Nellie F. Stanley letters to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, 1865-1867

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Summary

Creators:
Stanley, Nellie F., 1843-1909
Abstract:
A series of letters written by Nellie F. Stanley to her sweetheart, United States soldier, Nathaniel S. Wheeler.
Extent:
0.25 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Nellie F. Stanley letters to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

A collection of 31 autograph, signed letters; the majority written from various towns in New Hampshire. Twenty-seven of the letters were written by Nellie F. Stanley to her "sweetheart" Nathaniel S. Wheeler; all of the letters have accompanying envelopes. The letters were written from her home in Enfield, New Hampshire, to Wheeler as he moved between various army posts over a two-year period. The letters detail her life in New Hampshire, including her work as a seamstress in a shop, her opinion of colored troops, church, the local county, town social life, the weather, news of relatives and friends. She also expresses discouragement about their separation and offers to end their courtship if that is what would make him happy. The collection also includes four additional letters: one each from Wheeler's sister, Susan, his cousin Emily, Amos K. Kepner, and a friend who signs his letter "A. F. S."

Biographical / historical:

Nellie F. Stanley (1843-1909) lived in Enfield, New Hampshire, where she worked as a seamstress in a shop. She married Nathaniel S. Wheeler in April 1868 in Enfield; by the 1880 Census, the couple had four children.

Nathaniel S. Wheeler (1832-1904) enlisted in the 11th Regiment of New Hampshire Infantry in 1862 and served three years. After the war, Wheeler received a Lieutenant's commission with the 125th Regiment of the United States Colored Troops and was sent west to fight the Plains Native Americans; in April 1866, he was promoted to Captain. From 1866 to 1867 he served in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and Fort Craig, Fort Bliss, and Fort Union, New Mexico. Wheeler mustered out of the service in December 1867, shortly before the regiment was disbanded. He married Nellie F. Stanley in April 1868, and in the 1870 Census his occupation is listed as painter.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Bartleby's Books, July 2021.
Processing information:

The collection was processed by Gayle M. Richardson in June 2022.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

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]. Nellie F. Stanley letters to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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