Ezra Cornell papers, 1746-18881844-1870
Collection Number: 1-1-1

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library


DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Ezra Cornell papers, 1746-1888 1844-1870
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Collection Number:
1-1-1
Creator:
Cornell, Ezra, 1807-1874.
Quanitities:
apx. 60 cubic feet.

Scope and content

Accounts, broadsides, correspondence, estimates, memoranda, maps, newspaper clippings, and other papers.

INFORMATION FOR USERS

Preferred Citation

Ezra Cornell papers, #1-1-1. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.

Related Archival Materials

See also Ezra Cornell letter to Henry Brewer, #624; Letters for Ezra Cornell memorial volume, #773; Ezra Cornell Letter to Alonzo Cornell, #3609; Becker-Hull Ezra Cornell and telegraph materials, #1-1-262; Ezra Cornell land grant documents, 1-1-666; Walter W. Edwards collection of Ezra Cornell memorabilia, #1-1-3110..

Biographical / Historical

Farmer, engineer, businessman, state legislator, and philanthropist. After making his fortune at Western Union, Ezra Cornell served in the New York State Legislature for six years (1862-1868). He also founded a public library for Tompkins County in Ithaca, New York, which was originally called the Cornell Library. He subsequently founded Cornell University.

Scope and content

The earliest papers, 1828-1843, cover the years when Cornell worked in Ithaca and travelled for Barnaby and Mooers plows. They include letters, accounts, and other papers concerning his employment by Jeremiah Beebe, the owner of a flour and plaster mill on Fall Creek in Ithaca, N.Y. and his other business interests in Ithaca. Family letters contain information about his work, plans and opinions; news about his growing family; and reports of events in Ithaca. After 1838, there is considerable detail about Cornell's travels in Maine and Georgia, selling Barnaby and Mooers plows.

Scope and content

Papers, 1843-1860, relate to the promotion, construction, and investment in telegraph lines in the eastern and midwestern United States and Canada, and include contracts, lists of stockholders, briefs of legal cases, accounts, financial statements and reports, broadsides, pamphlets, and sketches; a series of letters from Samuel F.B. Morse; material relating to the construction of the first telegraph line from Washington to Baltimore; and material relating to Cornell's construction and operation of other lines. The papers reveal the difficulties of construction and maintenance, and the conflicts between investors. Of particular interest is the material dealing with the beginnings of Western Union (1854-1855).

Scope and content

There are also papers relating to Cornell's agricultural interest in purebred stock and in the Tompkins County and New York State Agricultural Societies; his interest in coal lands and coal oil in Pennsylvania; his building of the Cornell Library in Ithaca; his interest in the Casacadilla health resort; and to his promotion of the growth of Ithaca.

Scope and content

After 1860 the papers relate to local, state, and national politics; his election to the New York State Legislature; the Albany Agricultural Works; the development of railway lines including the Utica, Ithaca, and Elmira Rail Road, the Geneva & Ithaca Rail Road, the Ithaca & Cortland Railroad, and the Erie Railroad; correspondence with and relief efforts for Civil War soldiers.

Scope and content

Correspondence, drawings and maps, and other papers pertaining to the conception, founding, and construction of Cornell University, with particular reference to Andrew Dickson White, the first President.

Scope and content

Diary/memo books include information ranging from the weight of cattle to genealogical tables, personal accounts, and notes on western lands, as well as his legislative career and the founding of the university.

Scope and content

Includes glazed pitcher and two large pots crafted by Elijah Cornell, father of Ezra Cornell.

Scope and content

Major correspondents include Mary Ann Cornell, Alonzo B. Cornell, Daniel B. Cornell, Samuel F.B. Morse, Jeremiah Beebe, J.J. Speed, D.T. Tillotson, Amos Kendall, F.O.J Smith, Andrew Dickson White, Hiram Sibley, F.M. Finch, and Phebe Wood.
Many items have been digitized and are available here: https://rmc.library.cornell.edu/ezracornellcoll.
Processing Information

Box 103 was removed from the collection in 2024.

SUBJECTS

Names:
White, Andrew Dickson, 1832-1918.
Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872.
Cornell, Mary Ann.
Cornell, Daniel B.
Cornell, Alonzo B., 1832-1904.
Cornell, Elijah.
Cornell, Paul J.
Beebe, Jeremiah.
Speed, John J. (John James)
Tillotson, D. T.
Kendall, Amos, 1789-1869.
Finch, Francis M. (Francis Miles), 1827-1907.
Sibley, Hiram, 1807-1888.
Wood, Phebe.
Cornell family.
Cornell University -- : History.
Cornell University -- : Presidents.
Cornell University -- : Buildings.
Cornell University -- : Curricula.
Cornell University -- : Students.
Cornell Public Library (Ithaca, N.Y.)
Barnaby and Mooers
New York (State). Legislature. Assembly
New York (State). Legislature. Senate
Albany Agricultural Works
Geneva and Ithaca Railroad Company
Erie Railroad Company
Utica, Ithaca, and Elmira Railroad
Ithaca & Cortland Railroad Company
New York State Agricultural Society
Cascadilla Health Resort (Ithaca, N.Y.)
Western Union Telegraph Company
Places:
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives.
Ithaca (N.Y.) -- History.
New York (State) -- Politics and government.
Ithaca (N.Y.) -- Social life and customs.
Maine -- Description and travel.
Georgia -- Description and travel.
Subjects:
Telegraph -- History.
Telegraph -- Equipment and supplies.
Telegraph, Wireless.
Telegraph -- Law and legislation.
Telegraph -- Employees.
Railroads -- New York (State)
Plows -- New York (State)
Plows -- Maine.
Coal trade.
Cattle -- Breeding -- New York (State)
Families -- New York (State) -- Ithaca.
Agriculture -- New York (State)

