Cambridge, Indiana squirrel hunt document
Collection — Folder: S2533
Identifier: S2533
Scope and Contents
This collection includes a May 1, 1822 document drawn up for a proposed squirrel hunt that was to take place on May 11th in Dearborn County, Indiana. Around 30 men signed the document and the subscribers promised to pay "Jacob Blasdel or bearer two bushels of corn" by December first. The corn was to be used as a prize award for the three hunters who turned in the most squirrel scalps at the home of John Dawson of Cambridge. Some of the signed signatures include Charles Dawson, Nathaniel Daly, Ebenezer Roberts, Townsend Dickinson, Daniel Plummer, Robert Cornforth, and James Townsend.
Dates
- 1822/05/01
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 / Historical
Dearborn County, Indiana was organized in 1803 and is located in the southeastern part of the state. In 1804, Jacob Blasdel and his family settled in the county near Tanner’s Creek and by 1817, Jacob had laid out the small town of Cambridge and had built a gristmill and sawmill. Cambridge later became known as Pella, but only the cemetery is left of the once prosperous little community.
The nineteenth century had numerous squirrel migrations that usually occurred during the month of September following a year with a large production of acorns. Dearborn County experienced these large migrations, including in 1827 when Lawrenceburg was overrun with squirrels as they crossed the Ohio River above and below the town. Individuals would kill them in great numbers and hunts were also organized to control the squirrel population.
Sources:
Capooth, Wayne. “Massive Squirrel Migrations Recorded in North America.” Delta Farm Press. Accessed December 28, 2018. https://www.farmprogress.com/massive-squirrel-migrations-recorded-north-america.
Dearborn County. “About Us: County History.” Accessed December 28, 2018. https://www.dearborncounty.org/category/subcategory.php?categoryid=17.
Indiana Historical Bureau. "Cambridge Cemetery Heritage Sign Dedication." Accessed December 28, 2018. https://www.in.gov/history/files/2003-1stcemeteryheritagesign.pdf.
“Squirrels.” Indiana Palladium (Lawrenceburg, Indiana), September 22, 1827.
The nineteenth century had numerous squirrel migrations that usually occurred during the month of September following a year with a large production of acorns. Dearborn County experienced these large migrations, including in 1827 when Lawrenceburg was overrun with squirrels as they crossed the Ohio River above and below the town. Individuals would kill them in great numbers and hunts were also organized to control the squirrel population.
Sources:
Capooth, Wayne. “Massive Squirrel Migrations Recorded in North America.” Delta Farm Press. Accessed December 28, 2018. https://www.farmprogress.com/massive-squirrel-migrations-recorded-north-america.
Dearborn County. “About Us: County History.” Accessed December 28, 2018. https://www.dearborncounty.org/category/subcategory.php?categoryid=17.
Indiana Historical Bureau. "Cambridge Cemetery Heritage Sign Dedication." Accessed December 28, 2018. https://www.in.gov/history/files/2003-1stcemeteryheritagesign.pdf.
“Squirrels.” Indiana Palladium (Lawrenceburg, Indiana), September 22, 1827.
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection contains one documment.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Indiana State Museum in 1975.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2018/12/28 by Laura Eliason. EAD finding aid created 2018/12/28 by Laura Eliason.
- Title
- Cambridge, Indiana squirrel hunt document
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
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
