Hiram P. Merville was born in China, New York in 1840. At the time of his father's death in 1860, he was one of Jacob Merville's four surviving children. He enlisted in the First Regiment of New York Dragoons (previously the 130th Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry) in 1862, at which time he gave his occupation as farming. He was discharged a corporal in August 1865.
He became a physician after the war, and in 1867 married Emma Jane Wilkison in Eagle Valley, New York. They had two daughters, Beulah (Mrs. Charles W. Spofford) and Susan (Mrs. Herbert J. Droppers). They soon went west, settling in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Hiram practiced medecine until his death in 1908. He is buried in the Forest Home Cemetery in that city.
Many of these letters were written to Hiram's brother Charles, and often mention another brother named Fayette. It is probable that the Harry referred to in the letters refers to his brother Harrison.
Hiram had no sister named Em. It is likely that this recipient of his letters was his future wife Emma Jane, five years his junior, and a schoolteacher before their marriage. Emma Jane was born in Aztalan, Wisconsin, where her father died after the family had moved there from New York. Emma Jane's mother returned to New York after her husband's death and married her husband's uncle, Nathan Round.
The Merville papers consist of 19 letters of Hiram P. Merville to family and friends, and one letter from a friend to Hiram, during the years 1861 or 1862 to 1865. The collection also includes a booklet from the 1897 reunion of the First New York Dragoons, the unit in which Hiram served during the Civil War.
Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Hiram P. Merville papers, Ms.96.4, Brown University Library
This collection is arranged in one series.
Brown University Library received this collection in 1996.
2 pages on 1 leaf; fragment: final pages of letter; letter ends, "Do the best for me you can. More anon. Hiram"
4 pages on 1 leaf; leaf discolored by stains; stationery bears embossed image of a horse; letter begins, "No. 1 came to me some days ago."
2 pages on 1 leaf; ink is very faded; leaf has creases, minor tears, and some stains
2 pages on 1 leaf
3 pages on 1 leaf
3 pages on 1 leaf
4 pages on 1 leaf
5 pages on 1 leaf; ink is very faded; leaf discolored by stains; stationery bears embossed image (of a horse?)
2 pages on 1 leaf; small rips and tear at bottom of leaf; stationery bears imbossed image at upper left
4 pages on 1 leaf; stationery bears image at upper left of page 1
2 pages on 1 leaf; ink is faded
2 pages on 1 leaf
2 pages on 1 leaf
2 pages on 1 leaf
2 pages on 1 leaf
2 pages on 1 leaf; letter seems to be missing one or more pages; stationery bears embossed image in upper right-hand corner of page 1
4 pages on 1 leaf; return address: 34th Illinois Regiment Infantry [?] ("34th Ills. Vets. [?] Vols.", 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Department of the Cumberland (see http://civilwararchive.com/Unreghst/unilinf3.htm#34th)
4 pages on 1 leaf; City Point, Virginia, later annexed by city of Hopwell, Virginia, served as headquarters of Union Army during Siege of Petersburg during Richmond-Petersburg Campaign of 1864-1865
4 pages on 1 leaf; written from General Hospital, Buffalo, New York; also addressed to "Flora", "Etta", and "Allie May"; includes news of reaction to Abraham Lincoln's assassination
3 pages on 3 leaves; date is that of original letter; with annotations in red pencil
4 pages on 1 leaf; written from General Hospital, Buffalo, New York; includes discussion of Abraham Lincoln
2 pieces, stapled together; date is that of original letter; with annotations in blue ink
1 piece; postmarked Buffalo, New York, 1865 June 29; written from East Java, Wyoming County, New York; stamp cut out
Reunion booklet, with roster of First New York Dragoons; HPM is listed on page 18 with his name given incorrectly as "Merville, H. B."
1 item