Van Tassel family papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS-0689

Collection Overview

Abstract

The Van Tassel Family Papers document the history of this pioneer Wood County family during the 19th century. Correspondence, a journal, articles and books comprise the bulk of this collection.

Dates

  • Creation: 1804-1983

Extent

.2 Linear Feet (2 boxes )

Creator

Scope and Contents

The Van Tassel Family Papers contain letters, books, and printed material from 1804-1983 with the majority of the documents concentrated in the period between 1850-1890.

There are three important series that make up the bulk of the collection. The first of these series is the correspondence. This part of the collection contains letters to and from Lucia Van Tassel and at least two of her daughters, Clara and Sophia. Other correspondence is included to or from people of unknown relationship to the family, at the very least, family friends. An early journal of Sarah Martindale is also included in this series.

A second important series is the family history series which contains the beginnings of a family genealogy. The last of the main series is a collection of books from the early 19th century, probably a part of Lucia Van Tassel's library.

Biographical / Historical

The Van Tassel Family Papers begin with letters of Lucia B. Van Tassel (1800-1880) who married Issac Van Tassel (1791-1849), Presbyterian minister in charge of the Indian Mission on the Maumee River, among the Ottawa. (See obituary in the family history file for both Lucia and Issac.) They had no children who lived beyond infancy but adopted three children, a boy who died as a young man in Kansas, a girl who married and died young, and a second girl--a Mrs. Webb, still alive at the time of Lucia's death. Lucia practiced medicine in Memphis, Tennessee after the death of her husband.

A second part of the collection concerns a second Issac Van Tassel (1810-1877), a nephew of the above Issac. He taught briefly at his uncle's mission school, went to Western Reserve College, taught for several years, and finally purchased land in Milton township, Wood County. He married Martha Martindale (1821-post 1907). They had five children. Her father was Elisha Martindale whose sister, Sarah, has a journal located in the collection. More information on Issac and Martha Van Tassel along with Elisha Martindale can be found in the Historical and Biographical Record: Wood County, Ohio: Its Past and Present, Chicago: J.H. Beers and Company, 1897.

Conditions Governing Access

No known access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.

Language of Materials

Materials in English.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Most of this collection was donated by the Wood County Historical Society on July 29, 1994. The journal of Sarah Martindale and an article written by Martha Martindale Van Tassel were donated by Pauline Barton Lewis on December 12, 1994

Processing Information

The finding aid was created by Paul Buckingham in June 1996.

Title
Guide to the Van Tassel family papers
Author
Paul Buckingham, Libby Hertenstein
Date
June 1996, February 2019
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English