Search

The Correspondence (1819-1907) is chronologically arranged and has been divided into originals, typed transcripts and photocopies of originals. For the most part, the photocopies are those of originals still held by the family. The majority of the correspondence is to or from Ann Jenette Preston and most of the letters date from 1850 to 1870. Correspondents include Mrs. Preston's sons as well as her parents in western Massachusetts. A two page typescript of excerpts from Wallace Preston's diary (1861) may also be found in the typed transcripts. Subjects documented in the correspondence include: a widow's life on the frontier; Great Lakes shipping especially in the 1850s; life aboard Union naval vessels during the Civil War; and daily life in St. Joseph, Michigan and western Massachusetts just before, during, and immediately after the Civil War.

The Legal Documents series (1828-1888) includes deeds and mortgages of the Preston family as well as other miscellaneous official papers. These documents are chronologically arranged and have been divided into originals and photocopies. Generally, the photocopies supplement rather than duplicate the originals since Preston family members currently hold some of the originals.

The Newspaper Clippings, Scrapbook, and Miscellaneous Material (1866-1976) includes one folder of clippings, a scrapbook, and one folder of flyers and public announcements. Generally, these clippings and flyers document special events in St. Joseph during the 1880s and 1890s as well as Preston family commercial and political endeavors.