Name/Title
George Koonce PapersEntry/Object ID
ARC2025.024.001Scope and Content
Archival materials relating to George Koonce (1818-1908) of Harpers Ferry.
-1852 printed broadside advertising the sale of ready-made clothing on November 25, issued by George Koonce, Constable
-Court summons for James Merick to appear before the Justice of the Peace at Koonce's Office on Sept 1, 1846, with notes about Merick's debt on the back.
-Letter to George Koonce from John Jones from Hillsborough, Va, dated July 15, 1852 regarding specific claims and legal cases pertaining to Mr. Nederman (?) and Mr. Taylor.
-Subscription list agreeing to pay for "the relief of the sick and wounded soldiers in the several Hospitals in and around Washington City" (undated) with names and amounts of subscribers
-Incomplete form application for business license made by George Koonce and signed by Josh Faymaer (?) c. 1860s
-Letter of recommendation for employment for George Koonce from the Ordnance Office in Washington, July 16, 1861, signed by J.G. Beutore (?), Capt of Ordnances at the US Army, stating that Koonce "lost nearly all the property he possessed" due to his loyalty to the Union.
- Typed broadside, undated, petition on behalf of the workers at the Harpers Ferry Armory. Written sometime after its destruction in 1861. The undersigned describe their hardship due to loss of property and livelihood as Union supporters and request that the government rebuild the Harpers Ferry Armory and argue that it is a preferable alternative to building a new one elsewhere.
-Petition "To the Hon. Legislature and State of West Va." from citizens of Jefferson County to "adopt some means by which we may be protected from the Stock that are running at large as many of us have lost all our fencings during the late war." (Undated) Includes signatures of numerous local residents, including S. Howell Brown.
-Letter to George Koonce dated Sept 20, 1863 from Jn Mapley (?) in Baltimore regarding his anxiety for the future and an upcoming claim of Koonce's that is to be presented in Washington by Mr. Chaplaine. He references a "peace in Shepherds Town" and discussions with a Mr. Frey of Berlin [Brunswick]
-Letter "To Whom it may Concern" dated February 10, 1865, certifying that George W. Conners (?) worked for the Rebel Government for several months in Richmond (signed by SVB Strider) and to certify that George Koonce was authorized by the Superintendent of the Harpers Ferry Armory to "collect and sell the condemned Halls Rifles" to the citizens during the John Brown Riad signed by seven men.
-Letter addressed "Dear sir" and signed by Geo I (?) in Berryville, Va, asking for a raise in salary due to cost of living and healthcare for a wound requiring surgery. Dated July 1, 1865
-Letter to Mssrs Koonce, Reid & Koonce asking to give Mr. Russell information regarding a dispute, and stating that there can be no right of Mr. Morton to rent property signed by (?)
-Letter from George Koonce to Mr. Jay Willer, Esq, US Senator, dated March 1, 1869. Koonce writes on behalf of a war widow, Mrs. Graham, whose husband William was a Union Veteran asking for assistance in obtaining employment for her son
-Draft of a letter written at the request of George Koonce to the State of West Virginia by James Lawrence Hooff dated January 1871. Regarding the "meritorious" actions of Mr. Koonce as a member of the Union Army in delaying the Confederate Army (which Hooff was a Major in) and warning his compatriots of their planned seizure of the Armory in 1861. Hooff leaves a note offering to sign the letter with pleasure once it is written, cosigned by George Koonce.
-Letter to George Koonce from Henry Howard, dated March 25, 1873, enclosing two affadavits necessary for his mother to receive a pension with instructions on getting them filled out by Jacob and Susan (?) Shriver.
-Letter to George Koonce in Halltown from Bushrod Corbin Washington, Dated Feby 9/94 from Charlestown, requesting assistance with the claim of Washington's late father in law, Hite Willis, for property taken for Federal use during the Civil War. Washington notes that "some of the propers in his case are missing, and the matter of loyalty has to be established"
-Letter (with envelope) to George Koonce of Halltown from GWZ Black of DC, May 2, 1896. Letter advises Koonce that a similar claims case to his, relating to a house recently came up, and that it might be an advantageous time to press his claim.
-Draft of Congressional bill for the relief of George Koonce of Jefferson County, using a different claim as a model, for compensation for services rendered to the US government during the Civil War (undated, likely c.1895-1897 due to it being the 54th Congress).Acquisition
Accession
2025.024Source or Donor
Brown, MichaelAcquisition Method
Purchase