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

The Delmar Lepper Civilian Conservation Corps photograph albums consist of two volumes containing 59 photographs, 15 postcards, and two letters documenting the daily life and experiences of a young man in the Civilian Conservation Corps in California and Idaho.

The Delmar Lepper Civilian Conservation Corps photograph albums consist of two volumes containing 59 photographs, 15 postcards, and two letters documenting the daily life and experiences of a young man in the Civilian Conservation Corps in California and Idaho.

Volume one (14 x 21 cm) has leather covers with a stereotypical design of a Native American man wearing a war bonnet and the words "Snap Shots/Co. 544/ Delmar Lepper" stamped on the front cover. This album contains approximately 40 snapshots and 15 half tone color postcards. Images of note include a picture of a bear being fed by a man outside of a car and postcards featuring Californian scenery. One of the postcards was sent to Lepper’s brother Albert in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Volume two (19.5 x 26.5 cm) has red pressed paper covers with a hawk and the word "Photographs" stamped on the front in silver. The album contains 19 snapshots as well as two letters written by Lepper in 1935 addressed to his brother Albert. One letter discusses Lepper's recommitment to the C.C.C. and his anxiety about doing so while the other letter describes a trip to a ship in the Pacific Ocean as well as his weight gain. The photographs appear to have been previously moved around in the album as many are loose.

The Delta, Colorado photograph album contains approximately 90 photographs compiled by Gertrude L. Hick related to the Hick family residence and neighborhood in Delta, Colorado, and excursions to various locations in Colorado.

The Delta, Colorado photograph album contains approximately 90 photographs compiled by Gertrude L. Hick related to the Hick family residence and neighborhood in Delta, Colorado, and excursions to various locations in Colorado.

The album (18 x 27 cm) is disbound and has a grey cloth cover with gilt stamped title "The Kodak Book." The album was compiled by Gertrude L. Hick, the wife of physician Lawrence A. Hick, and presented as a Christmas gift to her mother. Images of interest include photographs of the landscape near Delta, Colorado; Gertrude and Lawrence Hick with their young son; the Hick family residence and neighboring homes on Main Street; neighborhood children; the Hicks with friends on excursions to Grand Mesa and Colorado Springs; frontier cabins; and several views of Pitkin, Colorado, including two photographs of mining camps. Two large photographs show the exterior and interior of the Delta Cash Grocery, a store managed by Gertrude's brother, Byram Luce. Additional photographs show a group of children gathered around a maypole; several views of La Platte, Nebraska (Gertrude's hometown); and a bearded man, possibly Delta carpenter Albert Tillotson, displaying his woodcarvings which is captioned, "Compliments of Mr. and Mrs. Tillotson."

This collection is made up of 158 letters, 8 speeches and writings, 36 documents, 25 ephemeral items and currency, 5 pamphlets or booklets, 43 newspaper clippings, 26 lithographs, and 99 photographs by or related to Lieutenant Colonel Demas Lindley Sears. The bulk of the collection pertains to his service as a mid-level intelligence officer in the U.S. Army's 37th Infantry Division during World War II. A small portion of the collection reflects his service in the 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment during the Punitive Expedition of 1916 and in the First U.S. Cavalry during World War I.

This collection is made up of 158 letters, 8 speeches and writings, 36 documents, 25 ephemeral items and currency, 5 pamphlets or booklets, 43 newspaper clippings, 26 lithographs, and 99 photographs by or related to Lieutenant Colonel Demas Lindley Sears. The bulk of the collection pertains to his service as a mid-level intelligence officer in the U.S. Army's 37th Infantry Division during World War II. A small portion of the collection reflects his service in the 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment during the Punitive Expedition of 1916 and in the First U.S. Cavalry during World War I.

The Correspondence begins with a telegram and four letters respecting the death of Demas and Lura Sears's child in August 1918. The remainder of the correspondence is made up of original and contemporary carbon copies of letters by Demas L. Sears between 1942 and 1946. The bulk of one hundred and forty three letters are personal letters from Demas "Pop" to his wife Lura "Mother" and daughter Frances "Baby," or from Demas to others, between January 1944 and December 1945.

