| Though originally born in New York, Jedediah Hotchkiss and his family settled in Augusta County before the war, where he taught school at Mossy Creek, Stribling Springs, and Loch Willow academies. Hotchkiss's niece Alansa was visiting from New York when the war began. She eventually married Francis Franklin Sterrett, a friend of her uncle. During the war, Hotchkiss served as topographical engineer in the Confederate army. He made detailed battle maps, mostly of Virginia and West Virginia, which were used by Generals Lee and Jackson in planning military strategy. His wife, Sara, remained with his daughters at home in Augusta County. | |
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the most likely matches in the Valley of the Shadow databases: |
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Hotchkiss Household: 1860 Census | 1860 Slaveowner Census | 1870 Census | Military Service
Sterrett Household: 1860 Census | 1860 Slaveowner Census | 1870 Census | Military Service
U. Burrows writes to Sara Hotchkiss with information concerning several financial transactions, including a sale of land.
In her memoir of her stay in Augusta County, Alansa Rounds Sterrett records her activities with friends and slaves. She includes a description of a tableau of Uncle Tom's Cabin, in which a slave portrayed Uncle Tom. She also mentions her marriage to Sterrett and her parents in the North.
Return to the Eve of War Personal Papers
This collection consists mostly of wartime letters from Jedediah Hotchkiss to his wife, Sara, concerning military life and family affairs. Hotchkiss provides descriptions of movements, engagements, and policies of the Confederate army. He also advises Sara on the management of the household in his absence, including relations with "servants" and neighbors.
Return to the War Years Personal Papers
In this collection of five postwar letters, Jedediah Hotchkiss writes to his loved ones at home about his office and lodgings in Lexington, Virginia.
Return to the Aftermath Personal Papers
Franklin County Personal Papers: Eve of War | War Years | Aftermath
Augusta County Personal Papers: Eve of War | War Years | Aftermath
