The series are William A. Porter papers 1813-1883, Porter Family papers 1845-1940, Griffin Family papers 1845-1973, Daniel Patrick Griffin papers 1897-1975, Rupp, Bickel, and Moesser Family papers 1841-1929. Harrison County Historical Material 1893-1979, Business papers 1865-1947, and Griffin and McGrain company papers 1831-1916.

The collection includes papers of the Rupp, Moesser and Bickel families, connected to the Griffins by marriage. The Bickels were a German family and their correspondence includes letters written in German.

The Griffins were involved with several churches in Corydon, the Harrison County School System, and celebrations for Indiana's Centennial and Sesquicentennial. There are many papers concerning historical information of Corydon and Harrison County.

The collection includes business papers and ledgers of the businesses in which the family had an interest, in particular the Griffin and McGrain Company. There is a history "50 Years with the Maurice Griffin Company" written in 1947. Other related business collections held by the Indiana State Library include the Maurice Griffin & Co. Collection.

 Series Descriptions:

 William A. Porter Papers:

This series includes 9 manuscript boxes of correspondence and legal papers from 1813 to 1883. The material is arranged chronologically within each folder, Mr. Porter's personal papers followed by his legal practice. This series includes school papers by William A. Porter from Miami University, Oxford Ohio, and an invitation to join Alumni of Miami U. There are programs from various organizations to which Mr. Porter belonged during and after his college years. The are programs from other colleges as well, Indiana Asbury University, Washington College, and Student Lecture Broadsides.

Porter came to Indiana to be the head of the Harrison County Seminary. In addition to letters from family and friends, William Porter's personal correspondence includes letters from and the Hughes family regarding the purchase of the house in Corydon, and a request by the citizens of Corydon for Porter to survey the town. There are legal papers and correspondence, receipts, and account registers for the Harrison County Sawmill, and the Corydon Artisan Well Company. Porter belonged to the Masonic Lodge, Pisgah Number 32 and the Harrison County Agricultural Society. The series includes legal documents, insurance policies, and pamphlets from these organizations.

William Porter was a State Representative and a State Senator. This collection includes political correspondence from members of the Whig Party, speeches, and committee reports, and Governor Nobles' Inaugural address of 1830. There are also lists of Indiana legislators. National political papers include printed addresses about General Jackson's run for the Presidency, an address by General Harrison's in 1828, a proclamation by President Andrew Jackson, and speeches by Indiana Senators, Smith and White.

William Porter was a lawyer and judge. His legal correspondence includes pension requests for soldiers from the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, and the Civil War. His practice was primarily debt collections, wills and settling estates.

Porter Family Papers:

This series is 3 manuscript boxes of correspondence and school papers of the Porter family daughters from 1845 to 1940. The material is arranged chronologically within each folder, in order of birth of the daughters. The Porter family papers include correspondence of Mrs. Elizabeth Porter, Sarah Elizabeth, Anne Dunlap, Viola, Mary Jane, Aurelia, Attia, and Helen Porter. These papers include school compositions and correspondence. Mary Jane Porter attended St, Mary's Seminary in Indianapolis, Aurelia attended Oxford Female College in Oxford, Ohio, Attia attended Glendale Female College, in Glendale Ohio, and Helen attended McClean's Female Seminary in Indianapolis. Their correspondence includes many letters from their father William Porter.  There is also 1 oversized folder from Helen Porter’s folder of farm accounts which contains a hand-drawn map of a farm.

Sarah Elizabeth died in 1856, Anne in 1854, and Viola in 1858. Mary Jane became a schoolteacher and died in1859. Attia married William McKnight and Aurelia married Amzi Brewster on 17 March 1868. Her papers include correspondence after her marriage and letters to her husband. Helen Porter married Patrick Griffin in 1871. Her papers include correspondence for her seven children. There is a copy of a diary page about her sister Viola Porter's death in 1858.

The Porter sisters received many letters from cousins and friends serving the Union Army during the Civil War. The young women of Corydon formed a club in 1861 called the Scott Gayes. Their purpose was to defend Corydon if the Rebel forces attacked.

Griffin Family Papers:

This series includes 11 manuscript boxes of correspondence, legal papers, and community activities in which Griffin family member played an active role. The papers date from 1845 to 1973. This series begins with Daniel F. Griffin, followed by Patrick Griffin then the children of Helen Porter Griffin and Daniel Griffin in the order of their birth. The end of the series includes cousins and grandchildren. The material is arranged chronologically within each folder.  Daniel F. Griffin served in the Civil War with the 38^th Indiana Volunteers, rising to the command as Brigadier General. He was the brother of Maurice and Patrick Griffin. Maurice and Patrick went to California during the Gold Rush and ran a trading post. Patrick returned to Corydon in 1857, the papers include his diary of his return trip around the Horn of South America. Patrick Griffin was a businessman and involved in many Corydon activities. He was a member of the Pisgah Masonic Lodge and was in charge of the letter writing campaign to soldiers during World War I.

