Collection Summary
Watson, Edward, d. 1924
Edward Watson Papers
1856-1945
03206
.45 cubic
ft. (1 box)
University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
English
Diaries of Edward Watson as he traveled to Wyoming and operating a general
store in California, and other Waton family materials.
Biography or History
Edward Watson (d. 1924), a businessman, traveled from his home in Vincennes, Indiana, to Green River,
Wyoming, to operate a general merchandise store. He was the son of Louis L. Watson, who was a businessman
in Vincennes. Edward Watson reestablished his store in Bear River City, Utah, in 1868 and in Sacramento,
California in 1869. He returned to Indiana sometime before 1888 and managed the Vincennes Spoke and
Manufacturing Company. Watson was married to Carrie Keys and they had three sons: Edward Jr., Robert and Louis L.
Scope and Content
Collection contains diaries for Edward Watson (1865-1893) in which he describes his trip west and a trip
through the south in 1888; correspondence (1865-1878, 1884, 1899, 1915, 1945) mostly relating to Edward’s store
in California, and Robert’s army experience in World War II; and a diary for Louis L. Watson (1856-1861).
There are transcripts for the diaries and correspondence.
Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes,
and the collection is open to the public.
Copyright Information
The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright,
property, and libel laws as they apply.
Related Materials
There are no known other archival collections created by Edward Watson at the date of
processing.
Acquisition Information
Collection donated by John R. Watson.
Processing Information
The collection was processed in 1970.
Preferred Citation
Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Edward Watson Papers, Collection
Number 03206, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Access Terms
Watson, Robert
Watson, Louis L
General stores -- Wyoming -- Green River.
General stores -- California -- Sacramento.
General stores -- Utah -- Bear River City.
General stores -- Indiana -- Vincennes.
Voyages and travels.
World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, American.
Wyoming -- History -- To 1889
Green River (Wyo.)
Sacramento (Calif.)
Bear River City (Utah)
Vincennes (Ind.)
Diaries.
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Immigration and American Expansion
Expeditions and Adventure
Business, Industry, Labor, and Commerce
Retail Trade
Military
Utah
California
Wyoming
Diaries
Container Contents
1
Diaries
Diary I: Louis L. Watson
1856 and
1859
Diary II: Edward Watson
April 7, 1866 to May 22,
1866
Diary II: Edward Watson
April 10, 1865 to December 17,
1865
Diary III: Edward Watson
January 1, 1865 to March 2,
1865
Diary III: Edward Watson
February 14, 1866 to February 16,
1866
Diary III: Edward Watson
September 28, 1867 to December 14,
1867
Diary III: Edward Watson
August 23, 1868 to December 1,
1868
Diary III: Edward Watson
August 16, 1869 to December 15,
1869
Diary III: Edward Watson
January 3, 1870 to February 20,
1870
Diary III: Edward Watson
June 3, 1871 to November 22,
1871
Diary IV: Edward Watson
March 4, 1867 to June 18,
1867
Also a handwritten transcript of part of the diary, March 4, 1867
to March 19, 1867
Diary V: Edward Watson
November 24, 1868 to December 31,
1868
Diary V: Edward Watson
January 1, 1869 to July 8,
1869
Diary VI: Edward Watson
March 27, 1888 to March 31,
1888
This is book 2 of an account of a trip to New Orleans and other
points in the South.
1
Legal Papers
Estate agreement between Ruth Fellows Davenport and her
father Louis L. Watson,
June 11, 1892.
Mortgage involving the Vincennes Board of Trade,
August 18, 1887.
Estate State of affairs made by Edward Watson concerning
his father's (Louis L. Watson) estate,
March 25, 1893.
1
Letters
Wager Agreement between Ed Watson and Dexter
Gardner
June 8, 1865.
To: Edward. From: Father
April 2
To: Mr. E. Watson. From: R.M. Pomeroy
November 1, 1866
Authorization for Ed Watson to set up an intelligence
office in Cheyenne, Wyoming,
September 4, 1867.
To: Ed. From: unsigned [a girl he had courted]
June 8, 1870
To: Ed Watson. From: Ed C.
October 18, 1871
A description of the arms of the state of California from
the Paymaster's Office, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California.
To: Ed. From: R. G. Overend
March 8, 1872
To: My worthy and esteemed friend [Ed Watson]. From:
Overend
April 10, 1872
To: Ed. From: H. Overend
May 23, 1873
To: Ed. From: Isaac Mass
September 14, 1873
To: L.L. Watson. From: J.J. McCawley
April 25, 1875
To: L.L. Watson. From: H.D. Bacon
May 1, 1875
To: L.L. Watson. From: W. Elliott
May 3, 1875
To: L.L. Watson. From: Wm. Telfer
June 29, 1875
To: Brother Ed. From: W.H. Watson and sister
Alice
February 5, 1876
To: Mrs. Maloiria E. Maxfield. From: Robert
[Watson]
April 13, 1876
To: Ed. From: G.A. Wesselly
May 8, 1876
To: Ed. From: Carrie
June 7, 1876
To: Ed. From: Carrie
August 27, 1876
To: Ed. From: John L. Caldwell
October 17, 1876
To: Ed. From: Carrie
None
To: Ed. From: Carrie
October 22, 1876
To: Ed. From: Carrie
October 22, 1876
To: Ed. From: Carrie
November 19, 1876
To: Edward. From: Carrie
November 19, 1876
To: Ed. From: Carrie
November 20, 1876
To: Ed Watson. From: L. L. Watson
December 28, 1878
To: L. L. Watson. From: Edward Watson
January 29, 1884
To: L. L. Watson. From: E. Watson
November 1, 1899
To: Louis L. F. Watson. From: Ed Watson
October 1, 1915
To: Louie. From: Joe
None
To: Louie. From: Bob
September 14, 1945.
1
Miscellaneous
Advertisement for Union Depot Hotel, Vincennes, Indiana,
Edward Watson, proprietor.
"Holding's Advertising Envelope. James Watson, Agent.
February 1876."
Notice that the Book, Stationery and Periodical
Establishment of William H. Watson had been purchased by William Davidson. Ed
Watson was continuing to work as a clerk there.
October 31, 1864.
Steamship tickets to Panama from San Francisco on
Steamship "Colima." Pacific Mail Steamship Company.
Business Cards: Watson and Barnhart, Auction and
Commission merchants. Ed Watson with R.M. Pomeroy & Co. Wholesale Dealers
in Boots & Shoes.
Confederate Scrip: from the state of Alabama. Worth 25
cents.
Dance Program: Sumner Light Suaro,
February 9, 1872
Two unidentified photographs
undated