MS 462 - Borton Family Papers
MLA Citation
Tags
| Title | MS 462 - Borton Family Papers |
|---|---|
| Subject | Civil War |
| Introduction | The Borton Family Papers, MS-462, is a collection of 216 letters dating from 1849-1889. The .75 linear foot collection of correspondence is housed in two boxes, box 1 containing photocopies of the original letters and box 2 containing transcripts of the same. Provenance has been maintained. The collection has been chronologically arranged. The original collection of letters was donated by the Borton family to the Fulton County Historical Society, Mrs. Merrill Bernath, Curator; and was acquisitioned on loan to the Center for Archival Collections for duplication by Assistant Director Ann M. Bowers for one moth commencing April 1986. The following information was researched and prepared by collection assistant Holly A. Hoffman, April 25, 1988. There are no restrictions on either the photocopied letters or the accompanying transcripts. |
| Biographical Sketch | The Isaiah Borton family moved to Fulton County from Stark County, Ohio, shortly after 1849, and settled near the village of Spring Hill, now Tedrow. Mary and Isaiah Borton were parents to eight children--John, Rhoda, Silas, Lucas, Simeon, Samuel, James Elwood, and Elizabeth Jane--four of whom--Silas, Simeon, Samuel, and James Elwood--served in the Civil War. More specific information describing the immediate Borton family members is included in the family group sheet, page 2a; with the Borton brothers' Civil War service information listed on page 2b. As an additional aid to the researcher, pages 2c-2f contain a complete listing of all correspondents, the inclusive dates of that correspondence, and familial relationships where known. All correspondents are identified in relation to the primary family of Mary and Isaiah Borton and its members whenever possible. Additional biographical information is contained in a two volume publication by Betty M. Mann, 1675-1979: 300 Years of Bortons in America, available at the Center for Archival Collections. Civil War Service Information
List of Correspondents NAME AND IDENTITY
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| Scope and Content | The Borton Family Papers, dating 1849-1889, is a fine collection of family correspondence containing general family information and, between the years 1862-1864, is highlighted by a significant number of detailed letters written during the Civil War. As a whole, the collection illustrates the problems confronted by and the changes which occurred in the philosophy and lifestyle of a nineteenth century farm family as it faced and dealt with the hardships induced by the Civil War, family crisis, and the on-going trials of life itself. The collection of incoming and outgoing family correspondence contains an extensive amount of material dealing with family life in Fulton County, Ohio; including such topics as health, weather, family finances, agriculture, and social and political issues of the day. Several letters speak specifically on land prices, the dollar value of farm commodities, and the intrinsic value of a good education. Highly significant correspondents writing or receiving letters of family and farm information include Borton's Elizabeth Jane, James Elwood, Mary, Samuel, Silas, Simeon; and Jane P. Marmon. For more specific information, see the selected letter listing. The collection also contains a significant number of Civil War letters, dated 1862-1864, written by the four Borton brothers--James Elwood, Samuel, Silas, and Simeon--who served in the Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and a few from their cousin J.H. Milligan, stationed at Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio. The letters reveal very descriptive accounts of a soldier's living conditions, food and rations, th picket line, marching and traveling, contact with enemy troops, injuries incurred, and interesting and detailed accounts of battle. Included in the collection as an aid to the researcher is a comprehensive set of transcriptions of the original letters, prepared for the Fulton County Historical Society by Michael L. Williams of Bryan, Ohio. Also of value to the researcher is the two volume publication by Betty M.Mann entitled 1675-1979: 300 Years of Bortons in America, available at the Center for Archival Collections. Overall, the Borton Family Papers is an excellent collection for the research historian, strong in its descriptive accounts of the Civil War from the perspective of the foot soldier, and in its specific references to and information on farm family life in nineteenth century Fulton County, Ohio. Unfortunately, the photocopied letters can be extremely difficult to read, and the researcher needs to rely heavily upon the transcriptions. The collection is a little more problematic for the genealogist however, in that little information is offered regarding family history and in that many family relationships remain difficult to determine. It is therefore recommended that the serious researcher use Betty Mann's publication in conjunction with this wonderful collection of family correspondence. Selected Letters of InterestLETTERS BY DATE AND SUBJECT
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| Series Description | The Borton Family Papers is a collection of incoming and outgoing family correspondence dating 1849-1889, arranged in 2 boxes chronologically by year. The .75 linear foot collection numbers 216 photocopied letters which are housed in Box 1, with transcriptions of those letters housed in Box 2. In most cases the letters include the date when written, the name and location of the author, the site of the letter's destination by county and state, and the name of the person for whom the letter was intended. The correspondence contains general family information and, between the years 1862-1864, is highlighted by a significant number of letters written during the Civil War. |
| Inventory | Box 1 Folder
Box 2 Folder
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