May 5, 1864

Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S., 1835-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Written by Gerrit, a transplanted Northerner fighting for the South, to his mother Mary. Begins by asking "Can the years that have passed since I saw you last - can the position that I have taken in this Civil War, have alienated me entirely from your love[?]" Says he has only heard from her once in 4 years and that only a short note on a letter she wrote to his brother Frank. Says those words have made him suffer more than the entire war. Asks to be forgiven for not being able to think as she did. Says he did what he thought was right.

GLC00686.10

June 10, 1864

Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S., 1835-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Written by Gerrit to his mother Mary. References her letter from May 22, 1864. He is very happy about his mother's letter and says he has thought about her often. He says there is a big difference between them and that he is "a Southerner in word in thought & act." He believes that the Confederates were not as wanton as Northern papers make them out to be. He argues that he did not enter the war blindly, but made a well-thought choice to join the South. He goes into detail about his decision making process. He says he does not blame anyone for wanting to join the Federal army, so people…

GLC00686.11

January 11, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S., 1835-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother

Written by Gerrit as a Confederate prisoner of war. References his brother's letter from December 23, 1864. He is glad because the letter was "the first word of tiding I have had from you in answer to my letter & I began to fear that your displeasure at my course had led you to think that I was not worthy of a word from your pen." He reports that a Miss [Hill] gave him $211 and brought photographs of his family. Says she was the only lady he has spoken to since being captured. Says he arrived at Johnson's Island on December 28, 1864. Declares that his Christmas and New Years were not…

GLC00686.12

January 13, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S., 1835-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Gerrit writes to his mother as a prisoner of war in Ohio. He says it has been a long time since he heard from her and that he has wanted to write to her earlier, but was travelling around so much he was unable to tell her where to reply until now. He reports that he arrived at Johnson's Island after stints as a prisoner in Kansas and Camp [Merlow]. He explains that his current situation is better: "Here we are as well treated as could be expected - have good fare - comfortable bunks & as much exercise as we desire." He has met a number of New York men in the prison as well as some…

GLC00686.13

January 26, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S., 1835-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Gerrit writes as a prisoner of war in Ohio to his mother. He references his mother's letter from January 11, 1865, and says the other letters mentioned in the January 11th letter never reached him. He declares that "It is a source of sorrow to me, that I am opposed in principle to the balance of our family - but I am honest in my belief - act in strict accordance therewith - and hope & believe, that if I am wrong, I will be forgiven." He reports that letters from other family members have been sharp and that "most of the letters I have had from the north, seem to be written under the…

GLC00686.14

January 29, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S., 1835-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Kate Van Naven

Gerrit S. Van Valkenburgh writes as a prisoner of war in Ohio to his sister, Kate, in Wisconsin. He seeks some sort of reconciliation with his family. He begins by asking "Can you take me by the hand, and greet me as a Brother? or will that world Rebel - Traitor, come to your lips before the [other one]?" Says he has not heard from her in a long time, and asks for an update from her. He adds that he is glad that all the husbands of his sisters have decided to stay home rather than fight. He saw a sleigh the other day for the first time in five years and mentions that it reminded him of "those…

GLC00686.15

February 28, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S., 1835-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Gerrit S. Van Valkenburgh refers to his mother's letter from January 28, 1865. He says he is sorry that the letters he writes to her are not arriving. He updates her on family information. He reports that he has contracted Erysipelas and that his face has been swollen for a week. He adds that it has since peeled all over. He says the weather is good and that the woods are full of flowers. He mentions that he was not aware that his brother Robert was going to Japan until he received a note from his brother Frank (Robert was selected as the American ambassador to Japan). He says he is doing…

GLC00686.16

June 3, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

On stationery headed: "Waldo, Ody & Van, Attorneys and Counsellors at Law." Letter written by Frank to his mother Mary. Frank says he has not neglected her, but has been busy moving, house cleaning, attending fairs and courts, as well as dealing with visitors. He updates her on what he knows of family news, and says Gerrit, his twin brother, is well at Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Frank hopes to visit his brother soon.