CONTAINER LIST
Container
Description
Date
Series I: Correspondence
1746-1878
Scope and Contents
Ezra Cornell's correspondence consists of hand-written letters sent and received, drafts of outgoing letters, documents or drafts of documents intended to clarify or develop certain points in the correspondence, and occasionally letters between persons other than Ezra Cornell. The correspondence closely follows and details Ezra Cornell's many business enterprises, personal interests, family relations, and the founding of Cornell University. In many cases he used his correspondence as the "document of record," declaring that a letter was to serve as instruction, documentation, or mandate. This was true in both business and family correspondence. Cornell was tireless in self-documenting his affairs and those of his family, encouraging correspondents to regard their letters as important works by leaving margins on the pages and improving their spelling. Most letters were subsequently marked by a member of the family with the name of the correspondent. Cornell also kept many handwritten copies of his own outgoing letters. Cornell and his correspondents (particularly members of his own family) discussed episodes of poor health, journeys, businesses, fires and floods, and myriad family matters (including news, gossip, and criticism of family members). But the letters also display frequent contemporary comment on many of the issues of the nineteenth century: slavery, the Civil War, temperance, religion, and national and local politics. Ezra Cornell's letters reveal a man whose principal values did not change over the course of a long and busy life. From his first letters to his last, he ceaselessly preached the merits of industriousness, education ("Knowledge is power"), abstemiousness, and familial trust and devotion. He was always generous with his pecuniary accumulations, whether a few dollars or many thousands, so long as the cause in his view was just and embraced his own values of education and honest hard work. He was always interested in the plight and betterment of "colored" people, and employed women from the beginning. He very clearly believed in the common man's ability to prevail if afforded the opportunities his times conventionally denied. The earliest letters derive from his travels through New England, the Mid-Atlantic states, and the Deep South selling plows and plow patent rights, and exploring America as a place in which his skills and work could be turned into industrial and financial success. A proven aptitude for design, mechanics, and construction, and an acquaintance with Samuel F.B. Morse resulted in his working with the test laying of the buried telegraph cable between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. When the trench system failed, Cornell devised an effective way of stringing the wires on poles, and the result permitted and ensured the telegraph's success. That achievement allowed Cornell to direct the enterprise of establishing several new telegraph lines in the East and Midwest; this involved the selling of stock and the actual engineering of the projects. The demanding work took him far from home, and resulted in his writing very many letters in which he described his work and continued to attempt to maintain control of his family's upbringing by correspondence. By reinvesting his earnings and accruing stock in various telegraph lines, he was in the position to accumulate great wealth when Western Union was formed. The development of the telegraph industry was contentious from the beginning, and letters refer frequently to litigation, patent abuse, and the venal behavior of scoundrels and such "pirates" as Henry O'Reilly. Cornell was regularly dunned for payment of bills, and he frequently noted his extreme poverty; he was occasionally sued for payment. Suits dogged Ezra Cornell for much of the rest of his life. As litigation proceeded, it was not always clear that the Morse patent would prevail in court. Throughout the papers, even before the establishment of his wealth, Cornell is beseeched for money, a job, or some other kind of favor. These appeals are ubiquitous. He often made small grants. His unquestioned leadership of the family and concerted efforts to formally augment the honor of the Cornell family resulted in his being constantly appealed to for aid. The correspondence is expanded somewhat by responses to Ezra Cornell's instruction that people in the offices of the telegraph lines, or family members apprise him of their actions. The Civil War consolidated Cornell's relationship with members of his family, including his younger brother Daniel, who was severely wounded at Vicksburg and thereafter endured a difficult, and well documented, recuperation. Nephews of Ezra Cornell fought for the Confederacy, and became prisoners of war. One nephew, Union soldier W. Irving Wood died from wounds received in battle. Many other letters from friends or constituents describe the War, recalling the tedium and politics of army life, the tribulations of living in the field, horrible woundings, and the glory and debasement of battle and the Civil War itself. One of Cornell's initial philanthropic efforts was to finance the construction of the Cornell Public Library in Ithaca, which housed a library, and also served as a place for the meeting of civil, social, and religious organizations. An exchange of letters in January 1864 "staggered" his lawyer F.M. Finch with news that Cornell intended to devote the largest measure of his fortune to a noble cause that would soon lead to the founding of a new kind of practical university. From this point until his death in 1874, the correspondence traces Cornell's involvement with the design of the university, pertaining particularly to the Land Grant endowment and financing the institution. Cornell had served in the New York State Legislature with Andrew Dickson White, a like-minded educational idealist who would become Cornell University's first president. Letters between them make clear that Cornell would attend to the practical problems of establishing the college, and that White was to nurture the university's intellectual foundation. During a brief foray into the coal oil business in Ohio and Kentucky, and during his years as a New York State Legislator, Ezra Cornell also kept in close contact with his family by correspondence, still seeking to manage the affairs of his children, and concerning himself with the establishment and development of the family's Forest Park farm; land later to become the central campus of the University. A life-long interest in the science of agriculture is revealed as Cornell pays close attention to matters of cattle and crops, even during his legislative career and while founding the University. A rumored sixty million dollar legacy from the English Cornell family and Cornell's life-long pursuit of news and family history from the DeRuyter Cornells and from other long separated members of the family resulted in an increase in family correspondence. Letters to Legislator Cornell reveal New York State residents' problems and needs. When he founded the University, the newspaper stories resulted in his receiving appeals claiming pathetic need. In many cases, he sent a few dollars or a few books to the petitioner. A detailed correspondence follows his involvement with two other enterprises late in life: the Albany Agricultural Works, and the American Photo-lithographic Company, which he founded with Thomas N. Rooker. Rooker seems to have enjoyed an especially friendly relation with Cornell, one of the few evidences in the Correspondence Series of non-family cordiality. Principal correspondents include J.J. Speed, D.T. Tillotson, Amos Kendall, and F.O.J. Smith in the telegraph industry; Andrew Dickson White, Hiram Sibley, and F.M. Finch in matters of Cornell University; his wife Mary Ann, son Alonzo, sister Phebe Wood, and brother D.B. in his family. Many items have been digitized and are available here: https://rmc.library.cornell.edu/ezracornellcoll.
Ezra Cornell Correspondence
Box 1 Folder 1
Correspondence
1828-06-17-1830-09-22
Digital
The digital preservation copy may be made available on request if a delivery copy is not already online.
Scope and Contents
August 23, 1830. E.B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell from Manlius: "It's very sickly about here now, there is about 2 hundred patients under the phisician's care." Topics: Family correspondence; family health; travel; Quaker Meeting; Personal finances; news from friends and acquaintances (death of children, social events). Personal names: Cornell, Elijah; Cornell, E.B.; Eddy, Otis; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography: DeRuyter, N.Y.; Manlius, N.Y.; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 1 Folder 2
Correspondence
1831-05-19-1837-06-12
Digital
The digital preservation copy may be made available on request if a delivery copy is not already online.
Scope and Contents
February 24, 1832. Ezra Cornell's response to expulsion from Quaker Church due to his marriage to Mary Ann Wood: "I have always considered that choosing a companion for life was a very important affair and that my happyness or misery in this life depended on the choice?" March 6, 1834. Ezra Cornell to Elijah Cornell: "I informed thee when thee was out that I had got out of debt and a little to spare but not being able to enjoy sound sleap while I remained in that situation (that some would call happy) I have remedied the evil by running in debt for the large house and lot?" January 13, 1836. Reference to "distressing conflagration" in New York City. May 15, 1836. Ezra Cornell to Elijah Cornell discussing Ithaca's potential, mentioning the New York and Erie Railroad and the Sodus Canal. Topics: Family correspondence; birth of son Charles and daughter Elizabeth; death of son Charles; finance and real estate speculation; mills and women mill workers; national politics and financial situation. Personal names: Merritt, Nehemiah; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Wood, M.B.; Wood, Benjamin; Wood, O. S.; Bristol, John S.; Bristol, Elmira; DeWitt family; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography: Fall Creek (Ithaca); DeRuyter; Rochester, N.Y.; Michigan
Box 1 Folder 3
Correspondence
1837-06-18-1838-09-11
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Management of Jeremiah Beebe's Ithaca affairs; textile mill; flour mill; women mill workers; tannery; water power Personal names: Cornell, Elijah; Cornell, E.B.; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Whyte, Thomas; Blunt, Joseph; Bristol, John S.; Bristol, Elmira; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 1 Folder 4
Correspondence
1838-10-27-1841-07-15
Digital
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Scope and Contents
October 6, 1839. Elijah Cornell to Ezra Cornell, regarding the economy: "But in observing the signs of the times I think it is time for people to sing small songs?" Topics: Family correspondence; family relations; business and financial matters; pottery; Cornell & Wright grocery; water power; mill machinery; Beebe's directives for businesses; letters of recommendation for trip East to view improvements in water power and to promote Ithaca as a manufacturing site; national politics; Loco Focism; Whig party. Personal names: Cornell, Elijah; Macy, Anna; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Bristol, John S.; Bristol, Elmira; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; DeRuyter; Fall Creek (Ithaca); Michigan
Box 1 Folder 5
Correspondence
1841-07-15-1842-08-13
Digital
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Scope and Contents
July 15, 1841. Letter to the Trustees of the village of Ithaca concerning complaints about Ezra Cornell's bull. Topics: Business and financial correspondence; plans for rental housing in Ithaca; cattle; New York State Agricultural Society; Barnaby and Mooers side hill plow, and correspondence to Maine pertaining to selling of plows and plow patent rights. Personal names: Dexter, S.; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Blunt, Joseph; Flagg, J. P.; Mooers, Henry; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Maine
Box 1 Folder 6
Correspondence
1842-08-18-1843-01-31
Digital
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Scope and Contents
1842. Ezra Cornell to the editor of the Maine Farmer regarding Maine's potential as an agricultural state. August 27, 29, and September 29, 1842 concerning Cornell pottery. January 23, 1843. Samuel F.B. Morse to Archibald L. Linn with sketch of his electromagnetic telegraph instrument. Morse alphabet added to letter by Ezra Cornell, February 18, 1873. January 31, 1843. and children describing a four day journey from Ithaca to New York City via stage, railroad, and steamer, relating conditions of travel, type and cost of food, arrival in the city, and the purchase of a life insurance policy. Visits and describes the Croton Reservoir. Topics: Family correspondence; rental properties; Ithaca fires; agriculture; cattle; plows; pottery; temperance Personal names: Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Stuvins, E.S.; Cornell, Elijah; Wood, O. S.; Morse, Samuel F.B.; Linn, Archibald L.; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography: Maine; New York City
Box 1 Folder 7
Correspondence
1843-02-02-1843-08-17
Digital
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Scope and Contents
February 10, 1843. and children: "?I have got 57 cents left but there is always a way when there is a will and I will get along somehow. I shall have to let you pay the postage on letters?" March 11, 1843. and children: "I arrived at this place last evening very much fatigued with a walk of 150 miles from Charleston through snow and rain?" April 2, 1843. and children giving instructions on family deportment, an account of a murder trial, and comment on Mesmerism, religion, personal faith versus organized religion, and the difficulties in selling plows. April 9, 1843. providing extensive observations of slaves and slavery, race relations, and fatherly advice and concern. April 18, 1843. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "My dear, the duty that devolved wholly on you in my absence of guiding and expanding the minds of our dear children is a laborious one and a responsible one? "I find that a well-formed, healthy negrow can get as many wives as he wants if it is 3 or 4 at a time but a decrepid fellow can't get the first one by the consent of (her) master or mistress. why is it sow. plain enough 'like begets like' they wish to improve their stock. "?but the American slaves are all illegitimate. I don't know as it can be different were people are bred as stock and sold in the market a cattel." May 16, 1843. and children concerning superiority of Northern farmers, praise of Southern land, Southern idleness, details of route walked, and gold mines. Topics: Personal finances; life insurance; plow sales and patent arrangements in Maine and Georgia; travel conditions (first class travel versus second); hardships of the times; Bankruptcy Act; Philadelphia Mint and markets; steamer travel; account of a rough crossing of Chesapeake Bay; observations of Southern landscape and agricultural practices; business ventures; plans for trench digging and pipe laying machine. Personal names: Lincoln, A.B.; Chandler, J.; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Mooers, Henry; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography: Philadelphia; Washington, D.C.; Norfolk, Va.; North Carolina; Wilmington, N.C.; Charleston, S.C.; Augusta, Ga.
Box 1 Folder 8
Correspondence
1843-08-24-1844-02-05
Digital
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Scope and Contents
September 3, 1843. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann and children: "Idleness is to the human mind like rust to iron." October 28, 1843. Correspondence concerning trench digging and pipe laying machine. October 29, 1843. describing telegraph pipe laying; Ezra Cornell's "flattering" business offers; settlement of Ithaca affairs; completion of plow business in Maine: "I can assure you my Dear that I breathe freer and deeper than I have done for some time past. I feel as though Old Dame Fortune was bestirring herself to make amends as far as may be for her past neglect, but I am cool." December 27, 1843. Authorization from Samuel F.B. Morse detailing plan of action for Ezra Cornell's role in the test laying at a salary of $1000 per year. January 19, 1844. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "?I have an invention in Embrio that my opperations here has suggested that will open the Eyes of the world, it will be far in advance of anything of the day, and it astonishes me that it should have been overlooked so long." Topics: Family correspondence; advice and admonition concerning the children, particularly regarding their education; descriptions of travel in Maine, including an account of a rough trip by steamer to New York; character of the Maine people; phrenology; business and finance; Ezra Cornell's "new enterprise"; a proposal including a description of manufacturing possibilities in the South, and an offer by Ezra Cornell to manage a company if $100,000 were invested; plows; Wool factory (Ithaca); fires in Ithaca; the laying of the test telegraph pipe between Washington D.C. and Baltimore; rejection of Ezra Cornell's initial patent claim for trench cutter, the Patent Office suggesting amendments; description of sights in Washington D.C., including extensive discussion of the Capital. Personal names: Lincoln, A.B.; Cornell, E.B.; Bristol, Eliza; Smith, F.O.J.; Morse, Samuel F.B.; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography: Augusta, Me.; Baltimore; Washington, D.C.; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 1 Folder 9
Correspondence
1844-02-16-1844-03-31
Digital
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Scope and Contents
February 16, 1844. Description of Franklin's printing press including a sketch, and a suggestion that it be displayed in the National Institute. February 26, 1844. and children describing and providing sketches of items observed in the National Institute, including detailed description of implements of war from the Fiji Islands. March 31, 1844. reflecting upon thirteen years of marriage: "We have avoided the quicksands of jealousy, the whirlpools of dissipation, the rocks of passion, and the many other impediments to a safe and happy voige. I don't believe that a preparation consists in a belief in Millerism, Jo Smithism, or any of the popular isms of the day, but in doing right?" Concerning the telegraph: "?the thirteen miles will be sufficient to test the phylosophical principal and then if it works well we are in hopes that congress will make appropriations for its continuance to Philadelphia." Topics: Laying of the test cable; conversion to telegraph posts from trench pipe; government involvement in the project; F.O.J. Smith's view of Mr. Vail and the difficulties he causes the project, and Smith's account of other conflicts in the telegraph project; patents; manuscript patent application; description of Mount Vernon and the Princeton Steamship catastrophe; Ezra Cornell attends lecture by Daniel Webster; Ezra Cornell studies in the United States Patent Office Library; Ithaca affairs; Ithaca fire; family finances; instructions and advice on child rearing; family news; business matters; plow business Personal names: Cornell, E.B.; Slater, Justus; Morse, Samuel F.B.; Cornell, Elijah; Smith, F.O.J.; Beebe, A.; Vail, Alfred; Gale, Leonard; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography: Washington, D.C.
Box 1 Folder 10
Correspondence
1844-04-01-1844-05-08
Digital
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Scope and Contents
April 14, 1844. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "?for if I could get [Alonzo] a place at a dollar a day it would be better than some men could do, at any rate it would be better than loafing about fall Creek." April 21, 1844. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "We are getting along with the telegraph to a good advantage, and it works well, we have got out 14.5 miles from Washington, and at that distance I can converce with Professor Morse as readily as though I was within two feet of him." April 25, 1844. F.O.J. Smith to Ezra Cornell: "In practical matters I do not think there ever was yoked into one team a pair of more decidedly unteachable asses than the Professor and [Vail] without your good common sense to temper their follies, the whole concern would have before this become a laughing stock to the country." Topics: Family correspondence; Mesmerism; plow business; Ithaca elections featuring Loco Foco and Abolitionist Parties; Whig Convention in Baltimore; telegraph; appropriations from Congress. Personal names: Cornell, E.B.; Smith, F.O.J.; Morse, Samuel F.B.; Burbank, David; Cornell, Mary Ann; Vail, Alfred Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Washington, D.C.; Baltimore
Box 2 Folder 1
Correspondence
1844-05-13-1844-08-09
Digital
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Scope and Contents
n.d. Morse's telegraphic alphabet and phrases written by Samuel F.B. Morse for use of Ezra Cornell on test line between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. July 28, 1844. and children describing in detail his journey by coach to Syracuse and train to Albany, his impressions of the State Geological collection, and discussing family businesses, finance, and poles for Benjamin Wood. July 29, 1844. and children describing his trip by steamer "Portsmouth" down the Hudson as far as town of Hudson. July 29, 1844. Samuel F.B. Morse to Ezra Cornell from New York: "Things in relation to the Telegraph look well, and if our plans succeed here, you will not want for ample employment." August 9, 1844. and children concerning interest in the telegraph from companies in Boston, Philadelphia, and New York; potential employment with telegraph for family members; continued description of trip down the Hudson, including discussion of the raising of a sunken ship rumored to be that of Capt. Kidd. Topics: Family correspondence; telegraph business correspondence: completion of line between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, conflicts between partners, removal of pipe from trench; hoop machine Personal names: Morse, Samuel F.B.; Wood, Benjamin; Burbank, David; Vail, Alfred; Smith, F.O.J.; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Washington, D.C.; Baltimore; Albany, N.Y.
Box 2 Folder 2
Correspondence
1844-08-10-1844-09-25
Digital
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Scope and Contents
August 18, 1844. and children reflecting on slavery and national politics: "My dear, I am convinced that our 'humble cot' is the dwelling place of more happiness in one day than falls to the lot of many a human being in this portion of our boasted 'land of Liberty' during a long life. "Slavery as it is garenteed in the states by the Constitution is bad enough and must be indured until it is removed by the fource of enlightened publick opinion acting upon the slaveholder, but for the sake of humanity let it not be extended." September 2, 1844. and children discussing the bustle (women's fashion) and giving detailed directions to Mary Ann concerning her trip to Washington, D.C. Topics: Family correspondence; Ithaca politics; Whigs; Loco Focos; plows; telegraph business correspondence; telegraph exhibition. Personal names: Burbank, David; Cornell, E.B.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Lincoln, A.B.; Slater, Justus; Wood, O.S.; Morse, Samuel F.B.; Smith, F.O.J. Geography: Baltimore; Ithaca, N.Y.; Washington, D.C.; Boston
Box 2 Folder 3
Correspondence
1844-10-07-1844-11-22
Digital
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Scope and Contents
November 24, 1844. quoting "A World of Love at Home," a poem by J.J. Reynolds and giving instructions to his children on how to maintain this at home. Topics: Family correspondence; Business correspondence; telegraph exhibition in Boston; telegraph; elections; "lightning." Personal names: Smith, F.O.J.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Wood, O.S.; Morse, Samuel F.B.; Vail, Alfred Geography: Boston; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 2 Folder 4
Correspondence
1844-12-01-1844-12-29
Digital
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Scope and Contents
December 3, 1844. Samuel F.B. Morse to Ezra Cornell discussing the claims of Dr. Charles T. Jackson that Jackson was the inventor of the telegraph. December 5, 1844. Orrin S. Wood to Ezra Cornell discussing use of telegraph to report proceedings of Congress. December 15, 1844. and children: "I had heard while at Providence last Thursday that Mary had recd. proposals from Robert Macy but had decided not to accept them, I was glad to hear of that determination as I detest the practice of cousins marrying or any marriage between persons in which there can be traced the most distant relationship. I go for the improvement instead of the deterioration of our race?" Alarm machine, telegraph for the Postmaster. December 22, 1844. and children sending New Years wishes and messages to Mary Ann, Alonzo, Frank, Elizabeth, and Oliver Perry to accompany books for each of them. Topics: Business correspondence; Family correspondence; telegraph; telegraph exhibition in Boston; electric conductors; alarm machine; chess games over the telegraph. Personal names: Cornell, Mary Ann; Speed, J.J.; Morse, Samuel F.B.; Smith, F.O.J.; Wood, O.S. Geography: Boston; New York City
Box 2 Folder 5
Correspondence
1845-01-02-1845-01-31
Digital
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Scope and Contents
January 15, 1845. E.B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell regarding E.B.'s financial difficulties and hopes for assistance from Ezra Cornell. January 29, 1845. Jeremiah S. Beebe to Ezra Cornell: "I think it was 1829 or 30 that I applied to Otis Eddy for a man to mend my plaster mill, and he recommended you. At that time I was worth $40.000 and you perhaps 40/, soon after I employed you to take charge of my affair at Fall Creek. From that time forward for at least 8 or 9 years you was in my employment at a good salary. You had my means to live on and my [?] to try your crazy experiments upon, and what is the result. I am now obliged to wear the old clothes about that I had 7 years ago and you are moving upon lightening. You have been brought forward to the world's notice?" Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: line from New York to Boston, materials and supplies, line damaged in storm, New York telegraph exhibition; discussion of possible duel between Congressmen Clingman and Yancey; conflict with Beebe Personal names: Wood, O.S.; Smith, F.O.J.; Nash, John; Burbank, David; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography: New York City; Washington, D.C.
Box 2 Folder 6
Correspondence
1845-02-01-1845-03-23
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Wool factory (Ithaca); alarm machine; telegraph business correspondence: New York telegraph exhibition, Congressional appropriation, plans for telegraphic enterprise; hoop machine; conflict with Beebe; fire at National Theater in Washington; Ithaca fire; E.B. proposes fresh water business in Chicago. Personal names: Burbank, David; Avery, Thomas; Speed, J.J.; Wood, O.S.; Smith, F.O.J.; Morse, Samuel F.B.; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Cornell, E.B. Geography: New York City; Ithaca, N.Y.; Washington, D.C.
Box 2 Folder 7
Correspondence
1845-04-10-1845-05-29
Digital
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April 19, 1845. Ezra Cornell to Samuel F.B. Morse: "?my object was to aid in carrying through, what I regarded as a magnificent experiment, and laying a foundation for future profitable employment." Telegraph conflicts, alarm machine. May 29, 1845. Amos Kendall to Ezra Cornell: "?we are willing to arrange for your employment and services in behalf of the Magnetic Telegraph Company of which you are already a member with this understanding?" Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: line maintenance, materials and supplies; plow business Personal names: Morse, Samuel F.B.; Smith, F.O.J.; Burbank, David; Speed, J.J.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Kendall, Amos; Lincoln, A.B. Geography: New York City; Washington, D.C.
Box 2 Folder 8
Correspondence
1845-06-15-1845-06-28
Digital
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Scope and Contents
June 22, 1845. and children describing stage coach journey: "The night got rather cool and a great coat would have been comfortable but I did not suffer at all for the want of one and I'm inclined to the opinion that the absence of the warmth from an overcoat was all that saved me from stage sickness if so the circumstance may be given as another evidence that 'poverty is a blessing.' "The children must not be idle, they must study some, work some, and play some, they must be at something all the time." Health, possible routes out of the city for the telegraph, visit to old neighborhood (Bergen county), Staten Island. June 30, 1845. and children concerning the approaching Fourth of July: "?the only guarantee the present generation has that our free and hapy form of government will be handed down unimpaired as it came from the hands of our Patriot Fathers, to our children and our children's children is in universal education?Then let Universal Education be the Patriot's wachword?" Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: rights of way, construction, materials and supplies. Personal names: Kendall, Amos; Cornell, Mary Ann; Smith, F.O.J.; Burbank, David Geography: New York City
Box 2 Folder 9
Correspondence
1845-07-06-1845-07-31
Digital
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July 11, 1845. and children: "I think Elizabeth is quite romantic to call her Father's letters novels'?but she will find this difference between the two, novels are the coinage of missguided brains, making no instructions to truth or reality, but dealing largely in 'the fancies' while her Father's letters contain truth, plain unvarnished truth, and I hope that is the quality that induces E. to admire them." On visiting the Old Stone School House where he had gone to school 27 years ago: "Not being satisfied that I got the worth of the money that my good Father paid for my larning there, I sought to indemnify myself by obtaining some relic of the house itself so I knocked some pieces out of it's 'time honoured walls' which I shall deposit properly labilled in my museum of curiosities." July 27, 1845. and children written to "appear like a Novel to my little Rosebud." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: routes in New York City and New Jersey, and New York to Philadelphia, materials and supplies, stock subscriptions. Personal names: Cornell, Mary Ann; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Smith, F.O.J.; Kendall, Amos; Cornell, E.B.; O'Reilly, Henry Geography: New York City; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 2 Folder 10
Correspondence
1845-08-02-1845-09-30
Digital
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August 10, 1845. and children: "?I must pay you the compliment of being quite a financier?you must keep a keen eye on your tenants and make them 'Pony up' -- does not Potter trade in something that you want if so try to get something out of him, take candy if you can get nothing else, Perry would soon learn to eat candy if he dont already know how?" August 17, 1845. and children discussing health and fruit, and improvements to telegraph instruments: "I am making other improvements that I have full confidence will be successful by business superintending my work getting materials, planning and draughting for new improvements writing my letters and accts. keeps me fully employed I don't get half the time to read that I should like to devote to it, things look well and will come out right in the end." September 19, 1845. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann and children describing telegraph exhibit at State Fair in Utica: "I had about 2000 visiters a room 30 by 40 crowded from morning till night. The wonder with all was how I stood it, to talk so much and so long as I did in explaining the telegraph to such a multitude." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: Utica line, instruments, materials and supplies, river crossing, insulation for wires, magnets; Steamship Great Britain; Family correspondence Personal names: Smith, F.O.J.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Butterfield, John; Messenger, S.; Kendall, Amos; Cornell, E.B.; Vail, Alfred; Rogers, H.J.; Cornell, Alonzo B. Geography: New York City; Utica, N.Y.
Box 2 Folder 11
Correspondence
1845-10-01-1845-10-16
Digital
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October 5, 1845. and children: "?my old hat crown was most out, and a hole in my pants and some buttons off and my shoes riped down the side, but that is nothing my heart is sound and my head clear?" October 15, 1845. Ezra Cornell to C.G. Page, discussing improvements in instrumentand magnet designs: "I am unconcious of having done anything wrong in the matter, and am very sorry if you have the impression that I would wrong you in the slightest degree, even were it in my power, I have done nothing and would do nothing that I should not be willing that you should do by me, I act from principle founded upon justice to all men." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical issues, instruments, materials and supplies, routes; Family correspondence Personal names: Faxton, Theodore; Smith, F.O.J.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Wood, O.S.; Kendall, Amos; Butterfield, John; Page, C.G. Geography: Utica; New York City
Box 2 Folder 12
Correspondence
1845-10-18-1845-10-31
Digital
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October 30, 1845. and children: "Your going to church I approve as I do your doings in general, I think however the churches are not as usefull as they would be if they would teach their diciples?to practice upon the precepts laid down by Christ. Do unto others, as you would that should do unto you, Love your neighbour as your self, Let him who is free from sin cast the first stone, &c &c &c." Bible quotations (proverbs) concerning husbands and wives. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: patent rights, instruments, New York, Albany & Buffalo line, materials and supplies, construction of lines, finances; Ithaca schools. Personal names: Page, C.G.; Wells, Henry; Wood, O.S.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Kendall, Amos Geography: New York City; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 2 Folder 13
Correspondence
1845-11-01-1845-11-09
Digital
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November 6, 1845. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "If you go to Dryden, you and Otis and Norman and perhaps one or two other young philosophers might get up a Philosophical Club, and spend your winter evenings profitably? ?the serenade at Unkle Js must have been interesting. Dryden is a great place for musick, but such musicians make poor phylosiphers. I had rather you would study phylosiphy than musick in that school." November 5, 1845. Ezra Cornell to E.B. Cornell: "I can't at the present time tell when I shall be at home, nor where I shall spend the winter. The Phil. Co. wants me to stay and keep the charge of working their line. The New York, Albany & Buffalo Co. want me, and offer $2000 for me to take charge of their line and the N.Y. and Boston Co. want me to take theirs, and will do as well by me as either, and I don't know yet which will get me. I want to go where I can be of the most service to the general enterprise." November 12, 1845. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "?I am not shure but I shall contrive some way by which I could kiss you by telegraph. How would you like to be bussed by lightning? It would seem odd no doubt, but there is no telling what will be done yet, these are the times of strange and marvelous things?" Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: instruments, materials and supplies, technical issues, patent rights, Buffalo to Lockport line in operation; Family correspondence; Fall Creek tunnel. Personal names: Wood, O.S.; Faxton, Theodore; Cornell, Mary Ann; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Monroe, C. Geography: New York City; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 3 Folder 1
Correspondence
1845-11-10-1845-11-20
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: electricity; new lines (Lockport and Buffalo, Washington and Philadelphia). Personal names: Renwick, James; Cornell, E.B.; Kendall, Amos; Wood, O.S.; Smith, F.O.J.; Sage, H.W. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Lockport, N.Y.; Washington, D.C.
Box 3 Folder 2
Correspondence
1845-11-22-1845-11-30
Digital
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November 23, 1845. Ezra Cornell: "My section of the Tel extends to Somerville New Jersey about 70 miles by the rout of the wires." November 30, 1845. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "I want you to be diligent in your studies, for you will soon be wanted for something else. I am going to have a telegraph from Ithaca to Auburn and you may be wanted to take one of the stations. So you see it is important that you should improve the time well, while you have a chance to go to school." Topics: telegraph business correspondence; Family correspondence Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Kendall, Amos; Smith, F.O.J.; Wells, Henry Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Lockport, N.Y.; Washington, D.C.; New York City
Box 3 Folder 3
Correspondence
1845-12-02-1845-12-13
Digital
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December 7, 1845. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "The duty of the mother outweigh the affections of the wife, that is a heavenly emplanted virtue in the breast of woman. I am bound to make a thousand dollars out of that operation [Ithaca to Auburn telegraph] but this I say to you in confidence and don't want it to go further at present." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, establishment of new lines, patent rights. Personal names: O'Reilly, Henry; Faxton, Theodore; Kendall, Amos; Carter, Samuel P.; Goell, A.C.; Eddy, James; Smith, F.O.J.; Wood, O.S. Geography: New York City
Box 3 Folder 4
Correspondence
1845-12-14-1845-12-22
Digital
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Scope and Contents
December 14, 1845. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "There is nothing I have to reflect on that gives me more satisfaction than the fact that my life is insured for the benefit of my Dear Wife and children." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, establishment of new lines, finances, materials and supplies; Family correspondence Personal names: Kendall, Amos; Goell, A.C.; Wood, O.S.; Butterfield, J.; Smith, F.O.J.; Eddy, James; O'Reilly, Henry Geography: New York City
Box 3 Folder 5
Correspondence
1845-12-24-1845-12-31
Digital
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December 30, 1845. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "I thank you for your wish of a 'merry Christmas' and can inform you that I made it merry with work." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, conflict with Vail and others, question of Ezra Cornell's employment, stock subscriptions offered to Ithaca businessmen. Personal names: O'Reilly, Henry; Wood, O.S.; Vail, Alfred; Kendall, Amos; Faxton, Theodore Geography: New York City; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 3 Folder 6
Correspondence
1846-01-01-1846-01-24
Digital
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January 10, 1846. Samuel F.B. Morse to Ezra Cornell: "At 12 o'clock on Monday and the same on Tuesday at 10 o'clock?you will strike the letter F *--* *--* in the same way from Fort Lee to Philadelphia and also to N York." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, patent rights, stock subscriptions. Personal names: Kendall, Amos; Smith, F.O.J.; Morse, Samuel F.B.; Wood, O. S.; Mooers, Henry Geography: New York City
Box 3 Folder 7
Correspondence
1846-01-27-1846-02-23
Digital
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February 8, 1846. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell admonishing him for revealing elements of slothful behavior. February 9, 1846. Ezra Cornell to the Editor of the Herald concerning disputed invention of the telegraph. February 22, 1846. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell calculating in real dollars the lifetime costs of drinking alcohol and using tobacco: "I am very glad that the temperance reform has reached Fall Creek." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, personal conflict, establishment of new lines, stock subscriptions in Ithaca. Personal names: Eddy, James; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Wood, O.S.; Atwell, Winthrop; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Faxton, Theodore Geography: New York City; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 3 Folder 8
Correspondence
1846-02-24-1846-03-18
Digital
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March 1, 1846. Description of telegraph lines and bridges. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, establishment of new lines, Ithaca subscribers; "Cornelia"; temperance movement in Ithaca; letters to Alonzo with advice and counsel on education and responsible living. Personal names: Smith, F.O.J.; Atwell, Winthrop; Eddy, James; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Carter, Samuel P.; Cornell, E.B.; Faxton, Theodore; Livingston, Charles Geography: New York City; Ithaca, N.Y.; Boston
Box 3 Folder 9
Correspondence
1846-03-20-1846-03-30
Digital
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March 30, 1846. E.B. Cornell from Ithaca: "We are now enjoying the Blessings and comforts of revivle of religion in Ithaca - the reverend Mr. John Moffett is here Delivering a Course of lectures on American Literature & pouring forth his Eloquent Irish Soul in the Pulpit every other Evening the Cthouse was cramed full to overflowing yesterday." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, establishment of new lines, Ithaca stock subscriptions. Personal names: Faxton, Theodore; Cornell, Franklin C.; Wood, O.S.; Eddy, James; Park, J.D.; Cornell, E.B.; Smith, F.O.J. Geography: Boston; New York City; Utica; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 3 Folder 10
Correspondence
1846-04-01-1846-04-29
Digital
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April 29, 1846. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "I left the city of NY last eve With the floating Palace Hendrick Hudson. I brought up with me half a dozen flowering trees. I think you had better set them in your nice little dooryard." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, establishment of new lines. Personal names: Smith, F.O.J.; Carter, Samuel P.; Wood, O.S.; Faxton, Theodore; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography: Boston; New York City; Albany, N.Y.; Utica
Box 3 Folder 11
Correspondence
1846-05-01-1846-05-12
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, materials and supplies, establishment of new lines. Personal names: Faxton, Theodore; Cornell, E.B. Geography: New York City; Utica
Box 3 Folder 12
Correspondence
1846-05-15-1846-05-31
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, materials and supplies; Beebe importunes Ezra Cornell for money. Personal names: Faxton, Theodore; Eddy, James; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Cornell, E.S. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; New York City
Box 3 Folder 13
Correspondence
1846-06-03-1846-06-16
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, establishment of new lines, finances, materials and supplies Personal names: Smith, F.O.J.; Cornell, E.B.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Faxton, Theodore Geography: Albany, N.Y.; Boston; New York City
Box 3 Folder 14
Correspondence
1846-06-17-1846-06-29
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, materials and supplies, establishment of new lines. Personal names: Cornell, E.B.; Kendall, Amos; Cornell, E.B.; Smith, F.O.J.; Eddy, James Geography: New York City; Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; Ithaca, N.Y.; Aurora, N.Y.
Box 3 Folder 15
Correspondence
1846-07-01-1846-07-09
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, materials and supplies, establishment of new lines. Personal names: Eddy, James; Wood, O.S.; Cornell, E.B. Geography: New York City; Albany, N.Y.
Box 3 Folder 16
Correspondence
1846-07-10-1846-07-21
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, materials and supplies, establishment of new lines. Personal names: Smith, F.O.J.; Faxton, Theodore; Cornell, E.B.; Livingston and Wells. Geography: New York City; Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Box 3 Folder 17
Correspondence
1846-07-25-1846-08-04
Digital
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August 3, 1846. F.A. Brown to Ezra Cornell: "I regret to hear Smith is not more successful than he is on the Boston line. Poor fellow, I am sorry for him, those loafers on the Philadelphia line will now be able to exult over his adversity." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, materials and supplies, establishment of new lines. Personal names: King, George W.; Wood, O.S.; Bristol, John S.; Cornell, E.B.; Faxton, Theodore Geography: New York City; Ithaca, N.Y.; Buffalo
Box 4 Folder 1
Correspondence
1846-08-07-1846-08-31
Digital
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August 31, 1846. F.O.J. Smith to Ezra Cornell: "I am sorry to learn from various sources of your having frequently made me the subject of much unfavorable conjecture and remark with men in my employ, as well as with others, in connexion with a female with whome you boarded in New York. Now I ask no man to become the keper of my morals or character?" Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, establishment of new lines, stock subscriptions, E.B. Cornell seeks employment, contention with Faxton about the Albany line. Personal names: Faxton, Theodore; Eddy, James; Wood, Benjamin; Cornell, E.B.; Brown, F.A.; Wood, Phebe; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Smith, F.O.J. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; New York City
Box 4 Folder 2
Correspondence
1846-09-06-1846-10-09
Digital
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October 7, 1846. Incidence of vandalism of the New York line. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, establishment of new lines, proposed line between Washington, D.C. and New Orleans, price per transmission. Personal names: Smith, F.O.J.; Eddy, James; Bullock, A.B. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; New York City
Box 4 Folder 3
Correspondence
1846-10-11-1846-10-17
Digital
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October 15, 1846. Telegraph stock, shares, dividends. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, proposals for establishment of new lines, finances. Personal names: Brown, F.A.; Kendall, Amos; Bullock, A.B.; Cornell, E.B.; Eddy, James Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Hudson, N.Y.
Box 4 Folder 4
Correspondence
1846-10-18-1846-10-30
Digital
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October 20, 1846. Negotiation of stock transfers (Ithaca Telegraph Company). Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, establishment of new lines, complication of communication among stations in New York State. Personal names: Brown, F.A.; Faxton, Theodore; Eddy, James; Smith, F.O.J.; O'Reilly, Henry; Wood, Phebe; Speed, J.J. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 4 Folder 5
Correspondence
1846-11-01-1846-11-04
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: magnetic clocks, patent application, articles of agreement. Personal names: Speed, J.J. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 4 Folder 6
Correspondence
1846-11-05-1846-11-23
Digital
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November 9, 1846. Instructions to employee Curtis from Ezra Cornell on operation of telegraph wires: "Order must be obeyed right or wrong. It is the only way to preserve harmony in the working of the line." November 19, 1846. D.B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "I have had quite a notion lately of learning to write on the telegraph and should like your advice on the subject?for if there is anything to be made by it I should like to have my share." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, establishment of new lines (Detroit to Milwaukee). Personal names: Eddy, James; Speed, J.J.; Kendall, Amos; Faxton, Theodore; Cornell, D.B. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; New York City
Box 4 Folder 7
Correspondence
1846-11-23-1846-12-15
Digital
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December 6, 1846. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "To be frank with you I have my doubts whether it would be for your interest to engage in the telegraph business even were you qualified to do it properly, but you are not thus qualifide?" December 15, 1846. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "I was quite surprised to see that you wrote so well on the telegraph with the little chance you have had to learn. I have no objection to your learning to thus write if you will not let it attract your attention from your studdies." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, establishment of new lines (Toronto, Binghamton). Personal names: Eddy, James; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Faxton, Theodore; Bullock, A.B.; Goell, A.C. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; New York City; Auburn, N.Y.
Box 4 Folder 8
Correspondence
1846-12-15-1847-01-12
Digital
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December 20, 1846. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "?I should prefer that you would choose a rural occupation, and become an intelligent scientific farmer. The time is not distant when such farmers will be more respected and they will be more useful than Kings or Princes." n.d. Faxton to his operators concerning quality of transmissions: "On the 9th of September last the line of Telegraph was put in operation from New York to Buffalo, working through 8 offices?Its operation appeared to be very perfect?" January 9, 1847. Amos Kendall to Ezra Cornell: "Since I wrote you in reference to the side lines in New York, I have been requested by Prof. Morse not to make the arrangements proposed, including the renewal of your contract upon the Binghamton route." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, establishment of new lines (Elmira, Corning, Bath), Magnetic Telegraph Company personnel problems. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Allen, Oliver E.; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Cornell, E.S.; Kendall, Amos; Wood, Phebe; Wood, O.S.; Speed, J.J. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Albany, N.Y.; Chicago; Auburn, N.Y.
Box 4 Folder 9
Correspondence
1847-01-14-1847-02-17
Digital
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February 17, 1847. Theodore Faxton to Ezra Cornell: "I recommended Mr. Cornel for that place as a suitable and competent man, he was employed on the strength of that recomendation?I had recommended a man who was entirely unfit for the business and has spent more of his time for the 3 months in his own business than in that of the company? I felt not "elated" but ashamed and confounded at my own want of judgement in recommending a man who could so soon place me in a wrong position before the Board." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: establishment of new lines (plans for Toronto to Quebec, Quebec to Halifax, Toronto to Buffalo, Toronto to Detroit), patent rights, instruments, finances, magnets, Speed and Tillotson corresponding about telegraph to compete with Morse's; Michigan's potential as an agricultural state; family news from Michigan. Personal names: Kendall, Amos; Speed, J.J.; Smith, F.O.J.; Wood, O.S.; Tillotson, D.T.; Wood, Phebe; Faxton, Theodore Geography: Michigan; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 4 Folder 10
Correspondence
1847-02-20-1847-02-28
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February 20, 1847. Ezra Cornell to D.T. Tillotson: "The exisiting lines are doing a first rate business?the Ithaca & Elmira & Auburn line is doing much more business than was expected would be furnished by those places, and will be a paying line." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: notices of new lines in operation (Philadelphia & Pittsburgh, first of Atlantic, Lake and Mississippi), management of lines, attempts to sell stock in Chicago, patent rights, establishment of new lines (Milwaukee and Detroit). Personal names: O'Reilly, Henry; Tillotson, D.T.; Brown, F.A.; Smith, F.O.J.; Speed, J.J. Geography:
Box 4 Folder 11
Correspondence
1847-03-02-1847-03-14
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March 8, 1847. Proposal of new venture from John Norton to Ezra Cornell, involving communication with Nova Scotia by visual telegraph (Eastern telegraph project). Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: conflicts, subscription sales in Milwaukee and Detroit, establishment of new lines, finances, patent rights. Personal names: Smith, F.O.J.; Tillotson, D.T.; Speed, J.J.; Cornell, E.B.; Norton, John W. Geography:
Box 4 Folder 12
Correspondence
1847-03-20-1847-04-19
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March 31, 1847. C.F. Johnson to Ezra Cornell, discussing Eastern telegraph project and use of visual telegraph signals over long distances. April 10, 1847. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "?have a book in reach for every leisure moment." April 17, 1847. Telegraph messages to and from Ezra Cornell. April 19, 1847. M.B. Wood to Ezra Cornell discussing family news and possible employment when telegraph is constructed in Michigan. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: subscription sales in Michigan, Chicago and Wisconsin, establishment of new lines, rates, routes; Erie & Michigan Telegraph Company.; visual telegraph. Personal names: Tillotson, D.T.; Speed, J.J.; Norton, John W.; Smith, F.O.J.; Johnson, C.F.; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cornell, E.B.; Wood, M.B. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; New York City
Box 4 Folder 13
Correspondence
1847-04-21-1847-05-04
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April 29, 1847. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "?we were out last evening on an experiment, Merrit 12 miles west of Boston on a (hill) and I was 10 miles East of Boston on another, and the result was OK notwithstanding the clouds were thick enough to obscure the full moon, and terra firma was thinly veiled with fog. I have a fine lot of telescopes. I have one with which I can see the Mountains in the Moon?" May 2, 1847. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell discussing telegraph business and proposing idea of telegraph lines outside of this country, in Cuba, Jamaica, and other islands. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: subscription sales, O'Reilly contract dispute, patent rights, lines (Troy & Montreal); visual telegraph. Personal names: Brown, F.A.; Johnson, C.F.; Speed, J.J.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Wood, O.S.; Wood, M.L.; Smith, F.O.J. Geography: Boston
Box 4 Folder 14
Correspondence
1847-05-07-1847-05-29
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May 29, 1847. Ezra Cornell to D.T. Tillotson: "We find people who on the start laughed at the folly (as they called it) of building telegraphs saying they would find nothing to do, who now furnish daily business for the line, and clamour the loudest if the line is out of order for a few hours so that they cannot be served at the moment." Regarding the telegraph in Canada: "See the difference, the Canadians are quarreling for the stock of a line that will never have half the business that the Erie & Michigan line will, while on the later it is dificult to get the necessary stock subscribed to build it." Telegraph lines (New York, Albany & Buffalo; New York & Boston), new lines (Erie & Michigan), finances. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: instruments, O'Reilly contract dispute, new lines (Troy & Canada Junction); Erie & Michigan Telegraph Company.; visual telegraph: exploration of coast of Maine for sites. Personal names: Cornell, E.B.; Speed, J.J.; Smith, F.O.J.; Wood, M.L.; Wood, O.S.; Tillotson, D.T.; Kendall, Amos Geography: Maine; Montreal
Box 4 Folder 15
Correspondence
1847-06-01-1847-06-10
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: visual telegraph: obstacles to the visual telegraph in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia; Erie & Michigan Telegraph Company. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Tillotson, D.T.; Dunham, J.; Wood, M.L.; Cornell, E.B.; Park, J.D. Geography: Maine; Halifax.
Box 4 Folder 16
Correspondence
1847-06-13-1847-06-22
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Scope and Contents
June 21, 1847. British North American Electric Telegraph Association to Ezra Cornell thanking him for assisting in instruction of operators and offering him the contract for crossing the St. Lawrence. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: line extended from Boston to Portland, proposed line (Quebec & Halifax - Cornell contracted for first section), O'Reilly contract dispute; observations in Maine for visual telegraph. Personal names: Tillotson, D.T.; Dunham, J.; Speed, J.J.; Wood, M.L.; Thatcher, J.D. Geography: Maine; Blue Hill, Me.; Grand Manan Island.
Box 5 Folder 1
Correspondence
1847-06-22-1847-06-23
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: distribution of lines to Smith and Kendall; meteorological observations in Maine in preparation for a visual telegraph, Maine to Nova Scotia Personal names: Brown, F.A.; Speed, J.J. Geography: Maine
Box 5 Folder 2
Correspondence
1847-06-24-1847-06-27
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: telegraph business correspondence Personal names: Geography: Maine
Box 5 Folder 3
Correspondence
1847-06-27-1847-07-07
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: subscriptions for western lines; meteorological observations in Maine in preparation for a visual telegraph, Maine to Nova Scotia; Erie & Michigan Telegraph Company. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Brown, F.A.; Wood, M.B.; Tillotson, D.T.; Wood, O.S.; Cornell, E.B.; Cornell, Betsy Ann; Park, J.D. Geography: Maine; Michigan; Milwaukee; Montreal
Box 5 Folder 4
Correspondence
1847-07-08-1847-07-20
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July 8, 1847. O.S. Wood to Ezra Cornell from Montreal: "I do not regret getting away from here as there is a fearful contagion raging here among the emigrants and many of the citizens now have the Typhus Fever. Should you conclude to come here keep upon the upper deck as much as possible and not visit the emigrants den of filth. I have been but once to visit the sheds and shall not go again very soon. Between 30 & 40 die daily at the sheds between the lines & canal." July 11, 1847. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "I have this morning returned from Vermont having made a tour through the entire length of Vermont between the Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains, soliciting subscriptions of stock for the Troy and Canada Junction Telegraph and have met with as much success as I could hope for. I have had a publick meeting and adressed the people on the subject in 9 different villages, and I feel assured that I have converted the unbelieving to the true Magnetic faith." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: patent rights, establishment of new lines; Montreal Telegraph Company.; British North American Electric Telegraph Association. Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cornell, E.B.; Brown, F.A.; Tillotson, D.T.; Wood, M.B.; Speed, J.J. Geography: Ontario; Quebec; Milwaukee; Michigan; Vermont; Chicago
Box 5 Folder 5
Correspondence
1847-07-21-1847-08-14
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July 25, 1847. Account of a trip from Ithaca to Ypsilanti, Michigan. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: patent rights, rights of way and permissions, Canadian lines. Personal names: McRea, W.C.; Speed, J.J.; Wood, O.S.; Thatcher, J.D.; Wood, M.L.; Smith, F.O.J. Geography: Michigan; Kingston, Ontario; Montreal; Chicago; Quebec
Box 5 Folder 6
Correspondence
1847-08-15-1847-08-21
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: patent rights. Personal names: Tillotson, D.T.; Selden, Samuel L.; Speed, J.J.; Rice, H.F. Geography: Milwaukee
Box 5 Folder 7
Correspondence
1847-08-21-1847-08-25
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: disputes concerning western lines, Canadian lines; Montreal Telegraph Company. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Wood, O.S.; O'Reilly, Henry Geography:
Box 5 Folder 8
Correspondence
1847-08-26-1847-09-02
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August 27, 1847. Circulars by H.B. Ely denying Ezra Cornell's right to erect telegraph lines on the Detroit, Chicago, Milwaukee line: "My attention has been called to the movements of Mssrs. Speed, Cornell, and others connected with them?And in order to correct any misapprehension or erroneous impression in the minds of the public?Mr. O'Reilly and his associates have made no arrangement with Mssrs. Speed, Cornell and company in relation to the line. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: disputes concerning western lines, Canadian lines Personal names: Smith, F.O.J.; O'Reilly, Henry; Collins, William R.; Wood, M.L.; Ely, H.B. Geography: Milwaukee; Albany, N.Y.
Box 5 Folder 9
Correspondence
1847-09-03-1847-09-11
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September 8, 1847. M.L. Wood to Ezra Cornell: "The bold assertion that O'Reilly has the exclusive right to put in opperation Morse's Telegraph upon this line has taken the subscribers rather aback and created much distrust and anxiety for the safety of their investment." September 11, 1847. Byron Kilbourn to Ezra Cornell and J.J. Speed: "I have been notified that you have not the exclusive rights to erect a line of the Telegraph from Buffalo to Detroit?" Printed appeal from citizens of the western states: "That the Magnetic Telegraph, being the only known agent that annihilates space in transmitting intelligence, should be established between the commercial emporium of the nation and the commercial centre on the Pacific." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: disputes concerning western lines, Canadian lines, response to and effects of Ely's circular, patents; Erie & Michigan Telegraph Company (printed address to subscribers); Atlantic, Lake and Mississippi Telegraph Range. Personal names: Tillotson, D.T.; Speed, J.J.; Cornell, E.B.; Wood, M.B.; Smith, F.O.J.; Wood, M.L.; Kilbourn, Byron. Geography: Montreal; Milwaukee; Albany, N.Y.; Columbus; Detroit; Vermont; Quebec; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 5 Folder 10
Correspondence
1847-09-13-1847-09-27
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September 13, 1847. Samuel F.B. Morse to Ezra Cornell: "Yours is received with its enclosures. The outrageous conduct of O'Reilly and his associates is to me inexplicable, on any other construction than determined and persevering fraud. I am not prepared to make the arrangement you propose. By my arrangement with Mr. Smith he is bound to make me good in this controversy with O'Reilly. It became by that agreement his affair & not mine, and I cannot see why I should put money due out of my hands?" September 19, 1847. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell with advice, instruction, and entreaties concerning the latter's study habits. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, disputes concerning western lines, Canadian lines, response to and effects of Ely's circular. Personal names: Wood, M.L.; Speed, J.J.; Smith, F.O.J.; Wood, M.L.; Cornell, Alonzo B. Geography: Quebec; Montreal; Chicago
Box 5 Folder 11
Correspondence
1847-09-28-1847-10-06
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, materials and supplies, disputes concerning western lines, Canadian lines; Troy Turnpike and Rail Road Company permission. Personal names: Cornell, E.B.; Park, J.D.; Speed, J.J.; McRea, M.C. Geography: Chicago; Detroit
Box 5 Folder 12
Correspondence
1847-10-07-1847-10-14
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October 8, 1847. Ezra Cornell to D.T. Tillotson: "For Hevens sake push on that work. Off with your coat and at it, let us have action as well as talk. The line must be at work from Buffalo to Milwaukee before the 1st of Jan next." October 11, 1847. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "Your account of the Fair represents a meager affair. I am sorry there is no more spirit in the Farmers of Tompkins. I shall have to go at farming again and steer them up. "I understand that Mr. Eddy wants you to go into the Telegraph business for him. I am surprised at this, at any rate I trust you don't entertain this small potatoe Telegraph Operation of his for a moment. When I wish you to go into the Telegraph business I can put you in some respectable position in the business, but I want you to attend to your studdies and qualify yourself for some respectable position in Society." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, materials and supplies, disputes concerning western lines, Canadian lines, Troy & Canada Junction line; Montreal Telegraph Company. Personal names: McRea, W.C.; Speed, J.J.; Wood, M.L.; Wood, M.B.; Tillotson, D.T.; Cornell, Alonzo B. Geography: Montreal; Troy, N.Y.; Middlebury, Vt.; Burlington, Vt.
Box 5 Folder 13
Correspondence
1847-10-15-1847-10-18
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, materials and supplies, western lines, Canadian lines; British North American Electric Telegraph Association. Personal names: Bristol, John S.; Cornell, E.B.; Tillotson, D.T.; Speed, J.J.; Johnson, C.F. Geography: Milwaukee; Detroit
Box 5 Folder 14
Correspondence
1847-10-19-1847-10-20
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, materials and supplies, western lines, Canadian lines Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Cornell, E.B.; Wood, M.B. Geography: Detroit; Montreal
Box 6 Folder 1
Correspondence
1847-10-21-1847-10-28
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: construction of lines (Detroit, Chicago & Milwaukee line, Troy & Canada Junction line), materials and supplies, Irish workers; negotiations with British North American Electric Telegraph Association. Personal names: Livingston, Charles; Wells, Henry; Speed, J.J.; Tillotson, D.T.; Whitney, H.H.; Cornell, E.B.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Wood, M.L. Geography: Vermont
Box 6 Folder 2
Correspondence
1847-10-29-1847-10-31
