Manuscript Collections

This collection contains images of the interior and exterior of various structures designed by architect Minoru Yamasaki, as well his models of certain projects..

 This collection consists of papers of Charles F. Smith. The collection includes 12 letters from Smith to his family, dating from Apr. 21, 1861(?) to July 23, 1865, and a diary of Smith's, dated Oct. 11, 1864, while he was a prisoner of war.

Letters and envelopes from Ainslie to his wife, Mary Ann Lowrie Ainslie, in Waterford, describing his life as a soldier during the Civil War, chiefly in Kentucky and Tennessee; together with obituaries from local newspapers relating to Mary Ainslie's death.

This collection consists of the 1864 Civil War diary of William A. Dewey of Leslie, Mich. Dewey entered service in Company A, 20th Michigan Infantry. He was commisioned a 2nd lieutenant, July 31, 1862 and made a captain on Dec. 30, 1862. He mustered, April 25, 1863 and was killed in action near Petersberg, Va., June 18, 1864.

 This collections consists of letters written to the Jackson family during the Civil War period. In addition, it also includes a verse that was presented at the laying of the cornerstone of the Soldiers' and Sailors Monument in Detroit. Most of the letters were written by a close friend of the family, Sergeant Sanford Douglass Payne of Company H, Eight Michigan Calvary. Payne's letters to Elizabeth Caroline Wilcox Jackson and her daughter, Elizabeth Prudence Jackson, describe life as a soldier serving in Kentucky and Tennessee. The letters often refer to Charles Jackson, son of Elizabeth Caroline and brother of Elizabeth Prudence. Charles served in the Second Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Company G. This collection includes letters that describe the leg injury (and amputation) suffered by Charles while on picket duty at Petersburg, Virginia in June of 1864. Charles never recovered from his wounds, dying on July 1, 1864.

Ernst Floeter is a former German soldier who served as a Prisoner of War of the United States during World War II. He is interviewed by Bob Garrett of the Archives of Michigan. 

 Contains correspondence of Soloman Kroll, of Company C, Eighth Michigan Infantry, to his family, Sept. 11, 1861 to June 6, 1862; Jerome Kroll, Company A, Twentieth Michigan Infantry, to his family, Jan. 12, 1862 to Aug. 23, 1872; Henry Bedlegram of Kipps Corners, Mich., to his uncle, Nov. 6, 1864 and Jan. 26, 1870; Francis Fuller, Company D, Fourteenth Michigan Infantry, July 29, 1864; and Monroe Loomis, of Victor, Mich., July 29, 1862.

 This collection consists of typescript letters written by Leonard G. Loomis to Elizabeth Abbott, from Oct. 28, 1860 to Oct. 2, 1864, from various places throughout the South during the Civil War.

 Civil War diaries, 1863-1865. Consists of three small pocket diaries with daily entries of a paragraph or less discussing the daily life of Henry Albert Potter, when he served with the Fourth Michigan Calvary. The 1865 diary also has a calendar, a list of eclipses, a list of Sundays, distances and time by railroad from New York, rates of postage for both domestic and foreign mail, the population of the United States-slave and free for 1860, the Rebellion record from 1861 through 1864, and an almanac for 1865.

 This collection contains letters from John L. Brooks and his diary from the year 1862. John primarily writes to his daughters from Key West, Florida.

 This collection consists of the signed oath of Private Charles Leach, 4th Ohio Cavalry, dated Nov. 15, 1862, stating that he swears not to serve again in the Army of the United States, or aid in any way, or give any information injurious to the Confederate States until duly exchanged as a prisoner of war. The certificate was signed at Murfreesboro, Tenn. and includes a physical description of Leach. Also gives the name of the colonel who captured him (illegible) and the officer signing the oath (illegible).

Discharge papers of Daniel S. Ingersoll, 15th Michigan Volunteers, Co. G, August 11, 1865. 

