Kinexxions
Berlin Family Chronicles
- Introduction -
John D. Berlin and Susannah (Huffman) Berlin are my 3rd Great Grandparents. Research on
them, their children, and their descendants has been collected over the past fifteen
years and is an ongoing process.
Several years ago this quest led me to the Public Library in Nappanee, Elkhart County,
Indiana. They had this wonderful local history room in the basement that included so
many interesting items, among which was a collection of old letters, that just happened
to be from "my" family! There were thirty-five letters written, starting in 1862 and
going through 1871. There is a twenty-year gap, then there is one letter from each of
the years 1892 and 1895.
The majority of the letters were written to Elizabeth "Lizzie" Berlin, daughter of John
and Susannah. They were donated to the Heritage Room of the Nappanee Public Library by
Elizabeth's granddaughter, Helen Mutschler Chapman. The Library was gracious enough to
allow copies to be made of the letters, and after a considerable amount of time spent
in deciphering them, they have been transcribed and are presented here for your perusal.
Every attempt was made to present the letters as they were written, including spelling
and grammar. However, some punctuation and paragraphs breaks were added to improve readability.
Many of the letters were one continuous sentence with little, or no, punctuation to
separate thoughts. The writers often wrote in the margins in an attempt to use as much
of the paper as possible, making it difficult to decipher them.
In August 1864, John and Susannah joined their sons, Solomon and Josiah, and daughter
Catherine Richmond, in Elkhart County. Two of their daughters, Elizabeth and Lovina,
came with them while three daughters remained in Portage County, Ohio; Lydia Collins,
Mary Ann Berlin, and Sarah Greene.
There are letters written by soldiers, friends and family, on the front lines during
the civil war that describe the horrors of war as well as the tedium of waiting for
something to happen.
The letters from one sibling to another are much like those you would write today to a
family member. They tell of deaths and births of family, friends, and neighbors; of the
general day-to-day events of life, of joy and of grief. They provide a brief glimpse
into the hardships of life in the mid-1800's yet remind us that those things that were
important to them are the same things that are important to us.
Obits, Photos, & Other Documents
Content and Design ©2004 Rebeckah R. Wiseman
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