Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1846-1990 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
77pp
Context area
Archival history
A copy of the letter was provided to Kerby A. Miller by PRONI, from which Miller created the transcript. The original letter is held by PRONI [reference number T1448/1].
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Materials pertaining to a letter written by Edward McNally. Per Kerby A. Miller: 'Edward McNally: Middletown, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania; emigrated 1850 via Liverpool (left June 19, arrived in Philadelphia August 8); after landing sought work in Philadelphia for 10 days, found none, left for Pittsburgh; lacking money for travel, worked his way to Pittsburgh on the "Centrall Rail Road"; went to Cincinnati to avoid cholera in Pittsburgh, found no work in the city, but got employment with a farmer, not wanting to work on the railroad again; when farm work was finished worked at unloading flatboats; sent to Virginia by owner of flatboats to work on estate, but estate overseer would not hire him; went to Pittsburgh, again found no work; worked for the "Centriall Rail Road" until spring 1851; in spring travelled to Middletown, found work in a machine shop with attached foundry [...].'
The series contains: Miller's typed transcripts of the letter; a photocopy of the original letter; census research; Miller's correspondence with the Historical Society of Dauphin County and the Middleton Historical Association; photocopied pages from secondary sources related to Middleton and Dauphin County, Pennsylvania; and Miller's research notes.