
George Mead Civil War Papers
MS M9
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Record Class: Textual, Photographs Date: 1824-1968 Creator: George Mead Provenance: Purchased in November 2015 Extent: .42 linear feet Organization: Author Language: English Donor: Not applicable; acquired by purchase
Repository:
Special Collections Department,
Pickler Memorial Library, Truman
State University Access: Open Processed by: April Kannady Processing Information: Arrangement scheme for the collection was imposed during processing in the absence of a usable original order.
Abstract: This
collection consists of 81 documents
from the Mead/Chandler family.
The majority of the documents are
handwritten letters, but there are
also postmarked envelopes,
handwritten poetry, photographs, and
newspaper clippings. The letters
span from 1824-1871, involving the
Chandler and Mead family, connected
by the marriage of George Mead to
Susan Chandler. Documents concerning
the descendents of the Meads are
also included, until the year 1968.
Wisconsin and New York are the
primary locations involved. Keywords: Civil War, Mead, Chandler, New York, Wisconsin, Vermont, Missouri, Gold Rush, 19th Regiment Infantry, Union Forces, Camp Randall, Camp Utley
Historical Sketch:
George Mead, the primary
author of these letters, was born in
Vermont in 1837, but spent most of
his life in Reedsburg, Racine
County, Wisconsin. George had a
brother, Abram Mead, and a sister,
Polly Mead. George married his wife,
Susan Chandler Mead, on 20 November
1859 in Oak Grove, Wisconsin. Susan
was born in New York in 1839. Susan
had a brother, Charles Chandler. The
Meads had three sons, Walter,
Lester, and Fred and a daughter,
Mary. Fred died in 1862 from
pneumonia. George enlisted into the
19th Regiment Infantry,
Company A, of the Union Forces on 13
January 1862 and was discharged from
service on 7 September 1862 on
account of a disability. Following
his discharge, George traveled,
ultimately settling in Weston,
Platte County, Missouri. Alonzo
Chandler and his wife Joanna, maiden
name of Pierce, were the parents of
Susan Chandler, later Susan Mead.
They spent most of their lives in
various cities of New York, but
later bought land in Texas. George
appears to be the son of Alonzo and
Joanna. Harriet Chamber and Sarah
Ashworth appear to be the sisters of
Joanna, and Charles appears to be
the brother. Joseph, Richard,
Melinda, Pliny, and Sukey all bear
some relation to the Chandlers, but
the extent of which is unknown.
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SERIES 0: ADMINISTRATIVE/BIOGRAPHICAL | |||||||
1:0 | Census and Military Roster Records | ||||||
1860 Excelsior, Wisconsin Census Records
■ 1879 Reedsburg,
Wisconsin Census Records ■ Roster of Wisconsin
Volunteers, War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865,
Volume II ■ Reading Early American
Handwriting by Kip Sperry
■ 116th/149th
Field Artillery World War II |
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SERIES 1: AUTHORED BY ALONZO CHANDLER | |||||||
Item 1 | |||||||
1:1 | Correspondence between Alonzo Chandler and Joanna Pierce. 1 September 1824. East Poultney, New York. | ||||||
Laments about his solitary accommodations
■ decides to leave
current accommodations ■
expresses interest in marrying Joanna |
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Item 2 | |||||||
Correspondence between Alonzo Chandler and Joanna Chandler. 13 June 1828. Caldwell County, New York to Ticonderoga New York. | |||||||
Writing after two months of absence
■ reflects on
former happiness ■
arranges plans to meet Joanna at Upper Falls in
the near future ■
sends his love to his son |
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Item 3 | |||||||
Correspondence between Alonzo Chandler and Joanna Chandler. 20 June 1829. Ticonderoga, New York. | |||||||
Visits former dwelling
■ called on Captain
Laraby in hope of a message from Joanna
■ Plin is in
Johnsburg |
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Item 4 | |||||||
Correspondence
between Alonzo Chandler and Joanna Chandler. 4 July 1829. Richville, New York to Chester, Warren County,
New York. |
|||||||
Writing after two months of absence
■ health is good
■ feared that
Joanna’s health was poor ■
gives history of his journey
■ detained at
Minerva where he wrote courtesy of Mr.
Cumberstock ■ lists
the following places from his travels: Schroon,
Keene along the Ausable River, Abrams plains
along the Saranac River, Hopkinton
■ arrived at Mr.
Bailey’s in Potsdam |
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Item 5 | |||||||
Correspondence between Alonzo Chandler and Joanna Chandler. 23 August 1829. Richville, New York to Chester, Warren County, New York. | |||||||
Informs Joanna of the state of his health
■ was sick for two
weeks but now in good health
■ received Joanna’s
letter from the 29th which made his
heart glad
■ has plans to set
up clothing shop for the summer and into the
fall
■ received a letter
from Pamela and wrote one to Joseph
■ Plin is getting
married |
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Item 6 | |||||||
Correspondence between Alonzo Chandler and Joanna Chandler. 14 December 1829. Potsdam, New York to Chester, Warren County, New York. | |||||||
Seven months have passed since he was last
with his family
■ thinks that it is
fitting if Joanna goes to Ticonderoga for the
winter
■ Mr. Groves or Mr.
