Seward Family Project

[Linda Anderson]

(04-17-2013 08:29 AM)tslaught Wrote:  Part of the collection in our library's Rare Books and Special Collections Department was microfilmed decades ago, but only part. The finding aid is also incomplete and we are finding materials, especially family materials, that have not been utilized by researchers who have used the manuscripts and microfilm. I have also found over twenty family diaries and journals that are in private hands, and some Civil War correspondence that is privately owned, in addition to what has been readily accessible at other libraries in New York and elsewhere.
I am working on a book, The Seward Family in Peace and in War. Thomas P. Slaughter, University of Rochester

Welcome to the forum, Dr. Slaughter! It's wonderful to learn that not only will the 198 microfilm reels of the Seward Papers will be easily available but also that you have found new diaries and correspondence.

Some of us are very interested in the assassination attempt of Seward by Lewis Powell. As a result of your project, we may find accounts of the attack by other family members and servants which will shed more light on it. There also may be correspondence between Seward and others involved in the investigation such as Thomas Eckert who was put in charge of Powell when Powell was imprisoned.

Also, one of the conspirators,, George Atzerodt, stated in his confessions that he overheard Booth say that he had been flirting with a Seward chambermaid trying to get information about Seward and his house. Someone may have written about that in a letter.

Is there a publication date for your book The Seward Family in Peace and War?