Achilles Pugh Papers
Scope and Contents
The Achilles Pugh Papers consist of correspondence, diaries, and genealogical material relating to Achilles Pugh (1805-1876), a Quaker printer and reformer of Cincinnati, Ohio and his family. They are significant for Orthodox Friends in the Midwest, anti-slavery, and Quaker work among western Indians in the 1860s. Also included in the collection is material concerning Achilles Pugh's son Achilles Henry Pugh. He was a civil engineer and printer. The collection also contains material on his sister Ester Pugh (1834-1908). She was active in Quaker affairs and served as an Earlham College trustee from 1895 to 1906. Another son, John Davis Pugh, served in the Union army during the Civil War. The collection includes a few of his letters, which are unusually detailed and descriptive.
Dates
- 1832-1990
- Other: Date acquired: 01/01/1991
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions on access.
Conditions Governing Use
Some materials may be protected by copyright. Permission to reproduce and to publish for commercial purposes must be requested from the Archivist.
Biographical or Historical Information
Achilles Pugh was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, on March 10, 1805, the son of Thomas and Esther (Gatchell) Pugh. In 1809, his family moved to Harrison County, Ohio, where Achilles Pugh lived until about 1827, when he went to Philadelphia to work as a printer. In 1830 he moved to Cincinnati, where he lived until 1854. That year he moved to Waynesville, Ohio, a strong Quaker community in Warren County. He lived there until 1875, when he moved back to Cincinnati. He died there October 31, 1876.
Pugh became well-known as a printer. Much of his business came from his Quaker connections. He printed the 1839 and 1854 editions of the Orthodox Indiana Yearly Meeting Discipline, as well as several Quaker memoirs and controversial works. He also printed Indiana Yearly Meeting minutes. In 1847 he began publishing the Western Friend, "Devoted to Religion, Morality, Literature, General News, and the Markets." It lasted only two years. His best-known undertaking was to serve as printer for James G. Birney's abolitionist journal, the Philanthropist. Twice in 1836 an anti-abolitionist mob invaded Pugh's office and destroyed his press in rage against Birney's sentiments.
Pugh was also active in Quaker affairs. He served on numerous committees. In 1869 he headed a committee of investigations formed by the Associated Executive Committee of Friends on Indian affairs to visit various tribes in Kansas.
In 1832 Achilles Pugh married Annamariah Davis (1806-1877), a fellow Orthodox Friend and a native of Campbell County, Virginia. She was also active in Quaker affairs.
Note written by
Extent
1 Boxes
Language of Materials
English
Method of Acquisition
Gift, William W. Pugh of Cincinnati, a great-grandson of Achilles Pugh. In 1996 Edward Wildman of Moorestown, New Jersey, another great-grandson, donated Pugh's diary for 1844-1876.
Accruals and Additions
There are no accruals or additions expected.
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- Archon Finding Aid Title
- Description rules
- Other Unmapped
- Language of description
- Undetermined
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- Language of description note
- und
Repository Details
Part of the Friends Collection and Earlham College Archives Repository