Lt. Col. Sears was an engaging writer and he described everyday experiences with thoughtful attention to detail. Within the restrictive confines of military censorship, he was unable to share what he called "real news," but wrote about his living quarters, food, plans for his return home, requests for letters and photographs, and generally about life in the South Pacific. He sent his wife souvenirs, such as a Japanese rifle and an entrenching shovel. His descriptions of combat and war atrocities are vivid (see, for example, his letters from late February 1945, as the 37th fought to capture Manila).

Between April 2 and July 4, 1943, Demas Sears wrote a 46-page letter to his wife in a diary-like form. He kept the letter as an uncensored account of his time on the Fiji Islands and Guadalcanal (before departing for New Georgia). It is accompanied by a typescript of the letter, titled "From the Fiji Islands to Guadalcanal with the 37th Division."

Between March 8 and September 14, 1945, Demas also composed 10 diary-like letters, producing multiple carbon copies for Lura to distribute to particular family members. In the margins, Demas identified (by hand) March 8 and September 14 as the first and last of these "family bulletins," and provided his wife with lists of intended recipients.

A series of Writings and Speeches include one war date essay and eight postwar speeches. From the Solomon Islands after November 14, 1942, he reflected thoughtfully on the war as a "young man's war" (he was able to identify a total of 22 men out of 14,000 who had served in World War I) and the importance of maintaining U.S. military strength in peacetime. His speeches relate to his war experiences and his audiences included a Congregational Church Men's Club, a Memorial Day gathering at Bucyrus, an American Legion group, and others.

The collection's 36 Documents, 1917-1946 (bulk 1942-1946), include certificates and orders related to Demas Sears's commendations and awards; training materials; intelligence (G-2 Reports, copies of a captured and translated Japanese Sergeant's diary, summaries of the interrogations of General Tomoyuki Yamashita, a Japanese map of the Pacific, etc.), and other similar papers.

Seventy-one Printed Items include ephemera and currency, booklets and pamphlets, and newspaper clippings. Among the ephemeral items are three unique World War I-era holiday menus; a menu for a 1945 banquet in honor of Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler; admission and transport tickets; Japanese currency; two World War I-era record of service posters, and a manuscript note in Japanese. The two posters are located in the Graphics Division, and more information can be found in the Separated Materials section. The five booklets and pamphlets are each listed in the box and folder listing below. Forty-three newspaper clippings pertain to Lt. Col. Sears's World War II service.

The printed items also include 26 lithographs of pencil sketches by Edward "E. J." Dollriehs of the headquarters battery of the 37th Division. His illustrations include buildings, airfields, military headquarters, portraits, and the wreckage of Japanese planes. Dollriehs identified each with captions; most of the images are from the Luzon provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, and Tarlac.

The Sears papers contain 99 Photographs. Fifteen images from the period of Sears's service in World War I include two panoramic photographs of the First Cavalry Regiment, one panoramic photograph of the headquarters staff of the 37th Division, and 12 snapshots and portraits. The collection also contains 84 photographs from Sears's World War II service in the Pacific, including individual and group portraits, snapshots depicting camp life; a series of aerial snapshots taken from a C-47 on a leaflet-dropping mission over the Philippine Islands; five photographs of a Kava Ceremony in the Fiji Islands; and a selection of confidential Signal Corps photographs.

The Denckla-Maison family papers contain business and family correspondence and financial documents primarily concerning various land holdings and other financial matters of the Denckla and Maison families, who owned substantial property in Pennsylvania throughout the mid-19th century.

The Denckla-Maison family papers consist primarily of intra-family correspondence, usually regarding monetary affairs and real estate. Several themes are common throughout the collection, with a number of letters comprising lengthy correspondence series between different members of the family. Throughout the late 1800s, William P. Denckla and his wife, Julia wrote to his sister, Mary, asking her for financial support. The collection also includes a significant amount of correspondence from William Maison to his parents, Peter and Augusta Maison, describing his life with the Pollock family in Como, Illinois, in the 1850s and, later, his intent to permanently settle there. Other main topics of correspondence are land transactions, insurance policies, and Mary Denckla's inheritance of C. Paul Denckla's estate. Several items relate to the property dispute between William Pollock and Peter Maison, and other legal cases and lawsuits are also well represented. Though the bulk of the collection consists of correspondence, the collection also holds documents and ephemera. Among these are several notarized powers of attorney, hand-drawn maps, financial calculations, and business cards. Particular examples include a series of invoices for seats at a local church, a poem entitled "Hard Times," a deed for a grave plot and use of a sepulcher, and a certified copy of Augustus Denckla's will.