 An oral history of George Taylor from Lansing, Michigan. He talks about his service during World War II as some of the first blacks to go into the Marine Corps. George Taylor served in the 51st Defense Battalion.

This collection consists of correspondence between Rebecca Button and her husband, Lorenzo, and son, Frank. Both men served in the Civil War. The majority of the letters were written by Frank. Also includes letters from Button to Mrs. T.F. Giblin and Mrs. Frank Button, concerning family history (1907). Other documents found in this collection: two unsigned and undated poems, an undated newspaper article concerning the 14th Michigan Infantry, a land deed (1897) owned by Thomas Giblin and an account book (1871) kept by Frank Button.

 Journal and ledger kept at Quartermaster's Department in Detroit by Andrew J. Weston, a clerk and bookkeeper, during the Civil War. Contains items of clothing issued to members of Company G, Second Michigan Infantry.

This collection consists of the 1864 Civil War diary of Sergeant James W. Howd of Duplain Township, Mich., who enlisted in the 1st Michigan Cavalry, Co. D. as a corporal, Aug. 12, 1861 at Ovid, Mich. at age 20. He mustered Sept. 7, 1861, and was discharged at the end of his 3 year enlistment, at Washington, D.C., on Aug. 24, 1864. Following the war, he lived in Ithaca, Mich.

 This collection consists of twenty-three discreet items (18 folders), which are arranged chronologically. Most of the documents date from the Civil War period.

 This collection consists of the Civil War diaries of George W. Myers, dating 1863 to 1864. The diaries document his life before enlisting in 1864 and his service in the 13th Michigan Infantry. He offers a brief, but stirring account of the Civil War. He details the many deaths due to disease and illness caused by the war. There are many references to his attendance at Bible studies and church services. He entitled this firsthand account, Penciling by the way. There is also two photographs from 1919 and 1920 of the 5th Michigan Infantry Reunions.

This collection consists of materials relating to the Patterson family, many items relating to William J. Evans. It includes a circular on soldier's bounty; an application for pension; an officers certificate of disability; a declaration for original invalid pension.

This collection consists of architectural drawings of the Michigan Central Station in Detroit, Michigan. The architects of the station were Warren and Wetmore architectural firm in partnership with Reed and Stem. Not all of the drawings within the collection have been digitized.

The Dolores Hoagland Collection contains papers from four generations of Hoagland individuals. The bulk of the materials document the Hoagland family's extensive military background, their businesses - Richland Furs and Richland Arms - in Blissfield, Michigan, and their lives and activities at home and abroad. Subjects include Hoagland family history, Blissfield local history, business proceedings, military experiences, and activities encompassing work, vacation, and family. Material types include correspondence, photographs, business records, military service records and scrapbooks. The papers of Clement Sr. and Clement Jr. compromise the bulk of the collection. Clement Sr. served in the First World War in the 353rd Aero Service Squadron from 1918-1919. Clement Jr. served in the Second World War from 1943-1945. After the war, Clement Jr. came back to Blissfield to join the family business and eventually took over operations of the Richland Furs and Richland Arms. Dolores (Hatcher) Hoagland married Thomas C. Hoagland (Clement Jr.) in 1950 in Blissfield, Michigan. They couple had three children, Thomas, William Neal and Harriet Ann.

This collection consists of seventeen interviews of members of the Lake Huron coastal community of Rogers City, Michigan, as well as fisheries professionals, who experienced the buildup of Chinook salmon fishing in Rogers City in the late twentieth century and the Lake Huron Chinook salmon fishery crash in the mid-2000s.

 This collection contains correspondences from Giles B. Allen and an receipt acknowledging Linen for Officers in the Sixth Michigan Infantry, Company F. There is also a newspaper photograph of Giles B. Allen.

Discharge papers for Richard Wende dated 1864 and 1866.

