Briggs Family Papers
Scope and Content of the Collection
Letters from Elijah Briggs to parents Benjamin and Susanna Briggs and brothers Alexander and Benjamin. Also letters from Elijah Briggs' wife Helen Briggs to her mother-in-law, two essays written by Elijah Briggs, a few miscellaneous letters, and one photo, possibly of Benjamin and Susanna Briggs.
Elijah Briggs' letters describe life in Indiana and the changes taking place in the Wabash Valley during the late 1830s to the early 1850s. Briggs takes various jobs, chronicles the price of grain, pork, and whiskey, and talks of starting his own business. In one letter from 1939 Briggs expresses frustration over President Andrew Jackson's "Bank War" and the economic collapse that took place in its wake. Briggs' wife Helen describes an isolated domestic life, and her great sadness at the loss of her children. One of Briggs' essays, entitled "Priest Craft" derides the role of priests in society, which he says, "seeks to keep people in religious darkness," a view which may indicate that Briggs was a Quaker.
Dates
- Creation: 1837-1910
Creator
- Briggs, Elijah (Person)
Language
Materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The Briggs Family Papers are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time (Priority III).
Ownership and Literary Rights
The Briggs Family Papers are the physical property of the Newberry Library. Copyright may belong to the authors or their legal heirs or assigns. For permission to publish or reproduce any materials from this collection, contact the Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections.
Biography of Elijah Briggs
Elijah Briggs was born in 1810 in Vermont. He wrote to his parents Benjamin and Susanna Briggs, who are residing in Ohio, from various towns in the Wabash Valley area of Indiana, including Table Rock, Lafayette, and Attica. He seems to have been employed as a laborer, and in shipping and receiving at an area dry goods store. He was married to Helen M. Briggs and they had several children, at least two of whom died in infancy. Three daughters appear to have survived, Mary, Emma, and Julia. He died in 1854.
Extent
0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)
Abstract
Letters from Elijah Briggs of Indiana to parents Benjamin and Susanna Briggs of Ohio and brothers Alexander and Benjamin; letters from Elijah Briggs' wife Helen Briggs to her mother-in-law; two essays written by Elijah Briggs; a few miscellaneous letters; and one photo, possibly of Benjamin and Susanna Briggs.
Arrangement
Materials arranged chronologically.
Collection Stack Location
1 1 2
Provenance
Unknown.
Processed by
Lisa Janssen, 2010.
Acknowledgements
This inventory was created with the generous support of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this inventory do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Subject
- Briggs family (Family)
- Briggs, Elijah -- Family (Person)
- Title
- Inventory of the Briggs Family Papers, 1837-1910
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Lisa Janssen
- Date
- ©2010.
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 08/17/2011: Revisions, additions, and updates were made.
Repository Details
Part of the The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts and Archives Repository
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512
reference@newberry.org