflects the racial prejudices of the era and the violence perpetrated against the Haudenosaunee Confederacy during the American War of Independence. 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. This volume contains language that is offensive, oppressive, graphic, and may cause distress. LancasterHistory does not condone the use of this language.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions. Please use digital images and transcriptions when available.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org.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
Revolutionary War Collection (MG-98), Box #, Folder #, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pa.
Other Numbers
MG-98
Other Number
MG-98
Classification
MG0098
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Cataloged prior to 1997. Items have been added and the finding aid has been updated since 1997.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers
Title
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers
Object ID
MG0828
Date Range
1839-1932
Collection
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers
Title
General Thomas Welsh Family Papers
Description
The General Thomas Welsh Family Papers is a collection of original correspondence, official documents, and ephemera. Many of the papers were created by or directed to Thomas Welsh between approximately 1843 and his death in 1863. They provide glimpses into his youth, his experiences in the Mexican War, his life in Columbia between the wars, and his rise in rank to Brigadier General during the Civil War.
The collection contains correspondence with his wife and family from 1861-1863. There are also official correspondence and documents related to Welsh's military service, autobiographical pieces, correspondence following his death, obituaries, and family papers into the early twentieth century. Other items in the collection include genealogy pages from the family bible, photographic images of Thomas Welsh and family members, two scrapbooks, newspaper issues and newspaper clippings, written notes from recollections of one of Welsh's daughter, and a biographical sketch of Welsh written by his son.
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
1839-1932
Year Range From
1839
Year Range To
1932
Creator
Wiggin, Richard C.
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 19
People
Welsh, Thomas
Welsh, Annie Eunice Young
Welsh, Blanton Charles
Welsh, Effie
Welsh, Lilian
Welsh, Mary Young "Mazie"
Buchanan, James
Subjects
Letters
Mexican War, 1846-1848
Military orders
Military promotions
Personal correspondence
Political campaigns
Presidents--Election
Speeches, addresses, etc.
United States. Army--Military life
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Search Terms
Civil War
Correspondence, Personal
Letters
Mexican War
Military life
Military orders
Military promotions
Political campaigns
Presidential elections
Speeches
United States Army
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Condition
Fair to good
Condition Date
2020-12-18
Condition Notes
Items are in fair to good condition.
Object ID
MG0828
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact archives@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. 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, Pa.
Classification
MG0828
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Almost all of the papers have been passed down through successive generations of Welsh's descendants, from Thomas Welsh's wife and children to his granddaughter, Emilie Benson (Welsh) Wiggin, to her daughter Nancy Jane (Wiggin) Townsend. After Nancy Townsend's death, her son Charles Townsend passed them on to his cousin, Richard Wiggin (grandson of Emilie Benson Wiggin) in 2015.
A few papers passed out of the family's possession and found their way into other collections. Richard Abel of Columbia, PA began collecting Welsh papers and artifacts some years ago, and subsequently transferred this collection of Welsh materials to Richard Wiggin in 2012.
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