William L. Willis to Frances Ann Finlay, 1851 July 14

This collection consists of 50 letters of correspondence between the Finlay and Willis families from 1845-1920. The families were joined by the marriage of Dr. William Lewis Willis and Frances Ann Finlay, and the subsequent correspondence between their relations reflects the domestic and societal obligations of the 19th century. Topics include the health and news of family members, progress with studies, and various social activities. Most of the correspondence is between Frances “Fanny” Finlay Willis and her son, Louis Orndorf Willis, who spent his youth and adolescent years at boarding school.