Collections : [University of Michigan William L. Clements Library]

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Collection

Nineteenth-Century love letters, [late 19th Century]

5 items

This collection consists of letters and portions of letters expressing the author's affection for and devotion to the recipient.

This collection consists of letters and portions of letters expressing the author's affection for and devotion to the recipient and continually reaffirming his devotion. The letters were written around the late 19th century.

Collection

U.S. Serviceman’s Letters, Stams (Austria), 1945

5 items

This collection contains 5 letters from a man named George, who wrote to his mother while he served with the United States Armed Forces in Stams, Austria, during May and June 1945. He told his mother of his daily life, recounted a day trip to nearby Innsbruck, and shared news of acquaintances from the United States.

"George," a member of the United States Armed Forces, wrote 5 letters (9.5 pages) to his mother while stationed in Stams, Austria, in May and June 1945.

He often reported receiving and sending correspondence and packages, including a shipment of fudge that had spoiled (May 12, 1945), and responded to news of people he knew in the United States. Occasionally, he mentioned the draft and the possibility of acquaintances serving in the military, and in one letter commented on the death of a friend named Bert Vollmer, who had also served in Europe (May 29, 1945). George wrote about various aspects of military life, such as inspections, and remarked about the weather and daily life in Austria. He mentioned the work of local citizens, who spent most of their time farming, and in his letter of June 10, 1945, he described the haying process. On May 31, 1945, he wrote of a recent trip to nearby Innsbruck, where he went skiing and attended an opera, and reported that the military had resumed censorship of soldiers' letters.

Collection

U.S. Serviceman's letters, Manila (Philippines), 1945

8 items

This collection is made up of letters that a United States serviceman sent to his wife while traveling to and serving in the Philippines between July and September 1945. The letters pertain to religion, leisure activities, a Japanese surrender delegation, and other subjects.

This collection is made up of 8 letters that a United States serviceman sent to his wife while traveling to and serving in the Philippines in August and September 1945. In his first two letters, "Jake" wrote about aspects of his journey across the Pacific Ocean, including weather conditions and a religious service held onboard his ship (July 2, 1945, and undated). After arriving in Manila, he described the destruction in and around the Intramuros district and discussed his life in an unfinished camp, where soldiers used their helmets to hold shaving water. He mentioned repeated thefts from soldiers' footlockers, and the prevalence of scorpions, lizards, and other animals. In his letter of August 21, 1945, Jake lightly criticized Catholic chaplains. This letter also contains an account of a 16-man Japanese surrender delegation, which Jake spotted while retrieving his mail; he noted the differences between the ornately decorated Japanese uniforms and the Americans' plain khakis.

Collection

Chinese Women's Association donation requests, 1937-1938

7 items

This collection contains 7 items related to clothing drives and fundraising efforts organized by the New York City-based Chinese Women's Association to help Chinese war refugees during the early stages of the Second Sino-Japanese War. These include letters and postcards requesting monetary and in-kind donations, as well as reprints of related newspaper articles.

This collection contains 7 items related to clothing drives and fundraising efforts organized by the New York City-based Chinese Women's Association to help Chinese war refugees during the early stages of the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945). In two printed form letters, the association stressed the urgency of the situation in China, requested assistance from "China's sympathizers in America," and specifically referenced the necessity of food and clothing (November 1, 1937 and undated). Three undated postcards, two of which are addressed to Mrs. C. C. Morrison of Granville, Ohio, have preprinted messages asking for pledge to boycott Japanese products (1 item) and for donations of clothing and medical supplies (2 items). Two additional items contain reprints of three newspaper articles about the association's fundraising efforts; these include "Racial Group Breaks Precedent" (The New York Times, April 11, 1937), "Hope for China Seen in Women" (North Shore Daily Journal, January 12, 1938), and "Church Service League Will Aid China Refugees" (North Shore Daily Journal, January 12, 1938).

Collection

Charles Miller letters, 1918-1919

6 items

This collection is comprised of 6 letters that Private Charles Miller wrote to his mother while serving with the Special Services Unit 649, an ambulance unit in the Convois Automobiles, in France during World War I. Miller discussed aspects of military life both before and after the Armistice.