1. Executrix of estate of C. Paul Denckla, by Mary Denckla, 6 January 1861-2 November 1885
2. Executrix of estate of C. Paul Denckla, by Mary Denckla, 19 November 1861-19 May 1888
3. C. Paul Denckla receipt book, 30 December 1823-26 October 1843
4. Kate M. Maison travel journal, 12 May 1869-30 July 1870
5. Peter and Augusta Maison letter book, 17 November 1858-8 March 1862
6. Augusta Maison letter book, 20 March 1862-14 July 1874
7. C. Paul Denckla receipt book, 18 November 1843-3 December 1853
8. C. Paul Denckla receipt book, 1852-1876
9. Peter and Augusta Maison receipt book, 8 August 1825-24 August 1885
10. Henry J. Denckla receipt book, 1 March 1845-19 August 1851
11. [Augusta Maison] account book, 15 November 1866-26 January 1876
12. Isaac Wampole receipt book, 7 August 1815-26 November 1826
13. C. Paul Denckla account book, 12 October 1842-14 December 1842
14. Mary Denckla account book, 12 September 1869-21 June 1872
15. [Augusta Maison] account book, 3 January 1874-4 January 1884
16. [Augusta Maison] account book, 6 January 1873-12 December 1884
17. [C. Paul Denckla] rent book, 7 May 1844-January 1853
18. [C. Paul Denckla] rent book, 11 October 1854-6 April 1872
19. [Mary Denckla] rent book, 1877-1889
20. Inventory of the estate of Paul Denckla, by Mary Denckla, 8 November 1861-9 May 1867

This collection contains 15 letters and1 bill of lading related to Dr. Dennis Delany of Great Mills, Maryland, and St. Louis, Missouri. Henry Wells, a resident of Baltimore, Maryland, wrote 11 letters to Delany between 1832 and 1835, describing his life in Baltimore and commenting on local epidemics. The remainder of the collection is made up of 3 additional letters addressed to Delany, a letter that Delany wrote to his wife, and a bill of lading concerning goods shipped from Philadelphia to New Orleans.

This collection contains 15 letters and 1 bill of lading related to Dr. Dennis Delany of Great Mills, Maryland, and St. Louis, Missouri.

Henry S. Wells, a resident of Baltimore, Maryland, and a friend of the Delany family, wrote 11 letters to Dennis Delany between 1832 and 1835. He occasionally commented on ships arriving at Baltimore and shared news of Delany's family, including updates about a brother traveling in France and reports of the death of Delany's father on January 5, 1834. Wells also took interest in the city's health, mentioning the presence of cholera, bilious fever, and smallpox, both locally and in other cities. In two letters, he briefly mentioned political events, such as the Nullification Crisis (April 8, 1833), the failed appointments of Andrew Stevenson and Roger B. Taney (June 24, 1834), and the Baltimore Bank Riot, after which he served in a military guard (August 29, 1835). Delany also received personal correspondence from three other acquaintances. William Ward invited him to a social visit (January 23, 1833), Benedict Millburn wrote of health concerns in Washington, D.C. (April 9, 1833), and Dr. H. Morris wrote an account of the death of Delany's father (January 5, 1834). Two later items are a brief letter that Delany wrote to his wife from Louisville, Kentucky (September 20, 1838), and a partially printed bill of lading from Phineas Janney, a Philadelphia merchant, for a cask of Burgundy wine shipped to Dennis Delany via New Orleans (May 4, 1840).

The Dennis K. Sullivan photograph album contains 28 images compiled by Detroit, Michigan-based detective Dennis K. Sullivan, including 27 portraits primarily of men and women accused of various crimes, the majority of whom are identified through inscriptions.

The Dennis K. Sullivan photograph album contains 28 images compiled by Detroit, Michigan-based detective Dennis K. Sullivan, including 27 portraits primarily of men and women accused of various crimes, the majority of whom are identified through inscriptions.

The album (15 x 11.5 cm) is a cartes de visite album with embossed brown leather covers, an ornate metal clasp, and gilt-edged pages.

