Biographical/historical information

The bulk of this collection consists of the memoir of John Berkey Stutsman (1814-1882). Stutsman was the maternal great great grandfather of the donor. The Thurman and Stutsman families originally came from Germany. Stutsman, a farmer, preacher, and teacher, lived most of his life in Jackson County, Indiana. After the Civil War, he moved to Chariton County, Missouri, where he farmed and taught school.

Scope and arrangement

The memoir reflects events in Stutsman's life, particularly his involvement (1830s-1869) as a teacher in rural schools in Indiana and Missouri (pp. 6-15), and positions as township trustee with responsibility for the care of school funds and the employment of teachers in Indiana (p. 11), and as clerk of a township in Missouri (p. 15). Stutsman also describes his own early education (pp. 3-5) and his qualifications as a teacher (p. 8). Religious topics discussed are baptism into the Campbellite (Disciples of Christ) church, the building of churches and the establishment of congregations, a dispute between the Campbellites and the Methodists, and evangelism and disunity during the Civil War (p. 11). Miscellaneous topics described include the use of whiskey at house raisings (pp. 9-10), the boarding of daughters with men in a lifetime contract (p. 12), the purchase and sale of land in Indiana and Missouri, and Stutsman family history.

Two topics of importance relating to the Civil War in Stutsman's memoir include the pro-Confederate work of the Knights of the Golden Circle near Brownstown, Indiana (p. 12), and the raid by General John Morgan on Salem, Indiana (p. 13), during the Civil War.

A memorandum of service issued to James Thurman (1861), an application blank for pension benefits (1913), and a certificate of service in the Confederate Army (1963) are also included in this collection.

Administrative information

Custodial History

September 25, 1967, 4 items; Collection of Carl Woodrow Thurman, Jr., consisting of John Berkey Stutsman's memoir (1814-1882), an application for pension benefits, a memorandum of service, and a Confederate Army service certificate. Loaned for copying June, 1966, by Carl Woodrow Thurman, Jr., Greenville, N.C.

Source of acquisition

Loaned by Carl Woodrow Thurman, Jr.

Processing information

Processed by D. Lennon; M. Boccaccio, November 1993

Encoded by Apex Data Services

Copyright notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Metadata Rights Declaration

Key terms

Personal Names

Morgan, John Hunt, 1825-1864
Stutsman, John Berkey

Family Names

Stutsman family

Corporate Names

Confederate States of America. Army--Certification
Disciples of Christ--History
Knights of the Golden Circle

Topical

House-raising parties
Methodist Church--History
Teachers--Indiana
Teachers--Missouri

Places

Salem (Ind.)--History, Military
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Religious aspects

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