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Wright Family to Petree Family Correspondence

 Collection
Identifier: MS-585

Content Description

Series I, Correspondence, contains letters written by Milton Wright to Estella Harris Petree spanning the years 1900 to 1917. Milton’s letters describe the activities of his children and their families, including references to Wilbur and Orville Wright’s bicycle business, flying experiments and fame. Of special interest is a letter in which Milton describes Orville’s injuries following the accident at Ft. Myer, Virginia, in 1908 in which his passenger, Lt. Selfridge was killed. Milton also comments on his own flight with Orville Wright at Huffman Prairie in Dayton in May 1910. There is also a mention of the 1913 Dayton flood. Another item of interest is a handwritten biographical sketch of Sarah Wright Harris, prepared by Milton Wright and sent to his niece. A letter from Reuchlin to his cousin Estella in April 1917 provides a detailed description of Milton Wright’s death on April 3, 1917. There are two additional pieces, a telegram notifying the Petree family of Milton’s death, April 3, 1917 and an acknowledgement of sympathy card from Orville Wright. The card has a handwritten note by Katharine Wright, the Wright Brothers’ younger sister.

Series II, Photographs, contains two photographs mounted on gray cardstock. Their origin appears to be from a publication, as they are not printed on photographic paper, but on regular paper or print. The photos are a portrait of Milton Wright and a photograph of Wilbur and Orville Wright walking down the steps of a building. Neither photograph is dated.

Transcripts of the correspondence are included at the end of the collection.

Dates

  • Creation: 1900-1939
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1900-1917

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on accessing material in this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright restrictions may apply. Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

Biographical / Historical

The Wright Family to Petree Family Correspondence contains letters written by members of the Wright family of Dayton, Ohio, to relatives in the Petree family in Nebraska between 1900 and 1939. Milton Wright, father of the Wright Brothers, was a prolific writer and corresponded with family and friends throughout his life. The majority of the letters are written by Bishop Milton Wright to his niece, Estella Harris Petree. Estella was the daughter of Milton Wright’s sister, Sarah Wright Harris. There are a few additional letters written by Milton’s sons, Reuchlin Wright and Orville Wright.

Extent

0.5 linear feet (1 Box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Wright Family to Petree Family Correspondence primarily contains letters written by Milton Wright to his niece Estella Harris Petree. The letters describe Wright family news and activities, but more importantly include specific references to Wilbur and Orville Wright’s bicycle business, flying experiments and success, Orville Wright’s accident at Ft. Myer in September 1908, the 1913 Dayton flood, and Milton’s flight with Orville in May 1910. There is also a very poignant letter written by Reuchlin Wright describing the death of his father, Milton, in 1917. Additional items include correspondence from Orville Wright and two photographs that appear to be clipped from publications.

Arrangement

The collection is divided into 2 series:

Series I:
Correspondence
Series II:
Photographs

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Wright Family to Petree Family Correspondence was donated by Mary Carlton in October 2010.

Existence and Location of Copies

Transcripts of the correspondence are included at the end of the collection.

Processing Information

Processed By: Dawne Dewey, July 2017.

Title
Guide to the Wright Family to Petree Family Correspondence (MS-585)
Status
Completed
Author
Dawne Dewey
Date
2017 July
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English

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