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October 29, 1847. Ezra Cornell to D.T. Tillotson, concerning western lines: "I am using all my wits - my industry and my friends, to get the material and get it forwarded to you, and I hope you will use corrisponding exertion to collect the subscriptions and forward the work there." O'Reilly conflict. October 30, 1847. Formal letter of protest concerning Ezra Cornell's work on Canadian lines;. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: construction of lines (Erie & Michigan line), instruments, materials and supplies; sickness in Michigan. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Tillotson, D.T.; Wood, Phebe Geography:
Box 6 Folder 3
Correspondence
1847-11-01-1847-11-07
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November 5, 1847. Zook and Barnes to Ezra Cornell concerning House's Printing Telegraph. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: construction of lines (Troy & Canada Junction line, Erie & Michigan line), materials and supplies, Canadian lines; conflict in Quebec with British North American Electric Telegraph Association; Johnson's telegraph invention. Personal names: Wood, M.L.; Speed, J.J.; Cornell, E.B.; Johnson, C.F.; Tillotson, D.T. Geography: Canada.
Box 6 Folder 4
Correspondence
1847-11-08-1847-11-12
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November 11, 1847. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell on delays in receiving materials: "We are flat on our asses for want of some glasses?" Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, construction of lines (Erie & Michigan line, Troy & Canada Junction line), objections to lines passing people's properties, O'Reilly conflict. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Cornell, E.B.; Tillotson, D.T. Geography:
Box 6 Folder 5
Correspondence
1847-11-13-1847-11-19
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: construction of lines (Troy & Canada Junction line, Erie & Michigan line), materials and supplies, Canadian lines; Montreal Telegraph Company.; Ezra Cornell's ill health Personal names: Cornell, E.B.; Bristol, John S.; Speed, J.J.; Wood, M.L. Geography: Vermont
Box 6 Folder 6
Correspondence
1847-11-20-1847-11-30
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: Canadian lines, construction of lines (western lines), materials and supplies; Ezra Cornell's ill health; Erie & Michigan Telegraph Company. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Griffin, David; Wood, M.B.; Cornell, E.B.; Bristol, John S.; Tillotson, D.T.; Wood, Otis E. Geography:
Box 6 Folder 7
Correspondence
1847-12-01-1847-12-06
Digital
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Scope and Contents
December 4, 1847. J.J. Speed concerning his wounded knee: "My knee is still sore, and the doctor says I must keep quiet. Yesterday he put on some serpents or as he called them leeches, and they sucked out a great deal of blood - today it is a little better." December 5, 1847. J. Haviland to Ezra Cornell from Detroit: "On Monday last this city was put in communication with Ypsilanti & the line works well. It seems to be completely insulated & a battery of 10 cups is sufficient & perhaps will answer for ten miles further to Ann Arbor." Rates, materials and supplies, O'Reilly's line, Erie & Michigan Telegraph Company. December 6. 1847. G.W. Benedict to Ezra Cornell with rate proposal for Troy & Canada Junction and Montreal & Troy Telegraph Companies. December 6, 1847. J.J. Speed: "I had a letter from Cornell today, dated at N. York the 25th. He has been sick, since the first of Nov?I learn from my wife that Cornell's wife had a baby about those days, and he must have been anxious to get home." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: construction of lines (western lines and line through Vermont), O'Reilly conflict, materials and supplies, Canadian lines, stock subscriptions. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Benedict, G.W.; Cutter, Isaac H.; Haviland, J.; Cornell, E.B.; Brown, F.A.; Faxton, Theodore Geography:
Box 6 Folder 8
Correspondence
1847-12-07-1847-12-11
Digital
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December 9, 1847. H. Wells & Company to Ezra Cornell concerning Ezra Cornell's finances: "Your ill health has certainly got you in a fog about your money matters & if you will come down here we will talk the matter over?" December 10, 1847. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell: "What are your notions respecting N.Y. and Erie line? When, and where, can we get enough subscribed to build it?" December 11, 1847. E.B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell concerning competition from O'Reilly's line. December 11, 1847. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell, quoting letter to Speed from Smith: "Our object before was to annihilate House - we did it - we will now try what is left of O'Reilly down the Ohio - North and West. I leave him to your tender mercies - But the day of compromise has gone by - do or die is the motto for us now." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: construction of lines (western lines, Canadian lines), materials and supplies, stock subscriptions (problems in collection). Personal names: Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Speed, J.J.; Tillotson, D.T.; Wells, Henry; Wood, M.B.; Cornell, E.B.; Jackson, Tower; Parker, Jason. Geography:
Box 6 Folder 9
Correspondence
1847-12-12-1847-12-17
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Scope and Contents
December 15, 1847. L. Morrell to Ezra Cornell discussing feed for livestock. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: construction of lines (western lines, delays and shortage of wires), finances, materials and supplies. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Faxton, Theodore; Bristol, John S.; Morrell, L.; Wood, M.B.; Tillotson, D.T.; Cornell, E.B. Geography: Detroit; Chicago
Box 6 Folder 10
Correspondence
1847-12-18-1847-12-22
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: construction of lines, finances, materials and supplies, western lines, Canadian lines, stock subscriptions. Personal names: Cornell, E.B.; Speed, J.J.; Wells, Henry; Cutter, Isaac H.; Tillotson, D.T.; Haviland, J.; Wood, O.S. Geography: Buffalo; New York; Quebec; Chicago; Vermont; Detroit; Montreal
Box 6 Folder 11
Correspondence
1847-12-23-1847-12-27
Digital
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December 23, 1847. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell from Chicago: "You speak of trying to get wire from Buffalo to Cleveland. Had we better not finish this end? I have repeatenly written you that it is utterly impossible to collect our subscriptions until we get the line down?" December 24, 1847. E.B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell from Erie: "?there is no probability of getting any more wire shipped to Detroit this winter as all the harbours are closed up tight along the lake, the sleighing is good now from Buffalo to this place and the wire might be carted cheap?" Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: construction of lines, finances, materials and supplies, western lines, stock subscriptions, disputes over western lines; Erie & Michigan Telegraph Company. Personal names: Tillotson, D.T.; Speed, J.J.; Cornell, E.B.; Haviland, J.; Morse, Samuel F.B.; Dunham, J.; Wood, Benjamin; Wood, M.B. Geography: Milwaukee; Chicago; Buffalo; Erie, Penn.; Detroit; Vermont; Troy, N.Y.; Michigan
Box 6 Folder 12
Correspondence
1847-12-28-1847-12-31
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December 28, 1847. B.B. French, President of the Magnetic Telegraph Company to Ezra Cornell regarding shares issued as dividend payments and current operations of eastern lines. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: construction of lines, finances, materials and supplies, western lines, office operations. Personal names: French, B.B.; Haviland, J.; Speed, J.J. Geography: Troy; New York City; Michigan; Chicago; Vermont
Box 6 Folder 13
Correspondence
1848-01-01-1848-01-08
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: construction of lines, finances, materials and supplies, western lines, stock subscriptions. Personal names: Tillotson, D.T.; Speed, J.J.; Pinkham, F.W.; Beaumont, R.J.; Morse, Samuel F.B.; Cornell, E.B.; Smith, F.O.J. Geography: Vermont; Troy; Chicago
Box 6 Folder 14
Correspondence
1848-01-09-1848-01-12
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: construction of lines, finances, materials and supplies, western lines. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Robertson, Mary C.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cornell, E.B.; Wood, Benjamin Geography: Chicago; Vermont
Box 7 Folder 1
Correspondence
1848-01-13-1848-01-18
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January 15, 1848. Alonzo B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "I like the business exceedingly well and the more I have to do the more pleasant it is for me." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, materials and supplies, western lines, Canadian lines; British North American Electric Telegraph Association.; Erie & Michigan Telegraph Company. Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Speed, J.J.; Tillotson, D.T.; Vail, Alfred Geography: Chicago; Vermont; Milwaukee
Box 7 Folder 2
Correspondence
1848-01-19-1848-01-23
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, materials and supplies, western lines, Canadian lines; British North American Electric Telegraph Association.; Erie & Michigan Telegraph Company. Personal names: Allen, Oliver E.; Speed, J.J.; Tillotson, D.T.; Wood, M.L. Geography: Chicago; Vermont; Milwaukee
Box 7 Folder 3
Correspondence
1848-01-23-1848-01-31
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: technical matters, materials and supplies, western lines, Canadian lines, rates; Buffalo and Canada Junction Telegraph Company. Personal names: Haviland, J.; Wood, Phebe; Cornell, E.B.; Wood, M.B.; Allen, W.D. Geography: Vermont; Montreal; Burlington, Vt.; Troy; Buffalo
Box 7 Folder 4
Correspondence
1848-02-01-1848-02-08
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February 2, 1848. B.B. French to Ezra Cornell from Washington: "Receipts of our line last month about $6000! Give you dividend soon." February 5, 1848. George Vail to Ezra Cornell concerning Morse Telegraph stocks and rights. February 6, 1848. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "I shall put you in the Montreal Office. I now think you are qualified to perform the duties promptly and with accuracy. It will be a very important station." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, construction of lines (in Vermont and the west), Canadian lines, disputes concerning western lines. Personal names: French, B.B.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cornell, John H.; Vail, George; Smith, F.O.J.; Cornell, E.B.; Wood, Benjamin; Haviland, J. Geography: Vermont; Troy; Milwaukee
Box 7 Folder 5
Correspondence
1848-02-09-1848-02-22
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February 16, 1848. J. Haviland: "I see that Mr. O.R. is pushing his line to Chicago and that Springfield has subscribed $8000!!! What do you think of that? February 18, 1848. AA. Mann to Ezra Cornell: "I learn that Col. Speed will not purchase the DeWitt farm at your place. I am therefore at liberty to received a proposal from you if you desire to purchase. The lowest price will be the sum as agreed to by Col. Speed, $6000." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, construction of lines, western lines, rates, materials and supplies, stock subscriptions, disputes concerning western lines; family cemetery. Personal names: Wood, Benjamin; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Wood, M.B.; Griffin, Emily; Curtis, N.T.; Haviland, J.; Speed, J.J.; Mann, A.A. Geography: Dryden, N.Y.; Ithaca, N.Y.; Montreal; Vermont; Buffalo
Box 7 Folder 6
Correspondence
1848-02-23-1848-03-07
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March 5, 1848. E.B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "The Fredonians are much delighted with the idea of being connected with all Creation?Our room was literaly thronged with spectators all the afternoon yesterday beholding with astonishment the greatest wonder of the age." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, construction of lines, western lines, Canadian lines, patent rights, rates, dividends, materials and supplies; draft of a contract between Speed, Ezra Cornell, and Smith. Personal names: Cornell, E.B.; Kendall, Amos; Faxton, Theodore; Smith, F.O.J.; Benedict, G.W.; Morse, Samuel F.B.; Allen, W.D.; Haviland, J.; Bristol, John S.; Speed, J.J. Geography: Montreal; Vermont; New York City
Box 7 Folder 7
Correspondence
1848-03-09-1848-03-31
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, construction of lines, western lines, Canadian lines, materials and supplies, disputes concerning western lines and conflict with O'Reilly Personal names: Allen, W.D.; Speed, J.J.; Tillotson, D.T.; Wood, M.B.; Griffin, David; Cornell, E.B.; O'Reilly, Henry; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Buell,W.C. Geography: Erie; Montreal; Detroit; Buffalo; Michigan
Box 7 Folder 8
Correspondence
1848-04-02-1848-04-13
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, construction of lines, western lines, materials and supplies, disputes concerning western lines and conflict with O'Reilly, stock subscriptions for a New York southern tier line, Canadian lines, New York & Erie Line Personal names: Cornell, E.B.; Speed, J.J.; Tillotson, D.T.; Allen, Oliver E.; Wells, Henry Geography: Massachusetts; Milwaukee
Box 7 Folder 9
Correspondence
1848-04-16-1848-04-30
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April 18, 1848. Instructions for operating the Michigan lines. April 29, 1848. Wire from H.B. Ely to E.B. Cornell: "Three times now have the wires of the Line of the Buffalo and Erie come in contact with those of the Lake Erie Line so as to prevent ours working. I have therefore to request you immediately to remove your line wherever it runs either above or below ours."Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, construction of lines, western lines, materials and supplies, stock subscriptions, disputes concerning western lines and conflict with O'Reilly, disputes concerning Canadian lines; Montreal Telegraph Company.; British North American Electric Telegraph Association. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Haviland, J.; Rice, H.F.; Cornell, E.B.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Howland, Charles W.; Allen, W.D.; Humphrey, William R.; Kendall, Amos; Hale, Henry; Ely, H.B.; Bent, George. Geography: Montreal; Vermont; Troy; Detroit; Jefferson (Watkins Glen), N.Y.; Havana (Montour Falls), N.Y.
Box 7 Folder 10
Correspondence
1848-05-01-1848-05-12
Digital
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Scope and Contents
May 9, 1848. Alonzo B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "I do not care about staying here any longer than till there is a place for me some where in America, or at least out of Canada." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, construction of lines (Halifax to Boston), western lines, materials and supplies, disputes concerning Canadian lines; British North American Electric Telegraph Association. Personal names: Cornell, E.B.; Kendall, Amos; Speed, J.J.; Reed, Augustus; Wells and Company; Haviland, J.; Cornell, Alonzo B. Geography: Detroit; Montreal; Massachusetts; Ohio; Vermont
Box 7 Folder 11
Correspondence
1848-05-14-1848-05-23
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: construction of lines, finances, materials and supplies, western lines, Canadian lines, stock subscriptions. Personal names: Haviland, J.; Tillotson, D.T.; McFarland, John H.W.; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Cornell, E.B.; Allen, Oliver E.; Dunham, J.; Wood, M.B.; Cobb, Emory Geography: Massachusetts; Detroit; Ohio
Box 7 Folder 12
Correspondence
1848-05-24-1848-05-31
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: construction of lines, finances, materials and supplies, western lines, Canadian lines, stock subscriptions.; "transcriptions of telegraph talk." Personal names: Morgan, E.G.; Edwards, E.; Wells, Henry; Speed, J.J.; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Jackson, Tower; Cornell, E.B.; Allen, Oliver E. Geography: Salem, N.Y.; Aurora, N.Y.; Milwaukee; Illinois; Ohio; Connecticut
Box 7 Folder 13
Correspondence
1848-06-01-1848-06-12
Digital
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Scope and Contents
June 6, 1848. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell from Detroit: "Wilson is fighting the Pirates in good stile, but I much doubt his ability, or any one else, to get the Stock taken for us from Chicago to St. Louis. O'Reilly has a tribe of agents travelling all over the West, setting up meetings and talking to all who will listen to them in favor of their piratical schemes." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, construction of lines, disputes concerning western lines, materials and supplies, stock subscriptions, Canadian lines. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Wilson, William Duane; Cornell, Alonzo B.; McFarland, John H.W.; Morgan, E.G.; Humphrey, William R.; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Cornell, E.B. Geography:
Box 7 Folder 14
Correspondence
1848-06-12-1848-06-21
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, western lines, materials and supplies, stock subscriptions, Canadian lines. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Curtis, N.T.; Wood, O.S.; Cutter, Isaac H.; Wilson, William Duane; Tillotson, D.T.; Ely, Charles Geography: Detroit; Illinois; Montreal
Box 7 Folder 15
Correspondence
1848-06-23-1848-07-03
Digital
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Scope and Contents
July 1, 1848. Statement of costs, Detroit to Buffalo. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, stock subscriptions, disputes concerning western lines, materials and supplies, Canadian lines, New-York & Erie line; Connecticut & Vermont Telegraph Company; Erie & Michigan Telegraph Company. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Kendall, Amos; Smith, F.O.J.; Wood, O.S.; Allen, Oliver E.; Griffin, David Geography: Massachusetts; Jefferson (Watkins Glen), N.Y.; Montreal
Box 8 Folder 1
Correspondence
1848-07-04-1848-07-14
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: construction of lines, western lines, stock subscriptions, materials and supplies, Canadian lines, Troy & Canada Junction line, finances; New-York & Erie Telegraph Company; Erie & Michigan Telegraph Company. Personal names: Cornell, E.B.; Speed, J.J.; Tillotson, D.T.; Allen, Oliver E.; Cutter, Isaac H.; Smith, F.O.J.; Hale, Henry; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Livingston, Caroline. Geography: Troy; Vermont; Montreal; Quebec; Buffalo
Box 8 Folder 2
Correspondence
1848-07-15-1848-07-19
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Scope and Contents
July 17, 1848. J. Dunham to Ezra Cornell: "I am anxious to inform you of the happy change that has taken place on our line within a few days past. Since Alonzo came to Buffalo matters & things have assumed a very tone?His suggestions were concise but very comprehensive & just what was needed in our state of confusion." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, finances, construction of lines, western lines, Canadian lines, New-York & Erie line; Erie & Michigan Telegraph Company. Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Speed, J.J.; Tillotson, D.T.; Dunham, J. Geography: Buffalo; Sandusky, Ohio; Troy
Box 8 Folder 3
Correspondence
1848-07-19-1848-07-23
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Scope and Contents
July 22, 1848. Alonzo B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell from Buffalo: "Allen received a letter from Mr. Speed this morning dated July 16th saying he had the wire all up?but thought it was broken in several places towards Detroit & he thought the wire would be ok by tonight?I will notify you instantly when the 'glorious connection' is made." July 23, 1848. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "I am glad to hear also that the editors begin to perceive an improvement in their reports, but I hope you will not be too much flattered with their puffs - the satisfaction of being right and doing right is ample reward for the little extra exertion required to accomplish so desirable an object, and those least worthy generally succeed in getting the most news paper glory - so that sensible men pay but little attention to such endorsements. Take such evidence & O'Reilly is the Lion in Telegraphing - a perfect Lightning King but take fact for evidence and he dwindles to the position of a perloiner of other peoples fame and property." Also work and education. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, finances (Wells & Company), construction of lines, Troy & Canada Junction line, New-York & Erie line, Erie & Michigan line. Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; St. John, T.O.; Wood, O.S.; O'Reilly, Henry Geography: Buffalo; Montreal; Troy
Box 8 Folder 4
Correspondence
1848-07-24-1848-07-31
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, stock subscriptions, Connecticut & Vermont line (Bennington to Bridgeport), Erie & Michigan line, New-York & Erie line. Personal names: Kendall, Amos; Allen, Oliver E.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cornell, E.B.; Tillotson, D.T. Geography: Buffalo; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 8 Folder 5
Correspondence
1848-08-01-1848-08-16
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, Connecticut & Vermont line, New-York & Erie line, Troy & Whitehall line, Canadian lines Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Tillotson, D.T.; Cutter, Isaac H.; Cornell, Alonzo B. Geography:
Box 8 Folder 6
Correspondence
1848-08-17-1848-08-26
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, Erie & Michigan line, New-York & Erie line. Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Morgan, Grant; Speed, J.J.; Minor, Charles S.; Tillotson, D.T.; Cornell, E.B. Geography:
Box 8 Folder 7
Correspondence
1848-08-27-1848-08-30
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: Troy & Whitehall line, Erie & Michigan line, materials and supplies. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Morgan, E.G.; Tillotson, D.T. Geography: Buffalo
Box 8 Folder 8
Correspondence
1848-09-01-1848-09-07
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, Erie & Michigan line, Canadian lines. Personal names: Tillotson, D.T.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Kendall, Amos; Speed, J.J. Geography: Milwaukee; Cleveland
Box 8 Folder 9
Correspondence
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: stock subscriptions, New-York & Erie line, finances, materials and supplies, construction of lines, Connecticut & Vermont line. Personal names: Cornell, E.B.; French, B.B.; Bristol, John S.; Tillotson, D.T.; Cutter, Isaac H. Geography:
Box 8 Folder 10
Correspondence
1848-09-13-1848-09-22
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: Erie & Michigan line, finances, Connecticut & Vermont line, stock subscriptions, New-York & Erie line, Canadian lines, materials and supplies. Personal names: Wood, M.B.; Morry, Le Roy; Allen, Oliver E.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Wood, O.S.; Tillotson, D.T.; Speed, J.J. Geography: Massachusetts; Cleveland
Box 8 Folder 11
Correspondence
1848-09-23-1848-09-30
Digital
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Scope and Contents
September 20, 1848. Patent Office to Ezra Cornell: "Your application for letters patent for an alleged improvement in insulating telegraphic wires has been examined and rejected for want of novelty." September 26, 1848. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "The arguement in the O'Reilly injunction suit is postponed until the 3rd Monday in Oct. to give time to learn the grounds of the Kentucky decision. I have just had a talk with Gov. Seward on the subject and he says the whole matter looks well." September 30, 1848. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell: "I have just learned that the Pirates have got their lease renewed for a month. They are certainly a hard animal to tree." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, materials and supplies, New-York & Erie line, Erie & Michigan line, construction of lines, Connecticut & Vermont line. Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Bristol, John S.; Tillotson, D.T.; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Allen, Oliver E.; Speed, J.J. Geography:
Box 8 Folder 12
Correspondence
1848-10-02-1848-10-09
Digital
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Scope and Contents
October 8, 1848. Alonzo B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell from Cleveland: "Business is rather dull just now owing to the depression of the produce market?" Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, Canadian lines, finances, New-York & Erie line, Erie & Michigan line. Personal names: Wood, O.S.; Cutter, Isaac H.; Faxton, Theodore; Bristol, John S.; Whitney, H.H.; Cornell, E.B.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Norton, J.W. Geography: Montreal; Quebec; Cleveland
Box 8 Folder 13
Correspondence
1848-10-10-1848-10-19
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Scope and Contents
October 11, 1848. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "In politicks the Free soilers brag the most but I have the utmost confidence that Old Zach will carry the county of Tompkins & State of N.Y. and hope he will sweep the stakes in Ohio." October 12, 1848. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell from Detroit: "?I wanted their thousand dollars to silence some of the men who are bawling about their pay for poles & board bills; but I can fight them off as I have done. I hardly think they will cut our poles down, altho they threaten to do so, and I think they have actually cut the wire a number of times?" Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, Connecticut & Vermont line, Erie & Michigan line, finances, construction of lines, Canadian lines, Troy & Whitehall line. Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Speed, J.J.; Cornell, E.B.; Bristol, John S. Geography:
Box 8 Folder 14
Correspondence
1848-10-20-1848-10-28
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Scope and Contents
October 24, 1848. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "Yesterday I staked off the ground on the hill for an orchard. I want to get 1000 apple trees agrowing." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, auxiliary lines, finances, Erie & Michigan line, stock subscriptions, New-York & Erie line, construction of lines, Canadian lines, O'Reilly conflict. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Cutter, Isaac H.; Tillotson, D.T.; Cornell, E.B.; Bristol, John S.; Wood, O.S. Geography: Detroit
Box 8 Folder 15
Correspondence
1848-10-28-1848-11-01
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Scope and Contents
October 29, 1848. Alonzo B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "I think during election we shall pretty nearly if not quite have our hands full to attend to election news and our regular business also?" Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: stock subscriptions, materials and supplies, Erie & Michigan line, Connecticut & Vermont line, finances. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cornell, John H.; Smith, F.O.J. Geography: Buffalo; Cleveland
Box 8 Folder 16
Correspondence
1848-11-02-1848-11-08
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Scope and Contents
November 5, 1848. E.B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "I think it a pretty hard case that after a person earns money it is such hard work to get it. I don't want to complain but I feel as though I ought to have my pay just as promptly as any of the hands." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, Connecticut & Vermont line, construction of lines, New-York & Erie line. Personal names: Allen, Oliver E.; Cornell, E.B.; Bristol, John S. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 8 Folder 17
Correspondence
1848-11-09-1848-11-14
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Scope and Contents
November 9, 1848. Letter from John H. Cornell to Ezra Cornell proposing that he carry on the pottery business in Ithaca. November 10, 1848. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell from Cleveland: "Allow me to congratulate you on two important events, first the election of old Zack, and second, but not less important, the fact that we have this day worked through for the first time from Detroit to Buffalo as well as we ever worked from here to Buffalo - the Erie & Michigan line is now complete with thirty poles to the mile and every cap on and works as beautifully as any line ever did?" Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: New-York & Erie line, materials and supplies, Erie & Michigan line, finances, Ithaca & Auburn line, Canadian lines. Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cornell, John H.; Faxton, Theodore; Tillotson, D.T.; Speed, J.J.; Dunham, J.; Cornell, E.B.; Wood, O.S. Geography: Albion; Detroit; Cleveland; Fredonia, N.Y.; Newburgh, N.Y.
Box 8 Folder 18
Correspondence
1848-11-15-1848-11-23
Digital
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Scope and Contents
November 16, 1848. F.O.J. Smith to Ezra Cornell concerning insulators, telegraph conflicts, Henry O'Reilly, and Theodore Faxton. November 23, 1848. J.J. Speed in Detroit to Ezra Cornell: "The wolverines have been keeping Thanksgiving today and have consequently done but about half the usual amt. of business. "I see that Judge Monroe of Kentucky has ordered the Marshall to cut down O'Reilly's poles - is not that a new remedy in law? I wish we had a Judge Monroe here." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: New-York & Erie line, construction of lines, finances, materials and supplies, Speed's new caps, Canadian lines, Ithaca & Auburn line, Connecticut line, Erie & Michigan line. Personal names: Cornell, E.B.; Cornell, John H.; Bristol, John S.; Allen, Oliver E.; Smith, F.O.J.; Dunham, J.; Speed, J.J.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Wood, O.S.; Backus, A., Jr.; Jackson, Tower Geography: Detroit; Chicago
Box 9 Folder 1
Correspondence
1848-11-24-1848-11-30
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Scope and Contents
November 29, 1848. D.T. Tillotson to E.B. Cornell: "The office at Jefferson was opened today, and the two Lakes kiss each other by 'Lightning'." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, stock subscriptions, materials and supplies, New-York & Erie Telegraph Company. Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Speed, J.J.; Smith, F.O.J.; Wood, Phebe; Risley, William; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Tillotson, D.T. Geography: Cleveland; Ithaca, N.Y.; Fredonia, N.Y.
Box 9 Folder 2
Correspondence
1848-12-01-1848-12-13
Digital
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Scope and Contents
December 4, 1848. Samuel F.B. Morse to Ezra Cornell: "You cannot complain that I have been hard with you, as surely I am not to blame for the unprincipled conduct of those pirates who are leaving no stone unturned to rob me in every way. Please send me the number of miles you and Speed have erected I wish it to oppose to O'Reilly's boast." December 10, 1848. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell on the settlement of the O'Reilly controversy. December 12, 1848. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell on the financial resolution of the O'Reilly controversy. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, disputes concerning western lines. Personal names: Allen, Oliver E.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Speed, J.J.; O'Reilly, Henry; Smith, F.O.J.; Cornell, E.B.; Cornell, John H.; Wood, M.B.; Wood, O.S.; Morse, Samuel F.B. Geography: Detroit; Michigan; Montreal
Box 9 Folder 3
Correspondence
1848-12-14-1848-12-29
Digital
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Scope and Contents
December 14, 1848. Horace Palmer to Alonzo B. Cornell concerning women, "theatres," and lost love. December 18, 1848. Douglass Boardman to Ezra Cornell: "The operator at Jefferson was directed by some one to teach no one the art of Telegraphic writing while at Jefferson. Believing this to be against the future interests of the Company I directed him to teach any one all he knew about it and no member of the Company would object." December 20, 1848. J.H. McFarland to Ezra Cornell: "The New York Albany and Buffalo Line refuse to send coms orginating on our line & addressed to points on that line unless we pay their tariff." December 21, 1848. H.C. Gilbert to Ezra Cornell: "The language of your letter of the 18th is really astonishing & unreasonable." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, disputes concerning western lines, finances, stock subscriptions, proposed lines, construction of lines. Personal names: Tillotson, D.T.; Palmer, Horace; Bristol, John S.; Speed, J.J.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Boardman, Douglass; MacFarland, J.H.; Gilbert, H.C.; Cornell, E.B.; Wood, M.L.; Wilson, William Duane; Wood, Otis E. Geography: Cleveland; Ithaca, N.Y.; Auburn, N.Y.; Detroit
Box 9 Folder 4
Correspondence
1848-12-31-1849-01-07
Digital
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Scope and Contents
December 31, 1848. Alonzo B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "I see the cholera is approaching the Lakes on every side, both east and south. It is now in Cincinnatti & all the way up the Miss. now." December 31, 1848. Jane Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "Ezra I believe you belong to the "Sons of Temperance" and if so I will inform you that there has been a society organized in Albion called "Daughters of Temperance" and that Phebe and I have joined and like it first rate." January 2, 1849. Jane Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "?I have nothing to dress in on that occasion, that is I have no dress that will answer to appear on the stage in. All the young ladies will appear in silk or merino and as I have nothing but a delaine that I have had above a year, I thought that I would write you the circumstances and trust to your generosity in helping me procure one." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, finances, western lines, stock subscriptions, conflict with O'Reilly's lines, patent rights. Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cornell, Jane; Allen, Oliver E.; Speed, J.J. Geography: Cleveland; Albion
Box 9 Folder 5
Correspondence
1849-01-08-1849-01-24
Digital
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Scope and Contents
January 17, 1849. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell: "We must have a line from St. Louis to Fort Independence, and ultimately to the great Commercial Emporium on the Pacific, at the bay of San Francisco. If the 'gold diggins' are what they are cracked up to be, there will be a city at San Francisco of more than one hundred thousand inhabitants in less than ten years, Whitneys RRoad will be built and the telegraph along side of it." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, finances, western lines, conflict with O'Reilly's lines, stocks, patent rights; cholera Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Speed, J.J.; O'Reilly, Henry; Tillotson, D.T. Geography: Detroit; Cleveland
Box 9 Folder 6
Correspondence
1849-01-25-1849-02-09
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Scope and Contents
January 27, 1849. Alonzo B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "The people are not, in this part of the country, a quarter so much excited about the Cholera as the Gold fever." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, finances, western lines, proposed line (Cuba), disputes concerning western lines, O'Reilly's proposed lines; cholera; gold fever. Personal names: Cornell, E.B.; Wood, O.S.; O'Reilly, Henry; Speed, J.J.; Bristol, John S.; Hoyt, Byron B.; Nutter, J.; Tillotson, D.T.; Cornell, Alonzo B. Geography: Detroit; Cleveland
Box 9 Folder 7
Correspondence
1849-02-10-1849-02-28
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, finances, new lines, patent rights, western lines, Connecticut & Vermont line; gold fever. Personal names: Bristol, John S.; Bulkley, Charles S.; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Tillotson, D.T.; Speed, J.J.; Smith, F.O.J.; Wood, O.S. Geography: Massachusetts; New York City; Detroit; Montreal
Box 9 Folder 8
Correspondence
1849-03-02-1849-03-20
Digital
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Scope and Contents
March 10, 15, and 17, 1849. J.J. Speed's experiments and speculations concerning telegraph science. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, finances, western lines, conflict with O'Reilly's lines, new lines, stocks. Personal names: Bristol, John S.; Smith, F.O.J.; Briggs, Amos; Speed, J.J.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Dunham, J.; Cobb, Emory Geography: Detroit; New York City; Ithaca, N.Y.; Fredonia, N.Y.
Box 9 Folder 9
Correspondence
1849-03-20-1849-03-31
Digital
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Scope and Contents
March 28, 1849. J.J. Speed on telegraph technology and Morse's patent. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, finances, western lines. Personal names: Tillotson, D.T.; Speed, J.J.; Park, J.D.; Cornell, Jane; Pew, W.P. Geography: Fredonia, N.Y.; Detroit
Box 9 Folder 10
Correspondence
1849-04-02-1849-04-18
Digital
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Scope and Contents
April 13, 1849. J.J. Speed's experiments and speculations concerning telegraph science. April 15, 1849. Jane Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "Mary has left of doctoring with a Botanic Doctor, and is taking Myres Sarsaparilla Dandelion & Wild-cherry extract?" Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, finances, western lines, conflict with O'Reilly's lines, Erie & Michigan line. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Cornell, Jane; Briggs, Amos; Cornell, E.S.; Cornell, John H. Geography: Detroit
Box 9 Folder 11
Correspondence
1849-04-19-1849-04-30
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April 23, 1849. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell: "O'Reilly now refuses to take coms from us to go South from any place where they have an office. Shall we refuse to take coms from them going West? If anything is left to my discretion I give you notice now, that my propensities are decidedly for war." Also, April 23, 27, 28, 30, 1849: J.J. Speed's speculations concerning telegraph science. April 29, 1849. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell on temperance. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, finances, western lines, conflict with O'Reilly's lines, new lines. Personal names: McFarland, J.H.; Wood, O.S.; Speed, J.J. Geography:
Box 9 Folder 12
Correspondence
1849-05-01-1849-05-18
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Scope and Contents
May 6, 1849. J.J. Speed's speculations concerning telegraph science. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, finances, western lines, rates, conflict with O'Reilly's lines, Canadian lines. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Hicks, Charles C.; Allen, Oliver E. Geography:
Box 9 Folder 13
Correspondence
1849-05-19-1849-06-04
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Scope and Contents
May 19, 1849. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell: "?our operators here had been supoened to give evidence in relation to private business sent over the line." May 28, 1849. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "?as I have got Fall Creek, I shall have to stay at home and attend to it, and you will have to become Captain General of the lightning." June 6, 1849. Ezra Cornell to D.T. Tillotson: "?after talking with O'Reilly a short time, Mann said he became convinced that they wished him to engage in a swindling operation to fleece his neighbours & friends?" Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, western lines, stock subscriptions, conflict with O'Reilly's lines, Canadian lines. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Jackson, Tower; Lee, John J.S. Geography: Milwaukee; Ithaca, N.Y.; Indiana; Ohio
Box 9 Folder 14
Correspondence
1849-06-05-1849-06-20
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, finances, stock subscriptions, western lines, conflict with O'Reilly's lines. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Beebe, Jeremiah S. Geography: Connecticut; Ohio
Box 10 Folder 1
Correspondence
1849-06-23-1849-07-02
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June 30, 1849. Samuel F.B. Morse to Ezra Cornell: "If you have suffered from the outrageous rascalities of the O'Reilly pirates in any degree, I have suffered tenfold more, but there will soon be an end of their machinations if there is any force in law or justice." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, stock subscriptions, Cleveland & Cincinnati line, New-York & Erie line, St. Louis line, O'Reilly conflict, finances; Ithaca & Auburn Telegraph Company. Personal names: Wade, J.H.; Speed, J.J.; Allen, Oliver E.; Tillotson, D.T.; Spencer, D.D.; Bristol, John S.; Morse, Samuel F.B. Geography: Cleveland; Milan, Ohio; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 10 Folder 2
Correspondence
1849-07-04-1849-07-12
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July 4, 1849. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "?Ithaca has a plank road from Hotel to Inlet, one mile, great for Tompkins Company ? a dozen has been planed ? but have all evaporated in a few set speaches at public meetings ? but our Ithaca plank road makes a fine track for the 4th of Julyers to try their nags on." Also Ezra Cornell's experiments with line connections. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: Connecticut & Vermont line, proposed lines, stock subscriptions, materials and supplies, new western lines; Ithaca & Auburn Telegraph Company. Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Tillotson, D.T.; Bristol, John S.; Faxton, Theodore; McGowan, S.W.; Speed, J.J.; Hotchkiss, S.W.; Beebe, Jeremiah S. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Detroit
Box 10 Folder 3
Correspondence
1849-07-13-1849-07-26
Digital
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Scope and Contents
July 13, 1849. J.J. Speed in Detroit to Ezra Cornell: "You have warned me in the past to avoid experiments: but I am making one more. I have got a Mrs. Sheldon to take the office at Jackson and am going to get your sister Mrs. Wood to take the Albion office: both are abundantly qualified to do the business better than any boy, or man, that we can afford to pay in those places. If the ex works as well as I have every confidence to believe it will, I will put a woman in the offices at Ann Arbor, Marshall, & Battle Creek?." July 15, 1849. Alonzo B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell explaining the working of a telegraph line. July 20, 1849. S.W. McGowan to Ezra Cornell discussing possible new lines in northern New York and difficulties in selling subscriptions. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, stock subscriptions, materials and supplies, new lines. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Wood, M.L.; Tillotson, D.T.; Faxton, Theodore; Bristol, John S.; McGowan, S.W.; Jackson, Tower Geography: Detroit; Cleveland; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 10 Folder 4
Correspondence
1849-07-27-1849-08-09
Digital
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July 29, 1849. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell concerning travel between New York and Ithaca, telegraph line operations, Ithaca & Owego railroad, Sodus Canal, and purchase of Fall Creek property: "I think after this year I shall give up the Telegraph business to you and Col. Speed and I will turn my attention to the improvement of the property." August 6, 1849. J.J. Speed in Detroit describing the effect of the cholera epidemic in the west (mid-west), progress on the Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Cincinnati lines, and finances. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, new lines in Ithaca area (Waterloo, Seneca Falls, Aurora), reconstruction of Ithaca & Elmira line, stock subscriptions, finances. Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Speed, J.J.; Kendall, Amos; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Tillotson, D.T.; Jackson, Tower Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Detroit
Box 10 Folder 5
Correspondence
1849-08-11-1849-08-23
Digital
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August 21, 1849. J. H. Wade in Milan to Ezra Cornell reporting on the progress of the Cleveland & Cincinnati line, and the effect of cholera in the region. August 21, 1849. S.W. Hotchkiss in Galena to Ezra Cornell reporting on progress of new lines in Illinois and Wisconsin and the O'Reilly conflict. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: Ithaca & Elmira line, New-York & Erie line, Connecticut & Vermont line, stock subscriptions, materials and supplies, finances. Personal names: Bush, I.L.; Tillotson, D.T.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Lewis, A.S.; Wade, J.H.; Hotchkiss, S.W.; Speed, J.J. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Cleveland; Galena, Ill.
Box 10 Folder 6
Correspondence
1849-08-25-1849-09-10
Digital
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August 25, 1849. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "You have a young brother here about 3 days old. He is a fine fellow and will soon want a situation in a Telegraph office." September 8, 1849. Theodore S. Faxton to Ezra Cornell concerning settlement of Ezra Cornell's accounts with the New York, Albany & Buffalo Telegraph Company. September 10, 1849. S.W. Hotchkiss to Ezra Cornell from Sheboygan concerning new lines under construction in the west, competition from O'Reilly, and the effects of the cholera epidemic. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, Connecticut & Vermont line, finances, Ithaca & Elmira line, Albany & Newburgh line. Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Smith, F.O.J.; Bush, I.L.; Lewis, A.S.; Tillotson, D.T.; Dewey, Theodore; Speed, J.J.; Faxton, Theodore; Hotchkiss, S.W. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Connecticut; Buffalo
Box 10 Folder 7
Correspondence
1849-09-11-1849-09-19
Digital
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September 17, 1849. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell, diagrams and description of new "switch" he had developed which would allow transmitting of messages over long distances without rewriting (connecting circuits). 2nd letter, same date, concerns progress on new western lines (Cleveland & Cincinnati, St. Louis). Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, New-York & Erie line, finances, Connecticut & Vermont line. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Tillotson, D.T.; Boardman, Douglass; Allen, T.F.; French, B.B. Geography: Mt. Vernon, Ohio.
Box 10 Folder 8
Correspondence
1849-09-20-1849-10-04
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September 20, 1849. Beach Brothers to Ezra Cornell inquiring as to arrangements for transmission of news messages for The New York Sun over the New-York & Erie and the Erie & Michigan lines. (Letter of October 1, 1849 indicates this idea has been abandoned by the Beach Brothers) September 20, 1849. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell concerning prospects looking good for new western lines, O'Reilly conflict, and connecting circuits. September 23, 1849. Phebe Wood to Ezra Cornell: "I think that I shall like tellegraphing if I have good instruments. I wish you would come and see us. I could now appreciate some instructions in regard to electricity." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, new western lines (Zanesville, St. Louis), finances; Connecticut & Vermont Telegraph Company; railroad convention in St. Louis. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Wood, Phebe; Smith, F.O.J.; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Tillotson, D.T.; Wade, J.H. Geography: New York City
Box 10 Folder 9
Correspondence
1849-10-05-1849-10-18
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October 1849. George B. Prescott's answer to the bill of complaint by Ezra Cornell. October 7, 1849. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell, regarding Speed's new circuit connector: "You say work the telegraph as it is, and not allow myself to chase Jack-O-Lanterns. I answer yes, if I cannot make the public believe that my Jack-O-Lantern is a real bonafide lighthouse - and induce them to pay me their money to help build it." October 9, 1849. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell reprimanding him for closing his telegraph office early on an election night: "This will not do and if it cant be reformed we will have some turnouts." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, New-York & Erie line, Cleveland & Cincinnati line, office operations. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Benedict, E.D.; Wade, J.H.; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Wheeler, M.; Allen, T.F.; Jackson, Tower Geography: Cleveland
Box 10 Folder 10
Correspondence
1849-10-20-1849-10-31
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October 20, 1849. D.T. Tillotson to Ezra Cornell reporting on survey of Chenango Valley. October 20, 1849. E.D Benedict to operators connected with Cleveland and Pittsburgh line detailing a "system of doing business in regular order, and promptly, at the same time giving each and every office a fair and equal chance." October 27, 1849. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell describing continued experiments with his switch. October 29, 1849. Ezra Cornell to D.T. Tillotson discussing Ithaca area lines (Waterloo and Elmira), operations of House line and Bain telegraph lines in the east, and the business of the New-York & Erie line. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: Cleveland & Cincinnati line, finances, materials and supplies (brimstone insulators), Wisconsin lines, New-York & Erie line. Personal names: Tillotson, D.T.; Benedict, E.D.; Speed, J.J.; Hotchkiss, S.W.; Smith, F.O.J.; Jackson, G.J. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Zanesville, Ohio; Milwaukee; New York City
Box 10 Folder 11
Correspondence
1849-11-01-1849-11-26
Digital
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November 4, 1849. E.B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell discussing the potential of the Cincinnati, Wheeling, & Pittsburgh line and his view of Speed's switch as an important improvement in telegraph operations. November 15, 1849. Letters of condolence from H.C. Buell and W.W. Marks to Alonzo B. Cornell on the death of his sister Elizabeth. November 24, 1849. Phebe Wood to Ezra Cornell, expressing sympathy on Elizabeth's death and discussing the success of women telegraph operators: "John writes me that Jane intends going to learn the tailors trade but I think she would do better to learn to telegraph. I hear that they employ ladies in ops east." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, Erie & Michigan line, Cleveland & Cincinnati line; Ohio lines; death of Elizabeth Cornell. Personal names: Jackson, G.J.; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Cornell, E.B.; Speed, J.J.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Bristol, John S.; Cornell, Elizabeth; Wood, Phebe Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Cleveland; Albion
Box 10 Folder 12
Correspondence
1849-11-27-1849-12-12
Digital
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Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, materials and supplies, office operations, New-York & Erie line, stock subscriptions. Personal names: Tillotson, D.T.; Cornell, E.B.; Chace, Thomas; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Speed, J.J.; Wade, J.H. Geography:
Box 10 Folder 13
Correspondence
1849-12-15-1849-12-26
Digital
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December 18, 1849. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell discussing finances, results of his work in Ohio, and future plans for lines to the west. December 22, 1849. Ezra Cornell to Board of Directors of Hudson River Railroad Company proposing a reciprocal arrangement for the right to erect poles along the railroad line from New York to Poughkeepsie and for free passage of his men in return for telegraph services for railroad business. December 25, 1849. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann and children, from Peekskill: "I wish you all a Merry Christmas, a Merry, Merry Christmas, and I hope old Santa Claus wont be so verry busy as to pass by?without even droping in to catch a glance of those bewitching merry eyes, of my darling Mary or the cherub smiles of my baby Boy?." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, new lines (Ohio, Wheeling to New Philadelphia), Zanesville line, office operations, materials and supplies. Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Speed, J.J.; O'Reilly, Henry; Haviland, J.; Dunham, J. Geography:
Box 10 Folder 14
Correspondence
1849-12-27-1850-01-14
Digital
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January 5, 1850. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "We miss our dear Elizabeth verry much from our family circle our recollections of her innocent mirth, and cheerful good nature with hopes for her eternal happiness is our only consolation - and her sudden departure should admonish us all to be ready for a like event, and may we all in the end meet her in happiness." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: stock subscriptions, finances, Zanesville line, Zanesville & Wheeling-Pittsburgh line, Ithaca area lines (Auburn, Palmyra); New-York & Erie Telegraph Association. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Tillotson, D.T.; Jackson, Tower; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Boardman, Douglass; Eddy, J. Geography: Cleveland; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 10 Folder 15
Correspondence
1850-01-15-1850-01-29
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January 28, 1850. T.W. Hotchkiss to Ezra Cornell from Milwaukee concerning finances, progress on Wisconsin lines, and the pirates. January 29, 1850. T. F. Allen to Ezra Cornell giving account of his attempts to raise subscriptions for a line from Towanda to Owego. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: stock subscriptions, office operations, finances, materials and supplies; New York & Erie Telegraph Association. Personal names: Wood, M.L.; Brown, Charles L.; Tillotson, D.T.; Luther, G.; Morrell, John J.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Hotchkiss, S.W.; Smith, F.O.J.; Wood, O.S. Geography: Cleveland; Milwaukee
Box 10 Folder 16
Correspondence
1850-01-30-1850-02-19
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February 25 and 29, 1850. Proposition by Ezra Cornell to New York and Erie Railroad Company. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, stock subscriptions; New-York & Erie Telegraph Association. Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Wade, J.H.; Northrop, C.C.; Tillotson, D.T. Geography: Cleveland; Peekskill, N.Y.
Box 11 Folder 1
Correspondence
1850-03-01-1850-03-29
Digital
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Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, patent rights, stocks, finances Personal names: Mowrey, LeRoy; Tillotson, D.T.; Cornell, E.B. Geography: Ohio; New York City; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 11 Folder 2
Correspondence
1850-03-30-1850-04-15
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, patent disputes, stocks, finances; Magnetic Telegraph Company. Personal names: Smith, F.O.J.; Speed, J.J.; Morse, Samuel F.B. Geography: New York City
Box 11 Folder 3
Correspondence
1850-04-16-1850-05-08
Digital
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April 20, 1850. Alonzo B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "I am very sorry to hear that you are so strained in your money matters. Though it is not very much to be wondered at considering from whence you expect money." April 1850. Letters from Speed describing possible improvements to telegraph technology, and a method of preventing steam boilers from exploding. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, patent disputes, stocks, finances Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Speed, J.J. Geography: Detroit; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 11 Folder 4
Correspondence
1850-05-09-1850-05-22
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May 18, 1850. Statement describing the operations of the New York telegraph station, including transcriptions of messages and comment on illicit use of the line. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, materials and supplies. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Wood, M.L. Geography: New York City
Box 11 Folder 5
Correspondence
1850-05-25-1850-06-11
Digital
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May 27, 1850. Letter from Speed describing possible improvements to telegraph technology. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, finances, New York City operations, Erie & Michigan line. Personal names: Tyler, A.L.; Robinson, Charles B.; Speed, J.J.; Beebe, Jeremiah S. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; New York City; Fredonia, N.Y.
Box 11 Folder 6
Correspondence
1850-06-12-1850-07-04
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, finances, New York City operations, stocks. Personal names: Robinson, Charles B.; Kendall, Amos; Smith, F.O.J.; Bagley, B.; Speed, J.J. Geography: New York City
Box 11 Folder 7
Correspondence
1850-07-05-1850-07-19
Digital
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July 17, 1850. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell: "If the experience of the past is any criterion for the future, the grim specter poverty will always stand staring me in the face. At all events I have to meet his ugly visage daily?" Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, disputes concerning western lines. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Robinson, Charles B.; Faxton, Theodore; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Ely, Charles Geography: Detroit; New York City
Box 11 Folder 8
Correspondence
1850-07-20-1850-07-31
Digital
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Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, materials and supplies, stock subscriptions; Ithaca real estate Personal names: Munn, W.H.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Speed, J.J. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; New York City
Box 11 Folder 9
Correspondence
1850-08-01-1850-08-28
Digital
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Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, materials and supplies, disputes concerning western lines, difficulties and breakdowns of lines, rates; wheat. Personal names: Ely, Charles; Tillotson, D.T.; Hotchkiss, S.W.; Speed, J.J.; Vail, Hector; Tillotson, D.T. Geography:
Box 11 Folder 10
Correspondence
1850-08-29-1850-09-20
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, materials and supplies. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Robinson, Charles B.; Wood, M.B.; Vail, Hector; Tillotson, D.T. Geography:
Box 11 Folder 11
Correspondence
1850-09-21-1850-11-01
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October 2, 1850. Miscellaneous telegraph transcriptions, including account of Utah Indians/Snake Indians battle. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, materials and supplies. Personal names: Speed, J.J. Geography: Connecticut
Box 11 Folder 12
Correspondence
1850-11-02-1850-11-25
Digital
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Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, materials and supplies. Personal names: Robinson, Charles B.; Tillotson, D.T.; Ingersoll, Charles M.; Speed, J.J.; Smith, F.O.J. Geography: New York City; Newburgh, N.Y.
Box 11 Folder 13
Correspondence
1850-11-26-1850-12-13
Digital
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November 30, 1850. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell: "I have generally looked on the bright side of the picture, and believed the good time was coming; but since you was here, I have been more discouraged than I have ever been before. The debts unpaid at F, and the bitter curses heaped upon the Telegraph?" December 5, 1850. Jeremiah S. Beebe to Ezra Cornell: "The constant habit of smoking in the office keeps me sick at the stomach, and has frequently driven me to the street. It is much more like a bar room of a small tavern than a place of business." December 5, 1850. Charles Robinson to Ezra Cornell: "I understand (Mr. Beebe) has written you about the office being like a bar room - I deny this. I should not, were it not through respect to you, allow Mr. Beebe in the office as he is often under the influence of liquor?" Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, materials and supplies. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Ingersoll, Charles M.; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Robinson, Charles B.; Ely, Charles; Dunham, J. Geography: Newburgh, N.Y.; New York City
Box 11 Folder 14
Correspondence
1850-12-15-1850-12-30
Digital
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December 9, 1850. J.J. Speed to Stephen Munn: "The Telegraph controversy between the Morse Patenters and others has been postponed from time to time or decided against the Morse Patents?" December 24, 1850. O.S. Wood to Ezra Cornell on Ithacaland, the DeWitt Farm, and the family. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, materials and supplies. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Ingersoll, Charles M.; Minot, Charles; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Bristol, John S.; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Wood, O.S. Geography: Detroit; Newburgh, N.Y.; Ithaca, N.Y.; Montreal
Box 12 Folder 1
Correspondence
1851-01-02-1851-02-06
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1848-1851. Extracts from O'Reilly's letters to Delano. January 21, 1851. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell discussing telegraph office operations, the possible dishonesty of an operator, and business with Hotchkiss. February 4, 1851. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell concerning business with Faxton. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, materials and supplies, office operations.; New-York & Erie Telegraph Company Personal names: O'Reilly, Henry; Delano, W.J.; Speed, J.J.; Hotchkiss, S.W.; Ingersoll, C.M.; Faxton, Theodore; Cornell, Alonzo B. Geography: Detroit; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 12 Folder 2
Correspondence
1851-02-07-1851-02-15
Digital
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Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, salaries, patent rights. Personal names: Tillotson, L.G.; Ingersoll, C.M.; Curtis, E.H.; Speed, J.J. Geography: Penn Yan, N.Y.; Detroit; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 12 Folder 3
Correspondence
1851-02-17-1851-03-04
Digital
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February 24, 1851. Ezra Cornell to J.J. Speed discussing Speeds experiments and proposing that a consolidation of lines be considered. February 28, 1851. D.T. Tillotson to Ezra Cornell: "I am getting very short for want of money. My rects. are light & what I have recd. I have been paying up old debts with. I want some clothes very much but can't get them. It is now nearly 2 years since I commenced working for you & for the first 6 months I have hardly recd. a cent & not much for the rest of the time." March 4, 1851. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell from Detroit: " I do not know but the cursed rascals will use us up at last. It is absolutely certain that some one is purposely interrupting our lines. It is utterly impossible for so many things to happen by accident without any apparent cause." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: office operations, finances, materials and supplies, consolidation of lines. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Tillotson, D.T. Geography:
Box 12 Folder 4
Correspondence
1851-03-05-1851-03-25
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March 18, 1851. C.M. Ingersoll to Ezra Cornell from Newburgh regarding payment of operators. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, demands for payment, office operations. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Wade, J.H.; Ingersoll, C.M.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cornell, E.B. Geography: Cleveland; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 12 Folder 5
Correspondence
1851-03-27-1851-05-27
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April 18, 1851. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell from Detroit reporting on western lines (Zanesville & Wheeling, Zanesville & Pittsburgh) and possible agreements with railroads. May 3, 1851. Alonzo B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell concerning the insurance sold by Alonzo. May 13, 1851. Report of the Ithaca Falls Company. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, demands for payment, materials and supplies. Personal names: Skinner, G.W.; Ingersoll, C.M.; Speed, J.J.; Tillotson, L.G.; Wheeler, M.; Cornell, Alonzo B. Geography: Narrowsburgh, N.Y.; New York City; Honesdale, Penn.
Box 12 Folder 6
Correspondence
1851-05-29-1851-06-19
Digital
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Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: office operations, finances Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Ingersoll, C.M.; Kendall, Amos; Shippen, W. Geography:
Box 12 Folder 7
Correspondence
1851-06-20-1851-07-19
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July 16, 1851. J. C. Woodruff to Ezra Cornell: "The stockholders of your company are very much dissatisfied with your management from beginning to end, and are clamorous for a change in its management. Ithaca charges all its misfortunes upon you, and I do not see but you must stand Godfather to them all, fix it as you will. We have a line of telegraph that ought to pay well - substantially built - well arranged, and yet running into debt every day, and becoming a reproach and bye word among telegraphers and laymen?. In short, there is one general complaint - one outcry, and it is evident to me, that though you understand telegraphing well, you either have too much business in hand, or are short of capacity and concentration to manage such a line?. "We stockholders lack confidence in your ability to do anything with it, and the people lack confidence in the line?." July 8, 1851. S.W. Hotchkiss to Ezra Cornell from Madison reporting of the reorganization of the Milwaukee, Galena & Chicago Telegraph Company under the name of the Northwestern Telegraph Company. July 13, 19, 1851. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell concerning financial arrangements and operations of western lines. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, materials and supplies, office operations. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Tillotson, L.G.; Shippen, W.; Ingersoll, C.M.; Hotchkiss, S.W. Geography: Cleveland
