Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Griswold family papers

Abstract

The Griswold family papers (dated 1815-1935, undated; 0.18 cubic feet; 4 folders) comprise letters, account books, essays, and a booklet that document the lives of the Griswold family of Worthington, Ohio in the nineteenth century.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Griswold family papers
Date
1815-1935, undated (inclusive)
Extent
0.18 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Correspondence.
Domestic Life -- United States
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by format. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
Finding Aid Author
Sarah Coblentz
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0561: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Griswold family papers, 1815-1935, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
The Griswold family lived in Worthington, Ohio, where their ancestors Ezra Griswold (1767-1822) and Ruth Roberts Griswold (1768-1847) were the first pioneer-settlers of the town. Son of Ezra, George Harlow Griswold (1795-1876), George's wife Mila Thompson (1798-1871), and their fourteen children all lived in Worthington. Of their fourteen children, they had one surviving son, Worthington Franklin Griswold (1842-1912). In 1863, he married Fondelia Ruth (1843-1930) and together the couple had twelve children: Frank W. (1863-1923), Mary C. (b. 1865), George H. (1867-1938), Harriet (1868-1947), Caroline H. (1870-1951), William L. (1872-1961), Mila (1874-1957), Ruth (1876-1965), Howard (b. 1878), Edwin V. (1879-1950), Edith (1883-1974), and Effa (b. 1886). Worthington Griswold worked as a civil engineer.
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 Griswold family papers (dated 1815-1935, undated; 0.18 cubic feet; 4 folders) comprise letters, account books, essays, and a booklet that document the lives of the Griswold family of Worthington, Ohio in the nineteenth century. The letters were sent to various relatives of the Griswold family and discuss personal health, education, domestic life, marriage, property purchases, travel, and updates on friends and family. The account book lists the expenses incurred by Ezra Griswold, his payments on them, and any money he made. The essays discuss virtues of a good life, religion, and reminiscing on past events and memories. The booklet is a tribute to Worthington Griswold, written by one of his sons a year after his death and details his life, relationships, profession, and inroads that he made with the Worthington community.
The Griswold family papers 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.

Contents of the Collection

Griswold family letters, 1839-1879, 1935, undated

  • Box WH-46, folder 7
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Essays, undated

  • Box WH-46, folder 8
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Statement of accounts book, 1815-1821

  • Box WH-46, folder 9
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Worthington Franklin Griswold memorial booklet, 1913

  • Box WH-46, folder 10
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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.

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.