Abstract

The bulk of this collection is approximately 74 letters, primarily between Henry Willis and Sarah Freeman Willis from 1852 to 1860. Other correspondence involves various Willis and Freeman family members including parents, brothers and sisters. These letters offer a view of family relationships and domestic activities for two New York/New Jersey families during the middle years of the 19th century.

Abstract Correspondence and personal papers; certificates and membership cards; information relating to various vessels on which Decker served, reflecting the diversity of American shipping during the first half of the 20th century; and diary (1936-1937) recording voyages aboard M.S. NEW ORLEANS and S.S. COLDBROOK. Vessels represented include S.S. ISAAC T. MANN, S.S. ALCOA GUARD, and others owned by the Alcoa Steamship Company; S.S. SEACLIFFE, and the S.S. LEHIGH which was torpedoed by the Germans in...