Willers family papers, 1820-1908.
Collection Number: 652

All the material in the collection may not be covered by this guide.

Copy of resolution made between the towns of Romulus and Fayette, N.Y. to build a connecting road, April 2, 1813

Contract of indenture between Catherine Stahl and Amy Stahl Turbot township, Northumberland County, Penna. February 12, 1820. Contract of indenture whereby Margaret Bowers became the indentured servant of Isaac Gambers, April 2, 1856.

Affidavit made by Daniel Philip Lange of York County, Penna. Stating that Diedrich K. Willers Sr. of good character etc., it also relates briefly Willers life history, April 5, 1820.

Copy of an act of the N. Y. Assembly, passed March 29, 1822 authorizing courts to meet in Ovid and Junius, although both towns were located in Seneca County.

Issued to William Deppen by Diedrich Willers, Pastor of the Fayette German Reformed Church, March 24, 1826.

Sworn statement made by Diedrich Willers in the Seneca County Common Pleas Court that he wishes to become a citizen of the united States, October term, 1830. This repeated in October term, 1834; see statement sworn on October 8, 1839.

Letter from the Executive Committee of the Missionary Society of the Church to Diedrich Willers stating that he will receive Missionary Society pamphlets in both English and German, March 16, 1832. See letter from A. Wagner to Willers, July 3, 1832. Minutes of a meeting of the elders of the Church at Fayette, Seneca County, July 27, 1837.

Series of documents, primarily legal, relating to the suit for libel brought against Michael Brown Jr. by Diedrich Willers, and the problems Willers had in collecting the damages awarded him, January 9, 1838 - November 5, 1838.

Broadside # 2889 filed under data of January 9, 1838 in Willers Papers, identical to Br. 977 in Broadside Collection. N. Dean January 1977

Of the German Reformed Church. Letter from Diedrich Willers to Rev. Benjamin Schneider concerning a foreign mission in Turkey. See also letter date Nov. 7, 1838 from Willers to the American Board of Foreign Missions; see letter from Willers to F. Hoffheintz January 7, 1840.

Letter from H.E.W. Evans to Diedrich Willers explaining why Evans, an Ohioan, supports Harrison in the current presidential campaign; Harrison is a man who has had a " ….long life of moral and political honesty". August 15, 1840; se also letter from Mattias S. Weaver to Willers, November 16, 1842.

A number of compositions written as school assignments by Diedrich Willers Jr. on various topics (e.g. On Music, John Calvin, The Government of Passion, Ulrich Zwingli, The Magnetic Telegraph, Education, The Town of Varid, On the Negro, Their Treatment compared with that of the Indians), November 4, 1846 - March 2, 1854; also, there are a large number of undated notes, exercises, and speeches used in school, c. 1845-1855. School rules written by Diedrich Willers Jr., October 11, 1852. Report of the school district librarian Diedrich Willers, Jr., 1855.

Letter from Diedrich Willers Jr. to Messrs. I and L. H. Parker discussing recent political events in the town of Varick, September 19, 1848; see letter from D. Willer Jr. to A. Sears requesting support for his candidacy for School Commissioner of Seneca County - Willers mentions his qualifications which include loyal support to the Democratic Party, May 24, 1856

Letter from Diedrich Willers Jr. to Messrs I, and J. H. Parker describing the landing of a balloon not far from his home which had previously ascended from Geneva Sept 19, 1848.

Letter from Diedrich Willers Jr. to the editor of the Seneca Observer describing the "Sabbath School Celebration" at Bearytown, N.Y. July 4, 1848; the description was used for a composition on February 13, 1850. (see under education)

Description by Diedrich Willers Jr. of Koussouth's visit to Auburn, N.Y. May 29, 1852

Letter from Diedrich Willers to the American Home Missionary Society discussing his activities as a missionary to the foreign born populace of Waterloo, N.Y., August 1, 1853. Also, see letter of the elders of the German Evangelical Protestant Church in Waterloo, N.Y. to the Home Missionary Board May 2, 1853

Description of trip made to Washington, D. C. by Diedrich Willers Jr. to see inaugural of Buchanan, also to make contacts with political leaders, March 18, 1857.

