Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections
Alfred L. Williams Family Papers
c.00504
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections
- Creator
- Williams family, (Alfred L. Williams, 1808-1886)
- Title
- Alfred L. Williams family papers
- ID
- c.00504
- Date [inclusive]
- 1885-1925
- Extent
- 0.25 Cubic feet
- Language
- English
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: "Item title, Collection title, Collection Identifier, Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections, East Lansing, Michigan".
Biographical Note
Alfred and his brother, Benjamin O. Williams, were the first white settlers to visit and eventually settle in Shiawassee County, Michigan. They operated a trading post at the Indian Village, Ketshewaudaugoning, prior to founding the village of Owosso in 1837.
Scope and Contents note
This collection contains letters from members of the Alfred L. Williams family of Owosso, Michigan.
Most of the letters were written to Alfred L. Williams' daughter, Clara, by her sisters. The letters discuss pioneer life, the problems of being a single girl, hired help and treating illness with various home remedies. Also discussed are the development of the town, social life in Owosso and the Wesener fire in 1885, in which the block between Washington and Main streets burned. They also discuss the coming of the railroad in 1883 and the possibility of a men's Christian college (the forerunner of John Wesley College) being built.
There are also photographs of the Williams and related families in the collection.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections July 1976
Conrad Hall888 Wilson Road, Room 101
East Lansing , MI, 48824
517-355-2330
archives@msu.edu
Revision Description
July 2000
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Legal Status
Copyright: Michigan State University Property Rights: Michigan State University
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.
Custodial History
Gift of Margaret Zdunic, date unknown.
Controlled Access Headings
Corporate Name(s)
- John Wesley College.
Geographic Name(s)
- Ketshewaudaugoning (Mich.)
- Michigan -- Social life and customs
- Owosso (Mich.)
Personal Name(s)
- Williams, Alfred L., (Alfred Leonzo Williams), 1808-1886
- Williams, B. O., (Benjamin Oliver Williams), 1810-1887
- Williams, Clara
Subject(s)
- Indians of North America -- Michigan
- Railroads -- Michigan
- Traditional medicine -- Michigan
Collection Inventory
Letters |
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| Folder | ||||
|
1882-1883 |
1 | |||
|
1884 |
2 | |||
|
1885 |
3 | |||
|
1886-1890 |
4 | |||
|
1925 |
5 | |||
|
|
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Photographs |
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|
Homes |
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| Box | ||||
|
John Ingersoll residence, Corunna, Michigan |
SC Photo 4 | |||
|
Interiors. B. O. Williams residence, Owosso, Michigan |
SC Photo 4 | |||
|
People |
||||
| Box | ||||
|
Dewey and McCormick Families |
SC Photo 4 | |||
|
Dewey, Ed |
SC Photo 4 | |||
|
McCormick, Colin |
SC Photo 4 | |||
|
McCormick, David |
SC Photo 4 | |||
|
Phelps, Hubert S. |
SC Photo 4 | |||
|
Sleight, Grandmother |
SC Photo 4 | |||
|
Unidentified |
SC Photo 4 | |||
|
Williams, Alfred L. |
SC Photo 4 | |||
| Box | ||||
|
Ship (drawing) |
SC Photo 4 | |||
|
|
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