Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Cook, David S.
- Abstract:
- The Cook mss., 1850-1877, consists of letters from David S. Cook in California to his family and friends in Illinois, and letters to James Willson Temple, 1828- , farmer, writer, from his family in Illinois while he was in California.
- Extent:
- 1 folio
- Language:
- Materials are in English .
- Preferred citation:
[Item], Cook mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Background
- Biographical / Historical:
David S. Cook was an Illinois native and California resident.
James Willson Temple, 1828- , farmer and writer, traveled to California.
- Scope and Content:
The Cook mss., 1850-1877, consist of letters from David S. Cook in California to his family and friends in Illinois, and letters to James Willson Temple, 1828- , farmer, writer, from his family in Illinois while he was in California.
Cook's letters are addressed to his sister, Betsey P. Cook, to his parents, and to friends in Illinois. Several of them are co-signed or have appended notes by his wife Eliza Ann (Temple) Cook. Topics of discussion include overland journeys to California, impressions of life in California, including prospects for making money, climate, health conditions, etc., conditions in the South following the Civil War, Nicaraguan economic conditions, and Cook's views on universal suffrage.
The letters to James Willson Temple are chiefly from his sister, Amanda (Temple) Hunt, their mother, Sarah Temple, and one from a younger sister, Elvira Temple. These letters refer to things that Temple has written to them about his health and activities in California. They also detail family life and topics of current interest in Peoria and Knox County, Illinois during the early 1850's, including spiritualism, hydrotherapy, vegetarianism, and literature. Temple later married David Cook's sister, Betsey P. Cook, and there is one letter from Betsey to her mother, Abial Cook, describing domestic experiences following her marriage.
Collection size: 28 items
- Acquisition information:
- Gift: 1946
- Arrangement:
This collection is arranged following original order.
- Physical location:
- Lilly - Folio
Indexed Terms
- Subjects:
- Travel
Americana
West (U.S.)
Letters
Nicaragua--History--1838-1909
suffrage
Spiritualism
vegetarianism
Literature
Correspondence - Names:
- Peoria County (Ill.)
Knox County (Ill.)
Cook, David S.
Temple, James Wilson, 1828- - Places:
- California
Illinois
Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877)
Illinois--History--1865-
Illinois--History--1778-1865
Illinois--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Hydrotherapy
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
This collection is open for research.
Many collections are housed offsite; retrieval requires advance notice. Please make an appointment a minimum of one week in advance of your visit.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
Photography and digitization may be restricted for some collections. Copyright restrictions may apply. Before publishing, researchers are responsible for securing permission from all applicable rights holders, then filling out the Permission to Publish form.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
[Item], Cook mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
1200 East Seventh StreetBloomington, Indiana 47405-5500, USA
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- CONTACT:
-
(812) 855-2452liblilly@indiana.edu