Ezra Fargo Papers
Scope and Contents
The Ezra Fargo Papers consist of correspondence of with family members and friends. Included are descriptions of settlement and prospects for farming, mining and commerce in Illinois, Wisconsin and other states.
Dates
- 1840-1860
Creator
- Fargo, Ezra (Creator, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Curator of Manuscripts.
Biographical / Historical
Ezra Meech Fargo (1820-1895) was the son of Jabez Fargo (1785-1847) and Anna Brewster (d. 1860). She was a descendant of William Brewster, a Mayflower passenger. Jabez and Ezra were farmers in the Huntington, Vermont area. A brother Alvin lived in the west and worked as a trader.
Ezra married Harriet Jane Brown (1839-1896) in Starksboro, Vermont in 1859. They had two daughters Wilna Azora (b. 1865) and Elna H. (1868-1939). Between 1870 and 1880, Ezra and his family moved westward from Vermont, settling in Sheldon, Nebraska. This portion of his life is not documented in the collection, though it might be interesting to note that he acted upon the prospects that are detailed in the letters. Furthermore, his daughters both married in Nebraska and Wilna remained there for most of her life (Elna moved back to Vermont). Ezra and Harriet were buried in Nebraska.
Extent
0.2 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Collection contains correspondence of Ezra Fargo of Huntington, VT, and points west, with family members and friends. Included are descriptions of settlement and prospects for farming, mining and commerce in Illinois, Wisconsin and other states.
Physical Location
Library Research Annex; contact uvmsc@uvm.edu for access.
Processing Information
The Ezra Fargo family appears to have been counted twice in the 1870 federal census as dwelling numbers 154 and 261 in Starksboro, VT. In one record, Amelia Briggs, a servant, is mistaken for a daughter, which causes errors in the records of other people. Considering the two records in comparison and the family's census records for other years, the following is believed to be true for this family in 1870: Ezra Fargo, age 50, farmer; Harriet Fargo, age 30, keeping house; Wilna Fargo, age 4; Elna Fargo, age 2; Amelia Briggs, age 17, domestic servant.
Anna Brewster is given the number 595 in the book The Brewster Genealogy : 1566-1907 : A record of the descendants of William Brewster of the "Mayflower," Ruling Elder of the Pilgrim Church which Founded Plymouth Colony, compiled and edited by Emma C. Brewster Jones, 1908.
Wilna Azora Fargo Washburn is listed in the Lineage Book of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (volume 159) and given the number 137977.
- Title
- Guide to the Ezra Fargo Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Date
- 2018 May
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the University of Vermont Libraries, Special Collections Repository
Silver Special Collections Library
48 University Place, Room B201
Burlington Vermont 05405 U.S.A. US
(802) 656-2138
(802) 656-4038 (Fax)
uvmsc@uvm.edu
