Letters from and Letters to Joseph Elfreth, 1834-1896, bulk: 1855 - 1896

There are two letters from Joseph Elfreth, written in 1834 and 1846; another, dated 1863 and signed "Joseph and Hannah" is likely to be from him as well. Letter writers include Joseph's mother and brother, Caleb, as well as William Harris, William Hill and Rolph C. Marsh. Many of the letters refer to family matters, including health; the subject of travel and its difficulties is also encountered. In 1852 [sic, though likely 1862], Joseph's mother writes of a drafting of 300,000 additional men "leaving for parts unknown...The hospital nearby, fifth & Buttonwood Sts...has been seriously charged with secesion, the owner ...has been arrested." A letter, perhaps directed to Hannah Hill (Joseph's wife) from W. Hill in 1868 speaks of the Ku Klux Klan and that he feels the majority of American people have no sympathy with them. William Harris' letters detail his travel in Pennsylvania from 1869-1873. The greatest number of letters is from Rolph C. Marsh, 1859-1869, where the main discussion is about his failing health, but also some amount of travel. Letters often mention the thoughtfulness of Joseph Elfreth.