Alexander D. Miner Correspondence

Finding aid prepared by Gina C Giang.
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
Manuscripts Department
The Huntington Library
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2191
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
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The Huntington Library. All rights reserved.


Descriptive Summary

Title: Alexander D. Miner Correspondence
Dates (inclusive): 1834-1883
Bulk dates: 1852-1883
Collection Call Number: mssHM 80846-80948
Creator: Miner, Alexander Douglas
Extent: 109 items in 3 boxes
Repository: The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. Manuscripts Department
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2191
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
Abstract: This collection consists almost entirely of family letters sent by farmer Alexander Miner (1802-1873) in Lima, New York, to his daughter Martha Matilda Miner, a college student attending Oberlin College in Ohio (Class of 1863).
Language of Material: The records are in English.

Access

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Administrative Information

Publication Rights

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item]. Alexander D. Miner Correspondence, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Provenance

Gift from Dr. Malcolm Rohrbough, May 12, 2014.

Biographical Note

Alexander Douglas Miner (1802-1873) was born on June 22, 1802. He married Abby E. Skinner on May 28, 1848. Miner was a farmer in Lima, New York. The couple had two daughters, Martha Matilda Miner and Nellie W. Miner.
Martha was born on October 30, 1842. She studied at Oberlin College and graduated in 1863. She married Reverend John Gaius Fraser on July 1, 1868. Fraser was a clergyman from East Toledo, Ohio. The couple had one daughter, Grace Selina Fraser.
Alexander D. Miner died in 1873.

Scope and Content

The correspondence of Alexander Douglas Miner consists almost entirely of letters sent by Miner addressed to his daughter, Martha Matilda Miner, a college student attending Oberlin College in Ohio. The letters sent from Miner to Martha span from 1852 to 1872. Some of the letters include a postscript from Martha's mother, Abby E. Miner.
The letters begin in Lima, New York in June 1852. Martha's mother, Abby E. Miner, begins the letter with an update on her father's health. The majority of these letters cover news on family members and friends, including church and social activities along with Martha's studies. Illnesses and deaths of friends and family are also commonly reported by Miner. Cholera morbus (gastroenteritis), erysipelas, and measles are some of the illnesses mentioned. Besides the common updates on family and friends, there are a couple of highlights in Miner's letters including a trial for perjury and a shooting during a sermon about slavery.
Although Miner did not fight during the Civil War, he mentions several friends who did, including a boy who participated in the First Battle of Bull Run. In regards to the war, he writes, "I am more than ever convinced that this war, before we see its termination, will be felt and realized as the direst calamity which has ever befallen our beloved country" ([after 1860], July 24).
There is a strong moral and religious tone in Miner's writing. In a letter dated October 1, 1858, Miner writes "We may set about any worldly enterprise, with firm health, and with every advantage for accomplishing the object of our pursuit, and yet...all these advantages may be removed from us, and if destitute of this trust in God, we shall be left to struggle alone unaided against the adversities of life." Miner also appears to have been deeply concerned about his daughter's moral development, as seen throughout his letters. "Avoid also a sort of stiffness of behavior, be familiar, not distant and cold, not waiting to be approached always by others, but prompt to do your part in exhibiting the courtesies and civilities of life" (1856, Mar. 17). In another letter dated February 1, 1859, Miner writes "I am afraid I have encouraged you in pride, in thinking of yourself more highly than you ought, in drawing comparisons between yourself and others ... in respect to smartness."
Martha's younger sister, Nellie W. Miner, appears to have been adopted. Miner reports, "She was found alone on the tow path of the canal by a lady of Rochester, who took her to the home. She says that her Mother put her there, and told her to stay till she came for her, and to tell people that her name was Helen Wells, and that she was six years old, she says that she came on a boat, and that her mother's name is Julia Wells. This is about all we know" ([1856], Sep. 29). Nellie was not the only abused and neglected child mentioned by Miner. In another letter, Miner writes about visiting another girl that needed a home on September 23, [1857]. In Miner's later letters, it appears that Nellie eventually moves to Oberlin, Ohio to attend college as well.
Also included with the collection are miscellaneous manuscripts and notes by John Gaius Fraser on religion, a receipt, and a carte-de-visite of Alexander D. Miner. There are also three volumes: an autograph book, notebook, and an album. These volumes contain various sentimental messages from friends. There are also two empty volumes where the original letters were contained.

Arrangement

Boxes 1-2 contain correspondence organized chronologically, followed by miscellaneous notes, ephemera, and photograph, followed by bound volumes in Box 3.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the Huntington Library's Online Catalog.  

