Thatcher family papers, 1868-1982
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Title
- Thatcher family papers
- Dates
- 1868-1982 (inclusive)18681982
- Quantity
- 9 boxes, (4.5 linear feet)
- Collection Number
- UUS_COLL MSS 93
- Summary
- Collection includes three main contributors: Moses Thatcher Jr.; his wife, Sarah "Caddie" Hopkins Thatcher; and Leora Thatcher. The incoming correspondence (1887-1941) of Sarah "Caddie" Thatcher and incoming correspondence (1891-1925) of Moses Thatcher Jr. include letters written between them during his time as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints in England. Other materials of Sarah "Caddie" Thatcher include notes taken while president of the Young Ladies Mutual Improvement Association (1925-1927). Leora Thatcher's material includes incoming correspondence (1927-1982) from her parents, Robert Young, and the Moroni Olsen Players Repertory Company; also includes theater memorabilia, clippings, and her autobiography. A smattering of material dealing with other Thatcher family members, including Moses Thatcher Sr., is also included.
- Repository
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Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu - Access Restrictions
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Open to public research.
- Languages
- English.
- Sponsor
- Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008
Historical Note
The major portion of the collection focuses on Leora Thatcher, an accomplished Broadway and play actress and radio personality from the 1920s through the 1960s. Found in her papers is a long run of correspondence between Leora and her parents while Leora lived in New York City.
Content Description
The collection includes material from Moses Thatcher Jr., his wife, Sarah "Caddie" Hopkins Thatcher; and their six children: Lettie, Leora, Helen, Martha, Ida, and Moses III. A smattering of material dealing with other Thatcher family members, including Moses Thatcher Sr., Celestia "Lettie" Ann Farr Thatcher, George Washington Thatcher, and others, is also included.
The collection has a major strength in correspondence between Moses Thatcher, Jr., and his wife, Sarah while Moses was on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Great Britain in 1891-1892. The other major portion of the collection focuses on Leora Thatcher, an accomplished Broadway and play actress and radio personality from the 1920s through the 1960's. Found in her papers is a long run of correspondence between Leora and her parents while Leora lived in New York City. Correspondence with Robert Young, The Moroni Olsen Players Repertory Company, and others is also included. Photographs, ID cards from the Screen Actors Guild and Theatre Wing War Service, programs, clippings, and a handwritten autobiography round out the Leora Thatcher holdings.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the Thatcher family papers must be obtained from the Special Collections and Archives manuscript curator and/or the Special Collections and Archives department head.
Preferred Citation
Thatcher family papers, 1868-1982. (COLL MSS 93). Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives department.
Administrative Information
Arrangement
Arranged by correspondence and chronologically.
Acquisition Information
Material in this collection was donated to Utah State University by Miss Leora Thatcher in a series of small gifts between 1978 and 1982.
Processing Note
Before processing, the material was contained in cardboard boxes. Most was in good condition excepting one bunch of fairly recent correspondence which had suffered severe moisture damage. The processing of this collection was begun by Scott Christensen and Charlotte Wright, students in an archives management class in the spring of 1984. Manuscripts librarian Bradford Cole completed the initial processing and foldering of the collection. Additional Thatcher material was later discovered which should have been included in this processing. Scott Christensen, an employee of Utah State University Special Collections and Archives, was assigned to assimilate the newly discovered material into the existing Thatcher collection. In doing so, many new categories had to be created and all folders and boxes relabeled in June 1986.
The actual processing of the collection included carefully examining and classifying all materials present. Correspondence was removed from original envelopes and information from them carefully transferred to the letters themselves. A perpetual calendar was used to date partially dated material. In a few cases, educated guesses concerning dating had to be made. When this was necessary, question marks and brackets were included.
Material in a state of acid deterioration has been treated using Wei-T'o, a deacidifying agent. These items include all newspaper clippings and the vaudeville poster. All materials have been placed in acid-free folders and Hollinger boxes.
Separated Materials
Photographs removed to the Thatcher family photographs (P0036).
Related Materials
Thatcher Brothers banking records COLL MS 3
George W. Thatcher papers COLL MS 47
Moses Thatcher Sr. collection COLL MS 22
Thatcher family photographs P0036
Detailed Description of the Collection
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Description: Incoming and outgoing correspondence- Moses Thatcher, SrDates: 1898Container: Box 1, Folder 1
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Description: Moses Thatcher, Sr. horoscopeDates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 2
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Description: Moses Thatcher, Sr. Temple WorkDates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 3
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Description: Correspondence- Moses Thatcher Sr. to George W. ThatcherDates: 1886 November 12Container: Box 1, Folder 4
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Description: Moses Thatcher, Sr. Memorial. A printed pamphlet concerning the L.D.S. political "Manifesto"Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 5
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Description: Bank resolution in honor of Moses Thatcher, Sr. (copy)Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 6
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Lettie (Celestia) Ann Farr Thatcher
Photocopy of original letter and typescript transcription of same.
