Michael Welch papers, 1827-1874.

ArchivalResource

Welch, Michael, 1806 or 7-1876. Michael Welch papers, 1827-1874.

Michael Welch papers, 1827-1874.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/298438398

A small collection of papers consisting chiefly of correspondence; a large portion, dating from 1848 to 1873, comprises letters between Michael and Deborah Welch. Michael describes his missionary work, the number of conversions, and his travels. Deborah discusses life at home, such as livestock, coal, etc.; their children, including their health, such as their daughter Susan's critical illiness in 1860; and family. Letters to and from family members in Ireland include: Welch's father, Patrick Walsh, and discussion of Michael Welch's immigration from Ireland to the U.S.; Welch's daughter Mary; his grandson Melancthon C. Lockwood (Michael Welch's successor in the church); his brother Richard Walsh; and nieces and nephews. Letters to and from colleagues in the church describe Michael Welch's conversion: Welch gives a detailed account in an 1857 letter to Brother Fanning. Welch's missionary work is discussed in letters to his wife, the American and Foreign Christian Union, E.R. Fairchild, George McCluskey, and Robert Mack Wallace; some of these exchanges contain letters of introduction for Welch to give sermons during his travels. In his missionary work Welch traveled to many states, including Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Virginia. In an 1867 letter to his wife, Welch describes the ruinous landscape in West Virginia, two years after the end of the Civil War. A notable letter from Sarah P. Carter of Charleston, Mass. in 1853 concerns the publicized case of the conversion of a young Irish immigrant named Hannah Corcoran. The collection also contains critical letters to publications by Welch: one written in 1857 to, most likely, the Provincial Freeman and Weekly Advertiser, states his opinion of slavery and the Catholic Church. Documents include an 1825 contract of apprenticeship for a woolen and linen draper between Cornelius Ryan and Welch; a reference letter signed by friends and neighbors upon Welch's arrival in New York in 1827 (it contains a note for employment at a grocery store); Welch's certificate of U.S. citizenship in 1844; and his last will and testament dated 1866. In addition to letters and documents the papers contain Welch's notes, his transcription of verses from the Bible, and copies of verse.

152 items (155 leaves)

University of Pennsylvania Library