Scranton Public Library - Out of the Wilderness: The Industrialization and Development of the the Scranton Area 1850-1865

About This Collection

Funded by a grant from the Willary Foundation, this collection contains letters, books, paintings, photographs, and other artifacts from the era when the Lackawanna Valley emerged from its agrarian beginnings to become an industrial center that powered the torn nation's war effort. Contributing agencies include the Scranton Public Library, the Lackawanna Historical Society, the Steamtown National Historic Site, and the Anthracite Heritage Museum. This collection relates to Scranton's early history and its importance in politics and history of the United States.
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Letter from Ebert Smith to his sister Hannah Thacher, February 28, 1863.
Letter from Ebert Smith to his sister Hannah Thacher, February 28, 1863.
Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Chatty letter to Hannah and on the reverse side a letter to J.V Thacher describing the area of Suffolk, Virginia.
Letter from Ebert Smith to his sister Hannah Thacher, January 27, 1863
Letter from Ebert Smith to his sister Hannah Thacher, January 27, 1863
Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Ebert Smith writes about all the chopping and digging that he was doing.
Letter from Ebert Smith to his sister Hannah Thacher, January 9, 1863
Letter from Ebert Smith to his sister Hannah Thacher, January 9, 1863
Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
A letter describing Ebert Smiths reaction to the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Letter from Ebert Smith to his sister Hannah Thacher, June 26, 1863.
Letter from Ebert Smith to his sister Hannah Thacher, June 26, 1863.
Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Daily life at Camp Mansfield in which Ebert Smith has been sick.
Letter from Ebert Smith to his sister Hannah Thacher, March 10,1863.
Letter from Ebert Smith to his sister Hannah Thacher, March 10,1863.
Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Life at the Civil War Camp Mansfield near Deep Creek, Virginia.
Letter from Ebert Smith to his sister Hannah Thacher, March 23, 1863.
Letter from Ebert Smith to his sister Hannah Thacher, March 23, 1863.
Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Letter from Camp Mansfield at Deep Creek describing food and provisions.
Letter from Ebert Smith to his sister Hannah Thacher, May 24, 1863.
Letter from Ebert Smith to his sister Hannah Thacher, May 24, 1863.
Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Description of a small military event in which Ebert was involved.
Letter from Ebert Smith to his sister Mrs. Hannah Thacher, June 3, 1862.
Letter from Ebert Smith to his sister Mrs. Hannah Thacher, June 3, 1862.
Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Ebert Smith’s account of the life of a Civil War soldier to his family at home in Benton Pennsylvania. There is some question as to whether the June 3, 1862 date is accurate. According to researcher Malissa Ruffner, "The unit did not form until October 1862... The information in the letter is consistent with the regiment's departure from Camp Seamons in December of 1862."
Letter from Ebert Smith to his sister Mrs. Hannah Thacher, November 25, 1862
Letter from Ebert Smith to his sister Mrs. Hannah Thacher, November 25, 1862
Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
A letter from Camp Seamons about daily life for Ebert. In this letter he has been waiting for letters from home.
Letter from Ebert Smith to his sister Mrs. Hannah Thacher, November 9, 1862
Letter from Ebert Smith to his sister Mrs. Hannah Thacher, November 9, 1862
Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Daily life at Camp Seamons, Harrisburg Pennsylvania during the Civil War.
Letter from Ebert Smith to PV Thacher, November 19, 1862.
Letter from Ebert Smith to PV Thacher, November 19, 1862.
Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Ebert Smith's life at the Civil War camp where he is stationed and what he would like to have sent from home.
Letter from Hunt Bros. & Blair, Hardware, Iron, Nails, Leather & Oils to W.H. Richmond
Letter from Hunt Bros. & Blair, Hardware, Iron, Nails, Leather & Oils to W.H. Richmond
Scranton (Pa.)--History, United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Letter from T.F Hunt to W.H Richmond discussing a contract.
Letter from J.D Mitchell to Joseph H. Scranton, September 13, 1862.
Letter from J.D Mitchell to Joseph H. Scranton, September 13, 1862.
Scranton (Pa.)--History, United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
J.D Mitchell wants to know Mr. Scranton's answers to a few questions regarding the Union cause.
A letter from John Brisbin to A.J Odell referring to fuel accounts and bonds needed for the railroad.
A letter from John Brisbin to A.J Odell referring to fuel accounts and bonds needed for the railroad.
Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, Railroads--History
Letter from John Johnston to Rev. George Peck, August 8, 1862.
Letter from John Johnston to Rev. George Peck, August 8, 1862.
Scranton (Pa.)--History, United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
John Johnston requests a letter of introduction from Rev. George Peck.
Letter from Mary Crane to the Peck family, October 24, 1864.
Letter from Mary Crane to the Peck family, October 24, 1864.
Scranton (Pa.)--History, United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
A letter from Mary Crane to her father Rev. George Peck about family issues and the Civil War. Mary Crane was the mother of novelist Stephen Crane, who wrote the Red Badge of Courage.
Letter from M.Tookes to Rev. George Peck, May 15, 1841.
Letter from M.Tookes to Rev. George Peck, May 15, 1841.
Scranton (Pa.)--History
M.Tookes discusses his ideas about abolition as well as transferring to a new position.
A letter from Samuel Hoyt to Moses Taylor about purchasing some land for the Railroad.
A letter from Samuel Hoyt to Moses Taylor about purchasing some land for the Railroad.
Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, Railroads--History
Letter from Thomas Kevches regarding sewing machines.
Letter from Thomas Kevches regarding sewing machines.
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Dated October 5, 1869, Kevches requested the purchase of ten sewing machines.
Letter from W.B Herring to Rev. George Peck, August 13, 1863.
Letter from W.B Herring to Rev. George Peck, August 13, 1863.
Scranton (Pa.)--History, United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Written to George Peck about injuries obtained during the Civil War and a recent visit to Scranton, Pennsylvania.