Dates: 1904 April 26Container: Box 1, Folder 7 -
Description: Incoming correspondence to Moses Thatcher, Jr.Dates: 1891Container: Box 1, Folder 8
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Moses Thatcher, Jr.Dates: 1892 February-MayContainer: Box 1, Folder 9
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Moses Thatcher, Jr.Dates: 1892 June-OctoberContainer: Box 1, Folder 10
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Moses Thatcher, Jr.
Photocopy of original letter and typescript transcription of same.
Dates: 1908Container: Box 1, Folder 11 -
Description: Incoming correspondence to Moses Thatcher, Jr.Dates: 1923-1925Container: Box 1, Folder 12
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" ThatcherDates: 1887Container: Box 1, Folder 13
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" ThatcherDates: 1888Container: Box 1, Folder 14
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" ThatcherDates: 1889 July-SeptemberContainer: Box 1, Folder 15
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" ThatcherDates: 1889 October-DecemberContainer: Box 1, Folder 16
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" ThatcherDates: 1890Container: Box 1, Folder 17
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" ThatcherDates: 1891 March-AprilContainer: Box 1, Folder 18
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" ThatcherDates: 1891 MayContainer: Box 1, Folder 19
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" ThatcherDates: 1891 July-DecemberContainer: Box 1, Folder 20
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" ThatcherDates: 1892 AprilContainer: Box 1, Folder 21
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" ThatcherDates: 1892 June-AugustContainer: Box 1, Folder 22
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" ThatcherDates: 1892 SeptemberContainer: Box 1, Folder 23
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" ThatcherDates: 1892 October-NovemberContainer: Box 1, Folder 24
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" ThatcherDates: 1927 - 1947Container: Box 1, Folder 25
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Description: Sarah "Caddie" Thatcher miscellaneous materialDates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 26
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Mr. and Mrs. Moses Thatcher, Jr. family:Dates: 1892-1944Container: Box 1, Folder 27
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Leora ThatcherDates: 1927Container: Box 1, Folder 28
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Leora ThatcherDates: 1931Container: Box 1, Folder 29
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Leora ThatcherDates: 1932Container: Box 1, Folder 30
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Leora ThatcherDates: 1934Container: Box 1, Folder 31
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Leora ThatcherDates: 1935Container: Box 1, Folder 32
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Leora ThatcherDates: 1936Container: Box 1, Folder 33
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Leora ThatcherDates: 1938Container: Box 1, Folder 34
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Leora ThatcherDates: 1939Container: Box 1, Folder 35
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Leora ThatcherDates: 1940 March-AprilContainer: Box 1, Folder 36
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Leora ThatcherDates: 1940 May-NovemberContainer: Box 1, Folder 37
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Leora ThatcherDates: 1941 January-MayContainer: Box 1, Folder 38
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Leora ThatcherDates: 1941 June-DecemberContainer: Box 1, Folder 39
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Leora ThatcherDates: 1942 January-AprilContainer: Box 1, Folder 40
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Leora ThatcherDates: 1942 May-JulyContainer: Box 1, Folder 41
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Leora ThatcherDates: 1942 September-DecemberContainer: Box 1, Folder 42
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Leora ThatcherDates: 1946-1947Container: Box 1, Folder 44
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Leora ThatcherDates: 1948 January-MarchContainer: Box 1, Folder 45
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Leora ThatcherDates: 1948 May-DecemberContainer: Box 1, Folder 46
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Leora ThatcherDates: 1949Container: Box 1, Folder 47
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Description: Incoming Correspondence to Leora ThatcherDates: 1950-1953Container: Box 1, Folder 48
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Leora ThatcherDates: 1959-1968Container: Box 2, Folder 1
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Leora ThatcherDates: 1971-1982Container: Box 2, Folder 2
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Leora Thatcher, miscellaneousDates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 3
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Description: Outgoing correspondence from Leora ThatcherDates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 4
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Description: Leora Thatcher- MemorabiliaDates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 5
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Description: Leora Thatcher- Music and scriptDates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 6
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Description: Leora Thatcher- Partial biography tribute written by niece, Nancy GrayDates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 7
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Description: Leora Thatcher- miscellaneous materialDates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 8
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Description: Correspondence from Moroni Olsen and the Moroni Olsen Players Repertory CompanyDates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 9
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Description: Incoming correspondence to Lettie Thatcher RyanDates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 10
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Description: Tribute to Hettie Thatcher Ryan from the Clio ClubDates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 11
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Description: Helen Camille Thatcher Woodruff wedding announcementDates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 12
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Description: D.U.P. PapersDates: 1868 - 1952Container: Box 2, Folder 13
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Description: Thatcher Brothers Bank historyDates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 14
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Description: Thatcher Opera House historyDates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 15