Box 12 Folder 8
Correspondence
1851-07-20-1851-08-19
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July 28, 1851. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell concerning finances and management of western lines. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: office operations, finances, offices in railroad depots (cooperation between the businesses), meeting of directors of the New-York & Erie Telegraph Association. Personal names: Tillotson, L.G.; Speed, J.J.; Woodruff, L.C. Geography: Elmira, N.Y.
Box 12 Folder 9
Correspondence
1851-08-27-1851-09-29
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August 27, 1851. L.C. Woodruff to Ezra Cornell expressing support of leasing the New-York & Erie line to Ezra Cornell. September 6, 1851. Mckinney Irion to Ezra Cornell from Wolf River, Tennessee: "My neighbour Mr. McNeal has received some of your beautiful wheat and I am so pleased with it causes me to ask the kind favour of you to send me a small quantity?." September 16, 1851. Ezra Cornell to Amos Kendall: "My courage is fast failing. I have worked hard and incessently for the last nine years at the Telegraph business, practicing the most rigid economy, and I am now worse off than when I began. At the time I first embarked in the business I was worth five thousand dollars in real estate which rented for enough to support my family. Now that same real estate is encumbered with a mortgage for money invested in the telegraph business and I am in debt some $15,000 besides for cost of construction of the various lines, and I cannot get the first cent from any of them toards paying interest on what I owe, aside from this is the various claims of patentees for account of patent. "?My wife well knows my ability to support my family by labour if properly directed. She feels that I have followed the Telegraph quite long enough, and that it would be for our interest to abandon it in toto and all claims upon it, and direct my energies in some more productive channel. If I had been successful in the business I should not think of an appeal of this kind, but under the circumstances I think I have a claim to my devotion to the interest of Prof. Morse and his great invention entitles me to some concideration tin the settlement of this question of patent." September 25, 1851. J.J. Speed: "I can say now with great sincerity that I am used up - nothing under heaven but hope & that rather small?All I can say is I will keep trying & if I do not see a better prospect in 6 months, I will abandon the whole thing & try to get some squatters right in Oregon or elsewhere. Yours, busted all to hell, J.J. Speed Jr." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: office operations, finances; New-York & Erie Telegraph Association.; wheat. Personal names: Woodruff, L.C.; Pew, W.P.; Kendall, Amos; Wood, Otis E.; Speed, J.J.; Munn, Stephen B.; Irion, Mckinney. Geography: New York City
Box 12 Folder 10
Correspondence
1851-10-01-1851-10-25
Digital
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October 5, 1851. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell: "I think Faxton is trying to make an arrangement with the OR line to get their bus & give them half of his. As soon as he does so I will make a bargain with the House folks and give them & Bain our Eastern business this side of NY, and the NY bus until you get so you can do it?" October 6, 1851. J.J. Speed to Directors and Stockholders of New-York & Erie Telegraph Company reporting on telegraph lines and the business they are doing, the problem of brimstone caps, and recommendations for improving the line and business. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: office operations, finances; meeting of New-York & Erie Telegraph Association. Personal names: Hopkins, P.A.; Wood, Otis E.; Munn, Stephen B.; Speed, J.J.; Finch, James; Tillotson, L.G.; Wade, J.H. Geography: Detroit
Box 12 Folder 11
Correspondence
1851-10-27-1851-11-22
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, materials and supplies, office operations, New-York & Erie line. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Munn, Stephen B.; Hopkins, P.A. Geography: Cleveland; Narrowsburgh, N.Y.
Box 12 Folder 12
Correspondence
1851-12-01-1851-12-31
Digital
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December 21, 1851. John S. Bristol to Ezra Cornell expressing condolences on the death of Ezra Cornell's son Ezra. 1851. Petition for renewal of Patent for "Cornell's improved pipelayer." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: office operations, finances, materials and supplies, New-York & Erie line, consolidation of lines. Personal names: Munn, Stephen B.; Livingston, Johnston; Speed, J.J.; Bristol, John S.; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Cornell, Ezra (son of the Founder). Geography:
Box 12 Folder 13
Correspondence
1852-01-01-1852-01-30
Digital
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January 15, 1852. Ezra Cornell to J.J. Speed reporting the sale of the New-York & Erie line: "I shall soon get the N.Y.&E. in good shape, and get up a good feeling, and I must have a chance at the western business." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: New-York & Erie line, office operations, finances. Personal names: Smith, C.M.; Munn, Stephen B.; Speed, J.J.; Livingston, Johnston; Dunham, J.; Hopkins, P.A.; Cornell, Alonzo B. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 12 Folder 14
Correspondence
1852-02-01-1852-02-26
Digital
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Scope and Contents
February 10, 1852. Ezra Cornell to Edmond Coffin of Tarrytown, New York: "If your self and friends should still be desirous of securing the facilities of an office at Tarrytown either with or without branches extending to your dwellings, I should be hapy of an interview with you on the subject." February 15, 1852. Ezra Cornell to Orrin S. Wood: "In regard to my affairs, it is difficult for me to place an estimate upon them. I may be worth an hundred thusand dollars if I live a year or two longer or I may not be worth a cent - it all depends upon the manner in which the Telegraph war which has raged so fiercely in the states the past three years is ended?I however do not despair my confidence is as firm as ever in the future of my enterprises?" Also Ithaca real estate, Ithaca's growth. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: New-York & Erie line, office operations, finances. Personal names: Hopkins, P.A.; Coffin, Edmond; Wood, O.S.; Speed, J.J. Geography: Narrowsburgh, N.Y.
Box 12 Folder 15
Correspondence
1852-03-01-1852-03-31
Digital
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March 20, 1852. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell discussing western business and Speed's proposal of a printing telegraph. March 22, 1852. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell: "What say you to making one desparate effort to retrieve the past, and provide for the future by going to California & building a line?." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: New-York & Erie line, office operations, finances. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Wood, Otis E.; Wood, Benjamin; Hopkins, P.A. Geography: Detroit; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 13 Folder 1
Correspondence
1852-04-02-1852-04-23
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April 7, 1852. Transcripts of letters from Ezra Cornell to J.J. Speed: "I was never so poor in my life as now, I am barely able to supply the necessaries of life. This position weighs heavily on my spirits, and I must get relief soon or it will drive me crazy. I have not contributed a dollar to the support of my family in two years, they suffer for the ordinary comforts of life. Smith and Kendall are both as heartless as adamant and as selfish as the devel." April 27: "My clothes are getting so ragged I am ashamed of my appearance?I learn this evening that my wife has presented me with another daughter and I feel guilty of abusing the best of women by not being with her during her confinement, but my embarassments, poverty & sickness altogether has prevented?" May 7: "This trial has exposed the fact to the satisfaction of my mind that Morse did not invent the local circuit, and that he first learned it from Davies invention which was on exhibition in London when Smith & Morse arrived there." April 16, 1852. Ezra Cornell to J.J. Speed concerning New-York & Erie Company, and including technological suggestions. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, materials and supplies, near-collapse of company, transfer of lines, patents and contracts. Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Kendall, Amos; Speed, J.J.; Smith, F.O.J.; Munn, Stephen. Geography:
Box 13 Folder 2
Correspondence
1852-04-24-1852-05-10
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April 27, 1852. Ezra Cornell to J.J. Speed: "I regard Smith's treatment towards us, in giving O'Reilly the control of the territory in question, as the most shabby character?" April 27, 1852. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell including comment on the company and speculations on telegraph science. April 30, 1852. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "I can disern a streak of light, the clouds of adversity appear to be braking, and the sunshine of hope glimmers through the fractured darkness." May 4, 1852. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "As you requested I have secured your appointment as Agent of the New York Mutual Life insurance Co." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: transfer of lines, office operations, materials and supplies, patents and contracts, new lines in the South. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Cornell, Alonzo B. Geography: New York City
Box 13 Folder 3
Correspondence
1852-05-11-1852-05-31
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May, 1852. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell on "facsimile telegraph." May 25, 1852. Ezra Cornell to J.J. Speed: "I arrived in N.Y. to day found your letter with facsimilie message, and it was not so bad a specimen?. Don't get excited, and don't neglect the E & M Line, keep that agoing?" Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, materials and supplies, new lines in the South, transfer of lines, patents and contracts; telegraph patent trial in New York Superior Court. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Tillotson, D.T. Geography: New York City
Box 13 Folder 4
Correspondence
1852-06-04-1852-06-25
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June 14, 1852. List of lines of the New-York & Erie Telegraph Company, cities and miles. June 1852. J.J. Speed's experiments and speculations concerning telegraph science. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, materials and supplies, new lines, transfer of lines, patents and contracts. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Wood, Benjamin Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; New York City
Box 13 Folder 5
Correspondence
1852-06-26-1852-07-08
Digital
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Scope and Contents
June, July 1852. J.J. Speed's experiments and speculations concerning telegraph science. June 27, 1852. reflecting on years of marriage. July 4, 1852. Ezra Cornell to Jeremiah S. Beebe pleading that he refrain from drinking to avoid losing his employment: "Total abstinance is the only rallying cry under which victory is sure." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, materials and supplies, transfer of lines, patents and contracts; New York and Western Union Telegraph Company. Personal names: Cornell, Mary Ann; Speed, J.J.; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Smith, F.O.J. Geography: New York City
Box 100 Folder 3
30th anniverary letter from Ezra Cornell to wife Mary Ann
1852-07-04
Box 13 Folder 6
Correspondence
1852-07-09-1852-07-23
Digital
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July 10, 1852. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell: "Wood has just come in and I read him your letter. He says you can crawl through a small hole with a whole skin than any other live man." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, materials and supplies, transfer of lines, consolidation of lines; New York and Western Union Telegraph Company. Personal names: Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Beebe, Sarah P.T.; Speed, J.J.; Wade, J.H.; Cobb, Emory Geography: New York City; Ithaca, N.Y.; Chicago
Box 13 Folder 7
Correspondence
1852-07-24-1852-07-31
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, materials and supplies, patents, western lines, transfer of lines, consolidation of lines; New York and Western Union Telegraph Company.; cholera; New York and Erie Railroad Company Personal names: Speed, J.J.; O'Reilly, Henry; Faxton, Theodore; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Haviland, J.; Bristol, John S.; Gordon, D.P.; Loder, Benjamin. Geography: Chicago; St. Louis; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 13 Folder 8
Correspondence
1852-08-01-1852-08-23
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, materials and supplies, patents, western lines, transfer of lines, consolidation of lines; New York and Western Union Telegraph Company. Personal names: Speed, J.J. Geography:
Box 13 Folder 9
Correspondence
1852-08-24-1852-09-18
Digital
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September 3, 1852. Speed's experiments and speculations concerning telegraph science. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, materials and supplies, patents, consolidation of lines, western lines; cholera Personal names: Hopkins, P.A.; Skinner, G.W. Geography:
Box 13 Folder 10
Correspondence
1852-09-20-1852-10-24
Digital
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Scope and Contents
October 15, 1852. Ezra Cornell to J.H. Wade: "If I could have my choice, I should prefer that my name should be immortalized by its connection with some good deed, by alleviating the sufferings of humanity." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, materials and supplies, consolidation of lines, western lines. Personal names: Smith, F.O.J.; Wade, J.H.; Speed, J.J. Geography:
Box 13 Folder 11
Correspondence
1852-10-26-1852-11-30
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, materials and supplies, consolidation of lines, western lines.; New York and Erie Rail Road Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Wood, Benjamin; Haviland, J.; Wade, J.H.; Wood, Otis E. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 13 Folder 12
Correspondence
1852-12-01-1852-12-31
Digital
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Scope and Contents
December 27, 1852. Ezra Cornell's plan to bury telegraph cable. 1852. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "I am homesick, and can't write, I want to go home and stay there. I am sick of telegraphing, sick of business - sick of everything except my wife and I wish I could live with her, but I can't, I have got into the scrape and must stick to it manfully until I can work out." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, materials and supplies, consolidation of lines, western lines. Personal names: Wood, Phebe; Wade, J.H.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography: New York City
Box 13 Folder 13
Correspondence
1853-01-03-1853-01-18
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January 6, 1853. Speed/Faxton contract. January 16, 1853. Ezra Cornell to J.J. Speed: "O'Reilly sent round to me yesterday to borrow $10, which I did not have?" Ithaca. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, materials and supplies, consolidation of lines, western lines, transfer of lines, patents and contracts; Telegraph Convention; New York and Erie Rail Road; New York and Western Union Telegraph Company. Personal names: Gordon, D.P.; Speed, J.J.; Faxton, Theodore; Wood, O.S.; O'Reilly, Henry Geography:
Box 13 Folder 14
Correspondence
1853-01-19-1853-02-28
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, materials and supplies, consolidation of lines, transfer of lines, patents and contracts, western lines, New Orleans and Ohio Line. Personal names: O'Reilly, Henry; Speed, J.J.; Cornell, John H.; Gordon, D.P.; Delano, W.J.; Mann, Donald Geography:
Box 14 Folder 1
Correspondence
1853-03-02-1853-03-31
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March 7, 1853. describing a trip from Ithaca to Indianapolis via Cincinnati. March 20, 1853. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "Hard cider is fast retreating before the colums of the 'cold water army.' The Sons & Daughters of temperance are marching on to a sure and glorious victory." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, consolidation of lines, transfer of lines, patents and contracts, western lines; Telegraph Convention in Indianapolis. Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Mann, Donald; Wade, J.H.; Speed, J.J.; Delano, W.J.; O'Reilly, Henry; Haviland, J.; Kendall, Amos Geography: Indianapolis; Indiana
Box 14 Folder 2
Correspondence
1853-04-01-1853-04-25
Digital
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April 24, 1853. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "The history of Telegraph has therefor been a history of wars, and there are many of those contests unsettled?" Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, consolidation of lines, transfer of lines, patents and contracts, western lines; Ithaca land Personal names: Wood, Phebe; Smith, F.O.J.; Kendall, Amos; O'Reilly, Henry; Delano, W.J.; Wood, M.B.; Morse, Samuel F.B. Geography: Fall Creek (Ithaca)
Box 14 Folder 3
Correspondence
1853-04-26-1853-05-18
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, consolidation of lines, transfer of lines, patents and contracts, western lines Personal names: Cornell, Mary Ann; Wood, O.S.; Chester, E.W. Geography: Indiana; Montreal; Chicago; Fall Creek (Ithaca)
Box 14 Folder 4
Correspondence
1853-05-20-1853-07-04
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, consolidation of lines, transfer of lines, patents and contracts, western lines Personal names: O'Reilly, Henry; Chester, E.W.; Speed, C.H. Geography: Indiana
Box 14 Folder 5
Correspondence
1853-07-15-1853-07-31
Digital
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July 21, 1853. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell from Chicago: "There are some six hundred to a thousand Odd Fellows in the city from other parts of the state and they are having a celebration - a procession this P.M." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines, materials and supplies. Personal names: Cornell, Mary Ann; Speed, C.H.; Chester, E.W. Geography: Indiana; Indianapolis
Box 14 Folder 6
Correspondence
1853-08-01-1853-08-16
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines, materials and supplies. Personal names: Speed, C.H.; Speed, J.J. Geography:
Box 14 Folder 7
Correspondence
1853-08-20-1853-09-08
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines, materials and supplies, transfer of lines, consolidation of lines; account of a family trip west; Ithaca land Personal names: Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 14 Folder 8
Correspondence
1853-09-10-1853-09-26
Digital
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September 19, 1853. D.B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "I?write again to ask what kind of employment you could give me and where would it and so forth if I should abandon the Idea of going to the gold diggins. My mind has been so unsettled since Maria's Death that I could hardly tell what I was going to do." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: office operations, finances; Ithaca land; extracts and transcripts of F.O.J. Smith letters. Personal names: Cornell, Mary Ann; Speed, J.J.; Cornell, D.B.; Smith, F.O.J. Geography:
Box 14 Folder 9
Correspondence
1853-09-27-1853-10-13
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: office operations, finances Personal names: Gordon, D.P. Geography:
Box 14 Folder 10
Correspondence
1853-10-15-1853-10-31
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines Personal names: Geography: Indiana; Ohio; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 14 Folder 11
Correspondence
1853-11-01-1853-11-16
Digital
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Scope and Contents
November 5, 1853. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell: "I think it probable that O'R has got [?] & may give us some trouble, in consequence of not carrying out his darling project of a grand consolidated Company, making him Pres't with a salary of five thousand dollars." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines, consolidation of lines, transfer of lines; Union Telegraph, Speed and O'Reilly Lines. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Kendall, Amos Geography:
Box 14 Folder 12
Correspondence
1853-11-17-1853-12-05
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December 1, 1853. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "This is destined to be a great city. Chicago has now a population of over 50 thousand population and this will double and quadruple as rapedly as that of any other city of the union." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines, consolidation of lines Personal names: Cornell, Mary Ann Geography: Chicago
Box 14 Folder 13
Correspondence
1853-12-06-1853-12-20
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December 6, 1853. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "I have had some tooth ache this P.M. in an old snag that was left some ten years ago, when I went to Ithaca at midnight with Dennis McCoy the Irishman to hold my head. You may recollect the history of that terable night. Dr Miles (I think) pulled on it 3 times with his entire strength, and as offin the irons broke loos. The fourth pull broke the tooth taking the tooth with one prong out, and a piece of the jaw with it." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines; American Telegraph Confederation. Personal names: Bristol, John S.; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography:
Box 15 Folder 1
Correspondence
1853-12-22-1854-01-12
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January 5, 1854. describing a train trip to the west: "I received an invitation from Mr. Tubbs to go to the 'Grand Concert of Madame Sontag' who was to appear for the first time on the Cleveland 'boards' -- I accepted, the house was crowded, and the audience have marked evidence of their satisfaction. The pieces were Italian and French excepting 'Home Sweet Home' which was so distorted by artistic skill that it made me nervous." Ezra Cornell's account of the origins of the Cornell-Speed partnership in the telegraph business. January 8, 1854. Mary Ann Cornell to Ezra Cornell recounting her trip via steamer and stage to Syracuse for a wedding. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines Personal names: Delano, W.J.; O'Reilly, Henry; Cornell, Mary Ann; Cornell, Alonzo B. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Chicago; Fall Creek (Ithaca); Indiana
Box 15 Folder 2
Correspondence
1854-01-14-1854-01-26
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines; smallpox. Personal names: Cornell, E.B.; O'Reilly, Henry; Cornell, E.S. Geography: Indiana; Ohio
Box 15 Folder 3
Correspondence
1854-01-27-1854-02-20
Digital
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Scope and Contents
January 27, 1854. Mary C. Robertson to Ezra Cornell: "Jane says Brother E.B. is in the lottery business some this winter which surprises me very much. I don't know but its honorable business in N.Y. State." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines, adjudication of telegraph disputes, transfer of patents; smallpox.; American Telegraph Confederation. Personal names: Robertson, Mary C.; Wood, M.B.; Morse, Samuel F.B.; Speed, J.J. Geography:
Box 15 Folder 4
Correspondence
1854-02-21-1854-03-11
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March 5, 1854. describing a journey west, and plans for the farm in Ithaca. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines; House Line. Personal names: Cornell, Franklin C.; Wood, Phebe; Cornell, John H.; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography: Indianapolis
Box 15 Folder 5
Correspondence
1854-03-12-1854-03-26
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March 19, 1854. Mary Ann Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "?I most sincerely hope that you will finally succeed in geting together enough of this worlds goods so that you can finally make up yuir mind to settle down on some nice spot and enjoy the comforts of 'home sweet home' with your family. Oh, how happy I should be if it could be so, my dear little do you know the many lonely hours I have passed in your twelve years of absence from home, the cares and anxieties of home all resting on me and the still more anxious care for one I loved dearer than life itself?" March 24, 1854. Amos Kendall to Ezra Cornell: "I regret to learn that you and Mr. Wade do not get along amiably. These quarrels kill the telegraph; and no sooner is one quieted than another springs up." March 26, 1854. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "I rejoice that the Great State of N.Y. has granted her sons at last the justice, though tardy, of a prohibitory liquor law; it will save the rising generation if it does not rescue those who are already on the?plain of inebriacy." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, transfer of lines, western lines; legal suits. Personal names: Cornell, E.B.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Kendall, Amos; Speed, J.J. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Indiana
Box 15 Folder 6
Correspondence
1854-03-27-1854-04-12
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Scope and Contents
April 9, 1854. from Chicago, describing conditions aboard a crowded train, and the benefits of wholesome air. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines, patent rights, transfer of patents. Personal names: Wood, Phebe; Kendall, Amos; Cornell, Ellen. Geography: Michigan; Indiana
Box 15 Folder 7
Correspondence
1854-04-13-1854-04-22
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines, transfer of lines and stock Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Speed, J.J. Geography: Indiana
Box 15 Folder 8
Correspondence
1854-04-23-1854-05-20
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines, transfer of lines and stock; Speed's unapproved sale of telegraph stock and lines Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Kendall, Amos; Livingston, Cambridge Geography: Indiana
Box 15 Folder 9
Correspondence
1854-05-21-1854-05-30
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines, transfer of lines and stock Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Wood, M.B.; Speed, J.J. Geography: Indiana
Box 15 Folder 10
Correspondence
1854-06-01-1854-06-09
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June 1, 1854. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "This act of perfidy of Speed & W[ade] will lead to new combinations, whether the plans they had formed will all mature, or whether the frosts of treachery may not nip some of them in the bud remains to be seen, I should not be surprised if the latter was the fact." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines; Speed's unapproved sale of telegraph stock and lines Personal names: Cornell, Mary Ann; Speed, J.J. Geography:
Box 15 Folder 11
Correspondence
1854-06-10-1854-06-23
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines Personal names: Wood, Otis E.; Cornell, E.S.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Read, James H. Geography:
Box 15 Folder 12
Correspondence
1854-06-25-1854-07-08
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June 27, 1854. Amos Kendall to Ezra Cornell: "I am disposed to act with you in carrying out, as far as we can, the arrangements of June 1853 and in punishing the conspirators by whom both you and my principal [S.F.B. Morse] have been betrayed and defrauded." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines; Speed's unapproved sale of telegraph stock and lines; Erie & Michigan Telegraph Company. Personal names: Kendall, Amos; Read, James H. Geography:
Box 15 Folder 13
Correspondence
1854-07-11-1854-07-26
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Scope and Contents
July 18, 1854. J.J. Speed to J.H. Wade concerning the sale of western lines. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines; Speed's unapproved sale of telegraph stock and lines; Erie & Michigan Telegraph Company. Personal names: Read, James H.; Speed, J.J.; Wade, J.H. Geography:
Box 16 Folder 1
Correspondence
1854-07-27-1854-08-15
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July 27, 1854. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell from Detroit concerning underground telegraph, family news and health, and instructions to Ellen on the care of the children in Ezra and Mary Ann's absence. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, pipelayer and underground telegraph, office operations; Ezra Cornell's ill health and treatment. Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Cobb, Emory Geography: Detroit; Ithaca, N.Y.; Logansport, In.; Indiana
Box 16 Folder 2
Correspondence
1854-08-16-1854-08-31
Digital
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August 20, 1854. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann from Indianapolis reporting on his health and discussing the treatment received for his condition. August 27, 1854. Ezra Cornell, Mary Emily Cornell, Mary C. Robertson and M.B. Wood to Mary Ann Cornell from Albion sharing family news. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: office operations, finances, consolidation of companies, Ohio, Indiana & Illinois line. Personal names: Cornell, Mary Ann; Curtiss, George; Pew, W.P.; Robertson, Mary C.; Wood, M.B.; Cornell, Mary Emily Geography: Indianapolis; Indiana
Box 16 Folder 3
Correspondence
1854-09-01-1854-09-07
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September 2, 1854. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann from Detroit: "It is very sickly about Albion for such as have defective constitutions or shattered health, and many deaths have occurred?" Family news. September 3, 1854. Amos Kendall to Ezra Cornell reporting on telegraph business in New York and possible consolidation of lines. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: office operations, finances; Erie & Michigan Telegraph Company.; cholera Personal names: Cornell, Mary Ann; Kendall, Amos; Cornell, Molly; Cornell, Alonzo B. Geography: Detroit; Albion
Box 16 Folder 4
Correspondence
1854-09-08-1854-09-17
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September 8, 1854. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann from Michigan City: "Speed and Wades effort at my distruction by their diabolical sale to the enemy has proved a signal failure on their part, and will produce them a harvest of curses from the verry men who were to reap the golden apple of their treachery." Ezra Cornell's health, telegraph business, and reflections upon his persevering and succeeding in the business despite Mary Ann's father's advice to pursue other things. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, stocks, office operations, business conflicts with House and Wade, consolidation of lines. Personal names: Smith, F.O.J.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Speed, J.J.; Tillotson, D.T.; Pew, W.P. Geography: Indianapolis; Wisconsin; Indiana
Box 16 Folder 5
Correspondence
1854-09-18-1854-09-29
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September 22, 1854. E.B. Sadler to Ezra Cornell concerning F.O.J. Smith's claims. September 24, 1854. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann from Michigan City: "I wish you was here with me, I am not as well used when alone as when you are with me, I dont get as good a room, nor as clean a bed, I dont get called to my meals as early or by as pleasant a messenger, and at table I have to wate longer before being wated upon. All those ills are incident to being alone every one of which would banish before the magic presence of a woman.". Attempts to persuade Mary Ann and Emma to join him and discussion of the advantages of traveling during the winter. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: office operations, finances Personal names: Cornell, Mary Ann; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Pew, W.P.; Livingston, Cambridge; Cornell, John H.; Sadler, E.B.; Haviland, J. Geography: Michigan; Indiana; Ohio
Box 16 Folder 6
Correspondence
1854-09-30-1854-10-19
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October 6, 1854. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann from Chicago concerning family news from Michigan, telegraph business, and New York politics with reference to "fusion." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: office operations, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois line, finances, new western lines. Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Pew, W.P.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Tillotson, D.T.; Hopkins, P.A.; Faxton, Theodore Geography: Indiana; Ohio; Illinois
Box 16 Folder 7
Correspondence
1854-10-20-1854-11-02
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October, 20, 1854. George Curtiss of the New York, Albany and Buffalo Telegraph Company to Ezra Cornell requesting that a meeting be held to discuss a permanent Western connection. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: office operations, Ohio, Indiana & Illinois line, finances. Personal names: Curtiss, George; Speed, J.J.; Pew, W.P.; Cornell, D.B.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Hopkins, P.A. Geography: Indiana; Ohio; Illinois
Box 16 Folder 8
Correspondence
1854-11-03-1854-11-15
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Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: office operations, Erie & Michigan line, finances; Southern Michigan Telegraph Company Personal names: Pew, W.P.; Cornell, D.B.; Haviland, J.; Curtiss, George; Faxton, Theodore; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Caton, J.D. Geography: Utica; Indiana
Box 16 Folder 9
Correspondence
1854-11-16-1854-11-24
Digital
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Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: office operations, finances, stock purchases. Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cornell, D.B.; Skinner, G.W.; Curtiss, George Geography:
Box 16 Folder 10
Correspondence
1854-11-25-1854-12-12
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Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: office operations, finances; House Company Personal names: Cobb, Emory; Wood, O.S.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cornell, D.B. Geography: Montreal; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 16 Folder 11
Correspondence
1854-12-14-1854-12-26
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December 14, 1854. Alonzo B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell discussing finances and Ithaca real estate holdings. December 15, 1854. Amos Kendall to Ezra Cornell concerning telegraph business and the actions of the House people. December 17, 1854. Franklin C. Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "I am going to school this winter to try to finish my education so that I can be of some help to you. Next time you write to me I want you to tell me what you want me to go at in the spring for I want to begin to make some calculation on it." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, stock, office operations, consolidation of lines; Erie & Michigan Telegraph Company.; House Company Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Pew, W.P.; Kendall, Amos; Speed, J.J.; Cornell, Franklin C.; Curtiss, George; Haas, J.; Cornell, D.B.; Cornell, John H. Geography: Indianapolis; Ithaca, N.Y.; Detroit
Box 16 Folder 12
Correspondence
1854-12-30-1855-01-17
Digital
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Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: office operations, finances, Erie & Michigan line, stock, Southern Michigan line Personal names: Cornell, D.B.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cobb, Emory; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Kendall, Amos; Cornell, Mary Ann; Curtiss, George; Cornell, John H.; Wade, J.H.; Haas, J.; Hopkins, P.A. Geography: Albion; Ithaca, N.Y.; Albany, N.Y.; Boston
Box 16 Folder 13
Correspondence
1855-01-18-1855-01-30
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January 21, 1855. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "Speed evident regrets his treachery toards me and proffers his services, to aid me in any way that I can suggest and at any time that his services can be available. I rarely get cheated twice by the same person." January 30, 1855. Ezra Cornell to Franklin C. Cornell: "I hope if you decide to go to school that you will make up your mind to spend your time profitably, remember that knowledge is power." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: office operations, finances, Cleveland, Wheeling and Zanesville line, Ezra Cornell's settlement with Speed, stocks; House Company Personal names: Haas, J.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Curtiss, George; Hopkins, P.A.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Chace, Rebecca; Pew, W.P.; Cornell, Franklin C. Geography: Albion; Utica
Box 16 Folder 14
Correspondence
1855-01-31-1855-02-16
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: Erie & Michigan line, finances, Ohio, Indiana & Illinois line, Southern Michigan line, western lines, office operations Personal names: Cornell, Franklin C.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Elwood, Isaac R.; Kendall, Amos; Wood, O.S.; Draper, J.S. Geography: Albion; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 17 Folder 1
Correspondence
1855-02-19-1855-03-21
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March 10, 1855. from Albion: "Last saturday one of the cars got thrown off the track in which was four of my men, one of them was so injured that he died yesterday. He leaves a wife, who will soon have an heir." March 15, 1855. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "Tell mother & Emma that I look at their daguerratype frequently and think it is the prettyest picture." March 17, 1855. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "?it was a California show, going to California, a panorama of an over land trip to California where you can 'see the Eliphant for two dimes'?" Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: office operations, western lines; Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois Telegraph Company Personal names: Wood, M.B.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Cornell, Alonzo B. Geography: Michigan
Box 17 Folder 2
Correspondence
1855-03-22-1855-04-10
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March 31, 1855. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "?I have a sharp corner to work out of, that Ely judgment is 3471.88. I have got permission to draw on Mr. Chester for $2,500?" Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: refinancing of stock, office operations, western lines, Ely judgment; Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois Telegraph Company; smallpox. Personal names: Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Cornell, D.B.; Wells, Henry Geography: Indiana; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 17 Folder 3
Correspondence
1855-04-11-1855-05-01
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April 12, 1855. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "He may escape as there is not one in twenty who have been vaccinated that take the small-pox on exposure." April 22, 1855. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "Calista was on her way to Windsor Canada to teach in a school of fugitives. They are sent to Canada as teachers by some society who have the educational welfare of the blacks in Canada under their keeping." April 29, 1855. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "I see a lot of boys in front of my window gambling with pennies. I hope my boy Perry is better engaged." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: refinancing of stock, office operations, western lines, Ely judgment; Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois Telegraph Company; Erie & Michigan Telegraph Company.; smallpox. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Michigan
Box 17 Folder 4
Correspondence
1855-05-02-1855-05-12
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: refinancing of stock, office operations, western lines, Morse telegraph patent; transfer of lines; Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois Telegraph Company; Erie & Michigan Telegraph Company.; Southern Michigan Telegraph Company; House Company; smallpox. Personal names: Kendall, Amos; Chester, E.W.; Hopkins, P.A.; Cornell, E.B. Geography:
Box 17 Folder 5
Correspondence
1855-05-13-1855-05-31
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May 13, 1855. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "Homeopathy seems to do verry well when there is nothing the matter. It is so nice to take but when I am sick it seems to require the old ugly doses of the 'old butchers' to cure me." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, transfer of lines, western lines; Southern Michigan Telegraph Company Personal names: Wood, O.S.; Wood, M.B.; Faxton, Theodore; Smith, F.O.J. Geography: Michigan
Box 17 Folder 6
Correspondence
1855-06-02-1855-06-22
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June 7, 1855. Mary Ann Cornell to Ezra Cornell describing unsatisfactory family conditions in Ithaca: "I wish if money is plenty at the west that you would send me some, as Alonzo is so hard up that I can't get any of him, and I can't well get along without some?I think Ithaca will not hold me long if they go west to live, if your business keeps you there, there is nothing in Ithaca worth living for, and I wish you would sell everything you own here?but if you do come here and try living as I have this thirteen years and then you would be able to judge something about it." June 10, 1855. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "I will pay your expenses out, that is to say, if you can get some body to advance your expenses out I will refund the money." June 15, 1855. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "The next great question of the Day is the Know Nothing convention at Phil. that is of great political moment, not because of its Hindooism but because there is some hundreds of ordinarily inteligent men from all sections of the country and they may be persueded to reflect to some extent the feeling of their several communities feelings on the great issue of the day, liberty, or slavery. The Telegraph announces a split in the convention on that question -- this is a favourable sign, it shows that the concience of the north is being quickened, and may be regarded as the death knell to Southern Slave drivers, and Northern dough faces." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, transfer of lines, western lines; Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois Telegraph Company Personal names: Cornell, Mary Ann; Cornell, E.S.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Wells, Henry; Curtiss, George Geography: Indiana; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 17 Folder 7
Correspondence
1855-06-24-1855-07-10
Digital
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July 7, 1855. Ezra Cornell to E.W. Chester describing his railway accident in which his arm was broken and mutilated. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, transfer of lines, western lines, stock payments due; Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois Telegraph Company; Southern Michigan Telegraph Company; Erie & Michigan Telegraph Company.; Ezra Cornell's broken arm. Personal names: Cornell, D.B.; Chace, Rebecca; Cornell, E.B.; Cornell, Mary Emily; Wood, M.B.; Curtiss, George; Cornell, Alonzo B. Geography:
Box 17 Folder 8
Correspondence
1855-07-11-1855-07-26
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines; New York, Albany & Buffalo Electro Magnetic Telegraph Company Personal names: Chester, E.W. Geography:
Box 17 Folder 9
Correspondence
1855-07-27-1855-08-16
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August 8, 1855. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell from Detroit: "I came to De this morning to attend meeting leaving mother at Al. Our meeting has resulted in an agreement with House folks to consolidate, they taking $350,000 and we $150,000, we putting in the E&M line, and they putting in the House line 920, the Lake Erie line 600, the House & Morse Patent, and all other interest they have in the west?" Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines, consolidation of lines; New York, Albany & Buffalo Electro Magnetic Telegraph Company Personal names: Wood, M.B.; Curtiss, George; Makepeace, H.F.; Butts, Isaac. Geography:
Box 17 Folder 10
Correspondence
1855-08-20-1855-09-10
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines, consolidation of lines Personal names: Curtiss, George Geography:
Box 17 Folder 11
Correspondence
1855-09-12-1855-10-20
Digital
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October 18, 1855. Mary Ann Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "I think you will recollect of giving me fifteen dollars before you left home. I have used it very prudently?and it is all gone but fifty cents." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines, consolidation of lines; New York, Albany & Buffalo Electro Magnetic Telegraph Company; Erie & Michigan Telegraph Company. Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography: Rochester, N.Y.; Buffalo; Michigan
Box 17 Folder 12
Correspondence
1855-10-22-1855-11-28
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November 18, 1855. Mary Ann Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "I have never heard of so many suden deaths as I have this fall. It teaches us a powerful lesson on the uncertainty of human life." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines, consolidation of lines Personal names: Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Wells, Henry; Cornell, Mary Ann; Chace, Rebecca; Kendall, Amos Geography:
Box 17 Folder 13
Correspondence
1855-12-01-1856-01-10
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January 4, 1856. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "I reached here at 7:30, after the coldest night ride I ever recollect of having since stage coachs went out of fashion. I sat next to the stove all night, and my feet suffered with cold." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines, consolidation of lines; newly patented register, patent rights, transfer of lines; New York and Western Union Telegraph Company. Personal names: Sholes, C.C.; Kendall, Amos; Chace, Rebecca; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography:
Box 18 Folder 1
Correspondence
1856-01-11-1856-02-11
Digital
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January 21, 1856. on the raising of daughters and deportment of young women. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines, consolidation of lines; New York State canals Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Curtiss, George; Speed, J.J.; Sholes, C.C.; Chace, Rebecca Geography:
Box 18 Folder 2
Correspondence
1856-02-12-1856-03-14
Digital
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March 2, 1856. on the raising of daughters and deportment of young women. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines, consolidation of lines; New York, Albany & Buffalo Electro Magnetic Telegraph Company; Associated Press of New York; Montreal Telegraph Company. Personal names: Wood, O.S.; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography:
Box 18 Folder 3
Correspondence
1856-03-16-1856-04-22
Digital
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Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines, consolidation of lines, stock transfers, leases; Cleveland and Cincinnati Telegraph Company; New York and Western Union Telegraph Company.; New York and Erie Railroad Company; change of name from New York and Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraph Company to Western Union Telegraph Company. Personal names: Cornell, E.S.; Kendall, Amos; Cornell, Elijah Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Indiana
Box 18 Folder 4
Correspondence
1856-04-23-1856-05-30
Digital
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May 12, 1856. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell, giving her additional stock in the Erie & Michigan Telegraph Company. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines, new lines (Syracuse-Binghamton and Upstate lines); relocation of parents of Ezra Cornell and disposition of their worldly goods; Erie & Michigan Telegraph Company.; Western Union Telegraph Company Personal names: Cornell, Eunice; Cornell, Elijah; Poucher, Thaddeus; Curtiss, George; Kendall, Amos Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 18 Folder 5
Correspondence
1856-06-02-1856-07-04
Digital
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June 29, 1856. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "?had a lovely passage to Detroit, arriving at 3 P.M. yesterday, One of those floating Hotels is the greatest luxury of the hot season and nothing could have rendered the sojourn of a day on the 'Rock' more pleasant except your company and Emma's & Mary's." July 4, 1856. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "The anniversary of Our Independence is being celebrated in various ways but not so as to attract any special notice. I feel more interest just now in knowing how it is being celebrated in Kansas. That has become the second battle ground of freedom, and the day that secures freedom for Kansas will become notable in the annals of history, as the second birthday of freedom." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines, consolidation of lines, stocks; Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois Telegraph Company; Western Union Telegraph Company Personal names: Curtiss, George; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography:
Box 18 Folder 6
Correspondence
1856-07-11-1856-08-28
Digital
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July 20, 1856. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "Mary and Jane went to Methodist [church], and H[iram] to the Spiritualist, and Phebe railed about it, and says she don't want any of her friends to call and see her who will go to a Spiritual meeting, so goes the world - and so it always went. Oh! dear me, will it ever be better?" August 20, 1856. Ezra Cornell's letter to the American Citizen of Ithaca: "As for the Pope, I am to old to be frightened by his shadow, and am quite sure his shadow or Substance will do less harm to the liberties of my country than will a party, who seek to acquire political power by exciting religious bigotry in the minds of their duped followers." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines, consolidation of lines, stock transfers, O'Reilly lines; New York and Erie Railroad; Western Union Telegraph Company Personal names: Barbour, Lucian; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography:
Box 18 Folder 7
Correspondence
1856-09-08-1856-11-09
Digital
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September 21, 1856. Rebecca Chace to Ezra Cornell on presidential elections. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, western lines, consolidation of lines, stock transfers; slavery; national politics Personal names: Chace, Rebecca; Curtiss, George Geography: Providence, R.I.
Box 18 Folder 8
Correspondence
1856-11-10-1856-12-29
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November 30, 1856. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "I have begged $110 for the sufferers in Kansas the past 3 days by heading the subscription myself with $10. I got B.G. Ferris $5 & H. Dow $5, the balance from Republicans--I shall pay it to the National Kansas Committee at Chicago." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines, consolidation of lines, stock transfers; slavery; national politics; pottery; railroad rights in Lansing, N.Y. Personal names: Chace, Rebecca; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Beebe, Jeremiah S. Geography: Chicago; Ithaca, N.Y.; Iowa; Providence, R.I.
Box 18 Folder 9
Correspondence
1857-01-01-1857-02-06
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January 22, 1857. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "I went with at the urgent request of a friend last night to converse with the spirits, He being a firm believer, and having had satisfactory confabs. The Spirit who conversed with me, the medium said was that of my Grandfather Reuben Barnard, who attempted to answer questions that I asked, but as no one of a dozen questions was answered right, I came to the conclusion that it was not the spirit of my Grand Father for he was a man of great truth, and would not answer questions in this shabby manner." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines; Spiritualism; New York and Western Union Telegraph Company.; Ithaca farm; Minnesota State Telegraph Company. Personal names: Cornell, E.S.; Chester, E.W.; Curtiss, George; Cornell, D.B.; Wade, J.H.; Wood, O.S. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Minnesota.
Box 18 Folder 10
Correspondence
1857-02-07-1857-03-05
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February 23, 1857. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "I am sorry to hear that Jane is no better, it is a state of partial insanity, growing out of a morbid religious excitement, it is a religion without reason, reason should be the basis of religion?" February 27, 1857. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "I am planning for the removal to the farm. There is much to do, to get things fixed, but it will be a nice place, and your mother is already pleased as every else appears to be. I can tell you that we intend to have the best farm in Western NY. "What do you think of my going out with the transatlantic cable? It will be the best opportunity that has ever been presented to test some verry important experiments in telegraphing?" Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines, stock transfers; purchase of Ithaca farm; homeopathy; trans-Atlantic cable. Personal names: Cornell, E.B.; Cornell, E.S.; Cornell, John H.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Cornell, Alonzo B. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 18 Folder 11
Correspondence
1857-03-06-1857-03-27
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March 8, 1857. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell detailing the purchases of cattle and other agricultural staples for the Ithaca farm. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, stock transfers; Ithaca farm (including purchase of cattle, equipment, and other materials pertinent to its establishment); trial of Morse and Vail versus Smith. Personal names: Kendall, Amos; Cornell, Angeline M.; Wood, Eunice. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 18 Folder 12
Correspondence
1857-04-01-1857-05-05
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Ithaca farm; telegraph business correspondence: finances, stock transfers, office operations. Personal names: Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Cornell, D.B.; Curtiss, George Geography:
Box 18 Folder 13
Correspondence
1857-05-06-1857-05-30
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May 13, 1857. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "As to names, I am not decided yet what it shall be, 'Forest Home' I like but don't want to rob F.O.J.S. 'Cascadilla' is good but is so Old that it has lost all the sweetness of originiality, 'Mount Evergreen' Seems discordant 'Forest City Farm' is too long 'Forest Retreat' don't respond in harmony to the proper chords, 'Cascadia' is short and appropriate, 'Cornelia' is the name that Gov Seward gave my old place at fall Creek, and I like it pretty well, 'Caterac Farm' would not be inappropriate considering that the farm is bordered by cataracks on its north & south sides - 'Fairview' would be a name expressive of the facts. 'Mount Prospect' would also be expressive - I should like an Indian name if I could hit upon the right one, but I have not yet practiced in the red skin dialect. As Ithaca & Ulisses are names borrowed from Homer, Illiad or Odessa perhaps it would not be inappropriate to resort to Homer for still another name. So we will pass on and wate for a name." Topics: Ithaca farm; telegraph business correspondence: finances, stock transfers, office operations, western lines, materials and supplies; Forest Park farm Personal names: Wood, Phebe; Cornell, Alonzo B. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 19 Folder 1
Correspondence
1857-06-03-1857-07-08
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June 26, 1857. Ezra Cornell to E.W. Chester describing the damage caused by a flood in Ithaca. July 1, 1857. Alonzo B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell from New York: "There is another grand gathering of Telegraphy in town?I suppose it is an attempt on the part of the WU Co. or some one else to form a 'grand confederation'?" "How do you like the name of 'Forest Park' --How does mother like it?" Topics: Ithaca farm; Forest Park farm; cattle; telegraph business correspondence: stock dividends, finances, stock transfers, office operations, telegraph convention, consolidation of lines, trials. Personal names: Curtiss, George; Wood, M.B.; Cornell, E.S.; Smith, F.O.J.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Wood, Phebe Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 19 Folder 2
Correspondence
1857-07-09-1857-09-11
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, office operations, western lines, stock transfers; cattle Personal names: Curtiss, George; Hopkins, P.A.; Speed, J.J.; Craig, D.H.; Cornell, E.S.; Wood, Phebe; Cornell, Jane; Smith, F.O.J.; Chester, E.W.; Kendall, Amos Geography:
Box 19 Folder 3
Correspondence
1857-09-12-1857-10-19
Digital
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Scope and Contents
October 12, 1857. M.B. Wood to Ezra Cornell discussing finances, western lines, and national politics, including his response to the Dred Scott decision. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: patent rights. Personal names: Cornell, D.B.; Kendall, Amos; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Chester, E.W.; Speed, J.J.; Wood, M.B. Geography:
Box 19 Folder 4
Correspondence
1857-10-20-1857-12-21
Digital
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October 20, 1857. Ezra Cornell to Dr. S.E. Shepherd describing some of his Ithaca property and proposing its use for a water cure establishment. November 30, 1857. Ezra Cornell to the President and Directors of the New York, Albany & Buffalo Telegraph Company on behalf of the Directors of the New York and Western Union Telegraph Company offering the sale of their lines. December 19, 1857. E.W. Chester to Ezra Cornell concerning formation of coal oil company. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, stock transfers, conflicts, Smith suit, Pacific line. Personal names: Shepard, S.E.; Kendall, Amos; Chester, E.W.; Speed, J.J.; Curtiss, George; Robertson, Mary ; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Wood, Phebe; Smith, F.O.J. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 19 Folder 5
Correspondence
1857-12-26-1858-01-28
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, Pacific line; cattle; Tompkins County Agricultural Society; coal oil business Personal names: Wood, Deborah C.; Cornell, E.S.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cornell, John H.; Curtiss, George; Chester, E.W. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 19 Folder 6
Correspondence
1858-01-29-1858-03-17
Digital
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Scope and Contents
February 12, 1858. Henry O'Reilly to Ezra Cornell requesting any documents and papers he may have connected to the establishment of the telegraph for a collection O'Reilly was arranging. February 28, 1858. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann with news of his travels, telegraph business, and the various responses his "RR Moddle" received. Topics: cattle; coal oil business; finances; telegraph business correspondence Personal names: Wood, O.S.; Curtiss, George; Wood, M.B.; Cornell, John H.; O'Reilly, Henry; Cornell, E.S.; Sibley, Hiram Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 19 Folder 7
Correspondence
1858-03-19-1858-04-29
Digital
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Scope and Contents
March 21, 1858. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "The Western Union is doing better this winter than we expected it would. We had made up our mind to be contented if we got through the winter without running in debt, but we shall make something?. With a little increase in these dividends and prompt payment by NY&E I hope to get along and pay my debts, but still the amt. I owe the NY,A & Bu Co. $10,000 worries me more or less?." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, stock sales and transfers, legal conflicts, office operations; cattle Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Curtiss, George; Wood, M.B.; Sibley, Hiram; Cornell, John H.; Cornell, E.S.; Beebe, Jeremiah S. Geography:
Box 19 Folder 8
Correspondence
1858-05-04-1858-06-10
Digital
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Scope and Contents
May 28, 1858. Phebe Wood to Ezra Cornell: "I recieved your letter and read it more in sorrow than anger. Now how a man who never wrote a letter in his life without misspelling some of his words can have the brass to ridicule others is more than I can see?if I applied to my wife for information or kept some one running to the dictionary as often as you do no doubt I would spell better?" Also: discussion of the Rulloff murder case. Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: stock sales and transfers, finances, legal conflicts. Personal names: Wood, M.B.; Wood, O.S.; Wood, Phebe; Curtiss, George; Elwood, Isaac R.; Chester, E.W. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 19 Folder 9
Correspondence
1858-06-15-1858-07-28
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: legal conflicts (Lake Erie suit), finances, stock sales and transfers. Personal names: Chace, Miller; Chester, E.W.; Elwood, Isaac R.; Curtiss, George; Craig, D.H.; Wood, M.B.; Elwood, Isaac R.; Cornell, D.B.; Speed, J.J. Geography: Albion, Mich.
Box 19 Folder 10
Correspondence
1858-08-03-1858-10-10
Digital
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Scope and Contents
August 30, 1858. Ezra Cornell to the President of the Republican County Convention naming Alonzo B. Cornell as Ezra Cornell's substitute for the position of delegate from Ithaca and speaking of the importance of the coming election and counseling "wisdom and harmony in the deliberation and action of the convention." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: stock sales and transfers, finances. Personal names: Cornell, D.B.; Curtiss, George; Hopkins, P.A.; Cornell, E.S.; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Elwood, Isaac R.; Wood, M.B.; Cornell, Jane; O'Reilly, Henry; Smith, F.O.J. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Pine River.
Box 19 Folder 11
Correspondence
1858-10-11-1858-11-22
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell family genealogy and history; telegraph business correspondence: legal conflicts (wool suit), stock sales and transfers. Personal names: Rowell, Mary; Wood, M.B.; Curtiss, George; Cornell, John H.; Smith, F.O.J.; Cornell, E.S.; Cornell, Angeline M.; Cornell, D.B. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Albion, Mich.
Box 19 Folder 12
Correspondence
1858-11-23-1859-01-03
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December 6, 1858. Ezra Cornell to Peter Cooper giving an account of his experiences with submarine telegraph cables. Topics: telegraph business correspondence: stock sales and transfers Personal names: Elwood, Isaac R.; Speed, J.J.; Wood, M.B.; Wood, O.S.; Chace, Miller; Cooper, Peter. Geography: Albion, Mich.; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 19 Folder 13
Correspondence
1859-01-04-1859-02-13
Digital
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Scope and Contents
January 19, 1859. Jas. W. Haight to Ezra Cornell concerning stuffing animals for Ezra Cornell. Topics: agriculture; coal oil business; cattle; telegraph business correspondence: stock sales and transfers; finances Personal names: Cornell, D.B.; Cornell, John H.; Chester, E.W.; Cornell, Jane; Curtiss, George; Wood, O.S.; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Cornell, E.S. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Pine River.
Box 19 Folder 14
Correspondence
1859-02-13-1859-03-16
Digital
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February 16, 1859. Ezra Cornell to John H. Cornell concerning family genealogy with details concerning the families of Elijah Cornell and Eunice Barnard. Topics: coal oil business; Cornell family genealogy and history; agriculture; telegraph business correspondence Personal names: Cornell, D.B.; Wood, M.B.; Dunham, Emily; Cornell, John H.; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Chester, E.W.; Shaffner, T. P.; Haight, J.W.; Chace, Miller; Cornell, E.S. Geography: Albion, Mich.; Ithaca, N.Y.; Pine River.
Box 19 Folder 15
Correspondence
1859-03-19-1859-04-23
Digital
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Scope and Contents
March 28, 1859. Jane Cornell to Ezra Cornell announcing her plans to be married. April 19, 1859. B.P. Johnson of the New York State Agricultural Rooms to Ezra Cornell concerning the Ithaca Farmers Club and its library. Topics: cattle; telegraph business correspondence: stock sales and transfers; coal oil business Personal names: Chace, Miller; Sibley, Hiram; Cornell, Jane; Curtiss, George; Chester, E.W. Geography:
Box 20 Folder 1
Correspondence
Digital
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Scope and Contents
April, 1859. O.S. Wood to Ezra Cornell providing an account of the telegraph industry's development and his role in it. Topics: Forest Park farm; telegraph business correspondence: stock transfers; coal oil business Personal names: Wood, James; Beebe, Jeremiah S.; Wood, M.B. Geography: Coshocton, Ohio
Box 20 Folder 2
Correspondence
1859-06-01-1859-07-15
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Forest Park farm; telegraph business correspondence: transfer of lines, consolidation of lines; coal oil business Personal names: Robertson, H.D. Geography: Coshocton, Ohio
Box 20 Folder 3
Correspondence
1859-07-16-1859-09-08
Digital
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Scope and Contents
August 22, 1859. describing his business prospects in coal oil business. Topics: Forest Park farm; telegraph business correspondence: stock transfers, patents; coal oil business Personal names: Wood, M.B.; Chester, E.W.; Curtiss, George; Wood, O.S.; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Dryden, N.Y.; Kentucky; Coshocton, Ohio
