Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: R.C. Curtiss diaries

Abstract

The R.C. Curtiss diaries (dated 1883-1924; 0.90 cubic feet; 2 boxes) comprises twenty-four diaries that document the life of R.C. Curtiss in Alexander, New York at the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth century.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: R.C. Curtiss diaries
Date
1883-1924 (inclusive)
Creator
Curtiss, Roswell C.
Extent
0.90 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Farm life
Family.
Friendship.
Travel.
Livestock
Crops
Marriage
Death
Health
Arrangement
Collection is arranged chronologically. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
Finding Aid Author
Sarah Coblentz
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0577: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: R.C. Curtiss diaries, 1883-1924, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Roswell C. Curtiss (1833-1934) was born in Connecticut to John Milton Curtiss (1796-1884) and Helen Goodrich (1796-1893). He worked as a farmer for the majority of his life, but does some work in the legal system and insurance. Curtiss married Margaret Elizabeth Adkins (1839-1922) and together the couple had six children: George (1858-1955), Julia (b. 1860), Alice (b. 1861), John Milton (1863-1952), Elwin (1865-1918), and Anna (b. 1866).
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 R.C. Curtiss diaries (dated 1883-1924; 0.90 cubic feet; 2 boxes) comprises twenty-four diaries that document the life of R.C. Curtiss in Alexander, New York at the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth century. In the diaries, Curtiss describes his daily life, planting and harvesting crops, taking care of his farm, participating in court trials, visits from friends and family, buying, selling, and slaughtering livestock; social outings with business peers, family, and friends; trips to surrounding towns and villages, marriages and deaths of friends and family, his personal health, and the daily weather. In the back of many of the diaries are sections for cash accounts, which Curtiss occasionally fills out.
The R.C. Curtiss diaries collection is 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.

Contents of the Collection

R.C. Curtiss diaries, 1883-1887

  • Box 1, folder 1
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R.C. Curtiss diaries, 1889-1893

  • Box 1, folder 2
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R.C. Curtiss diaries, 1898-1910

  • Box 1, folder 3
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R.C. Curtiss diaries, 1911-1913

  • Box 1, folder 4
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R.C. Curtiss diaries, 1914-1917

  • Box 2, folder 1
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R.C. Curtiss diaries, 1918-1919

  • Box 2, folder 2
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R.C. Curtiss diaries, 1921-1922

  • Box 2, folder 3
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R.C. Curtiss diaries, 1923-1924

  • Box 2, folder 4
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Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

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.

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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.