Lucy Markerly journal

Collection

Identifier: MS M37

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The journal is handwritten with leather binding, some pages (ca. 12) are loose, three are still attached to the binding. Mrs. Ethel Chittenden Turner, a great granddaughter of Lucy Markerly, made a transcript of the journal, which is included. The transcript consists of 16 typed pages, plus 5 pages of "a few comments" and "addenda" added by the donor Alice B. Ross, great granddaughter of Lucy Markerly. Lucy Markerly's journal describes the family's (Lucy, her son David, daughter Hannah, and Hanna's husband William Doncaster) journey from Lincolnshire, England, (March 29, 1833) across the Atlantic, to their arrival in Port Byron, New York (June 5, 1833). The journal mainly describes the weather and sights. She writes some personal information, such as her grandson William, who was born and died during the journey.

Dates

Creation: 1833

Creator

Markillie, Lucinda, 1771-1850 (Person)

Restrictions on Access

The handwritten journal is fragile, photocopies must be done by archives staff.

Restrictions on Use

The collection is open for research use.

Biography of Lucinda Darley Markillie and the Markillie family

Lucinda Hurn Darley Markillie (known as Lucy Markerly) (1771-1850) was born to Jane and David Hurn in Lincolnshire, England. Lucy was married twice, her first spouse was David Darley (d.1812), with whom she had three children: Melinda Norris (b.1796), Hannah Doncaster (1799-1871), David Darley (1803-1870). She was later married to Samuel Markerly (1786-1831), and had three children with him: John Markerly (Markillie) (1814-1868), Rebecca Markerly (1816-1903), and Lucy Lake (1807-1877).

John (1814-1868) emigrated to the United States in 1832 and settled in Port Byron, New York (a port on the Erie Canal). In 1833, Lucy, her son David and her daughter Hannah along with Hannah's husband William Doncaster (1808-1877) all traveled together across the Atlantic and settled in Port Byron with John. The group eventually settled in Hudson, Ohio. It is believed that John changed the spelling of the name from Markerly to Markillie, likely upon moving to the United States. The family is known as "Markillie" in Hudson.

In Hudson, the family settled in the home at 28 Owen Brown Street. David owned a carriage factory and dabbled in real estate. John Markillie was a carriage maker and funeral coffin maker and also was known for his photography, capturing many of the early surviving images of locales and citizens in the town. Hannah and William Doncaster's son James Doncaster (1836-1906) later purchased the family home. The Doncaster family operated a prominent funeral home in town in another location.

Extent

2 Volumes (1 journal, 1 typescript)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Handwritten journal of Lucy Markerly (Markillie) (1771-1850) describing her journey from Lincolnshire, England, to the United States ("A Journal from Old England Towards America.")

Custodial History

The journal and typescript were donated by Alice B. Ross, great granddaughter of Lucy Markerly. In the typescript addenda, Alice states that the "foregoing journal has been for many years in the possession of Mrs. Grace Doncaster Post, great granddaughter of Lucy Markerly."

Acquisition Information

The journal and typescript were donated in 1962 (accession no. 62-191) by Alice B. Ross, Clarion, Pennsylvania, who identified herself as the "great granddaughter of Lucy Markerly, also by adoption through her son John, also cousin by adoption of Mrs. Turner" (addenda in typescript).