Box 20 Folder 4
Correspondence
1859-09-11-1859-10-21
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Forest Park farm; telegraph business correspondence: finances, patents; coal oil business; Cornelian Oil Company Personal names: Chace, Miller; Wood, Otis E.; Faxton, Theodore; Smith, F.O.J. Geography: Coshocton, Ohio
Box 20 Folder 5
Correspondence
1859-10-22-1859-11-26
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Forest Park farm; Telegraph business correspondence: finances, stock transfers; coal oil business; Cornelian Oil Company; Western Union Telegraph Company; Illinois and Mississippi Telegraph Company; Breckenridge Coal and Oil Company. Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Wood, M.B.; Robertson, M.E.; Pew, W.P. Geography: Coshocton, Ohio
Box 20 Folder 6
Correspondence
1859-11-28-1859-12-31
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: transfer of leases, finances, litigation; Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Rail Road; coal oil business; Forest Park farm Personal names: Cornell, E.S.; Smith, F.O.J.; Cornell, Jane; Faxton, Theodore; Sibley, Hiram; Pew, W.P. Geography: Coshocton, Ohio
Box 20 Folder 7
Correspondence
1860-01-01-1860-03-07
Digital
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Scope and Contents
February 17, 1860. Hiram Sibley to Ezra Cornell from Washington: "I have been here for three weeks urging a bill through congress in aid of a line to California. By writing at once to any member of Either House with whom you may have influence, you may [?] in measure the value of which to our company." Topics: Forest Park farm; telegraph business correspondence; cattle; Farmers Club (Ithaca); coal oil business Personal names: Sibley, Hiram; Curtiss, George; Minot, Charles; Wood, M.B.; Wood, Phebe; Smith, F.O.J.; Pew, W.P.; Robertson, Ezra Cornell; Robertson, Mary C. Geography: Coshocton, Ohio; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 20 Folder 8
Correspondence
1860-03-09-1860-04-25
Digital
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March 11, 1860. from Washington: "Last Tuesday being the Presidents reception night?I called up at the White house, shook hands with 'James the Usurper,' circulated through the gaudy apartments and throng until the crowd became too dense to be pleasant when I returned to the hotel." Description of Washington conditions and political scene. Topics: telegraph business correspondence; coal oil business; Forest Park farm; Ithaca town elections. Personal names: Pew, W.P.; Curtiss, George; Wood, Phebe; Wood, M.B.; Chester, E.W.; Smith, F.O.J.; Buchanan, James. Geography: Washington, D.C.
Box 20 Folder 9
Correspondence
1860-04-26-1860-06-20
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Forest Park farm; telegraph business correspondence; coal oil business; livestock; wheat. Personal names: Curtiss, George; Faxton, Theodore; Cornell, E.S.; Wood, M.B.; Wood, Arlina. Geography:
Box 20 Folder 10
Correspondence
1860-06-22-1860-07-28
Digital
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Scope and Contents
June 26, 1860. Samuel Stone to Ezra Cornell: "Your generous letter of [ ] inst bringing with it your draft of $100 donated for the benefit of the suffers of the terrible tornado of 3rd inst." July 21, 1860. Ezra Cornell to Franklin C. Cornell describing a train and steamer journey from Ithaca to Montreal: "The Thousand Islands however were arranging themselves one after another in raped succession, claiming their tribute of admiration, and we fully enjoyed the freshness of morning vigor, and paid the willing tribute to their surpassing lovelyness." July 28, 1860. Henry Ingersoll to Ezra Cornell concerning presidential election: "?that you are well posted in political prospects. I feel a deep interest in how will N.York cast her electoral vote - believing and hoping that it will be given for Lincoln & Hamlin?" Topics: Forest Park farm; cattle; coal oil business; New York State Agricultural Rooms Personal names: Stone, Samuel; Smith, F.O.J.; Cornell, D.B.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cornell, E.S.; Pew, W.P.; Cornell, Franklin C.; Ingersoll, Henry Geography:
Box 20 Folder 11
Correspondence
1860-08-20-1860-10-27
Digital
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October 22, 1860. Circular letter from Otis E. Wood: "It is with no little pain that I announce to you my determination to quit the farm?" [in Etna]. October 22, 1860. Ezra Cornell's printed form: "I have had blanks prepared for the purpose of having the Agricultural Statistics of the County of Tompkins taken this Fall, to show the crop of the growth of the year of 1860." October 23, 1860. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell thanking Ezra Cornell for his gifts of books and the Cornells' visit, and describing the welcome accorded the Prince of England in Portland. October 27, 1860. D.B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "We are now having a series of political mass meetings in this section of country, the Hon. John P. Hale is stumping the state for Old Abe. I heard him last wednesday, we expect to give him a rousing majority in this state - Douglas stock is down low and still declining." Topics: coal oil business; Forest Park farm; cattle; telegraph business correspondence; national politics; New York State Agricultural Rooms; Tompkins County agricultural survey Personal names: Cornell, D.B.; Cornell, Jane; Wood, M.C.; Cornell, Elijah; Pew, W.P.; Tillotson, D.T.; Speed, J.J.; Hale, John P. Geography:
Box 20 Folder 12
Correspondence
1860-10-29-1860-12-08
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Forest Park farm; agriculture; American Terraculture Company; Tompkins County agricultural survey; New York State Agricultural Rooms; telegraph business correspondence Personal names: Todd, S.E.; Smith, Ezra; Wood, M.B.; O'Reilly, Henry; Robertson, Mary C.; Cornell, D.B.; Chace, Miller; Millspaugh, John H.; Wood, O.S. Geography:
Box 20 Folder 13
Correspondence
1860-12-10-1860-12-31
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: proposed California line; agriculture; Tompkins County agricultural surveys; meteorological instruments; Cayuga Inlet Personal names: Cornell, E.S.; Wood, M.B.; Millspaugh, John H.; Sibley, Hiram. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 20 Folder 14
Correspondence
1861-01-01-1861-01-18
Digital
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Scope and Contents
January 1861. Letters from Paul J. Cornell to Ezra Cornell discussing Cornell family genealogy and stating the position of the South versus the North regarding slavery and states' rights. January 8, 1861. Ezra Cornell to Paul J. Cornell discussing Cornell family genealogy and slavery. Topics: cattle; Tompkins County agricultural surveys; coal oil business; Cornell family genealogy and history Personal names: Cornell, Paul J.; Cornell, O.H. Perry; Wood, M.B.; Millspaugh, John H.; Wood, Deborah C.; Cornell, J.C.; Wood, M.B. Geography: Michigan
Box 21 Folder 1
Correspondence
1861-01-19-1861-02-06
Digital
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January 20, 1861. Ezra Cornell to I.R. Elwood: "The great question of the day is, have we a National Government? I have always thought we had, I think we have still." Topics: Possible dissolution of the Union; slavery; Tompkins County agricultural surveys; New York State Canal Commissioner's Office Personal names: Cornell, O.H. Perry; Robertson, H.D.; Cornell, D.B.; Rowell, Mary; Wood, M.B.; Cornell, Angeline Geography:
Box 21 Folder 2
Correspondence
1861-02-08-1861-03-13
Digital
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February 21, 1861. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "Tuesday I was coming down Broadway just before 3 P.M., and the gathering crowd along that popular thoroughfare reminded me that the Prest Elect was to arrive in the city at 3 and triumverate through Broadway to the Astor, I therefore turned into the Musuem when I reached that curiosity shop and got a window commanding the Astor from which I could notice the progress of the Nations Hope from Chamber Street to the Astor. At that distance I saw Mr. Lincoln alight from his carriage and enter his hotel, from which he soon after immerged through a window on the second story?and made a short speech to 25 acres of mottled humanity below. I could not hear a word that he uttered, but the convulsive jerks of his head, and bobing of his body indicated an earnestness of speech, and called forth the wildest shouts of applause from the solid mass of admirers below. As Mr. Lincoln has not called on me I have seen nothing more of him. Mr. L held receptions at the Astor at the city hall, but I regarded it as undignified for a New York farmer to mingle with the bulls, bears, & dead rabbits of this metropolis, I therefore must excuse myself from any description of the scene." Topics: Tompkins County agricultural surveys; wheat.; Forest Park farm; coal oil business; national politics; Abolition; secession; slavery Personal names: Robertson, Mary C.; Chester, E.W.; Curtiss, George; Millspaugh, John H.; Cornell, Angeline; Cornell, D.B.; Lincoln, Abraham; Chace, Miller; Schuyler, Philip C. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; New York City; Kansas
Box 21 Folder 3
Correspondence
1861-03-14-1861-04-08
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Tompkins County agricultural surveys; Forest Park farm; agriculture; wheat.; coal oil business; New York State Canal Commissioner's Office; Cayuga Inlet; secession Personal names: Chace, Alonzo; Cornell, Ezra E.; Cornell, D.B.; Barnard, D.; Wood, O.S.; Robertson, Mary C.; Wood, M.B.; Cornell, Paul J.; Pew, W.P. Geography: Gloversville, N.Y.; DeRuyter, N.Y.; Coshocton, Ohio
Box 21 Folder 4
Correspondence
1861-04-09-1861-05-31
Digital
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April 22, 1861. Paul J. Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "Your predictions, concerning our state, I am ashamed to confess, are?to be realized for the disunionist have or are about to?our good old state into this unholy war against our wishes & better judgment, it is hard for us to fight against the star spangled banner, that which our fathers suffered, bled, dide and won for our enjoyments. The negrows are volunteering there servises all over the state to fight against the north, thay are not made to do so, for thay say the abolissionist doo dem moor harm than they do good?" May 2, 1861. Ezra Cornell to Paul J. Cornell discussing the political and moral nature of the outbreak of the Civil War. Topics: Forest Park farm; coal oil business; secession; slavery; Ovid Agricultural College; Farmers Club (Ithaca); New York State Agricultural Rooms; Ithaca Volunteer Fund; Civil War Personal names: Pew, W.P.; Cornell, John H.; Curtiss, George; Cornell, O.H. Perry; Cornell, E.S.; Wood, Orson B.; Chester, E.W. Geography: Kentucky; Virginia.
Box 21 Folder 5
Correspondence
1861-06-04-1861-10-26
Digital
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June 4, 1861. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "The death of Douglass which we have just heard will be regretted by the Nation at this critical juncture. If he had poped off before hatching his Squatter Soverign herricy his death would have been a National blessing." Topics: coal oil business; Forest Park farm; telegraph business correspondence; Civil War: Battle of Bull Run, prisoners (John W. and Ezra E. Cornell). Personal names: Chace, Miller; Wood, O.S.; Speed, J.J.; Wood, M.B.; Cornell, J.W.; Chace, Rebecca; Cornell, Ezra E.; Stone, Samuel Geography: Chicago
Box 21 Folder 6
Correspondence
1861-11-03-1861-11-25
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell family genealogy and history; Civil war: contributing supplies; coal oil business; Tompkins County agricultural surveys (report); Farmers Club (Ithaca) Personal names: Cornell, D.B.; Wood, Otis E.; Wood, M.B. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 21 Folder 7
Correspondence
1861-12-02-1862-01-08
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: coal oil business; Civil War; New York State Agricultural Rooms; Family correspondence; Forest Park farm Personal names: Wood, M.B.; Curtiss, George; Cornell, O.H. Perry; Wood, O.S.; Robertson, Mary C.; Smith, F.O.J.; Finch, James; Finch, Jane Cornell Geography:
Box 21 Folder 8
Correspondence
1862-01-10-1862-01-22
Digital
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January 10, 1862. O.H. Perry Cornell to Ezra Cornell and Mary Ann Cornell: "I write to ask forgiveness for one or two rather quick speeches in my last letter and to ask you to write to me at least if nothing more for I have done nothing as yet that I deserve to be thus treated by you, to be sure I married very young but Dear Parents Louise is more than twice worthy of me she is good and she is pure and all you can say is she is poor." January 13, 1862. [Barnard] to Ezra Cornell: "Father?wished me to write down what he knew in regard to the impresment of American Seamen he says in 1804 he sailed with Timothy Barnard when on the South side of Long Island (in sight of it) the Brittish Frigate Combarine boarded them and took their mate whose name was Cunningham?" Topics: New York State Legislature: letters from constituents; Civil War; Forest Park farm; New York State Agricultural Rooms; cattle; Cayuga Inlet; coal oil business; New York State Agricultural Society Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cornell, O.H. Perry; Barnard, D.; Cornell, D.B.; Cornell, Franklin C.; Wood, M.B.; Cornell, Ezra E. Geography: Albany, N.Y.; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 21 Folder 9
Correspondence
1862-01-22-1862-02-06
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: New York State Legislature: letters and petitions from constituents, legislation; Forest Park farm; New York State Agricultural Rooms; coal oil business; Western Union Telegraph Company; agriculture; New York State Agricultural survey; New York State Agricultural Society; diphtheria. Personal names: Wood, M.B.; Cornell, Franklin C.; Cornell, O.H. Perry; Smith, F.O.J. Geography: Albany, N.Y.; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 21 Folder 10
Correspondence
1862-02-06-1862-02-24
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Forest Park farm; New York State Legislature: letters from constituents and others; Civil War; cattle; agriculture; New York State Agricultural Rooms; Western Union Telegraph Company Personal names: Cornell, E.B.; Cornell, Franklin C.; Cornell, N.P.; Egbert, J.D.; Robertson, H.D.; Chester, E.W.; Finch, Jane Cornell; Cornell, O.H. Perry; Wood, O.S. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Albany, N.Y.
Box 21 Folder 11
Correspondence
1862-02-25-1862-03-05
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Civil War; New York State Legislature: letters from constituents; Forest Park farm; coal oil business; sheep Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Wood, W. Irving; Curtiss, George Geography: Albany, N.Y.; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 21 Folder 12
Correspondence
1862-03-06-1862-03-13
Digital
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March 10, 1862. Ezra Cornell to O.H. Perry Cornell: "I will receive you and your wife as members of the family and trust to the future to determine the wisdom of my decision. I advise you to prepare to move out to the Danby farm which I have possession of on the 1st of Apl next." Topics: Sodus Canal; New York State Legislature: letters from constituents; Danby farm; Forest Park farm; coal oil business; Cayuga Inlet; Vassar College; Western Union Telegraph Company: benefits; American Telegraph Company Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Chester, E.W.; Curtiss, George; Boardman, T.; Pew, W.P.; Cornell, Franklin C.; Cornell, Benjamin; Wood, M.B.; Speed, J.J.; Cornell, O.H. Perry Geography: Albany, N.Y.; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 21 Folder 13
Correspondence
1862-03-14-1862-03-29
Digital
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March 23, 1862. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "I am sorry to hear that Frank maintains ill feelings towards Perry. I want to see this feeling dispated, and see you treat each other like brothers." March 27, 1862. O.S. Wood to Ezra Cornell, telegram: "Grandfather died at five this evening. Funeral day after tomorrow at one." March, 1862. Draft of a speech by Ezra Cornell to New York State Assembly. Topics: Cayuga Inlet; Forest Park farm; New York Legislature: legislation; telegraph industry; American Telegraph Company; New York State Agricultural Society Personal names: Cornell, D.B.; Wood, M.B.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Booth, Mariah; Speed, J.J.; Chester, E.W.; Pew, W.P.; Livingston, Cambridge; Cornell, Elijah Geography: Albany, N.Y.; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 21 Folder 14
Correspondence
1862-04-01-1862-04-30
Digital
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April 22, 1862. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "Our appropriations are all right yet, and I think will remain so, but it is something like a band of robbers dividing spoils to get any thing. To see the way new or yearling members are kicked & cuffed about in those scrambles extants vows from many that they will never be caught at Albany again as a Member." Topics: Death of Elijah Cornell; coal oil business; New York State Legislature: legislation, bills passed for Tompkins County; New York State Agricultural survey; New York State Agricultural Rooms; New York State Veterinary College; cattle; telegraph industry; transcontinental telegraph line; Cayuga Inlet; sheep; Western Union Company; Tompkins County Agricultural Society Personal names: Robertson, Mary C.; Wood, M.B.; Cornell, John H.; Sibley, Hiram; Speed, J.J.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Tillotson, D.T. Geography: New York City; Albany, N.Y.; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 21 Folder 15
Correspondence
1862-05-01-1862-05-19
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: New York State Legislature: legislation; Sodus Canal; Forest Park farm; telegraph industry; transcontinental telegraph line; International Exhibition (London); European agricultural societies. Personal names: Cobb, Emory; Sibley, Hiram; Cornell, J.W.; Ritso, Frederick. Geography:
Box 22 Folder 1
Correspondence
1862-05-20-1862-06-27
Digital
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Scope and Contents
n.d. Ezra Cornell's itinerary for trip to Europe. Topics: Family correspondence; New York State Agricultural Society; letters of introduction for upcoming trip to Europe; Western Union Company; agriculture; sheep Personal names: Barnard, D.R.; Wright, Avis; Smith, F.O.J.; Cornell, John H.; Cornell, J.W.; Sibley, Hiram Geography:
Box 22 Folder 2
Correspondence
1862-07-01-1862-09-30
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: New State Agricultural Society; travel (England, Scotland); sheep Personal names: Dagwell, John; Sherwood, S.P.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Webb, Jonas; Wood, Daniel Geography: England; Scotland.
Box 22 Folder 3
Correspondence
1862-10-06-1862-10-26
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: agriculture; Family correspondence; New York State Agriculture Rooms; real estate; New York State Agricultural Society; sheep; finances; cattle; Cornelian Oil Company Personal names: Fink, J.; Cornell, E.S.; Wilcox, A.; Chester, E.W.; Wood, Phebe; Robertson, Mary C.; Cornell, J.W. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Albion
Box 22 Folder 4
Correspondence
1862-10-27-1862-11-11
Digital
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Scope and Contents
November 1, 1862. J. Curd to Ezra Cornell from Lexington, Kentucky discussing the Confederate presence in Kentucky and the impact on his life and farm: "Well, you may say the Confederate troops were at my door for they were encamped in my front lot for more than a month fifteen hundred or two thousand, just because I was known to be an unconditional union man they tormented me nearly out of my life?" Topics: New York State Agricultural Society (Road law); cattle; sheep; New York State Agricultural Rooms; Western Union Telegraph Company; real estate; Cornelian Oil Company; agriculture Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Cobb, Emory; Chester, E.W.; Wood, M.B.; Cornell, E.E.; Osborne, D.M.; O'Reilly, Henry; Chase, Edward. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Coshocton, Ohio; Kentucky
Box 22 Folder 5
Correspondence
1862-11-12-1862-11-25
Digital
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Scope and Contents
November 12, 1862. J. M. Haight to Ezra Cornell discussing payment for a collection of stuffed birds in cases. November 17, 1862. H.J. Raymond to Ezra Cornell discussing state politics, possibility that Cornell's name will be thought of as Speaker in the New York State Assembly, and reporting news of the war. Topics: New York State Agricultural Society; sheep; Ezra E. Cornell sick with typhoid fever in Lockport; New York State Legislature; cattle; women's education; agriculture; New York State Agricultural College (Ovid); telegraph business correspondence Personal names: Haight, J.M.; Wood, M.B.; Raymond, H.J.; Cushman, J.B.; Wood, Daniel; Chace, Miller; Kelly, W.; Smith, F.O.J. Geography: Coshocton, Ohio
Box 22 Folder 6
Correspondence
1862-11-26-1862-12-12
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: agriculture; sheep; New York State Agricultural College (Ovid); New York State Legislature; cattle; Montezuma Swamp and Sodus Canal; Western Union Telegraph Company Personal names: Fink, J.; Curtiss, George; Smith, F.O.J.; Geddes, George; Sibley, Hiram; Joy, Arad; Wood, Daniel Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 22 Folder 7
Correspondence
1862-12-15-1862-12-29
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: agriculture; sheep; cattle; telegraph business correspondence; death of Ezra E. Cornell; People's College (Havana, New York); Land Grant Act; New York State Legislature: letters from constituents (Captain in Union army requesting Ezra Cornell's assistance in obtaining promotions for Tompkins County officers); Western Union Company Personal names: Pew, W.P.; Smith, F.O.J.; Johnson, B.P.; Sibley, Hiram; Cushman, J.B.; Elwood, I.R.; Randall, H.S.; Cornell, Ezra E.; Wyckoff, W.O.; Riggs, M.C.; Chester, E.W. Geography:
Box 22 Folder 8
Correspondence
1862-12-31-1863-01-07
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Scope and Contents
1862. Listing and description of soldiers sent from London (one Prussian, two Germans, four Hungarians, one Polish). January 4, 1863. Capt. Isaac S. Tichenor to Ezra Cornell concerning policies followed in promoting officers. January 7, 1863. Phebe Wood to Ezra Cornell and Mary Ann Cornell concerning war news, family news, and including a photo album from "Santa Claus." Topics: Western Union Telegraph Company; agriculture; telegraph business correspondence: Pacific line, stock, dividends; real estate; cattle Personal names: Sibley, Hiram; Wade, J.H.; Randall, H.S.; Wilcox, A.; Elwood, I.R.; Tichenor, Isaac S.; Curtiss, George; Dunham, J.; Wood, Phebe Geography:
Box 22 Folder 9
Correspondence
1863-01-08-1863-01-14
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: New York State Legislature: letters from constituents; Western Union Telegraph Company: stocks, dividends; cattle; New York State canals (Sodus Canal); People's College; Ithaca real estate; Family correspondence Personal names: Ramsey, A.B.; Wyckoff, W.O.; Thomas, E.N.; Folger, C.; Robertson, Mary C.; Cornell, E.S.; Elwood, I.R.; Cornell, E.B.; Wood, M.B. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Albion
Box 22 Folder 10
Correspondence
1863-01-15-1863-01-30
Digital
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January 19, 1863. W. Irving Wood to Ezra Cornell from Army hospital in Alexandria, Va. describing where he is and where he has traveled with the Union Army. January 26, 1863. D.B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell from Army camp in Louisiana, about 12 miles above Vicksburg describing life in the camp and discussing the family and farm he left in Illinois: "There has been a great deal of trouble about our getting our mails since we left Jackson Tenn, Nov, and in fact about the amount of what do get that we can depend upon is mouldy bread, musty bacon body lice and curses from drunken officers?" January 26, 1863. H.W. Sage to Ezra Cornell concerning Ezra Cornell's interest in Sage's Ithaca real estate: "If I lived at Ithaca & could find one man without fear of his own shadow, to join me, I would undertake to make all that valley properly valuable -- I know it can be done and I know that you comprehend the ways -- & have the means, to do it?" Topics: New York State Agricultural Society; telegraph business correspondence: Pacific line; sheep; cattle; Forest Park farm; agriculture; Civil War; salt; Family correspondence; Western Union Telegraph Company Personal names: Cornell, John H.; Mumford, G.H.; Curtiss, George; Cornell, Frank C.; Wood, W. Irving; Wade, J.H.; Elwood, I.R.; Wilcox, A.; Root, O.; Pew, W.P.; Cornell, F.C.; Cornell, D.B.; Sage, H.W.; Sibley, Hiram; Cornell, E.B.; Wood, O.S.; Wood, M.B. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Albany, N.Y.; Albion; Vicksburg, MS
Box 100 Folder 4
Letter from Ezra Cornell to Son Frank
1863-02-01
Box 22 Folder 11
Correspondence
1863-02-01-1863-02-08
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Civil War; Ithaca real estate; New York State Legislature: letters from constituents; Forest Park farm; Banking Law; request for donation for Sabbath School and lecture room. Personal names: Howard, J.M.; Sage, H.W.; Wyckoff, W.O.; Elwood, I.R.; Clark, A.B.; Cornell, Franklin C.; Esty, Edward S.; Wood, Phebe; Wood, Daniel; Sherwood, S.P. Geography: Albany, N.Y.; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 22 Folder 12
Correspondence
1863-02-09-1863-02-18
Digital
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Scope and Contents
February 9, 1863. F.H. Moor to Ezra Cornell from Boston offering his services in preparing a plan for the proposed Cornell Public Library. Topics: New York State Agricultural survey; Cornell Public Library building; New York State Legislature: letters from constituents; request for donation to Ithaca Academy; Danby War Committee; Civil War; Western Union Telegraph Company Personal names: Moor, F.H.; Boardman, Douglass; Clark, A.B.; Cornell, J.W.; Curtiss, E.L.B.; Wood, W. Irving; Pew, W.P.; Sibley, Hiram; Sherwood, S.P. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Albany, N.Y.
Box 22 Folder 13
Correspondence
1863-02-19-1863-02-28
Digital
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Scope and Contents
February 20, 1863. Arad Joy to Ezra Cornell from Ovid requesting Ezra Cornell to have a bill introduced for appropriating lands to the New York State Agricultural College. Topics: New York State Legislature: letters from constituents; subscriptions and bounties; salt; New York State Agricultural survey; cattle; agriculture; Cornell Public Library Personal names: Cornell, O.H. Perry; Joy, Arad; Macy, Philander; Finch, F.M.; Schuyler, G.W. Geography:
Box 22 Folder 14
Correspondence
1863-03-02-1863-03-10
Digital
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Scope and Contents
March 2, 1863. Ezra Cornell to F.M. Finch concerning the design of the library building and suggesting that all architects from Ithaca be given an opportunity to submit plans for "an edifice from which the rays of light and knowledge was to eradiate to her present and future generations." March 2, 1863. M.B. Wood to Ezra Cornell discussing national politics. March 2, 1863. Paul J. Cornell to Ezra Cornell about conditions in North Carolina Topics: Cornell Public Library; Civil War; International Agricultural Exhibition at Hamburg; New York State Legislature: letters from constituents; Family correspondence; Forest Park farm; railroads Personal names: Finch, F.M.; Wood, M.B.; Cornell, E.S.; Curtiss, George; Wyckoff, W.O.; Cornell, J.W.; Glenny, William; Tarbell, D.; Nolte, Adolph; Cornell, Franklin C.; Cornell, Paul J.; Chester, E.W. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Albion; Washington, NC
Box 22 Folder 15
Correspondence
1863-03-11-1863-03-17
Digital
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Scope and Contents
March 11, 1863. D. B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell from camp at Providence, La.: "You may rest assured Brother that I will never turn my back to the enemies of our country. I enlisted as a private and sought no higher position but our Lt. Col?.appointed me colour bearer. I felt proud of the confidence he placed in me but would rather he had not appointed me to that position yet inasmuch as it his pleasure I would not express the least wish or word to the contrary, and I know that I will never disgrace that proud emblem of liberty? "?we are here inactive and are as the saying is spoiling for a fight, we are anxious to be doing something that will tell towards crushing out this rebelion, we have never yet as a regiment had the privelege of facing the foe? "I shall feel more reconciled to the fate that may await me as a soldier, since I have the assureance that in case I fall you will attend to the wants of my family - yet I cannot think otherwise than that I shall return to them - I only fear that the 95th regt. will never have an opportunity to prove their superiority to their number of rebles?" Topics: Civil War; New York State Agricultural Society; New York State Legislature: letters from constituents; Cornell Public Library; agriculture Personal names: Cornell, D.B.; Tarbell, D.; Schuyler, G.W.; Terrey, D.; Curtiss, George; Pew, W.P.; Cornell, E.B.; Chester, E.W. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 22 Folder 16
Correspondence
1863-03-18-1863-03-25
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: New York State Legislature: letters from constituents; cattle; Cornell Public Library; Western Union Telegraph Company; land grant appropriations; response to address before the New York State Agricultural Society. Personal names: Cornell, Franklin C.; Van Rensselaer, R.H.; Mumford, G.H.; Curd, John; Chace, Miller; Curtiss, George; Finch, F.M.; King, J.H.; Wood, W. Irving; Macy, Philander; Glenny, G. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Albany, N.Y.
Box 23 Folder 1
Correspondence
1863-03-26-1863-04-06
Digital
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Scope and Contents
April, 1863: "Received of E. Cornell seventy three dollars for support of families of Colored Volunteers of Albany County." Topics: telegraph business correspondence; Land Grant Act; New York State Legislature: legislation; Cornell Public Library; Family correspondence; Danby farm; Civil War; Montreal Telegraph Company. Personal names: Pew, W.P.; Wood, O.S.; Curtiss, George; Finch, F.M.; Cornell, O.H. Perry; Torrey, William A.; Cornell, Franklin C. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 23 Folder 2
Correspondence
1863-04-07-1863-04-13
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: New York State Legislature: legislation; Copperheads; cattle; Sodus Canal; Cornell Public Library; coal oil business; Land Grant Act; Cayuga and Oswego Canal. Personal names: Pew, W.P.; Wood, M.B.; Finch, F.M.; Schuyler, A.; Curtiss, George Geography: New York City
Box 23 Folder 3
Correspondence
1863-04-14-1863-04-29
Digital
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Scope and Contents
April 16, 1863. D.B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell from encampment in the Union Army. April 17, 1863. M.B. Wood to Ezra Cornell: "We are watching with great anxiety to hear of Charleston being taken by our forces and are preparing for a big jollification on receipt of the news. We have a big national flag ready to raise that cost us $36 in NY city." Topics: New York State Legislature: legislation; Western Union Telegraph Company: dividends; Land Grant Act; People's College (Havana); Wisconsin lands Personal names: Pew, W.P.; Finch, F.M.; Cornell, D.B.; Chester, E.W. Geography:
Box 23 Folder 4
Correspondence
1863-05-01-1863-05-18
Digital
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Scope and Contents
May 1, 1863. W.O. Wyckoff to Ezra Cornell describing life in the Union Army. Topics: New York State Agricultural College (Ovid); New York State Agricultural survey; New York State Canal Commissioner's Office; Loyal League of Union Citizens; Civil War; agriculture; Western Union Telegraph Company Personal names: Pew, W.P.; Chester, E.W.; Wood, M.W.; Curtiss, George Geography:
Box 23 Folder 5
Correspondence
1863-05-19-1863-06-28
Digital
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Scope and Contents
May 24, 1863. W.O. Wyckoff to Ezra Cornell describing life in the Union Army. Topics: agriculture; Cornell Public Library; Civil War; cattle; Cornell family genealogy and history; New York State Bureau of Military Statistics; Western Union Telegraph Company: dividends Personal names: Sibley, Hiram; Wood, O.S.; Wood, M.W.; Wyckoff, W.O.; Barnard, D.R.; Cornell, Paul J.; Pew, W.P.; Carpenter, Eber. Geography: DeRuyter
Box 23 Folder 6
Correspondence
1863-07-02-1863-07-28
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: New York State Legislature: letters from constituents; Western Union Telegraph Company: stock Personal names: Pew, W.P.; Wood, Daniel; Curtiss, George Geography:
Box 23 Folder 7
Correspondence
1863-08-01-1863-09-07
Digital
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August 3, 1863. D.B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell including a meticulous account of his participation in the Battle of Vicksburg and his near fatal injury suffered in the assault: "I received my wound on the 19th of May at the first charge on the works in the rear of Vicksburg, our Brigade charged on what was called Fort Hill. ?my position was colour bearer and I had to go down a small ravine which was in the hillside?I was struck directly under and about 3/4 of an inch from my left eye --I did not fall, nor did the colours go down?I then went and lay down behind a fallen tree expecting to bleed to death?the ball had apparently struck the limb of a tree and was comeing diagonaly down as it passed through my hat rim over my left temple, it passed through the roof of my mouth cutting an ugly gash on the inside of my right cheek and lodged at the angle of my jaw shattering it severely." Topics: agriculture; Civil War; Cornell Public Library; New York State Agricultural Rooms; telegraph industry; Sodus Canal Personal names: Pew, W.P.; Cornell, D.B.; Wood, O.S.; Chace, Miller; Chester, E.W. Geography: Kansas; Vicksburg, MS; Albany, N.Y.
Box 23 Folder 8
Correspondence
1863-09-08-1863-09-28
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: agriculture; Cornell Public Library; New York State Agricultural Rooms; New York State Legislature; Ezra Cornell's election to the State Senate; Ezra Cornell's charitable contributions Personal names: Millspaugh, John H.; Cornell, E.S.; Pew, W.P.; Wood, O.S. Geography: Kansas; Albany, N.Y.
Box 23 Folder 9
Correspondence
1863-09-29-1863-10-10
Digital
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Scope and Contents
October 2, 1863. D.B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell describing life in a convalescent hospital in Illinois. Topics: New York State Legislature: letters from constituents; agriculture; New York State canals; cattle Personal names: Wells, Henry; Chester, George F.; Cornell, D.B. Geography:
Box 23 Folder 10
Correspondence
1863-10-12-1863-10-29
Digital
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Scope and Contents
October 12, 1863. M.B. Wood to Ezra Cornell describing a battle. October 18, 1863. D.B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell describing life in a convalescent hospital in Illinois. Topics: Civil War; Western Union Telegraph Company: dividends; New York State Agricultural Rooms Personal names: Millspaugh, John H.; Wood, M.B.; Wood, O.S.; Cornell, John H.; Cornell, D.B. Geography:
Box 23 Folder 11
Correspondence
1863-11-02-1863-11-19
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: New York State Legislature: legislation Personal names: Robertson, M.O.; Wood, O.S.; Cornell, John W.; Sibley, Hiram; Cornell, John H.; Pew, W.P. Geography:
Box 23 Folder 12
Correspondence
1863-11-20-1863-12-11
Digital
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Scope and Contents
November 29, 1863. D.B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell describing life in a convalescent hospital in Illinois. Topics: New York State Legislature; agriculture; sheep; Forest Park farm; New York State canals Personal names: Curtiss, George; Pew, W.P.; Robertson, M.O.; Faxton, Theodore; Cornell, D.B.; Wood, O.S. Geography:
Box 23 Folder 13
Correspondence
1863-12-12-1863-12-26
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: agriculture; New York State Legislature; New York State canals; cattle; Western Union Telegraph Company Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Ingersoll, Charles; Barnard, D.R.; Chester, E.W.; Cornell, Paul J.; Cornell, Ezra E. Geography:
Box 23 Folder 14
Correspondence
1863-12-28-1864-01-09
Digital
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Scope and Contents
December 31, 1863. Benjamin Cornell to Ezra Cornell describing camp life and re-enlistments. January 6, 1864. J.P.S. Briant to Ezra Cornell: "The accompanying Pistol and ammunition was captured from a Rebel officer at the Storming of 'St. Mary's Hights,' Fredericksburgh?. As these mementos of the 'Slave Holders Rebellion' will be prized in after times, I take pleasure in placing them in your hands for presentation to the Farmers Club of Tompkins County for preservation." Topics: New York State Legislature: legislation; real estate; Civil War; Western Union Telegraph Company: stock; New York State Agricultural College (Ovid); Cornell Public Library; New York State canals; Cascadilla Institute; People's College Personal names: Cornell, Benjamin; Cartwright, Robert; Finch, F.M.; Greeley, Horace Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 23 Folder 15
Correspondence
1864-01-10-1864-01-17
Digital
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Scope and Contents
January 13, 1864. Ezra Cornell to F.M. Finch: "I have five children, it would not benefit them to give them more than $100,000 each, thus less than half is disposed of?The Library will probably absorb $60,000, but supposing it to go to $75,000. What shall I do with the balance? I hope to do much good with it, but I really don't know how to dispose of it in a will so as to do the good with it that I should desire to do." January 15, 1864. F.M. Finch to Ezra Cornell: "Your remarks with reference to a will have staggered me. Your reflections have carried you into a region where mine had not entered." Topics: New York State Legislature: legislation; New York State canals; Western Union Telegraph Company: stock; Forest Park farm; Cascadilla Institute; Ezra Cornell's will; Family correspondence; Ithaca Savings Bank. Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cornell, Franklin C.; Finch, F.M.; Curtiss, George; Smith, F.O.J. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 24 Folder 1
Correspondence
1864-01-18-1864-01-24
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Western Union Telegraph Company: dividends, stock; Ezra Cornell's will; Cascadilla Institute; Ladies Aid Society; Civil War; Ezra Cornell's charitable contributions; Family correspondence; New York State Legislature: legislation Personal names: Finch, F.M.; Speed, J.J.; Wood, Phebe; Cornell, O.H. Perry; Cornell, E.B. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 24 Folder 2
Correspondence
1864-01-25-1864-02-01
Digital
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Scope and Contents
January 30, 1864. William Glenny letter describing life and Army politics in camp near Germania Ford, Virginia. Topics: New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents; Civil War; gun stock; agriculture; New York State canals; Cornell Public Library Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Chester, E.W.; Glenny, William; Cornell, John H. Geography:
Box 24 Folder 3
Correspondence
1864-02-02-1864-02-08
Digital
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Scope and Contents
February 6, 8, 1864. William Glenny letters describing life and Army politics in camp in Germania Ford, Virginia. Topics: New York State Agricultural survey; Wisconsin lands; New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents; Civil War; New York State canals; Forest Park farm Personal names: Parker, Amasa J.; Finch, F.M.; Cornell, O.H. Perry; Wood, W. Irving Geography:
Box 24 Folder 4
Correspondence
1864-02-09-1864-02-17
Digital
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Scope and Contents
February 11, 1864. Douglass Boardman to Ezra Cornell describing a tableaux theatrical presentation in Ithaca. February 14, 1864. D.B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell from convalescent hospital where he is a nurse: "If I were doing any thing to help crush the rebellion I would not murmer, but to have been shot in the way I was, and that too within three minutes after getting in sight of the Devils for the first time, and then not being premitted to go back to the field when I could actualy do more duty than four such men as they have been sending back who have recovered (or rather partialy recovered) from the various ills contracted in camp life, I tell you it is rather chilling." Topics: New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents; New York State canals; Cornell Public Library; Land Grant Act; People's College; agriculture; Cayuga Lake. Personal names: Pew, W.P.; Wood, M.B.; Boardman, Douglass; Glenny, William; Spaulding, Henry C.; Wells, Henry; Cornell, E.B.; Cornell, D.B. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 24 Folder 5
Correspondence
1864-02-18-1864-02-24
Digital
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Scope and Contents
February 18, 22, 24, 1864. William Glenny letters describing life and Army politics in camp near Germania Ford, Virginia. Topics: Civil War; New York State canals; New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents Personal names: Smith, F.O.J.; Wood, M.B.; Pew, W.P.; Beebe, Jessie C.; Boardman, Douglass Geography:
Box 24 Folder 6
Correspondence
1864-02-25-1864-02-29
Digital
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Scope and Contents
February 26, 1864. William Glenny letter describing life and Army politics in camp near Germania Ford, Virginia. February 28, 1864. Franklin C. Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "Perry moved last week his stock that he left to danby looks hard I don't think I ever saw a lot of calves that looked worse than his do?" Topics: New York State canals; New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents; Western Union Telegraph Company: dividends, stock; Forest Park farm; Danby farm; Cornell family genealogy and history; cattle; sheep; agriculture Personal names: Pew, W.P.; Cornell, John H.; Sibley, Hiram; Cornell, Franklin C.; Millspaugh, John H. Geography:
Box 24 Folder 7
Correspondence
1864-03-01-1864-03-11
Digital
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Scope and Contents
March 3, 10, 1864. William Glenny letters describing life and Army politics in camp near Germania Ford, Virginia. Topics: Western Union Telegraph Company: dividends, stock; New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents; Civil War Personal names: Spaulding, Henry C.; Sibley, Hiram; Wood, Phebe; Chester, E.W.; Glenny, William Geography:
Box 24 Folder 8
Correspondence
1864-03-12-1864-03-19
Digital
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Scope and Contents
March 12, 1864. William Glenny letter describing life and Army politics in camp near Germania Ford, Virginia. Topics: New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents and others; agriculture; Western Union Telegraph Company: dividends, stock; New York State canals Personal names: Cornell, E.B.; Pew, W.P.; Glenny, William Geography:
Box 24 Folder 9
Correspondence
1864-03-21-1864-03-29
Digital
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Scope and Contents
March 21, 1864. William Glenny letter describing life and Army politics in camp near Germania Ford, Virginia. Topics: Western Union Telegraph Company: dividends, stock; Cascadilla Place; Saratoga Race Course; New York State Legislature: legislation; Ezra Cornell's donation to Ithaca band; New York State Agricultural College (Ovid) Personal names: Nivison, S.S.; Curtiss, George; Speed, J.J.; Glenny, William Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 24 Folder 10
Correspondence
1864-03-30-1864-04-12
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph industry: western lines; Western Union Telegraph Company: dividends, stock; New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents and others; Steam cultivation; Wisconsin lands; national legislation; Cornelian Band (Ithaca); New York State canals Personal names: Sibley, Hiram; Wood, M.B.; Lee, W.; Beebe, A.; Speed, J.J.; Beebe, Jessie C. Geography:
Box 24 Folder 11
Correspondence
1864-04-13-1864-04-23
Digital
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Scope and Contents
April 13, 1864. Alonzo B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "From present appearances there will be no lack of capital to carry the thing through and I do hope you will not allow yourself to get into a position which will cause you the least uneasiness financially. You have worked hard and have secured a fortune?I really hope you will conclude to make your subn. $300,000 instead of $500,00." Topics: Western Union Telegraph Company: dividends, stock, Russian stock; New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents and others; national legislation Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Sage, H.W.; Sibley, Hiram; Speed, J.J. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 24 Folder 12
Correspondence
1864-04-24-1864-05-06
Digital
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Scope and Contents
April 26, 1864. W. Irving Wood to Ezra Cornell from camp near Alexandria, Virginia: "We left Annapolis at 6 A.M. the 23rd inst. we passed through Washington at noon yesterday & was reviewed by Genl. Burnside & the President as we passed, and we made a good appearance but it was very hard work after marching for two days & the night before we laid out through a drenching ravine & had marched 10 miles through the mud besides fording a stream that morning. Quite a number of men died yesterday on the road. Our corps now has 4 divisions the forth is of colored troops." Topics: Western Union Telegraph Company: dividends; Russian Telegraph; New York State Agricultural Rooms; New York State Legislature: legislation; Civil War; national legislation; Cornell family genealogy and history; Ithaca Gun Company. Personal names: Sibley, Hiram; Wood, W. Irving; Chester, E.W.; Barnard, Reuben; Selkreg, J.H. Geography: DeRuyter; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 24 Folder 13
Correspondence
1864-05-07-1864-05-20
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May 13, 1864. Petition by members of New York State Senate to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton: "The undersigned respectfully request a pass for Hon. Ezra Cornell to go within the lines of our Army to render assistance to the wounded." May 18, 1864. D.B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "I am going out into the State of Missouri recruiting for the 29th Ill. Colored Regt." May 20, 1864. John W. Brown to Ezra Cornell describing at length activities in and battles of the Union Army. Topics: Steam cultivation; New York Steam Agriculture Company; telegraph industry; Western Union Telegraph Company: dividends, stock; national legislation Personal names: Selkreg, J.H.; Sibley, Hiram; Cornell, D.B.; Brown, John W. Geography:
Box 24 Folder 14
Correspondence
1864-05-21-1864-06-04
Digital
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May 21, 1864. W. Irving Wood to Ezra Cornell describing battles near Spottsylvania. May 29, 1864. John W. Cornell to Ezra Cornell from New Orleans describing his capture and wounding in a war skirmish: "Probley you have sean the account of the capchur of the Gun Boat Signal No. 8 the one that I was on." Topics: Civil War; Cornell family genealogy and history; steam cultivator; Russian stock Personal names: Wood, W. Irving; Wright, Avis; Sibley, Hiram; Robinson, R.R.; Chester, E.W.; Cornell, John W.; Speed, J.J.; Wood, O.S.; Fenton, Reuben Geography: DeRuyter
Box 24 Folder 15
Correspondence
1864-06-05-1864-06-22
Digital
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Topics: agriculture; Russian stock; Ezra Cornell's Wisconsin lands; Civil War: colored regiments. Personal names: Chester, E.W.; Balch, G.W.; Cornell, D.B.; Pierpont, J.E.; Willers, D. Geography:
Box 25 Folder 1
Correspondence
1864-06-23-1864-07-19
Digital
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June 25, 1864. Mrs. Paul Cornell (Keturah M.) to Ezra Cornell from Portsmouth, N.C. describing her losses in the war. July 11, 1864. Paul J. Cornell to Ezra Cornell from Portsmouth, N.C. requesting loan from Ezra Cornell to reestablish himself in business in the South, possibly by speculating in cotton. July 19, 1864. John W. Cornell to Ezra Cornell describing conditions in a naval hospital in Chelsea, Mass. Topics: cattle; Montezuma Swamp; New York State Legislature; Massachusetts "cattle plague"; New York State Agricultural Society; telegraph business correspondence: Russian Telegraph stock; Western Union Company: stocks. Personal names: Palmer, O.H.; Spalding, Henry C.; Hopkins, P.A.; Cornell, Paul J.; Chester, E.W.; Cornell, J.W.; Cornell, Keturah Geography:
Box 25 Folder 2
Correspondence
1864-07-20-1864-08-09
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July 20, 1864. D.B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell from camp near Memphis, Tenn.: "My health is very good & the condition of my jaw's as such that I can eat any rations but hard tack, & I much prefer field to Hospital duty." July 20, August 1, 1864. J.H. Millspaugh to Ezra Cornell requesting his assistance in starting a photography studio in Ithaca, and making use of a room in the library building. July 23, 1864. D.B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell from camp near Memphis, Tenn. requesting his assistance in obtaining a commission in the Veteran Reserve Corps. July 24, 1864. John G. Apgar to Ezra Cornell informing him of the death of his nephew W. Irving Wood from his wound received in battle: "He was buried on Arlington Hights on the farm formeraly owned by Gen. R. E. Lee at present commanding the Rebel Army his and all other graves are properly marked and a record kept so that if the friends wish to they can remove the body in the fall?" July 28, August 3, 1864. Albert H. Chace to Ezra Cornell requesting advise and aid in opening an upholstery business. Topics: cattle; Civil War; Cornell Public Library (workers' strike); telegraph business correspondence: Ithaca Telegraph Company; Offer of natural history collection; steam agricultural machinery; New York State canals Personal names: Cornell, D.B.; Millspaugh, J.H.; Beebe, Alvah; Chester, E.W.; Wood, W. Irving; Apgar, J.G.; Chace, Albert H.; Jewett, E.; Boardman, Douglass; Palmer, O.H.; Cornell, E.B.; Lee, W.; Lummis, W. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 25 Folder 3
Correspondence
1864-08-10-1864-08-31
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August 11, 1864. D.B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell from Camp at St. Charles, Ark. August 27, 1864. B. Cassedy of the Office of the Commissioners of Emigration to Ezra Cornell concerning laborers for the building of the library. Topics: New York State canals; offer of natural history collections; steam agricultural machinery; telegraph business correspondence: stock; cattle; Cornell Public Library Personal names: Howell, R.; Cornell, D.B.; Adams, W.H.; Jewett, E.; Lummis, W.; Lee, W.; Cornell, John H. Geography:
Box 25 Folder 4
Correspondence
1864-09-01-1864-09-18
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September 5, 1864. C.S. Lozier, M.D. to Ezra Cornell concerning a scholarship to the New York Medical College for Women. Topics: New York State Agricultural Company; Western Union Telegraph Company; New York State Agricultural College (Ovid); telegraph business correspondence: inventions; steam agricultural machinery Personal names: Johnson, B.P.; Palmer, O.H.; Beebe, Alvah; Lozier, C.S., M.D.; Hawley, G.P.; Cornell, John H.; Lee, W.; Jewett, E.; Cornell, J.W. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 25 Folder 5
Correspondence
1864-09-20-1864-10-07
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October 3, 1864. "Ella" in New Hampshire to Ezra Cornell: "?I am gifted with what my teachers say, an uncommonly beautiful voice for singing, and being passionately fond of music, I have tried hard to get the means to purchase me an instrument, a Melodeon, is what I have always wished for. My parents have not the means to help me, and having no one else in this wide world to ask assistance of, it gave me encouragement to ask you, an entire stranger, when I read of your generosity. O! kind Sir, if you will enclose me one hundred dollars?" October 7, 1864. Henry A. Ward to Ezra Cornell describing various fossils he is interested in selling. Topics: cattle; New York State Agricultural College; real estate (Brooklyn); Cornell Public Library; Smith versus Cornell. Personal names: Bush, Isaac L.; Joy, Arad; Lee, W.; Finch, F.M.; Nichols & Brown; Allen, A.B.; Cornell, J.W.; Shaw, O.F.; Chester, E.W.; Ward, Henry A. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 25 Folder 6
Correspondence
1864-10-08-1864-10-22
Digital
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Topics: New York State Agricultural College; Family correspondence Personal names: Valk, Lawrence B.; Joy, Arad; Cornell, Keturah; Cornell, J.W.; Wood, Phebe; Chace, Eunice; Johnson, B.P.; Allen, A.B.; Cornell, John H.; Raplee, S.S; Robertson, Mary C.; Lee, W. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Albion
Box 25 Folder 7
Correspondence
1864-10-26-1864-11-17
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October 24, 1864. P. J. Cornell to Ezra Cornell from Portsmouth, N.C. describing his life and business ventures in the South. October 28, 1864. Wilbur F. Crummer to Ezra Cornell from Pleasant Valley, Ill.: "I see you have given $50,000 for a public Library to be formed in Ithica N.Y. now can you give a poor wounded invalid soldier, who is closely confined to the house, some few books or magazines to read through the coming winter? I love to read, but am to poor to buy the works I should like to read. The hours pass off slowly when I have nothing to read?the smallest favor will be thankfully received." Topics: Western Union Telegraph Company: stocks and bonds; New York Medical College for Women. Personal names: Cornell, Paul J.; Chace, Eunice; Palmer, O.H.; Crummer, W.F.; Lozier, C.S.; Porter, Ira; Chace, Baylus; Rowell, Mary; Wood, O.S. Geography:
Box 25 Folder 8
Correspondence
1864-11-18-1864-12-11
Digital
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November 18, 1864. D.B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell from camp at St. Louis, Mo. describing marches and his interest in purchasing farmlands near Sedalia, Mo. December 16, 1864. Amos Brown to Ezra Cornell from Havana discussing the People's College and asking Ezra Cornell that he consider building his college in Havana or Ovid. Topics: Civil War; re-election of Lincoln; sheep; cattle; real estate; New York State Legislature; telegraph business correspondence Personal names: Legg, Louis P.; Cornell, D.B.; Ingersoll, Henry; Bush, I.L.; Millspaugh, J.H.; Wood, M.B.; Brown, Amos; Porter, Ira Geography:
Box 25 Folder 9
Correspondence
1864-12-12-1864-12-31
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December 17, 1864. W.F. Crummer to Ezra Cornell from Pleasant Valley, Illinois: "The package of books you were so kind in sending me have, after some delay, arrived in safety and I hasten to acknowledge the receipt of the same and to thank you a thousand times for the books?I anticipate a great deal of profit and pleasure in the perusal of them." December 18, 1864. W. Kelly to Gov. Fenton concerning New York State Agricultural College: "A most generous offer of endowment has recently been made by a distinguished citizen of this State, on condition that the Legislature shall make a liberal grant from the income of the public lands, and shall authorise the removal of the Institution to Ithaca Tompkins County. "It is understood that this subject will be brought before the Legislature at its present session. Whatever has a bearing on the advancement of the art of agriculture is entitled to the best consideration of the Legislature." December 26, 1864. Geo. Geddes to Ezra Cornell: "?Our Senator White will tell you how deeply I feel in regard to this matter. So let me say go in for the whole fund -- and make the best University -- teaching all useful knowledge." Topics: telegraph business correspondence; location of New York State Agricultural College, possible relocation to Ithaca; Albany Agricultural Works; Cornell University Personal names: Curtiss, George; Cornell, Betsy Ann; Kelly, W.; Kennady, J.R.; Cornell, Paul J.; Chace, Albert H.; Fenton, Reuben; Geddes, G.; Wood, O.S.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Brown, Amos Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Albany, N.Y.
Box 25 Folder 10
Correspondence
1865-01-01-1865-01-12
Digital
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Topics: Family correspondence; Exhibition of Arts and Industries in Bombay; New York State Legislature: letters from constituents Personal names: Cornell, E.S.; Cornell, John H.; Hopkins, P.A.; Wood, M.B.; Rowell, Mary; Chace, Rebecca; Cornell, Alonzo B. Geography: Albany, N.Y.
Box 25 Folder 11
Correspondence
1865-01-13-1865-01-23
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January 15, 1865. Ezra Cornell to F.M. Finch: "You will recv. an invitation to attend a meeting of eminent men, friends of education, at Albany?to inaugurate the movement for our Agricultural College, and a University at Ithaca? "I have modified my proposition so that it proposes to donate $500,000, for the erection of a college at Ithaca on condition that the state will endow the institution with the entire land grant fund? "Assuming that Beers is satisfied that the Peoples College is a failure through Cooks refusal to carry out his promised aid, and that he will now go in for our project as I am told many of the Peoples College Trustees will, we want him to come also." Topics: Cornell Public Library; Land Grant Fund; telegraph business correspondence; Forest Park farm Personal names: Brown, Amos; Lummis, W.; Barnard, R.; Finch, F.M.; Cornell, E.B.; Millspaugh, J.H.; Palmer, O.H.; Taylor, J.J.; Wood, O.S.; Cornell, Franklin C.; Lummis, W. Geography:
Box 25 Folder 12
Correspondence
1865-01-24-1865-01-31
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January 25, 1865. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo Cornell: "We had a respectable meeting and harmonious action -- Greely was with us and is with us. If the Peoples College dont move soon it must get out of the way and let us pass?" January 27, 1865. Ezra Cornell to F.M. Finch: "In reference to the College Movement I am sorry that Ithaca was not represented by any of its invited guests, this is an indifference unworthy the importance of the subject? "The enterprise expands from an Agricultural College, to a University of the first magnitude -- such as we have to go to Europe now to find. Agriculture and mechanic arts being among its leading objects. The annual income of our strongest (Columbia) College is $65,000, from that our other colleges in this state have incomes of $20,000. $10,000. $8,000, and down to $5,000 per ann. If our plans are successful, I feel confidence in being able to lay a financial basis which will give us an anual permenant income of $100,000. That to be expended at Ithaca yearly for all time to come is the material question to which our citizens are supremely indifferent, cant attend a public meeting when invited to promote such an object. May the Lord be merciful to them and grant them future prosperity and happiness. "If my life is spared, and prosperity continues I shall be able to make a broad mark on the future prosperity of Ithaca. I shall promise less than I shall perform. If we secure this congressional college fund I am confident that we can make Ithaca the seat of learning in America?" January 28, 1865. S.B. Howe to Ezra Cornell: "Capt. D. Tarbell C.S. was taken prisoner by the rebels Sept. 21st 1864 and is now confined in the military prison at Danville Va. He writes that several officers have been exchanged of late by special application; and wishes me to address yourself and Hon. Mr. Schuyler upon the subject of getting the like favor himself?He is very grateful for the interest you have heretofore shown on his behalf and is sanguine that you can be instrumental in releasing him from his present `living death'." January 29, 1865. E.G. Goddard to Douglass Boardman from Michigan discussing the use of land scrip and the assistance he could give to Ezra Cornell in the matter of locating and purchasing lands. Topics: Ithaca real estate; Cornell Public Library; meeting to discuss Cornell's proposed university; coal oil business; New York State canals Personal names: Finch, F.M.; Beers, G.D.; Geddes, G.; Brown, Amos; Ballard, Phebe; Palmer, O.H.; Glenny, William; Boardman, Douglass Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Albany, N.Y.
Box 25 Folder 13
Correspondence
1865-02-01-1865-02-20
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February 1, 1865. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo Cornell concerning Col. Jewett's collection: "I see you dont appreciate stones. If we have a college or University we shall have to procure a cabinet of Natural History and this as far as it goes is the best in the state and best in the world of the history of the N.Y. rock. "College matter looks more hopeful, but I shall not go into fits to induce the state to accept $500,000 of my money." February 8, 1865. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell from Albany: "Cornell University introduced and in hands of Committee of Senate Joint, Literature & Agriculture. Regents have sent a committee to Havanna to pump Cook. Brown says they wont raise any thing with all the pumping they can do." February 11, 1865. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell from Albany discussing progress of the University Bill. February 12, 1865. Ezra Cornell to F.M. Finch from Albany concerning oil business, appropriation of profits, report on People's College, the progress on the University Bill and list of possible names for the board of trustees. Topics: coal oil business; proposed university, the "Cornell University" Bill; Sodus Canal; People's College; cattle; Ithaca real estate; New York State Legislature; Cornell Public Library Personal names: Shepherd, W.J.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Finch, F.M.; Millspaugh, J.H.; Brown, Amos; Wood, Phebe Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Albany, N.Y.
Box 25 Folder 14
Correspondence
1865-02-21-1865-03-03
Digital
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Topics: agriculture; telegraph business correspondence; cattle; Cornell University: founding legislation; Civil War (possibility of draft in New York State if more men do not volunteer). Personal names: Millspaugh, J.H.; Wood, O.S.; Ballard, Phebe; Cornell, E.B.; Chester, E.W.; Sherwood, S.P.; Jewett, E. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 26 Folder 1
Correspondence
1865-03-05-1865-03-09
Digital
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March 7, 1865. John Harald to Ezra Cornell: "?and immediately I wrote to our Members of Assembly to favor the passage of the "Cornell University" bill, in very pressing terms." March 9, 1865. John Stanton Gould to Ezra Cornell: "I am ashamed my dear sir to see any hesitation of haggling in the acceptance of your princely gift which I am sure contains the [?] of priceless blessings to our State." Topics: agriculture; Land Grant Act; New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents and others; People's College; Cornell University: founding legislation; New York State Agricultural College; letters of support for the passage of the "Cornell University" bill; banking; telegraph industry Personal names: Barnard, Eunice; Cornell, D.B.; Gould, John Stanton Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Albany, N.Y.
Box 26 Folder 2
Correspondence
1865-03-10-1865-03-17
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March 11, 1865. W.A. Woodward to Ezra Cornell: "I should feel delighted to have my name connected in the humblest way with the Cornell University. The question "Canst thou send lightnings that they may go and say unto thee, Here we are" see Job 38:35 is solved in our day to a good purpose. It is a happy thought thus to telegraph one's name to posterity, to be able to say to future ages "Here we are." while the lightnings are sent abroad from this institution through its pupils." March 12, 1865. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "The discussion of the C.U. bill in Com of whole brought out a stronger manifestation of feeling in its favor than was known to exist in Senate." Topics: agriculture; dog tax; Cornell University: founding legislation, trustees; letters of support for the passage of the "Cornell University" bill; New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents and others; People's College; Russian telegraph stock; geological collections; Soldiers Home Personal names: Greeley, Horace; Kelly, William; Woodward, W.A. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Albany, N.Y.
Box 26 Folder 3
Correspondence
1865-03-18-1865-03-24
Digital
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March 18, 1865. F.M. Finch to Ezra Cornell: "On my return I was in the train thrown from the track near Susquehannah. We were running forty miles an hour and struck a broken rail. The two rear cars were thrown from the track down an embankment & ours dragged over the ties against a wood pile & yet we escaped. Some evil angels hang over my visits to Albany." March 20, 1865. Ezra Cornell to W.A. Woodward: "It is the telegraph that endows the University?It is my desire to secure still further endowments so that the institution shall at no time be embarassed by want of means, and shall at all times be able to command the best talent in America or in the world. I have one or two hundred thousand dollars more in prospective, and shall hope in a few years to gather around the enterprise another million." Topics: Cornell University: founding legislation; letters of support for the passage of the "Cornell University" bill; Soldiers Home; New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents and others; agriculture; Cascadilla Institute; Ithaca flood; Wisconsin lands; Land Grant Act Personal names: Kelly, William; Woodward, W.A.; Boardman, Douglass; Selkreg, J.H.; Finch, F.M. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Albany, N.Y.
Box 26 Folder 4
Correspondence
1865-03-25-1865-03-31
