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Stanley (Nellie F.) Letters to Nathaniel S. Wheeler
mssStanley
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Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Nellie F. Stanley letters to Nathaniel S. Wheeler
Creator:
Stanley, Nellie F., 1843-1909
Identifier/Call Number: mssStanley
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear Feet
(1 box)
Date (inclusive): 1865-1867
Abstract: A series of letters written by Nellie
F. Stanley to her sweetheart, United States soldier, Nathaniel S. Wheeler.
Language of Material: Materials are in
English.
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necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
[Identification of item]. Nellie F. Stanley letters to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, The Huntington
Library, San Marino, California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Bartleby's Books, July 2021.
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.
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."
The collection was processed by Gayle M. Richardson in June 2022.
Arranged chronologically.
The Huntington also holds two collections that contain letters from Nellie F. Stanley:
Nathaniel Wheeler correspondence (mssHM 81470-81546) and Nathaniel Wheeler papers (mssHM
81576-81597).
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Courtship -- New Hampshire -- 19th century
Love-letters -- New Hampshire -- 19th century
New Hampshire -- Social life and customs
United States -- History, Military -- 19th century
West (U.S.) -- History, Military
Letters (correspondence) -- United States -- 19th century
Kepner, Amos K.
Wheeler, Susan