Helen Porter Griffin and Patrick Griffin had seven children, Margaret, William Maurice, Mary Jane, Olive, Annis, Helen, and Daniel Patrick. Margaret, Mary Jane, and Olive never married. William Maurice married Charlotte Rupp. Helen Elizabeth married Mark B. O'Leary from Chicago. Helen Griffin O'Leary was made a member of Daughters of the American Revolution. There is a family tree in the DAR folder. 

Daniel Patrick Griffin Papers:

This series includes 4 manuscript boxes of correspondence and school papers from 1897-1975. The material is arranged chronologically. Daniel Patrick attended Purdue University School of Pharmacy beginning in 1903. He became president of the Griffin Company in 1912. His papers include a 1903 map of Purdue, dance club programs and letters concerning the train wreck in 1903 in which thirteen Purdue students were killed. He was a member of the Corydon Presbyterian Church for over 75 years.

Daniel Griffin was a member of the Chemical Warfare Service during World War II, the Redpath Chautauqua, the Masonic Lodge, and the Corydon Music and Drama Club. Daniel Griffin actively participated in the Corydon Bicentennial and Sesquicentennial celebrations.

Rupp, Moesser and Bickel Families:

This series includes 1 and one half manuscript boxes of correspondence, business, and legal papers from 1841 to 1925. The material is arranged chronologically within each folder. The Moesser and Bickel families follow the papers of the Rupp family. William A. Porter handled legal business for the John and Henry Rupp. They were related to the Bickel and Moesser families. William Maurice Griffin married Charlotte Rupp. The Bickels were a German family and their correspondence is written in German.

Harrison County Historical Material:

This series includes Indiana Centennial and Sesquicentennial celebrations, Newsletters of the Indiana Historical Commission, information on Harrison County historical sites, and miscellaneous history of Corydon. There is information about Cedar Hills Cemetery in which many members of the Porter-Griffin family is buried. The series includes the correspondence involving the Porter-Griffin home as a state historical site.

Business Papers:

Includes papers from various businesses in which the family had an interest, Applegate-McGrain, Wright-Griffin-McGrain, Wright- Stockslager-Griffin and Griffin Company. There is a history "50 Years With the Maurice Griffin & Company" written in 1947 by Mary Jane Griffin.

Griffin and McGrain:

This series includes 15 manuscript boxes, 1 clamshell box, 118 volumes, and 1 oversized folder of invoices, receipts, and checks for companies around the United States that did business with the Griffin and McGrain company.  The collection also contains personal papers of McGrain.

Box and Folder or Item Listing:

Box 1. William A. Porter Papers

Box 2. William A. Porter Papers

Box 3.  William A. Porter Papers

Box 4. William A. Porter Papers

Box 5.  William A. Porter Papers

Box 6.  William A. Porter Papers

Box 7.  William A Porter Papers

Box 8.  William A. Porter Papers

Box 9.  William A. Porter Papers

Box 10.  Porter Family Papers

Box 11.  Porter Family Papers

Box 12. Porter Family Papers

Box 13. Griffin Family Papers

Box 14. Griffin Family Papers

Box 15. Griffin Family Papers

Box 16. Griffin Family Papers

Box 17. Griffin Family Papers

Box 18. Griffin Family Papers

Box 19. Griffin Family Papers

Box 20. Griffin Family Papers and Daniel Patrick Griffin Papers

Box 21. Daniel Patrick Griffin Papers

Box 22. Daniel Patrick Griffin Papers

Box 23. Daniel Patrick Griffin Papers

Box 24. Daniel Patrick Griffin Papers and Griffin Family Papers

Box 25. Griffin Family Papers

Box 26. Griffin Family Papers

Box 27. Griffin Family Papers and Rupp, Moesser and Bickel Families Papers

Box 28. Rupp, Moesser and Bickel Families Papers

Box 29. Harrison County Historical Material

Box 30. Harrison County Historical Material

Box 31. Business Papers

Box 32. Griffin and McGrain

Box 33. Griffin and McGrain

Box 34.  Griffin and McGrain

Box 35.  Griffin and McGrain

Box 36. Griffin and McGrain

Box 37. Griffin and McGrain

Box 38. Griffin and McGrain

Box 39. Griffin and McGrain

Box 40. Griffin and McGrain

Box 41. Griffin and McGrain

Box 42. Griffin and McGrain

Box 43. Griffin and McGrain

Box 44. Griffin and McGrain

Box 45.  Griffin and McGrain

Box 46.  Griffin and McGrain

Box 47.  Griffin and McGrain

OB 6, folder 14.

OBC94, Folder 1.

OBC94, Folder 2.

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.