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George Watson Family Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS-191

Scope and Content

This collection is primarily an example of family correspondence as written from the middle of the nineteenth century to the beginning of the twentieth century. Files one to five show a considerable slice of life of that period. These five files are made up of advertisements, announcements, and an abstract of the Seventh United States Census, miscellaneous literature, and pamphlets. The abstract and various pamphlets seem to merit special attention. Among the pamphlets is one dated 1871 that deals with the national debt of that time. Another pamphlet that originated in Cleveland, Ohio, riles the evil of intemperance.

The legal papers in files six and seven are dated from 1860 to 1882 and include George Watson's appointment as secretary of subdivision 10, Xenia Township, Ohio; a petition for a township road; a real estate appraisal; subpoenas and a summons. Files eight and nine consist of family correspondence.

The papers reveal very little about the relationship of the letter writers to the main addressee, George and Margaret Watson. The collection contains no correspondence written by George and Margaret.

Dates

  • Creation: 1851-1923

Creator

Restrictions on Access

There are no restrictions on accessing materials in this collection.

Restrictions on Use

All literary rights have been conveyed to the public.

Biography of George Watson Family

George and Margaret Watson lived in Xenia Township in Greene County, Ohio, from approximately the middle to the end of the nineteenth century. At one time, George Watson was secretary of sub-district 10 of Xenia Township. The Watson's had a child, J.W. Watson, and a niece by the name of Rebecca Bone or Rebecca Bouen. Margaret Watson also had a sister whose married name was Edith Trader.

In addition to the George Watson letters, the collection contains letters to Emily Watson whose relation to the George Watson family is not known. An envelope, which is part of file nine, shows that Emily Watson lived at 696 South Detroit Street, Xenia, Ohio, in 1925. Another correspondent was Edward Richardson who seemingly was a brother to a member of the Watson family.

Extent

0.25 linear feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

A small collection of 19th and early 20th century family papers from Xenia Township in Greene County, Ohio, consisting of correspondence, printed materials, business and legal papers.

Statement of Arrangement

The collection is arranged into three series.

  1. Series I: Advertisement, Abstract, Announcements, Miscellaneous Literature, and Pamphlets
  2. Series II: Legal Papers
  3. Series III: Correspondence

Acquisition Information

The George Watson Family Papers were donated to the Wright State University Archives, by Mrs. David Klarer on October 21, 1981.

Processing Information

Processed by Stephen F. Kahn, February 13, 1990. Finding aid reformatted in 2014.

Title
Guide to the George Watson Family Papers (MS-191)
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid prepared by Stephen F. Kahn, 1990
Date
2015
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Revision Statements

  • 2014 July: Finding aid revised to DACS standards by Toni Vanden Bos.

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Wright State University Libraries
Special Collections and Archives
3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy
Dayton OH 45435-0001 USA
937-775-2092