The compiler of this collection of family papers, Caroline (Buck) Reeves, is the granddaughter of two well-educated, Methodist women: Laura Beaver (Nevius) Hall and Caroline (Macmillan) Buck. Laura Beaver (Nevius) Hall was born in Frederickstown, Ohio, the daughter of Aaron Nevius and Sarah (Beaver) Nevius (1808-1892). After the death of her father in 1857 she moved with her widowed mother and six surviving siblings to Delaware, Ohio, in 1860. She was graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1867, and in 1874 married Dr. Edward Martin Hall, who had served and been wounded in the Civil War. One of their three surviving children, Altheia, was the mother of Caroline (Buck) Reeves.
Caroline (Macmillan) Buck, CBR's other grandmother, was born in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, daughter of David MacMillan and of Louise Hetzer, who died at CMB's birth. CMB was educated at the Gettysburg Female Institute, was graduated in 1863, and received her teaching certificate in 1868. Her home was situated on the battlefield of Gettysburg and in later life recorded her memories of Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg address. In 1871 she went as a missionary to India, where she met and married Philo Melvin Buck. They spent their lives in India as missionaries and raised their family of four children there: Philo Melvin, who married Aletheia Hall; Lois Mathild; Caroline (Buck) Wilkie, who saved and transcribed many of the family papers; and Oscar MacMillan.
From the guide to the Papers, 1856-1978, (Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute)