Letter from Diedrich, Jr. to A. Sears requesting Sears help in securing the election as school commissioner in Seneca County, May 24, 1857

Letter from Diedrich Willers Jr. to W. Drake Parsons concerning the filling of certain postmasterships in N.Y. and the position of the Democratic party in the state, September 1857; see draft of letter from Willers to G. J. Tucker concerning the appointment of Willers to a clerkship in the State Department at Albany, December 7, 1857; see letter from Willers to Calvin Willers regarding the appointment of Calvin as a Notary Public in Seneca County, March 16, 1864. Letter from Wilson S. Hunt to Willers Jr. requesting the appointment of a mutual friend as a Notary Public, Janurary30, 1875.; letter from Elliot Evans to Willers concerning census appointments, February 2, 1875; letter from M. P. Williams to Willers concerning the proposed appointment of a certain person as a deputy in Hudson, N. Y. who has "jeopardized" the entire party, April 17, 1874; see also letter from Henry Stowell to Willers, November 28 and December 8, 1874.

Subpoena issued to Diedrich Willers Jr. to appear before a N. Y. State Assembly committee desiring information from certain state officers April 11, 1859.

Letter from Horatio Seymour to Diedrich Willers, Jr., stating that he intends to place before the state legislature a measure relating to bounties, December 15, 1862

Receipt for $50.00 paid by Diedrich Willers in order to exempt his son, Calvin Willers, from the draft; see also letters from Diedrich Willers Jr. to Calvin Willers, Aug. 18, Sept. 1 and Sept. 26. See letter from the District Provost Marshal to Diedrich Willers, December 8, 1863. Also, letters Dec. 8 and 14, 1864.

Letter from Diedrich Willers Jr. to Calvin Willers (his brother) discussing the County (Seneca) Democratic ticket and possible results for Calvin if the Democrats are successful in the state and local campaign, September 25, 1864. See also letter of September 1, 1864 concerned with the Presidential Campaign, McClellan's qualifications, and the possibility Horatio Seymour had of securing the Democratic nomination.

Letter from D. D. Lefler to Diedrich Willers, Jr. requesting his help in securing the promotion of a friend of Lefler's on the N. Y. Police Force, January 14, 1873.

Letter from Robert Finrel to D. Willers Jr. stating that he supported Willers in the last State Convention and helped him secure the nomination of Secretary of State but that, in return, Willers has not rewarded his loyal King's County supporters; thus, Finrel says he will not make the same "mistake" in the next convention; but see letter from Josiah T. Miller to Willers, December 25, 1873, and from G. M. Ridler, December 24, 1873.

Letter from Horatio Seymour to Diedrich Willers, Jr. asking him not to publish the name of a certain Henry J. Miller in his list of appointees, December 26, 1873.

Letter from Stephen Taber to Diedrich Willers, Jr. requesting that part of the printing of the official canvases of the 1873 state election be bestowed upon the Hempstead Inquirer December 29, 1873; see also letter from D. A. Lamont to Willers December 29, 1873

Letter from H. A. Reeves to Diedrich Willers, Jr. concerning the forthcoming congressional canvass in New York.

Letter from Gideon J. Tucker to D. Willers Jr. concerning the position of Superintendent of Canals, January 31, 1875; see also letter from William W. Van D Mach to Willers, January 2, 1874; concerning appointment Canal Superintendent at Seneca Falls, see letter from James Plunkett to Willers, January 9, 1874, D. E. Slawson to Willers January 10, 1874, and G. J. Magee to Willers January 10, 1874; see letter from J. R. Wheeler to Willers concerning appointment to a clerkship in the canal department, on canal elections and patronage - see letters from Clarence Opdyke to Calvin Willers, January 24, 1874, and Henry Stowell to Diedrich Willers Jr., February 23, 1874; see also letter from James Lynch to Diedrich Willers Jr., February 9, 1874.

C. M. Ridler to Diedrich Willers Jr., discussing the advisability of securing the cooperation and support of the liberals, December 24, 1873; see also letter of G. Benjamin to Willers, January 14, 1874.

Letter from B. D. Naxon to Diedrich Willers Jr. concerning the loss which he feels many lumbermen in Oswego County have suffered since 1863 when the Oneida Lake Canal was closed, March 2, 1874; see also letter of Gideon J. Tucker to Willers, Jan 31, 1875.