GLC00686.17

June 10, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Date written in pencil at the top of recto as "June 10 1865?" Content of GLC00686.22 and GLC00686.24 suggest this date might be accurate. Signed twice by Frank, once in pen and once in pencil. Written aboard a ship on his way to Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to assist his twin brother Gerrit, who was in trouble with the law. Mailed letter from Memphis. Says he has not stopped thinking about her and their son. Says "Our Crew of say 50 men are mostly negroes, and such a crowd you never saw." Mentions that the former enslaved people are toting their plunder onboard. Describes ship, passengers, and…

GLC00686.19

June 11, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his wife

Written part in pen, part in pencil. Reports on conditions in the South after the Civil War. Frank was travelling to Arkansas to help his twin brother Gerrit who was in trouble with the law. Says he knows he wrote recently, but since he is stuck in "this God forsaken hole" he is going to write another. He mentions meeting a Confederate soldier who thought he was his twin brother Gerrit. The former soldier was released from prison the week before and Frank relates his story. He reports that many people know his twin brother, Gerrit. He says "they say Warren [Arkansas] never saw so exciting a…

GLC00686.20

July 1, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Unsigned letter. Letter is apparently missing the ending and incomplete. Letter written on Waldo, Ody & Van law firm stationery. Written by Frank to his mother. Says he just arrived back from assisting his twin brother Gerrit. It was a two-day stay with 20 days of travelling. Says he was assured by the commanding officer of the district in Arkansas where his brother was being held that the "charge was entirely false & unfounded - He has taken the Oath of Allegiance & is gain a Citizen &c - He has done what he could for the South under the full conviction that they were right…

GLC00686.21

July 3, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. Van Valkenburgh

On Waldo, Ody & Van law firm stationery. Written by Frank to his father in Michigan. Says he received his father's letter from June 28, 1865 with the $50 for Libbie. Says they fed 850 returned soldiers last night and are consequently tired. Sends along family news. Says his father will probably have visitors soon. Wants his mother and father to visit. Mentions that Gerrit, his twin brother, is in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and has been sick.

GLC00686.22

August 18, 1865

Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S., 1835-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Written by Gerrit to his mother Mary. Says he loves his relatives in the North and often thinks of them. Mentions that his brother, Frank, has already written about his release from the prison. Says the charges against him were false. Since he has been in Pine Bluff, he has been sick with chills and fever - he thinks typhoid. Reports that he is feeling better though. Says he boards with his employer, who is originally from Connecticut. Mentions an uncle who lives in Warren, Arkansas and says "their slaves - or former slaves - [are] still with them." The uncle bought a flour mill and his sons…

GLC00686.24

March 28, 1866

Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S., 1835-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary B. Van Valkenburgh

Gerrit writes to his mother Mary, declaring that he wrote two or three weeks ago, but he knows many of his letters do not make it, so he is writing again. He reports that he has recovered from his bout of Erysipelas and that he weighs more now than he ever has (Gerrit also suffered from the disease in February 1865; see GLC00686.16). He says he has not suffered from chills since January. He mentions that communication in Arkansas is not good because of the lack of bridges, and discusses his garden and fields.

GLC00686.25

June 27, 1897

Willard, Frances, fl. 1897

Typed letter

Title: to unknown

Typed transcript excerpting original letter (not included). Undated transcript. It is not clear if this has anything to do with the Van Valkenburgh family. Note at top says this is a typed copy of the last letter written by Willard to his/her mother. It is dated June 27, 1897, but it is unclear when this manuscript was typed. Sent to "My dear desk-mate of well-nigh 40 years ago." Can picture mother perfectly: "straight well-built figure...grace, the fine face and brow, and the dark eyes." Says she was studious and earnest.

GLC00686.26

July 22, 1901

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Typed letter

Title: to Faith Van Valkenburgh

Unsigned, with a short postscript hand-written on page 3. Several corrections made in pen throughout. Written on letter head of Van Valkenburgh's own law firm. Letter written by Frank to his daughter, Faith, in Buffalo, New York. A funny letter with many puns throughout. Filled with esoteric information of family and friends. Pages 2-3 are the size listed in the extent field. Page 1 is 26 x 20.7 cm. Contains a small, undated newspaper clipping about Faith's trip west.