This collection consists of Civil War records, dating 1865-1899, of Joseph H. Savage. The collection includes his discharge papers from Company A, 10th Regiment, New York Heavy Artillery (Feb. 27, 1865); a letter from the Pension Office (Apr. 18, 1881); a card from the Bureau of Pensions acknowledging his request for pension increase and a letter from the Bureau (June 6, 1899) informing him of the increase; a form notice from the Detroit pension agent instructing veterans on applying for new pension certificate; and a letter from the Bureau (June 20, 1899) rejecting his claim for a disability pension.

 This collection contains materials connected with the pursuit and capture of John Wilkes Booth. The majority of the material is newspaper clippings telling the story of the capture of Booth, as well as his burial. The collection also includes a lecture on the capture of John Wilkes Booth by Luther Byron Baker and a photograph of him.

This collection consists of three documents arranged as one series: 1. Military documents, 1864-65. This series contains William Hogue's discharge papers, dated at Port Hudson, Louisiana, Feb. 22, 1864, and New Orleans, Louisiana, Aug. 20, 1865. Also included is a furlough for Hogue dated at Kalamazoo, Mich. on March 24, 1864.

MS 91-58 consists of materials documenting John H. Starkweather and the Starkweather family, who were originally from New York. Some family members moved to Michigan in the 1840's (Detroit area) and after the Civil War, continued west into Kansas and Minnesota. This small, eclectic collection includes the New Testament bible carried by Starkweather during the Civil War, a letter written by him on the back of a cigar wrapper (1861), his pension papers (1892, 1907); and miscellaneous papers, such as an 1861 pass given to John during the War, and Marion County, Kansas fair ticket (1882). The collection also includes photographs or obituaries of Starkweather family members, all who were descendants of Hilus H. Starkweather. Identified photographs include Perry, Mary Jane (John's siblings) and Asa Starkweather. Obituaries include James, Christopher Columbus, Sophia (all John's siblings), Wiiliam Hilus (John's son), and Clifton C. Starkweather (Christopher Columus Starkweather's son).

 This collection consists of personal papers of Asa L. Landon, covering the dates 1863-1919. The collection consists of letters sent home from the front by Landon, his military discharge, his marriage certificate, the marriage certificate of Fred J. Landon and Anna Grugel, documents acknowledging the Asa Landon was a 32⁰ Mason, deeds to a plot in Mount Hope Cemetery, and pension records for Landon and his wife. The collection is arranged alphabetically.

This collection consists of one diary arranged as one series: 1. Civil War diary, 1861-64. Kept by John L. Rolison as he participated in the war. Entries concern descriptions of the weather, the living conditions, and activities of the unit.

This collection contains a pamphlet of "The Boys in Blue" published in Clare, Michigan. The collection also contains a Ribbon from the Eighth Annual Michigan Encampment.

 Manuscript Collection 2008-46 contains materials of or relating to Henry and Nancy Ewing. Includes correspondence (1855-1965, mostly dated 1865-1865); scrapbooks and notebooks (1861-1865, 1893) kept by the Ewing family; and photographs (1864, 1888), four carte de visites and one tintype, of various members of the Ewing family. The four carte de visites are of Civil War soldiers D.C. Cherington, Andy Ewing, Alvin Hank, and T.C. Radabaugh. The tintype is of Mack Ewing, Alvin Hank, and Andy Ewing taken in 1888.

This collection consists of 7 letters. There are 4 letters from John C. Wheaton, 136th New York Infantry, June 6, 1863-Jan. 28, 1865, to his sister, Avis Wheaton Owen, containing some especially interesting comments on looting; a letter from John C. Wheaton, June 12, 1865, to his sister, Avis Wheaton Owen, commenting on civilian life; and a letter from R. Wheaton, April 23, 1865, to his sister, Avis Wheaton Owen, commenting on John C. Wheaton and other members of the family. The final letter is dated June 12, 1865 from John Wheaton to Avis Wheaton Owen.

 This collection holds Douglas Elbinger's photographs from the early 1970s to the early 2000s of political figures. Photographic subjects include figures from both the national and state level, and events like the Michigan Democratic Convention. There are also photographs of people and buildings in connection with the Cooley Law School in Lansing.

