John M. Godown collection, 1848/1978

Access and use

Location of collection:
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library
Special Collections and Archives
James G. Leyburn Library
Washington and Lee University
204 W. Washington Street
Lexington, VA 24450
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tom Camden
Phone: (540) 458-8649
Phone: (540) 463-8109
Fax: (540) 463-8964
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], John M. Godown Collection (WLU Coll. 0209) Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.41 Linear Feet 1 half-size document case, 1 oversize folder
Creator:
Batista, P. R., Mrs.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], John M. Godown Collection (WLU Coll. 0209) Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection includes diaries (mostly typescripts), letters (mostly typescripts), and photographs of the Godown family. There are original letters, primarily written to Godown's wife Fannie during the American Civil War by Union officers. The subjects of the diaries include the railroad, Honduras, and the American Civil War.

Folder includes both the original diary and a typescript. The diary was kept while Godown taught school in Belvidere, NJ near Easton, Pa. Also included are three postcards. One of Washington and Lee University, one of Center Square and Monument in Easton, Pa., and one of Pequest Creek in New Jersey. The NJ postcard was written on and sent to Godown's wife in 1913.

Folder contains only a typescript and not the original diary.

Folder contains only a typescript and not the original diary.

Folder contains only typescripts. Subjects of the letters include encampment at Harpers Ferry, Point of Rocks, Maryland, Camp Antietam

Subjects include ferrying Southern women across the Potomac, Sharpsburgh and Williamsport, Maryland, Battle of Bull Run, Washington and "Old Abe," General Grant

Subjects include Grant's Army, Tennessee, Col. Humphrey, sickness, John Loomis stockade, Mississippi, Messinger's Fery, General Sherman, and opium

Subjects include Alabama, analysis of officers, change in command, General John M. Course, Battle of Resaca, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, prison, letter to Lincoln, fall of Richmond

September 27, 1863: Special Order No. 50 from Brig. Gen. John M. Corse, October 12, 1863: document signed by Major Gen. J. B. McPherson, Jan. 16, 1864: Special Order No. 12 leave of absence for Godown and signed by J. M. Snyder, January 20, 1864: request by Godwon to E. B. Harlan for leave of absence, April 14, 1864: note to Godown from H. Klosterman, November 22, 1864 letter to Fannie Fairbank from H. or A. Junsen or Jansen, December 5, 1864: letter to Fannie Fairbank from Louis Pelonze, December 6, 1864: letter to Fannie Fairbank from Steward Woodford, December 9, 1864 letter to Fannie Fairbank from Steward L. Woodford, 1865 note to Godown from wife, February 8,1865: letter to Fannie Fairbank from John A. Rawlins, February 21, 1865: letter to Fannie Fairbank from Louis H. Pelonze, March 25, 1865: letter to Fannie Fairbank from Henry Hitchcock

**Fannie Fairbank married John M. Godown in November 1866.

Includes original November 25, 1866 letter to Mrs. Bass describing the wedding of John M. Godown to Fannie Fairbank in Lowell, Massachusetts on November 22. Lawton served as best man. A typescript is available. Also included are facsimile and typescripts of Lawton letters, two photographs, a ribbon, and a 1978 publication which mentions Lawton.

original and typescript

The album pages were housed in a binder with rusty fasteners. The binder was removed for conservation reasons. Subjects include Fannie Fairbank, John M. Godown, Fannie and John's children Charlotte, George (who died at age 7), Mary, and Kate, annd newspaper clippings.

Godown's diploma includes the original ribbon and seal

According to a handwritten note on the newspaper side of the item, "John M. Godown was with Grant when he captured Vickburg & brought this paper away." The one page issue was printed on the back of wallpaper. The Library of Congress has more information available here: https://guides.loc.gov/noteworthy-newspaper-issues/daily-citizen.

Biographical / historical:

John McPherson Godown was born on March 25, 1832 in Pennsylvania. He graduated from Washington College (now Washington and Lee University) in 1849. Godown served in the Union army during the American Civil War under Generals Grant and Sherman.

John Godown was an 1849 graduate of Washington College. He served in the Union army as a member of the Indiana Infantry, 12th Regiment Company K during the American Civil War under Generals Grant and Sherman. He participated in 28 battles, including Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, and Sherman's March to the Sea.

He died on December 20, 1911 in Indiana.

Fannie Fairbanks Godown was born on April 20, 1833 in New Hampshire. She married John Godown in Lowell, Massachusettes in November 1866. According to her obituary, her "belief in political and religious liberty was strong" in her mind since childhood. At the time of her death in 1935 at the age of 102, she was the oldes registered voter in Marion County, Indiana.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Mrs. P. R. Batista, granddaughter of John and Fannie Godown.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard