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Anna Witmer Myers papers

 Collection 0531-MDHC

Anna Witmer Myers grew up a Mennonite in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and after her marriage moved with her husband, Jessia Myers, to Frizzellburg, Carroll County, Maryland. The collection consists of correspondence between Anna and her family and friends. Also included are three letters not related to the Witmer and Myers families, two of which are in German to George Kern.

Dates

  • January 1, 188 - circa 1890

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to the public and must be used in the Special Collections reading room. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Photocopies or digital surrogates may be provided in accordance with Special Collections and University Archives duplication policy.

Extent

.50 Linear Feet (1 Letter Hollinger Box)

Scope and Contents

This collection includes correspondence sent or received by Anna "Annie" Witmer Meyers between January 1, 1866 and August 28, 1888. Her correspondents include family members and friends. Within these letters, Anna, her family members and her friends write about every day life after the Civil War, the health of loved ones, the weather and other events that occurred.

Two of the three letters not related to the Witmer and Myers families are written in German to George Kern (1860-1952), one while he is attending Eden College in St. Louis, Missouri and the other when he is the assistant pastor at The German United Evangelical Salem Church in Rochester, NY. The third letter is a draft of a letter to Professors Blackwell and Sharp inquiring about a “teacher of drawing, painting and calisthenics” position at Danville College, Danville, Virginia; it is unsigned.

Biographical / Historical

Anna Witmer Myers (1847-1934) was born in Pennsylvania, one of at least eight children of Elizabeth Eshleman (1812-1904) and Peter Witmer (1809-1896). On January 9, 1870 she married Jessia (Jessie, Josiah) Myers (1843-1916) and they lived in Frizzellburg, Carroll County, Maryland. One daughter, Elizabeth (Lizzie) was born in 1877. Anna wrote frequently to her parents and siblings about life on the farm. Several letters mention exchanging photographs. Prior to her marriage, Anna received a love letter from Jonas B. Zimmerman.

Arrangement

This collection is organized into two series. Arrangement is alphabetical by name and within that, chronological.

Series 1
Anna Witmer Myers and Family Correspondence
Series
Other Correspondence

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection was purchased by the University of Maryland Libraries from Michael Brown Rare Books, LLC on January 4, 2018.

Processing Information

The Anna Witmer Myers Papers were processed in September 2019. All staples and metal paper clips were removed. Letters were placed in acid-free folders and in an acid-free box.

Title
Guide to the Anna Witmer Myers papers
Status
Completed
Author
Terry Ann Sayler
Date
2019-10-15
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Library Details

Part of the Special Collections and University Archives

Contact:
University of Maryland Libraries
Hornbake Library
4130 Campus Drive
College Park Maryland 20742
301-405-9212