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TABLE OF CONTENTSInventory |
Guide to the John Hamlin Miller and Frances Higbie Miller Diaries and Notebooks
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Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator | Miller, John Hamlin, -1885 | |
| Title | John Hamlin Miller and Frances Higbie Miller Diaries and Notebooks, | |
| Dates: | 1851-1936(Bulk 1851-1888) | |
| Abstract: | This collection consists of about 150 bound volumes. There are no loose papers at all, except for a small amount of insignificant secondary papers. The volumes are divided into three subgroups as follows: Diaries or notebooks of Francis Higbie Miller, Diaries or notebooks of John Hamlin Miller, Miscellaneous Account Books Maintained by John Hamlin Miller, and Diaries of Fannie Miller. | |
| Extent: | 8 boxes, 2.8 cubic feet | |
| Identification: | M-1 | |
| Location: | The material is located in the Archives at Queens Library. | |
Historical/Biographical Note
John Hamlin Miller and his wife Francis Higbie Miller were residents of West Islip "near the Babylon Post Office" as is written on the first page of several volumes in this collection. Mrs. Miller was probably related to the Higbie family also of West Islip. Not much is known of the Millers, Judging from the records in this collection, however, they probably had lands under cultivation and sold farm produce. Mr. Miller may also have had other business connections. They had at least one child, Fannie Miller who is also re presented in this collection by several diaries. Fannie Miller probably attended school in Elmira, N.Y. and the name of this city is listed on the cover of one of her diaries.
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Scope and Content Note
This collection consists of about 150 bound volumes. There are no loose papers at all, except for a small amount of insignificant secondary papers. The volumes are divided into three subgroups as follows: Diaries or notebooks of Francis Higbie Miller, Diaries or notebooks of John Hamlin Miller, Miscellaneous Account Books Maintained by John Hamlin Miller, and Diaries of Fannie Miller
Because of the poor condition of some of the volumes, it is quite possible that some of them may not be in their proper grouping. The term "diaries" has been applied rather loosely. Many of the volumes, especially those in sub-group II are more in the nature of notebooks and contain very brief jottings. Also in the Case of sub-group II, the volumes were often used to jot down miscellaneous information such as addresses, for example.
The Frances Higbie Miller diaries number 67 and cover the period of May 1851 to Sept. 1888. Occasionally there are some gaps (the most notable being for the period of October 1867 to August 1869,) but these are not too frequent or lengthy. Quite often some are in pencil. Volumes are quite small and vary in size, and some have b been only partially used. Many entries deal with financial transactions of some kind. All of the volumes were transcribed and bound into six volumes (probably during the 1930s).
Some working papers involving the transcribing are also found. Judging by them, the transcribers had hoped to form a number of appendices, culling from the diaries, for example, entries relating to food recipes.
The John Hamlin Notebooks number 30 and cover the period of June 1857 to April 1884. Many gaps exist, and apparently, many dates were repeated in different volumes. Nearly all entries are in pencil, and the sixes of the volumes are approximately the same as those mentioned above. Entries also are extremely brief, and the overwhelming number of them refer to financial transactions, thereby making the volumes more in the nature of daybooks rather than diaries (daybooks being volumes in which financial transactions were made in chronological order). There can be little doubt, however, that these were merely notebooks probably used to form the basis for more accurate recordings made later. All volumes are in very poor condition, and much of the writing faded.
The miscellaneous account books are small notebook type volumes (1 exception). They are 33 in number and are generally the same small sized volumes as those aforementioned. Apparently, each notebook was devoted to a specific account, thus, for example, one is labeled "John H. Miller in a/c with W.W. and J. Robbins", another “Mr. John H. Miller in account with Ketcham and Hawkins, Babylon, L.I.”; etc. Many are not labeled. Most entries are in ink. All entries are rather brief, and were probably intended simply to make brief recordings before being entered into more substantial journals. Such a volume is included. It covers the period of June 13, 1879 to Feb. 15, 1885 and is a journal or daybook in which all the financial entries were made in chronological order.
The last sub-group simply consists of 5 small diary volumes maintained by Fannie Miller, daughter of John and Frances. Years covered are 1866, 1867, 1868. There is also an 1870 volume but it is virtually unused, as well as an undated volume which may not belong to this sub-group. Entries are both in ink and pencil. Judging from some entries, Fannie was in school while maintaining the diary probably a school in Elmira.
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Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Creator of item, date of item (if known), identification of item, if a photograph its control number. The John Hamlin Miller and Frances Higbie Miller Diaries and Notebooks, Archives at Queens Library, Queens Borough Public Library.
Access Restrictions
Open for research without restrictions. Manuscripts are only available in the Archives at Queens Library, please call (718) 990-0770 for hours. Manuscript users will be required to complete the division's Manuscript Usage Form and deposit their photograph identification or Queens Borough Public Library card with a staff member. The identification will be returned to the user after she/he has returned the material. Manuscript users will deposit all their personal items behind the reference desk. Manuscript users must use the division's loose sheets of paper for note taking. To reiterate, no pen of any type is permitted. Paper and a pencil are available upon request. Manuscript users may be required to use special handling procedures depending on the conditions of the material.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
- Archives at Queens Library
- Queens Borough Public Library
- 89-11 Merrick Boulevard
- Jamaica, NY 11432
- Phone: (718) 990-0770.
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Access Points
Subject Names:
- Miller, Fannie Higbie
- Miller, John Hamlin, -1885
Subject Places:
- West Islip (N.Y.)
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Inventory
[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]
