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Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterJeffrey Flanagan, SCRC Staff.
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Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Morgan family papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Purchase. Mss. Acc. 2010.237.
Accessioned and minimally processed in April 2010 by Ute Schechter, Warren E. Burger Archivist. Further arrangement and description by Jeffrey Flanagan, SCRC Staff, in May-June 2010.
The following information was provided by the seller and has not been verified: "Richard S. Morgan, a Chicago apothecary. In 1862 he was an Assistant Post Apothecary at the Federal Drug Store, Camp Douglas, IL. During the course of the next 2 1/2 years, Richard resumes working in various positions in Chicago. He marries Celia Frary, a Morris, IL schoolteacher in Grundy Co., Ill. in 1863, and they have a baby daughter. The couple becomes estranged due to the husband's alcoholism, the baby dies, and Richard dies of diptheria on April 7, 1865 in the hospital at Camp Butler, Springfield, IL where he had recently taken an apothecary post and enlisted in the 91st IL." Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki: .
This collection, 1860-1867, consists mainly of letters between Richard S. Morgan, a Chicago apothecary and Celia Frary, a Morris, Illinois schoolteacher, who married in Grundy County, Illinois in 1863. The correspondence begins in the Fall of 1862 when Richard was an Assistant Apothecary at the Federal Drug Store, Camp Douglas, IllinoisL. In addition, there is correspondence with parents, other family members and friends, three photographs, and teachers' certificates.
This collection is currently being processed. Therefore, description and date range may change periodically. Researchers may wish to consult with a staff member for further information in advance of using the collection.
This series contains correspondence between Richard S. Morgan and Celia Frary, as well as correspondence from friends, family members, and acquaintances from 1862 to 1867. Topics of letters include Richard's work as an apothecary at various military camps and shops, the couple's courtship and subsequent marriage, the couple's marital issues, Richard's alcoholism, and the couple's separation. Topics of letters between Celia and others include Topics of letters include Celia's work as a schoolteacher, mail order purchases, advertisements, family news, and updates from friends.
The following, selective listing was provided by the seller: Hand drawn sketch by Richard, "Good Night", appx. 6.5" x 7", pencil, showing the courting couple out in front of Celia's home in Morris. Included with l862 letter. CDV of young woman, with caption, "A 'Copperhead' friend of mine...", included with 1864 letter by Richard (while estranged) 1862 letter, Sheperdsville, KY, surgeon David Leroy, 91st IL 1862 letter, Trenton, TN, Andrew J Haynes, IL 4th Cavalry, etc." The following excerpts have been provided by the seller: "Richard, Camp Douglas, 1862 - "After refreshing the inner man I took the State St cars to Camp Douglas...Oh Ye Gods and little fishes what a sight, 9000 ragged dirty slovenly -bevermined Secesh in abundance - and lots of Uncle Sam's boys. Butternut and blue are the cardinal colors here."; "Woke in the morning...by the booming of a big brass cannon about 20 yards from Head Quarters..."; "I finally saw Dr McVickars - he gave me a situation as Assistant Post Apothecary...$3.50 is for clothing which I will get and it is a splendid uniform crimson trimmed and a gold lace shoulder strap with a green velvet ground and Excula pius (the god of Medicine) sign thus on arm [small drawing.]; "...half an hour ago there were a lot of guerillas brought in from Colorado - the roughest toughest men this side Pandemonium I ever gazed on..." Richard, Camp Douglas, 1862 - [courtship] "...I could not begin to count how many times I have pulled off my boots, and like a 'guilty thing' sought my lonely chamber...I have paid you visits on evenings when I ought to have sent you straight off to bed...but instead have kept you up..."; "I must; will see you and Morris...or I will go and fill my pockets with 2 dollars worth of change all in coppers, jump into the lake...and become a thunderation wet, moist, damp, unpleasant mortal Body." Richard, circa Sept 27, Oct. 11, 1864, Chicago - "This has been an exciting day in Chicago - Gold has fallen and the Draft has commenced...I stand a pretty good chance of drawing a prize - and receiving my death warrant."; "I have spent nearly all the time since I saw you last in trying to escape the Draft and last night was in the 6th Ward. They have enough money to buy substitutes but can't get them for they were 100 days men at St. Louis & are sent to the front. I have to report...tomorrow..."
The following excerpts have been provided by the seller: Richard, Mar. 18, 1865 - "I am now Post Apothecary at Camp Butler...I am teaching some colored soldiers to read - how are you abolitionist?; next Sunday if I have time I am going to preach to them in their barracks." Richard, March 20, 1865 [last letter, Camp Butler, Apothecary, enlisted in 91st IL] "My regt is in New Orleans. I look well in uniform. I am altering my privates coat into officer putting staff buttons on it; tearing of[f] the cord and putting a stripe on my pants. I have two contrabands to wait on me. They clean my boots etc...I do nothing but fill ward prescriptions; examine the sick. I have touched more small pox; measles today than you can shake a stick at...I have charge of all the Porter Ale Wine; Whiskey medicine; keep the key in my pocket. What a jolly temptation is it not?"; "Geo Hand had his brother here. He has just gone home with him a corpse. I am used to this however." Celia, April 3, 9, 1865 - "RICHMOND is Taken! Taken at last almost beyond doubt! So Father Abraham say...to days paper says Grant has been fighting for three days and has taken twelve thousand prisoners and fifty pieces of artillery. I am so rejoiced I can scarcely write."; "This present battle will fill the hospitals again. Our brave soldiers may God bless them in this world and the next."; "Dear Richard if you will be a good boy and can show me that you do not drink at all I will try and make you a visit sometime this summer..."
The following excerpts have been provided by the seller: David Leroy, Surgeon, 91st IL, Sheperdsville, KY, Dec. 1862 - "We are...located at present in this little town of Shepperssville to guard the bridge over Salt River on the Louisville; Nashville R.R. The bridge has been destroyed by the Rebels 3 times in the last six months, been two fights or rather skirmished." [Lists promotions of various 91st soldiers.] Mary E. Robinson, Akron, OH, Oct. 27, 1861 - "We have war news every day. They are doing considerable for the Soldiers here. They have started a dime society for their benefit. They have received $35.00 and the ODD fellows presented them with fifty more and they meet once a week to sew for them." J. Macalister, M.D., Chicago, Aug. 31, 1865 [to Celia] - "...the cause of your sorrow is no more. Alas! that one so young; & who might have been so respected should have thus died - "
This series contains photographs of Frary and Morgan, Celia Frary's Illinois teaching certificates, passes belonging to Richard S. Morton from 1862 from Camp Douglas and another identified camp, and a photocopy of their marriage certificate.