C. Henry Merrick Letters

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open to research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], C. Henry Merrick Letters, Ms1994-038, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder
Creator:
Merrick, C. Henry (Cyrus Henry)
Abstract:
Five letters to C. (Cyrus) Henry Merrick, a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, during the American Civil War, from Spencer Merrick, Edward E. Clapp, and Sarah E. Whittier.
Language:
The materials in the collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], C. Henry Merrick Letters, Ms1994-038, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains five letters received by C. (Cyrus) Henry Merrick, a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, during the American Civil War. Among the letters are three from Merrick's brother Spencer, written at Lancaster and Worcester, Massachusetts. On September 14, 1862, Spencer Merrick expresses regret for being in comfort at home during the war, discusses the war's significance to future generations, and comments on the prospect of Confederate troops invading Pennsylvania. On January 11, 1864, he writes of local communities meeting their Union Army recruitment quotas and expresses hope that the war would soon end. In his letter of February 26, 1864, Merrick boasts of Lancaster's record in supporting the war with recruits, donations of supplies and money, and bounties. Writing while on picket (probably near Hagerstown, Maryland) on October 10, 1862, Edward E. Clapp (Company F, 155th Pennsylvania Infantry) mentions such incidents of camp life as lice and military drills. He recounts the means by which he hired a cook--an "octroon," according to Clapp--for his mess and writes at length about food and drink. Clapp mentions the camp sutler and lists the many goods available for purchase, then provides news of several individuals in his company. A letter from Sarah E. Whittier, written while visiting friends in North Vienna, Maine, on July 31, 1864, thanks Merrick for details relating to the recent battlefield death of her brother (probably Edward E. Clapp, who was killed at the Battle of Spotsylvania on May 8). Each letter is accompanied by an envelope.

Biographical / historical:

Cyrus Henry Merrick, son of Cyrus and Elizabeth Henshaw Merrick, was born in Sturbridge (Worcester County), Massachusetts, on September 26, 1829. In the 1850 federal census, he appears as a 20-year-old farmer, living in the Lancaster (Worcester County) home of his parents. In 1851, Merrick moved to Burlington, Iowa, where he was intitially employed by the lumber company E. D. Rand & Company, and later by the banking firm Green, Thomas & Company, becoming the manager of their Fort Madison branch. In 1853, Merrick married Harriet E. Lang (1827-1855); following her death, he returned to Massachusetts, where he farmed, then operated a shoe manufacturing business in Sturbridge. In the winter of 1860/1861, he moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and operated a paper manufacturing business. During the American Civil War, Merrick helped to organize the 155th Pennsylvania Infantry. Returning to Burlington in 1868, Merrick worked for a succession of businesses. He married Harriet Olivia Sherfey (1847-1926) in Bloomington, Illinois, in 1877; the couple would have three children. By 1881, Merrick was working for Whitebreast Fuel Company in Ottumwa, Iowa; the following year, he became secretary-treasurer of Eldon Coal & Mining Company. In 1889, he assumed operation of O. M. Ladd's farm loan business. He purchased the company in 1895, and in 1893, entered into partnership with several others, incorporating it as the Phoenix Trust Compaany, of which he served as president until his death on December 27, 1914. He was buried in Ottumwa Cemetery.

Acquisition information:
The C. Henry Merrick Letters were donated to Special Collections and University Archives in 1994.
Processing information:

The processing and description of the C. Henry Merrick Letters commenced and was completed in October, 2023.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard