Introduction | Biographical Sketch | Scope and Content | Series Description | Inventory
Transcript List

Introduction

The Aaron and Mary West Family Papers first were loaned to the Center for Archival Collections for microfilming by Cathryn Coventry, Sylvania, Ohio. This group of papers consisted mostly of the diaries (1853-1896) of Aaron West, a Toledo public school teacher, principal, and later, superintendent of the Sylvania Schools, and the diaries (1877-1898) of his wife, Mary. Also included were an autograph book/pupil register, account ledgers, correspondence, and speeches. The microfilm edition of these papers was completed in January 1982 and made available for research use.

In August 1990 Cathryn Coventry donated the original papers which had been microfilmed and also donated the papers of Orange and Emma Comstock. (Emma was the daughter of Aaron and Mary West.) The Orange and Emma Comstock papers consist primarily of correspondence between them and their children. Also included is a photograph album, family history/genealogy, Orange and Emma's marriage certificate and Emma's diploma from Sylvania High School.

Literary and property rights of both the microfilm edition and the original papers of this collection have been dedicated to the public and duplication is permitted for the purposes of scholarly research. The register was originally compiled by Ann Bowers, Assistant Director, in January 1982, and revised by Susan Irwin in October 1991.

Biographical Sketch

Aaron B. West, son of William and Sabrina (Baker) West was born in Monroe County, New York, on March 18, 1825. In 1846 the family moved to Monroe County, Michigan. From 1852 to 1861, Aaron was employed as a teacher in the Toledo Public Schools, chiefly as principal of the Grammar School. From 1861 to 1868, Aaron was again a resident of Monroe County, Michigan. In 1868, having been appointed Superintendent of the Sylvania Public Schools, he purchased a farm in the village of Sylvania and moved there with his family. He continued as Superintendent for about thirteen years and also served as Lucas County School Examiner. Additionally, he held local positions as justice of the peace, township clerk, and member of the school board.

Aaron was married in Toledo, Ohio, to Mary C. Titus on December 26, 1853. Together they had seven children--Emma W., Anna C., Henry T., Edward B., and three who died in infancy.

Emma West married Orange Comstock in October 1875. They lived in Sylvania, Ohio and had five children--Elsie, Ernest B., Harold W., Marjorie I., and Raymond J. For more information see the West and Titus family histories found in the collection.

Scope and Content

Aaron West's diaries provide rich detail as to the responsibilities and daily activities of a grammar school principal in Toledo, Ohio, in the 1850's and early 1860's, and later, those of Superintendent of the Sylvania Schools. Aaron provides information on subjects taught, school room conditions, discipline, background and personalities of teachers, and school social activities in these diaries, especially while principal in Toledo. He also details the growth and development of Toledo and Sylvania. Additionally, he maintains in the diaries precise accounting of his expenditures and receipts for each year. After purchasing the farm in Sylvania, he maintains detailed accounts of the farm chores, livestock purchased and sold, and crops planted and harvested. Thus his diaries provide an informative narrative of both urban and rural life and the daily activities of a farmer and educator.

Mary West's diaries are much less detailed; however, they provide some narrative on household and farm chores, sicknesses of the children, church and social activities, trips taken, and visits with friends and family. The two sets of diaries complement each other and provide, both from a male and female perspective, information on the daily life of a family in northwest Ohio.

Completing this part of the collection are a pupil register/autograph book kept by Aaron (1842-1867), an account ledger kept by Mary (1884-1886), letters written between members of the West and Titus families (1822-1868), a weekly report card (1844), and two papers written by Aaron.

The Orange and Emma Comstock papers consist largely of correspondence between Emma West Comstock and her son Ernest who was attending Oberlin College. The letters describe family business, health matters, and general information from home. Some of Ernest's letters describe his experiences at school. Also included are letters between Ernest and other family members. There is also a group of correspondence between Elsie, her mother Emma and Emma's brother Henry and his wife Connie to Mary West and other relatives, written from Leipzig, Germany where Henry was attending classes. These letters describe the trip to Europe and life in Germany in the 1890's. Like the West diaries, the letters in this part of the collection provide rich detail and descriptions of life at the time and give insight into the relationships between family members. Also included is a photograph album in which most of the subjects are identified, a Titus family genealogy, a collection of letters in book form transcribed by James Titus (1836), Orange and Emma's marriage license (1875), Emma's high school Diploma (1877), and commencement invitations (1896-1902).

Series Description

CORRESPONDENCE

CORRESPONDENCE
1822-1868
Arranged chronologically
Includes letters to and from various members of the Titus and West families documenting daily life and activities.

CORRESPONDENCE
December 1871-April 1903
Arranged chronologically
Contains letters between Emma Comstock and family to Ernest Comstock at Oberlin College, as well as letters from Henry West and his wife to Mary West (mother) and family from Leipzig, Germany.

