Series 3: Letters from William Holmes McGuffey, postmarked Athens, Ohio to Ezra Walker, Charleston, Virginia, 1840 - 1842

The collection consists of 46 documents: 7 bills, 1 printed document, 1 diagram, 1 hand written manuscript copy (the only document attributed to Ezra Walker), and 36 autographed, signed letters. Each letter is in an individual folder, accompanied by a typewritten transcript. The contents of each are also summarized in a short description in the container list. Correspondence is arranged alphabetically by writer, then chronologically. The bills are separated into two folders; one contains 5 postal bills while the other contains 2 account bills.

All but a few of the letters are incoming correspondence to Ezra Walker. The correspondence is of both a personal and a business nature. Many letters mention Ohio University, giving information on the financial and educational status of the University ranging from good to troubled, in addition conveying how it was to be a student there in that time. The letters also give details of the salt industry and development of the Kanawha Valley and the Hocking Valley including the Athens, Ohio area. The importance of the available modes of transportation is emphasized with the development of the mail service, overland roads, railroads, and canals noted. George Summers' letters written from a Whig perspective candidly discuss the relationship between President and Congress, including references to "Loco Foco" Democrats.

The main correspondents are as follows: William Holmes McGuffey , educator, text book author (The Eclectic Reader), and President of Ohio University 1839-1843. George W. Summers (OU 1825), lawyer, judge, and member of the Virginia State house of delegates 1830-1832 and 1834-1836, delegate State Constitutional Convention 1851, delegate State Secession Convention 1861, member United States House of Representatives 1841-1845. Lewis Summers , lawyer, judge, OU Trustee 1829-1843, and elder brother to George. Archibald B Walker , Hocking Valley businessperson, local historian, founding member and Recording Secretary of the historian, founding member and Recording Secretary of the Athens County Pioneer Association, and Ezra's brother. Ralph M. Walker , younger brother to Ezra, author of letters while in attendance at OU.