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Contributing Institution:
Library and Archives at the Autry
Title: Mary Watson Letters
Creator:
Watson, Mary
Creator:
Lyman, Cora
Creator:
Pearsall, May
Identifier/Call Number: MS.514
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear Feet
(1 box)
Date: 1909 - 1912
Abstract: Mary Watson was a school teacher in Alaskan Territory in the early 20th Century. This collection includes 13 letters written
by Mary Watson to Cora Lyman from different towns in Alaska. The letters describe Watson's journey to and life in Alaskan
Territory from 1909 to 1912. Descriptions include weather, astronomical and seasonal comparisons; observations of native Alaskan
customs and culture; attitudes and behavior of gold rush seekers; detailed descriptions of her activities as a teacher; and
work as a medical assistant.
Language of Material:
English
.
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Mary Watson Letters, 1909-1912, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS. 514; [folder number] [folder
title][date].
Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote
from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is
given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include
or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
Mary Watson was a school teacher in Alaskan Territory in the early 20th Century.
Cora Lyman was from Lyman Ranch in Carpenteria, California.
Initial inventory created by Michelle Bourdin, 2011. Finding aid completed by Anna Liza Posas, 2013. Final processing of collection
and publication of finding aid made possible by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
This collection includes 13 letters written by Mary Watson to Cora Lyman from different towns in Alaska. The letters describe
Watson's journey to and life in Alaskan Territory from 1909 to 1912. Descriptions include weather, astronomical and seasonal
comparisons; observations of native Alaskan customs and culture; attitudes and behavior of gold rush seekers; detailed descriptions
of her activities as a teacher and work as a medical assistant. The collection also includes one letter from Mary's mother
to Cora, also from Alaskan Territory and one letter from Miss May Pearsall of New York.
Postmarks and addresses include Koykuj, Kokrine, Mulato, Tanana, Sinuk, Seward, Chowuing, and Dillingham. One letter only
written by Mrs. Watson and one letter from Miss A. May Pearsall requesting information about teaching in Alaska.
Donated to the Library by unknown donor, 1975 December 29.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Women teachers
Arctic peoples
Gold mines and mining -- Alaska
Women -- Alaska
Correspondence
Alaska -- History -- Sources
Alaska -- Description and travel