This collection contains the diaries of Gilbert and Edith Bushong.
The first diaries in this collection (Folder #1), written by Gilbert Bushong who is 14 years old, are dated from 3m 17 1850 - 5m 29 1852 and April 20, 1853. The topics covered are the everyday events of family life and farming activities. He also writes about school life, and butchering hogs, and trips to visit family and friends.
The second part of this collection (Folder #2-5) was written by Edith Paxson Bushong and dates from December 31, 1858 - April 5, 1862, after Gilbert presents her with a new diary journal on his return from a trip to Lancaster. Edith writes mostly about the welfare of her family and friends, including news of marriages, births, illnesses, and deaths.
She also writes about life on the farm, her housework routine, and news of the Civil War, including the battle at Gettysburg.
Admin/Biographical History
Gilbert Bushong was the son of Henry Bushong and Esther Valentine. He was born on 2 December 1836 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and died on 10 December 1911 in Chester County, Pennsylvania. He was a farmer in Eden Twp., Lancaster County. Gilbert was a member of the Society of Friends (Quakers) and an abolitionist who helped, with family members Henry and Jacob Bushong, to run the Underground Railroad for runaway slaves during the Civil War at Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania.
Edith D. Kinsey Paxson was born on 14 January 1836 and died 2 December 1914 in Chester County, Pennsylvania. She was the second daughter of Elwood H. Paxson and Elizabeth Moore White. She married Gilbert Bushong on 20 December 1855. The Bushongs owned a farm along what is now Valley Road, Route 372, on the eastern side of Eden Twp. and received their mail at May Post Office. They are buried together at Sadsbury Meeting Cemetery in Chester County.
Children of Gilbert and Edith Bushong:
1. Dr. Charles Henry Bushong (1 October 1856-20 December 1903). He was married twice, to sisters who were twins, Anna W. Keene and Nora E. Keene. One died and he married the other.
2. Frances E. Bushong (18 May 1858-16 November 1861).
3. Marion E. Bushong (20 March 1860-March 1937). She married Sanders M. Collins on 20 December 1884. Their children were Edith Bushong Collins (1886-1966) and Wallace Collins (b. 1899). Edith never married. She kept house for her father and was a school teacher. Wallace married Marion Chandler.
4. Marvin E. Bushong (7 June 1878-27 October 1936). He married Lydia Rakestraw on 10 September 1903. Their children were Henry Rakestraw Bushong (b. 28 July 1904) and Gertrude (b. 4 August 1909). At 21, Marvin was appointed a Justice of the Peace of Eden Twp. and in 1908 was elected Clerk of Quarter Sessions at Lancaster County. Later, he was associated with the Pennsylvania Water and Power Company, and in 1933 was vice-president of the Safe Harbor Water Power Corp.
This record group contains canceled orders that were issued by the county commissioners for payment to be made by the county treasurer. The orders show date, order number, amount, name of payee, purpose, and signatures of the county commissioners. In the case of "poor children," teachers were reimbursed by the county for tuition and/or the supplies purchased for students whose parents were unable to pay. Orders include: Poor Children, Almshouse, Bridges, Coroners' Inquests, Prisons, Roads, Court House, and Tax Exonerations.
System of Arrangement
The record group is organized chronologically, then arranged by order number within each year.
This record group contains canceled orders that were issued by the county commissioners for payment to be made by the county treasurer. The orders show date, order number, amount, name of payee, purpose, and signatures of the county commissioners. In the case of "poor children," teachers were reimbursed by the county for tuition and/or the supplies purchased for students whose parents were unable to pay. Orders include: Poor Children, Almshouse, Bridges, Coroners' Inquests, Prisons, Roads, Court House, and Tax Exonerations.
System of Arrangement
The record group is organized chronologically, then arranged by order number within each year.
Carpenter, Henry. Father of Carpenter, Benjamin, age 11.
Gehn, Catharine. Mother of Gehn, Esther, age 11; Gehn, Showers, age 8. Orphans. [Or Gehr, Catharine. Mother of Gehr, Esther, age 11; Gehr, Showers, age 8. Orphans.]
Sloan, William. Father of Sloan, John, age 9; Sloan, Margaret, age 6; Sloan, Samuel, age 10.
Peters, Michael. Father of Peters, John, age 8; Peters, Susana, age 9.
Wade, Mary. Mother of Wade, Polly, age 11; Wade, Adam, age 9. Orphans.
Diffenderfer, Margaret. Mother of Diffenderfer, Margaret, age 10.
Bowermaster, A. Parent of Brendel, George F., age 7. Orphan.
Campble, Polly. Mother of Saul, Susana, age 8.
Campble, Susana. Mother of Quin, Rachel, age 7.
Road, Reachel. Mother of Shaw, Levy, age 6.
Lambert, Jacob. Father of Lambert, Jacob,age 9; Lambert, Adam, age 7.
Haines, Curtis. Father of Haines, Martha, age 10; Haines, Catharine, age 11.
Bouseman, John. Father of Bousman, Jacob, 10. Bouseman, Henry, age 7.
Myer, Michael. Father of Myer, Michael, age 10; Myer, John, age 8; Myer, William, age 5.
Miller, Catharine. Mother of Miller, David, age 7. Orphan.