This collection is made up of 6 letters that Private Charles Miller wrote to his mother while serving with the Special Services Unit 649, an ambulance unit in the Convois Automobiles, in France during World War I. Miller, who signed his letters "Chas.," discussed aspects of military life both before and after the Armistice, such as his quarters and his desire to join the regular army. He reported his excitement after hearing that Special Services Unit 649 would be receiving a commendation for bravery and occasionally commented on the war. During his time in France, he observed bombing raids and shelling, but believed "one would have to be terribly unlucky to get hit" (March 30, [1918]). After the war, Miller described his attempts to learn languages and anticipated his return to the United States. Miller's letter of April 27, 1918, is incomplete.

Collection

Camp Devens (Mass.) letters, 1917-1918

8 items

This collection is made up of letters that a soldier named Frank sent to his mother and siblings while training at Camp Devens, Massachusetts, in late 1917 and early 1918. He discussed his equipment, dental health, and other aspects of military life.

This collection is made up of 8 letters that a soldier named Frank sent to his mother and siblings while training at Camp Devens, Massachusetts, between December 8, 1917, and February 15, 1918. Frank mentioned physical conditioning, combat training, and outdoor cooking. He sometimes mentioned other soldiers, including another man from "Georgetown" who had taken to gambling. Frank noted when his friends were sent overseas or to different posts; he expected that he would go abroad around mid-February 1918. Frank's letter of February 8, 1918, contains a list of equipment he had received in preparation for overseas deployment. Though the military encouraged soldiers to travel home on weekends on account of food shortage, Frank regretted that he could not travel on account of that train fare. Several letters refer to Frank's dental problems and recommended treatment.

Collection

Camp Hancock letters, 1917

3 items

An anonymous United States Army sergeant wrote these 3 letters (18 pages) to his mother while serving at Camp Hancock, Georgia, between August and December 1917. "Herb," a member of Company D, 103rd Engineer Regiment, reported on his regiment's work laying pipes and about several aspects of military life.

An anonymous United States Army sergeant wrote these 3 letters (18 pages) to his mother while serving at Camp Hancock, Georgia, between August and December 1917. "Herb," a member of Company D, 103rd Engineer Regiment, reported on his regiment's work laying pipes and on several aspects of military life.

In each of his letters, "Herb" encouraged his mother not to worry about him, and he took pride in his work with the military and in his continuing advancement through the ranks; he was expecting a commission as lieutenant. He also mentioned some of his regiment's duties, which included laying pipes for newly constructed buildings at Camp Hancock and building temporary bridges for other units on bivouac assignments. Herb described other aspects of camp life, such as the comings and goings of other soldiers and his leisure activities, which included trips to nearby Augusta and football games. In two of his letters, he discussed the reorganization of the army's cavalry and artillery units, and in one letter, he mentioned English and French guest officers' instruction in trench warfare (November 11, 1917).

Collection

Robert Leet Patterson family genealogical notebook, 1900-1909

1 volume

This volume primarily contains information on the ancestors of Robert Leet Patterson, who included members of the Williams family, Herron family, Wilson family, and Baird family. Other entries pertain to the establishment of European colonies in North America, United States coinage, and the history of Derry, Ireland.

This volume (with enclosed items) contains information on the ancestors of Robert Leet Patterson, including members of the Williams, Herron, Wilson, and Baird families. Other entries pertain to the establishment of European colonies in North America, United States coinage, and the history of Derry, Ireland. The volume contains 468 numbered pages, but only around 110 are used. See the Detailed Box and Folder Listing for a table of contents.

The notebook includes extracts copied from historical and biographical publications, newspapers, and other sources. Most of the material pertains to family histories, including family trees, genealogical notes, and biographical sketches of members of the Patterson, Stockton, Williams, Herron, Huntington, Head, Wilson, Given, Nicholas, Chestnut, Leet, Anderson, Way, and Baird families. Other items pertain to European exploration and land claims in North America, early relationships between European powers and Native Americans, the history of the New Haven colony, differences between old and new dating systems, and the history and economic output of County Londonderry and the city of Derry, Ireland. One brief note concerns the establishment of Presbyterianism in Philadelphia. The volume also contains a list of the number and type of coins issued by the United States government every year from 1793-1883.

Materials enclosed in the volume include 9 newspaper clippings respecting the Highland Presbyterian Church's 1903 centennial celebrations; "Reports from Florida" in 1879; obituaries for members of the Patterson, Wilson, and Heron families, dated 1900-1909; 6 pages of genealogical notes, one of which is a fragment of a letter; and a draft letter responding to a family member's request for advice about purchasing a grocery store.

Collection

Holmes-Keyes Children's letters, 1896

6 items

Three young girls named Lillian Holmes Keyes, "Mildred," and "Edith" wrote these 6 letters to their grandparents in the summer of 1896. Edith's letters were penciled by her mother, Fannie. The girls wrote on illustrated children's stationery and commented on scenery, wildlife, health, and family news. Mildred addressed one of her letters from East Tilton, New Hampshire.

Three young girls named Lillian Holmes Keyes, "Mildred," and "Edith" wrote these 6 letters to their grandparents in the summer of 1896. Edith's letters were penciled by her mother, Fannie. The girls wrote on illustrated children's stationery and commented on scenery, wildlife, health, and family news. Mildred addressed one of her letters from East Tilton, New Hampshire.

Lillian Holmes Keyes wrote 2 letters to her grandparents on July 19 and 22, 1896, about her ongoing recovery from scarlet fever. Though she could not interact with other children, she did enjoy a trip to a nearby lake with her Aunt Alice. "Mildred" sent 2 letters (July 9, 1896, and undated), describing a picnic and other outdoor activities such as swimming. She also thanked her grandmother for throwing her a 7th birthday party. The final 2 letters are attributed to a child named Edith, though they are written by her mother, Fannie. The first letter reports family news, such as the recent sale of their store and an anticipated August vacation. The second offers greetings to various family members and bears scribbled drawings by a young child (possibly Edith).

Each letter is written on illustrated children's stationery with images of children writing, accepting a letter from a dog, riding in a cart, and repairing a doll.

Collection

John W. Echols collection, 1890-1932 (majority within 1890-1898)

16 items

This collection contains material related to John W. Echols, who served as supreme president of the American Protective Association in the mid-1890s. Included are letters of recommendation, personal correspondence, a speech draft, printed circulars, and other items.

This collection contains 16 items related to John W. Echols, who served as supreme president of the American Protective Association in the mid-1890s. Included are letters of recommendation, personal correspondence, a speech draft, printed circulars, and other items.

The Correspondence series (10 items) contains 9 letters and 1 telegram. Echols received 2 letters from friends, one of whom shared an anecdote about meeting Henry Ward Beecher, and a telegram from Mark Hanna, chairman of the Republican National Committee. Echols also wrote a draft letter to Cornelius Newton Bliss, Secretary of the Interior, about his desire for Dr. George DuBose to retain his current office. Five letters of recommendation for Echols (all dated November 1890) are addressed to Pennsylvania Governor Robert E. Pattison, concerning Echols's candidacy for the office of state attorney general. The final item in the series is a typed letter that Echols received from James Sargent, in which he shared his wish for an American victory during the Spanish-American War and anticipated the continued success of the American Protective Association (May 9, 1898).

The Speech series (1 item) contains a typewritten draft of a speech by Echols entitled "National Destiny," with manuscript annotations. The speech, which Echols delivered on July 4, 1892, lauds the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers and calls for United States citizens to remain vigilant about protecting their country. The speech includes an excerpt from Joseph Rodman Drake's poem "The American Flag," and concludes with lines from "The Star Spangled Banner."

The Printed Items series (5 items) is comprised of 2 printed American Protective Association (APA) circulars, a copy of the APA Supreme Council's constitution, and 2 newspaper clippings. The circulars, distributed to APA chapters in August and October 1896, discuss the upcoming presidential election, call for the complete separation of church and state within the United States, restate the organization's core principles, and urge voters to check their congressional representatives' voting records. The second circular also discusses Democratic presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan. One newspaper clipping relates to United States Senator Patrick Walsh; the other is an obituary for John W. Echols.