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March 29, 1865. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "Tremain addressed the committee two hours yesterday PM in favor of C. University -- made a splendid argument. Comt adjourned to 3 1/2 this PM to hear oposition. This delay of time is outrageous. It may defeat us." Topics: New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents and others; Cornell University: founding legislation; letters of support for the passage of the "Cornell University" bill; agriculture Personal names: Schuyler, G.W. Geography:
Box 26 Folder 5
Correspondence
1865-04-01-1865-04-09
Digital
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April 1, 1865: F.M. Finch to Ezra Cornell: "This week I received a telegram from Senator White threatening to drop the bill if a delegation did not appear. I think five or six will be there. I have spared Boardman with great difficulty: I must now do his work & mine too but I have told him to stay till the last minute you desire." April 7, 1865. Elizabeth Blackwell to Ezra Cornell: "My attention has been called to a newspaper paragraph which mentions your wish to form a Medical College for Women. As I have been for twenty years deeply interested in the medical education of women; and as, with my colleagues, I am now engaged in raising $100000 for this object, I feel a profound interest in your philanthropic purpose?" Topics: New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents and others; Cornell University: founding legislation; letters of support for the passage of the "Cornell University" bill; Cornell Public Library Personal names: Finch, F.M.; Boardman, Douglass; Kelly, William; Blackwell, Elizabeth; Roosevelt, Mary W. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Albany, N.Y.
Box 26 Folder 6
Correspondence
1865-04-10-1865-04-25
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April 23, 1865. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "The Genesee College swindle is bad enough, but it will be worse for that college than for me?. Several members urged it to be stricken out and the amount to be divided among the members to pay for passing the bill without the amendment -- Others said $15,000 to members would secure the passage of the bill -- Others thought $10,000 would do it -- Still others thought $250. It seems to be conceded that we never had a more corrupt Assembly than the one now in session. The University bill has no stains beyond what appears on its face." Topics: Civil War; Cornell University: founding legislation, trustees, buildings; letters of support for the passage of the "Cornell University" bill; passage of "Cornell University" bill; New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents and others; Forest Park farm; People's College; agriculture; assassination of Abraham Lincoln; Western Union Telegraph Company: dividends Personal names: Smith, F.O.J.; Brown, Amos; Cornell, Franklin C.; Schuyler, Eugene; Millspaugh, John H.; Finch, F.M.; Cornell, D.B.; Lincoln, Abraham Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 26 Folder 7
Correspondence
1865-04-26-1865-05-12
Digital
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May 11, 1865. Mariah Booth to Ezra Cornell from Nevada City, Colorado Territory recounting travels west from Wisconsin and experience with gold mining. Topics: Cornell University: founding legislation, buildings; People's College; Albion College; agriculture; Land Grant Act; Wisconsin lands; Forest Park farm; cattle Personal names: Woodward, W.A.; Beebe, A.; Macy, Philander; Booth, Mariah Geography:
Box 26 Folder 8
Correspondence
1865-05-13-1865-05-23
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May 18, 1865. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell: "I sent to you at the Astor House a batch of introductory letters to Professors in Columbia Yale & Harvard and hope you received and used them." Topics: Cornell University: buildings, faculty; Land Grant Act; cattle; University of Rochester; Brown University. Personal names: Wood, O.S.; White, Andrew Dickson; Smith, F.O.J. Geography:
Box 26 Folder 9
Correspondence
1865-05-24-1865-06-07
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell University: founding, trustees; Cornell villa; cattle; Family correspondence Personal names: Bogart, William H.; Cornell, D.B.; Millspaugh, John H.; Smith, F.O.J. Geography:
Box 26 Folder 10
Correspondence
1865-06-08-1865-06-22
Digital
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June 12, 1865. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell commenting on the establishment of the Cornell University Library and suggesting titles and books. Topics: Cornell University: founding, buildings, establishment of Library; Nevada City mining prospects; Audubon books; Albion College; Buffalo Historical Society; Western Union Telegraph Company; Erie & Michigan line; New York and Erie line. Personal names: Wood, M.B.; White, Andrew Dickson; Smith, F.O.J.; Cornell, D.B.; Booth, Mariah; Cox, C.M. Geography:
Box 26 Folder 11
Correspondence
1865-06-23-1865-07-05
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell University: founding, establishment of Library; Audubon books; cattle Personal names: White, Andrew Dickson; Finch, F.M.; Barnard, D.R.; Brown, Amos; Kelly, William Geography:
Box 26 Folder 12
Correspondence
1865-07-06-1865-07-19
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell University: founding, establishment of Library, trustees; telegraph industry (new lines); cattle; Albion College; temperance Personal names: White, Andrew Dickson; Cornell, D.B.; Smith, F.O.J.; Pinkham, F.W.; Wood, M.B. Geography:
Box 26 Folder 13
Correspondence
1865-07-21-1865-07-31
Digital
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July 21, 1865. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell: "I spent a little time at Harvard University a few days since and though too weak to explore much, got some new suggestions on certain points." Topics: Cornell University: founding, establishment of Library, trustees, buildings; telegraph business correspondence: stock dividends; DeRuyter Institute Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Beebe, A.; Sibley, Hiram; Potter, Henry S.; Brown, Amos; Bloodgood, S. DeWitt Geography:
Box 26 Folder 14
Correspondence
1865-08-01-1865-08-11
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell University: founding, establishment of Library, trustees; telegraph industry; New York State canals; geological specimens; Wisconsin lands; railroad line to Ithaca from Pennsylvania coal region (Ithaca and Towanda Rail Road Company). Personal names: Chester, E.W.; Wood, O.S.; Chace, Thomas; Woodward, W.A. Geography:
Box 27 Folder 1
Correspondence
1865-08-11-1865-09-02
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: New York State canals; American Express Company; Cornell Public Library; Cornell University: founding, establishment of Library, trustees, buildings; DeRuyter Institute; New York State Agricultural College Personal names: Curtiss, George; Cornell, D.B.; Cornell, John W.; Speed, J.J. Geography:
Box 27 Folder 2
Correspondence
1865-09-03-1865-09-14
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: pottery; Cornell University: siting; DeRuyter Institute; Nevada gold mining. Personal names: Taylor, John J.; Cornell, E.S.; Wood, M.B.; Booth, Mariah Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 27 Folder 3
Correspondence
1865-09-15-1865-10-04
Digital
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October 5, 1865. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell regarding the planning of Cornell University: "In a few weeks I hope to present you with a report wh. shall be of service. I mean to visit New York New Haven & Cambridge to have a quiet confidential talk with Mr R[?] & leading scientific men to [?] their having absolutely the best men they know with some sketch of their characteristics. But the Presidency. How about Gov. Andrew? He has declined Antioch College. Why may not we secure him if he is desirable? But above all do not let the Observatory depart far from your thoughts. Take no thought for the building. When may I telegraph the Associated Press that you have contracted for by far the largest telescope in the world for the Cornell University? I ache to do it. I cannot help thinking that it would be easier & simpler to take the Yale or small hall system or a modification of it." Topics: Yale College: Sheffield Scientific School; Nevada; Unitarianism; Cornell University: founding, establishment of Library, professors, buildings; agriculture; Cornell villa; cattle; New York State canals; Massachusetts Agricultural College; Harvard College. Personal names: Pinkham, Ruth; Bloodgood, S. DeWitt; Andrew, J.A.; White, Andrew Dickson; Cornell, D.B. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 27 Folder 4
Correspondence
1865-10-06-1865-11-20
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October 9, 1865. Ezra Cornell in response to a request for a loan: "I declined the loan as I have now to borrow money for my own use." October 10, 1865. John W. Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "I send you the Rawligh paper Journal of Freedom whitch gives the procedens of the Niggro Convention?" October 15, 1865. M.B. Wood to Ezra Cornell: "I feel that I am fast loosing all ambition to do anything more of service to the world. ?Robinson has been down to the oil regions & has petroleum on the brain. ?That [Deborah] should come here on a visit and in less than two months break friendship with Mary & James family and get into a general Row all round is outrageous & scandalous to say the least. I have taken no part in the bickerings myself, but you ought to hear Phebe blow her out once in a while, she can do it 'as if written in a book.'" Also undigitized letter to Hon. Lucius Robinson, Oct. 27, 1865 regarding the purchase of 100,000 acres of the college land script with Western Union stock Topics: Cornell University: founding, establishment of Library; Genesee College, ; Family correspondence; Land Grant Act; Wisconsin lands; Michigan Agricultural College, ; Elmira Female College, ; Nevada gold mines, ; Wheelock Farm, Jacksonville, New York, ; Vassar College; New York State canals Personal names: Cornell, John W.; Wood, M.B. Geography:
Box 27 Folder 5
Correspondence
1865-11-21-1865-12-18
Digital
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Topics: New York State Agricultural College; New York State canals; potatoes; telescope; Wisconsin lands Personal names: Gray, John P.; Kelly, William; Chester, E.W.; Case, Philip; Cornell, John H. (Ulysses); Chace, Elijah C.; Watson, J.C. Geography:
Box 27 Folder 6
Correspondence
1865-12-20-1865-12-31
Digital
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December 25, 1865. discussing "Santa Clause" and Ithaca. 1865. Handwritten draft by Ezra Cornell discussing the Cornell University legislation, the conditions of his $500,000 gift, the nature of the University, the financing of the University, and the selection of its trustees and president. Includes the phrase "do the greatest good." Topics: Cornell University: founding; Western Union Telegraph Company; Ithaca Blind Asylum (proposed); Wisconsin lands; Bering Straight telegraph; potatoes; New York State Agricultural College Personal names: Wood, O.S.; Boardman, Douglass; Wood, M.B.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cornell, Franklin C. Geography: Albion; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 27 Folder 7
Correspondence
1866-01-01-1866-01-17
Digital
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Scope and Contents
January 16, 1866. John W. Cornell to Ezra Cornell describing a Hatteras, North Carolina schooner wreck. Portrait. Topics: Ithaca bank; cattle; Western Union Telegraph Company; telegraph industry (new lines); Wisconsin lands; Cornell University: founding, buildings, trustees; Family correspondence; planetarium. Personal names: Ingersoll, Henry; Boardman, Douglass; Cornell, Franklin C.; Greeley, Horace; Cornell, E.B.; Cornell, O.H. Perry; Robinson, R.R.; Weitling, William; Barnard, Eunice; Cornell, John W.; Esty, E.S.; Esty, William W.; Chester, E.W. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; DeRuyter
Box 27 Folder 8
Correspondence
1866-01-18-1866-01-26
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Land Grant Act; Wisconsin lands; Cornell University: founding, faculty; telescope; Cornell Public Library Personal names: Ingersoll, Henry; Finch, F.M.; Miller, Stephen; Wood, O.S.; Chester, E.W.; Wood, M.B. Geography:
Box 27 Folder 9
Correspondence
1866-01-27-1866-02-10
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Forest Park farm; Cascadilla Place; Western Union Telegraph Company; Cornell University: founding; People's College; the industrial university. Personal names: Robinson, R.R.; Millard, Ira; Griscom, John H.; Wheeler, George F.; Barnard, Eunice; Turner, J.B. Geography:
Box 27 Folder 10
Correspondence
1866-02-12-1866-02-14
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February 12, 1866. Ezra Cornell to G.W. Hotchkiss describing the legislation and funding of Cornell University: "I enclose the copy of a bill, exempting from taxation certain lands, held by states, colleges &c for Educational purposes." February 12, 1866. Draft of "Ezra Cornell's Address to the Board of Trustees of Cornell University At Albany February 1866" describing financing, founding, and arrangements for the University. Topics: Wisconsin lands; Cornell University: founding, financing; Cornell Public Library; tax exemptions Personal names: Finch, F.M. Geography:
Box 27 Folder 11
Correspondence
1866-02-15-1866-02-26
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February 22, 1866. F.M. Finch to Ezra Cornell proposing disposition of Cascadilla Place, and suggesting plans for Cornell University and the Cornell Public Library: "But even if your judgment will not carry you as far as this at least I do think that Cascadilla Place should begin the University even if ultimately all the other buildings should be on the North side of the creek." Topics: Ithaca Canal Line; New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents and others; Ithaca and Towanda Rail Road Company; Forest Park farm; Cornell University: founding, planning; New York State Agricultural College; Cornell Public Library; New York State canals; Cascadilla Place; Erie Railway Company; Western Union Telegraph Company; photo-lithography Personal names: Cornell, John H.; Cornell, E.B.; Finch, F.M.; Esty, William W.; Cornell, D.B.; Selkreg, J.H.; Rooker, Thomas N. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 27 Folder 12
Correspondence
1866-02-27-1866-03-12
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Western Union Telegraph Company; Ezra Cornell portrait; Wisconsin lands; prospectus for Illinois College; New York State canals; New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents and others Personal names: Chester, E.W.; Wright, George B.; Millard, Ira; Chace, Elijah C.; Turner, J.B.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Wood, O.S. Geography:
Box 27 Folder 13
Correspondence
1866-03-13-1866-03-14
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March 14, 1866. Draft report of the Committee on Buildings. Topics: Cornell University: buildings; Ithaca and Towanda Rail Road Company; Cornell Public Library Personal names: Geography:
Box 27 Folder 14
Correspondence
1866-03-15-1866-03-29
Digital
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March 17, 1866. John Stanton Gould to Ezra Cornell: "When I learn whether your views correspond with mine in relation to the religious teaching at the University, I will write to you my ideas with regard to a few other fundamental matters connected with the plan of the University." May 25, 1866. Draft of a letter by Ezra Cornell: "I expect thus to appropriate the balance of my life, and the labors which I have selected, the building up of a first class University, will afford an abundant field. If, however the loyal men of the State should aquiesce in the partiality of my neighbors, and call upon me to discharge the delicate and responsible duties of Governor, I may feel bound to yield to their wishes, and should do my best to discharge the duties honestly and conscienciously." Topics: Ithaca and Towanda Rail Road Company; New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents and others; phrenology; Phrenological Journal ; telegraph industry; Wisconsin lands; agriculture; Cornell University: founding, establishment of Library; Western Union Telegraph Company; Telegraph Association. Personal names: Rooker, Thomas N.; Gould, John Stanton; Curtiss, George; Dix, Dorothea L.; Whitlock, William; Chace, Albert H. Geography: Bavaria.
Box 27 Folder 15
Correspondence
1866-03-30-1866-04-11
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents and others; Land Grant Act; tax exemptions; Wisconsin lands; animal cruelty; agriculture; Western Union Telegraph Company; Ithaca and Towanda Rail Road Company; Ezra Cornell portrait; Cornell University: buildings, plan; Cascadilla Place Personal names: Cornell, D.B.; Cornell, W.J.; Nivison, S.S.; Pinkham, F.W. Geography:
Box 27 Folder 16
Correspondence
1866-04-13-1866-05-06
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April 13, 1866. Ezra Cornell to Henry Wells: "Your grounds at Aurora also afford a beautiful and healthy location for such an institution. ?I shall venture a suggestion. It is this, that instead of building a Female Seminary at Aurora, which would be but one of an hundred like institutions scatered over our state, and which though it flourished while you lived, and it was fostered by your care and judgment, might soon dwindle and droop when your fostering hand was withdrawn by death, built at Ithaca, "The Wells female department of the Cornell University" and thus aid us to engraft female education in America." Also iterates the financial arrangements pertaining to the founding of Cornell University. Topics: Cornell University: buildings, plan, founding; Wells College; Wisconsin lands; Jewett's Paleontological Cabinet; Western Union Telegraph Company Personal names: Wells, Henry; Jewett, E.; White, Andrew Dickson; Horner, John; Wood, M.B.; Kelly, William Geography:
Box 28 Folder 1
Correspondence
1866-05-07-1866-05-20
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Scope and Contents
May 15, 1866. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell discussing building plans. Topics: Land scrip; Cornell University: location, buildings; collections offered for sale; DeRuyter Institute Personal names: Bell, J.E.; Wright, G.B.; White, Andrew Dickson; Chace, E.C. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 28 Folder 2
Correspondence
1866-05-21-1866-05-31
Digital
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May 21, 1866. Geo. Geddes to Ezra Cornell: "I have received a letter from Mr. Selkreg informing me that the men of Tompkins Co. will present your name to the Union Convention this fall for the office of Governor?" May 22, 1866. Henry Wells to Ezra Cornell: "?I was still under the necessity of differing with you in your opinions regarding the connection of a female department to your University; in a few words I will say that the object of this institution is to make one of higher standard than those refered to in your letter & prepare young ladies to be wives & mothers to educate the rising generation who are to take our places & influence & direct the destinies of a great nation, feeling and appreciating a mothers influence attending through a whole life, has induced me to begin an institution to promote a higher standard to moral & intilectual culture than has yet been attained by the ordinary village & town institutions to which you allude, this has been a dream of my life?. I will then have an institution that will educate American girls to fulfil the duties & take the possition that a kind Providence has assigned to the better half of our race in this broad land & woman then can fulfill her mission without going to the polls or entering the areana of politicks." May 25, 1866. Thomas Hillhouse, New York State Comptroller, to Ezra Cornell: "?I am hopeful that as you have a greater interest in the formation of a permanent and ample endowment for the Institution than any other individual, we may agree on some plan under which you can become the purchaser of the scrip held by the State, with such provision as to the disposal of the proceeds as will conform with what I conceive to be the requirements of law." Topics: Offer of natural history collection; Wells College; telegraph business correspondence: stock; Land Grant Act; Cornell University: buildings Personal names: Geddes, George; Wells, Henry; Chace, Miller; Hillhouse, Thomas; Homer, J.; Bell, J.A.; Chace, Theophilus; Brown, Amos Geography:
Box 28 Folder 3
Correspondence
1866-06-01-1866-06-13
Digital
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June 9, 1866. Ezra Cornell to Thomas Hillhouse, State of New York Comptroller detailing Ezra Cornell's proposed use of the land scrip. Topics: American Express Company; Cornell University: buildings; American Institute; phonography. Personal names: Sampson, W.S.; Cornell, D.B.; Greeley, Horace; Brown, Amos; Graham, Andrew J. Geography:
Box 28 Folder 4
Correspondence
1866-06-14-1866-07-02
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Western Union Telegraph Company; telegraph business correspondence: stock; Cornell University: buildings, natural history collections; Land Grant Act Personal names: Cornell, Mary E.; Chace, Elijah C. Geography:
Box 28 Folder 5
Correspondence
1866-07-03-1866-07-23
Digital
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July 4, 1866. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell: "I have heard of a new candidate for the Presidency of the University -- a Massachusetts judge of high standing. I confess that I would prefer some such man to a clergyman." Topics: Photo-lithography business; Cornell University: buildings; telegraph business correspondence: stocks; Minnesota lands; Wells College Personal names: Page, John R.; White, Andrew Dickson; Kelly, William; Greene, J.N.; Rooker, Thomas N.; Miller, Stephen; Wells, Henry; Chester, E.W.; Bell, J.E.; Read, J.M., Jr.; Gould, Sara E. Geography:
Box 28 Folder 6
Correspondence
1866-07-24-1866-08-04
Digital
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August 4, 1866. Thomas Hillhouse to Ezra Cornell, receipt for bonds for the purchase of land scrip owned by the State. August 4, 1866. from Albany: "The struggle is over at last and I have just mailed 200 pieces of land scrip to Mr. Woodward and have written him that we will start for the west by Tuesday the 14th? "I will however say that at last I have got it to suit me, [and] fully controll all the land scrip for four years whither I take and locate the whole or not. Cook or the Peoples College, and other colleges are powerless to trick or trouble it. I now feel for the first time that the destiny of the Cornell University was fixed, and that its ultimate endowment would be ample for the vast field of labor it embraces, and if properly organized for the developement of truth, industry and frugality it will become a power in the land which will controll and mold the future of this great state, and carry it onward and upward in its industrial developement, and support of civil and religious liberty, and its guarenty of equal rights and equal laws to all men." Topics: Western Union Telegraph Company; Land scrip; Michigan lands; telegraph business correspondence: stocks; cattle Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Wood, O.S.; Curtiss, George; Hillhouse, Thomas; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography:
Box 28 Folder 7
Correspondence
1866-08-06-1866-08-29
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August 24, 1866. Ezra Cornell to T.G. Alvord from Eau Claire, Wis.: "I have just returned from a trip of three days in the pineries of the Chippawa sleeping two nights in such rude camp as we could construct of pine bows by the application of half an hours labor. Yesterday morning we were aroused from our slumber by the howling of a pack of wolves of a dozen or more counting by the noise and varying voices. They remained with us an hour and then mooved slowly on untill their howl was lost in the distance. "?I have not time to write to Senator White. Please show this to him, and say that this land operation is going to be a success. It requires skill, hard work and capital, but all those it shall have, and the present and future youth of our State shall enjoy the blessings that shall flow from a richly endowed Institution of learning." Topics: steam agricultural machinery; Western Union Telegraph Company; sheep; Cornell University; Kansas lands; telegraph business correspondence; Wisconsin lands Personal names: Horner, J.; Palmer, O.H.; Cornell, D.B.; Chace, E.C.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Chace, Theophilus; Putnam, H.C. Geography:
Box 28 Folder 8
Correspondence
1866-08-30-1866-10-05
Digital
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September 18, 1866. Ezra Cornell to Theodore Townsand: "?I then found that the land scrip would only sell for about fifty cents per acre in the large quantity offered, and I further proposed to purchase the scrip of the state, select good lands and locate the scrip thereon and sell the land as opirtunity offered, giving to the "Cornell University" all the profits arising from the sale of land, thus realizing two or three dollars per acre as we hope to do instead of fifty cents per acre by the sale of the scrip. The Legislature accepted this proposition, and passed an act last session authurising the comptroller to sell the scrip to me on such conditions. In my agreement with the comptroller for the purchase of the scrip, I am to give him a mortgage on the land located as colateral security for the performance of my agrrement to pay the profits arising from the sale of the land over to the University, or to assign to the comptroller the Register certificate for the same purpose." Topics: cattle; Land scrip; Cornell University: students, natural history collections; telegraph business correspondence: stocks; Cascadilla Place Personal names: Cornell, D.B.; Townsand, T.; Cornell, J.W. Geography:
Box 28 Folder 9
Correspondence
1866-10-06-1866-10-29
Digital
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Topics: telegraph business correspondence: stock; agriculture; Photo-lithography business; Cornell University: recommendations for faculty; Chicago Historical Society Personal names: Johnson, B.P.; Cornell, D.B.; Pollock, G.H.; Cornell, J.W.; Curtiss, George; Hillhouse, Thomas; White, Andrew Dickson Geography:
Box 28 Folder 10
Correspondence
1866-10-30-1866-11-13
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October 31, November 4, 1866. Horace Greeley to Ezra Cornell concerning his resignation from the Board of Trustees of Cornell University. November 6, 1866. W.A. Woodward to Ezra Cornell from New York concerning a proposal to connect a Medical College about to be established in New York City with Cornell University. Topics: Cornell University: trustees, offers of collections; Land scrip; Minnesota lands; Wisconsin lands; Chicago Historical Society; Kansas lands Personal names: White, Andrew Dickson; Sibley, Hiram; Parker, J.M.; Andrews, G.H.; Bell, J.E.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Kelly, William; Woodward, W.A.; Morgan, E.; Cornell, D.B.; Geddes, George Geography:
Box 28 Folder 11
Correspondence
1866-11-18-1866-11-27
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November 24, 1866. William Kelly to Ezra Cornell: "I write to congratulate you upon the election of our friend Senator White to the Presidency of the Cornell University, and to express my sincere gratification that we are to have the benefit of his intelligence, experience and energy in that responsible position." Topics: Cornell University: faculty, donations; committee to consider Medical College; Wisconsin lands; telegraph business correspondence Personal names: Woodward, W.A.; Wood, Phebe; Kelly, William; White, Andrew Dickson; Cornell, Betsy Ann Geography: Albany, N.Y.
Box 28 Folder 12
Correspondence
1866-11-28-1866-12-17
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November 30, 1866. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell: "I have thought much since arriving home upon the possible extension of time by the recent Act of Congress. We ought not to procrastinate to anything like the extent allowed by the law but we might put off the reception of students and the beginning to pay professors salaries for a year and be, I am inclined to think, in much better position for it?" Topics: Cornell University: extension of opening, committee to consider Medical College; agriculture; Wisconsin lands; Land scrip; railroads Personal names: Geddes, George; White, Andrew Dickson; Chace, Thomas; Cornell, J.M.; Cornell, D.B.; Gurnsey, E.; Pinkham, Anna H.; Woodward, W.A.; Putnam, H.C.; Kyes, Eliza; Murdock, L.; Rooker, Thomas N.; Carey, F.G. Geography:
Box 28 Folder 13
Correspondence
1866-12-18-1866-12-27
Digital
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December 24, 1866. John Stanton Gould to Ezra Cornell discussing Cornell University's postponement of opening, and possible faculty members. Topics: Wisconsin State Historical Society; Cornell University: faculty; Photo-lithography business Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Gould, John Stanton; Chace, Thomas; Rice, V.M.; Page, John R.; Hopkins, P.A. Geography:
Box 28 Folder 14
Correspondence
1866-12-28-1866-12-31
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: agriculture; New York State Legislature Personal names: Bell, J.E.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Pew, W.P.; Hopkins, P.A.; Chace, Miller; Chester, E.W. Geography:
Box 28 Folder 15
Correspondence
1867-01-01-1867-01-12
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Photo-lithography business; temperance; Cornell University: faculty; Cornell Public Library Personal names: Rooker, Thomas N.; Pinkham, F.W.; Hopkins, P.A. Geography:
Box 28 Folder 16
Correspondence
1867-01-13-1867-01-21
Digital
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Topics: telegraph business correspondence; railroads; New York State Legislature: letters from constituents; Cornell University; New York State Lunatic Asylum; Ithaca school building; telescopes; Wisconsin State Historical Society Personal names: Curtiss, George; Chace, Thomas; Chester, E.W.; Rooker, Thomas N.; Cornell, E.B.; Drake, Mary J.; Cornell, D.B.; Boyle, C.B. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.; Wisconsin
Box 28 Folder 17
Correspondence
1867-01-22-1867-01-27
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January 24, 1867. F.M. Finch to Ezra Cornell concerning Cornell University and Cornell Public Library. Topics: telegraph business correspondence; agricultural machinery; Cornell family genealogy and history; Photo-lithography business; railroads; cattle Personal names: Cook, A.E.; Rooker, Thomas N.; Finch, F.M. Geography:
Box 29 Folder 1
Correspondence
1867-01-28-1867-02-04
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Western Union Telegraph Company; Grinnell College; Vassar College Personal names: Horner, John; Cornell, E.B.; Chace, Thomas; Gould, John Stanton; Sibley, Hiram Geography:
Box 29 Folder 2
Correspondence
1867-02-05-1867-02-13
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February 9, 1866. D.B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "Military fame & Glory is a fine thing for a well clad back & a full belly, but it is of less account to a hungry man than a lb of pork or a peck of beans." Topics: New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents and others; Cornell University: buildings, plan Personal names: Robertson, Mary C.; Finch, F.M.; Cornell, D.B. Geography:
Box 29 Folder 3
Correspondence
1867-02-14-1867-02-21
Digital
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February 17, 1867. Ezra Cornell to Eunice Cornell: "My Dear Grand Daughter. Your little letter came duly to hand and I was very glad to hear from you, and grand Ma was also very glad to hear from. I shall be very glad when I get through with the business here so I can go home and see you and your little brothers, and have you and them go with me up on the hill to see how the workmen get along with the building of the Cornell University where I hope you and your brothers and your cousins and a great many more children will go to school when they get large enough and will learn a great many things that will be useful to them and make them wise and good women and men. I want to have girls educated in the University as well as boys, so that they may have the same opportunity to become wise and useful to society that the boys have. I want you to keep this letter until you grow up to be a woman and want to go to a good school where you can have a good opertunity to learn, so you can show it the President and Faculty of the University to let them know that it is the wish of your Grand Pa, that girls as well as boys should be educated at the Cornell University." Topics: Cornell University: buildings, plan; women's education; Cornell family genealogy and history; cattle; mineralogical collection; New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents and others; homeopathy Personal names: Schuyler, G.W.; Cornell, Eunice; Robertson, Mary C.; Chace, Eliza A.; Morgan, E.D. Geography:
Box 29 Folder 4
Correspondence
1867-02-22-1867-02-28
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February 1867. Draft of an address from Ezra Cornell to the Trustees concerning the planning for and building of the University and financial conditions. Topics: Western Union Telegraph Company; New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents and others; mineralogical collection; sugar beet industry Personal names: Wood, Phebe; Hopkins, P.A. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 29 Folder 5
Correspondence
1867-03-01-1867-03-08
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Wisconsin lands; telegraph industry: stocks; telescope; New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents and others Personal names: Casey, Eliza; Cook, Ann E.; McGraw, Joseph; Wood, Phebe; Robertson, Mary C. Geography:
Box 29 Folder 6
Correspondence
1867-03-09-1867-03-13
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents and others; sugar beet industry; Wisconsin lands; Cornell University: buildings; Cornell villa; New York State Inebriate Asylum; Smithsonian Institute; Cascadilla Institute; Susquehanna Bridge; Binghamton Charter; Cornell Public Library Personal names: Cornell, D.B.; Sibley, Hiram; Cornell, E.B.; Nivison, S.S.; Finch, F.M.; Baird, Spencer T. Geography: Binghamton, N.Y.
Box 29 Folder 7
Correspondence
1867-03-14-1867-03-18
Digital
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March 16, 1867. Hiram Sibley to Ezra Cornell: "I went to Washington had an interview with Mr. Seward and the Russian Minister. They both agree that the Company done right in Suspending the work But Still think the line will be needed for Political reasons." March 16, 1867. H.W. Sage to Ezra Cornell: "Can you attend Church at Beeches tomorrow morning -- sit with me?I want to talk with you about several matters & shall feel obliged for such an interview -- If your wife's with you bring her" Topics: Cornell University: buildings, establishment of Library, Natural History Collection; New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents and others; Smithsonian Institute; telegraph industry; Western Union Telegraph Company; cattle; Binghamton Charter; New York State railroads Personal names: Finch, F.M.; Sibley, Hiram; Sage, H.W.; Baird, Spencer T. Geography: Binghamton, N.Y.; New York City
Box 29 Folder 8
Correspondence
1867-03-19-1867-03-23
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents and others; elevated railway (New York City); Cornell University: buildings, establishment of Library, trustees; Cornell villa; New York State railroads; Binghamton Charter Personal names: Cornell, E.B.; Kelly, William; Grant, E.B. Geography: New York City; Brooklyn; Binghamton, N.Y.; Batavia, N.Y.
Box 29 Folder 9
Correspondence
1867-03-24-1867-03-27
Digital
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Scope and Contents
March 27, 1867. T.N. Rooker to Ezra Cornell: "Dont forget about the missing documents in regard to the Library Dedication." Topics: Wisconsin lands; Cornell University: buildings, establishment of Library; Forest Park farm; Grapes; elevated railroads; Susquehanna Bridge; Binghamton Charter Personal names: Cornell, John H.; Rooker, Thomas N. Geography: New York City; Binghamton, N.Y.
Box 29 Folder 10
Correspondence
1867-03-28-1867-03-31
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Binghamton Charter; New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents and others; Eight Hour Bill; Wisconsin lands; Cornell University: collections; Western Union Telegraph Company; telegraph industry Personal names: Root, E.O.; Doubleday, A.; Rooker, Thomas N.; Tenney, Sanborn. Geography: Binghamton, N.Y.; Brooklyn
Box 29 Folder 11
Correspondence
1867-04-01-1867-04-06
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell University: buildings, plan; child labor laws; Wisconsin lands; cattle; Binghamton Charter Personal names: Chester, E.W.; Brown, Amos Geography: Binghamton, N.Y.; Brooklyn
Box 29 Folder 12
Correspondence
1867-04-08-1867-04-12
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: People's College; agriculture; Cornell University: buildings, finances. Personal names: Brown, Amos; Rooker, Thomas N.; Darling, Charles A.; Cornell, D.B.; Faxton, Theodore S.; Finch, F.M. Geography: Brooklyn
Box 29 Folder 13
Correspondence
1867-04-13-1867-04-24
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents and others; New York State canals; Wisconsin lands; Cornell University: buildings; Cornell family genealogy and history Personal names: Rooker, Thomas N.; Glenny, William; Wilcox, H.U.; Sibley, Hiram; Cook, Ann E. Geography:
Box 29 Folder 14
Correspondence
1867-04-25-1867-05-07
Digital
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Scope and Contents
April 26, 1867. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "White went to Buffalo last night, undecided yet which building to put up next." Topics: Cornell University: buildings; Williams College; New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents and others Personal names: Tenney, Sanborn; Curtiss, George; White, Andrew Dickson; Wood, O.S.; Jewett, E. Geography: Binghamton, N.Y.; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 29 Folder 15
Correspondence
1867-05-08-1867-05-24
Digital
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Scope and Contents
May 12, 1867. Mary Ann Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "Mary writes she wants some money very much. I don't know why she always applies to me for money for I have none for her, nor any way to get any that I know of." Topics: Telegraph industry: European lines; Cornell University: landscaping; cattle Personal names: Wood, O.S.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Cornell, D.B.; Garfield, Charles L.; White, Andrew Dickson; Rice, E.T. Geography:
Box 29 Folder 16
Correspondence
1867-05-25-1867-06-11
Digital
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Scope and Contents
May 26, 1867. Mary Ann Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "I thought I would improve the dreary hours of this gloomy day in writing. Today commences the last quarter of the moon and if we have a rainy week this week, we may look for three weeks more rainy weather after that, according to the old calculations for the weather. This is a very lonesome day indeed and I don't know but I shall have the blues before night." Topics: Cornell University: buildings, finances, establishment of Library; military education; agriculture; railroads; Western Union Telegraph Company; Smithsonian Institution Personal names: Cornell, D.B.; Faxton, Theodore S.; Kelly, William; Wood, Phebe Geography:
Box 30 Folder 1
Correspondence
1867-06-12-1867-07-01
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: Brest to New York cable, stock; Cornell University: buildings; Photo-lithography business; Sons of Temperance, State of California. Personal names: Cornell, John H.; Ritso, F.G.; Putnam, H.C.; White, Andrew Dickson; Rooker, Thomas N.; Pinkham, F.W. Geography: Brest, France; Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 30 Folder 2
Correspondence
1867-07-03-1867-07-17
Digital
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Topics: Cornell villa; mineral rod; Cornell University: students, buildings, natural history collections; New York railroads; cattle; telescope Personal names: Smith, Garret; Reddy, H.C.; Wood, O.S.; Darling, Charles A.; White, Andrew Dickson; Lincoln, A.B.; Jewett, E.; Pinkham, Anna. Geography:
Box 30 Folder 3
Correspondence
1867-07-18-1867-08-03
Digital
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Scope and Contents
July 20, 1867. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell from Gloucester, Mass.: "I am often at Boston and spent Wednesday & Thursday at Cambridge, at Commencement, where they seem much interested in the Cornell University and called me out for a speech at the public dinner which I gave them?" July 27, 1867. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell from Gloucester, Mass.: "Day before yesterday I spent delightfully with Prof. Agassiz?. I had long conversations with him regarding the merits of different candidates for Scientific Professorships. He was very full and explicit. "He gave me very full information regarding collections. He thinks highly of the Newcomb Collection of shells at San Francisco and the Carpenter Collection at Montreal. I promised to send him the paper which you sent me for his judgement." Topics: Cornell University: buildings, landscape, faculty, natural history collections; Wisconsin lands; New York railroads; telegraph business correspondence: Russian extension stock; American Institute Personal names: Cornell, J.W.; Olmsted, Frederick Law; Putnam, H.C.; White, Andrew Dickson; Agassiz, Louis; Wood, M.B.; Barnard, D.R.; Hendricks, G.W. Geography: Eau Claire; Cambridge, Mass.; Gloucester, Mass.
Box 30 Folder 4
Correspondence
1867-08-05-1867-08-20
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Scope and Contents
August 5, 1867. Frank H. Bradley to Ezra Cornell concerning the development of a department of Natural History at Cornell University. Topics: Cornell University: faculty, natural history collections; Cornell family genealogy and history Personal names: Bradley, Frank H.; Wood, O.S.; Newcomb, Wesley Geography:
Box 30 Folder 5
Correspondence
1867-08-21-1867-09-12
Digital
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September 12, 1867. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell: "Even if the difference in the lines of the two buildings is not detected at once it seems to me that the erection of a central building will bring it out. We are building for centuries and should not subject ourselves to the charge of stupidity from those who come after us. Now you had your way about the site -- yield to the majority in regard to this slight matter of the level. Your every wish regarding the contemplated institution has the sacredness of a command with me since your devotion to the great object has become so manifest, but I earnestly hope that you will concede this point. Every college so far is in the main an architectural failure. Do not let us risk the same failure by disturbing the continuation between the leading features of our plan as I feel we shall do by this difference of grades & architectural lines. Don't do it." Letter also discusses military education and faculty. Topics: Cornell University: natural history collections, campus architecture; New York State railroads; sheep; Cornell family genealogy and history; New York State railroads; Wisconsin lands Personal names: Curtiss, George; Olmsted, Frederick Law; Macy, R.D.; Putnam, H.C.; Chace, Thomas; White, Andrew Dickson Geography:
Box 30 Folder 6
Correspondence
1867-09-13-1867-09-23
Digital
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Scope and Contents
September 23, 1867. Ezra Cornell to the Trustees of the Cornell University reporting on construction of first two buildings, building fund, finances, building plans, land scrip fund, and use of land scrip. Topics: Grapes; military education; Wisconsin lands; Cornell University Personal names: Mattison, J.M.; Whittelsey; Putnam, H.C. Geography:
Box 30 Folder 7
Correspondence
1867-09-25-1867-10-11
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Photo-lithography business; Republican campaign; telegraph business correspondence; Cornell University Personal names: Morgan, E.; Chace, Alonzo; Cornell, D.B.; Rooker, Thomas N.; Putnam, H.C.; Woodward, W.A.; White, Andrew Dickson Geography:
Box 30 Folder 8
Correspondence
1867-10-12-1867-10-24
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Land scrip; The Western Rural Weekly ; Telegraph business correspondence: stock, Franco-American Telegraph cable; Family correspondence; sheep; cattle; agricultural machinery Personal names: Wood, M.B.; Cornell, D.B.; Gould, John Stanton; Johnson, B.P.; Ritso, F.G.; Barnard, R. Geography: Michigan; France
Box 30 Folder 9
Correspondence
1867-10-25-1867-11-09
Digital
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October 26, 1867. O.S. Wood to Ezra Cornell from Milwaukee: "Mr. Robertson?travelled with a man from the Chippewa Country from whom he learned that your agents in the land business are not considered sound?He said that it seemed to be the general impression in that section that the choice lots were not taken for you." October 26, 1867: Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell: "I have been corresponding with Harris of Monroe Co. & with others regarding the Prof'ship of Agriculture?I am strongly inclined toward him. "I am also corresponding with the West Point authorities & others regarding a Prof. of Civil Engineering & military tactics." November 7, 1867. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "I was some better yesterday and am still better today, but the Dr. says the action of the liver is not yet quite right. I think in the course of next week I shall be fully well again, and have passed a fit of sickness which I have in a measure been expecting and dreading the past 3 mo." November 8, 1867. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "I am decidedly better today and have just returned from a ride up to Cascadilla Place with Hon. Geo. D. Beers. Windows mostly in the building and scratchcoat will be on all the walls tomorrow." November 9, 1867. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell: "Hearing that you have been confined to your house by illness I feel quite guilty to think that I have neither been to see you nor written you?Now my dear friend let me beg and beseech you to take care of yourself. I don't think you realise how much depends upon you. In Heaven's name take things easily. Put the work on us younger fellows. Don't travel nights anymore, don't expose yourself to cold, don't ride in the front cars. If any man has earned a right to quiet and comfort you are that man. "I learned the other day?that there is an opportunity to sell our remaining scrip at a good price. Let me urge you to do it?What we most want is a larger income now. Had we such an increase as that would give, we could at once take the lead?" Topics: Cornell University: buildings, faculty; Photo-lithography business; Wisconsin lands Personal names: Bradley, Frank H.; Wood, O.S.; White, Andrew Dickson; Chace, Thomas; Cornell, Mary Ann; Cornell, D.B.; Rooker, Thomas N. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 30 Folder 10
Correspondence
1867-11-11-1867-11-25
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November 25, 1867. W. Newcomb to Ezra Cornell: "Our mutual friend Colo. E. Jewett has repeatedly written to me in relation to the disposition of my Collection in Conchology to the Cornell University. My chief inducement in parting with the labor of over thirty years in collecting?is that they may have a permanent and secure resting place?. I would much prefer that it should go to my Native State of New York." Topics: Photo-lithography business; Western Union Telegraph Company: stock; Smith versus Cornell suit; Missouri lands; agricultural machinery; Cornell University: natural history collections Personal names: Rooker, Thomas N.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Cornell, John H.; Smith, F.O.J.; Palmer, O.H.; Wood, O.S.; Cornell, D.B.; Chace, Miller; Newcomb, Wesley Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 30 Folder 11
Correspondence
1867-11-26-1867-12-13
Digital
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Scope and Contents
December 6, 1867. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell: "Now I beg of you excuse me this time. I think it vastly better on every account, in fact I think it due myself that the first address in Ithaca should be my inaugural. After that I will speak & work there as much as you please." Topics: Agricultural machinery (cotton seed planter); Minnesota lands; land scrip sales; Wisconsin lands Personal names: Farley, F.A.; Morgan, E.; Chace, Alonzo; White, Andrew Dickson; Carey, F.G. Geography:
Box 30 Folder 12
Correspondence
1867-12-14-1867-12-27
Digital
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Scope and Contents
December 19, 1867. Geo. S. Hastings, Private Secretary to the Governor of New York State, to Ezra Cornell concerning prices for land scrip. Topics: military education; land scrip sales; cattle; Cornell University: announcements, Photo-lithography business; Cornell family genealogy and history Personal names: Whittelsey; Hastings, G.S.; Rowell, Mary; Bell, J.E.; Rooker, Thomas N.; White, Andrew Dickson Geography:
Box 30 Folder 13
Correspondence
1867-12-28-1867-12-31
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Land scrip; Photo-lithography business; Cornell University; Wisconsin lands Personal names: Bell. J.E.; Osborne, J.W.; Cobb, Emory; White, Andrew Dickson. Geography:
Box 30 Folder 14
Correspondence
1868-01-01-1868-01-13
Digital
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January 2, 1868. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell discussing sale of land scrip, meeting of professors in the spring, and preparation of circulars about the University. Topics: Cornell University: natural history collections, announcements; cattle Personal names: White, Andrew Dickson; Millspaugh, John H.; Putnam, H.C.; Skinner, H.A.; Greeley, Horace; Newcomb, Wesley Geography: Fall River, Mass.
Box 30 Folder 15
Correspondence
1868-01-14-1868-01-27
Digital
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January 19, 1868. from Albany concerning political action on educational matters and his travels to Buffalo. January 27, 1868. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell: "I have secured James Russell Lowell the foremost literary man in the United States as one of our Non. Resd't Professors." Topics: Cornell University; Family correspondence; Convention in Albany; Land scrip; Cornell family genealogy and history Personal names: Hartt, Ch. Fred.; Carey, F.G.; Lyman, David; Cornell, Keturah; Cornell, D.B.; Barnard, Eunice; Cornell, Mary Ann; Brown, Aaron; White, Andrew Dickson; Cornell, J.W.; Lowell, James Russell. Geography:
Box 31 Folder 1
Correspondence
1868-01-28-1868-02-06
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January 29, 1868. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell: "Again I say enlarge the list of Addresses for Circulars in every way possible. Have Finch enlarge his list of lawyers. I tell you that it is the best investment we can make. The main reason why the University of Michigan has 1500 students today, -- more than any other college in the land is that I forced through the policy of letting the people know what we could do for them." Topics: Cornell University: buildings, opening, announcements, trustees; cattle; Wisconsin lands; Cascadilla Institute; photo-lithography Personal names: Barnard, Eunice; White, Andrew Dickson; Rooker, Thomas N.; Nivison, S.S. Geography:
Box 31 Folder 2
Correspondence
1868-02-07-1868-02-22
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell University: buildings, opening, trustees, establishment of Library; military education; Cascadilla Institute; cattle; Wells College; Wisconsin lands Personal names: Brown, Amos; Dean, Amos H.; White, Andrew Dickson; Wells, Henry Geography:
Box 31 Folder 3
Correspondence
1868-02-23-1868-03-09
Digital
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Scope and Contents
February 25, 1868. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell discussing the opening of the University, trustee matters, selection of faculty and architects, and construction of buildings. March 5, 1868. William S. King to Ezra Cornell from Cornell College: "Since Cornell University has been founded and has been receiving such munificent donations from yourself, I have though[t] how useful a twentieth part of this liberality would be in this new country, and how pleasant it would be if these two sister intitutions could look to a common Father and thereby the name of Ezra Cornell become as well and as thankfully know[n] in the west as in the east." March 9, 1868. Alonzo B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "What about the funds for Europe which I telgraphed you about last week, but which you did not answer. White says he wants $15,000 for Books and Chemicals abroad, instead of $14,000. Will you send me the other $1000, or must he get along with the $14,000? White says if only 14,000 is sent he will have to use $1000 of his own funds. My impression is that the $15,000 had better be placed at his disposal." Topics: Cornell University: buildings, opening, trustees, establishment of Library, faculty and professorships; cattle; Wisconsin lands; Iowa lands; Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Personal names: White, Andrew Dickson; Wood, O.S.; King, William S.; Cornell, Alonzo B. Geography:
Box 31 Folder 4
Correspondence
1868-03-10-1868-03-23
Digital
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March 10, 1868. Maria Mitchell to Ezra Cornell from Vassar College regarding the admission of women to Cornell and other universities: "?I will say some things to you which I must request?be considered confidential in relation to the 'woman' subject. I have no fancy for the agitation on the subject?" March 14, 1868. A.W. Cornell to Narcissa Peters: "There is a rumour afloat that there has been a legacy left in England to the Cornells of New York and Connecticut supposed to amount to Sixty Millions of dollars." March 15, 1868. from Washington: "I have already got the foundation laid for a large amount of business for Photo Lathography, if we can do the work as well and cheaper than by Old processes?I have also launched a move to remove various restrictions from our college Land Scrip Entries, and to get certain importations for the Cornell University free of duty, And to get a waggon road provided for from [Brurette] Falls to Lake Superior to be paid for by a grant of pulic lands along the route?. I judge by what I see with my eyes & ears that "Andy" was thoroughly alarmed as to his situation when he got the reports of the first days proceedings of the Impeachment Court. Previously he regarded himself safe from conviction?. Andrew Johnson is a bad man, and the American people know it." Topics: Vassar College; women's education; Cornell University: buildings, professorships, announcements; Cornell family genealogy and history; Cornell family English legacy; cattle; photo-lithography; Michigan lands Personal names: Mitchell, Maria; Rooker, Thomas N.; Cornell, James G. (Mineola, NY); Cornell, A.W.; Cornell, Mina; Cornell, Gideon; Cornell, Mary Ann; White, Andrew Dickson; Holbrook, Frederick; Fagan, Susan P.A.; Chace, Thomas; Peters, Narcissa. Geography:
Box 31 Folder 5
Correspondence
1868-03-24-1868-04-10
Digital
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Scope and Contents
March 24, 1868. Mina Cornell to her cousin: "You asked me if I thought there was money coming to us. Indeed I think there is for it is not likely that Ezra Cornell would be so anxious to enquire out the relatives and desire all the information possible according to the laws of England." April 3, 1868. E. Samson to Ezra Cornell regarding the founding of Cornell University: "Your sentiment as expressed by Prof. White. I say Amen to 'An institution where any person can find instruction in any study.'" April 8, 1868. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell from Paris: "Have tried to shake of thoughts of the University -- but -- 'Distance lends enchantment to the view' & I think of little else?. Have decided to go personally & make the purchases of Apparatus & Chemicals at Heidelberg, Darmstadt? & Berlin." Topics: Cornell University: establishment of Library, announcements; Cornell family genealogy and history; photo-lithography; Michigan lands; Wisconsin lands; Cornell family English legacy; Andrew Dickson White's European tour Personal names: Cornell, Mina; Spelman, Naomi; Rooker, Thomas N.; Tyler, Moses Coit; Samson, E.; White, Andrew Dickson; Cornell, D.B.; Millspaugh, John H.; Fagan, Susan P.A. Geography:
Box 31 Folder 6
Correspondence
1868-04-11-1868-04-26
Digital
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April 20, 1868. Mariah Booth to Ezra Cornell describing homesteading and family happenings in Colorado Territory. Topics: Cornell University: establishment of Library, finances; North Carolina lands; Andrew Dickson White's European tour; Western Union Telegraph Company: stocks; photo-lithography Personal names: Cornell, K.; White, Andrew Dickson; Rooker, Thomas N.; Wood, O.S.; Booth, Mariah; Lewis, G.F. Geography: Colorado Territory.
Box 31 Folder 7
Correspondence
1868-04-27-1868-05-12
Digital
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April 27, 1868. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell from Paris describing his efforts to gather books and other materials for the University: "?the election of Weaver is first rate. He is a true man. Knows what education should be & knows what we are striving to be?. I have been hard at work every day & have saved several thousand francs by prowling around the books shops of the Latin Quarter instead of buying of Agents?. If it is possible ie if it is not absolutely impossible I want the Univ. to put 5000 dollars more at my disposal?. There are elaborate models of every important organ -- an ear for example two feet long -- price 150 fr by wh. a hundred students can learn more in an hour than from text books in a month." May 3, 1868. from Washington: "I met Prof. Henry and Baird of the Smithsonian Institute yesterday, they hail the Cornell University with joy. Their building is nearly restored from the ravages of the fire and will soon be in full beauty and usefulness again. The Patent Office is becoming a miracle of groth and expose of inventive talent. The buildings are six or eight times larger than when I worked there in 1844 and they are more crowded now than then. There was some 17,000 patents issued last year, and will probably be 20,000 issued this year. This shows the great inventive wealth of this country." May 3, 1868. D.B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "?sorry to hear that you are sorely pressed for funds. I can hardly realize what satisfaction it can be to be wealthy and at the same time hard up, yet there are other & perhaps more simple problems that I have failed to solve." May 3, 1868. listing the twelve rules of wealth. Topics: Cornell University: announcements, establishment of Library, law books; telegraph industry; Andrew Dickson White's European tour; geological collections; Photo-lithography business; Smithsonian Institution; United States Patent Office. Personal names: White, Andrew Dickson; Rooker, Thomas N.; Cornell, D.B. Geography: England; France; Washington, D.C.
Box 31 Folder 8
Correspondence
1868-05-13-1868-05-26
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Scope and Contents
May 13, 1868. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell from Paris describing his efforts to gather books and other materials for the University, and reflecting on the University: "I find that they are about as much at sea regarding details of instruction in Agriculture here as we are in America?. This is confidential for it would be a serious injury to me on many accounts were the impression to be spread now that I am about to remove to Ithaca. I want a good comfortable place & absolutely healthy. I will sacrifice my own comfort, health, time, property & political purposes to the Cornell University, but there is one thing I will not sacrifice & that is the health of my wife & children -- so keep my interests in mind. I don't want to buy a place. I hope to put up something to suit me by & by, but I want a decent place for?my family on the hill." May 21, 1868. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell from Frankfort, Stuttgart, Heidelberg: "?the Royal Agricultural College at Hohenheim which was the institution I most wished to see. [Professor Rueff] especially dwelt upon the liberty allowed students there. They study just what they please -- making out a course for themselves (You see I have underscored the points where their practice is a working out of my theory.)" Topics: Andrew Dickson White's European tour; Cornell University: buildings, faculty, establishment of Library; cattle; Andrew Dickson White House; Ezra Cornell's circular inquiring about Cornell family genealogy and history. Personal names: White, Andrew Dickson; Pew, W.P.; Lewis, G.F.; Cornell, Edwin; Cornell, John W. Geography:
Box 31 Folder 9
Correspondence
1868-05-27-1868-06-11
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell University: buildings, faculty, plan, establishment of Library, water supply; Wisconsin lands Personal names: Caldwell, G.C.; White, Andrew Dickson; Harris, Joseph; Starr, A.A.; Lewis, G.F.; Mitchell, Maria Geography:
Box 31 Folder 10
Correspondence
1868-06-12-1868-06-23
Digital
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Scope and Contents
June 21, 1868. D.B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell: "I want if possible to avail myself of [the Whiting Farm] cannot you help me to accomplish it?" Topics: Andrew Dickson White's European tour; Cornell University: buildings, faculty, establishment of Library; Ezra Cornell's honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from Rutgers College; Wisconsin lands; American Photo-Lithographic Company; Minnesota lands; geological collections Personal names: Harris, Joseph; Russel, William C.; White, Andrew Dickson Geography:
Box 31 Folder 11
Correspondence
1868-06-24-1868-07-04
Digital
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June 24, 1868. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell from London: "As to the Prof. of Veterinary Surgery &c. Prof. Pancoast, of Philadelphia told me of a young Englishman studying at the Imperial Veterinary College at Alford. He is a fine fellow, good practically & theoretically and stands fifth in a large class which is good for an Englishman among Frenchmen." July 3, 1868. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell from London: "My dear Mr. Cornell I have secured Goldwin Smith late Prof. at Oxford University as our Prof. of English & General Constitutional History. I have secured James Law of Belfast as Professor of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery?. Am hard at work on the book purchases & am getting together a nobel collection." Topics: Andrew Dickson White's European tour; Cornell University: buildings, faculty, establishment of Library, campus plan; American Photo-Lithographic Company Personal names: White, Andrew Dickson; Law, James; Chace, Alonzo; Rooker, Thomas N.; Smith, Goldwin; Rowell, Mary Geography:
Box 31 Folder 12
Correspondence
1868-07-06-1868-07-19
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Western Union Telegraph Company; Cornell University: buildings, faculty, establishment of Library; zoological specimens; Photo-lithography business Personal names: Brown, Amos; Henry, Joseph; Poesche, Theodor; Oliver, James Edward; Rooker, Thomas N. Geography:
Box 31 Folder 13
Correspondence
1868-07-20-1868-08-11
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell University: buildings, faculty, establishment of Library, opening of the University; Photo-lithography business; University of California. Personal names: Monroe, William C.; Dawson, Henry B.; Brown, Amos; Rooker, Thomas N.; Chace, Thomas; Agassiz, Louis; Oliver, James Edward; Cornell, D.B.; White, Andrew Dickson Geography:
Box 31 Folder 14
Correspondence
1868-08-12-1868-08-28
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell University; Cascadilla Place Personal names: Rooker, Thomas N.; Rowell, Mary Geography:
Box 31 Folder 15
Correspondence
1868-08-29-1868-09-17
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cascadilla Place; Cornell University: establishment of Library, natural history collection. Includes "send him" letter. Personal names: Geography:
Box 31 Folder 16
Correspondence
1868-09-18-1868-09-30
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell family genealogy and history; Cornell University: students, University farm, natural history collections; Cooper Institute; Photo-lithography business; allegedly illicit transfer of specimens from Cooper Institute to Cornell University Personal names: Chace, Thomas; Cornell, D.B.; Rooker, Thomas N. Geography:
Box 32 Folder 1
Correspondence
1868-10-01-1868-10-17
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell University: opening of the University, students, student living quarters, inauguration of President and professors, faculty, scholarships; allegedly illicit transfer of specimens from Cooper Institute to Cornell University; Cornell family genealogy and history; Photo-lithography business; East India Telegraph; American Photo-Lithographic Company Personal names: Cornell, Mary Ann; Taber, Susan J.; Earle, Pliny; Rooker, Thomas N.; Joy, Arad; Woodward, W.A.; Cailiff, Cornelia Geography:
Box 32 Folder 2
Correspondence
1868-10-18-1868-10-28
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell University: opening of the University, students, faculty; women's education; Photo-lithography business; American Photo-Lithographic Company; cattle; Sandwich Islands expedition (Honolulu); Western Reserve Institute. Personal names: Cornell, D.B.; Cornell, Austin; Newcomb, Wesley; Cailiff, Cornelia; Shepard, S.E. Geography:
Box 32 Folder 3
Correspondence
1868-10-29-1868-11-13
Digital
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Scope and Contents
October 30, 1868. Burt Green Wilder to Ezra Cornell: "There is a general feeling of insecurity among those of us who occupy the upper floors of Cascadilla, and both Pres'd White and myself have ordered Rope Ladders for escape in case of fire: but I have not thought it necessary to ask their formal cooperation in the request I now make of you: That a Fire Extinguisher of medium size be placed in the center of each of the floors -- and that a proper number of persons be instructed in their use." Topics: Cornell University: opening of the University, students, faculty, Library; Cascadilla Place; Western Union Telegraph Company: stock; Cornell family genealogy and history Personal names: Wilder, Burt Green; Cook, Amos E.; Rooker, Thomas N.; Greeley, Horace Geography:
Box 32 Folder 4
Correspondence
1868-11-14-1868-11-23
