Dusenbury Family Collection MSS-2014-08-19
Nissa Nack
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
(408) 808-2062
special.collections@sjsu.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: Dusenbury Family Collection
Creator:
Dusenbury, Richard
Identifier/Call Number: MSS-2014-08-19
Physical Description:
1 Box
Date (inclusive): 1840-1991
Date (bulk): Bulk 1846-1854
Abstract: The Dusenbury Family Collection provides a glimpse into the everyday life of members of the Dusenbury family in the 19th century.
The bulk of the collection consists of personal letters written to Celestia Deuel (nee Bishop), and other members of the Bishop,
Conde, and Warriner Families. Included is a genealogy detailing the Dusenbury family line from the 1600’s through 1990 and
miscellaneous ephemera. Mrs. Deuel’s connection to the Dusenbury family is through the marriage of her daughter, Samantha
Estelle Deuel to Frank Elmer Dusenbury in 1894.
Biographical / Historical
The bulk of the Dusenbury Family Collection consists of personal letters sent to Celestia Bishop Deuel. Mrs. Deuel, born
Celestia Bishop in Indiana in 1830, spent much of her childhood and young adult life in Whitewater, Wisconsin. She married
Theodore C. Deuel in 1852 in Bradford County, Wisconsin. The Deuels lived in Kansas from 1859-1860, when they moved back
to Wisconsin for a short time before returning to Kansas in 1866. In 1883, Theodore and Celestia Deuel were living in Fairmount,
Kansas and had ten children (Cutler, 1883). Newspaper clippings found in the collection indicate that the Deuels relocated
to Fullerton, California, around 1901. Mrs. Deuel died in 1912. Mrs. Deuel is connected to the Dusenbury family through
the marriage of her daughter, Samantha Estelle Deuel to Frank Elmer Dusenbury in 1894 (Carver, 1991).
References
Cutler, William G. Leavenworth County, Part 42, in History of the State of Kansas. Chicago, IL. : A.T. Andreas, 1883. http://www.kancoll.org/books/cutler/leavenworth/leavenworth-co-p42.html
Carver, Margaret Robinson. “A Dusenbury genealogy : being principally a study of the ancestors and descendants of Moses Dusenbury,
Jr. (1750-1840) and his sister Elizabeth (Dusenbury) Gager with notes on the allied families Robertson, Jagger - Jager - Gager,
Mudge, Redfield, Winne.” Revised Edition. 1991.
Scope and Contents
The Dusenbury Family Collection provides a glimpse into the everyday life of members of the Dusenbury family in the 19th century.
The bulk of the collection consists of personal letters written to Celestia Deuel (nee Bishop), and other members of the Bishop,
Conde, and Warriner Families. Subject matter generally focuses on health and farm related issues. Reference to events such
as the California Gold Rush and the Civil War can be found in a few letters (1849 and 1863-1864, respectively).
A small portion of the letters, (1848-1854) either discuss or are written in a form of shorthand described by the writers
as “fonography.” The shorthand resembles Pitman Shorthand, which was introduced by Isaac Pitman in the mid-1800s and was
referred to as “phonographic writing” (Pitman, 1915)
In addition to the personal letters, the collection includes a genealogy detailing the Dusenbury family line from the 1600’s
through 1990 and miscellaneous ephemera. The ephemera include such diverse items as an 1895-1896 almanac and a 1943 gas ration
card.
References
Pitman, Benn and Jerome B. Howard. The Phonographic Dictionary and Phrase Book. Cincinnati : The Phonographic Institute
Company, 1915.
Preferred Citation
Dusenbury Family Collection, MSS-2014-08-19, San Jose State University Library, Special Collections & Archives.
Arrangement
The Dusenbury Family Collection is arranged in to two series: Series I: Personal Letters; Series II: Genealogy and Ephemera.