Palmer could assist Joanna
■ plans to work in
the factory during winter, not lumbering
■ spent
Thanksgiving with Aunt Suky
■ Pamela was
married on 6 October to Mr. Samuel Carpenter
■ Darwin was there
and brought news of Plin |
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Item 7 | |||||||
Correspondence between Alonzo Chandler and Joanna Chandler. 6 January 1830. Potsdam, New York to Chester, Warren County, New York. | |||||||
Eight months have passed since he was last
with his family
■ received Joanna’s
letter of the 31st
■ health has
not been good
■ caught typhus
fever
■ recovered at
Uncle Barley’s
■ plans to work in
the factory during the summer
■ can have this
place for thirty dollars a month
■ thinks Potsdam is
a suitable place to live
■ Darwin wrote to
Pamela offering to take the child that P. Potter
had sworn onto Plin
■ smallpox is
prevalent in the country |
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Item 8 | |||||||
Correspondence between Alonzo Chandler and Joanna Chandler. 15 March 1836. Mottville, New York to Yates, Orleans County, New York. | |||||||
Received Joanna’s letter of the 8th
■ his carding
machine will be done within the week
■ Mr. Herman
follows his instructions
■ makes no delay in
returning home
■ writes a few
lines to Daniel which express that he keep the
machine improvements a secret and to tell James
to do the best that he can do
■ will write a
letter to Edgar Clark so that Joanna does not
lack anything |
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SERIES 2: AUTHORED BY CHANDLER FAMILY | |||||||
Item 9 | |||||||
1:2 | Correspondence between Harriet Chamber and Joanna Chandler. 6 December 1825. Pendleton, New York to Ticonderoga, New York. | ||||||
Informs her sister of her poor health
■ regrets that she
was not at Joanna’s wedding
■ wishes blessings
upon Joanna
■ brother has been
kind to her
■ sends respects to
Uncle David, Cousin Susan, Cousin Plinny and
Mrs. Catten |
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Item 10 | |||||||
Correspondence. Sarah Pierce to Joanna Chandler. 16 July 1829. Yates, Orleans County, New York to Chester, Warren County, New York. | |||||||
Received Joanna’s letter of the 13th
■ healthy and
teaching at a school
■ health has been
improving since the 25th
■ received a
letter from Edgar
■ Sukey is not well
■ Aunt Sally
Kingsley lives twenty miles from Potsdam and her
health is poor
■ Plin is content,
but Susan is not
■ gives a detailed
account of her mother’s death |
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SERIES 3: DOCUMENTS OF PAYMENTS AND INDENTURES | |||||||
Item 11 | |||||||
1:3 | Document of Payment. 1835. | ||||||
Two dollars are involved in the payment
■ Orlando is
mentioned
■ everything
else is missing or illegible |
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Item 12 | |||||||
Document of Payment. 13 March 1835. | |||||||
Henry Sherman wishes to pay $2.00 to Mr.
Anderson and to settle with Alonzo Chandler |
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Item 13 | |||||||
Document of Payment. 25 January 1836. Eagle Harbor. | |||||||
William Dinsmore wishes to pay Alonzo Chandler $4.74 | |||||||
Item 14 | |||||||
Indenture of Agreement. 28 April 1836. Yates, Orleans County, New York. | |||||||
Alonzo Chandler is in agreement with
Stephen W. Mudgitt, Samuel Tappan, William
Mudgitt, and Richard Barry of The Mill Company
■ Alonzo will
build a dam according to the requirements given
by the aforementioned men
■ the dam
will be built across from Johnson’s Creek of the
place where Chamberlain and Klock’s old dams
were once
■ Alonzo will
pay for the expense of the dam estimated at $600
■ David Ford
is to pay for the earth for the embankments |
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Item 15 | |||||||
Document of Payment. 1 June 1837. Arba Chabut. | |||||||
David Farnum owes Alonzo Chandler $374 to
be paid to William Gibbs |
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Item 16 | |||||||
Land Claim. 30 September 1837. Jasper County, Republic of Texas. | |||||||
Alonzo Chandler reported as immigrant by
Chief Justice Joseph Mott
■ Alonzo is
permitted to claim a plot of land |
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Item 17 | |||||||
Indenture of Agreement. 28 December 1837. Claiborne Parish, Louisiana. | |||||||
Agreement made between Charley [?] and
Alonzo Chandler
■ Charley
will sell land in Minden Parish to Alonzo
■ Alonzo is
to pay $75 and erect a mechanic shop on the land |
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Item 18 | |||||||
Document. 1 June 18[40]. | |||||||
Concerns Alonzo and Joanna Chandler |
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Item 19 | |||||||
Catalogue of Goods. 20 May 1840. Washington Township. Scioto County. | |||||||
J. S. Rose received an assortment of goods
from Joanna Chandler
■ money will
be delivered to Joanna upon the sale of the
goods
■ Reuben Head
owes Joanna $5.37, Smith B. Head owes $1, J. S.