Personal Names

Miner, Alexander Douglas

Titles

Bible—Romans—Commentaries

Subjects

Abandoned children
Child abuse
College students--Religious life
Conduct of life
Etiquette
Erysipelas
Families--United States
Farmers--New York (State)
Fathers and daughters
Gastroenteritis
Moral development
Neck--Infections
Orphans
Parenting--Religious aspects
Students
Universities and colleges--Religion
Lima (N.Y.)
New York (State)--Religious life and customs
New York (State)--Social life and customs
Oberlin (Ohio)
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1863--Public opinion

Genre

Correspondence--United States--19th century


Box 1

Correspondence, 1852-1869 (HM 80846-80903)

 

HM 80846 Miner, Abby E. and Alexander D. Miner 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner], Lima, (N.Y.) ([1852], June [13] and 14)

 

HM 80847 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to [Martha M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) (1856, Jan. 10)

 

HM 80848 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to [Martha M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) (1856, Mar. 17)

 

HM 80849 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to "Brother Beecher," Lima (N.Y.) (1856, Aug.)

 

HM 80850 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) (1856, Aug. 29)

 

HM 80851 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to [Martha M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) ([1856], Sep. 11)

 

HM 80852 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to [Martha M. Miner] ([1856], Sep. 29)

 

HM 80853 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to "Sister Pamela". ([1856], Oct. 4)

Note: Postscript to Martha [M. Miner]
 

HM 80854 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to [Asahel Norton] Beecher, Lima (N.Y.) (1856, Oct. 18)

 

HM 80855 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to [Martha M. Miner] ([1856], Oct. 19)

 

HM 80856 Miner, Alexander D. and [Matilda] Beecher 1 letter to [Martha M. Miner] (1856, Nov. 1)

 

HM 80857 Beecher, Matilda 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] ([1856], Nov. 10)

 

HM 80858 Minder, Alexander D. 1 letter to "Sister Pamela" and Martha [M. Miner] ([1856], Nov. 17)

 

HM 80859 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to [Martha M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) ([1856], Nov. 25)

 

HM 80860  Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) ([1856], Dec. 8)

Included: Note about Martha's grammar and spelling
 

HM 80861 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to [Martha M. Miner] (1856, Dec. 27)

 

HM 80862 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) (1857, Feb. 1)

 

HM 80863 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to [Martha M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) ([1857], Sep. 23)

 

HM 80864 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) (1858, Sep. 18)

 

HM 80865 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to [Martha M. Miner], Lima (N.Y) ([1858], Sep. 26)

 

HM 80866 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to [Martha M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) (1858, Oct. 1)

 

HM 80867 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) ([1858], Oct. 24)

 

HM 80868 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) ([1858], Nov. 13)

 

HM 80869 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] ([1858], Dec. 4)

 

HM 80870 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) (1858, Dec. 8)

 

HM 80871 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to [Martha M. Miner] ([1858], Dec. 12)

 

HM 80872 Miner, Alexander D. and Abby E. Miner 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] (1858, Dec. 15)

 

HM 80873 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to [Martha D. Miner] (1858, Dec. 25)

 

HM 80874 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to [Martha D. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) (1859, Feb. 1)

 

HM 80875 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [D. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) (1859, Feb. 12)

 

HM 80876 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) (1859, Feb. 21)

 

HM 80877 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) ([1859], Mar. 12)

 

HM 80878 Miner, Alexander D. and [Abby E. Miner] to Martha [M. Miner] ([1859], Mar. 21)

 

HM 80879 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) ([1859], Mar. 28)

 

HM 80880 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] ([1859], Apr. 9)

 

HM 80881 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to [Martha M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) (1859, Apr. 21)

 

HM 80882 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) (1859, May 3)

 

HM 80883 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) ([1859], Aug. 29)

 

HM 80884 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] ([after 1860], July 24)

 

HM 80885 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] (1861, Aug. 22)

 

HM 80886 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] ([1861], Sep.1)

 

HM 80887 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] ([1861], Sep. 14)

 

HM 80888 Miner, Alexander D. and [Abby E. Miner] to Martha [M. Miner] ([1861], Sep. 22)

 

HM 80889 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] ([1861], Sep. 26)

 

HM 80890 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] (1863, Mar. 7)

 

HM 80891 [Miner, Alexander D.] 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] (1863, Mar. 14)

 

HM 80892 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] (1863, Mar. 22)

 

HM 80893 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] ([1863], Mar. 27)

 

HM 80894 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] (1863, Mar. 31)

 

HM 80895 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] (1863, Apr. 19)

 

HM 80896 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] (1863, May 10)

 

HM 80897 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to [John Gaius] Fraser, Lima (N.Y.) (1868, Jan. 31)

 

HM 80898 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to John [Gaius Fraser] (1868, Sep. 24)

 

HM 80899 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to John [Gaius Fraser] ([1868, Sep.])