John W. Bosier shares his experience as a seamen on the U.S.S. Nashville during World War II. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January 1941 and did his training at Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois.

This collection consists of the diary of Darwin H. Babbitt, a private in the 5th Michigan Cavalry, Co. K. The diary discusses daily events through May 27, 1864, including reviews by Generals Meade, Custer, Grant and Sheridan, and movements through Richmond, Yorktown, Alexandria, and Fairfax, Virginia. 

This collection consists a mixture of materials relating to William Anderson's experience during the Civil War. Most of the collection contains personal correspondences, but other records in the collection document Anderson's brief internment in Libby Prison, Virginia through a series of newspaper articles published by The Plainwell news, in 1903, and a postcard of Libby Prison, which dates ca. 1900? This collection also contains Anderson's pension papers (1875-1900), a small photograph of the 19th Michigan Infantry drummers, and information on reunions of the 19th Infantry (1891, 1895). Other miscellaneous records include broadsides and information about land deals and homestead opportunities for Civil War veterans (1865-1899). Also includes a photocopy of Recollections of grandfather Monteith's manner of living (14 pages) and Memoranda of family history (35 pages). These short articles were written by Churchill Roberts (ca. 1890).

 This collection consists of nine letters written during the American Civil War. In three letters to his sister, Van Norman describes his time in Nelson General Hospital at Camp Nelson, Kentucky. The five letters to his father were written from Strawberry Plains and describe the skirmishes he was in, interactions with prisoners, and catching fish and eels in the river. The last letter, written by Lieutenant Wallace W. Dickinson, informs the Van Norman family of Benjamin's bravery and death.

 This collection contains five items: the first is a lithograph of Company G, 21st Michigan Volunteer Regiment in Color Ink on paper. It lists names of officers and enlisted men. Decorations include an eagle, pillars with flag burning, and drawing of Mount Vernon (Virginia), near top. Second, there is an image of a Parade of the Grand Army of the Republic in Washington D.C. depicting street and buildings with soldiers parading and citizens cheering from the sides. Third, a birds-eye view depicting Andersonville Prison in Sumter County, Georgia. Prison stockade and camp outside of stockade. Fourth, a Diploma for Degree of Flora for Mrs. J.W. Ernest. Finally, a view of Libby prison in Richmond, Virginia. Drawing of Confederate flag, tents and soldiers in the backgound.

 This collection consists of two folders. The first contains original correspondence and typed transactions of that correspondence. The second folder contains a compact disc of digitally scanned images of the same correspondence. The letters date 1863, except for one, which dates 1898. C.L. Leach wrote the 1898 letter to George Bush, and in it Leach notes that he is now married and lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He mentions people that he and George both know and asks George to write with any news. Frederick wrote some of the 1863 letters, and Christian, Jr. wrote the others. They are all addressed to their father, Christian Sr., and their brother George. The brothers reflect on the war and describe their experiences. They reveal a disdain for both abolitionists and African Americans and seem to regard the abolitionists in particular as a main cause of the war. The brothers describe some of their combat experiences. Gettysburg is among the battles described by Frederick (Christian was apparently hospitalized at the time). The brothers provide opinions of other men and officers and on the progress of the war. They seemed to often feel that generals were too slow to attack. They sometimes commented on medical care, their health and the weather and expressed longings to return home.

 This collection consists several documents pertaining to the Civil War. The collection includes discharge papers for Delos H. Ennis of Company C, Ninth Michigan Veteran Infantry (June 20, 1865) and for Peter F. Garrison, Company K, 14th Michigan Veteran Infantry (July 18, 1865). The collection also contains 2 receipts for ordnance stores returned to Company D, 24th Michigan Infantry (June 1863), an abstract of materials expended or consumed by the same company from time of muster to and during the first quarter of 1863, and a circular, Circular no. 10, series of 1863, issued by the War Dept., March 16, 1863, relative to the "return of ordnance and ordnance stores".