Descriptive Summary
Access
Administrative Information
Biographical Note
Scope and Content
Indexing Terms
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
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader
Services.
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
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