Letter from William D. Van Buren to D. Willers Jr. warning him to be careful of Alonzo Cornell - "He is very cunning and shameless". April 30, 1874

Letter from H. P. Nichols to Diedrich Willers, Jr. concerning the approaching state convention of the Democratic Party, August 22, 1874; see also letter of D. Theodore Mierson to Willers, August 23, 1874; and from Calvin Willers to Diedrich Willers, Sr. explaining why Diedrich Willers Jr. did not attend the Democratic State Convention, September 20, 1874.

John Kelly to Diedrich Willers Jr. discussing the candidates who are being considered by the state legislature for the position of U.S. Senator from New York, January 12, 1875; see also letter from S. M. Shaw to Willers, November 13, 1874.

Letter from S. A. Bostwick to Willers Jr. stating that as near as he could discover, a certain Mr. Hough "…voted for Tilden and a part of our county ticket". December 2, 1874.

Letter from Diedrich Willers to J. F. Crampton, British Minister to the U. S., requesting Crampton's aid in securing a larger pension for Willers because of his action at the Battle of Waterloo with respect to the death of a French Colonel.

Register of Baptisms, Confirmations, Communicants of the Reformed German Churches of Fayette Township, Seneca County, New York. Partially written in German. NOTE: Pre-1833 volume in Seneca Falls Historical Society, Seneca Falls, New York. Per researcher, Larry C. Porter, 8/71. Waterloo is correct - see # 6050. Also, see reference to DW Papers at Seneca Falls HS in D. Bakken's letter of June 10, 1969 to Mrs. George E. Patterson, Director. (See NYHRC, #SN821-720-0085)

Letter dated January 12, 1875 from John Kelly of N. Y. C. to Diedrich Willers Jr. (now N.Y.S. Secretary of State), Kelly will not come to Albany during the senatorial race, it might hurt their chance of electing their candidate (Keenan), he does not want Murphy elected, Murphy took the lead in the state legislature of those who brought disgrace to us and to my mind was the cause of our defeat in 1871 and 1872.

J. B. Wheeler of Seneca County to Diedrich Willers Jr., January 18, 1875, Wheeler wishes to be appointed to clerkship of Canal Superintendent; support from Willers would bring appointment.

Rueben Saegar (of Fayette) to Diedrich Willers Jr. asking for clerkship for his son, a grad of Rochester Business University. January 25, 1875

John to Diedrich Willers Jr. - discusses appointments and strategy. February 24, 1875.

Troutman (of Fayette) to Diedrich Willers Jr., upset over their election losses at Fayette. "As you see we lost our supervisor." March 9, 1875.

George Pontius of Syracuse to Diedrich Willers Jr. requests appointment as a clerk. He is financially hard up. April 15, 1875.

T. D. Krum to Diedrich Willers, Jr. requests appointment for a friend to take the census in Arcadia in Wayne County, the friend has been a lifelong democrat. (There are several letters in the collection during this period relating to patronage.) April 15, 1875.

Diedrich Willers Jr. to unknown, April 26, 1875. Willers is annoyed because the census appointments seem difficult to settle, especially in Fayette; see also a letter from William Caldwell of the Sunday Mercury April 29, 1875 to Diedrich Willers Jr. concerning an article in the Sunday Mercury critical of the census appointments. See also a letter from Gideon J. Tucker to Diedrich Willers Jr. on N.Y.S. politics, May 20, 1875, discusses census appointments and enumeration.

H. B. Stanton to Diedrich Willers Jr. "The Republicans will fight desperately to save the Senate - and thus force a compromise on the apportionment." July 20, 1875. Newspaper clipping attached.

Henry C. Lisk to Diedrich Willers, Jr. discusses forthcoming Democratic Ticket, July 26, 1875. (Other letters on similar subject) See a draft of a letter by Diedrich Willers Jr., August 23, 1875.

