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The story of my life by William Elias Abbott

Manuscripts

The story of my life by William Elias Abbott

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Description: Typescript copy of William Elias Abbott's autobiography and family record. It begins by tracing his ancestors and gives a detailed history of his mother, Abigail Smith Abbott. The majority of the manuscript consists of Abbott's reminiscences of his life and family experiences as a pioneer in Nevada, specifically in Bunkerville and Mesquite, as well as his dedication to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Included is a Military History of Private Israel Abbott, which recounts the wounding of Abbott's brother Israel in France during World War I, typescript copies of several of Abbott's church certificates, and a brief history of My Grandfather, Orville Morgan Allen (1805-1893). Also include are typescripts of several letters, including those to Abbott from Heber J. Grant (1929), Thekla Schaerr (1930), Grace Stirling (1935), Key Pittman (1939), Barbara Adair (1941), and Ruth Cram (1942?); those from Abbott to his nephew Austin Abbott (1941) and to the Moapa Stake Presidency (1941); a letter of recommendation for Abbott as Justice of the Peace from Las Vegas lawyers (1936); a letter from Gordan B. Hinckley to "Leon" (1941); and an exchange of letters between Joseph Smith and John Arlington Bennett (1843). Bound.
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)

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Production date

1941.

Call number

mssHM 51999

Creator

Abbott, William Elias (1869-1949)(Opens in new tab)

Provenance

In library.

Associated people

Grant, Heber J. (1856-1945,)

Pittman, Key, (1872-1940,)

Smith, Joseph, (1805-1844,)

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View in the Library catalog(Opens in new tab)

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Helen Abbott correspondence with M. Lee Miller ; manuscripts and printed material
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William Whittlesey Abbott letter to Mrs. James F. Whitin
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George J. Abbott letter to Rev. Abiel Abbott
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George J. Abbott opens the letter with some brief news about a family visit to Cincinnati, Ohio. Abbott then discusses a visit from the Winnebago Indian delegation to Washington, D.C. He writes, "Washington has been enlivened by the visit of Winnebago Indians, whom, the Government wishes to remove for the third time from lands solemnly and inviolably guaranteed to them on the faith of Treaties" (p. 1). He continues with a description of negotiations lasting four days between three American negotiators and the chief orator of the Winnebago Indians named Little Hill. "They held out for very good terms, and obtained them, considering it was weakness dealing with power" (p. 1). Next, he describes the feelings of a respected chief. This chief tells the commissioners, "...their hearts were saddened by what he had told them of their decreasing number and of the near extinction of their race. When he spoke of the Great Father's disregard of his children & of the Great Spirit, a smile ran round the room - as every body thought it was a remark true as it was keen" (p. 2).
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Bart Abbott and M. Lee Miller photographs and negatives
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Two undated black and white photographic prints. One photograph is identified as being Bart Abbott, M. Lee Miller, and brother as children, taken in approximately 1925. The other photograph is a studio portrait of Bart Abbott and M. Lee Miller, taken in approximately 1945. Also enclosed are two black and white negatives of the photographs. The photographic prints and negatives were made from original photographs which were supplied by M. Lee Miller; the original photographs were returned to her in 1995.
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