Rose owes $1.25 |
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SERIES 4: AUTHORED BY GEORGE MEAD | |||||||
Item 20 | |||||||
1:4 | Correspondence between George Mead and Susan Mead. | ||||||
George has gotten a ticket for Susan to
travel from Kilbourn City, Wisconsin to Chicago,
Illinois ■
plan to meet in Weston, Wisconsin |
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Item 21 | |||||||
Correspondence between George Mead and Susan Chandler. 4 November 1858. Reedsburg, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Received Susan’s letter of the 29th;
glad to hear that Susan had a pleasant journey
home
■ weather has been
unpleasant
■ J. K. started for
Milwaukee on Tuesday
■ speaks of his
engagement to Susan
■ believes a
shorter engagement better than a long one
■ hopes for an
answer from Susan next time they meet |
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Item 22 | |||||||
Correspondence between George Mead and Susan Chandler. 25 September 1859. Excelsior, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Writing on the Sabbath
■ received two
letter from Susan
■ made it home
safely from Kilbourn
■ folks are well
■ J. Kellogg is
getting better
■ Y. Montgomery has
hurt his foot
■ Ack has company
now
■ has not been well
since Susan left
■ took Frank to the
fair
■ Uncle Richard,
Albert Fisk, Mary B. Fisk, and H. Mead went out
together
■ has not sold his
oxen yet
■ does not know if
Mother will go on her trip
■ thinks that he
will start somewhere around the 15th
or 20th of next month
■ plans to write to
Susan every Sunday
■ Harriet has gone
to Cranks |
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Item 23 | |||||||
Correspondence between George Mead and Susan Chandler. 27 September 1859. Raymond, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Arrived at Raymond, Wisconsin Tuesday
afternoon
■ folks are all
well
■ went to
Watertown, Wisconsin
■ had good luck,
but Frank went lame
■ Frank has been in
the barn since Tuesday
■ does not have
much time to write
■ times are hard
■ tells Susan to
not answer his letter because he does not know
where he will be next |
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Item 24 | |||||||
Correspondence between George Mead and Susan Chandler. 2 October 1859. Excelsior, Wisconsin. | |||||||
It has been a long time since he has heard
from Susan
■ health is
somewhat better than it was
■ folks are well
■ Mother is going
to Vermont and wants to start a week from
tomorrow
■ traded his oxen
for a horse
■ bargained the
horse for money from Uncle Richard
■ Aunt Lucretia is
going with Mother
■ needs to go to
Whitney this afternoon
■ Albert, Aunt
Harriet Fisk, and Mary Caughson have just come
■ cannot think of
anything else to write |
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Item 25 | |||||||
Correspondence between George Mead and Susan Chandler. 12 October 1859. Excelsior, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Received Susan’s letter of the 7th
■ glad to
hear from Susan ■
Mother has gone to Vermont
■ wishes to marry
when he comes back from Racine
■ Harriet has lost
Norman after he married his cousin, Hannah
Kelsey
■ Frank is not lame
yet
■ got a new collar
and harness for Frank
■ Amas Petter has
run away |
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Item 26 | |||||||
Correspondence between George Mead and Susan Chandler. 7 November 1859. Excelsior, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Home safe and sound on Wednesday in the afternoon ■ folks are well ■ has not heard from Mother since she went to Vermont, but hopes she is well ■ John thinks he and Susan are already married and started for Racine ■ Cynthia says she is waiting for them to stand up with her ■ thinks he should be there the 18th, weather permitting | |||||||
Item 27 | |||||||
Correspondence between George Mead and Susan Mead. 24 November 1861. Reedsburg, Wisconsin. | |||||||
At Father’s today and doing well
■ has not gotten
everything moved yet
■ Jane got home
last Saturday
■ glad to hear of
Susan’s letter
■ it is lonesome
here
■ will send $3 in
this letter
■ Jane said
something about a farm
■ wants Susan to
tell him when she plans to come so he can meet
her in Kilbourn |
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Item 28 | |||||||
Correspondence between George Mead and Susan Mead. 5 February 1862. Camp Utley, Racine, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Arrived at Racine on Tuesday
■ arrived at
Kilbourn afterward
■ sick with a
headache but got better the next morning
■ arrived at
Milwaukee that evening
■ seven boys are in
the hospital
■ Russell Redfield
is not getting better
■ Charley is well
■ sleeps warm with
Harmanus Seaman
■ has enough to eat
■ Martin Seeley and
Horace Ward are the cooks
■ four batteries of
artillery are here
■ they took O.