LITERARY PRODUCTIONS

BOOK OF TRANSCRIPTIONS
1836
Arranged chronologically
June 1803-May 1807
Contains letters between Mary and Walter Titus transcribed by their son James Titus.

AUTOGRAPH BOOK/PUPIL REGISTER
1842-1867 (scattered entries)
No arrangement
Contains autographs and writings of students along with their names, ages, and birthplaces, and remarks to where moved, who married, etc.

DIARIES-AARON WEST.
1853-1856, 1858, 1861, 1863-1867, 1869, 1871, 1882, 1884-1896.
Arranged chronologically--interspersed with those of Mary.
Earlier diaries very detailed as to teaching responsibilities, setting up the household, and farming duties. Later diaries become more sketchy. Also included are notations on church and social activities and entries on the activities of his wife and children. He includes in his later diaries information on his duties as a justice of the peace, a school examiner, and member of the school board. He also includes in the back of the diaries receipts and expenditures, planting and harvesting dates and addresses.

DIARIES-MARY WEST.
1877-1895, 1897-1898 (scattered entries).
Arranged chronologically--interspersed with those of Aaron.
Sketchy entries providing information on household chores, activities of the children and relatives, church and social activities, trips and visits.

PAPERS.
1859, 1869 (?).
Arranged chronologically
Includes a paper on corporal punishment and a speech to the Lucas County Teachers' Institute, both written by Aaron.

LEGAL DOCUMENTS

MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES.
Feb. 14, 1818; Oct. 28, 1875.
Arranged chronologically
Marriage certificates of William and Sabrina (Baker) West and Orange and Emma (West) Comstock.

MILITARY APPOINTMENT.
Dec. 12, 1781.
No arrangement.
Photocopy of a military appointment signed by John Hancock for a David Harroun.

FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS

ACCOUNT LEDGER.
1884-1928.
Arranged chronologically
Daily entries of receipts and expenditures--mostly household. Between 1901 and 1909, the account ledgers reflect the running of a boarding house in Oberlin.

PRINTED MATERIAL

DIPLOMA.
Jan. 29, 1877.
No arrangement.
Sylvania High School, Emma Comstock.

PROGRAMS.
1896-1902.
Arranged chronologically
Commencement invitations to and from Elsie and Ernest Comstock.

PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS

PHOTO ALBUM.
1860's (?)
No arrangement.
Bound photos in which most of the subjects are identified. Includes photos of Orange and Emma Comstock.

Inventory

Microfilmed Material

Roll 1: A. B. West Diaries

1. March 18-Sept. 2, 1853
2. Sept. 3-Dec. 31, 1853
3. 1854
4. (with accounts in back from 1853-1855), 1855
5. (with accounts, planting entries and record of Civil War bounty payments from 1858-1866), Jan. 1-June 4, 1856
6. 1858
7. (with accounts, planting dates, subscribers to war fund from 1861-1864), Jan. 1-June 14, 1861
8. 1863
9. 1864
10. 1865
11. 1866
12. 1867
13. 1869
14. (scattered diary entries with lists of pupil names, tuition paid, notes on books, grades, plays and accounts), Jan. 1-March 4, April 15-28, May 17, Aug. 11-Sept. 6, 1871 (also a few scattered entries for 1873 written below 1871 entries)

Roll 2: Diaries

1. Mary West, Jan.-July 1877, 1878-1885, Jan. 1894-Feb. 1895 (scattered entries)
2. A.B. West, 1882 (scattered entries)
3. A.B. West, 1884
4. A.B. West, 1885
5. A.B. West, 1886
6. Mary West, 1886
7. A.B. West, 1887
8. Mary West, 1887
9. A.B. West, 1888
10. Mary West, 1888
11. A.B. West, 1889
12. Mary West, 1889
13. A.B. West, 1890
14. Mary West, 1890
15. A.B. West, 1891
16. Mary West, 1891

Roll 3

1. A.B. West diary, 1892, 1893
2. Mary West diary, 1892
3. Mary West diary, 1893
4. A.B. West diary (includes planting and harvesting dates for 1893-1894), 1894, Jan. 1-May 9, 1895
5. A.B. West diary, May 9-Dec. 31, 1895, Jan. 1-19, 1896
6. A.B. West diary, Jan. 20-July 1, 1896
7. Mary West diary, 1897
8. Mary West diary, 1898
9. Mary West account ledger, 1884-1886
10. A.B. West autograph book/pupil register, 1842-1867 (scattered entries)
11. Letters to A.B. West January 1863, September 1886
12. A.B. West reports--Brockport Collegiate Institute, 1844
13. A.B. West Paper on corporal punishment, May 22, 185(9)
14. A.B. West Speech to Lucas County Teachers Institute (?), 1869(?); unidentified and undated speech

