Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Aldis and Jane Brainerd letters
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Aldis and Jane Brainerd letters
- Date
- 1852-1862, undated (inclusive)
- Creator
- Brainerd, Aldis Owen, 1824-1906
- Extent
- 0.03 Cubic Feet
- Subjects
- Family.
- Letters.
- Marriage
- Arrangement
- Collection is arranged by subject. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
- Preferred Citation
- 2009ms132.0348: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Aldis and Jane Brainerd letters, 1852-1862, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- Aldis Owen Brainerd (1824-1906) was born in Saint Albans, Vermont to Lawrence Brainerd (1794-1870) and Fidelia Gadcomb (1793-1852). In 1852, Brainerd married Jane Eliza French (1831-1895), and together the couple had two children – Fidelia (1852-1936) and Charles (1856-1887). Aldis worked as a merchant for most of his life; however, he enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War and served as a Quartermaster Sergeant for the 5th Virginia Infantry from 1861-1862 when he was compelled to resign due to illness. Brainerd did participate in the Battle of Lee's Mill at Williamsburg prior to his resignation from the army.
- American Letters collector Wade Hall (1934-2015) was a native of Union Springs, Alabama. Starting in 1962, he lived in Louisville, where he taught English and chaired the English and Humanities/Arts programs at Kentucky Southern College and Bellarmine University. He also taught at the University of Illinois and the University of Florida. He held degrees from Troy State University (B.S.), the University of Alabama (M.A.), and the University of Illinois (Ph.D.). He served for two years in the U.S. Army in the mid-fifties. Dr. Hall was the author of books, monographs, articles, plays, and reviews relating to Kentucky, Alabama, and Southern history and literature. His most recent books include A Visit with Harlan Hubbard; High Upon a Hill: A History of Bellarmine College; A Song in Native Pastures: Randy Atcher's Life in Country Music; and Waters of Life from Conecuh Ridge.
- Scope and Content
- The Aldis and Jane Brainerd letters (dated 1852-1862, undated; 0.03 cubic feet; 2 folders) comprise letters, a marriage license, and military service note that document the life of Aldis and Jane Brainerd in Vermont during the Civil War. The letters to Aldis are mainly from his wife, Jane, while he served in the Union Army. She writes about friends visiting, their children, family, her and their children's health, local gossip, and trips taken by friends. She also asks Aldis questions about his service and when he might be able to come home to visit them. There is one letter to Aldis from his daughter that tells him about her education and that she hopes he can come home soon. Jane received letters from friends and Aldis, the letters from friends discuss children, baptisms, and social visits from friends and family. The letters from Aldis discuss his experiences with the 5th Vermont Infantry, the battles taking place near them, other soldiers, his duties as Quartermaster Sergeant, and his personal health. Also in the collection is the marriage certificate for Aldis and Jane, and a short note that details Aldis's military service.
- The Aldis and Jane Brainerd letters are part of the Wade Hall Collection of American letters, which includes correspondence and diaries from all over North America covering the time period of the Civil to Korean Wars. The materials were collected by Wade Hall and document everyday men and women.
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
- Use Restrictions
- The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.
Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.
Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.
Table of Contents
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.
Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.
Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.
Requests
No items have been requested.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