Winnie to the hospital
■ will keep Charley
from running away for Hattie
■ has not forgotten
Fred
■ will be home as
soon as possible |
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Item 29 | |||||||
Correspondence between George Mead and Susan Mead. 2 March 1862. Camp Utley, Racine, Wisconsin. | |||||||
In camp since Saturday morning ■
journey took him from Maryland, to Georgia, to
Delafield, and then to Uncle Joseph’s
■ colt started well
but hurt his foot
■ expenses were
$22.80
■ measles in camp
■ George’s folk
were all well
■ got to George’s
and had a sermon preached to him by a man from
Baboo
■ commence drilling
tomorrow
■ regiment is good
for three years but does not know when he can
leave
■ will write
again soon |
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Item 30 |
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Correspondence between George Mead and Susan Mead. 30 March 1862. Camp Utley, Racine, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Got to camp
■ has three horses
to take care of
■ has been too busy
to write until now
■ roads are bad
■ cannot get to
Uncle’s■ Charley is
sick with the chill fever
■ will write again
the next spare minute |
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Item 31 | |||||||
Correspondence between George Mead and Susan Mead. 3 April 1862. Camp Utley, Racine, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Going to Mr. Chipmond’s in the evening
which is next to the colonel
■ uniforms have
come
■ plans to go out
to Uncle Joseph’s next Saturday if the roads are
better
■ gets paid $25 per
month
■ if he becomes
train master like the man Roberts, he could have
$60 per month
■ Charley is
getting better
■ one soldier has
died
■ has order from
Racine to St. Louis and from St. Louis to New
Mexico
■ has not written
to Mother or Father |
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Item 32 | |||||||
Correspondence between George Mead and Susan Mead. 7 April 1862. Camp Utley, Racine, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Received Susan’s letter of the 27th
on the 4th
■ went out to
Uncle Joseph’s on Saturday
■ roads are very
bad
■ has stormed all
day
■ does not think
that the army will move this week
■ if Susan comes
down, she can board at Mr. Chipmond’s
■ wants Susan to
take the five o’clock train so that he can meet
her
■ Uncle’s folks
want Susan to stay all summer
■ Charley is more
well
■ has no more time
to write |
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Item 33 | |||||||
Correspondence between George Mead and Susan Mead. 4 May 1862. Camp Randall, Madison, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Made it to Camp Randall safe and sound
with the secessionists
■ health of the
regiment is good
■ rebels are
suffering and dying from dysentery, about 6 to
12 a day
■ takes care of the
quarter master’s horse
■ wishes to be back
at Camp Utley
■ gives his love to
Uncle, Aunt, and Monroe
■ will send money
soon |
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Item 34 | |||||||
Correspondence between George Mead and Susan Mead. 8 May 1862. Camp Randall, Madison, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Has not heard from Susan in a long time
■ in good health
and so is the regiment
■ secessionists are
not doing well, with 350 in the hospital and
dying every day
■ has not gotten
his pay yet
■ boys had a fight
with a merchant
■ Charley is back
to full health and got a letter from Hattie
■ folks are well
and Father talks of coming down after planting
season
■ Dwight Root and a
man named Sage deserted on the 6th
■ there is a
$5 reward if the deserters are caught
■ Susan is not in
good health
■ encloses $1.00 in
this letter
■ will try to get
home in June |
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Item 35 | |||||||
Correspondence between George Mead and Susan Mead. 12 May 1862. Camp Randall, Madison, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Received Susan’s letter of the 9th
■ glad to
hear Susan is getting along well
■ does not see any
prospect of coming down
■ does not object
that Susan go to Milwaukee
■ secessionists are
dying off fast
■ wants to come
homes in June or July
■ wants to know if
Susan received the letter with $2.00 ■
secessionists got caught trying to escape |
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Item 36 | |||||||
Correspondence between George Mead and Susan Mead. 20 October 1862. Raymond, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Going to Uncle’s today
■ got to Uncle’s on
Saturday morning
■ folks are all
well
■ stayed at C.
Peck’s Friday night
■ Robert McFerson
is to work for Uncle
■ Uncle’s health is
good and keeps Jim
■ Whitney lives
here but his time is up this month
■ going to Racine
■ will be home this
week |
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Item 37 | |||||||
Correspondence between George Mead and Susan Mead. 25 February 1869. Platte County, Missouri. | |||||||
Has arrived in Platte County, Missouri and
at Uncle’s
■ caught a bad cold
on the train but should be all right
■ arrived on
Wednesday at noon
■ folks are all
well except the housekeeper for Uncle
■ 7th
child in the family was born on Tuesday night
■ snow is on the
ground
■ neighbors are
friendly
■ visited a
neighbor and received apples
■ good country for
fruit trees
■ has not decided
whether to live there or not
■ has seen a good
place in Kansas City and Leavenworth
■ expenses were
$35.78
■ snow fell Monday
night in Chicago |
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Item 38 | |||||||
Correspondence between George Mead and Susan Mead. 7 March 1869. Kansas City, Missouri. | |||||||
Received Susan’s letter of the 1st
yesterday
■ glad to hear of
her health and is better himself
■ likes this city
very much, but it is a hard place for business
■ property costs
much
■ plans to go to
Leavenworth and Weston next
■ will come home
soon or send for everyone
■ tell Chandler
this is a good place for teaming ■
land costs from $60 to $100 per acre
■ wants Sue to
settle up her business through John Kellogg’s
help |
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Item 39 | |||||||
Correspondence between George Mead and Susan Mead. 14 March 1869. Platte County, Missouri. | |||||||
Has written three letter but still no
reply from Susan
■ instructs Susan
on what to keep or sell of their things
■ J. Kellogg will
help Susan with selling items
■ will not be back
until fall
■ tell Father that
there are two small farms, one with 60 acres for