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell University: opening of the University, students, faculty; synopsis of remarks by Goldwin Smith (Nov. 17, 1868) before the students of the University and citizens of Ithaca; DeRuyter Institute; Cornell family genealogy and history; Newcomb's expedition Personal names: Montague, J.; Smith, Goldwin; Rooker, Thomas N.; Newcomb, Wesley; Howe, Lester; Cornell, D.B. Geography:
Box 32 Folder 5
Correspondence
1868-11-24-1868-12-14
Digital
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Scope and Contents
November 24, 1868. Ezra Cornell to William F. Allen describing the charter and function of Cascadilla Place and its use by Cornell University. November 26, 1868. W.A. Woodward to Louis Agassiz regarding student labor. Topics: Cornell University: opening of the University, students, faculty, Library; Cascadilla Place; Western Union Telegraph Company: stock; Cornell family genealogy and history; Newcomb's expedition; telegraph business correspondence Personal names: Agassiz, Louis; Palmer, O.H.; Chace, Miller; Chace, Mary; Wood, O.S.; Newcomb, Wesley; Chester, E.W.; Crysler, Cornell Geography:
Box 32 Folder 6
Correspondence
1868-12-16-1868-12-30
Digital
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Scope and Contents
December 18, 1868. Ezra Cornell to R.R. Williams, Ithaca Fire Chief: "I also deeply sympathize with [the firemen] in the hardships and vexation arising from the false alarm of the other evening which called them forth at midnight, and regret exceedingly that the folly of thoughtless youth should thus multiply their labors?. Please accept the enclosed hundred dollars for the firemen of Ithaca as a small token of my regard." Topics: Cornell University: opening of the University, students, faculty, Library; Western Union Telegraph Company; Ithaca Fire Department; women's education; Russian Extension Telegraph drawings. Personal names: Allen, William F.; Wood, Corydon; Cailiff, Cornelia; White, Andrew Dickson; Chace, Thomas; Wood, O.S.; Williams, R.R. Geography:
Box 32 Folder 7
Correspondence
1869-01-01-1869-01-16
Digital
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Scope and Contents
January 1, 1869. from New York City describing books bought for the family, affairs in New York and Albany, and family finances. Topics: DeRuyter Institute; Newcomb's expedition; Ithaca Fire Department; cattle; Photo-lithography business; Cornell University: students, announcements, curricula, costs. Personal names: Cornell, E.S.; Newcomb, Wesley; Crysler, Cornell; Rooker, Thomas N.; Rowell, Mary; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography:
Box 32 Folder 8
Correspondence
1869-01-17-1869-02-12
Digital
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January 17, 1869. proposing an education/work system: "The letters [pre 1845] however have been a source of rare enjoyment for me, and has carried me back a score of years to the period of your heroic trials, when in poverty you struggled so nobly to care for and bring up properly our dear children during the absence which a like struggle imposed on me?. Honors cheaply won are lightly esteemed." January 30, 1869. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "Don't mention this as I don't want to get the reputation of being a stock speculator, and if it was known here that it was my stock that was sold it would have the effect to depress the market." Topics: Cornell University: professorships, scholarships; Family correspondence; Newcomb's expedition; telegraph industry (trial) Personal names: Cornell, D.B.; Rooker, Thomas N.; Wood, Daniel; Chace, Miller; Conkling, Roscoe; Newcomb, Wesley; Schuyler, G.W. Geography:
Box 32 Folder 9
Correspondence
1869-02-13-1869-02-26
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February 13, 1869. Hiram Sibley to Ezra Cornell from Rome: "Every body I see in Europe seems to regard with favor the plan & Policy Inaugurated by yourself & Prest. White and all predict a glorious future for the Cornell University. It has been a source of especial Pride & pleasure to me to witness the interest manifest by the men of learning everywhere I go in the "New University" (as they call it) to distinguish it from any one of the Old Established and to convey the idea of progress an improvement a new and better institution and better calculated to meet the wants of our growing county. "You are aware no doubt of the immediate cause of my visit abroad. My Physicians insisted that the only way to give my little overworked Brain rest was to put the Atlantic Ocean between me and my office." February 26, 1869. Ezra Cornell to Lucy M. Washburn on the education of women at Cornell University: "If the question of w[h]ere girls should board was the only one we could master that, but when and to whom shall they?attend to other educational duties is the question. We have now 400 boys here, and our room so crowded that we are forced to all sorts of expedients to make room for them. We also have several hundred young men pressing for admission who we cannot yet receive for want of room. If your case is one that only involves educational facilities, you can secure what you wish at Vassar College, and leave us to experiment on the boys?. I hope to live to see a thousand young women being educated in this University, with as many or more of their brothers, and all working smoothly and in harmony for their best good, but I don't want the young women forced upon us before we are prepared to make a success of it." Topics: Cornell University: Library, buildings, women students; Cornell family genealogy and history; telegraph industry (trial); Western Union Telegraph Company; mineralogical collections; women's education; Newcomb's expedition Personal names: Sibley, Hiram; Cornell, Samuel; Barnard, Eunice; Washburn, Lucy M.; Newcomb, Wesley; Chace, George A. Geography:
Box 32 Folder 10
Correspondence
1869-03-01-1869-04-06
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell family genealogy and history; Ithaca churches; Cornell University: Library, Personal names: Cornell, D.B.; Washburn, Lucy M.; Chace, Miller; Barnard, Eunice; Fiske, Willard; Smith, Goldwin; Rooker, Thomas N. Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.
Box 32 Folder 11
Correspondence
1869-04-07-1869-05-05
Digital
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April 14, 1869. John McGraw to Ezra Cornell: "My thoughts & purposes were these, no more no less. I started out by will to leave $30,000 to the university my second thought was to bestow it during my life and my third conclusion was that the center building would give a more ship shape look to the Hill side & allow an earlier finishing up and for the difference between say $30,000 & $50,000 I would not allow the opportunity to pass." April 28, 1869. Phebe Wood to Ezra Cornell: "Brother D.B. reports his health improving a little. He says he talks of going to Louisiana. I advised him to stay where he was join the Presbyterian Church and become a deacon. If he only would not have so many visions. I think he would be much better off. Poor Dan." Topics: Cornell University: Library, buildings, campus use, faculty, equipment and supplies; Cascadilla Place; Photo-lithography business Personal names: Sibley, Hiram; Porter, Sara Lee; Rooker, Thomas N.; Bostwick, William L.; McGraw, John; Smith, Goldwin; Wood, Corydon; Cornell, D.B. Geography:
Box 32 Folder 12
Correspondence
1869-05-07-1869-06-07
Digital
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Scope and Contents
May 14, 1869. Alonzo B. Cornell to Ezra Cornell from New York regarding the hiring of Scotch English or German immigrants to work as less expensive laborers at the University: "My instructions are to select only such men as will be likely to vote right when they become voters." Topics: Cornell University: buildings; portraits; telescopes; English workmen Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Wood, Ella F.; Caldwell, G.C.; Cropsey, J.F.; White, Andrew Dickson; Wood, M.B.; Wood, O.S.; Lee, Lavinia Shaw; Rooker, Thomas N.; Wells, Henry Geography:
Box 32 Folder 13
Correspondence
1869-06-08-1869-06-19
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell University: commencement, buildings, campus, Library. Personal names: White, Andrew Dickson; Smith, Goldwin; Fiske, Willard; Colfax, Schuyler; Joy, Arad Geography:
Box 32 Folder 14
Correspondence
1869-06-20-1869-06-24
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell University: commencement, buildings. Personal names: Cornell, D.B.; Faxton, Theodore; Chace, Miller; Rowell, Mary; Rooker, Thomas N.; Robertson, H.D. Geography:
Box 32 Folder 15
Correspondence
1869-06-25-1869-06-30
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell University: commencement, buildings, trustees. Personal names: Wood, O.S. Geography:
Box 32 Folder 16
Correspondence
1869-07-01-1869-07-22
Digital
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Scope and Contents
July 22, 1869. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell describing the nature of Cornell University (especially in relation to Harvard) and his goals, plans, and expectations. Topics: Cornell University: students; English workmen; agriculture; telegraph industry; Western Union Telegraph Company Personal names: Chace, Alonzo; Rooker, Thomas N.; Cleveland, William C.; Wood, O.S.; White, Andrew Dickson; Morse, Samuel F.B.; Wood, M.B.; Cornell, John W.; Cornell, Alonzo B. Geography:
Box 33 Folder 1
Correspondence
1869-07-23-1869-08-05
Digital
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July 24, 1869. Ezra Cornell to Mattie Curran from Ithaca: "Miss Mattie Curran There is a great reform required in the education and habits of females. Please study the subject and see what can be done for them. Respectfully yours Ezra Cornell" July 26, 1869. Thomas N. Rooker to Ezra Cornell: "Come away from Ithaca to the seashore for a short time. It will do you all good?. My wire window shades and wire doors are in their places and I am glad to tell you that my wife says, now that they are up and do not bother her as she thought they would, "they are the nicest things she ever had in her house." We hoist all of our windows, open our doors, and then sit down and laugh at the flies and bugs as they butt their heads against the wire cloth, trying to get in." July 31, 1869. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell from Swampscott discussing University buildings, campus roads, faculty, and advertisement of the Agricultural and Mechanical departments: "?we must take special pains to strengthen the Agricultural & Mechanical Departments. Other departments will be filled easily enough -- but these which by the Law of Congress are made leading departments must be kept constantly before the people." August 3, 1869. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell from Swampscott: "I want to go with you to see Greely to have a talk with him about the University. It is very evident to me that the sectarian plot against us is coming to a head very fast. Their paper addresses & sermons are venomous. One of them last week contained three distinct attacks on our unchristian character." Topics: Cornell University: buildings, advertisement; Western Union Telegraph Company; women's education; Cornell villa; agricultural machinery Personal names: Cornell, D.B.; Curran, Mattie; Rooker, Thomas N.; Wood, M.B.; Beecher, Catharine E.; White, Andrew Dickson; Cornell, D.B. Geography:
Box 33 Folder 2
Correspondence
1869-08-06-1869-08-31
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: agricultural machinery; Cornell University; Wisconsin lands Personal names: LeGrand, A.J.; Lewis, G.F.; Chace, Miller; Fowler, L.N.; Cleveland, W.C.; Cornell, D.B.; Bonesteel family Geography:
Box 33 Folder 3
Correspondence
1869-09-01-1869-09-18
Digital
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Scope and Contents
September 15, 1869. Cornell University "Rules for the Halls and Public Rooms." September 18, 1869. George L. Shepard to Ezra Cornell proposing establishment of a voluntary labor plan for students unable to pay for their education. Topics: women's education; Cornell University; Cornell family genealogy and history; land scrip sales and taxes Personal names: Cooke, H.J.; Bessac, Mary A.; Bonesteel family; LeGrand, A.J.; Whitlock, William; Shepard, S.E.; Shepard, G.L.; Cornell, D.B. Geography:
Box 33 Folder 4
Correspondence
1869-09-21-1869-10-13
Digital
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October 7, 1869. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell from Philadelphia: "Am a little nervous at having received no news from the University. I have to keep it out of my mind as much as possible or I should 'strike a bee line' for Ithaca." Topics: women's education; Photo-lithography business; Cornell University: student voluntary labor plan; Horticultural School for Girls; Missouri State University. Personal names: LeGrand, A.J.; Mann, Mary (Mrs. Horace Mann); Manedel, Miss; Rooker, Thomas N.; Shepard, G.L.; Lewis, G.F.; White, Andrew Dickson; Booth, Mariah; Barnard, D.R.; Rowell, Mary Geography: Pueblo, Col.
Box 33 Folder 5
Correspondence
1869-10-14-1869-10-29
Digital
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October 19, 1869: Malvina Higgins to Ezra Cornell from Maryville, East Tennessee: "Mr. Cornell will permit one who has been teacher among the Freedmen in different states, to thus tax his valuable time with a note of thanks that he does not exclude colored persons from the benefits of his University. Seeing the universal horror with which such a suggestion is received in our schools at the south, and yet seeing that "Cornell" has become a subject of interest among the intelligent of these places far beyond my expectations, even, we can but regard this step in your institution as greater than a political victory -- and an important aid in re-construction, notwithstanding the fact that a few northern colleges have thus done. That such an institution as yours has taken this step in recognition of the brotherhood of man seems to be of special consequence just now?. It is with pleasure, that on returning to East Tennessee, where this Maryville College has struggled so hard, I am able to say that the beautiful University which graces my home has taken this step." October 26, 1869. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann from Utica: "I did not find the stone giant in Syracuse. He is still laying where he was found -- 13 miles out from Sy. Prest. White went out and saw him on Sunday and proposed to drive me out there yesterday but I decided that a cold ride of 26 miles would be more unpleasant to me than my visit would benefit the giant -- so I was content to hear White tell about him. They took in $1,500 Sunday as fees from vistors who flocked there by thousands to see him." Topics: Cornell University: education of colored students; Photo-lithography business; Minnesota lands; Cardiff Giant. Personal names: Farr, M.B.; Cornell, D.B.; LeGrand, A.J.; Higgins, Malvina; Wilkins, J.; Rooker, Thomas N.; Lewis, G.F.; Cornell, John H.; Allen, W.F.; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography:
Box 33 Folder 6
Correspondence
1869-11-01-1869-11-23
Digital
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Scope and Contents
November 18, 1869. E.C. Ward to Ezra Cornell thanking him on behalf of the Woman's Parliament for his offer of aid to Miss Manedel in the establishment of her Horticultural School for Girls: "?allow me in the name of the Parliament to express their gratitude and appreciation of your kindly endeavors to furthur the advancement of all worthy efforts in the cause of progress and increased usefulness everywhere, as well as for your interest in the specific work which engages the attention of Miss Manedel." Topics: Cornell University: telegraph line to village, uniforms for cadets; Newcomb's Central American expedition; Photo-lithography business Personal names: Cornell, A.B.; Rooker, Thomas N.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Cornell, D.B.; McGraw, Joseph; Rockwell, E. & Son (Dryden Woolen Mills); Manedel, Miss; Ward, E.C.; Lewis, G.F.; Whitlock, William; Allen, W.F. Geography:
Box 33 Folder 7
Correspondence
1869-11-24-1869-12-10
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Newcomb's Central American expedition; land scrip sales and taxes; Cornell University; Albany Agricultural Works Personal names: Newcomb, Wesley; Lewis, G.F.; Cornell, Keturah M.; Cornell, J.W.; Allen, W.F.; Baldwin James S.; Manedel, Miss; Fuller, Andrew S.; Emery, Horace L. Geography:
Box 33 Folder 8
Correspondence
1869-12-11-1869-12-30
Digital
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December 27, 1869. Wesley Newcomb to Ezra Cornell from Panama: "I have just completed packing and marking a large case of specimens the results thus far of my collecting in this place, at the Islands of Flamenco and at Taboga. At this latter place we have spent two weeks, dredging and collecting on the beach. Independent of shells I have had the good fortune to have presented me by I.B. Akin Esqr. Commercial Agent of the English Line of West Coast Steamers, some 15 or 16 specimens of pottery collected by him at considerable expense from the graves of the Incas of Peru. Colo. Jewett in his Ethnological enthusiasm values them at thousands of dollars. Such as they are, however they make not an unimportant commencement in this department and are for the University." December 20, 1869. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell: "It seems to me that Cascadilla is the place for the entertainment on Founders day?. If agreeable to you I would like in the morning to address the students on University life in general, reviewing the past term & making suggestions as to the future." Topics: Land scrip; Newcomb's Central American expedition; local railroads; Western Union Telegraph Company; Cornell University: natural history collections, Founder's Day. Personal names: Lewis, G.F.; Wood, Phebe; Newcomb, Wesley; Cornell, Keturah; Putnam, H.C.; Linton, Prudence K.; Palmer, O.H.; White, Andrew Dickson Geography: Panama.
Box 33 Folder 9
Correspondence
1869-12-31-1870-01-10
Digital
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Scope and Contents
January 1, 1870. John Stanton Gould to Ezra Cornell: "The University will certainly triumph gloriously but it will have some severe fighting before the victory is won. Goldwin Smith's lecture published in the Atlantic is about as comprehensive and important a paper as I have ever seen. If school girls had not degraded the word so much I shuld say it was magnificent?" January 7, 1870. Copy of Ezra Cornell's agreement with the Commissioners of the Land Office of New York State for the purchase of land scrip (August 4, 1866). January 7, 1870. Ezra Cornell to Mary from Albany: "Last eve when I reached Albany I found the W. Union operators are on a strike. This will make it necessary for me to go from here to NY?" January 8, 1870. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann from Ithaca: "As you and Mary disapprove my going to Albany, and as A.B. disapproves my going to N.Y to return with you, I enclose you my pass, and remain at home awaiting orders." Topics: Smith suit; telegraph industry (historical deposition); Cornell University: faculty; local railroads; land scrip sales and taxes Personal names: Smith, F.O.J.; White, Andrew Dickson; Gould, John Stanton; Kelly, William; Barnard, Eunice; Cornell, Mary Ann; Learned, J.C. Geography:
Box 33 Folder 10
Correspondence
1870-01-11-1870-02-03
Digital
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Scope and Contents
January 31, 1870. Wesley Newcomb to Ezra Cornell from the Steamer Costa Rica, Bay of Panama: "My excursion has made the University favorably known throughout the Central American States and in good time will I trust bear fruit for the advancement of it's interests." Topics: Photo-lithography business; land scrip sales and taxes; Albany Agricultural Works; Newcomb's Central American expedition Personal names: Esty, Joseph; Steel, Henry; Emery, Horace L.; Newcomb, Wesley. Geography: Panama.
Box 33 Folder 11
Correspondence
1870-02-07-1870-04-19
Digital
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Scope and Contents
February 22, 1870. Resolution adopted by the Faculty of Cornell University: "That the Secretary be instructed to inform the Executive Committee that in the opinion of this Faculty it is highly important that rooms be immediately provided and suitably furnished for the accomodation of sick students." April 14, 1870. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell concerning Cornell University buildings, Mathematical Library, and White's Architectural Library. Topics: Albany Agricultural Works; Cornell University: infirmary, Library; Cascadilla Place Personal names: Emery, Horace L.; Hart, J.M.; Chester, E.W.; White, Andrew Dickson; Gould, John Stanton; Law, Eliza C.; Emery, F.M. Geography:
Box 33 Folder 12
Correspondence
1870-04-20-1870-06-03
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell University: Cascadilla Place; Ithaca & Cortland Railroad; Albany Agricultural Works; Minnesota lands Personal names: Law, Eliza C.; Emery, Horace L.; Emery, F.M.; Spraque, Homer B. Geography:
Box 33 Folder 13
Correspondence
1870-06-04-1870-08-07
Digital
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Scope and Contents
June 20, 1870. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann from Saratoga: "There are comparatively few people here yet, the heat of summer not having been intence enough to drive the denizens of the cities and the fools from good country homes to this retreat of fashion, folly, and flirtation?. Hotels are thick and large and very many private families take boarders during 'the Season'?. I think we must utilize the 'Cascadilla Place' in the same way. Fix up the grounds and fit up and furnish the house, and open it for a Summer Hotel from July 1st to Sept. 15th. Fill it with 200 guests for that time at $3. per day would amount to $47,000 half of which would be profit. If only $10,000 per vacation could be realized from its use it would be a great help. This trip to Saratoga has opened up this subject to my mind with more fource than it has ever before been presented." July 29, 1870. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann from Eau Claire, Wisconsin: "Since you were here they have got two fine bridges. One over the Chippewa where the Ferry was and the other over the Eau Claire. The town has grown decidedly in the time and the R.R. will add much more to it. This addition of R.R. facilities will add to the value of our lands and increase the sales." Topics: Minnesota lands; temperance; Cornell University: Cascadilla Place, faculty housing; Industrial Exhibition Company; Wisconsin lands Personal names: Emery, F.M.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Gould, John Stanton; White, Andrew Dickson; Fiske, Willard Geography: Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; Eau Claire; St. Paul, Minn.
Box 100 Folder 4
Letter from Ezra Cornell to Son Frank
1870-08-08
Box 33 Folder 14
Correspondence
1870-08-09-1870-12-05
Digital
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Scope and Contents
August 23, 1870. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell: "The immediate completion of the Sibley Building is of immense importance to us. We are at present utterly crippled in our department of Mechanic Arts for want of just such accomodations as the Sibley Building will give. I insist that this building now is worth two or three buildings later." Topics: Hartt expedition to South America; Cornell University: buildings, University Museum; Sibley Building; Minnesota lands; Albany Agricultural Works Personal names: Gould, John Stanton; Hartt, Ch. Fred.; White, Andrew Dickson; Emery, C.F.; McGraw, John; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cornell, Mary Ann. Geography: Albany, N.Y.
Box 33 Folder 15
Correspondence
1870-12-14-1871-01-28
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Scope and Contents
January 17, 1871. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell: "Keep close watch over our beloved University. Take no more risks than are absolutely necessary. Watch the monthly statements. Insist on knowing just where we are and what we can rely upon. Pardon this reiteration -- it is because I honor you and love our great enterprise. Good bye. God bless you." Topics: Land scrip; Wisconsin lands; Kansas lands; Townsend's Historical Collections; Cornell University: natural history collections; Minnesota lands Personal names: O'Reilly, Henry; White, Andrew Dickson; Cornell, A.B. Geography:
Box 33 Folder 16
Correspondence
1871-01-30-1871-04-29
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Albany Agricultural Works Personal names: Emery, W.S.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Emery, Horace L. Geography:
Box 34 Folder 1
Correspondence
1871-05-01-1871-08-12
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell University: rowing (Cornell Navy); Genealogical Register ; Wisconsin lands; women's education Personal names: Hughes, Thomas; Sage, H.W.; Woodward, W.A.; Chester, E.W.; Cornell, D.B.; Eastman, Emma; White, Andrew Dickson Geography:
Box 34 Folder 2
Correspondence
1871-08-15-1871-11-21
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell villa; Minnesota lands; Cornell University; National Telegraph Memorial Monument; Land Grant Act Personal names: Sage, H.W.; Knight, John H. Geography:
Box 34 Folder 3
Correspondence
1871-11-22-1871-12-23
Digital
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Scope and Contents
December 13, 1871. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell: "Finch tells me that you have the draft of a bill looking to the ratification of your contract with this State by Congress. I wish you would hold on a little about that until we can confer upon it. "Sage is probably to be here tomorrow. He aches to begin his College, evidently." Topics: Cornell University: buildings, plan; Land Grant Act; Wisconsin lands Personal names: Sage, H.W.; White, Andrew Dickson Geography:
Box 34 Folder 4
Correspondence
1872-01-02-1872-02-10
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell University: Library, equipment and supplies, Sage College; Sparks collections of books and manuscripts; Benjamin Franklin papers; Photo-lithography business; Land Grant Act Personal names: Fiske, Willard; Wood, M.B.; White, Andrew Dickson; Cornell, W.S. Geography: North Carolina
Box 34 Folder 5
Correspondence
1872-02-12-1872-03-12
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell University: Library, equipment and supplies, Sage College, rowing (Cornell Navy); Land Grant Act Personal names: Woodward, W.A.; Cornell, W.S.; Stanton, Elizabeth Cady; Cornell, Mary Ann; White, Andrew Dickson; Brown, Mary; Sage, H.W. Geography:
Box 34 Folder 6
Correspondence
1872-03-13-1872-04-25
Digital
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Scope and Contents
April 2, 1872. Andrew Dickson White to Ezra Cornell regarding the sale of college lands, a contemplated resignation of the Presidency, the building of a private residence, and the long-range development of the University. Topics: Cornell University: buildings, presidency Personal names: Chester, E.W.; White, Andrew Dickson Geography:
Box 34 Folder 7
Correspondence
1872-05-01-1872-08-16
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Albany Agricultural Works; Cornell University: trustees, Sage College. Personal names: Emery, Horace L.; White, Andrew Dickson; Folger, Charles J.; Babcock, Charles Geography:
Box 34 Folder 8
Correspondence
1872-08-21-1872-10-03
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell University: Department of Architecture, professors, Sage College, Sage Chapel, trustees, College of Chemistry and Physics; Cascadilla Place; Albany Agricultural Works; Wisconsin lands; Cooper Institute Personal names: Babcock, Charles; White, Andrew Dickson; Emery, Horace L.; Sage, H.W. Geography:
Box 34 Folder 9
Correspondence
1872-10-07-1872-12-06
Digital
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Scope and Contents
November 20, 1872. Ezra Cornell to John Horn recalling the early development of the telegraph. Topics: Cornell University; Albany Agricultural Works Personal names: Cornell, W.M.; Sage, H.W.; White, Andrew Dickson; Hunt, T.S.; Horn, John. Geography:
Box 34 Folder 10
Correspondence
1872-12-07-1873-01-31
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell University: Library, professors; Minnesota lands; Morrill Bill; Albany Agricultural Works; National Telegraph Memorial Monument Personal names: Sage, H.W.; Morrill, Justin S.; Gregory, J.M.; White, Andrew Dickson; Russel, William C. Geography:
Box 34 Folder 11
Correspondence
1873-02-04-1873-03-19
Digital
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Scope and Contents
February 16, 1873. Ezra Cornell to Hon. Nelson K. Hopkins regarding withdraw of 1025 shares of Western Union stock in accordance with contract of November 1865 and development of the University. Also a February 19, 1873 letter from A. D. White discussing Cornell's copy of Piranesi. Topics: Cornell University: Library, ; agriculture; Agricultural College Bill, ; entomology collections, ; Geneva and Ithaca Railroad Co., ; Land script Personal names: White, Andrew Dickson; Gould, John Stanton; Fiske, Willard; Hartt, Ch. Fred.; Wilder, Burt Green; Hopkins, Nelson K.; Comstock, John. Geography:
Box 34 Folder 11
Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann Wood discussing the stock market and strategy regarding the sale of his Western Union shares
1873-02-09
Box 34 Folder 12
Correspondence
1873-03-22-1873-05-27
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell University: faculty, Geology Department; Albany Agricultural Works; Land Grant Act; German-American Society; Calumniation of Ezra Cornell by Mr. McGuire in the New York State Legislature regarding financial arrangement of western lands and the founding and endowment of the University Personal names: White, Andrew Dickson; Hartt, Ch. Fred.; Emery, Horace L.; Dix, John A.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Austin, George L. Geography:
Box 34 Folder 13
Correspondence
1873-05-28-1873-06-29
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Calumniation of Ezra Cornell by Mr. McGuire in the New York State Legislature regarding financial arrangement of western lands and the founding and endowment of the University; mineralogical collections; Cornell University; Western Union Telegraph Company: stock Personal names: Blair, Charles Hildreth; Seymour, Horatio; Cornell, W.J.; White, Andrew Dickson; Wood, M.B.; Parker, Amasa J.; Austin, George L. Geography: North Carolina
Box 34 Folder 14
Correspondence
1873-06-30-1873-08-01
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Wisconsin lands; Albany Agricultural Works; Cornell University: faculty Personal names: Coffin, Isaac N.; Morse, Samuel F.B.; Emery, Horace L.; Rooker, Thomas N.; White, Andrew Dickson Geography:
Box 34 Folder 15
Correspondence
1873-08-02-1873-09-21
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Also an undigitized letter to Hon. N. K. Hopkins, Comptroller, Sept. 16, 1873 re stocks, including Western Union. There is more conversation regarding Hopkins and stocks in October. Topics: Cornell University: faculty, salaries, Agricultural Department; Wisconsin lands; Albany Agricultural Works Personal names: Hartt, Ch. Fred.; McCandless, H.; White, Andrew Dickson; Cleaves, E.C. Geography:
Box 34 Folder 16
Correspondence
1873-10-06-1874-01-28
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Geneva and Ithaca Railroad Company Personal names: McGraw, John; Greenough, J.; White, Andrew Dickson Geography:
Box 34 Folder 17
Correspondence
1874-02-01-1874-05-26
Digital
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Scope and Contents
April 13, 1874. Ezra Cornell to Edward Clasbeck: "It is 30 years this month since I purchased the poles for the line between Washington & Baltimore upon which the first wires were suspended, very few had faith in the success of the enterprise at that time, Prof. Morse('s) failure to make the wires work through leaden pipes beneath the surface of the earth had shaken his faith, but the wires were on the poles by 1st May 1844, and the line got to work with remarkable success considering the clumsy instruments we had to work with. Great changes have taken place since that time, but few of us who contributed to the success of the Telegraph remain to witness the fact that it has become the most important agency in the affairs of mankind - and with those few I desire a reunion." April 15, 1874. Ezra Cornell to John Horn describing the development of the telegraph: "The suggestion for putting the wires on poles came to Prof. Morse and myself about the same time from reading the reports in an English work of the necessity Prof. Wheatstone found for putting his wires on poles after a failure in pipes similar to that of Prof. Morse." Topics: Cornell University: Sage College, Agricultural Department; Calumniation of Ezra Cornell by Mr. McGuire in the New York State Legislature regarding financial arrangement of western lands and the founding and endowment of the University; Ithaca Iron Company; Geneva and Ithaca Railroad Company; railroads; Albany Agricultural Works; telegraph industry; women's education; cattle Personal names: Finch, F.M.; Burt, William L.; Greenough, J.; McChain, George; Clasbeck, Edward; Parker, Amasa J.; Roberts, Isaac P. Geography:
Box 34 Folder 18
Correspondence
1874-05-27-1874-08-15
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: cattle; Utica, Ithaca and Elmira Railroad; Sodus Point and Southern Rail Road Company. Personal names: Rooker, Thomas N.; Sherwood, Thomas D. Geography:
Box 34 Folder 19
Correspondence
1874-08-26-1874-10-17
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell University; life insurance Personal names: Robinson, Orrin; White, Andrew Dickson; Emery, H. Herbert. Geography:
Box 34 Folder 20
Correspondence
1874-10-21-1874-12-13
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell villa; life insurance Personal names: Cornell, D.B. Geography:
Box 35 Folder 1
[Untitled]
Digital
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Box 35 Folder 2
[Untitled]
Digital
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Box 35 Folder 3
[Untitled]
Digital
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Box 35 Folder 4
[Untitled]
Digital
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Box 35 Folder 5
[Untitled]
Digital
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Box 35 Folder 6
[Untitled]
Digital
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Box 98
Photostats of correspondence
1843-1856
Box 99
Photostats of correspondence
1857-1874
Cornell family correspondence
Box 36 Folder 1
Cornell family correspondence
1778-07-02-1819-05-17
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell family correspondence: letters to Elijah and Eunice Cornell from relatives with notices of births and deaths and local news. Personal names: Cornell, Elijah; Cornell, Eunice; Barnard, Elizabeth; Macy, Anna; Cornell, Ezra (brother of Elijah); Chace, Phebe. Geography: DeRuyter; Westchester County, N.Y.; North Carolina.
Box 36 Folder 2
Cornell family correspondence
1820-08-19-1838-08-05
Digital
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Scope and Contents
August 13, 1837. Martin B. Wood to Elijah Cornell: "As a matter consequent upon human life I have for a course of years studiously regarded the motions and movements of my female acquaintance for the purpose of discovering one among the multitude who possessed the requisite qualities for rendering the married life preferable to any other and of the number of ladies that have fallen within the circle of my acquaintance I feel it my imperitive duty to bestow upon your daughter Phebe, the preferance." Topics: Cornell family correspondence: letters to Elijah and Eunice Cornell in DeRuyter from their children and other relatives; notices of births and deaths, requests for permission to marry, local news, reports on family health, and mention of women's work. Personal names: Cornell, Elijah; Cornell, Eunice; Cornell, E.B.; Cornell, Lucretia; Cornell, Benjamin; Cornell, Mary; Cornell, Phebe; Cornell, Paul; Earle, Rhoda; Macy, Anna; Chace, Thomas; Wood, M. B. Geography: DeRuyter; Ithaca; Providence; Rochester; North Carolina.
Box 36 Folder 3
Cornell family correspondence
1838-09-15-1844-02-04
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell family correspondence: letters to Elijah and Eunice Cornell in DeRuyter from their children and other relatives; letters to Mary Ann Cornell; news of births, deaths, illnesses, local events, and messages of sympathy. Personal names: Cornell, Elijah; Cornell, Eunice; Cornell, Mary; Cornell, E.B.; Wood, Phebe; Chace, Lucretia; Chace, Thomas; Chace, Palmer; Macy, Anna; Macy, Robert; Bristol, John S.; Bristol, Elmira; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography: DeRuyter; Ithaca; Fall River; Providence; Seneca Falls.
Box 36 Folder 4
Cornell family correspondence
1844-02-10-1845-08-20
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell family correspondence: letters to Elijah and Eunice Cornell in Ithaca from their children concerning travel and new homes in Michigan; letters from Thomas Chace telling of Lucretia's illness and death; correspondence among Ezra Cornell's siblings; news of family life, travel, health, deaths, and local events. Personal names: Cornell, Elijah; Cornell, Eunice; Cornell, Mary; Wood, Phebe; Cornell, E.S.; Cornell, Deborah; Chace, Lucretia; Chace, Thomas; Cornell, Mary Ann; Wood, O.S.; Wood, Deborah C.; Cornell, E.B.; Bristol, Elmira Geography: Michigan; Providence; DeRuyter; Washington, D.C.
Box 36 Folder 5
Cornell family correspondence
1845-08-25-1847-03-08
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell family correspondence: letters to Elijah and Eunice Cornell in Ithaca from their children in Michigan and from cousin Elizabeth Swain in Nantucket; correspondence between Cornell and Wood siblings; news of family life, health, illnesses, business, children, travel, and religion. Personal names: Cornell, Elijah; Cornell, Eunice; Robertson, Mary C.; Robertson, Hiram D.; Cornell, E.S.; Wood, Phebe; Wood, M.B.; Chace, Thomas; Swain, Elizabeth; Cornell, Mary Ann; Wood, O.S.; Bristol, Elmira; Cornell, John H. Geography: Ithaca; Albion; Homer, Mich.; Nantucket.
Box 36 Folder 6
Cornell family correspondence
1847-03-13-1848-10-10
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell family correspondence: letters to Elijah and Eunice Cornell from their children in Michigan and New York with news of religious conversions, children, illnesses, pottery, and family life; letters to Mary Ann Cornell from E.B. and Betsy Ann Cornell; letter to John Cornell from Elijah concerning Mary Ann and Ezra Cornell's trip to Michigan; M.B. Wood to Phebe Wood while he is away from home building telegraph lines. Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Cornell, Elijah; Cornell, Eunice; Cornell, E.S.; Cornell, D.B.; Cornell, John H.; Cornell, E.B.; Cornell, Betsy Ann; Cornell, Mary Ann; Chace, Thomas; Robertson, Mary C.; Wood, M.B.; Wood, Phebe Geography: Union Springs, N.Y.; Homer; Albion; Nantucket.
Box 100 Folder 2
Letter to Ezra Cornell from Cousin Ann Eliza Lacy
1847-03-23
Box 36 Folder 7
Cornell family correspondence
1848-11-05-1850-03-03
Digital
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Scope and Contents
January 14, 1849. Jane Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell: "I suppose that Father thinks about starting for California in search of Gold, tell him not to do so untill Spring and I will go with him. Mart is very strongly attracted with the Feaver but has not started for there yet?. The people of Albion hold California meetings here two or three times a week, and there is a large company going from here early in the Spring. Do you know where Daniel is at present. I should not wonder if he was in California by this time." Topics: Cornell family correspondence: letters to Elijah and Eunice Cornell in Ithaca from their children; letters among siblings and aunts and nieces; letters to Mary Ann; news of family events, life in Albion, health, school, social life, and growth of children; gold fever; pottery business; Phebe as telegraph operator. Personal names: Cornell, Elijah; Cornell, Eunice; Cornell, John H.; Robertson, Mary C.; Cornell, Alonzo B.; Dunham, J.; Cornell, Elizabeth P.; Cornell, Jane; Cornell, D.B.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Wood, Deborah C.; Wood, Phebe; Chace, Palmer Geography: Albion; Union Springs; Fall River, Mass.
Box 36 Folder 8
Cornell family correspondence
1850-03-05-1852-08-29
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell family correspondence: letters to Elijah and Eunice Cornell from their children and from siblings in Fall River, Massachusetts; correspondence among Ezra Cornell's siblings; many letters from D.B. Cornell to parents and siblings; news of family life, religion, and schooling. Personal names: Cornell, Elijah; Cornell, Eunice; Robertson, Mary C.; Cornell, D.B.; Chace, Thomas; Cornell, Jane; Cornell, John H.; Wood, Phebe; Chace, Miller; Cornell, E.B.; Shepard, S.E.; Chace, Mary. Geography: DeRuyter; Albion; Union Springs; Providence; Canada; Fall River; Ithaca
Box 36 Folder 9
Cornell family correspondence
1852-09-01-1857-12-27
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell family correspondence: letters to Elijah and Eunice Cornell from their children and grandchildren; correspondence among Ezra Cornell's siblings; news of health, employment, farming, and life in Michigan. Personal names: Cornell, Jane; Cornell, D.B.; Wood, Phebe; Chace, Miller; Cornell, Molly; Cornell, E.S.; Cornell, Elijah; Cornell, Eunice; Cornell, E.B.; Chace, Rebecca; Cornell, Mary Ann; Cornell, John H.; Wood, Deborah C. Geography: Albion; Union Springs; Fall River; Brantford, Ontario; Ithaca; Providence; Pine River, Mich.
Box 36 Folder 10
Cornell family correspondence
1857-12-28-1860-02-10
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Topics: Cornell family correspondence: letters to Elijah from his children, grandchildren, and brother; correspondence among Ezra Cornell's siblings; selection of Mary Ann Cornell as Judge of Needlework at the State Fair; news of deaths, women's fashions, family life, health, homes, and crops. Personal names: Cornell, Elijah; Cornell, E.S.; Wood, Phebe; Robertson, Hiram D.; Robertson, Mary C.; Cornell, John H.; Rowell, Mary; Cornell, Mary Ann; Cornell, D.B.; Cornell, Molly; Cornell, Jane; Chase, Edward; Chace, Alonzo; Chace, Miller Geography: Pine River; Albion; Fall River; Belvidere, Ill.; Brantford; Iowa; Albany.
Box 36 Folder 11
Cornell family correspondence
1860-03-01-1863-01-03
Digital
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Scope and Contents
July 7, 1860. E.B. Cornell to Elijah Cornell from Ithaca discussing local news and family news, including a 'baloon assension' in Ithaca and the work he is doing for Ezra Cornell. December 15, 1860. Benjamin Cornell to Elijah Cornell from Agricultural College in Ovid: "I'm well at present & going to College at Ovid with Perry?. The College to where we go is intended to give a student a good thorough education in English languages & cemistry & also other branches to numerous to mention. With a practical knowledge of Agriculture. The College is large enough to accomodate 200 students. They have a farm attached to it of 600 acres to practice & experiment on." December 18, 1860. O.H. Perry Cornell to Mary Ann Cornell from Agricultural College at Ovid: "I received your letter this evening and was very glad to hear from you on account of the carpet for I tell you this room is enough to make the strongest man in the State of New York homesick?" June 4, 1861. Edward S. Cornell to Elijah from Michigan Asylum discussing his health, the Asylum, and his desire to return to his farm. Topics: Cornell family correspondence: letters to Elijah from his children, grandchildren, and brother; letters to Mary Ann from O.H. Perry at Agricultural College in Ovid; letters between Frank and Mary Ann; news of life in Ithaca, family life, O.H. Perry's marriage, new babies. Personal names: Robertson, Mary C.; Wood, Phebe; Chace, Miller; Cornell, E.B.; Cornell, Benjamin; Cornell, O.H. Perry; Cornell, E.S.; Cornell, Mary Ann; Cornell, Franklin C. Geography: Albion; Ohio; Fall River; Ithaca; Ovid, N.Y.
Box 36 Folder 12
Cornell family correspondence
1863-01-11-1874-12-08
Digital
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Scope and Contents
December 8, 1874. Mary Ann Cornell to E.B. Cornell: "Ezra received your letter of the 6th this morning and requested me to answer it as he is unable to write?he is very feble indeed but we hope he will get about again soon, he has about finished the business of settleing with the University and that is a great load off his mind. I hope he will get his matters in shape so he can give more attention to geting his health restored and less to business, the boys are all doing all they can to assist him, and I hope it will all come out right." Topics: Cornell family correspondence: letters to Mary Ann Cornell from family (children, siblings, and cousins) and friends; news of family life, health, deaths, Ithaca, and grandchildren; letter of thanks from Dr. C.S. Lozier for Cornell Scholarship; Cornell family genealogy and history; Cornell family English legacy; M.B. Wood to Phebe Wood describing his trip to Washington, D.C. Personal names: Cornell, Mary Ann; Dunham, Emily; Dunham, J.; Wood, Phebe; Barnard, Eunice; Lozier, C.S.; Cornell, Sue; Cornell, Franklin C.; Cornell, Betsy Ann; Chace, Anna; Allen, Clara; Cornell, D.B.; Wood, M.B.; Cornell, E.B. Geography: Albion; DeRuyter; Ithaca; Washington, D.C.
Box 36 Folder 13
Cornell family correspondence
1874-12-13-1878-09-05
Digital
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Scope and Contents
January 24, 1875. D.B. Cornell to J.H. Cornell from Colorado: "Yours of 16th recieved this morning, in which you say that Brother Ezra was very much embarassed during the last year of his life & you express the fear that there will not be much left &c. I am not surprised at the information as E had wrote to me in the summer that if his R.R. project failed I would probably be better off than he would be. I was however in hopes that he would make a success of that as he had intimated to me that he should, if successful in that, then quit active business & seek the rest he so much needed & desired? "I have had trouble with my wife more or less ever since we were married & I expect she will soon leave me. I am well assured that she expected Ezra would make a will & leave her some money independant from me & now that she has failed on that I think she will leave soon." Also discussion of opportunities in Colorado. Topics: Cornell family correspondence: letter of sympathy to Mary Ann Cornell; correspondence among Ezra Cornell's siblings concerning his death and family news. Personal names: Cornell, D.B.; Robertson, Mary C.; Cornell, John H.; Cornell, Franklin C.; Wood, M.B.; Cornell, E.S. Geography: Colorado; Albion
Box 36 Folder 14
Cornell family correspondence
Digital
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Scope and Contents
n.d. Mary Cornell to Eunice Cornell: "I dont know what the[e] will say at my staying to Ithaca to work in the paper mill but there is a good chance [?] I can make more then I can to work at housework?" n.d. Jane Cornell to Eunice Cornell from Michigan: "I want to learn how to Telegraph for I think it would be a much pleasenter and more proffitable business. Phebe thinks I will be very foolish if I do not improve the opportunity. She says she will give me $2.00 per week if I will stay and help do her work and sewing, and give me a chance to learn to telegraph." Topics: Cornell family correspondence: letters to Elijah and Eunice Cornell from their children; news of family life, children, health, fashions, farming, and employment. Personal names: Cornell, Elijah; Cornell, Eunice; Rowell, Mary; Earle, Rhoda; Cornell, E.B.; Cornell, Jane; Chace, Lucretia; Cornell, Mollie; Cornell, Mary; Chace, Thomas; Wood, Phebe; Cornell, Mary Ann Geography: Providence; Ithaca; Albion
Box 36 Folder 15
C. E. Cornell to Mrs. Ambler, ALS
1867-07-31
Series II: Letterbooks, Notebooks, Diaries
Scope and Contents
Ezra Cornell's diaries and notebooks, thirty-three in number, were kept as companion pieces to his correspondence and served a documentary and communicative function. The diaries sometimes provide a slightly different viewpoint from the one addressed in family correspondence. Topics include travel, plow business, telegraph business, farming, politics, and Cornell family history and genealogy. The letterbooks are bound copies of outgoing letters concerning the telegraph industry and the founding of Cornell University.
Box 37 Folder 1
Letterbook
1846-04-30-1847-05-09
Box 37 Folder 2
Letterbook
1847-05-26-1852-05-16
Box 37 Folder 3
Letterbook
1848-01-06-1851-12-05
Box 37 Folder 4
Letterbook
1853-02-18-1853-09-04
Box 37 Folder 5
Letterbook
1853-08-17-1858-11-08
Box 37 Folder 6
Letterbook
1866-03-07-1866-12-03
Box 37 Folder 7
Letterbook
1867-10-01-1873-02-24
Box 38 Folder 1
Diary
1841-03-19-1851-09-20
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Diary of 1841 trip to New England to visit mills, observe uses of waterpower, and promote Ithaca as a manufacturing center. Includes detailed description of Boston and many New England mills and factories. Daily entries in 1848 and 1851 concern telegraph business and travels through New York and New England checking and repairing lines.
Box 38 Folder 2
Notebook
1842-01-01-1843-01-01
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Notebook, includes financial accounts, lists of names and addresses, and copies of letters.
Box 38 Folder 3
Diary
1843-01-24-1843-05-30
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Diary with daily entries from journey through the South selling plows and plow patent rights. Provides description of travel by railroad, steamboat and foot, reports on personal health and treatments, and details of meals, including "a real log cabin supper." Diary includes observations of Southern businesses and descriptions of Monticello and Mount Vernon.
Box 38 Folder 4
Diary
1843-05-01
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Continuation of diary of trip to the South, with descriptions of Washington, D.C., the White House, the Capitol, the Patent Office, and Philadelphia.
Box 38 Folder 5
Notebook
1843-02-17-1843-06-04
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Notebook from trip to the South, includes remedies for the croup and consumption, census figures for counties in North Carolina, plow business notes and accounts, details of routes traveled, and notes on Southern factories.
Box 38 Folder 6
Diary
1846-10-05-1847-01-06
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Diary of Cornell as the Superintendent of the New York, Albany & Buffalo Magnetic Telegraph Company. Includes details of travel, directives given, and repairs made on lines. Diary ends with resignation submitted to Theodore Faxton.
Box 38 Folder 9
Diary
1850-04-17-1850-09-28
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Diary of work on New York telegraph lines. Includes details of line maintenance and operations.
Box 38 Folder 10
Diary
1852-07-24-1852-10-05
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Diary of Cornell as the Superintendent of the New York & Western Union Telegraph Company. Includes details of travel, line repairs, and line overhauls.
Box 38 Folder 11
Diary
1852-10-06-1853-04-12
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Dairy of work on New York telegraph lines. Includes details of travel, line repair, building of lines, conflicts with Smith, purchase of Ohio, Indiana & Illinois Telegraph Company, and other telegraph business. Also includes some family news.
Box 38 Folder 12
Diary
1853-04-13-1853-09-28
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Diary of work in the telegraph business. Includes travels in New York, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan, the leasing of the Ohio, Indiana & Illinois line, and sales of telegraph stock.
Box 38 Folder 13
Diary
1855-11-01-1856-06-01
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Diary of work in the telegraph business in New York and the west. Includes the consolidation with the House Company, Cornell's work as superintendent of part of the Union line (responsible for the Erie & Michigan line from Buffalo to Milwaukee and also of the circuit west of Cleveland), and a description of Hughes printing telegraph. Also includes details of travel and some family news.
Box 38 Folder 14
Diary
1860-01-01
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Diary and cash accounts. Includes details of visit to oil wells in Titusville, travels on telegraph business, work with the New York State Agricultural Society, and the coal oil business.
Box 38 Folder 15
Diary
1861-01-01
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Diary and cash accounts. Includes details of life in Ithaca where Cornell is "home all day" and involved in the Tompkins County Agricultural Society, the Farmers Club, raising sheep and cattle, and collecting agricultural statistics. Also includes travels to Washington, D.C. and attendance at Lincoln's inauguration.
Box 38 Folder 16
Diary
1862-01-01
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Diary and cash accounts. Includes work in the New York State Legislature, interest in agricultural machinery, and a proposal to rescue the agricultural school and start an agricultural and military school. Also includes some detail of trip to England and Europe.
Box 38 Folder 17
Diary
1862-05-31-1862-09-17
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Diary of trip to England, with details of the crossing from New York to Liverpool, travels in England and herds of pedigreed shorthorns visited. Also includes an alphabetical listing of Cornells in the United States with addresses and dates.
Box 38 Folder 18
Diary
1862-08-20-1862-09-05
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Diary of travels in England, herds inspected and animals purchased.
Box 38 Folder 19
Diary
1863-01-01
Digital
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Scope and Contents
Diary and cash accounts. Includes records of telegraph stock and various financial records. Note in back of diary to "enquire what the effect of large endowments are upon colleges in the Old World -- How many graduates do they send out, & c."
Box 38 Folder 20
Diary
1865-01-01
Digital
The digital preservation copy may be made available on request if a delivery copy is not already online.
Scope and Contents
Diary and cash accounts. Includes notes on Cornell family history and genealogy, business notes, and Western Union and Albany Agricultural Works financial statistics.
Box 38 Folder 21
Diary
1865-07-11-1865-07-12
Digital
The digital preservation copy may be made available on request if a delivery copy is not already online.
Scope and Contents
Diary of trip to Pennsylvania to examine the coal mines near Towanda.
Box 38 Folder 22
Diary
1866-01-01
Digital
The digital preservation copy may be made available on request if a delivery copy is not already online.
Scope and Contents
Diary and cash accounts. Includes details of trip to Wisconsin to "hunt lands" and other work concerning Cornell University and college land scrip. Also includes Western Union business and financial notes.
Box 38 Folder 23
Diary
1867-01-01
Digital
The digital preservation copy may be made available on request if a delivery copy is not already online.
Scope and Contents
Diary and cash accounts. Includes notes on Cornell family history and genealogy, applicants for notary public, and collections for the University as well as business and financial information.
Box 38 Folder 24
Diary
1868-01-01
Digital
The digital preservation copy may be made available on request if a delivery copy is not already online.
Scope and Contents
Diary and cash accounts. Includes Cornell University business, Western Union statistics, and notes on Cornell family history and genealogy. Also mentions month long illness.
Box 38 Folder 25
Diary
1869-01-01-1870-01-01
Digital
The digital preservation copy may be made available on request if a delivery copy is not already online.
Scope and Contents
Diary and cash accounts. Includes notes concerning personal finances, photo-lithography business, Western Union, Albany Agricultural Works, and Cornell University. Also describes solar eclipse viewed from Ithaca and the treatment for a liver complaint.
Box 38 Folder 26
Diary
1870-01-01
Digital
The digital preservation copy may be made available on request if a delivery copy is not already online.
Scope and Contents
Diary and cash accounts. Includes notes concerning business of Albany Agricultural Works and Western Union and notes on Cornell family history and genealogy. Also, details concerning Cornell University, including listing of where students are from, housing in Cascadilla place, and reports on Wisconsin lands.
Box 38 Folder 27
Diary
1871-01-01-1873-01-01
Digital
The digital preservation copy may be made available on request if a delivery copy is not already online.
Scope and Contents
Diary and cash accounts. Includes business statistics of Western Union and Albany Agricultural works, railroad business and notes on Cornell family history and genealogy. Also includes details concerning a trip to the Mid-West and land grant business.
Box 38 Folder 28
Diary
1873-01-01
Digital
The digital preservation copy may be made available on request if a delivery copy is not already online.
Scope and Contents
Diary and cash accounts. Includes notes on Western Union business statistics, notes on railroad business and on Cornell University.
Box 38 Folder 29
Notebook
Digital
The digital preservation copy may be made available on request if a delivery copy is not already online.
Scope and Contents
Notebook of reports and notes from articles on telegraph science.
Box 38 Folder 30
Notebook
Digital
The digital preservation copy may be made available on request if a delivery copy is not already online.
Scope and Contents
Notebook of abbreviations used in telegraphic communication.
Box 38 Folder 31
[Untitled]
Digital
The digital preservation copy may be made available on request if a delivery copy is not already online.
Box 38 Folder 32
[Untitled]
Box 38 Folder 33
[Untitled]
Scope and Contents
Notebook with listing of Cornells with cities, states, and businesses. Also list of people to whom circulars of Cornell University were to be sent.
Series III: Financial records
Scope and Contents
Financial records include bills of sale, statements of accounts, orders for equipment and supplies in connection with the telegraph industry, the establishment and operation of Cornell University, and the Cornell family.
Box 39
Financial records
1829-10-1847-11
Box 40
Financial records
1847-11-1848-12
Box 41
Financial records
1848-08-1849-07
Box 42
Financial records
1849-07-1850-03
Box 43
Financial records
1850-03-1850-11
Box 44
Financial records
1850-12-1851-09
Box 45
Financial records
1851-09-1853-05
Box 46
Financial records
1853-05-1853-07
Box 47
Financial records
1853-07-1854-05
Box 48
Financial records
1854-06-1855-02
Box 49
Financial records
1855-03-1855-04
Box 50
Financial records
1855-05-1855-09
Box 51
Financial records
1855-10-1856-04
Box 52
Financial records
1856-05-1868-04
Box 53
Financial records
1868-05-1876-03
Box 54
Undated financial material
Box 55
Stock transfer books
1831-1859
Box 56
Ledger
1839-1862
Box 57
Cash books
1831-1841
Box 58
Cash books
1840-1850
Box 59
Cash books
1844-1873
Box 60
Ledgers
1846-1851
Box 61
Cash books and farm records
1849-1861
Box 62
Miscellaneous financial material
1862
Box 63
Account books
1862-1863
Box 64
Ledgers
1864-1865
Box 65
Stock books
1850-1861
Box 99 Folder 48-49
Photostats of some financial material
1864-1874
Box 100 Folder 1
Checks and promissory notes
1863-1870
Series IV: Documents and Legal Papers
Scope and Contents
Many forms of hand-written and printed documents are represented in this series, and include indentures, agreements, articles of association and agreement, deeds, receipts, sketches, official reports of corporations, announcements (as by railroad and telegraph companies), petitions, stock transfers, notice of legal proceedings, blueprints, small broadsides, hand-drawn maps, legislative bill announcements, lithographic drawings, drafts of speeches, hand-written copies of outgoing letters assembled for legal purposes, and many other kinds of material. Most of these pertain to Cornell's involvement with the telegraphic industry and the founding of the University; others concern New York State legislation and Cornell family matters.
Box 66 Folder 1
1831-01-22-1842-11-23
Box 66 Folder 2
1842-11-24-1845-05-25
Box 66 Folder 3
1845-05-29-1846-04-01
Box 66 Folder 4
1846-04-06-1847-05-24
Box 66 Folder 5
1847-06-05-1847-11-01
Box 66 Folder 6
1848-03-07-1848-05-01
Box 66 Folder 7
1848-05-13-1850-02-18
Box 66 Folder 8
1850-03-25-1850-08-07
Box 66 Folder 9
1850-12-13-1853-01-21
Box 66 Folder 10
1853-01-22-1853-12-12
Box 66 Folder 11
1854-01-26-1854-11-28
Box 66 Folder 12
1854-12-18-1855-09-20
Box 66 Folder 13
1856-01-11-1858-09-22
Box 66 Folder 14
1858-10-15-1860-10-22
Box 66 Folder 15
1860-10-25-1862-10-25
Box 66 Folder 16
1862-11-04-1863-03-18
Box 66 Folder 17
1863-03-20-1864-01-13
Box 66 Folder 18
1864-01-29-1864-04-23
Box 67 Folder 1
1864-02-12-1865-04-18
Box 67 Folder 2
1864-04-25-1864-12-10
Box 67 Folder 3
1864-12-16-1865-03-22
Box 67 Folder 4
1865-03-25-1865-12-19
Box 67 Folder 5
1865-12-31-1866-04-24
Box 67 Folder 6
1866-05-01-1866-08-13
Box 67 Folder 7
1866-09-02-1867-06-07
Box 67 Folder 8
1867-09-01-1868-04-06
Box 67 Folder 9
1868-04-23-1868-09-24
Box 67 Folder 10
1868-10-19-1869-08-16
Box 67 Folder 11
1869-09-08-1870-12-14
Box 67 Folder 12
1871-01-11-1871-12
Box 67 Folder 13
1872-01-1873-05-03
Box 67 Folder 14
1873-01-27-1873-12-16
Box 67 Folder 15
1874-10-13
Box 68 Folder 1-15
Miscellaneous documents collected and arranged as a discrete unit by members of the Cornell family; various dates.
Box 69 Folder 1-5
Drafts of speeches; agreements; and other documents; various dates.
Box 70 Folder 1-12
Undated documents. (Includes the Constitution of the Shooting stars and Celestial Sockdollagers)
Mapcase Folder 2
Insurance policies; mortgages; patents; Ezra Cornell's passport; and other documents; various dates.
Series V: Telegraph Material
Scope and Contents
Telegraph material includes printed brochures, historical writings, articles of association and agreement, reports, receipts for telegraph stock, proceedings of boards of directors for various telegraph companies, by-laws and incorporation papers, copies of the American Telegraph Magazine and Schaffner's Telegraph Companion, notices, scientific articles, legal briefs and comment on suits, charts of tariffs and charges, financial papers and other printed pieces. Stock subscriptions for the Ithaca and Palmyra Telegraph (1849) bear Ezra Cornell's annotations and lists of subscribers. In addition to the Western Union Telegraph Company, other organizations include the Erie & Michigan Telegraph Company, the Washington and New Orleans Telegraph Company, the New York and Erie Telegraph Company, the Franco-American Telegraph, the Atlantic Telegraph, International Ocean Telegraph Company, the East India Telegraph Company, the Russian American Telegraph - Western Union Extension, and several other domestic lines and companies.
Box 71 Folder 1-2
Telegraph Material
1845
Box 71 Folder 3-4
Telegraph Material
1846
Box 71 Folder 5-6
Telegraph Material
1847
Box 71 Folder 7-8
Telegraph Material
1848
Box 71 Folder 9-10
Telegraph Material
1849
Box 71 Folder 11
Telegraph Material
1850
Box 71 Folder 12
Telegraph Material
1851
Box 71 Folder 13-14
Telegraph Material
1852
Box 71 Folder 15
Telegraph Material
1853
Box 72 Folder 1
Telegraph Material
1853
Box 72 Folder 2-3
Telegraph Material
1854
Box 72 Folder 4
Telegraph Material
1855
Box 72 Folder 5
Telegraph Material
1856
Box 72 Folder 6
Telegraph Material
1857
Box 72 Folder 7
Telegraph Material
1859
Box 72 Folder 8
Telegraph Material
1860
Box 72 Folder 9
Telegraph Material
1864
Box 72 Folder 10
Telegraph Material
1865
Box 72 Folder 11-12
Telegraph Material
1866
Box 72 Folder 13
Telegraph Material
1867
Box 72 Folder 14
Telegraph Material
1868
Box 72 Folder 15
Telegraph Material
1869
Box 72 Folder 16
Telegraph Material
1871
Box 73 Folder 1
Telegraph Material
1878
Box 73 Folder 2
Telegraph Material
1880
Box 73 Folder 3
Telegraph Material
1887
Box 73 Folder 4
Telegraph Material
1889
Box 73 Folder 5
Telegraph Material
1914
Box 73 Folder 6-11
Telegraph Material
Box 92
Telegraph Reports
1853-08-1853-11
Box 93
Telegraph Reports
1853-12-1854-07
Box 94
Telegraph Reports
1854-08--1855-02
Box 94
Telegraph Reports
1855-06-1855-08
Box 94
Telegraph Reports
1855-11-1855-12
Mapcase Folder 1
J.J. Speed discussing telegraph routes and business. Sketched map of telegraph routes on reverse, 1848
Mapcase Folder 3
Newspaper clippings; broadsides with rates and regulations; diagrams; maps of telegraph lines; other printed materials.
Series VI: Court Proceedings
Scope and Contents
Includes Cornell legal cases, including the 1872 Woodward vs. Cornell suit to recover money for services performed by W.A. Woodward for Ezra Cornell in locating public lands in Wisconsin, and the Surrogate Court's proceedings in the matter of the estate of Ezra Cornell.
Box 74
Woodward vs. Cornell (volume 1)
1872-08-28
Box 75
Woodward vs. Cornell (volume 2)
1872-08-28
Box 76
Surrogate Court transcripts: "Estate of Ezra Cornell Dec'd" (volumes 1-2)
Box 77
Surrogate Court transcripts: "Estate of Ezra Cornell Dec'd" (volumes 3-6)
Series VII: Estate Records
Scope and Contents
Papers pertain to Ezra Cornell's will and estate, and include mortgages, warranty deeds, tax papers and documents, title abstracts, land contracts, bonds, receipts, and other papers.
Box 78
Mortgages, warranty deeds, tax documents, title abstracts, land contracts, bonds, receipts.
Box 79
Mortgages, warranty deeds, tax documents, title abstracts, land contracts, bonds, receipts.
Box 80
Mortgages, warranty deeds, tax documents, title abstracts, land contracts, bonds, receipts.
Series VIII: Scrapbooks, Broadsides, Maps, Photographs, Clippings, Ephemera, and Genealogical Information
Scope and Contents
Several forms of material document the chief vocations and enterprises of the life of Ezra Cornell. Newspaper clippings kept by Cornell and later by members of his family chiefly concern the telegraph industry and the founding of Cornell University. Other topics and issues featured in the clippings include the growth of American railroads, the Republican Party, local and national politics and government including Ezra Cornell's candidacy and service in the New York State Legislature, and real estate especially pertaining to the Wisconsin lands; also mining, scientific advancement, medicine, and other issues. Other material includes agricultural catalogues, maps, particularly of lines of the developing telegraph industry and Wisconsin lands; photographs of Cornell and his family; broadsides; Ezra Cornell's "ciphering "book" (1823-1860) which included financial and arithmetic lessons and calculations; the Manual of the Common Council of New York, material from the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1867, calling cards, railroad passes, the New York State Agricultural Society's medal presented to Cornell for his cattle, Cornell's ceremonial wedding socks, and a volume celebrating the Cornell Public Library. Also, biographical and genealogical materials, and printed materials concerning Cornell University.

