The Confederate Air Corps Certificate, 1958

A certificate from The Confederate Air Corps that reads, "To all who shall see these presents, greeting: Know yes, that in recognition of his having manifested an unusually high regard for black-eyed peas, turnip greens, hog jowl, sow belly, pot likkers, grits, chittlins, and good old corn squeezins, Dorothy Rungeling is, as of this date, hereby appointed to the rank of Colonel in the Confederate Air Corps. This officer will, by virtue of this appointment, therefore, be obliged to carefully and diligently discharge the duties of the office to which appointed by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. As evidence of his good faith in accepting this commission, the officer named herein will continue to praise the glories of the Deep South, consume a true gentleman's share of the fares mentioned above, pay respectful homage to our lovely Southern Belles, save his Confederate money, harass the carpetbaggers, and always remember that damnyankee is one word. As Secretary of this Corps, I strictly charge and require all officers of the air militia of the South to render such obedience and courtesies as are due an Officer of this distinguished rank and honored position. Done at the City of Montgomery, Alabama, the Cradle of the Confederacy, this Seventh day of July in the year One Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty Eight." It is stamped with the name Thadeus P. Throckmorton - Secretary, Confederate Air Corps.

Composite Photographs - William Woodruff and his children

The composite includes photos of: Richard Woodruff (1822-1887) brother of Samuel Woodruff, son of William Woodruff. He married Cornelia McCrumb. His son-in- law was Samuel Zimmerman of the bank. Richard was a director of the Niagara Suspension Bridge. Joseph Woodruff (1820-1886) son of William Woodruff. He married Julia Claus. He was the Sherriff of Lincoln County and one of the incorporators of the Zimmerman Bank. Samuel DeVeaux Woodruff (1819-1904) who was the son of William Woodruff. He married Jane Caroline Sanderson (1827-1912) William Woodruff (1793-1860) who was the son of Ezekiel Woodruff who was born on July 29, 1763 and moved to the Niagara area from Litchfield Connecticut. He died in Niagara on Nov. 26, 1836. Henry Counter Woodruff (1833-1916) was the 7th child of William Woodruff. He married Emma Eloise Osgood (1835-1925) Dr. William Woodruff (1830-1908) of London, Ont. was the son of William Woodruff. Helena Woodruff (1828-1892) was the daughter of William Woodruff. She married Joseph Patterson Boomer. Julia Woodruff (1825-1870) was the sister of Samuel DeVeaux Woodruff and the daughter of William Woodruff.

Rollin's History Volumes 1-7

A seven volume set of books that cover the history of the Egyptians, Carthaginians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Medes and Persians, Grecians and Macedonians. Each of the volumes state that they are translated from the original French. The first volume begins with a memoir of the other Charles Rollin. The first volume also contains a note addressed to Mr.William Woodruff, thanking hime for the loan of the first 4 volumes and asking if he can loan the other volumes. The note is singed by Fred Goring in July of 1838. All volumes are stamped "The property of William Woodruff, St. Davids, Niagara" or "The property of William Woodruff, Niagara". See the full text of volumes 1-7 in the Brock University Special Collections and Archives.

Cardboard Tube

Cardboard tube in which the scroll was sent. The scroll was sent to relatives within a cardboard tube which was 7 1/4 inches long. The wording on the cardboard tube is "O.H.M.S. Valuable Document - with card. If not delivered return to Secretary, Militia Council (Director of Records), Militia Headquarter, Ottawa, Ontario.". It was sent to Alfred S. Woodruff at 137 Ontario St., St. Catharines.

Certificate of Promotion to Lieutenant in the 19th Lincoln Regiment

Certificate of Promotion to Lieutenant in the 19th Lincoln Regiment (32 cm x 40 cm). This was presented to Samuel DeVeaux Woodruff and signed by Eugene Fiset, Surgeon General, Deputy Minister of Militia and Defense. This certificate is framed, June 5, 1917.

