Finding Aid to the Mary Watson Letters MS.514

Anna Liza Posas; Michelle Bourdin
Library and Archives at the Autry
2011, August 2013
210 South Victory Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91502
rroom@theautry.org


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 .

Conditions Governing Access

Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit https://theautry.org/research-collections/library-and-archives  and fill out the Researcher Application Form.

Preferred Citation

Mary Watson Letters, 1909-1912, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS. 514; [folder number] [folder title][date].

Conditions Governing Use

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.

Biographical Note

Mary Watson was a school teacher in Alaskan Territory in the early 20th Century.
Cora Lyman was from Lyman Ranch in Carpenteria, California.

Processing History

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).

Scope and Contents

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.

Acquisition

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

folder 1

Mary Watson letter to Cora Lyman from Dawson, Yukon Territory 1909 August 21

folder 2

Mary Watson letter to Cora Lyman from Koyukuk, Alaska 1909 December 10

folder 3

Mary Watson letter to Cora Lyman from Koyukuk, Alaska 1910 March 10

folder 4

Mary Watson letter to Cora Lyman from Choquing, Alaska 1910 April 8

folder 5

Mary Watson letter to Cora Lyman from Nulato, Alaska 1910 June 5

folder 6

Mary Watson letter to Cora Lyman from Sinuk, Alaska 1910 September 9

folder 7

Mary Watson letter to Cora Lyman from Sinuk, Alaska 1910 December 21

folder 8

May Pearsall letter to Mary Watson from New York 1911

folder 9

Mary Watson letter to Cora Lyman from Seward, Alaska 1911 August 16

folder 10

Mary Watson letter to Cora Lyman from Choquing, Alaska 1911 September 15

folder 11

Mary Watson letter to Cora Lyman from Dillingham, Alaska 1912 May 28

folder 12

Letters to Cora Lyman undated

Scope and contents

One letter describes an "Eskimo" made bag sent to Cora Lyman and the other letter is from Mary's mother to Cora Lyman.
folder 13

Mary Watson letter to Cora Lyman circa 1909

folder 14

Mary Watson letter to Cora Lyman from Koyukuk, Alaska circa 1909