• Tintype portrait of a bearded white man captioned "Dennis K. Sullivan Detroit Mich Detective"
• Carte de visite portrait of a white man with a mustache captioned "Yours Truly, P. W. Herriet (Zeb Crummet)"
• Tintype portrait of a white man captioned "George Lowle suspected of setting fire to the Punchard School House at Andover"
• Carte de visite portrait of an unidentified bearded white man; inscription on verso reads "Wanted in Chicago"
• Carte de visite portrait of a bearded white man taken by Fisher Bros. of Boston; inscription on verso reads "Geo. F. Hartwell of Sandwich Mass left there on the afternoon of Dec. 18 1867 and that was the last was seen of him. He was agoing to Boston and had $1000 in his pocket to pay some bills"
• Photographic reproduction of a photographic portrait of a white man captioned "Bryant T. Henry Defaulter from the Shawmut Bank of 63,000 in money he went to Cuba and was found there by two of the Directors and they settled with him and took 24,000 of the money and let him off"
• Photographic reproduction of a carte de visite portrait of a bearded white man captioned "Dr. Miller 1742"; inscription on verso reads "Rec’d from Chief of Police of San Francisco Cali."; Printed photographer credits of "E. P. Dunshee 2 Tremont Row, Boston" crossed out on verso
• Carte de visite portrait of a white man with a moustache taken by G. H. Loomis of Boston; inscription on verso reads "Thomas the absconding Forger from Hanover st his business was the Hope Envelope Company"
• Carte de visite portrait of a white man taken by Wm. H. Wardwell of Boston captioned "Henry Goodrich"; inscription on verso reads "Missing since April 29th Henry Goodrich Age 29 yrs, 5 ft. 9 Weight 150 lb. light complexion supposed to be temporary insane. Resides 72 West Canton Street Boston"
• Carte de visite portrait of a white woman taken by Wyman & Co. of Boston; inscription on verso reads "Mrs. Coolidge Hotel Beat Sneak Thief Swindler and female Confidence Woman"
• Carte de visite portrait of a white child taken by Wyman & Co. of Boston; inscription on verso reads "Mrs. Coolidge Boy"
• Carte de visite portrait of an unidentified white woman (likely "Mrs. Coolidge") taken by R. B. Lewis of Hudson, Massachusetts
• Carte de visite group portrait of two white women taken by Wyman & Co. of Boston; inscription on verso reads "With tie Bonnet on is Mrs. Coolidge"
• Tintype portrait of a white woman captioned "Lizzie Smith, Larceny of 2 Dreses front Jassie Brigham"
• Tintype portrait of a white woman; inscription on verso reads "Fannie Thompson alias Gallager - 24 Gonch st Care of M. A. Davis. Fannie used to live corner of Crosby & Prince Sts. N. York March 18. 1869 20 yrs old this date"
• Carte de visite portrait of a white man with a moustache taken by Dunshee’s New Photograph Parlor of Boston; inscription on verso reads "Josiah D. Hunt, alias J. H. Dexter absconded from Providence R.I. with $50,00.00 liabilities case Parker & Caldwell Boston Mass."
• Second copy of carte de visite portrait of Josiah D. Hunt
• Third copy of carte de visite portrait of Josiah D. Hunt
• Carte de visite portrait of a white man with a moustache; inscription on verso reads "James Whitney - Singer, Sedused the Wife of Williard the Artist"
• Gem tintype portrait of a white man with a moustache captioned "Daniels Foxboro"; inscription on verso reads "Daniels of Foxboro Mass About 25 years old 5 ft 11 high Well built, light Complexion Auburn hair, redish moustach piped him for his brother"
• Carte de visite portrait of a white man taken by Black & Case of Boston captioned "Daniel Brown"; inscription on verso reads "Daniel Brown Wanted by Thomas D. Kendrick for Forgery $20,00"; revenue stamp dated Jan 16 1865 on verso
• Carte de visite portrait of a white man with a moustache taken by C. L. Howe of Brattleboro, Vermont captioned "Tom Maguire"; inscription on verso reads "Thos. Maguire Tom Mcguire Reporter"; album page includes piece of scrap paper with inscription reading "Ring Thief"
• Gem tintype portrait of a bearded white man attached to business card of Boston grocers Carr, Chase & Raymond; inscription on verso reads "Policeman Barry & Son stole $1000 from Hayley New? & Boyden, got 18 months"
• Gem tintype portrait of a white man with a moustache captioned "Cheeney’s picture"
• Carte de visite group portrait of two white men taken by J. U. P. Burnham of Portland, Maine; inscription on verso reads "Charles Brown & James R. Rickett"
• Carte de visite portrait of a white woman taken by Geo. F. Parlow of New Bedford, Massachusetts captioned "Mary M. Heller"; inscription on verso reads "Picture of Mary M. Heller Newbedford Mass. Address J. H. Briggs Box 62 Newtonville Mass. or Mrs. Russell No 1 Rickerson court Newbedford Mass."
• Carte de visite portrait of a white man with a moustache taken by B. P. Browne of Boston; inscription on verso reads "Edward Sweetler, alias Professor Maurice, " " Rupert"
• Carte de visite portrait of a white woman taken by Gilchrest of Lowell, Massachusetts; inscriptions on verso read "Hattie W. Blanchard about 30, light compl, blue eyes, medium hight" and "She had a Fancy Man by the Name of Williams She lives at 105 Plesant St"