Weer, Robert. Father of Weer, Andrew, age 7.
Stephy, Casper. Father of Stephy, Mary, age 8.
McMullen, Peter. Father of McMullen, Margaret, age 10; McMullen, Peter, age 8; McMullen, Mary, age 6.
Cafferty, William. Father of Cafferty, James, age 11; Cafferty, Catharine, age 9.
Darow, William. Father of Darow, Hannah, age 9.
Shaw, John. Father of Shaw, Isabela, age 11; Shaw, William, age 8; Shaw, Jane, age 4.
Kirkwood, Margaret. Mother of Kirkwood, Harriet, age 7.
Neuffer, Isaac. Father of Neuffer, Isaac, age 11; Neuffer, Barbara, age 9.
Wallace, Margaret. Mother of Wallace, Lilian, age 10; Wallace, Sarahallin, age 8.
Russel, Mary. Widow. Mother of Philips, John. age 9.
Leamon, Thomas. Father of Leamon, John, age 8; Leamon, Robert, age 6.
Huff, Rebeca. Mother of Young, William, age 8.
Hyman, Susana. Mother of Hyman, Barbara, age 10; Hyman, Susana, age 7.
Beaty, Miles. Father of Beaty, Caroline, age 9; Beaty, Silas, age 11.
Proudfoot, Robert. Father of Proudfoot, Elizabeth, age 9; Proudfoot, Levy, age 7.
Epenhemer, Samuel. Father of Epenhemer, Catharine, age 10; Epenhemer, George, age 8.
Reider, Michael. Father of Reider, Maryann, age 7.
An unnamed deaf mute person. Parent of Edwards, Susanna, age 9.
Houck, Andrew. Farher of Houck, Andrew, age 10; Houck, Barbara, age 7.
Fremd, George. Fremd, Jacob, age 8.
Ritenhouse, Polly. Mother of Mills, John, age 9.
Sigle, John. Father of Sigle, Philip, age 9.
Sandoe, Mary. Mother of Sandoe, Mary, age 11.
Davis, George. Father of Davis, Rebeca, age 7.
Macelroy, Daniel. Father of Macelroy, George M., age 7; Macelroy, William Jackson, age 10.
Dorrow, James. Father of Dorrow, Susan, age 10.
Mecelroy, James. Father of Mecelroy, Elizabeth, age 6.
Meclenchy, James. Father of Meclenchy, Catharine, age 8; Meclenchy, William, age 11.
Jones, James. Father of Jones, Margaret, age 10; Jones, Rebeca, age 8.
Baxter, David. Father of Baxter, Levy, age 7.
Sheaffer, Jacob. Father of Sheaffer, Ann, age 9; Sheaffer, Leah, age 11.
Wademan, Catharine. Mother of Wademan, Levina, age 11.
Moll, Eve. Mother of Moll, Catharine, age 9; Moll, Samuel, age 7.
Sweigart, Christian. Father of Sweigart, Dorothy, age 10.
Meharry, Ann. Mother of Meharry, Samuel, age 11; Meharry, William, age 9.
Hawlet, Rebeca. Mother of Hawlet, Metilta, age 9.
Sheaffer, Jacob. Father of Sheaffer, Nathaniel F., age 8; Sheaffer, Mary, age 7.
Hildebrand, Adam. Father of Hildebrand, Sarah, age 9.
Hildebrand, Mary. Mother of Camron, Emanuel, age 9.
Duck, Elizabeth. Mother of Duck, Oliver, age 10.
Bare, Elizabeth. Mother of Bare, Isaac, age 8.
Dissinger, Elizabeth. Mother of Carpenter, Gabriel, age 10.
Ranck, Michael. Father of Ranck, William, age 9.
Pfunt, John Michael. Father of Pfunt, John, age 10.
Norton, David. Father of Noton, McCammon, age 10.
Bachman, Alis. Parent of Eagers, Eliza Ann, age 10.
Ritter, Frederick. Father of Ritter, Lewis, age 10; Ritter, Mary, age 8.
Wade, John. Father of Wade, Robert, age 8; Wade, Jane,age 10.
Hertz, Conrad. Father of Hertz, Peter, age 11.
Romberger, John. Father of Romberger, Ferus, age 10.
Reider, Ann. Mother of Reider, John, age 9. Bastard.
Gibons, Catharine. Mother of Thombson, Maryan, age 7.
Coleman, Widow. Mother of Coleman, Michael, age 7.
Groff, George. Father of Groff, Daniel, age 8; Groff, Sarah, age 10.
Fair, George. Father of Fair, Isaac, age 9; Fair, Margaret, age 7.
1 item. 3 pieces.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at research desk. Photocopy made by staff member.
This record group contains canceled orders that were issued by the county commissioners for payment to be made by the county treasurer. The orders show date, order number, amount, name of payee, purpose, and signatures of the county commissioners. In the case of "poor children," teachers were reimbursed by the county for tuition and/or the supplies purchased for students whose parents were unable to pay. Orders include: Poor Children, Almshouse, Bridges, Coroners Inquests, Prisons, Roads, Court House, and Tax Exonerations.
System of Arrangement
The record group is organized chronologically, then arranged by order number within each year.