$2,200 and another with 50 acres for $1,500
■ thinks of Mary
every day
■ asks if Mary
would rather sign the contract with him or with
Gene |
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Item 40 | |||||||
Correspondence between George Mead and Susan Mead. 23 March 1869. Platte County, Missouri. | |||||||
Received Susan’s letter of the 11th
■ sorry to
hear that Susan is not feeling well
■ his health is
good
■ weather is
pleasant
■ has made up his
mind to stay in this country
■ Willard got
homesick before he got to Kansas City
■ tells Sue not to
fret over the business
■ J. Kellogg will
help Susan
■ Susan should have
$50 or $75 with her |
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Item 41 | |||||||
Correspondence between George Mead and Susan Mead. 28 March 1869. Platte County, Missouri. | |||||||
Received Susan’s letters of the 19th and 21st on
Friday ■ sorry to hear that Susan is unwell ■
hopes they can meet again soon ■ weather is good ■
thinks Susan can make a cash sale of the goods
and renting the house for a year ■ wants $1,500
for the place or at least $1,200 ■ Susan can do
business with James Lusk in regard to the land
by Crank’s ■ instructs other matters of the sale
of their land and goods ■ tells Susan to do what
she wishes with the puppy ■ cannot advise Gene
to come here ■ sends respects to all inquiring
and love to Mary and Walter |
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Item 42 | |||||||
Correspondence between George Mead and Susan Mead. 4 April 1869. Platte County, Missouri. | |||||||
Received Susan’s letter of the 28th ■ sorry to
hear that Susan is not feeling well ■ wants
Susan to be more careful ■ instructs Susan on
more of their goods ■ roads are bad ■ if Susan
cannot get the goods to Kilbourn, sends them
with J. Kellogg ■ will meet Susan in Weston ■
sends respects to Mother and Father |
|||||||
Item 43 | |||||||
Correspondence between George Mead and Susan Mead. 30 October 1869. Reedsburg, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Has arrived at Reedsburg safely on Thursday at
noon ■ had a layover in St. Louis ■ folks are
well ■ George Chandler was here and said the
folks were well in Beaver Dam except Hattie has
been sick ■ weather is cold ■ has not seen Mary
yet ■ Gene has not gone up there yet ■ there
have been many deaths this season ■ Father is
here ■ the Finch folks had a girl last night and
H. Reed’s folks had a boy |
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Item 44 | |||||||
Correspondence between George Mead and Susan Mead. 18 March 1871. Weston, Platte County, Missouri. | |||||||
Received Susan’s letter of the 13th ■ glad to
hear that Susan is well ■ sorry to hear that
Mother’s health is poor ■ old lady is well and
makes 15 lbs. of butter a week ■ they only milk
3 cows and let the 8 calves have the rest ■ Mrs.
Gabbart says she is going to write to Susan ■
Mrs. Hatcher’s daughter is here ■ the peach
trees are blossoming ■ has sold Silva, but do
not tell Walter ■ tell Walter to be a good boy |
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SERIES 5: AUTHORED BY SUSAN MEAD | |||||||
Item 45 | |||||||
1:5 | Correspondence between Susan Mead and George Mead. | ||||||
Highly damaged letter ■ has been a long time
since Susan has seen George ■ mention of Grove ■
Susan expects to see someone soon (likely
George) |
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Item 46 | |||||||
Suffrage Document. Susan Chandler. 30 March 1852. Oak Grove, Dodge County, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Susan’s stance on women’s rights ■ asks to be on
the same level as men, as an American citizen |
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Item 47 | |||||||
Correspondence between Susan Chandler and George Mead. 24 October 1858. Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Oak Grove, Dodge County, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Writes at George’s request ■ asks George to
overlook her imperfections ■ left Reedsburg the
morning after she saw George ■ arrived at
Kilbourn and then Beaver Dam ■ found Mother and
both Brothers waiting for her ■ had a pleasant
time but the weather was unpleasant ■ stayed at
home for a week and then went to Oshkosh ■ ready
to go to Reedsburg to teach at a school ■
does not believe in long engagements ■ does not
want to decide upon marriage until she meets
George again ■ apologizes for the state of this
letter |
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Item 48 | |||||||
Correspondence between Susan Chandler and George Mead. 18 September 1859. Oak Grove, Dodge County, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Ashamed of previous letter to George and wishes
him to burn it ■ it is the Sabbath and rainy ■
has been one week since they last saw each other ■
Brother George received a letter from Mother ■
will write to Jennie soon ■ lonesome without
George ■ will write to Hattie soon ■ the
national fair in Chicago was last week instead
of the state fair ■ has found a piece of Mareno
that she likes ■ does not need George to get an
item at Baraboo |
|||||||
Item 49 | |||||||
Correspondence between Susan Chandler and George Mead. 7 October 1859. Oak Grove, Dodge County, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Received George’s letter of the 2nd ■ hopes
George will not do any more thrashing ■ glad to
hear that Mother made up her mind to go to
Vermont ■ scolds George for not writing a better
letter ■ wants George to spend the Sabbath with
her ■ Mother is home |
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Item 50 | |||||||
Correspondence between Susan Chandler and George Mead. 16 October 1859. Oak Grove, Wisconsin to Reedsburg, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Received George’s letter last night ■ will be a
short time before they meet again ■ Mother has
gone to Vermont ■ Hattie is staying alone ■
Norman is married ■ Eliza can get married now ■
Brother’s wife is the same ■ it is agreeable to
marry when George returns from Racine |
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Item 51 | |||||||
Correspondence between Susan Mead and George Mead. 4 March 1862. Reedsburg, Sauk County, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Hastily writes because Fred became sick on
Friday of last week ■ Mother thought Fred had a
cold, but they had to send for a doctor ■ doctor
came at 7 in the morning and stayed until 10 ■
Fred was pronounced to have pneumonia ■ Mr.
