Showing Collections: 1 - 2 of 2
Jacob S. Hayden Diary
Chronicle written by Hayden, Mayor of Fairmont, of his trip to the west coast. He describes the perils of a steamboat trip from Pittsburgh to Independence, Missouri, and the joys and hardships of travel by wagon across the Great Plains to California. Indian encounters, river crossings, inclement weather, scarcity of water, thieves, and firing squads are some of the topics noted.
Pittenger Family Letters
Various Pittenger family members wrote these letters, mostly to other family members. The most frequent correspondent is Abraham Pittenger, a farmer, teacher, and local government official in Hancock County. The letters detail farming and marketing of farm goods, educational developments, affairs of the Presbyterian Church, and family events. The collection also provides significant information about the early Republican party, secession crisis, Civil War and Reconstruction.