Original Materials

Box 1-2

1. Diaries, etc. available on microfilm

Box 3

Folders

1-14. Materials available on microfilm
15. A.B. West-list of teaching duties, 1842-1881
Notice of pupil examination, 1892
school examiners commission, 1889
16. Resolutions sent to Mary upon Aaron's death, 1897

Box 4: Correspondence

Folders

1. Correspondence:
   • To James Titus from father, Walter Titus and sister, Sarah, 1822
   • From Sabrina Baker West to Miriam Baker, June 15, 1824
   • From Aunt Lissy to Mary Charlotte Titus, April 10, 1842
   • From John West to Aaron West, Dec. 4, 1853
   • From Henry Titus to Mary Titus West, Dec. 25, 1854
   • From Anna Titus to Mary Titus West, May 22, 1861
   • From Anna Titus to Mary Titus West, Sept. 1862
   • From Anna Titus to Mary Titus West, Sept 27, 1862
   • From Aaron West to Anna Titus (mother), Nov. 27, 1862
   • From Aaron West to Aunt Aminda Baker, Jan. 25, 1863
   • From Mary Titus West to Anna Titus, March 5, 1863
   • From Anna Titus to Mary Titus West, May 31, 1863
   • From Mary Titus West to Anna Titus, June 26, 1863
   • From Aaron West to Aunt (Aminda Baker?), Sept. 5, 1864
   • From Mary Titus West to Anna Titus (mother), Oct. 16, 1864
   • From Mary Titus West to Anna Titus, Nov. 25, 1864
   • From Henry Titus (part of letter), March 12, 1865
   • From Anna Titus to Mary Titus West, March 29, 1865
   • From Anna Titus to Mary Titus West, June 6, 1865
   • From Mary Titus West to Anna Titus, Jan. 7, 1866
   • From Aaron West to Anna Titus, July 13, 1866
   • From Anna Titus to Mary Titus West, July 16, 1868
2. Correspondence:
   • From Emma West Comstock to Anna Titus, April 2, 1871
   • From Anna Titus to Emma Comstock West, April 12, 1871
   • From Anna Titus to Emma Comstock West, Nov. 12, 1873
   • From Elihu Church to Armida Baker, Oct. 20, 1880
   • From Henry Titus to Elsie Comstock, July 31, 1884
   • From Henry West to Emma West Comstock, Dec. 5, 1885
   • From Henry West to Elsie Comstock, March 13, 1887
   • From Henry West to Elsie Comstock, June 12, 1887
   • From A.B. West to Aunt Aminda Baker, March 26, 1889
   • From Henry West to Mary West (mother), July 4, 1892
   • From Carrie West to Anna Titus, Aug. 3, 1892
   • From Henry West to Mary West (mother), Aug. 14, 1892
   • From Henry West to Emma West Comstock, Aug. 23, 1892
   • From Carrie West to Mary West (mother), Nov. 16, 1893
   • From Henry West to Mary West (mother), Feb. 18, 1894
3. Correspondence: (Emma West Comstock is referred to as Emma Comstock.)
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Sept. 16, 1898
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Sept. 22, 1898
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Sept. 28, 1898
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Sept. 30, 1898
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Oct. 2, 1898
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Oct. 6, 1898
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Oct. 9, 1898
   • From W.B. Harris to Ernest Comstock, Oct. 11, 1898
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Oct. 14, 1898
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Oct. 23, 1898
4. Correspondence:
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Nov. 3, 1898
   • From Elsie Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Nov. 10, 1898
   • From W.A. Cutler (pastor) to Ernest Comstock, Nov. 11, 1898
   • From Ernest Comstock to Emma Comstock, Nov. 13, 1898
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Nov. 17, 1898
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Nov. 21, 1898
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Nov. 27,1898
   • From Mary West to Ernest Comstock, Nov. 30, 1898
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Dec. 4, 1898
   • From Ernest Comstock to Emma Comstock, Dec. 6, 1898
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Dec. 13, 1898
5. Correspondence:
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Jan. 8, 1899
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Jan. 17, 1899
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Jan. 22, 1899
   • From Ernest Comstock to Emma Comstock, Jan. 22, 1899
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Jan 26, 1899
   • From Ernest Comstock to Emma Comstock, Jan. 29, 1899
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Jan. 31, 1899
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Feb. 9, 1899
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Feb. 23, 1899
   • From Aunt Anna Titus to Emma Comstock, Feb. 28, 1899
   • From Elsie Comstock to Ernest Comstock, March 3, 1899
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, March 23, 1899
6. Correspondence:
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, April 7, 1899
   • From Aunt Anna Titus to Ernest Comstock, April 24, 1899
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, June 12, 1899
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Sept. 21, 1899
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Sept. 24, 1899
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Oct. 2, 1899
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Oct. 4, 1899
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Oct. 9, 1899
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Oct. 10, 1899
7. Correspondence:
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Oct. 20, 1899
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Oct. 25,1899
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Oct. 28, 1899
   • From Emma and Harold (brother)Comstock, to Ernest Comstock, Oct. 31, 1899
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Nov. 18, 1899
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Nov. 19, 1899
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Nov. 24, 1899
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Dec. 1, 1899
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Dec. 10, 1899
   • From Ernest Comstock to Emma Comstock (part of letter), (Dec. 1899)
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Dec. 13, 1899
   • From Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock, Dec. 19, 1899
8. Correspondence, from Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock:
   • Jan 14, 1900
   • March 29, 1900
   • April 14, 1900
   • April 23, 1900
   • April 29, 1900
   • May 4, 1900
   • May 9, 1900
   • May 25, 1900
   • June 1, 1900
   • From Adeline Kellogg to Emma Comstock, June 5, 1900
   • June 6, 1900
   • June 11, 1900
9. Correspondence, from Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock:
   • From Aunt Adeline Kellogg to Emma Comstock, Jan. 2, 1901
   • April 8, 1901
   • April 10, 1901
   • April 17, 1901
   • May 14, 1901
   • May 19, 1901
   • June 2, 1901
   • June 9, 1901
   • July 5, 1901
   • Aug. 4, 1901
   • Aug. 12, 1901
   • Aug. 25, 1901
   • Aug. 28, 1901
   • Sept. 24, 1901
   • Oct. 3, 1901
   • Oct. 10, 1901
   • Oct. 21, 1901
   • Dec. 14, 1901
10. Correspondence, Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock:
    • Jan. 1, 1902
    • March 4, 1902
    • March 18, 1902
    • April 1, 1902
    • April 14, 1902
    • April 22, 1902
    • April 29, 1902
    • May 13, 1902
    • May 18, 1902
    • June 12, 1902
    • June 19, 1902
    • Sept. 29, 1902
    • Oct. 1, 1902
    • Nov. 13, 1902
11. Correspondence from Emma Comstock to Ernest Comstock:
    • Jan. 8, 1903
    • Jan. 20, 1903
    • Jan. 16, 1903
    • Jan. 30, 1903
    • Feb. 2, 1903
    • Feb. 20, 1903
    • March 2, 1903
    • March 4, 1903
    • March 13, 1903
    • March 16, 1903
    • April 24, 1903
12. Correspondence between Mary Titus and Walter Titus (1803-1818) transcribed into book form, July 28, 1836 by James Titus
13. Commencement invitations:
    • Sylvania High School (Ernest Comstock), May 29, 1896
    • Sylvania High School, June 2, 1899
    • Sylvania High School (Alicia A. Comstock), May 31, 1901
    • Sylvania High School, May 2, 1902
    • Reunion Program, Sylvania High School, Aug. 14, 1902
    • Business Card, J.V. Symington...Real Estate, (1903)

