For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.
]]>Mr. Warren Taylor provided some homesteading documentation from his paternal grandfather, Russel Taylor. This is Russel Taylor's homestead application, approved for 160 acres of land near Cheyenne, Wyoming on May 20th, 1913. Wyoming had a large community of African American homesteaders, which was a motivation of Russel's to move. He hoped to farm the land, while also working as a school teacher. The land proved poor for farming, and Russel and his wife Henrietta later migrated to Omaha with a large portion of the African American community from Wyoming.
For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.
For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.
]]>Russel Taylor wrote a letter to the Secretary of the Interior, explaining his inability to build a house and make the proper improvements to his homestead land by the proper date, as required by law. Russel was a school teacher, as well as a farmer, and when his wife fell ill he was unable to keep up with all the tasks of homesteading. He wrote to the Secretary of the Interior inquiring if he could use the new law extending the improvement time to 12 months instead of six months, as he would have time once school was out of session.
For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.
For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.
]]>The Timber Claim Receipt sent to A.H. Hauptmann on July 16, 1898 certified that he paid the $4.00 (about a $100 today) for the 160 acres of land he had to use to plant trees on. Passed in 1873, The Timber Culture Act provided up to 160 acres of land to farmers for planting trees to better the land for cultivation and increase the rainfall in the western parts of the Great Plains. Most often, however, the Timber Claim allowed homesteaders to secure another section of land, leading to the repeal of the act in 1891. Yet the amendments allowed the act to survive into the 1898, as these documents testify.
For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.
The photograph comes from the collection of Terri and Dave Mabon. Dave Mabon is Charlotte Littlefield's great-grandson.
For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.
]]>Charlotte (Lotta) Littlefield (nee Roberts) was Joseph Littlefield's second wife, whom he married in 1887 after his first wife Hellen died in 1881. Robertses came to Nebraska from Illinois 1864 to homestead in Cass County. The portrait most probably dates to the late 1890s – early 1900s.
The photograph comes from the collection of Terri and Dave Mabon. Dave Mabon is Charlotte Littlefield's great-grandson.
For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.
Born in Peoria County, Illinois in 1840 Joseph Littlefield served almost three years in the Civil War as a private in company C of 102nd Illinois volunteer regiment. After the war he returned to Illinois and married Hellen Crandle. In 1879 Joseph Littlefield and his family that included his mother Joanna, who was 71 at the time, came to Nebraska Clear Creek area, Sherman County to homestead. Hellen died in 1881 and six years later Joseph, now 47, married 24 year-old Lotta (Charlotte) Roberts, and had 7 more children with her, of whom only 5 survived. Littlefield moved to Aurora, Nebraska in 1904 and died there in 1911.
The form comes from the collection of Terri and Dave Mabon. Dave Mabon is Joseph Littlefield's great-grandson.
For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.]]>Joseph Littlefield filled out this Oath of Identity blank form probably in preparation to certify his Civil War record documents with the notary while applying for a pension. When filled the document would testify that the person appearing before the notary is the same person whose war record would be provided.
Born in Peoria County, Illinois in 1840 Joseph Littlefield served almost three years in the Civil War as a private in company C of 102nd Illinois volunteer regiment. After the war he returned to Illinois and married Hellen Crandle. In 1879 Joseph Littlefield and his family that included his mother Joanna, who was 71 at the time, came to Nebraska Clear Creek area, Sherman County to homestead. Hellen died in 1881 and six years later Joseph, now 47, married 24 year-old Lotta (Charlotte) Roberts, and had 7 more children with her, of whom only 5 survived. Littlefield moved to Aurora, Nebraska in 1904 and died there in 1911.
The form comes from the collection of Terri and Dave Mabon. Dave Mabon is Joseph Littlefield's great-grandson.
For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.Charlotte (Lotta) Littlefield (nee Roberts) was Joseph Littlefield's second wife, whom he married in 1887 after his first wife Hellen died in 1881. Robertses came to Nebraska from Illinois in 1864 to homestead in Cass County.
The letter comes from the collection of Terri and Dave Mabon. Dave Mabon is Charlotte Littlefield's great-grandson.
For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.
]]>This is a long letter Charlotte Littlefield wrote to her Daughter Josephine (?) from the Pershing Hospital in Grand Island, Nebraska telling her about the family history and the Pioneer days in 1864 when her family came to Nebraska from Illinois to homestead. Charlotte describes the hardships of moving, Her father's household, and the hospitality on the prairie. The letter was most probably written in the November 1940, when Charlotte was 77, although it may come from an earlier or later date.
Charlotte (Lotta) Littlefield (nee Roberts) was Joseph Littlefield's second wife, whom he married in 1887 after his first wife Hellen died in 1881. Robertses came to Nebraska from Illinois in 1864 to homestead in Cass County.
