Mills Averill Letters
S 41
1836-1842 
1 folder

Return to the Alphabetical List of All Online Finding Aids

Processed by: Jennifer Duplaga, February 2005
 

Biographical Note:

Mills Averill was born in Vermont around 1793.  In October 1839, he and his family left New York and traveled by land to Lima, Lagrange County, Indiana.  It appears that his wife died before 1850.  They had several children together, including Lucia, George, Charles, Cornelia, Harvey, Adeline, Norm, and Jane.  Averill may have died before 1860.

 Scope and Content Note:

This collection contains three letters written by Mills Averill to family and friends living in New York.  In his letters, Averill discusses life as a settler in Indiana.  In his first letter, he discusses the trip to Indiana from New York, the character of the people in the area, public improvements, and the railroad.  He also notes his work at building a cabin for his family and the plowing he had done.  In the second letter, he spends a great deal of time discussing his family.  He talks about their health and treatments he had received from “Hoosier” doctors.  Averill also mentions an infestation of worms that were a threat to his crops.  In his third letter, Averill discusses a business transaction he was having difficulty closing.  He also mentions the failing health of his wife from liver disease.

Item Listing:

Collection Information:

Photocopying Policy:

Manuscript materials CANNOT be photocopied or digitized in their entirety. Photocopies and/or digital images cannot exceed 25% of a collection or a folder within a collection. In some cases, photocopying may not be permitted due to the condition of the item. Check with a Manuscript Librarian for other options.