Broadside Reporting the Fenian Invasion, June 2 1866 (evening)

The collection consists of 6 broadsides reporting the events of the Fenian invasion of Canada on June 2 and 3, 1866. Three of the broadsides are titled Leader Extra, two are titled Globe Extra, and the last is titled News Extra. This one is titled "Leader Extra" and the headings include: "From St. Catharines: The Queen's Own Behaved Well", "The Fort Erie Affair: List of our Men Taken Prisoners", From Port Colborne. Muir and Fahey only Wounded", "The Ridgeway Affair: List of Killed and Wounded", "Militia General Orders. More Troops Called Out", "Military Preparations. Latest from Head Quarters", "The Preparations in the East", "From Montreal. The American Authorities Waked up in the East", "Report from New Germany", "The Evacuation of Fort Erie. The Fenians Cross at two this morning".

Province of Upper Canada Grant to George Upper

Province of Upper Canada Grant (vellum) to George Upper of the Township of Niagara. He was formerly a private in the Lincoln Militia. He is granted 100 acres in the east half of lot no.28 in the 2nd Concession in the Township of Nissouri. This was registered Dec. 1827 – Folio no. 242. This document is extremely stained and torn on the lower half. No effect on the text, Nov. 27, 1827.

Province of Upper Canada Grant to Isaac Fuller

Province of Upper Canada Grant (vellum) to Isaac Fuller of the Township of Niagara. He was formerly a private in the Militia. He is granted 100 acres in the west half of lot no.29 in the 2nd Concession in the Township of Nissouri – Folio no. 233. This was registered Nov. 1833. The outside of this document is quite discoloured. This does not affect the text, Oct. 13, 1833.

Certificate to Announce Thomas Henderson Captain of a Company of the Northern Regiment

Certificate (vellum) to announce that Thomas Henderson is to be Captain of a company of the Northern Regiment of Local Militia in the County of Northumberland, England. The document is stained, faded and contains holes. The text is slightly affected. The signature on this document has been cut away, Sept. 4, 1813.

Handwritten Note about Ezekiel Woodruff

Handwritten note (1 page, single sided) stating that Ezekiel Woodruff was born in Littlefield Ct. July 29, 1763. He married Sally Hall who was born in Middleton, Ct on May 21 [the date is listed as the 23 in the Woodruff Genealogy book], 1765. She was the daughter of Capt. Giles and A. Hall. Ezekiel Woodruff died in Niagara Falls, New York on January 7, 1836 [the 6 is crossed out and a 7 penciled in]. Sally Woodruff died in Niagara Falls, New York on Nov. 26, 1835, n.d.

Letter - President's Office of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to Welland D. Woodruff

Letter from the President’s Office of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah. The letter is addressed to Welland D. Woodruff in response to his request regarding his ancestry. It is confirmed that the family descended through Matthew Woodruff who was the original proprietor of Farmingham Connecticut. The writer says that he has had interviews with several Woodruffs from Chicago and other places. The letter is signed by Wilford Woodruff [4th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints from 1889-1898], Dec. 7, 1887.

Letter - Thomas A. Woodruff to "Woodruff"

Letter from Dr. Thomas A. Woodruff of New London Connecticut (2 pages). The salutation on the letter is Dear Woodruff. The letter states that the Lord Mayor of London during the reign of Queen Elizabeth was Sir Frederick Woodruff. His father was the sheriff of London before him. [In 1555 David Woodroffe/Woodruff became the High Sheriff of London. In 1573, his son Nicholas Woodroffe/Woodruff also became High Sheriff. In 1579, the same Nicholas Woodroffe/Woodruff was elected as Lord Mayor of London], n.d.

Letter to Henry Nelles from T. Thompson

Letter to Henry Nelles from T. Thompson requesting him to certify the time that he was employed by the regiment. Included with this letter is a copy of the letter to T.H. Thompson from H.N., Lieutenant Colonel of the 4th Lincoln Militia regarding the certificates and saying that he will comply. An envelope is included with this letter, Sept. 21, 1838.

Letter (copy) sent to Lieutenant Colonel Nelle

Letter (copy) sent to Lieutenant Colonel Nelles. The original letter was sent to Lieutenant A. MacHale [?] asking him to consider the writer’s son Robert in his selection of officers in the Battalion of Militia you are raising. The letter is just signed “Your most obedient servant”, Nov. 1, 1838.

Letter to J. Bradley from B.C.A. Gogy

Letter to J. Bradley from B.C.A. Gogy in the Office of the Adjutant General of Militia, Montreal (1 page, printed) regarding Bradley’s desire to obtain commission as a captain in the Quebec Artillery, Aug. 25, 1845