Charles W. Coffin collection
Collection — Folder: S274
Identifier: S0274
Scope and Contents
The oldest item is a letter written on one folded paper making four pages. Mr. A. Cochel wrote the letter in ink on May 26, 1851, from Diamond Springs, California, to Mrs. C. W. Coffin, to tell her about the death of her husband on May 25. He wrote: "10 days ago, he complained of a griping in his bowels but did not think of anything dangerous until the 2nd day he commenced discharging blood and his bowels very sore and painful at which time he left camp and went to town which is 1/2 or 3/4th of a mile off, to a hotel." Mr. Cochel told Jane Brown Coffin that the doctor came every day to attend her husband, and that he died peacefully. After giving an account of Charles's money, which amounted to $428.00, Mr. Cochel and three other men signed the letter. One of the signers was John Carmichael, Charles's partner.
The second item in the collection is a family tree, dated May 26, 1964. The genealogy begins with Charles W. Coffin marrying Jane Brown, and concludes with Roy James Owen (born May 19, 1888, in Indiana) and his two sisters, Hazel and Mary. The collection was donated by Roy James Owen.
The last item is excerpts from a letter written by Frank Owen, dated August 31, 1966, about his visit to Diamond Springs, California, for the purpose of finding his ancestor's grave. However, the writing on the wooden grave markers was obliterated, so he was unable to locate the site of Charles W. Coffin's burial.
The second item in the collection is a family tree, dated May 26, 1964. The genealogy begins with Charles W. Coffin marrying Jane Brown, and concludes with Roy James Owen (born May 19, 1888, in Indiana) and his two sisters, Hazel and Mary. The collection was donated by Roy James Owen.
The last item is excerpts from a letter written by Frank Owen, dated August 31, 1966, about his visit to Diamond Springs, California, for the purpose of finding his ancestor's grave. However, the writing on the wooden grave markers was obliterated, so he was unable to locate the site of Charles W. Coffin's burial.
Dates
- 1851, 1964, 1966
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Biographical Note/Historical Note/Administrative History
Charles W. Coffin was born in 1815 in New York. He married Jane Brown (1826-1870) and had two daughters, Clara W. (1849-1878) and Mary Emma (1850-1896). Both girls, as well as their mother, were born in Indiana. Charles went to the California gold fields with Mr. A. Cochel of New Albany, Indiana. Because Mr. Cochel had been to California and planned to go again, Mr. Coffin asked permission to accompany him. Charles's partner, John Carmichael, also traveled with them. They went to Diamond Springs on the south fork of the the American River, ten miles from Sutter's Mill. Charles died on May 25, 1851 after an illness of ten days. He is buried in the local cemetery in Diamond Springs.
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged by chronologically.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Roy James Owen, a descendant of Charles W. Coffin, on 1964/05/26.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing and finding aid completed 2014/07/10 by Nikki Stoddard Schofield.
- Title
- Charles W. Coffin collection
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
