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Chapin A. Harris Family Papers - Letter from Albert Clute to Ozellah Koon Jan. 11, 1865 Albert says he received Ozellah's letter but has put off responding until now. He is happy to hear that Ozellah's health is good and passes along that he is also healthy. He had a hard time when he first entered the service but has gotten over that and filled out. He hasn't heard from home since December 8th of 1864. He describes life as a soldier as always being cold and hungry, and says he will not allow himself to get homesick. They have been on half rations since the first of December, and he describes some of the food they have eaten in that time. They expect to have full rations again soon, because communication has been reopened and the government is sending them supplies. He looks forward to a reunion once he gets out of the service, and urges everyone to write.
Letter

Record Type: Archive
Chapin A. Harris Family Papers - Letter from Amanda Clute to Ozellah (her daughter) June 10, 1860 Amanda is staying with Eliza and helping her catch up with her sewing. She tells Ozellah that she prefers life in the woods to life in a town, and gives details about the wealthy family that Ozellah's aunt Jane is staying with. She mentions several acquaintances that she has seen while in town. The weather has been cool, but there has not been frost-she updates Ozellah on how different crops are doing. The letter picks up again the next day, with Amanda saying that she had a visit from Eliza and had to drop writing for the evening. She says she wishes she could be at home, passes along more news of acquaintances, and asks for news from home.
Letter

Record Type: Archive
Chapin A. Harris Family Papers - Letter from Chapin A. Harris to Amanda Clute March 15, 1849 Copy only Chapin says that he has been too busy lately to write, but he would like to come visit for a couple weeks-he has done enough work with the College "to kill half a dozen commen men" and has been working on Principles and Practice of Dental Surgery and his dental dictionary besides. His sister Eliza visited them the previous summer, and his niece Anna has been with them nearly all of the last winter. He has had a letter from his father saying that he will soon go to visit Amanda, and Chapin expresses a hope that he settles down near Amanda permanently. He sends his love and tentatively plans to visit the next spring.
Manuscript

Record Type: Archive
Chapin A. Harris Family Papers - Letter from Chapin A. Harris to a sister August 2, 1849 Manuscript included Letter and copy incomplete Chapin passes along news of their brother John's death after an illness, saying that he died believing in Jesus and is now in heaven. He praises Dr. Ballard, who is engaged to John's daughter Anna, for being a comfort at the time of John's death. He tells Amanda about breaking the news to John's wife, and begins to assess John's financial state at the time of his death, but the letter cuts off there. The second page is missing.
Letter

Record Type: Archive
Chapin A. Harris Family Papers - Letter from Chapin B. Harris to Amanda Clute October 19, 1860 Manuscript included This letter tells Amanda of the death of Chapin A. Harris. His son, Chapin B. Harris, says that a gentleman in New York has requested information on Chapin A. Harris for a biographical sketch, and he needs Amanda's help to fill in what he does not know, including how long the Harris family has been in the United States, where they settled, what their occupations were, and details about Chapin A. Harris' mother and his childhood. He urges Amanda to contact him if she needs anything.
Letter

Record Type: Archive
Chapin A. Harris Family Papers - Letter from D.B. Clute to Ozellah Koon March 26, 1865 D.B. Clute writes from Chattanooga, saying that he and Albert have been writing and receiving letters. He is glad to hear Ozellah is in good health and says he is also in good health. The weather is warm and peach trees are blooming in Chattanooga. He looks forward to a reunion-he only has five more months of service. He describes the location and activities of the army, and all of the exercises that they do. He has no idea what their next orders will be, but has heard rumors that the rebels have evacuated Richmond and that the war will be over soon. He says that the war has strengthened his faith, and sends news of Albert and the letters he has gotten from home.
Letter

Record Type: Archive
Chapin A. Harris Family Papers - Letter from Eliza Stewart to Amanda Clute January 20, 1861 Eliza is glad that Amanda has recovered from her recent illness-she thought that she was going to hear bad news, and she and Amanda are all that are left of their family. She suggests that Amanda come to stay with Eliza for the winter, as Amanda's house is not built for winter. Eliza has had a very pleasant winter so far, although her health is not good. She blames heartache after the death of their brother, and takes heart in knowing that she will see him again. She tells Amanda about Chapin's family and what Chapin has done with his fortune after his death. She also asks if Amanda is aware of the commotion in the country, throwing them into a "state of disorganization and anarchy," and condemns the "torrent of passion and rage that threatens the overthrow of our beautiful and glorious republic. Finally, she asks about other members of the family.
Letter

