Centre County Library and Historical Museum - Keller Letters

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  • Location Covered = Chambersburg (Pa.)

About This Collection

The family of Henry Keller were residents of Boalsburg, Pa. in the 1800's. Sophie Keller, daughter of Henry and Margaretta (nee Schneck), is significant because of her participation in a graveside remembrance at the Boalsburg, PA cemetery in Oct. 1864 that blossomed into an annual memorial day event now held in May. Collection covers sixty-one letters and one poem from 1837 to 1893 associated with the life of family members, including Margaretta's kin, with many in the Civil War timeframe.
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1843-05-01? Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Sophia P. Young
1843-05-01? Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Sophia P. Young
Schneck Family
Benjamin is planning to visit Sophia in Middletown, PA for her undefined 20th event right after his 'Classical Meeting' in the Funkstown, MD area. Benjamin will be taking trains.
1856-04-14 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Margaretta Keller
1856-04-14 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Margaretta Keller
Schneck Family; Keller Family
Benjamin bides farewell to his sister before his family travels on a tour of Europe starting with the Steamer 'Baltic' to Liverpool.
1859-12-16 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Margaretta Keller
1859-12-16 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Margaretta Keller
Schneck Family; Keller Family
Benjamin provides his itinerary for coming to Boalsburg, PA from Chambersburg, PA to visit for Christmas. However he must make stops in Penns Valley/Spring Mills, PA for a dedication and then on to Boalsburg.
1862-09-12 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Margaretta Keller
1862-09-12 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Margaretta Keller
Schneck Family; Keller Family; Civil War
Confederate army has caused panic among the citizens of Chambersburg, PA after hearing about their potential march from Hagerstown, PA. If they come Benjamin will stay however the females will go to Carlisle, PA and perhaps then onto Perry County, PA. Benjamin apologized for missing his nephew, Daniel Keller, in Harrisburg, PA the week before. Benjamin requested Daniel's military postal address so he could sent him papers.
1862-10-13 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Margaretta Keller
1862-10-13 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Margaretta Keller
Schneck Family; Keller Family; Civil War
Confederate cavalry raid is over and everybody is safe. Their Home Guard could not mobilize which saved the destruction of Chambersburg, PA. Confederates now in Virginia. While in Chambersburg, PA the Confederates tried to steal money from the bank but all the money had been shipped to New York. Rumors of a remaining Confederate squad in the area caused locals to arm themselves and go after them. But the locals fled when they saw the troops who were really Union soldiers. Confederates took about 800 horses, army clothing, sabers, pistols and more.
1864-08-03 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Margaretta Keller and his brother-in-law, Henry Keller
1864-08-03 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Margaretta Keller and his brother-in-law, Henry Keller
Schneck Family; Keller Family; Civil War
Benjamin writes that Chambersburg, PA is in ruins after elements of the Confederate army set the town on fire. Benjamin writes that 'every house down on both sides of 7 squares is gone' including his own home. His family is moving to a small home on a lot he owns. Gov. Curtin visited on Aug. 2, 1864. Benjamin notes Gov. Curtin said that 'it looks dark for our Country'. Benjamin states that some rebel soldiers would not start fires and even helped people with their belongings; some rebel soldiers felt that the burning was 'outrageous & wicked'.
1866-03-27 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Margaretta Keller
1866-03-27 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Margaretta Keller
Schneck Family
Benjamin discusses settlement of interest due to his nephew's estate from a mortgage to Mrs. Adeline Schneck (the wife of deceased Daniel Schneck) among his siblings, himself and his nephew's widow. Benjamin still is having trouble getting the required signature for Power of Attorney. The settlement of his Church's Printing Establishment in Chambersburg from the Confederate burning is still being discussed.
1866-05-02 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his brother-in-law, Henry Keller
1866-05-02 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his brother-in-law, Henry Keller
Keller Family; Schneck Family
Benjamin is still having troubles in getting his Power of Attorney approved to deal with their deceased nephew's estate for him and his sisters. Benjamin writes about the financial details of the estate including the taxes and his plan for settling it with their nephew's wife. Benjamin wants their nephew's wife to withdraw or sell her 'Life Interest' but that is not likely. Benjamin is determined to 'have evenhanded justice, law & equity carried out' for all parties.
1866-06-23 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Margaretta Keller
1866-06-23 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Margaretta Keller
Schneck Family
Benjamin went to Philadelphia to sell stocks associated with his and his sisters nephew's estate. Benjamin decided to keep and distribute between himself and his sisters the Lehigh Navigation stock shares because of their dividends. Other stocks were being held for sell later.
1866-07-10 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Margaretta Keller
1866-07-10 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Margaretta Keller
Schneck Family
Benjamin discusses further the settlement of his and his sisters nephew's estate which will be divided between his sisters, himself and Mrs. Louisa Schneck (his nephew's wife). Benjamin looks at the estate with the dower on and off.
1866-09-04 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Margaretta Keller
1866-09-04 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Margaretta Keller
Schneck Family
Benjamin recommends that he and his sisters buy additional stock in the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company and he will await their decision. Benjamin is going to Lebanon, PA to find out about the sell of their deceased nephew's farm; Benjamin wants at least $200/acre, or he will stop the sell.
1866-09-24 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Margaretta Keller
1866-09-24 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Margaretta Keller
Schneck Family
The Schneck family's deceased nephew's farm was up for auction but Benjamin notes the auction only had 'one, real bona fide bidder' and only reached $193/acre ; the auction was adjourned without a sell because Benjamin wanted at least $200 per acre. The farm will go up again for auction later if not sold privately. Benjamin ordered the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company stock.
1866-12-03 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Margaretta Keller
1866-12-03 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Margaretta Keller
Schneck Family
Benjamin is sending Margaretta a check for $49.96 as the bi-annual dividend on her 20 shares of Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company stock. Benjamin notes that there is a potential buyer for their deceased nephew's farm but the 'conditions of payment' need changed.
1870-11-19 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Margaretta Keller
1870-11-19 Handwritten letter from Benjamin S. Schneck to his sister, Margaretta Keller
Schneck Family
Benjamin writes that his wife, Rebecca, is well and 'gaining in flesh although is not likely to ever become fat'. It appears that she has been sick for nearly 2 years. Their sister, Louisa, is selling her house and perhaps moving to Minnesota or Illinois. Benjamin did not like this.