The letter comes from the collection of Terri and Dave Mabon. Dave Mabon is Charlotte Littlefield's great-grandson.
For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.
Pershing Hospital JG Honne (?) Novem
Grand Island Neb before 6
My Dear Josephine
I was rummaging thro
my suit case for some
(?) breeches I know
I had them out (?) I that
she put them either in
my zip bag or the other
She may have taken
them out of bad & left them
upon(?) stairs in my room
They were (?) frins good
enough for here. I weare
my K(?) over gown
& can't keep it to gather
(?) I may as well wear
a good one
---------
2
Josephine told you a
bout my rummaging found
a lat(?) of last treasurer but (?)
of (?) (?) of our twip
to Wyo all so of reunion 1904
&this letter from cousin
Ed real family history
I believe I don't think you
girls have seen it.
When you read it a(?) it
to Verna she is to put it
in luch boy (?). I think it
should be read next
year at Seward at the
family picnic. I feel
sure some of the Bricker (?)
folks will want a copy
Perhaps (?) one of Harrys
------------
(?) morning can't
keep track of other
Girls would tike off
copier if I am there
would be glad to pay
her something for it.
I asked cousin Ell for
a history of mother from
the time she landed in
(?) till they started
from Ill. But he was just(?)
a small boy & it was not
longe before she was war
reid. and fine (?) dis
tance went a long ways
back in those days,
& they did not (?) ablur
(?) (?) know further not 5
children when mother morned
youngest little more then 2
-------------------
Page 1
Now some of my early
history. Father left Ill in
May 1864 with two covered
wagons all his house
hold goods and 9 children
for good measure
one yoke of oxen one yolk
of cows that would fur-
nish with for children
I was one year old in La(?)
before leaving. Coming that
perhapz father might have
had another cow/dark boy(?)
filly perhaps ½ two (?)
(?) and a dark boy
stallion Correct spelling
one year old of the tuckho
-------------------
Page 2
breed & called tuck
That better father got his start
of horses. All so 8 head
of sheep a coop of chickens
A brindle dog hart bull
rest cuz(?) (?) plenty of
fight. And plenty of "kids"
to drive stock. We made
a bout eight miles a day
some timez ten to reach
a casping place,
Fathers family had help
hoid(?) (?) polsit(?)
water do not remember how
how many were doun at
in 91 (?)
one time hence not young
----------------------
Page 3
had to have you extised(?)
(?) to be on homestead
he + mother & I baby had
been ont(?) fall before&
filed or what ever was
required to be done
Sarah Anne &Adam Bucker
left Ill in March 1864 &
Brother Joe was not sick
so came with them to help
(?) is a little crop for father
put is a little crop for father
Joe had a light attackt of
the fever on way out
The Bricker's of Joe went to
-------------------------
South Bend Neb. There
is where lived till he could
build a shanty 12x20
not sure but think all in one
Rather think Brother John
was borne there & was to (erased)
young to remember.
(?) Francis & Jesse
Jay were both home in
in the big white house
on the as it was known
(?) wide and it was truly
the house beside the road
Father never refuse a night's
lodging or meal to anyone
ever
------------------------
There is more I might
tell of those pioneer days
But I am tired been
since before&
with ont for breakfast
am
7.05 (?) by (?)
ust think I am going
sloly lane Mother
Charlotte (Lotta) Littlefield (nee Roberts) was Joseph Littlefield's second wife, whom he married in 1887 after his first wife Hellen died in 1881. Robertses came to Nebraska from Illinois in 1864 to homestead in Cass County.
The letter comes from the collection of Terri and Dave Mabon. Dave Mabon is Charlotte Littlefield's great-grandson.
For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.
]]>This is a letter to Charlotte Littlefield from her sister Anna and her husband Theodore. Anna probably wrote this letter in the late 1930s or early 1940s, since this is the time the interest in family history rekindles.
Charlotte (Lotta) Littlefield (nee Roberts) was Joseph Littlefield's second wife, whom he married in 1887 after his first wife Hellen died in 1881. Robertses came to Nebraska from Illinois in 1864 to homestead in Cass County.
The letter comes from the collection of Terri and Dave Mabon. Dave Mabon is Charlotte Littlefield's great-grandson.
For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.
Dear sister Lottie
a little note to remind you that
I have not forgotten your birthday
I am so glad to see you looking
well and we wish you many happy
birthdays to follow. We were glad
to have had the little visit with
you and your family. So glad to
have seen Harry again and also
to meet his wife. She seemed very
pleasant and interesting. Gill(?) and
Verma(?) are such worth while young
people. We hope that the elements
will not dry them out this coming
year but give them Nebraska in
general an abundant crop.
we too feel very much warmed over
-------------------------
the condition of Josephine's little girl
and hope that the will be marked im-
provement when we hear again.