Bates lost a child last night to pneumonia ■
Fred seems a little better at present ■ will
write in a few days about Fred’s condition |
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Item 52 | |||||||
Telegraph. Susan Mead to George Mead. 5 March 1862. Reedsburg, Wisconsin to Company A, 19th Regiment. | |||||||
Western Union Telegraph Company ■ Fred is
very sick ■ come soon |
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Item 53 | |||||||
Correspondence between Susan Mead and George Mead. 6 April 1862. Oak Grove, Dodge County, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Received George’s letter last night ■
misses Fred greatly ■ glad that
George is boarding comfortably and that he will
be going to Uncle’s ■ glad Charley
is better ■ folks are well ■
has not received an answer from Father and
Mother ■ hopes George does not
leave the state ■ Norman printed
the notice of Fred’s death |
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Item 54 | |||||||
Correspondence between Susan Mead and George Mead. 25 May 1862. Oak Grove, Dodge County, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Received papers from George on Friday of last
week ■ filled out the blank letter
before hearing from George because she had to
stay at Egbert Parmeley’s all night and he was
the one to fill out all of the papers and paid
the postage ■ has not heard from
Father’s family ■ Uncle is anxious
to have George home ■ received a
letter from Jane Finch ■ wants to
know how Charley and Dwight Root are ■
heard a good sermon at church |
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Item 55 | |||||||
Correspondence between Susan Mead and George Mead. 27 May 1862. Oak Grove, Dodge County, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Has not received any letters from George since
coming back to the Grove ■ received
a letter from Charles saying that George is sick
■ Mr. Griffin says it is only 38
miles to Madison with a team and 70 or 80 on the
train ■ wants to get G. W. to bring
a team out there ■ Mother is the
same as usual ■ the children are
well ■ Charley says Hattie has been
very sick ■ going to the post
office this afternoon |
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Item 56 | |||||||
Correspondence between Susan Mead and George Mead. 4 April 1868. Reedsburg, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Received George’s letter on Thursday ■
hopes that she will like the country ■
intends to start from Kilbourn a week from
tomorrow, which is April 12th ■ the
weather is terrible with lots of snow ■
Gene shoveled the snow ■ many are
sick here ■ Gene plans to accompany
Susan ■ J. Kellogg is sick ■
will see George in a few days |
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Item 57 | |||||||
Correspondence between Susan Mead and George Mead. 9 May 1868. Raymond, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Still at Uncle’s ■ might go to
Milwaukee instead of Racine next Friday so that
she can take the train home ■ wants
to see George before she leaves, though ■
mad at George for not telling her when he left
Racine ■ if she goes to Milwaukee
instead of Kenosha, she will not need any more
money ■ wants to go to Reedsburg
from Milwaukee to pay off their debts instead of
Father ■ Northrop might take grain
■ has visited with Aunt Eliza ■
hopes she did not offend George by offering to
take the money |
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Item 58 | |||||||
Correspondence between Susan Mead and George Mead. 1 March 1869. Reedsburg, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Lonesome without George and hoping for a letter
from him ■ Walter dreams of Pa
(George) ■ Walter teases Mary about
Gene ■ Gene has called twice since
George left ■ there was a family
gathering at Father Dwinell’s ■
Vila and the Doctor spent the evening with her |
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Item 59 | |||||||
Correspondence between Susan Mead and George Mead. 9 March 1869. Reedsburg, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Received George’s long awaited letter ■
sent a letter to Uncle thinking George was sick
■ many came to see what George had
written, and they laughed at what happened to
Willard Roark ■ weather is now
pleasant, but it was very cold for a while ■
would be contented living at a farm ■
Mary wants George to find her a husband since he
has been promising for the last 5 years |
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Item 60 | |||||||
Correspondence between Susan Mead and George Mead. 14 March 1869. Reedsburg, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Received George’s letter of the 11th and was
sorry to hear about his headache ■
no debts have been paid ■ John Zewt
starts for Chicago tomorrow ■ Vila
has quit Mackie’s and gone to John Petty’s ■
Father and Mother are well ■
Richard almost broke leg ■ snowed
on Saturday ■ Kin Priest was buried
yesterday ■ Gene is waiting to hear
from George ■ has a headache |
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Item 61 | |||||||
Correspondence between Susan Mead and George Mead. 21 March 1869. Reedsburg, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Seems longer than 4 weeks since she last saw
George ■ Walter is doing well but
misses his Pa ■ weather has been
cold ■ J. Kellogg will assist her