Series I, Personal Letters is arranged alphabetically by sender and then recipient followed by date. Series II, Genealogy,
is arranged with the Dusenbury Genealogy placed first followed by an alphabetical by format arrangement of the ephemera.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright has been assigned to the San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission
to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication
is given on behalf of the SJSU Special Collections & Archives as the owner 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. Copyright restrictions also apply
to digital reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
Processing Information
Processed by: Nissa Nack Reviewed by: Danelle Moon Date completed: 2014
Subjects and Indexing Terms
California
Correspondence
Genealogy
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Shorthand -- Pitman
Wisconsin
Dusenbury, Richard
SERIES I: Personal Letters
1840-1912
Bulk 1846-1854
Physical Description: 1/2 Box
Scope and Contents
Series I consists of handwritten correspondence between members of the Bishop, Conde, and Warriner families from 1940 – 1912,
with the majority of the letters composed in the period between 1846 and 1854. Most of the letters are addressed to Celestia
Bishop Deuel, although correspondence addressed to other family members and/or composed by non-family members are also present.
Subject matter generally concerns everyday life in the mid-19th century, with a strong focus on health and farm related issues.
Reference to events such as the California Gold Rush and the Civil War can be found in a few letters (1849 and 1863-1864,
respectively).
A small portion of the letters, (1848-1854) either discuss or are written in a form of shorthand described by the writers
as “fonography.” The shorthand resembles Pitman Shorthand, which was introduced by Isaac Pitman in the mid-1850’s (Pitman,
1915).
Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically by sender and then recipient followed by a chronological arrangement. If the surname
of a sender/recipient changed due to marriage, her letters continue to be arranged by her maiden name. Correspondents in
this group include Celestia Deuel (nee Bishop), Louisa Castle (nee Bishop), Mary Crumb (nee Bishop), and Elizabeth Jane Heath
(nee Ross). Use of the stationary either by the same or a second sender to correspond with a second person is indicated by
parenthesis below the information pertaining to the primary letter.
Bartlet, N.G. to Deuel, Theodore
1892-March-06
Bishop, Charles to Bishop, Celestia
(Conde, Sarah to Bishop, Celestia)
1846-February-28
Bishop, Charles to Bishop, Celestia
1846-October-10
Bishop, Charles to Bishop, Celestia
(Bishop, Charles to Bishop, Merritt)
1848-May-07
Bishop, Charles to Bishop, Louisa
1851-May-11
Bishop, Conde to Bishop, Celestia
(Bishop, Charles to Bishop, Louisa)
1845-October-14
Bishop, Conde to Bishop, Celestia
(Bishop, Conde to Bishop, Charles)
1847(?)-June-20
Bishop, Conde to Bishop, Celestia
(Bishop, Conde to Bishop, Solomon)
1849-November-04
Bishop, Conde to Bishop, Celestia
(Bishop, Conde to Bishop, Solomon)
1850-September-29
Bishop, Conde to Bishop, Celestia
(B. A. to Bishop sisters)
1851-June-29
Bishop, Conde to Deuel, Theodore and Celestia
1857-October-04
Bishop, L. to Bishop, Celestia
(Bishop, William to Bishop, Celestia)
1846-July-26
and 1846-August-06
Bishop, L. to Bishop, Celestia
(Bishop, Conde to Bishop, Celestia)
(Conde, James to Bishop, Merritt)
1846-August-31
Bishop, L. to Bishop, Celestia
1847-May-18
Bishop, L. to Bishop, Celestia
(Bishop, (?) to Bishop, Merritt)
1847-December-22
Bishop, L. to Bishop, Celestia
1848-April-25
Bishop, L. to Bishop, Celestia
1848-September
Bishop, L. to Bishop, Celestia
1849-March-20
Scope and Contents
Contains key to shorthand key and mention of language reform.
Bishop, L. to Bishop, Celestia
1849-April-24
Scope and Contents
Contains mention of language reform and “fonografic sorthand.”
