Joan Brisbin Wills family collection

The heart of the Joan Brisbin Wills Family Papers lies in the large number of photographic prints, comprising nearly half of the material. Many of the photographs document the lives of the King sisters, primarily during the 1920's and 1930's, including pictures of family members, friends, the Toledo Hospital School of Nursing, and the family farm. While this series is limited in identification and time-frame, it does provide a basis for understanding the total collection.

Another large component of the papers is the collection of literary productions. The research notes, primarily genealogical in nature, includes information on the King, Brisbin, Wills, Hockaday, Sprague, and related families, with some data referring back to 1545.

MEMBERSHIP RECORDS; 1966, 1973; arranged chronologically. Records of the Toledo Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Association

CORRESPONDENCE - PETER KING; Jan 2, 1891-Mar 26, 1897 (scattered); arranged chronologically. Various recommendations and certifications for/of Peter King from persons at schools he attended; reminder letter concerning class colors; and a request for a biographical sketch.

CORRESPONDENCE - RUTH BRISBIN; Sept 17, 1931-Jan 15, 1973 (scattered), undated; arranged chronologically. Miscellaneous letters to/from Ruth King Brisbin, including her resignation acceptance from Toledo Hospital, her classification for World War II service, and a letter from a doctor, declining payment for services.

CORRESPONDENCE - MISCELLANEOUS; Oct 19, 1922-Dec 14, 1966 (scattered), undated; arranged chronologically. Letter concerning Frederick Brisbin as a student; letters to/from Nell Wills; letter to Neva King Lambert from O.E.S. leaders; and a letter to Madaline Wills.

RESEARCH NOTES; 1916-1931, undated; arranged by subseries; then chronologically. Genealogical/family history research material for the Sprague, Cole, Kittell, Corning, Lowden, Youngblood, Hockaday, King, VanPelt, Myers, Shoemaker, Brisbin, and Wills families; grade school notebook of Neva King; and school notebooks, exams, and papers of Ruth King from nursing school.

MEMOIRS; 1894-1895, 1899-1901; arranged chronologically. Separate notebooks belonging to Peter King and James VanPelt, each with miscellaneous types of entries reflecting the author's life at the time.

REMINISCENCES; 1888-1959 (scattered); arranged chronologically. School autograph albums of Georgia VanPelt, Ruth King, and Joan Brisbin; booklet describing the marriage and first four years of married life of Nell M. Hockaday and A.E. Wills; birth announcement of Irma Louise Allen; memorial record for Todd Eaken; babybook detailing the brief life of Mary Francis Wills; and Ruth King's record of High School Graduation gifts.

POETRY; Circa 1911, Dec 1, 1926. Two pieces of poetry, "The Situation in Toledo", an anti-Catholic political handbill about Toledo; and a piece about the Ladies Aid Society, of which Mrs. Peter King was a member.

INSURANCE POLICIES; 1917, 1928-1929; arranged chronologically. Two fire insurance policies, in German, for house and buildings on the property of Peter King; auto insurance policy and card for Peter King's auto.

ABSTRACTS OF TITLE; 1888-1946, 1888-1953, 1921; arranged chronologically by first date in span. Two abstracts to land titles documenting previous ownership of land transferred to Susie B. Eaken, and to Frederick and Ruth Brisbin; automobile title for Peter King.

PETITIONS; undated. Sample copy of membership petition for Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons.

AGREEMENTS; Nov 16, 1942. Grant of leave of absence to Fred (Ted) Brisbin.

BILLS AND RECEIPTS; 1855, 1914, 1940, 1943-1944; arranged chronologically. Bill of sale of land to E.S. Blair; dues receipt of the Order of the Eastern Star for Georgia King; food, liquor ration coupons of Neva King Lambert; and bill/receipt for hospitalization of Ruth King.

LEDGERS; 1939-1941. Household accounts of Arthur and Nell Wills.

SCRAPBOOKS; 1912-1953, 1926-1941(?), 1949. Ruth King scrapbook from High School and nursing; family scrapbook of the King sisters; and Senior Memories scrapbook of Joan Brisbin.

SCRAPBOOK MATERIAL (LOOSE); Circa 1960-1967?. Various items of the Toledo Weavers Guild, including membership roster, ribbons, photos, premium stub, and newspaper article.

CHARTS; July 16, 1931-(December 1932?). Weight chart for Joan Brisbin.

CARDS; 1917, 1921, 1956; arranged chronologically. Membership card, and reminder of lodge meeting for Peter King; reminder card for Eastern Star meeting for Neva King Lambert.

CERTIFICATES; Circa 1880-1956; arranged chronologically. Miscellaneous certificates, including grade report, merit cards, and teaching certificate of Peter King; certificate of baptism, school promotion, high school diploma, nurses registration, and marriage license of Hazel King; school certificate of Frederick Brisbin; diploma and nurses registration of Neva King; marriage license and certificate for Madaline Allen and Andrew Deck; Sunday School certificate of Mary Francis Wills; and Sunday School promotions for Joan Brisbin.

PAMPHLETS/BROCHURES; 1932, 1936-1980, undated; arranged chronologically. Constitution and bylaws of the Toledo Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Association; constitution and bylaws of Order of the Eastern Star; personnel and fire instruction booklets for Toledo Hospital and/or Wood County Hospital; patient information booklet from Toledo Hospital.

PROGRAMS; 1927-1970; arranged chronologically. Baccalaureat and commencement programs for Ruth King and Joan Brisbin; various awards programs at Toledo Hospital and Wood County Hospital; commencement program of Toledo Hospital School of Nursing.

CIRCULARS; 1955-1967?, undated; arranged chronologically. Employee notices and Wood County Hospital pay scale; Girl Scout project request program.

POSITIVE PRINTS; Circa 1880-1960s; arranged chronologically in topical groups or albums. Tintypes, black and white, and color prints, both loose and mounted in albums. Includes King sisters as children, student nurses, and young women; Nell Hockaday Wills and the Hockaday Family; various Wills Family members; Joan Brisbin during childhood and young adulthood; Toledo Hospital and nursing friends; farm machinery and rural life; vacation photos; and miscellaneous friends. Some albums and oversized items are wrapped separately.