This collection contains 11 letters that Dennis McElhone wrote to his friend, Andrew B. Cochran of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, in 1860. McElhone commented on life in Washington, D.C., where he worked as an assistant messenger for the United States House of Representatives, and remarked on political issues such as the presidential election of 1860.

This collection contains 11 letters that Dennis McElhone ("Denny") wrote to his friend, Andrew B. Cochran ("Andy") of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, from February 16, 1860-July 23, 1860. McElhone commented on life in Washington, D.C., where he worked as an assistant messenger for the United States House of Representatives. He wrote about political issues, such as possible nominees for the presidential election of 1860, and inquired about friends in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. McElhone expressed his support for the Democratic Party, but indicated his willingness to vote for a Republican candidate under certain circumstances. He also described differences between the North and the South, commented on sectionalism in politics, and mentioned mutual acquaintances and his plans to visit Pennsylvania. For more information, see the Detailed Box and Folder Listing below.

This account book contains financial records for customers' purchases from Dennis Skehan's tavern from 1767 to 1772, principally of alcoholic beverages though he also sold other items. Entries that note fees for boarding and food indicate that the tavern may also have functioned as an inn. A number of entries reflect the making or repair of clothing and shoes, suggesting some tailoring work may have also been happening in the family. In addition to cash, patrons also payed via goods and labor, indicating a barter system was operating. The exchange documented throughout for grains may relate to ingredients used for the production of alcohol.

This account book contains financial records for customers' purchases from Dennis Skehan's tavern from 1767 to 1772, principally of alcoholic beverages like flip or philip, toddy, beer, milk punch, various types of rum, as well as spirits or liquor. Entries also include the amount of alcohol purchased, providing insight into how the beverages were served and consumed, using measurements such as bowls, mugs, glasses, gills, drams, nips, and others. Accounts specifying fees for boarding and food suggest that the tavern may also have been functioning as an inn. Beyond alcohol, purchases for tobacco, paper, tea, and other items are also recorded, indicating other forms of goods were on offer. A number of entries pertain to the making or repair of clothing and shoes, suggesting some tailoring work may have been happening in the family.

In addition to cash, patrons also payed via goods like fabric, corn, wheat, eggs, butter, and deerskins, or exchanged labor like a day's work, plowing, or spinning flax, indicating a barter system was operating. An account on the first page includes payments on a barrel of Rum as well as schipples (a measurement used for dry goods) of Rye "Male" and Indian "Male," likely phonetic spellings for "meal." The exchange documented throughout for grains may relate to ingredients used for the production of alcohol.

At least two entries were made out to Mary Skehan, dating after Dennis Skehan's death, suggesting she may have continued the business following his passing.

The account book includes an inscription, "Dennis Skehan's Book," dated 1765, as well as a note recording Dennis Skehan's death on October 14, 1771. Later entries dated August 1772 include copies of receipts for payments John Flynn made in New York currency to two men, suggesting he may have come into possession of the volume following Skehan's death.

