Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

The Church Registers series (approx. 3.0 linear feet and 14 oversize volumes) dates from 1824 to July 1995 documents church attendance and membership. It is divided into three subseries: Attendance Records (June 1924-July 1995); Baptisms; Marriages, Confirmations, and Burials (1824 to 1936), and Membership Lists/Family Records (1936-1940).

The Correspondence (1819-1907) is chronologically arranged and has been divided into originals, typed transcripts and photocopies of originals. For the most part, the photocopies are those of originals still held by the family. The majority of the correspondence is to or from Ann Jenette Preston and most of the letters date from 1850 to 1870. Correspondents include Mrs. Preston's sons as well as her parents in western Massachusetts. A two page typescript of excerpts from Wallace Preston's diary (1861) may also be found in the typed transcripts. Subjects documented in the correspondence include: a widow's life on the frontier; Great Lakes shipping especially in the 1850s; life aboard Union naval vessels during the Civil War; and daily life in St. Joseph, Michigan and western Massachusetts just before, during, and immediately after the Civil War.

The Correspondence Series consists of letters from the Hollister and Twichell families dating from 1831 to 1959. Most of this correspondence was sent or received by Etta Twichell and her daughter Jennie. There are a few Civil War period letters, but most of these don't mention the conflict. Of particular interest are the letters to Etta Twichell from M.S. Hollister as he migrated west through Arizona and California, and from Joseph Hollister, who settled in Idaho. There are also letters by Jennie Twichell Lohmiller describing her work as a teacher. The series also contains letters from friends and relatives describing preparations for World War I. The series also includes letters of Jean Lohmiller Rich, 1930-1971, with her family and with her husband Ed Rich. These letters relate to their careers and their personal relationship.

Correspondence and other Papers (1949 accession) is a chronologically arranged series and dates from 1822 to 1896. The letters concern family affairs, business, state and national politics, particularly the presidential candidacy of Lewis Cass and the elections of 1848 and 1852, and the Felch estate.