This collection centers on Cyrus Thomas Huntington, his wife China Graves Huntington, and their children. Cyrus was born in Grantham, New Hampshire, in 1801 and was one of 8 children. He and his wife had five children, all born in Watertown, New York: Henry Graves (1825-1910), Charles S. (b. 1827), Eliza P. (b. 1829), Hiram Cyrus (1836-c.1862), and John W. (b.1844).
The letters are primarily from the children and document their adulthood. Hiram was a member of Co. G of the 94th New York Infantry Regiment, and likely died in the Battle of Fredericksburg on December 13, 1862. In 1862, the regiment also participated in the Battle of Cedar Mountain (August 9), and the battles of Groveton (August 29), Bull Run (August 30), Chantilly (September 1), and Antietam (September 16-17).
From the guide to the Huntington family papers, 1845-1886, (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan)