The Dering Family papers contain correspondence received by Thomas Dering, a New York State congressman, and other members of the Dering family. Several letters are from Nathaniel Ray Thomas (d. 1791), a Loyalist from Massachusetts, and his wife, Sarah Dering Thomas; these concern both personal and business matters. Also included are letters from Republican Congressman and Sag Harbor resident Ebenezer Sage.

The Dering Family papers contain 133 correspondence received by Thomas Dering and other members of the Dering family, as well as 1 book, 1 newspaper clipping, and 1 photograph. 20 letters are from Nathaniel Ray Thomas (d. 1791), a Loyalist from Marshfield, Massachusetts, to Thomas Dering at Boston. 16 of these are dated 1755, and discuss business dealings and family affairs. Thomas's wife, Sarah Dering Thomas, wrote approximately 10 letters to Thomas and 15 to her nephew Sylvester between 1755 and 1800. These concern family life, hardships suffered from maintaining loyalist sentiments during the American Revolution, her ongoing health issues, and difficulties encountered in Nova Scotia after the war. In a letter dated April 16, 1800, to Sylvester, she commented on British and French interference of U.S. shipping and trade.

The collection contains 50 letters from Ebenezer Sage to his friend Henry Dering in the period 1806-1815, from Sage’s time in Washington, DC. Sage described his experiences in Congress: committee meetings, legislative updates, foreign affairs, and the social scene in Washington, DC. In particular, he discussed the debate on the national bank, the war hawks in Congress, efforts to have gun boats defend Sag Harbor, reports of enemy fleets off the Potomac, and news of the American victory at New Orleans in 1815. One letter by Ebenezer Sage gives an account of a reception for First Lady Dolley Madison (February 21, 1810). Additional letters are from Sage's daughter, Frances Mary Sage, to her friend Frances Dering. The letters convey a strong friendship between the women and their desire to spend time together. A letter from November 28, 1813, contains a drawing of a bouquet by Frances Sage.

The Thomas and Dering families were friends with the influential Nova Scotia residents, John and Frances Wentworth. Several letters reference their visits in Nova Scotia, and a letter from Sarah Dering Thomas to Elizabeth Gardiner mentions Sir John Wentworth being appointed governor of Nova Scotia (1792). In one letter to Thomas Dering, dated January 6, 1784, Lady Frances Wentworth (in New York City), enclosed a newspaper announcement for her wedding in 1769. In this letter, she wrote about the difficulty of finding a ship to take her away from New York City during the British occupation. The Dering Family Papers also include a postcard of John Singleton Copley's portrait of Frances Wentworth from the Lenox Collection of the New York Public Library (enclosed in Wentworth’s 1784 letter).

This collection contains A Sketch of Dr. John Smith Sage of Sag Harbor, N.Y., a book by Anna Mulford, published in 1897 in Sag-Harbor by J.H. Hunt. The book includes a biographical account of John Sage, and mentions members of the Dering family. It also contains “some interesting letters of his father, Dr. Ebenezer Sage, written in the early part of the century, and other matters relating to Sag-Harbor.”

Descriptions of Oyster Survey Signals, State of New York is a two-volume survey of signals located along the north coast of Long Island in the 1880s and early 1890s. The volumes contain descriptions of each signal (written by multiple individuals), drawings, and maps.

Descriptions of Oyster Survey Signals, State of New York (600 pages, not all of which are used) is a two-volume survey of signals located along the north coast of Long Island in the 1880s. Each volume is 300 pages long and has a title and the names of Eugene G. Blackford and W. G. Ford., Jr., stamped in gold on the front cover. Together, the volumes comprise a survey of many oyster signals, arranged alphabetically by name.

Most descriptions are dated 1881-1887, but the commission revisited some signals as late as 1892. Each entry contains a detailed description of a signal's location and composition (painted poles, flags, etc.). Some entries note the signal's distance from nearby towns or its location along bays and inlets. Manuscript maps and drawings of signals and their locations are present throughout the volumes. Descriptions are attributed to various persons, including J. P. Bogart, G. Bradford, W. C. Hodgkins, Charles Hosmer, I. C. McCorkle, J. A. Sullivan, C. H. Van Orden, and Charles Wyeth. Each volume contains a print of a tripod signal topped with flags.