Morrison, Thomas Guthrie (1831-1903) Diary, 1859-1869

Held by The Filson Historical Society

Creator: Thomas Guthrie Morrison, 1831-1903

Title: Diary, 1859-1869

Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Curator of Special Collections.

Size of Collection: 1 volume

Location Number: Mss./ A /M882

Scope and Content Note

Collection includes a multi-use diary kept by Morrison, containing a detailed description of a roundtrip transatlantic journey aboard the steamship Edinburgh to his birthplace in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1859. He described many characteristics and events involving numerous passengers and crew members and harrowing encounters with storms and an iceberg. Following Morrison’s travel accounts, the diary includes the Constitution, Rules and Regulations of the Morrison Light Guard, organized by Morrison in 1861 as Co. A, 2nd Regiment, Indiana State Militia. The diary also includes 74 pages of poetry written by Morrison between 1867 and 1869, most having romantic or patriotic themes.

A printed broadside consisting of a poem written by Morrison, entitled “Ode to the Army of the Tennessee”, published in 1869, was separated from the diary and located in the Thomas Guthrie Morrison Miscellaneous Papers at Mss./ C/M.

Biographical Note

Thomas Guthrie Morrison was born in Glasgow, Scotland, 29 September 1831. In 1851 he immigrated to the United States . In 1853 he married Jessie, who had also emigrated from Scotland in 1851. They established residence in Louisville, Ky., ca. 1855. Around 1860 the family moved to New Albany, Ind. In February 1861 Morrison organized the Morrison Light Guard in New Albany, which constituted Company A of the 2 nd Regt, Indiana Militia. In 1862, he was promoted to 1 st Lt., Major and Lt. Col. in the 66 th Indiana Infantry Regiment. After the war, Morrison was employed as an architectural carver and later as a fruit grocer in New Albany. He and Jessie had 8 children. Morrison died March 28, 1903, at the age of 71.

Subject Headings

Edinburgh (steamship)

Morrison Light Guards

New Albany (Ind.) – History – Civil War, 1861-1865

Ocean travel

Patriotic poetry – American

Poetry, Modern – 19 th century

Poetry – United States

Steamboat workers – United States

Steamboats – Passenger accommodation

Transatlantic voyages

United States. Army – Regulations