Papers, 1800-1890.

ArchivalResource

Collins family. Papers, 1800-1890.

Papers, 1800-1890.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/122488074

Papers comprised chiefly of personal correspondence among family members including Ela Collins, his wife Maria, and their children: Edward C. William, George E., Francis C., Isaac C., Sarah and Emily. They were disciplined correspondents whose activities, experiences, endeavors, and thoughts were well articulated. Encompassing the time period from 1812 to 1890, the bulk of this correspondence was generated from 1820 to 1825 and from 1834 to 1854. The correspondence of Ela and Maria Collins is mostly related to Ela's Congressional career. From Washington, he wrote about involvement in the caucus that nominated William H. Crawford for president and later the selection of the president by the House of Representatives because no candidate received a majority of electoral votes in the election of 1824. Maria, who remained at home in Lowville, wrote about personal and family matters. This was also generally the contents of her letters in later years when she wrote to her children. Ela's letters in later years contain information regarding people and events at Lowville. The second generation's letters begin with those written by Edward C. Collins, which contain details of living and teaching school in the vicinity of Canton and Massillon, Ohio. Other interesting letters include those written by William regarding his political views and endeavors and Francis, who wrote about his experiences as a cadet at West Point and later his involvement in the war with Mexico. Lastly, the letters of Isaac Clinton Collins, the most prolific writer of the family, contain details of his academic studies at schools at Carthage, New York, Fort Plain, New York, and at Yale College; legal studies and teaching careers in New York City; and life in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he established his law practice. These papers also include a notebook on Collins family history and genealogy; social invitations of Ela Collins received as a member of Congress; printed Congressional speech of William Collins on territorial government in Oregon Territory; Francis Collins' military commission; diary of Isaac Clinton Collins kept while teaching at Saint John's College in New York; and newsclippings on nineteenth century political issues.

3 boxes (1 cu. ft.)

American Periodical Series I