Guide to the Hiram P. Merville papers, 1861-1897

(bulk 1862-1865)

John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI, 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Published in 2020

Collection Overview

Title:	Hiram P. Merville papers
Date range:	1861-1897, (bulk 1862-1865)
Creator:	Merville, Hiram P.
Extent:	0.25 linear feet
Abstract:	The Merville papers consist of 19 letters of Hiram P. Merville to family and friends, and one letter from a friend to Hiram, during the years 1861 or 1862 to 1865. The collection also includes a booklet from the 1897 reunion of the First New York Dragoons, the unit in which Hiram served during the Civil War.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Collection number:	Ms.96.4

Scope & content

The Merville papers consist of 19 letters of Hiram P. Merville to family and friends, and one letter from a friend to Hiram, during the years 1861 or 1862 to 1865. The collection also includes a booklet from the 1897 reunion of the First New York Dragoons, the unit in which Hiram served during the Civil War.

Access Points

Subject Names

• Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865--Assassination
• Chafee, Jane Spofford

Subject Organizations

• United States. Army. New York Infantry Regiment, 130th
• United States. Army. New York Cavalry Regiment, 19th

Subject Topics

• Merville family
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
• Soldiers--Correspondence

Geographical Names

• Virginia -- History

Occupations

• Soldiers

Document Types

• Correspondence

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in one series.

• Series 1. Correspondence

Biographical/Historical Note

Hiram P. Merville was born in China, New York in 1840. At the time of his father's death in 1860, he was one of Jacob Merville's four surviving children. He enlisted in the First Regiment of New York Dragoons (previously the 130th Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry) in 1862, at which time he gave his occupation as farming. He was discharged a corporal in August 1865.

He became a physician after the war, and in 1867 married Emma Jane Wilkison in Eagle Valley, New York. They had two daughters, Beulah (Mrs. Charles W. Spofford) and Susan (Mrs. Herbert J. Droppers). They soon went west, settling in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Hiram practiced medecine until his death in 1908. He is buried in the Forest Home Cemetery in that city.

Many of these letters were written to Hiram's brother Charles, and often mention another brother named Fayette. It is probable that the Harry referred to in the letters refers to his brother Harrison.

Hiram had no sister named Em. It is likely that this recipient of his letters was his future wife Emma Jane, five years his junior, and a schoolteacher before their marriage. Emma Jane was born in Aztalan, Wisconsin, where her father died after the family had moved there from New York. Emma Jane's mother returned to New York after her husband's death and married her husband's uncle, Nathan Round.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials:	Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation:	Hiram P. Merville papers, Ms.96.4, Brown University Library
Contact information:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts Box A Brown University Providence, RI, 02912 Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148 Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	Brown University Library received this collection in 1996.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Tim Engels
Encoding:	This finding aid was produced using the RIAMCO EAD spreadsheet, 2020 February 27
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Inventory

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