Draft of letter from Diedrich Willers, Jr. to Henry Stowell, August 31, 1875, concerning delegation (from Seneca County) to State Democratic Convention, "the sentiment is strongly with Mr. Tilden." Also concerns various state appointments. Cross reference: Samuel J. Tilden

Lewis Post to Diedrich Willers, Jr. October 25, 1875. Discusses forthcoming elections to legislature; problems of defeating Republicans in Seneca County; A republican Customs House official "is now in Ovid…" They are swarming throughout the state with money in hand. It will be too bad to tie Tilden up with a Republican Legislature."

Philo White to Diedrich Willers, Jr. November 6, 1875. Discusses election to legislature in Utica; deplores success of the Canal Thieves; but believes the incorruptible Tilden will force them to dis-gorge some of their ill-gotten plunder.

George Pontius to Diedrich Willers, Jr. November 13, 1876, wants Willers to help him be reinstated to the census bureau. Feels he has done good work; but he did not praise the superintendent or play up to his vanity. See also a letter from Pontius to Willers, November 30, 1876, and a draft from Willers to C. B. Benedict, November 23, 1876.

Daniel S. Lamont (from Albany) to Diedrich Willers, Jr., November 30, 1876, "The Greenback, Temperance and Anti-Masonic Tickets gave us much trouble at the canvass. We are very busy on the canvass for state officers and the amendments."

William Terrell to Diedrich Willers, Jr. December 11, 1876, wants Willers help in securing appointment as Military Secretary. "Governor Robinson does not look entirely upon a man's political influence, but character and ability." Willers is highly regarded by Governor Robinson. See also a letter from Terrell to Diedrich Willers, Jr. January 23, 1877. Cross reference: Lucius Robinson

A. C. Niven to Diedrich Willers, Jr. January 22, 1877. Discusses scandals in administration of the state prisons. It isn't easy to unearth such "rascality, but the effort should be made….."

D. C. Robinson (son of Governor Robinson and his personal secretary) to Diedrich Willers, Jr., May 30, 1877, refers to pre-arranged plan by legislature to defeat re-apportionment; this defrauds larger counties of their just rights.

Wilkens ( editor of the Whitehall Times) to Diedrich Willers, Jr., mentions possibility of a new ticket in the forthcoming canvass; see also letter of June 26, 1877 from Wilkens to Willers, Jr., also draft of letter, June 1877, by Diedrich Willers, Jr., in this he mentions the desire of Democrats in Seneca and adjacent counties for a new state ticket.

Ira Aliny to Diedrich Willers, Jr., July 20, 1877, concerns political developments in Farmer Village (Interlaken) and Ovid.

J. B. Thomas to Diedrich Willers, Jr., August 2, 1877, mentions that Willers is being talked of as candidate for Assembly in the fall elections.

P. W. Rhodes of N. Y. C. to Diedrich Willers, Jr., August 8, 1877, desires to retain a representative from Seneca County in the Assembly who is sympathetic to N.Y.C.; praises the incumbent.

Speech made by Diedrich Willers, Jr., to Seneca Falls Democratic Convention after his nomination by acclamation for position in the assembly, October 20, 1877. Also, several copies of speeches and letters used in the campaign. Diedrich Willers, Jr. was elected, see letter of John J. Coleman to Diedrich Willers, Jr., November 7, 1877

Horatio Seymour Jr. to Diedrich Willers, Jr., November 16, 1877, thanks him for his work in the recent election; wants his advice concerning the office of state engineer in so far as it relates to the canal board.

To Diedrich Willers, Jr. (from Ovid) December 3, 1877, discusses local politics and election in Seneca County; disturbed that so many Democrats left the fold.

D. Davenport (of Trumansburg Landing) to Diedrich Willers, Jr., February 1878, asks him not to alter law concerning licensing of places selling alcoholic beverages: "We don't want rum shops granted licenses in this section."

R. A. Sherman to Diedrich Willers, Jr., February 8, 1878, concerning proposed changes in Canal Administration.

J. J. Marlette to Diedrich Willers, Jr., April 13, 1878, discusses schemes for payment of repairs on the canals in N. Y. S.

Diedrich Willers, Jr. to D. S. Lamont, August 15, 1878, is angered that his wishes have not been followed in appointments to canal superintendent in his own county; see also a letter of August 25, 1878 from Lamont to Diedrich Willers, Jr.