GLC00686.27

October 22, 1905

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Typed letter

Title: to Edward Porter Van Valkenburgh

Written on stationary of the law office of Frank B. Van Valkenburgh. Provides some family history for his brother Captain Edward Porter Van Valkenburgh. Gives a run down of Edward's Civil War service: enrolled September 18, 1861. Made a 1st Lieutenant in Co. A of 107th New York on May 6, 1863. Mustered out of that company as a captain on June 5, 1865. Makes reference to an enclosed medal from the Grand Army of the Republic (not included). Hopes his brother enjoys the honor.

GLC00686.28

July 3, 1909

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Typed letter

Title: to Dr. W. H. Merritt

Written on stationary of the law office of Frank B. Van Valkenburgh. Written to Dr. Merritt, the Chairman of the Norwalk, Ohio Centennial Committee. He is flattered that he would receive an invitation to be present at the "Norwalk Home Coming Week Celebration." Says he remembers Norwalk as a "lovely village" where he sojourned as a printer 57 years before. Says he is not so much an "OLD SETTLER" as one of "the antiques" of the village. Says he would be proud to go since his grandfather, the Reverend David Higgins, settled there the year he (Frank) was born, but that circumstances will keep…

GLC00686.29

1900-1929

Unknown

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frank Van Valkenburgh

Illegible signature at end of letter. Pencil note at the bottom of the letter says it is Garrit [likely Gerrit] S. Van Valkenburgh, but it is too obscure to be certain. Pokes fun at his brother for such a bad letter to him. Says it is cold and that they are clustered around a rousing fire in the store. A dust storm is obscuring the day. Says mother is well and that their father is with Ed (another brother). Says Carrie Van Singer, probably a relative, gave birth to a son. Reports that there is peace in Europe and plenty in America. Mentions that crops are good. Gives update on family and…

GLC00686.30

1900-1929

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Document

Title: Robins and Robbins

Poem on two typed pages. The type is green instead of black. Size in the extent is for the larger sheet. The smaller sheet is 13.8 x 21.6 cm. Two stanzas on the smaller sheet and two longer stanzas on the the bigger sheet. Pencil note says the poem was by Franklin Van Valkenburgh. Several corrections made in pencil. Poem is a nonsensical and seems to revolve around a family story or an inside joke.

GLC00686.31

1815-1860

Van Valkenburgh, Mary, fl. 1849

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh

Written by Mary to her brother Frank. Reports that their parents are well. It appears that Frank is an editor a newspaper from the content of this letter. She asks him to send a copy to several friends. Updates him on family and friends. Says the lessons she has been taking for a musical instrument have not gone well. Mentions Frank's twin brother Gerrit: "Give Ger all good advise with regard to Every thing. Don't let him get into bad habits, I think he is more Easily led astray than you." Letter on thin blue paper.

GLC00686.32

15 November 1854

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Photograph

Title: [Framed daguerreotype portrait of Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh]

1/9th plate daguerreotype of clean-shaven man. Date from seller, who found date behind frame. In brown case with elaborate scroll-work with gilt edges and red interior. On the paper lining of the recessed case bed are two pencil inscriptions, one much heavier and possibly later than the other. The later one reads: "Nov 15 / taken at / Bath 1854" while the former is very faint and only the date "Nov 15th / 1854" can be deciphered.

GLC00686.33

circa 1850-1860

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Photograph

Title: [Framed tintype portrait of Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh]

1/9th plate tintype in green oval velvet case, gilt around frame, portrait of clean-shaven man in suit, inscribed on inside cover "F. B. Van Valkenburgh."

GLC00686.34

circa 1850-1860

Van Valkenburgh, Edward Porter, fl. 1865-1908

Photograph

Title: [Framed daguerreotype portrait of Edward Porter Van Valkenburgh]

1/6th plate daguerreotype of clean-shaven man in suit. Square leather covered wooden frame with border, star and scrollwork design on back. Photo surrounded by gilt oval.

GLC00686.35

June 26, 1857

Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Butler, 1835-1924

Photograph

Title: [Framed ambrotype portrait of Franklin Butler Van Valkenburgh]

1/6th plate ambrotype of bearded man with mustache in suit, wearing cap. Square leather-covered, possibly wooden frame, picture surrounded by gilt oval, back of frame has intricate scrollwork and oval design, while photo has 3-dimensional effect. Pencil notation on the green paper lining of the recessed case bed: "Maintown / April 20 / 1867." Ambrotype taken by an unknown creator.

GLC00686.36