This is work in process and I will be working at it from time to time. You can click on the links that I have not converted if you don't want to wait until I get done. Many thanks to Bob for doing this.
Letters To Eliza
A few years ago my daughter brought this collection of letters to my attention, she had recalled how I had spent many hours copying and transcribing the Tillison letters and thought I would be interested. This collection had been found by my daughter's boyfriend in a recycle bin, whoever had place them there either didn't know or didn't care about the historical value contained within the box. The box that these letters were in also contained postcards and more letters from the same family dating up to 1911. She could see my excitement and a month later the collection was given to me as a father's day present.
As I started this project first I sorted the letters by date then copied everything so I could zoom on each word as I transcribed. Still transcribing became quite difficult because of the age of the letters and the way many were written in a crisscross method to apparently save paper. Within these pages are the transcribed versions of the Civil War era letters followed by a copy of each letter. If I couldn't make out the words or phrase I would leave a blank underlined so a reader could tell how many words were missing. If I wasn't sure what the word or phrase was I would put in what I thought it could be underlined. Hopefully I've found a better way to recycle this collection.
Bob Sibley
http://www.vtgrandpa.com/Letters To Eliza/scan0003.rtfIn 1852 the inhabitants of Fairfax, Vermont approached the trustees of the New Hampton Institution then located in New Hampshire, desiring the relocation of the institution to Fairfax. The trustees agreed providing the people of Fairfax could come up with suitable buildings. The estimated cost of this endeavor was $10,000. The people of Fairfax set about raising the money and the buildings were completed in June of 1854. These buildings were located on the present day Fireman's Pond Road. Prior to the completion of the buildings in 1853 the New Hampton Institute moved to Fairfax with Rev. Eli B. Smith as the first President. For more than 50 years, until it was destroyed by fire students from all over Franklin County would come for their education with an enrollment of nearly 300 men and women. It was in attendance at the New Hampton Institution that the authors and recipients of these letters met and became friends. Nell started writing to Eliza shortly after graduation and Henry commenced writing to Eliza shortly after his enlistment into the io" Vermont Infantry. These letters are presented here in the order in which they were written first in the transcribed version then actual copies of the letters. Also many of people mentioned in the letters were their
teachers, class mates, friends, and some even married.
Lt. Colonel Edward Henry Powell
Edward Henry was born September 3, 1839, in Richford, Vermont. He received his elementary education in Richford then attended The New Hampton Institute in Fairfax, Vermont. In 1960 Henry began attendance at the University of Vermont until July 17 1862 when he enlisted Co. F, 10th Vermont Infantry. He was appointed 1st Sergeant, and served with that regiment until 12/7 /63. He was present in action at Mine Run, VA. In 1863 Henry passed a competitive examination for commission then was discharged by Special Order No. 542 to accept an appointment in the U.S. Colored Troops, then was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel, 10th U.S. Colored Infantry, on 11/27/63. He joined the regiment at Craney Island, Va., 12/19/1863, served about sixteen months in the Army of the James, in action at Wilson's Landing, Va.; assigned to duty under General Patrick, Provost Marshal, Army of the Potomac, at City Point, Va" with his regiment performed guard duty, protecting stores, etc. at Army Headquarters for 11 months, during which time was sent to the front in late March of 1865, with his command was on duty 3-4 weeks, in the siege and capture of the Confederate capitol. They entered Richmond with the 25th Corps, after which returned at once to City Pont.
Henry married Ellen Grace Rowell on the so" day of November, 1864, he being home on leave of absence at the time. Two children were born of the marriage Blanche P., wife of William A. Spring, of Dresden, Germany, a prominent American dentist; and Max L., who is a graduate of the University of Vermont and was associated with his father in the law and insurance business. In June, 1865 Henry was ordered to Texas, where remained 11 months. He was discharged 5/17/1866, having served 3 years and 10 months. He was in command of the regiment all but 2-3 months, except the last 6 months, when he commanded a separate brigade of four regiments and the Eastern District of Texas.
After his discharged he was admitted to the Bar at Corpus Christi, Texas, in September of 1865; He reentered the University of Vermont, Class of 1865 He then practiced law at Richford, from October of 1866 until June of 1892; He was Treasurer of U.V.M. from June of 1892 until 1896; member of firm of Powell and Powell his partner was his son Max Leon Powell, UVM Class of 1889. On 01 October 1877 Henry married his second wife Mrs. Georgiana (Reed) Bailey, of Montpelier [Washington County], Vermont. She was the youngest daughter of Thomas Reed and Mary Bowlend, and widow of George W. Bailey, Jr., secretary of state at the time of his death. Two children were born of this second marriage of Henry and Georgiana, Thomas Reed Powell, a graduate of the University of Vermont, and Harvard Law School; and Gertrude Reed Powell, a
graduate of Smith College.
In November, 1878, Henry was elected Auditor of Accounts of the State of Vermont, serving until at least 1892. He was appointed Inspector of Customs for the Richford District, 1866-1868; State's Attorney 1872 and 1873; Town
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