Call Number:

SC.138

Repository:

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Extent:

.1 linear ft.

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item here], Vickers Family Civil War Correspondence, SC 138, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Date:

1862-1864 (inclusive)

Creator:

Vickers, Elizabeth, 1813-1863, Vickers, Joseph, 1811-1864, and Vickers, Eugene

Abstract:

This small collection of Civil War correspondence consists of letters of a Hicksite Quaker family of West Chester, Pennsylvania, received by Eugene Vickers while he was serving with Company C of the 97th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers in the coastal South. Most of the letters are from his mother, Elizabeth (Painter) Vickers. A few are from his brothers, Jonathan and Joseph P. Vickers, who also served the Union cause, and his father, Joseph Vickers. The material is particularly interesting for the insight into Quaker attitudes during the Civil War.

Eugene Vickers (1841-1924) was the son of Joseph (1811-1864) and Elizabeth (Painter) Vickers (1813-1863). His parents, both Quakers, married contrary to Discipline but acknowledged and were restored to the membership of Bradford Monthly Meeting. They removed to Short Creek Monthly Meeting, Ohio, in 1840 with their children Jonathan (1838-1883) and Joseph P. (1840-1885). Eugene and his younger sister, Lydia Ann ("Annie") (1845-1936) were born in Ohio. The family had deep Pennsylvania Quaker roots on both sides of the family, and Joseph's father was an agent on the Underground Railroad.

The family returned to Chester County, Pennsylvania in 1854. Eugene served in Company C of the 97th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers during the Civil War and was stationed variously at Washington, Fortress Monroe in Virginia, Port Royal in South Carolina, and other coastal locations. After the War, Eugene married Mary Davis, and they lived in Philadelphia.

During his War service, he received letters from his parents and other relations. His brothers also served in the military. Jonathan spent part of the war as a seaman and part helping his father who participated as a sutler in Pennsylvania. Three letters from Dr. Joseph Paxson Vickers who served as an Assistant Surgeon in the 50th Regiment of Infantry Volunteers of the 9th Army Corps, are written from camps in Virginia.

This small collection of Civil War correspondence consists of letters of a Hicksite Quaker family of West Chester, Pennsylvania, received by Eugene Vickers while he was serving with Company C of the 97th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers in the coastal South. Most of the letters are from his mother, Elizabeth (Painter) Vickers, expressing anxiety about the dangers facing her family. A few are from his brothers, Jonathan and Joseph P. Vickers, who also served the Union cause, and his father, Joseph Vickers, a sutler for a Pennsylvania regiment. The material is particularly interesting for the insight into Quaker attitudes during the Civil War.

Arranged chronologically in two folders.