151

Papers of the Milford-Jones-Banta family of Ohio and Indiana.

Various places, 1831-1930
Approximately 130 items (0.4 linear feet), condition varies but generally strong.

  • Notes: The central figures here are the Rev. Mark L. Milford (1844-1932) and his wife Clara Jones Milford (1850-1927), who were married in Ohio in 1871 and soon moved to Indiana. Highlights included here are:

    Rev. Milford's diaries in three volumes from 1873-1875, discussing his family and ministry in Seymour, IN. 

    Small tintype portrait, 1½ x 1¼ inches, identified on verso in an early hand as Civil War soldier William Jones (brother of Clair Jones Milford) of the 7th Iowa Infantry, who died at the Battle of Belmont on November 1861

    12 other family photographs, some identified.

    43 personal and family letters to Milford family members, 1863-1922

    Commonplace book kept by Rev. Milford's mother Maria Banta, Eaton, OH, 1834; with additional entries by her brother(?) Isaac V. Banta, 1836-1854.

    Memorandum book kept by Isaac Van Ausdall Banta of Eaton, Ohio and Attica, IN, a relative of Rev. Milford's mother Maria Banta Milford (circa 1818-1853). It runs from 1831 to 1854. On 25 May 1839 he jotted: "Here I am on the Wabash River a doing nothing but read and write, but I hope soon to be floating down south, perhaps to Texas! and maybe South America, but I have not decided yet where." In 1842 he writes: "Here I am loafering on Shawnee Prairie and not mutch prospect of getting in any business at present. But the canal will be finished by the middle of next summer and I will take a trip north." In 1844 he boasted: "The star of my destiny has changed! And such a change!" The dreams continued in January 1849: "Going South perhaps next spring or to California."

    Patent for a heating stove issued to Mark Milford, 1916

    11 small fabric samples

    9 samples of human hair from various family members, 1871-1893 and undated. We have sometimes come across locks of hair in family papers, but never in this quantity--it seems to have been a family tradition.
  • Condition:
    Please contact the Specialist for the auction to request a condition report.

    Condition reports and additional images are provided as a courtesy and should be used by you to aid in the formation of your own opinion regarding condition. All material is sold subject to Swann's standard Terms and Conditions of Sale as published in our catalogues and posted on our website, and include the following terms: (1) all property is sold "as-is"; and (2) works cannot be returned on the basis of condition.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Upon request, Swann will facilitate the shipping of purchases to out-of-town buyers at an additional charge for packing, shipping and insurance, but will not be responsible for any loss, damage or delay resulting from the packing, handling and shipping thereof. Unless specific instructions are received, Swann is the sole judge of the method to be used for shipment. Packing and shipping costs will be noted on the invoice mailed to successful bidders after the sale, and are based on the actual costs involved. Be advised that a full commercial invoice must accompany any purchase shipped outside the US.

November 20, 2025 10:30 AM EST
New York, NY, US

Swann Auction Galleries

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $100,000:
27.00%
$100,001 - $1,000,000:
22.00%
$1,000,001+:
12.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $149 $10
$150 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $5,999 $200
$6,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 $499,999 $20,000
$500,000 + $50,000