Lottie I talked with our (?)est Supervisor
in our schools about having copies
of mothers picture made – She knows the
picture well. Thinks there is noone
here now who could do it. There was
but she has gone. She told megapho-
tographes who might be able to do it
I will see him soon – and let you know
what he has today. A few years ago
before the old home burned Ray Reas(?)
took a Kodac picture of it I asked him
when we were there in June to get it
for me. He kept neglecting it and only
got it two or three days before it (?)
which I think was in September. I thought
it was Pioneer History, Built before
the Burlington R R came into Nebr.
The Stage coach stopped there to lease and
----------------
take mail on their route. Freighters
from Nebr City and Plattsmouth on
the trail to Denver passed by long
(?) (?) Mr Knowles held
services there every other week on Sun
afternoon and as I have said to our
children – it was "Community
Centre" without being named such
Rays Kodac was very small but you
can have the picture made larger
if you wish. Lulu(?) had one made for
one 7x5 inches. It is a very good picture
if you would like to have a picture of
the old house I will send you the
film. I am enclosing the one Ray had
finished. Theo thinks mine is 8x5 inches
I went into the house but not upstairs
Some changes which were an improve
ment. You were in California then
------------------
your visits have been so short that
we did not have time to think of
nor talk of our doingo(?) . You must
come when you can stay long
enough that we will get caught up
on our visiting. I am enclosing
the picture of the old home that Ray
had finished. The larger one that Lulu(?)
Had made for me shows up better.
We hope that you have a comfortable
winter and keep well.
With love to you and yours-
Theodore and Anna
Should I address letters to Verna(?) to
Aurora or Hampton?
Charlotte (Lotta) Littlefield (nee Roberts) was Joseph Littlefield's second wife, whom he married in 1887 after his first wife Hellen died in 1881. Robertses came to Nebraska from Illinois in 1864 to homestead in Cass County.
The letter comes from the collection of Terri and Dave Mabon. Dave Mabon is Charlotte Littlefield's great-grandson.
For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.
]]>This is a letter to Charlotte Littlefield from her sister Anna and her husband Theodore. Anna probably wrote this letter in the late 1930s or early 1940s, since this is the time the interest in family history rekindles.
Charlotte (Lotta) Littlefield (nee Roberts) was Joseph Littlefield's second wife, whom he married in 1887 after his first wife Hellen died in 1881. Robertses came to Nebraska from Illinois in 1864 to homestead in Cass County.
The letter comes from the collection of Terri and Dave Mabon. Dave Mabon is Charlotte Littlefield's great-grandson.
For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.
Dear Sister,
I have intended writing you
for some time in regard to the
old home. But have had a
slight cold and felt rather
(?)less. Then as you know I
have so much writing to do that
some of it is pushed back for lack
of time. I do not re-member just
what I wrote you – But the Burlington
(C-B-rd-) crossed with Nebr at Platto
(?) in July 1869. And then then pushed
on to Ashland and Lincoln. We were
living in the house. Then I can re
member that a number of the men
used to come to our house for food
we cooked and ate in the basement
---------------------------
and slept I think on first floor you
may re-member that the rooms were
furnished by peace-meal and the room
intended for our parlor not finished
until J-M took the place over. The
Congregational church was organized in
Ashland in may 1871 So that
I presume Rev (?) Knowles only preached
from the time we moved in until then
Rev Ara Farnell (?) you will remember was
the first pastor at Ashland for the Con-
gregational church. The (?) (?) that
did not pass our place. But the freight-
ers going from Nebr City and Plattsmouth
to Denver and other points west. I will
keep on making inquiry in regards
copy of mothers picture. If you want to
write G.G. I think a letter to Siux Falls
would be forwarded. Keep well-
Dearest love
Theodore and Anna
You can find this and other stories on the History Harvest YouTube Channel.
]]>Terri and Dave Mabon share the story and photographs of their great-grandfather's second wife Charlotte and her family (pictures of Charlotte's family and the Littlefield's family reunion; letters exchanged between Charlotte and her sister) with the History Harvest graduate student assistant Leslie Working.
You can find this and other stories on the History Harvest YouTube Channel.
For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.
]]>This is a Timber Claim granting Patrick Kennedy, Sue Eickhoff's great-grandfather, rights over 160 acres of land in accordance with the Timber Culture Acts of 1873, 1874, and 1878. First passed in 1873, the Timber Culture Act provided up to 160 acres of land to farmers for planting trees to better the land for cultivation and increase the rainfall in the western parts of the Great Plains. Most often, however, the Timber Claim allowed homesteaders to secure another section of land, leading to the repeal of the act in 1891. Yet the claims established for over ten years after 1891 as Patrick Kennedy's claim testifies. Since Patrick Kennedy became a citizen in 1884, and secured his homestead claim in 1891, it is probable that he established the claim in the early 1890s, as only citizens and homesteaders could establish Timber Claims after 1874.
For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.