Borton family papers

The Borton family papers, dating 1849-1889, is a fine collection of family correspondence containing general family information and, between the years 1862-1864, is highlighted by a significant number of detailed letters written during the Civil War. As a whole, the collection illustrates the problems confronted by and the changes which occurred in the philosophy and lifestyle of a nineteenth century farm family as it faced and dealt with the hardships induced by the Civil War, family crisis, and the on-going trials of life itself.

The collection of incoming and outgoing family correspondence contains an extensive amount of material dealing with family life in Fulton County, Ohio; including such topics as health, weather, family finances, agriculture, and social and political issues of the day. Several letters speak specifically on land prices, the dollar value of farm commodities, and the intrinsic value of a good education. Highly significant correspondents writing or receiving letters of family and farm information include Borton's Elizabeth Jane, James Elwood, Mary, Samuel, Silas, Simeon; and Jane P. Marmon. For more specific information, see the selected letter listing.

The collection also contains a significant number of Civil War letters, dated 1862-1864, written by the four Borton brothers--James Elwood, Samuel, Silas, and Simeon--who served in the Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and a few from their cousin J.H. Milligan, stationed at Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio. The letters reveal very descriptive accounts of a soldier's living conditions, food and rations, th picket line, marching and traveling, contact with enemy troops, injuries incurred, and interesting and detailed accounts of battle.

Included in the collection as an aid to the researcher is a comprehensive set of transcriptions of the original letters, prepared for the Fulton County Historical Society by Michael L. Williams of Bryan, Ohio. Also of value to the researcher is the two volume publication by Betty M.Mann entitled 1675-1979: 300 Years of Bortons in America, available at the Center for Archival Collections.

Overall, the Borton family papers is an excellent collection for the research historian, strong in its descriptive accounts of the Civil War from the perspective of the foot soldier, and in its specific references to and information on farm family life in nineteenth century Fulton County, Ohio. Unfortunately, the photocopied letters can be extremely difficult to read, and the researcher needs to rely heavily upon the transcriptions. The collection is a little more problematic for the genealogist however, in that little information is offered regarding family history and in that many family relationships remain difficult to determine. It is therefore recommended that the serious researcher use Betty Mann's publication in conjunction with this wonderful collection of family correspondence.

List of Correspondents

Name and Identity:

• Baldwin, A.W.: Cousin of an undetermined Borton
• Baldwin, Martha: Sister to Mary Borton
• Baldwin, Stephen H.: Cousin of an undetermined Borton
• Biddle, J.H. (T.H.): Friend of James Elwood Borton
• Borton, Ann: Undetermined
• Borton, Arthur: Nephew of Mary and Isaiah Borton
• Borton, Elizabeth Jane: Daughter of Mary and Isaiah Borton; later married Alfred Shaffer (see also Shaffer, E.J.)
• Borton, Ellis: Nephew of Mary and Isaiah Borton
• Borton, Ezra: Brother of Isaiah Borton
• Borton, Ira: Brother of Isaiah Borton
• Borton, Isaiah: Husband to Mary Borton; father to John, Rhoda, Silas, Lucas, Simeon, Samuel, James Elwood and Elizabeth Jane
• Borton, James Elwood: Son of Mary and Isaiah Borton
• Borton, Joseph: Nephew of Mary and Isaiah Borton
• Borton, Lillie: Daughter of Samuel Borton
• Borton, Marvith: Undetermined
• Borton,Mary: Wife to Isaiah Borton; mother of John, Rhoda, Silas, Lucas, Simeon, Samuel, James Elwood and Elizabeth Jane
• Borton, Pap: Undetermined
• Borton, Rhoda: Daughter of Mary and Isaiah Borton
• Borton, S.: Son of Mary and Isaiah Borton
• Borton, Samuel: Son of Mary and Isaiah Borton
• Borton, Silas: Son of Mary and Isaiah Borton
• Borton, Simeon: Son of Mary and Isaiah Borton
• Brina: Niece of Mary and Isaiah Borton
• Hamlin, Alva J.: Friend to Borton's S. and James Elwood (note: Hamlin is Mary Borton's maiden name)
• Hamlin, Wilson F.: Undetermined (note: Hamlin is Mary Borton's maiden name)
• Hugus, N.C.: Friend of James Elwood Borton
• Hugus, W.H.C.: Undetermined
• Johnson, Joseph: Undetermined
• Lozer, Lilhe D.: Friend of Silas Borton
• Marmon, Jane P.: Sister of Mary Borton; wife to Joseph Marmon; mother of Sally Marmon
• Marmon, Joseph: Husband to Jane Marmon
• Marmon, Sr., Joseph: (same as Marmon, Joseph?)
• Marmon, Roth: Undetermined
• Marmon, Sally: Daughter of Jane and Joseph Marmon; niece of Mary and Isaiah Borton (see also Potee, Sally)
• McGuire, John: Nephew of Mary and Isaiah Borton
• McGuire, M.R.: Undetermined Borton
• Milligan, J.H.: Nephew of Mary and Isaiah Borton
• Milligan, Joseph H.: Nephew of Mary and Isaiah Borton
• Milligan, John: Nephew of Mary and Isaiah Borton
• Milligan, K.T.: Nephew of Mary and Isaiah Borton
• Milligan, K.Y.: Nephew of Mary and Isaiah Borton
• Milligan, Thomas: Nephew of Mary and Isaiah Borton
• Minnick, Deem: Undetermined
• Minnick, John: Undetermined
• Minnixk, Julie: Undetermined
• Minser, David: Undetermined
• Nash, Sophia: Friend of Simeon Borton
• Ogden, William B.: Undetermined
• Olds, Mary J.: Undetermined
• Pinney, George: Undetermined
• Potee, Sally: Daughter of Jane and Joseph Marmon; Niece of Mary and Isaiah Borton (see also Marmon, Sally)
• Reeve, Benjamin: Husband of Lydia Reeve
• Reeve, Lydia: Niece of Mary and Joseph Borton; wife to Benjamin Reeve
• Richards, J.W.: Undetermined
• Rittenhouse, Mary: Undetermined
• Shaffer, Alfred: Husband to Elizabeth Jane (Borton) Shaffer
• Shaffer, Elizabeth J.: Daughter of Mary and Isaiah Borton; wife to Alfred Shaffer (see also Borton, Elizabeth Jane)
• Struble, Seubina: Undetermined
• W., H.M.: Undetermined
• Walker, Maggie: Friend of Silas Borton
• Wentz, Mary: Friend of Simeon Borton
• Wisner, Mary: Undetermined
• Wisner, William: Undetermined

• 4/23/1849: Perspectives on morality and religion, slavery and abolition.
• 2/17/1861: Prices of available land in the Fulton County area; prices of farm commodities; the importance of education and traveling up the "hill of science".
• 6/30/1861: Civil War draft policy.
• 3/15/1862: Extensive discussion on education.
• 7/10/1862: Very articulate and specific early Civil War letter from J.H. Milligan mentioning Captain Morgan; written at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio.
• 1/23/1863: A soldier's song in verse sent home in a letter from Simeon Borton from the Civil War.
• 4/17/1863: Commodity prices listed in a letter written by James Elwood Borton.
• e.a. 1863: Civil War letters from simeon Borton relaying rumors about the death of Stonewall Jackson and the imprisonment of General Lee.
• 12/29/1863: Interesting account of a severe winter storm and its effects on the family and their livestock.
• 5/22/1864: A more detailed account of Simeon Borton's death in a letter written by James Elwood Borton.
• 5/26/1864: A more detailed account of Simeon Borton's death in a letter written by James Elwood Borton.
• 11/30/1864: A record of the death of James Elwood Borton in a letter from K.T. Milligan.
• e.a. 1870: Account of a stroke suffered by Joseph Marmon.
• 11/2/1884: Account of the death of Mary Borton's sister Ann in a letter from Jane P. Marmon.