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Description: Thatcher family businesses- historical informationDates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 16
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Description: David Roberts- family letterDates: 1947 April 23Container: Box 2, Folder 17
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Description: Leora Thatcher Autobiography, handwrittenDates: undatedContainer: Box 3, Folder 1
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Description: Leora Thatcher Autobiography, typescript with handwritten notes, comments, and additionsDates: undatedContainer: Box 3, Folder 2
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Description: Leora Thatcher yearbookDates: 1938Container: Box 3, Zbook 1
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Description: The Actors' Fund of America bookletDates: 1968-1969Container: Box 3, Zbook 2
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Description: Funeral memorial in honor of Martha Eunice ThatcherDates: 1932 October 9Container: Box 3, Zbook 3
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Description: Funeral book and register of Martha Eunice ThatcherDates: 1932 October 9Container: Box 3, Zbook 4
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Description: Letter register of Moses Thatcher, Jr. Used by him while on an L.D.S. Mission in the British IslesDates: undatedContainer: Box 4, Zbook 5
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Description: Notebook belonging to Sarah "Caddie" Thatcher. Contains notes taken concerning the Y.L.M.I.A of which she was presidentDates: 1925-1927Container: Box 4, Zbook 6
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Description: Autograph book belonging to Mrs. Sarah "Caddie" Thatcher. Entries are datedDates: 1882Container: Box 4, Zbook 7
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Description: Marriage certificate and booklet commemorating the union of Lettie Ann Thatcher and George Hall Ryan datedDates: 1947 JuneContainer: Box 4, Zbook 8
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Description: The Thatcher sisters bank book in account with the Thatcher Brothers' Banking Company. DatedDates: 1903-1914Container: Box 4, Zbook 9
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Description: Journal and register of "Places I have been". Written by Leora Thatcher while on tour with the Moroni Olsen Players Repertory CompanyDates: undatedContainer: Box 4, Zbook 10
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Description: Funeral memorial and register for Moses Thatcher, Jr. DatedDates: 1944 JuneContainer: Box 4, Zbook 11
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Description: Thatcher Family household expenses ledgerDates: 1953-1961Container: Box 4, Zbook 12
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Description: L.D.S. Family and Individual Record. Very little has been filled in this bookDates: undatedContainer: Box 4, Zbook 13
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Description: Photographs
removed to P0036
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 5 -
Description: Envelopes originally containing correspondence of Thatcher family members. Dates range from theDates: 1890 - 1979Container: Box 6, Folder 1
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Description: Leora Thatcher newspaper clippingsDates: undatedContainer: Box 7, Folder 1
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Description: Leora Thatchers' collection of information about Witches and covens
Includes a typescript report on witchcraft and several newspaper clippings.
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 7, Folder 2 -
Description: Thatcher family documents, certificates, genealogy sources, and a Patriarchal blessing
These are photocopies.
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 7, Folder 3 -
Description: Ida Louise Thatcher Reese application for membership in the National Huguenot SocietyDates: undatedContainer: Box 7, Folder 4
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Description: ArtworkDates: undatedContainer: Box 7, Folder 5
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Description: Oversize photograph of Katherine Helen Woodruff, a daughter of Helen Thatcher Woodruff and Charles W. WoodruffDates: undatedContainer: Box 7, Folder 6
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Description: Oversize photograph of Lettie Thatcher Ryan, a daughter of Moses Thatcher, Jr., and Sarah "Caddie" Hopkins Thatcher
2 Identical photos in frames.
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 7, Folder 7 -
Description: Leora Thatcher autobiography- handwrittenDates: undatedContainer: Box 7, Folder 8
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Description: Vaudeville poster- a spoofDates: undatedContainer: Box 7, Folder 9
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Description: Correspondence- Hezekiah Thatcher to G.W. ThatcherDates: 1868 March 2Container: Box 7, Folder 10
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Description: Leora Thatcher's certificate of appreciation from the Utah Agricultural College for her help in the influenza epidemic in the Students' Army Training Corps inDates: 1918Container: Box 7, Folder 11
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Description: Leora Thatcher Diploma of High School graduationDates: 1922 October 27Container: Box 7, Folder 12
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Description: Pair of beaded plastic picture frames
Originally held baby pictures of Leora Thatcher.
Dates: 1890-1899Container: Box 8, Zitem 1 -
Description: Advertising picture for the Thatcher Coal Company, made of glassDates: undatedContainer: Box 8, Zitem 2
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Description: Single page from a separate photograph album
Contains 3 photos. Leora Thatcher's handwritten description of the pictures is also included.
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 8, Zitem 3 -
Description: Two shingle brand labels. Two original 1890s cut shingles
During the summer of 1987, Jeff and Carol White, owners of the original Moses Thatcher Jr home at 95 South 100 West in Logan, re-shingled the structure. When they tore the shingles off they discovered a few of the original 1890s cut shingles and two papers that identified the "brand name" and origin of the shingles. Since it was felt that these items were important in telling something about urn of the century housing construction in Logan, Utah, they were donated to the archive to be placed with the Moses Thatcher Jr. papers.
Dates: 1890-1899Container: Box 9, Folder 1
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Actresses--Biography.
- Mormon missionaries--England--Records and correspondence.
- Mormon women--Utah--Archives.
- Mormons--Utah--Archives.
Corporate Names
- Utah State University. Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
