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This collection contains twelve letters written by Edward W. Chesebro of Guilderland, New York, and Allen D. Chesebro of Gallupville, New York, to John Carhartt of Bridgeport, New York, in the mid-1840s. Edward described his teaching career and made observations about the educational system and about his brief stay in the South. Allen provided updates on Edward and on other members of the Chesebro family.

This collection contains twelve letters written by Edward W. Chesebro of Guilderland, New York, and Allen D. Chesebro of Gallupville, New York, to John Carhartt of Bridgeport, New York. Edward wrote ten letters between January 3, 1846, and February 21, 1847, primarily about his career as a schoolteacher in Guilderland and Bangall, New York. He frequently shared his opinions of his students, who often performed far below his expectations, and expressed his frustration with their shortcomings, both academic and moral. He also gave his generally negative opinions upon the state of education in the region and the importance of attending the State Normal College at Albany while pursuing an educational career. In October 1846, he described his travels along the Erie and Ohio Canals.

The letters include updates on Chesebro's family members, and he occasionally mentioned contemporary political issues, including violence at the New York Democratic Convention (April 2, 1846). About the American South, he wrote, "I returned as perfectly disgusted…as any live man could be" with the people, the climate, and slavery (December 7, 1846). In two additional letters, Allen D. Chesebro (1822-1902) of Gallupville, New York, discussed his own travels throughout New York, Edward's plans to move to either Texas or Mississippi, and news of the Chesebro family.

This collection is made up of 50 incoming letters to George Underwood of Auburn, New York, as well as cartes-de-visite and other card photographs. Underwood's acquaintances wrote about college preparation, political issues, and their lives in northern New York.

This collection is made up of 50 incoming letters to George Underwood of Auburn, New York, as well as cartes-de-visite and other card photographs. The Correspondence series is comprised of Underwood's incoming personal letters, written from January 30, 1835-January 2, 1837, and from May 5, 1838-December 26, 1838. J. S. Sherwood, Underwood's friend and most frequent correspondent, often discussed educational issues in his early letters, particularly related to his preparations for college. Sherwood mentioned his current studies in Canandaigua, New York, anticipated a round of examinations, and reported the collegiate plans of mutual friends. Underwood also received letters from Joel Whitney, a friend who lived in New Woodstock and Clinton, New York, and from other acquaintances, most of whom discussed secondary education. He received a printed invitation to the exhibition of Hamilton College's junior class on May 18, 1836 (April 11, 1836) and wrote a letter to John H. Lathrop about his intention to return to Hamilton College as a junior in the fall of 1836 following a period of ill health (July 11, 1836). Jane Underwood, George's sister, and A. Underwood, his father, provided news from Auburn, New York, after George's enrollment at Hamilton College.

After a break in correspondence from 1837-1837, Underwood continued to receive letters from family and friends. J. S. Sherwood and other acquaintances usually concentrated on local political issues, especially related to the Whig Party and to a recent election. They discussed the Locofoco movement, a states' rights party, and abolitionists' voting habits, among other issues. On November 28, 1838, a friend commented on recent military disturbances near Prescott, Canada.

The Photographs series contains 6 cartes-de-visite, 10 card photographs (4" x 6.5"), and 1 photographic print. Most are formal studio portraits of men, women, and children, and many are labeled. Other photographs depict a horse-drawn carriage and a house belonging to "General Dimon."

Gertrude M. Nichols of Albion, New York, and Niagara Falls, New York, received 10 letters from acquaintances in the late 1860s. Her correspondents wrote of their lives in New York and Wisconsin.

Gertrude M. Nichols of Albion, New York, and Niagara Falls, New York, received 10 letters from acquaintances in the late 1860s. "Libbie," a friend, wrote Nichols 2 letters from Lockport, New York, in September 1866. She provided updates about acquaintances, shared her desire for Nichols to visit, discussed their friendship, and commented on marriage. Her letter of September 13, 1866, encloses notes and a printed "Programme of Daily Exercises" from an unspecified school. A friend named "Theo" (b. January 12, 1849) from Albion, New York, wrote 7 letters to Nichols between October 28, 1867, and August 8, 1869. His letters pertain to social news from Albion and to his friendship with Nichols. He also discussed a teaching institute's annual session (October 28, 1867), an argument over women's rights (December 4, 1867), raids of unlicensed liquor dealers (January 27, 1868), northerners' interactions with "southern vagabonds" (March 1, 1868), and a solar eclipse (August 8, 1869). Theo signed some of his letters "Philetiros." The final letter to Nichols, unsigned, concerns the writer's social life in Wisconsin (December 12, 1869-January 1870).

Correspondence and documents relating to the Tower family of upstate New York, primarily relating to business and family affairs.

Most of the letters in this collection pertains to business operations, including incoming and outgoing letters correspondence with bill collectors, shippers, customers, and others. Correspondents frequently commented on the operation of the business and the financial and political climate.

Family correspondence is concentrated in the period between 1821-1848, during which time the Tower children were away at school or college. The collection also includes several account books.

The Tower family papers have multiple important, unprocessed additions, including Civil War correspondence of Charlemagne Tower, of the Pennsylvania 6th Regiment, Company H (the "Tower Guards").