Processed by
Kathryn M. Wilmot
July 2007
Manuscript and Visual Collections Department
William Henry Smith Memorial Library
Indiana Historical Society
450 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3269
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VOLUME OF |
1 manuscript box |
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COLLECTION |
1864–1867 |
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PROVENANCE: |
Heritage Photo Services, Indianapolis, IN, April 2001 |
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RESTRICTIONS: |
None |
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COPYRIGHT: |
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REPRODUCTION |
Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained from the Indiana Historical Society. |
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ALTERNATE |
None |
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RELATED |
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ACCESSION |
2001.0630 |
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NOTES: |
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Charles G. Wilson was born in Indiana on 13 November 1815. He and his wife Ann (b. 29 February ca. 1820 in Ohio) married on 23 April 1840. Ann and Charles had at least eight children: Melissa (b. ca. 1842), Charles G. (b. ca. 1847), Gabriella (b. ca. 1849), John (b. ca. 1850), Anna (b. ca. 1851), James (b. ca. 1853), Helen (b. ca. 1857), and Randolph (b. ca. 1865).
Charles Wilson, Sr. worked as a coach/carriage painter in Indianapolis. During the time period covered by his diary, the family lived at 266 South Mississippi Street. Charles died sometime between 1878 and 1879 in Indianapolis while residing at 277 South Missouri Street.
Sources:
Information in the collection.
Ancestry Library Edition. Available at: http://www.ancestrylibrary.com
City Directories Indianapolis. F534.I55 A18, Indiana Historical Society collections.
Charles Wilson’s diaries of life in Indianapolis cover the period from January 1864–January 1867. Although Wilson does not provide much information on himself or his family, for three years he made daily notations of events occurring in the city of Indianapolis and the United States.
Wilson reports the names of people involved in the numerous fires, explosions, robberies, fights, riots, and shootings in the city occurring at private homes, factories, warehouses, businesses, saloons, and houses of ill-repute. He mentions weather conditions, floods and storms, hunting and fishing, train arrivals and delays at the depot, events held in the Circle, and the launching of the steamboat Governor Morton. Wilson notes accidents involving trains, carriages, runaway horses, and the rolling mill. He reports on many murders and suicides, as well as drownings in the river, canal, Fall Creek, and Pogue’s Run. Wilson mentions attending funerals, and illnesses and diseases such as smallpox and tuberculosis. He notes the death of his daughter and her burial in Crown Hill Cemetery on 23 November 1866.
The diaries for the years 1864 and 1865 are full of Civil War-related news including battles and generals, the death of President Lincoln, the arrival of Lincoln’s funeral train in Indianapolis, the capture of John Wilkes Booth, and the loss of the Sultana carrying prisoners from Andersonville. Wilson comments on Camp Morton prisoners and escape attempts, the draft and 100 day men, and bounty jumpers. He visits Camp Carrington a few times and comments on the old soldiers’ home. Wilson frequently cites the presence of soldiers in the city and incidents of violence among them, veterans coming home from the war, and the activities of citizens including African Americans, Fenians, Irish, Odd Fellows, and Masons. He also mentions political events such as elections and conventions, the passing of the 14th amendment, persons referred to as Copperheads and Butternuts, and the cold reception given to President Andrew Johnson during his September 1866 visit to Indianapolis.
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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Diary, Jan.–Dec. 1864 |
Box 1, Folder 1 |
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Card from Indiana Normal Academy of Music, removed from 1864 diary, n.d. |
Box 1, Folder 2 |
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Diary, Jan.–Dec. 1865 |
Box 1, Folder 3 |
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Diary, Jan. 1866–67 |
Box 1, Folder 4 |
For additional information on this collection, including a list of subject headings that may lead you to related materials:
1. Go to the Indiana Historical Society's online catalog: http://opac.indianahistory.org/
2. Click on the "Basic Search" icon.
3. Select "Call Number" from the "Search In:" box.
4. Search for the collection by its basic call number (in this case, M 0928).
5. When you find the collection, go to the "Full Record" screen for a list of headings that can be searched for related materials.