The Ensign Family Papers (1804-1945) consist mostly of letters generated by Eli (1860's-1890's) or letters to him. The majority of letters written by Eli are to his wife (1870-1899) when he is on various trips or when she is visiting family in Connecticut. Letters to Ely are mostly from his side of the family such as brothers Sidney (1859-1874) and Charles (1862-1871) or Ely’s grandmother Clarinda(?) Prentice (1857-1868). Business correspondence (1867-1902) is heaviest during the 1870's. One common writer of business correspondence to Ely was W.A. Burke (1870). The letters to Mary Catherine (Walton) Ensign (not including Ely’s) are from her side of the family, mostly from her mother Abbie (Gay) Walton (1865-1891). The personal papers of Mary (May) Prentice Ensign (1880) are many and include her school papers, calling cards and the sympathy cards generated by her death in 1889. In addition to letters, the collection includes business papers and personal papers of Ely, Mary Catherine, John, Anna and other family related items and photographs.
The digitized items here do not represent the entirety of the Ensign Family Papers, 1804-1945. To view what other materials are in this collection but not yet digitized and available online, search the guide to the Ensign Family Papers, 1804-1945.
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Color sketch of flowers on paper
Color sketch of flowers on paper. May have been done in watercolors. No notes or markings.
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Mrs. Ely Ensign (nee Mary Catherine Walton)
Cabinet card of Mrs. Ely Ensign (nee Mary Catherine Walton), b&w. Mary Catherine Walton was born in the 1840's. She married Ely Ensign 25 May 1869.
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Rebellion, Apr. 10, 1865
Pen and ink sketch of a skeleton, with caption: "rebellion as it is today April 10, 1865". "Rebellion as it is today, April 10, 1865." This was the day after Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Courthouse. It is unsigned, but must have been by one of the Ensigns. Pencil note on back reads: Louise Clearland, Asylum Hills Hartford, Conn.
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Ely Ensign, ca. 1860's
Carte-de-visite of Ely Ensign, ca. 1860's, col. There is an imprint stamp below the photo on the front that reads:C. D. Fredericks & Co. Fredericks was the first photographer to produce CDV's in the United States and his CDV's are somewhat rare. Ensign was born 19 Dec 1840 in Litchfield, Conn.