Box 5

Folders

1. West Family History
2. Titus Family History
3. Genealogy of Titus Family by Ruth Tomkins
4. Marriage Certificate of William and Sabrina Baker West, Feb. 14, 1818
5. Tax Receipt of Aaron Baker (1822); copy of photographs of A. B. West, Anna Titus, K. Ashley Whitney
6. Sylvania Sun (part of issue), June 12, 1912
7. Orange and Emma Comstock Account Ledger, 1884-1886
8. Orange and Emma Comstock Account Ledger, 1887-1890
9. Orange and Emma Comstock Account Ledger, 1901-1904
10. Orange and Emma Comstock Account Ledger, 1904-1909
11. Orange and Emma Comstock Account Ledger, 1919-1921
12. Orange and Emma Comstock Account Ledger, 1921-1928

(Ledgers in folders 9 and 10 include boarding records from move to Oberlin while son, Ernest, was enrolled.)

Box 6: Photograph Album

Folders

1. Photograph Album (most subjects identified are West/Titus/Comstock family members), 1860s

Oversize Materials

1. Orange and Emma Comstock Account Ledger, 1909-1919
2. Sylvania High School Diploma (Emma Comstock), June 29, 1877
3. Marriage Certificate of Orange and Emma West Comstock, Oct. 28, 1875
4. Photocopy of Genealogy taken from family Bible, 1700's
5. Photocopy of Military Appointment Certificate for David Harroun (?), signed by John Hancock, Dec. 12, 1781

MS 210 - West/Comstock Transcript List
Manuscripts by Subject | Family Collections |  Women's Studies Collections