in her matters ■ Gene wants to hear
from George ■ Dr. Galard Earve
Carver and some others have spoken for the house
for rent ■ Harry Bishop has sold
his place for $2000.00 and moved to Dwight
Root’s old place ■ Den Bishop and
Laura Buck married last week ■
spoke to Father about the farm ■
Mr. Miras is not expected to live ■
two of the girls have been very sick ■
Mary Barnheart’s Brother and Wife are now
visiting ■ Mary came back last
night and cannot sign the contract until she
sees Gene again |
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Item 62 | |||||||
Correspondence between Susan Mead and George Mead. 13 March 1871. Reedsburg, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Has not heard from George in a while ■
nobody likes Mrs. Chas ■ Ma is not
well ■ Walter is with the folks
■ house has been full of company
■ weather is nice ■
Part Buck has a son ■ Emma Yatur
died ■ wants to know how Uncle is
■ asked Barnheart how much the
buggie is |
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SERIES 6: AUTHORED BY MEAD FAMILY | |||||||
Item 63 | |||||||
1:6 | Poetry. Abram Mead. Date Unknown. Recipient Unknown. | ||||||
“Den of Lions” |
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Item 64 | |||||||
Correspondence between Harriet and Raymond Fisk and Abram and Polly Mead. 3 February 1850. Brant, Erie County, New York to North Ferrisburgh, Addison County, Vermont. | |||||||
Raymond: has been in good health ■
heard from Phineas a week ago ■
Prusha and her husband left here last Sunday,
and they live about 1 ½ miles this way from
Phineas’ ■ there is an abundance of
land for sale, with prices varying from 5 to 50
dollars ■ a railroad was planned to
connect Buffalo, New York with Erie,
Pennsylvania and then Ohio to Michigan and then
Michigan to Chicago, Illinois ■
Nelson talks of buying a place in Collins, Erie
County, New York ■ this country is
better than Vermont for farming ■
gives directions for getting to Nelson’s in
Hamburg, New York ■ sorry to hear
about the California Fever ■
includes newspaper article warning about the
gold rush ■ teaching school this
winter ■ Harriet has written to
Sarah about Malcolm and his folks Harriet: received Abram and Polly’s letter which brought her joy ■ sorry to hear about the California Fever ■ wants Abram and Polly to visit next spring and to bring Peter and Sarah ■ Nelson has been very kind to them ■ will write again in April; sends love to Mother and Father ■ Sarah’s letter will tell about Brother Malcolm and his family Raymond: sends two of Malcolm’s copies as requested ■ Malcolm wrote the copies for Phoebe |
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Item 65 | |||||||
Correspondence between Abram and Polly Mead and Joseph and Eliza. 20 September 1852. Reedsburg, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Abram: talks of his journey ■
arrived safe and sound ■ traveled
23 miles the day they left ■
stopped in Waterford, Wisconsin to fix the wagon
wheel ■ the oxen became sore on the
third day, so they had to rest for 3 or 4 days
■ Duke and Berry (oxen) were the
lamest ■ was on the road 10 ½ days
since leaving ■ a severe
thunderstorm happened ■ some of
their items spoiled because of the rain ■
their expenses were $3.05 ■ went
through a Norwegian settlement where the people
were dying of dysentery ■ they got
a cow ■ gives prices of wheat,
potatoes, corn, and grain ■ wants
Joseph to tell Henry C. Harrington that there is
a tax on the land that Abram bought for him and
that there are opportunities for work ■
expects to have a house ready in about two weeks
Polly ■ wishes she could see
everyone ■ provisions spoiled from
the rain ■ arrived at James’ on
Thursday and stayed until Monday ■
moved into Henry’s school house and expects to
stay there two weeks ■ Harriet
wishes to see Monroe ■ found
Monroe’s pin when unpacking the things for Mary
and will send it ■ Mary is not very
smart and has been unwell since coming from
Vermont |
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Item 66 | |||||||
Correspondence between Charles Chandler and Susan Chandler. 24 May 1855. Sauerkraut Avenue, Clyman, Dodge County, Wisconsin. | |||||||
After receiving Susan’s letter, he thought it
best to return the greetings ■ is
feeling well ■ went to G. W. C.’s
yesterday, and they were well ■
helping Mr. N. ■ wants Susan to
tell John that he tilled 2 ½ acres of corn
before noon with a machine of his own making
■ it rains frequently ■
muses about his existence ■ they
have a teacher finally, Mrs. Young |
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Item 67 | |||||||
Correspondence between Mary Mead [?] and Abram Mead. 12 April 1859. Esopus, Ulster County, New York to Collins, Erie County, New York. | |||||||
Moved last fall six miles from where they had
lived for the last 8 years ■ Father
has had a hard time getting the money for it
■ Abram’s letter told of
Grandfather’s death ■ has been sick
with the bilious remittent fever for sick weeks
■ they are 60 miles south of Albany |
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Item 68 | |||||||
Correspondence between Albert Mead and Abram Mead. 22 May 1859. North Ferrisburgh, Addison County, Vermont. | |||||||
Thankful for Abram’s help with Father’s sickness
and burial ■ expects Mr. Angier to
erect Father’s tombstone soon after he does Mrs.