 

HM 80900 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to John [Gaius Fraser] (1869, Jan. 18)

 

HM 80901 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to John [Gaius Fraser], Lima (N.Y.) (1869, May 5)

 

HM 80902 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to "Dear Children", Lima (N.Y.) (1869, June 12)

 

HM 80903 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] (1869, June 25)

Box 2

Correspondence, 1870-1873 and undated; miscellaneous documents, ephemera, and photograph (HM 80904-80948)

 

HM 80904 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] (1870, Mar. 12)

 

HM 80905 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] (1870, Mar. 27)

 

HM 80906 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) (1870, Mar. 31)

 

HM 80907 [Miner, Alexander D.] 1 letter to [Martha M. Miner] (1870, June 20)

Note: Postscript
 

HM 80908 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) (1870, July 11)

 

HM 80909 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] (1870, Aug. 18)

 

HM 80910 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] and Nellie [W. Miner] (1870, Dec. 12)

 

HM 80911 Miner, Alexander D.] 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] ([1870?])

Note: Written on the verso of a letter by Nellie [W. Miner]
 

HM 80912 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] ([1870?])

Note: First page of the letter written on the verso of a letter by Abby E. Miner
 

HM 80913 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) (1871, Jan. 14)

 

HM 80914 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] and Nellie [W. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) (1871, Mar. 2)

 

HM 80915 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] (1871, Mar. 16)

 

HM 80916 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Nellie [W. Miner] (1871, Mar. 22)

 

HM 80917 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] (1871, Apr. 1)

 

HM 80918 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] (1871, Apr. 27)

 

HM 80919 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] (1871, June 11)

 

HM 80920 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] (1871, July 13)

 

HM 80921 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] (1871, July 27)

 

HM 80922 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] ([1871], July 30)

 

HM 80923 [Miner, Alexander D.] 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] (1871, Sep. 8)

Incomplete? Note: Written on the verso of a letter by Abby E. Miner
 

HM 80924 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) (1871, Sep. 30)

 

HM 80925 [Miner, Alexander D.] 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) (1871, Oct. 6)

 

HM 80926 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] (1871, Oct. 22)

 

HM 80927 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] (1871, Nov. 3)

 

HM 80928 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] ([1871], Nov. 23)

 

HM 80929 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] ([1871], Dec. 11)

 

HM 80930 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] ([1871], Dec. 21)

 

HM 80931 [Miner, Alexander D.] 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] ([1871?])

Note: Written on the verso of a letter by Abby E. Miner
 

HM 80932 [Miner, Alexander D.] 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] (1872, Jan. 26)

 

HM 80933 [Miner, Alexander D.] 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] ([1872], Mar. 5)

 

HM 80934 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to John [Gaius Fraser] (1872, Mar. 14)

 

HM 80935 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] (1872, Apr. 5)

 

HM 80936 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to John [Gaius Fraser] and Martha [M. Miner] (1872, Apr. 15)

 

HM 80937 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to "Dear Ours" ([1872], June 4)

 

HM 80938 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to "My Dear Niece", Lima (N.Y.) (1872, Oct. 17)

 

HM 80939 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to "My Dear Sister", Lima (N.Y.) (1872, Oct. 20)

 

HM 80940 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] ([1872])

 

HM 80941 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner] ([1872])

 

HM 80942 Miner, Abby E.] 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) (1873, Jan. 27)

 

HM 80943 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to Martha [M. Miner], Albany (N.Y.) ([18--], Jan. 2 and [3?])

 

HM 80944 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to [Martha M. Miner], Lima (N.Y.) ([18--], Sep. 20)

 

HM 80945 Miner, Alexander D. 1 letter to [Martha M. Miner] ([18--], Oct. 6)

 

HM 80946 [Essay / Diary pages (I)]

 

HM 80947 Fraser, John [Gaius] [Notes (II)] (1865-1866)

Note: Heavily edited
 

HM 80948 Fraser, John [Gaius] [Notes 2 (II)] 1865, Dec. 1

 

Receipt (1880, May 12)

 

Carte-de-visite

Box 3

Bound Volumes

 

Martha M. Miner's autograph book (1861-1883)

 

H. Boothe's notebook (1834-1835)

 

Annie's album (1857-1877)

 

Volume cover only

 

Volume cover only