Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Coffman family papers

Abstract

The Coffman family papers (dated 1857-1896, undated; 0.15 cubic feet; 5 folders) comprises letters and papers that document the lives of the members of the Coffman family, their relatives and friends in Ohio in the mid-to-late nineteenth century.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Coffman family papers
Date
1857-1896, undated (inclusive)
Extent
0.15 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Letters.
Correspondence.
Family.
Farm life
Gossip.
Health
Child rearing
Church work
Songs -- Texts
Legal documents.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by subject. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
Finding Aid Author
Sarah Coblentz
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0941: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Coffman family papers, 1857-1896, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
The Coffman family of Licking County, Ohio included David F. Coffman (b. 1838), his wife Jane Kuran (1839-1919), and their two daughters Mary M. (1859-1907) and Sadie Jane (1866-1903). David was a farmer. Mary marriedy George M. Stickle (1856-1932) in 1878, and together they had four sons: Jonah Albert (1878-1936), Earl A. (1882-1916), Ira David (1884-1960), and Arthur Moore (1888-1949). Sadie married Moore C. Fowler (1860-1916) in 1886, and together they had one son, David Herman (1891-1970).
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 Coffman family papers (dated 1857-1896, undated; 0.15 cubic feet; 5 folders) comprises letters and papers that document the lives of the members of the Coffman family, their relatives and friends in Ohio in the mid-to-late nineteenth century. The letters come from family and friends, discussing personal health, local gossip, deaths in the community, marriages, the effects of the Civil War, attending school, having and raising children, trips taken, visiting with family and friends, church business, and financial matters. The papers include poems, songs, and a document from a trial over stolen goods.
The Coffman family papers 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

David Coffman letters, 1860-1863, 1880-1886

  • Box WH-121, folder 1
To top

Jane Coffman letters, 1881-1890

  • Box WH-121, folder 2
To top

Sadie Coffman letters, 1878-1896, undated

  • Box WH-121, folder 3
To top

Coffman family letters, 1865-1894, undated

  • Box WH-121, folder 4
To top

Coffman family papers, 1857, 1880-1884, undated

  • Box WH-121, folder 5
To top

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.

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.



Submit a request for SCRC materials.




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.