Bishop, L. to Bishop, Celestia
1851(?)-May-02
Bishop, L. to Deuel, Celestia
1852
Scope and Contents
Written in shorthand.
Bishop, L. to Bishop, Merritt
(Bishop, L. to Celestia Bishop)
1847-June-02
Castle, Louisa to Deuel, Celestia
1858(?)-August-22
Bishop, L. to Deul, Celestia and Theodore
1859-Feburary-06
Castle, Louisa to Deuel, Celestia
1868-March-12
Castle, Louisa to Deuel, Celestia
1868-April-07
Castle, Louisa to Deuel, Celestia
1868-April-25
Bishop, M. to Deuel, Celestia
1859-November-24
Bishop, Ma to Deuel, Celestia
1868-April-23
Bishop, Mary to Deuel, Celestia
1854-July-01
Crumb, Mary to Deuel, Celestia
1859-December-25
Bishop, Mary to Deuel, Celestia
1854-September-26
Crumb, Mary to Deuel, Celestia
1903-May-01
Bishop, Merritt to Bishop, Celestia
1846-December-10
Bishop, Solomon to Deuel, Theodore and Celestia
1868-February-02
Bishop, Solomon to Warriner, Elizabeth
1840-April-28
Bishop, William to Bishop, Celestia
1849-December-02
Bishop, William to Deuel, Theodore
1863-January-11
Scope and Contents
William Bishop describes the occupation of his neighborhood by Confederate forces and discusses his concern regarding the
government’s ability to quell the rebellion
Bishop, (illegible) to Bishop, Celestia
1852(?)-April-07
Conde, Adam to Warriner, Elle
1840-March-19
Conde, James to Bishop, Celestia, Louisa, and Mary
undated
Conde, Perthena and Sarah to Bishop, Celestia
1847-April-06
Conde, Perthena to Bishop, Celestia (Conde Bishop to Charles Bishop)
1847-December-06
and 1847-December-08
Conde, Perthena and Sarah to Celestia Bishop
1848-March-12
Conde, Perthena to Bishop, Celestia
1849-March-20
Scope and Contents
Mention of California and the “yellow fever” that will only be cured by gold dust. Mention of “fonography” and language reform
are also found in this letter.
Conde, Perthena to Bishop, Celestia
1849-November-12
Conde, Perthena to Bishop, Celestia
1851-September-16
Conde, Perthena to Bishop, Celestia
1864-January-20
Scope and Contents
Comment that a cousin is on leave from his regiment.
Deuel, Betsy to Burlingame, Alfred
undated
Deuel, Betsy to Deuel, Theodore
1853-January-30
Deuel, Devere to Deuel, Hygiana
1876-April-02
Deuel, N.S. to Deuel, Theodore
1850-November-19
Scope and Contents
Miss Deuel discusses her desire to continue her education and knowledge of being dependent on her brother for tuition and
expenses.
Kymble, Sarah and Sue to Emerick, Angelia
1912-June-08
Peck, Burzilla to Bishop, Celestia
(Peck, Wilfred to Bishop, Celestia)
(Bishop, Charles to Bishop, Celestia)
1848-January-30
and 1848-February-05
Ross, Elizabeth J. to Bishop, Celestia
(Ross, Elizabeth J. to Bishop, Louisa)
(Ross, Jane to Bishop, Mary)
1847(?)-December-12
Ross, Elizabeth J. to Bishop, Celestia
1850-September-12
Ross, Jane to Bishop, Celestia (Ross, Jane to Bishop, Louisa)
1845-July-27
Smith, John to Bishop, Celestia
1851-July-18
Smith, John to Bishop, Celestia
1852-January-22
Sprackling, George to Bishop, Celestia
1851-December-30
Teetshorn, Lewis to Bishop, Celestia
undated
Warriner, E. to Deuel, Celestia
1851-August-08
Warriner, E. to Deuel, Celestia
1858-April-19
Warriner, E. to Deuel, Celestia
1861-February-12
Warriner, Elizabeth to Deuel, Celestia
1863-November-28
Warriner, Emily to Bishop, Celestia
1848-February-02
Warriner, Emily to Bishop, Celestia
1848-March-05
Warriner, Emily to Bishop, Celestia
1850-June-30
Warriner, Emily to Bishop, Celestia
1851-February-09
Warriner, Emily to Bishop, Celestia
1851-December-01
Warriner, Mary Ann to Bishop, Celestia
1847-February-26
(?) to Bishop, Celestia
1848-February-10
Scope and Contents
Discussion of “fonographi” and how to read/write shorthand.