Record Type: Archive
Chapin A. Harris Family Papers - Letter from Eliza Stewart to Amanda Clute March 3, 1862 Eliza asks Amanda why she has not written, but then says she knows she would have written if she were feeling able. Eliza herself has not written recently because she has had a lame hand. She is still feeling depressed since Chapin's death because she and Amanda are the last of her family, and looks forward to being reunited with them in heaven. The last they have heard of the family is a letter from Ozellah, which Eliza was very interested in. She passes along the news that Ozellah told them about various family members. She is glad Amanda's children are not in the army, as it would be hard for Amanda, and the country has enough soldiers to subdue the rebels. She says that there can't be more than a few weeks until the war is decided, and describes the desolation that the war has brought to the home front. Finally, she asks about Eliza's living situation and says she wishes that she lived nearer.
Letter

Record Type: Archive
Chapin A. Harris Family Papers - Letter from Eliza Stewart to Amanda Clute May 24, 1863 Eliza says that she has moved to Akron because Orlando was having trouble getting to and from work, especially in the winter. She has not sold her shares in the family farm; only the homestead. She moved on the first of May and has been getting settled since then, which has been tiring and expensive but she is happy to have a home all her own. Orlando is sickly, which worries her. She apologizes for not writing sooner and sends her best wishes.
Letter

Record Type: Archive
Chapin A. Harris Family Papers - Letter from Harry S. Flint (brother-in-law to the Clute family?) to David Clute September 1, 1839 (second part Oct. 20, 1839) Harry S. Flint updates David and Amanda Clute about the happenings of his town in Genesee County, New York and his travels around the Midwest. The second part of the letter, written over a month later, speaks of his children and his finances before urging the Clutes to "prepare to meet thy God."
Letter

Record Type: Archive
Chapin A. Harris Family Papers - Letter from Orlando to Ozellah Koon (Mrs. L. O. Koon) November 1862 Orlando apologizes for not having written sooner-they have had a lot of company lately. He describes the preparation of one of their guests to go to Pittsburgh for the winter. He says that food is very expensive, and that he has taken to selling liquors and cigars. He urges Ozellah to write more often, although she shouldn't be offended if he does not write back as often, because men are more wayward (except for himself, but he thinks he is "one of the best natured fellows in the world"). He tells Ozellah that in her next letter to Eliza, she must tell Eliza that "she must bear your apparent neglect with a Christian meekness." He says again that he is quite busy with his dental practice, gives news of some family members, and urges Ozellah to write often.
Letter

Record Type: Archive
Chapin A. Harris Family Papers - Letter from Ozellah Harris to Amanda Clute September 5, 1846 Ozellah apologizes for not having written for a long time, saying that she was at boarding school and describing what her life was like there. She is now home and says that her family is well, and that they have recently gained a new sister and she has been getting a lot of new visitors and many gifts. She passes along news of her uncle John's move to Frederick City, Maryland, and her cousin Anna, who is still living with them, and sends love to Amanda's family.
Letter

Record Type: Archive
Chapin A. Harris Family Papers - Letter from Ozellah Koon to her children October 8, 1860 Ozellah was recently sick and tells her children that she is feeling better, describing the recovery process and saying that her strength and appetite are improving. She asks after her children, hoping that the little one is being good, and says she hopes to start for home on the first of October (does she mean November? The letter is dated October 8 already) if Albert and Darwin William can send her a little money. She lists the letters she has gotten recently and says she could not write while she was sick. Amanda, her mother, then finishes the letter, saying Ozellah was too sick to continue.
Letter

Record Type: Archive
Chapin A. Harris Family Papers - Letter from Ozellah L. Harris (daughter of Chapin A. Harris) to Amanda Clute January 28, 1844 Ozellah updates Amanda on her family's health and the letters she has received from other family members, and wishes that they could all have a reunion, especially urging Amanda to come and visit. She writes about the children currently living in their house (including her little brother Chapin and a girl named after Amanda) and talks about how her other aunt, Eliza, writes very infrequently. She describes a recent visit to Philadelphia with her father, and ends by urging Amanda once again to come and visit.
Letter

Record Type: Archive
Chapin A. Harris Family Papers - Letter from Ozellah L. Harris to Amanda Clute August 14, 1844 Ozellah writes that her father has just returned after a six month trip to the south, bringing with him one of her uncle John's daughters (Anna). She wishes her other cousins and Aunt Eliza would come. She and her father took a trip to New York City shortly after he came back, which she quite enjoyed. She is planning to visit her uncle John next summer, as well as Amanda.
Letter

Record Type: Archive