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Not to be removed from the Manuscripts Room of the Workingmen's Institute, New Harmony, Indiana
This collection is open to researchers.
1. Use of materials in our special collections is reserved for serious scholars, and access to these items is determined by the director of the Working Men's Institute (WMI) and its board of trustees.
2. After reviewing finding aids and determining that secondary sources are inadequate or unavailable, researchers may request items from the archives
3. Requested items will be brought to the researcher in the public reading room where all work must take place. Notes may be taken. However, all photographing, scanning, transcribing or in any way copying of an item must be cleared by the director.
4. Any materials reproduced or quoted in papers or publications must give credit to the WMI as their source. Requests to use materials in papers or publications must be submitted in writing for approval by the board of trustees of the WMI.
Purchased from the
Negotiations for purchase of the Branigin-Owen Collection were conducted from
The Roger D. Branigin-Kenneth Dale Owen Manuscripts consist of correspondence, personal
papers, and a journal of
The collection is organized into four series. Series I.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
His unhappiness and loneliness without
Recounts for
Immortality should be bestowed on he who first taught mankind to transmit
his thoughts and feelings to paper!
Supplies he is gathering together and purchases he is making for their new
home; urges her to look after her health; great success of his father's
Exchange Baazer which he would like
Pages B 1, 2, 3 are "physiological facts" intended to increase
Expressions of love to his wife on the eve of departure for America.
On board the steamer for
Rode back to
Remainder of letter is from
His feelings for other women, especially
Shipboard people and incidents; in re-reading a packet of old letters he contrasts the increased strength and depth of his love and passion for his wife.
Reviews the development of their love and physical relationship. Pros and
cons of their deciding to stay in
Possible itinerary for
How well liked
Still delayed by unfavorable winds plus an accident to the Captain. Much
longer delay will preclude attempting the journey at all since it will soon
be too late in the season in
Admiration and love for
The Washington sailed without him, & he is to remain in
Bring along to
Details of how to make trip from
Includes a letter written as part of
Describes his trip & the fellow passengers. Mentions the
Recapitulates on instructions for her stays at
Candid, though tender, analyses of the quality of their love for each other, since his has given his wife pain. "Oh believe, that should I even love others more, I shall love none better than you."
Observations about young married couples aboard steamboat; arrival at
Anticipation of their new home & life in
Life in
Great relief he experienced over her reaction to his "confessional" letter.
Special note to the "Little Struggle" (baby they are expecting). Thoughts
about starting a school.
Describes his daily routine - meals at
Discussion about manners & possibility of his writing a book on
subject anonymously - "By an American Citizen." Activities in getting house
ready - a "Dutch" house - hopes to have a house out in the country in a year
or so. "For
Vivid description of the erruption of
Family news;
Description of his visits to various publishers regarding the publication of his book,
Money matters, investments; his employment, or lack of it. Proposed title for a new book -
Informs her of details regarding publication of
Delayed in connection with
Has sold the statue of Eve brought back from
Family affairs; land and rental arrangements with
A welcoming-into-the-family for
Enumeration of what is being given to
Dictated to and largely written by second wife,
Request for any papers in their possession concerning establishment of the
"Report of my proceedings as Trustee of my Grandfathers [sic] Estate and
Of my action in settling up that of my Father: with accompanying
documents including letters 1 to 20; and As Current showing every item of
moneys received and disbursed, in connection with that settlement." Made
to
Declined to authorize an advance of £500 to his father from the funds of
the Scotch Estate. Endorsement only in
Declining to authorize advance of £500 sterling to his father.
Endorsement and note in
Had advanced
Reply to above authorizing
Particulars of his father's death.
Funeral expenses; paid to
Regarding recovery of debt due by the late
Endorsement, note, memorandum in
Journal of two trips taken by
The most significant portion of this journal is the second, a description
of the
Pages numbered according to manner in which book was used.
Autograph of
Part I includes:
Part II includes:
Signed by
Signed by
Signed by
Signed by
Signed by
Signed by
See next item.
Accounts side similar to preceding items (with exception of
Statement containing Maclure's boundaries; also stating in what book &
pages
Written a few hours and over a period of several days after
Daily tasks, continued sorrow and pain at absence from husband; urges him
to have
Her deep love in all its aspects for her husband. "...let us consummate our
union by providing a witness and a testimony as soon as is convenient."
Description of the fête at
Her joy at receiving letter from husband. Small and unimportant difficulties
in the
Expression of love; happiness that hers is reciprocated by him. Daily
doings: walks in the
Brief note to
Recounts small episode with kind young Frenchman. Vows to become an
individual again and "resume her own identity." Emancipation from her own
feelings. Plans for partial "independence in pecuniary matters" when they
get to
"Morning 18th" entry is questionable.
She practices writing in French; describes daily schedule of work, study, use of leisure time. Decision to become a rational human being and not one led by emotional impulses - the motto Self Control.
"People are not married until they become parents, that is real marriage."
Her love for the child
Reply to
Effect of his letter on her feelings and resolve to act more "rationally;"
Misfortunes and contre-temps besetting their travels down the canal.
Expressions of affection and love for her husband- "I hope to make you the happiest as well as the best husband in the world."
Vexed with husband for not writing; gives doings of townsfolk and their
friends; business remarks; her lectures; R. F. [Robert Fauntleroy?] and his
interest in
Some delays in arrival of his letters, also fear that some of hers have not
reached him. She thinks abandoned plantations should be let out immediately
by War Department so that crops can be put out. There are some very fine
ones in
Dated from internal evidence - "Next winter
Written and signed by
(W. M. I. has identical "memorandum of agreement of terms" written by
Written and witnessed by
Note by
Endorsement written by
(See W. M. I., Series VI, folder 15)
May be written by