Collection

Genesee County Historical Society

• 1863 - 1943 (Creation)

0.83 linear feet.

The collection reflects contributions of Corydon Foote during the Civil War and activities of Grand Army of the Republic Post No. 145, sometimes better known as Governor Crapo Post No. 145. Correspondence reveals some activities undertaken by Foote during the war, including marching through Confederate territory past plantations and cotton fields. Foote made no mention of slaves. It is possible he marched through territory liberated by the Union or chose not to mention having seen slaves for reasons unknown. He may have assisted in the looting of civilian homes and farms, though the details in a letter are too spare to know for sure. He wrote a lengthy letter to family about witnessing the execution of a three-time deserter from the Union Army. The letter suggests witnessing death left a deep impression on him. He wrote descriptively of how the deserter’s body acted once shot and of how uncomfortable he felt looking at the ground under which the deserter had been buried. Other records of Foote’s service including papers for a furlough, discharge from the Army, and pension receipts.

Records of Post No. 145 document meetings and finances of the post from the late 1870s to 1936 when the post disbanded for lack of members. Minutes document meetings of the post. Members were frequently referred to as comrades. Reports were read concerning correspondence with individuals and organizations, including other posts, death notices of deceased members, and lectures on various topics, including the war. Records of rosters from the 1870s and 1890s are present. Cash books show how the post received funds, largely in the form of dues, and spent them. Spending them included paying bills or dispensing financial support to members or families of deceased members.

Unconnected to the war is a brief untitled and unauthored history of interurban rail in Flint. The history focuses on the rise and decline of interurban rail. The role of labor factors in it, how much workers were paid and times they went on strike. Financial struggles of many rail lines are detailed as well.

Past practices described the contents of this collection individually. Each item received an object ID number and was treated as a distinct artifact. Records have been reunited, but their original order may have been lost.

No restrictions.

Paper is the predominant medium of the collection. Some of the collection is composed of ledgers. All contents are housed in acid-free folders in two legal-length Hollinger boxes.

The general condition of the collection is fair. Contents show few signs of flaking or tears. Yellowing is common throughout many papers. Fading of ink is faint at the very worst. Covers on two ledgers have detached. Covers on others are at risk of detaching.

No restrictions.

• English

A downloadable PDF finding aid is available.

The Genesee County Historical Society donated the records on an undetermined date in 1965. The donation was not acknowledged until November 1966.

None.

Describing Archives: A Content Standard, 2nd edition

Jonathan Kirkwood, Archivist
November 29, 2022 (PastPerfect)

Jonathan Kirkwood, Archivist
April 3, 2024

• American Civil War
• Transportation
• Ledgers
• Military

• Baker, Martha R. (Subject)
• Carey, John H. (Subject)
• Foote, Corydon E. (Subject)