Martin’s ■ has sold his oxen for
$160 and finished his spring’s work with his
horse ■ L. B. Fuller has moved into
the Harrington house and Mrs. S. Jane Fuller has
moved in withe her mother-in-law and has heard
from Isbon ■ Ann came down to see
what the letter said and then Peter ■
Homer Partah bought a farm in northern Iowa
■ documents a business transaction
between him and Abram |
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Item 69 | |||||||
Correspondence between Sarah Ashworth and Joanna Chandler. 20 March 1860. Addison County, Vermont. | |||||||
Sends her sympathies on account of Joanna’s
recent bereavement ■ prays that
this unfortunate event is a blessing in disguise
■ her son’s disease is progressing
■ has a girl working with her three
children for board ■ Mr. Ashworth
sold their house a short time ago for $1,500
■ they have to move sometime this
year ■ wants Joanna to spend the
summer with her ■ daughter Maria is
sitting nearby |
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Item 70 | |||||||
Correspondence between Jane Finch and Susan Mead [?]. 31 December [?]. Fort Ann, New York. | |||||||
Writes in reply to Susan’s letter ■
they are having good sleighing times ■
everyone is marrying, including: Jerry Finch to
a lady from the Hill, William Smith to Helen
Baker, Harry Rout to Jane Murrill, George Thorn
to a lady in the western part of the state,
Hiram Dewy to a lady out west, and Alanson Chase
Hate [Hattie?] Whaley ■ is going to
school this winter ■ Ma and Jane
are well ■ Caleb Thompson Junior
has come home ■ had a donation
party at Mr. Carter’s on Thursday ■
there was a fire at Harvey’s mill |
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SERIES 7: MISCELLANEOUS MEAD DOCUMENTS | |||||||
Item 71 | |||||||
1:7 | Wedding Certificate. George Mead and Susan Chandler. 20 November 1859. Oak Grove, Dodge County, Wisconsin. | ||||||
Wedding certificate for George Mead of
Excelsior, Sauk County, Wisconsin and Susan
Chandler of Clyman, Dodge County, Wisconsin
■ in the presence of Joanna Chase,
Mr. H. C. Griffin, and George Chandler ■
joined by H. M. Parmeley, Minister of the
Gospel |
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Item 72 | |||||||
Envelope. To Mr. George Mead, Weston, Platte County, Missouri. Postmarked Reedsburg, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Care of Joseph Palmer |
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Item 73 | |||||||
Envelope. To Mrs. George Mead, Reedsburg, Sauk County, Wisconsin. Postmarked St. Joseph, Missouri. | |||||||
Item 74 | |||||||
Envelope. To Miss Susan Chandler, Beaver Dam, Dodge County, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Item 75 | |||||||
Envelope. To Mrs. George Mead, Reedsburg, Sauk County, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Fred is very sick ■ come home soon |
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Item 76 | |||||||
Envelope. To Mrs. George Mead, Oak Grove, Dodge County, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Item 77 | |||||||
Envelope. To Mr. George Mead, Reedsburg, Sauk County, Wisconsin. | |||||||
Joke about broken hearts |
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SERIES 8: MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS | |||||||
Item 78 | |||||||
1:8 | Correspondence between Sergeant Finnegan, Battery C. 149th Field Artillery. American X Forces and Harriet Mead. | ||||||
Talks of the horrors of war [WWI] ■ wants
cigarettes, coffee, and rum to be mailed to him ■
Barnum must be right ■ they have good times in
spite of the struggles ■ Huns are the least of
their worries because of the weather, cooties,
hikes, lack of food, clothing, and sleep, rats,
mice, and bugs ■ peace seems close at hand ■
wants Harriet to remind the Stevensons of him ■
wants Jim to join before the war ends ■ Germans
just dropped a shell 200 meters away ■ sends his
best to the folks back home and to Harriet in
her new venture ■ hopes the next time that he
needs first aid Michael Reese is near him |
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Item 79 | |||||||
Colored Photograph. 8 X 9.25. | |||||||
An older woman and a young girl smile in
matching outfits [one of them is possibly
Harriet Mead] |
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Item 80 | |||||||
Newspaper. “State Legion Auxiliary Honors North Shore Women for Services.” Mrs. Harriet Mead Hass. 8 February 1968. | |||||||
Item 81 | |||||||
Newspaper [second copy]. “State Legion Auxiliary Honors North Shore Women for Services.” Mrs. Harriet Mead Hass. 8 February 1968. | |||||||
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