Fish Family Letters
Scope and Content
The first letter in this collection, although undated, was probably written by Phebe Denison Miner (1802-1855), announcing the birth of John Owen Fish (brother to Simeon Gallup Fish) on January 10, 1939. Following this is correspondence from Simeon's brothers and sisters while he was aboard the ship B.F. HOXIE in 1857, and also during the time he was with the 26th Connecticut Regiment in the Civil War. They give information about the ships being built in Mystic, the prominent citizens of the town, the friends of the Fish children, and the parties that were held. There are several letters from John Owen Fish in Wisconsin, telling of his life in a small lumber town and his homesickness for his family. Included also are two letters from Robert H. Clift that graphically describe the fighting at Belmont, Mississippi (Nov. 1861) and Murphysboro, Illinois (Jan. 1862).
Dates
- Creation: 1849 - 1894
Language of Materials
English Latin
Restrictions on Access
Available for use in the Manuscripts Division.
Restrictions on Use
Various copying restrictions apply. Guidelines are available from the Manuscripts Division.
Biography of the Fish Families
The Fish family lived in Mystic, Connecticut. Simeon Fish was one of seven children born to Nathan G. and Emeline (Miner) Fish. Simeon's father, Nathan G. Fish, was a shipowner and co-founder of the Maxon, Fish & Co. Shipyard.
Extent
1 box(es) (ca. 150 items)
Abstract
Chiefly letters written to Simeon G. Fish, son of shipbuilder Nathan G. Fish, owner of Maxon, Fish & Co., containing descriptions of social life and daily activities in Mystic during the mid-19th century. Other persons represented include members of the Miner and Randall families.
Arrangement
The Fish Family Letters contain approximately 125 signed letters arranged in chronological order by day, month, and year. Whenever possible, envelopes have been retained with the appropriate correspondence. All items are considered to be in good to excellent condition.
Genre / Form
Geographic
- Belmont (Miss.)--History
- Murphysboro (Ill.)--History
- Mystic (Conn.)--Social life and customs
- United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
- United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Campaigns
- United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Personal narratives
- Wisconsin--Description and travel
Topical
- Title
- Fish Family Letters (Coll. 178)
- Subtitle
- An Inventory of The Letters at the G.W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Manuscripts Repository
G. W. Blunt White Library
Mystic Seaport Museum, Inc.
112 Greenmanville Avenue
Mystic CT 06355 United States
860.572.5367
collections@mysticseaport.org