Fonds consists mostly of correspondence written by and to Stephen Emory Barton. Much of the correspondence are letters written to his sister Ida as well as some other family members. There are also letters to Stephen from his friend George Ellsworth and daughter Ida Myrtis. Some of the letters from George Ellsworth mention the Fenian invasion in Canada in June 1866. Ellsworth was sent as a special correspondent for the Cincinnati Enquirer to report on the event. Some of Barton’s early correspondence to his sister was written during his career as a telegraph operator during the American Civil War. A few letters by his well-known aunt Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, are also included, as well as commentary by Stephen about his famous aunt. Material was mostly kept in its original order. As a result, some letters may appear out-of-place. Letters that clearly belonged in a different series of correspondence were moved.

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Please note: This fonds contains language that reflects the time when it was created and the view of its creator(s). This can include offensive and negative language, references, and stereotypes that are no longer used or appropriate today. The item(s) retain their original content to ensure that attitudes and viewpoints are not erased from the historical record. The Archives & Special Collections are actively working on including more respectful and representative language in our descriptions now and into the future.