Fisher family papers, 1831-1928; bulk: 1831-1868.

ArchivalResource

Fisher family. Fisher family papers, 1831-1928; bulk: 1831-1868.

Fisher family papers, 1831-1928; bulk: 1831-1868.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/698377542

This collection consists primarily of correspondence by the Fisher family, predominantly the family letters of Leonard Fisher and his sons, Charles L. Fisher and Willard Fisher in the period from 1831 to 1868. The family members appear to have been fairly mobile in their movements, although letters written to Leonard Fisher most frequently place him in Johnson, Vermont and various locations in New York State. Leonard Fish's correspondence deals with financial matters, letters written to him by family and friends, and letters he writes to various officials trying to contact his sons. There is also a small group of letters relating to a stroke suffered by Leonard in 1867 in which he seeks medical help from several doctors in New York. There are indications that one of Leonard Fisher's sons, Willard Fisher, made a habit of enlisting and deserting from both the navy and army. Beginning in 1853 and then repeating sporadically, several letters written by Leonard Fisher to various army and navy officials appear to be focused on ascertaining "the subject of his son's fate" or whereabouts. Willard Fisher writes to his father and brother from Honolulu, Mare Island, California, and New Mexico in the 1850s. In 1856, he writes to an aunt explaining that he does not know where either Leonard or Charles Fisher are presently located and asks her to forward his letter and contact information to them; he mentions that he has been unable to write for 20 months. In 1858, there is correspondence to Leonard Fisher about Willard's discharge from Company H of the New Mexico Mounted Riflemen Regiment. Willard writes from Kansas in 1859 but by October of that year, he is apparently onboard the U.S. Sloop Savannah and by 1860, he is in New York City and writes to his brother, Charles, asking for assistance and explainng that he does not wish to return to sea. Willard Fisher's letters contain some mention of financial difficulties as well as describing his news, including latest job prospects, and health. The bulk of the letters dating from 1860 to 1867 are written by Charles L. Fisher to his father and detail Charles' life in the military, beginning in 1862 when he was Assistant Surgeon of the 11th New York Cavalry Regiment and later when he was Surgeon of the 79th, 84th, and 123rd United States Colored Infantry. By 1866, Charles had moved to Caledonia, and later Raymond, Wisconsin, where he tried to establish a medical practice. He remained until 1867, when he enlisted in the Navy as a Surgeon, first serving on the U.S.S. Relief during it's relief mission to the Southern States and later on the U.S.S. Idaho during it's voyage to Nagasaki, Japan. Leonard Fisher's correspondence with the army and navy also include inquires into the status and contact information of a Charles L. Villeroy (deserted 25 June 1861 at Mare Island) and Richard Fisher. Beginning in the mid-1860s, a few letters referencing or written by Richard Fisher are in the collection, including one where he asks about "Father and Charles" and says he has recently returned from China where he spent the last three years. There are also letters from dating from 1867 after Richard has enlisted in the 8th Regiment United States Cavalry. His military records state that he was discharged from Fort Whipple on June 28, 1869 after suffering a pistol wound. There are also several items relating to Charles A. Watson (1844-1931), of Worcester, Vermont, regarding his Civil War service in the 13th Vermont Infantry Regiment, Company C. One is an anecdote describing an incident in the Battle of Gettysburg, and another is a letter, dated 1928, written to him by a Civil War veteran, Samuel C. Jones of Iowa City, Iowa, describing the comradery of Civil War veterans, no matter which side they fought on.

.25 linear feet.

Vermont Historical Society