(?) to Bishop, Celestia
1850
Scope and Contents
Written in shorthand.
(?) to Bishop, Celestia
1850
Scope and Contents
Written in shorthand.
(?) to Bishop, Celestia
1850(?)-June-23
(?) to Bishop, Celestia
1851
Scope and Contents
Written in shorthand.
(?) to Bishop, Celestia
1851
Scope and Contents
Written in shorthand.
(?) to Bishop, Celestia
1859-November-13
(?) to Deuel, Theodore
1850
Scope and Contents
Written in shorthand.
(?) to Deuel, Theodore
1851
Scope and Contents
Written in shorthand.
(?) to Deuel, Theodore
1851
Scope and Contents
Written in shorthand.
(?) to (?)
undated
Scope and Contents
Postcard on verso of Teacher’s Monthly Report.
(?) to Deuel, Theodore
1851-July-03
Scope and Contents
Written in shorthand.
SERIES II: Genealogy and Ephemera
1852 - 1991
Bulk 1852 - 1895
Physical Description: 1/4 Box
Scope and Contents
The bulk of Series II consists of a copy of the 1991 "A Dusenbury Genealogy : Being principally a study of the ancestors and
descendants of Moses Dusenbury, Jr. (1750-1840) and his sister Elizabeth (Dusenbury) Gager, with notes on the allied families
Roberson, Jagger - Jager - Gager, Mudge, Redfield, Winne," by Margaret Robinson Carver. The genealogy traces the Dusenbury
family line from the 1600’s through 1990. Included with the genealogy are photocopies of some documentation used to develop
the family history.
The ephemera in this series include undated poems, invitations, and other items. Small pieces of hair work were included
with two of the poems. Notes on journeys taken by Celestia Deuel are recorded in a small notebook and in the pages of Wakefield’s
Almanac. Obituaries clipped from newspapers can also be found between the pages of the almanac.
Arrangement
This series is arranged with the Dusenbury Genealogy placed first followed by an alphabetical by format arrangement of the
ephemera.
Dusenbury Genealogy
1991
Scope and Contents
Includes photocopies of Dusenbury Family documents.
Almanac (Wakefield’s)
1895-1896
Scope and Contents
Served as address book. Includes handwritten notes regarding a trip from Kansas to Indiana taken by Celestia Deuel in 1896.
Also contains obituary newspaper clippings.
Armstrong, A. R., This Week Magazine
(History of the Envelope)
1939-May-21
Scope and Contents
Discussion of the history of the envelope.
Booklet: Anne Walsh; a Narrative Founded on Fact.
undated
Envelopes; empty
1849 - 1859(?)
Invitation
undated
Scope and Contents
Hemsly, E.M. to Castle, Asher and Bishop, Celestia and Louisa
Invitation; wedding
1890-October-09
Scope and Contents
Stewart, Lillie May and Wolfe, John A.
Marriage Certificate
1852-February-05
Scope and Contents
Deuel, Theodore P. and Bishop, Celestia M.
Mileage Ration
1943-December-11
Notebook
1875
Scope and Contents
Account of travel from Kansas to Wisconsin and return.
Notes; Miscellaneous
undated
Poems and Remembrances
undated
