Newberry Library - Virtulon Rich journal and memoir, vol. 2, 1832-1850

Virtulon Rich journal and memoir, vol. 2, 1832-1850

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Title Virtulon Rich journal and memoir, vol. 2, 1832-1850

Creator Rich, Virtulon, b. 1809

Date 1832-1850

Language English

Place East United States, Ohio, Ohio--McConnelsville

Subjects Cities and towns, Domestic relations, Lawyers, National Republican Convention of Young Men

Description Forms part of the Edward E. Ayer Manuscript Collection (Newberry Library)
formerly known as Ayer MS 756.7.
formerly known as Ayer MS 756.8.
Journal, entitled "A sketch of a journey to the West in the spring & summer of 1832," published as: Western life in the stirrups. Chicago : Caxton Club, 1965.

Summary Journal of Virtulon Rich's trip from Vermont to Carmi, Ill., and return to Zanesville, Ohio, Apr. 5 - July 6, 1832; and memoir written by Rich soon after Sarah Rich's 1850 death. Travel journal describes residents, homes, cultural, educational and governmental institutions, factories and shops, etc., encountered in the cities and towns along his route (Albany, New York City, Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, Wheeling, Zanesville, Columbus, Cincinnati, Lexington, Frankfort, Louisville). Also noted are the primitive living conditions in Indiana and Illinois, the effects of slavery on the white populations of Maryland and Kentucky, attendance at the Young Men's National Convention in Washington, D.C., and a meeting with Andrew Jackson. Memoir chronicles the couple's courtship, life in McConnelsville and visits with Vermont family, as well as Sarah's illnesses and death. Also copies of a local obituary and the funeral sermon.

Biographical/Historical Note Ohio and Michigan lawyer. Born in Shoreham, Vt., in 1809 and educated at the U.S. Military Academy and the University of Vermont, Virtulon Rich embarked on a tour of the West in the spring of 1832, both to recover his health and find a location to practice law and settle with his future wife (Shoreham native Sarah C. Bush). Abandoning his goal of reaching St. Louis, Rich travelled by rail, stage, and horse south to Washington, D.C., and west (frequently on the National Road) through Pittsburgh, central Ohio, central Kentucky, and Indiana, before turning back at Carmi, Ill. He settled in Zanesville, married in 1835, and relocated to nearby McConnelsville, Ohio. Following his wife's death from tuberculosis in 1850, Rich remarried and moved to Michigan in 1857.

Extent 2 items (2 v. in 1 box) ; 21 cm or smaller.

Format Diaries, Manuscripts, Memoirs, Travel literature

Archival Collection Title Edward E. Ayer Collection, Edward E. Ayer Manuscript Collection

Citation Please refer to the catalog record or finding aid for citations. Though it is not required when repurposing Newberry content, please use the credit "From the Newberry Library," and provide a link back to the item in our digital collections website. This helps us track how our collections are used, and provides justification for adding more digitized content in the future

Link to Catalog View record

Call Number Ayer MS 3156

BibID 132865

Rights Status No Copyright - United States

Contributing Institution Newberry Library

Newberry Open Access Policy The Newberry makes its collections available for any lawful purpose, commercial or non-commercial, without licensing or permission fees to the library, subject to these terms and conditions.

IIIF Resource Type Manifest

Filename 991328658805867_Ayer_MS_3156_vol_02

Unique Identifier NL12JML9

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