James Jones (of Waterloo, N.Y.) to Diedrich Willers, Jr., October 14, 1878, discusses recent county convention and underhanded methods used by the victorious group.

William Terrell to Diedrich Willers, Jr., November 28, 1878, comments on bleak outlook for Democrats in Albany County.

Various printed matter on the Gubernatorial election of 1879 between L. C. Robinson and Alonzo B. Cornell

Diedrich Willers, Jr. to William Reed, January 25, 1879, concerns repairs needed on the Cayuga and Seneca Canal.

Samuel Earl to Diedrich Willers, Jr., May 30, 1879, concerning celebration of centennial of Sullivan's campaign in Seneca County; several other letters on this.

M. S. Gould to Diedrich Willers, Jr., November 3, 1879, feels that the Democrats will carry the Town of Covert, Seneca County, in the election.

S. R. Wells to Diedrich Willers, Jr., February 25, 1880, discusses development in Democratic Party in Waterloo.

Daniel S. Lamont to Diedrich Willers, Jr., November 26, 1880, discusses causes for defeat of Hancock and English in N. Y. C., also comments on future tactics of Democrats on county level.

A series of letters between Diedrich Willers, Jr. and J. S. Stover, Navarre, Ohio, concerning securing a minister for Diedrich Willers church (German Reformed in Fayette: his father's church). Willers is prepared to offer $400.00 per annum and no parsonage, July 21, 25, and 28, 1881. Several letters to other clergymen of the same subject.

Daniel S. Lamont to Diedrich Willers, Jr., August 15, 1881, concerning candidates in the coming elections.

S. R. Wells (of Waterloo, N.Y.) to Diedrich Willers, Jr., September 14, 1882, discusses political development in Waterloo.

Draft summary of the life of Diedrich Willers, Sr. (d. May 1883), notes his participation at Battle of Waterloo; his early years in the U.S.: his pastorate; and contains an account of his funeral. (Probably written by Diedrich Willers, Jr.)

H. A. Nelson to Diedrich Willers, Jr., December 18, 1885, informs Willers Jr. that he is to be the Deputy Secretary of State.

Draft of letter from Diedrich Willers, Jr. to Col. D. S. Lamont, March 24, 1893. Addressee is a member of Cleveland's cabinet, Willers is asking that Samuel R. Wells be appointed to postmastership at Waterloo, N.Y. Several drafts of letters concerning this; one is a draft to Cleveland; all by Willers, Jr. See also a letter from Willers, Jr. to Lamont, August 14, 1894 and from Henry Stowell to Willers, Jr., December 7 and Dec. 15, 1894. These refer to the appointment of Stowell to be post-master at Seneca Falls.

Many letters in the collection are devoted to local history and to genealogy; Diedrich Willers, Jr. was interested in both subjects.

Daniel S. Lamont to Diedrich Willers, Jr.. September 7, 1890, mentions Cleveland, "who always counted you as one of his friends…" Cleveland doesn't want Democratic nomination, but probably will be nominated. The Democrats ought to carry the N.Y.S. Assembly, but their organization is so poor that they will very likely loose it.

Phrenological report of Diedrich Willers, Jr. April 4, 1891, by Fowler and Wells contains a typewritten description of Willers, Jr.'s phrenological characteristics and an analysis of their meanings. Cross reference: Fowler and Wells

Draft of letter from Diedrich Willers, Jr. to Val Fleckenstein, May 22, 1893, concerns appointment of postmaster at Fayette. In small towns post offices are located in stores; there is rivalry between storekeepers for the privilege of having post offices; one Edmund C. Rowe of Rochester is to open a store at Fayette; what are his political views? is he a good Cleveland Democrat???

Draft of letter of Diedrich Willers, Jr. to unknown, September 4, 1893.

Long Draft by Diedrich Willers, Jr., January 17, 1894, justifying Henry Stowell as candidate for Seneca Falls postmastership.

Sermons and German, Latin, Greek, Hebrew vocabulary; photo of Diedrich Willers, D. D. and undated material

Also, undated material

Photos; book of psalms and Hymns; bound Volume containing Centennial Historical Sketch of the Town of Fayette (ca. 1900); and Centennial Celebration of the Official Organization of the Town of Romulus, Seneca County, New York