Skip to main content

Coryell Family diaries

 Collection
Identifier: OU-SC-CORYELL

Scope and Contents

The diaries of Abram, Milton, and Edith Coryell are small leather-bound books that cover the second half of the 19th century and early 20th century. The most extensive diaries are those of Abram Coryell, who made almost daily notations about his activities on the family farm, which was 3.1 miles from Metamora Township. The diaries document typical life on a farm in 19th century Michigan. The Coryells grew large crops, maintained orchards, erected new buildings, and went to town to get the mail and do their shopping. Abram was well read and borrowed books from the public library. In his diaries, the years 1847-1861 (when he got married and broke ground on the Metamora Road land) are missing.

Dates

  • 1844 - 1908
  • Majority of material found within 1862 - 1902

Access amd Use note

The Coryell family diaries are open for research.

Copyright

Most material in this collection is in the public domain.

Biographic note

Abraham ("Abram") Byron Coryell (1821-1906) was a farmer in Metamora Township, Lapeer County, Michigan. He was the eldest son of George Coriell (1799-1875) and Eliza Henderson Sherwood (1802-1855). Born in Mount Morris, Livingston, New York, he had nine siblings. He first live with his parents in Tuscarora, NY, and after 1845 in Michigan on a farm on Metamora Road, in Metamora Township. He married Catharine Simpson Hummer (1826-1911) on November 20, 1847. They had six children, two of whom died during childhood: George (1848-1919), Teunis (1853-1863), Eliza (1855-1933), John (1858-1858), Milton (1864-1942), Catherine (1870-1950).

Edith Agatha (1893-1946) was the daughter of Milton Coryell and Ida Josephine Gall.

Extent

1.3 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Diaries of the Coryell family, covering life on their farm in Metamore Township, Michigan, from 1844 to 1908.

Acquisition

Donated by Dorothy Shamblin in the late 1990s.

Processing

Processed by Dominique Daniel, August 2022.

Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Oakland University Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Kresge Library
100 Library Drive
Rochester MI 48309 USA