For genealogical information, see also Rev. John Cornell, Genealogy of the Cornell Family: Being an Account of the Descendants of Thomas Cornell of Portsmouth, R.I. (New York: T.A. Wright, 1902) - digital copy available.
Box 81
Clippings
1847-1873
Box 82
Clippings
1852-1874
Box 83
Ezra Cornell's Cyphering Book
1823-1860
Scope and Contents
As well as having notes from his youth the book also contains later notes by Ezra about his fortunes and how he should spend his wealth.
Box 83
Manual of the Common Council of New York.
Box 83
Scrapbook of clippings
1845-1862
Box 84
New York State Constitutional Convention
1867
Box 85
Ephemera
Scope and Contents
Calling cards; railroad and telegraph passes; New York State Agricultural Society medal; wedding socks, 1831; leather coin purse; Cornell Public Library descriptive volume, 1866; letterheads.
Box 86
Drawing, painting, broadsides, scrapbook
Scope and Contents
Drawing of Ezra Cornell's home on the corner of Seneca and Tioga Streets in Ithaca; painting of Elijah Cornell; Chalk portrait drawing of Ezra Cornell as a young man; broadsides; scrapbook.
Box 87
Miscellaneous printed materials
Scope and Contents
Printed agricultural materials including catalogues of Ezra Cornell's Short Horned Cattle, Valleyview Farm Poultry by Ezra Cornell, Albany Agricultural Works and other catalogues and broadsides; report of Ezra Cornell, President of the New York State Agricultural Society, on the Exhibition of the Royal Agricultural Society of England held at Battersea, July 1862; address delivered by Ezra Cornell to the New York State Agricultural Society in 1863. Speech by Ezra Cornell on the Question of a Ship Canal connecting Cayuga Lake with Lake Ontario (given before the Committee of the Whole Senate of the State of New York in 1864); printed materials concerning educational institutions, including People's College; Phrenological Journal, March 1866; maps and plans concerning village of Cornell and Brunett's Falls in Wisconsin; printed materials concerning the Institute of Reward for Orphans of Patriots; other general printed materials.
Box 88
Biographical materials on Ezra Cornell
Scope and Contents
Including handwritten manuscript on the life of Ezra Cornell (by himself?); scrapbook pages of clippings of articles and obituaries on the death of Ezra Cornell; interview with Otis E. Wood by Prof. Charles H. Hull in 1907.
Box 89
Printed materials concerning Cornell University and founder Ezra Cornell
Scope and Contents
Including the Cornell University First General Announcement; copy of the Act to Establish Cornell University; In Memoriam the Death and Burial of Hon. Ezra Cornell; Report as to the condition of the Cornell University, made to its alumni, June 1883; Centennial Day Publications; Founder's Day announcements, invitations, songs, and addresses given by Andrew Dickson White, Francis M. Finch, Andrew Carnegie, and others.
Box 90
Cornell Family Genealogical materials
Scope and Contents
Including handwritten genealogy of the Cornell Family by Ezra Cornell, and miscellaneous family papers from after the death of Ezra Cornell.
Box 91
Photographs, miscellaneous materials
Scope and Contents
Photographs of Ezra Cornell and the Cornell and Wood families including Elijah Cornell; Cornell and Wood homes; side-hill plow; piece of Cornell pottery; Cascadilla place. Also, bookplates, keepsake book presented to Mary S. Cornell by Ezra Cornell, marriage certificate of John H. Cornell and Mary Gifford (with Ezra Cornell as witness), framed autographs of Ezra Cornell. Glass plate of the DeRuyter home,images of the interior of Llenroc, daguerreotype of Mary B. Wood.
MU 1114
Painting of David Woodcock House
MU 1001
2 pots crafted by Elijah Cornell
Box 95 MU-1416
Small glazed pitcher crafted by Elijah Cornell
Box 96 MU-1415
Satchel used by Ezra Cornell when he was a member of the NY Senate
Box 100 FD-58-59
Two 5" optical disks (MOD's) containing copies of Boxes 9-12 and 25-30
Box 100 Folder 5
Unknown note regarding trip to Washington with Ezra Cornell, son and Rev. D. Torrey (July 23, 1867)
Box 101
Framed stock certificate
Scope and Contents
Ezra Cornell's 250 shares of capital stock of the Ithaca & Cortland Railroad Company (July 8, 1871)
Mapcase Folder 4
Clippings, maps, and printed materials
Scope and Contents
Ithaca Journal pages relating to the death of Ezra Cornell; maps and floor plans pertaining to Ithaca, Cornell Public Library, and Cornell University; other clippings and printed materials.
Mapcase Folder 5
Maps
Scope and Contents
Maps of Wisconsin, including Barron County and village of Cornell; Traveler's map of the Middle, Northern, Eastern States and Canada, showing all the railroad, steamboat, canal, and principal stage routes, 1849; Maps of railroad routes; maps of Minnesota, 1865 and Mackinaw City, 1857; other printed maps.