H. Bent, Belpre to Mrs. Dorcas Dana, Newport, Washington Co., Ohio, March 4, 1837

This collection consists of the correspondence of Mighill Dustin, Methodist minister in southern Ohio during the early nineteenth century, and the related families of Dana, Bent, Howard, and Van Doren. The collection was accessioned into the Department of Archives and Special Collections in October 1990, from the Montgomery County Historical Society. The letters date from 1811 to 1870. The collection contains sixty four letters, five related documents, and two autograph books.

Series I: Dustin family Letters There are thirty-five letters in this record series dating from 1833 to 1879. The majority of these are letters between Rev. Mighill and Mary Dustin and her family in Newport and Marietta, Ohio. There are a few letters from other Methodist ministers. Two of the letters discuss family life and religious affairs. There are also references to abolition and the Civil War.

Also included in this series are two autograph books, one belonging to Mary B. Dana and dating to 1833, the other belonging to Mary Ellen Dustin and dating to 1857. These autograph books help to identify family members and their relationships as well as friends.

Series II: Dana and Bent Family Letters There are eleven letters in this record series. These letters date 1811 to 1837. They consist of correspondence between Dorcas Bent Dana in Newport, Ohio, and her nieces in Louisiana Territory. There are also a few letters between the nieces and their friends. They discuss life in St. Louis and family metters.

Series III: Howard Family Letters There are ten letters in this record series. They date from 1824 to 1842. They consist of correspondence between Mary Howard Little and her relatives and friends. They discuss family matters and religion. This collection includes a handwritten record of marriages, births, and deaths of the Howard family. It dates to very early in the nineteenth century. There is also a typed transcript of the will of John Howard which dates to 1752.

Series IV: Van Doren Family Letters This record series contains eight letters. Five of these letters are from Abram Van Doren in Dayton and his wife, "Mauzy", in Eaton, Preble County, Ohio. Two of the letters are to Abram Van Doren from an acquaintance and one from a brother. These letters discuss Abram Van Doren's dry goods and grocery store in Dayton and family matters. Additional documents in this record series include the will of Ann Marie Bell, the mother of "Mauzy" (H. Mary Van Doren) and lists of balances, collection notes and accounts for the Van Doren/William Parrott store in Dayton. The letters and documents in this series date from 1844 to 1865.