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1811-1826 Dec 14. [Lapham, Increase Allen] Autobiography and Diary. Born in Palmyra, Wayne County, N.Y.; names of parents and brothers and sisters; Father contractor and engineer; engaged on Schuylkill and Erie Canals; Increase, when thirteen, found fossils and began study of natural history; in 1824, he and older brother Darius, employed on canal with Father; family moved to Lockport gates and woodwork for locks, built by Father, considered triumph of engineering skill; Increase made drawings of locks and sold them; recalls LaFayette's "tour of welcome" and celebration attending completion of canal in 1825; attended school in Rochester, New York; Darius assisted by Increase engaged on Welland Canal; later in 1826, engaged as rodman, with his Father on Miami Canal, Ohio; under Byron Kilbourn, assistant engineer and Samuel Farrer, Resident Engineer; wages. A.D. and typewritten copy.
Wis. Miss. DB
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1826 Dec. 15 - 1827 [Lapham Increase Allen] Shippingsport, Ky. Diary. In December his Father began work on Louisville [and Portland] Canal; Increase followed him; attended Jefferson Seminary, Louisville; Mann Butler, teacher; in 1827 family moved from Lockport, N.Y. to Shippingsport, Kentucky; Increase employed by Judge [David S.] Bates as rodman on canal; left school; John R. Henry made Resident Engineer; varied reading; drew plans of lock, sent description of canal and geology of region to Prof. B[enjamin] Silliman for publication in Journal; assisted with reports and estimates; made natural history excursions; began register of temperature; drew profile of locks and of geology of region to accompany his article in Silliman's Journal. A.D. also typewritten copy.
Wis. Miss. DB
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1826 Dec 27 Silliman, Prof. B[enjamin] New Haven. To Increase A. Lapham, Hamilton, O. Remittance of $4. for [American] Journal [of Science] received; commends liberal spirit and encouragement; requests Lapham's interest in its favor; A.L.S 1 p. mutilated. Endorsed: From B. Silliman, New Haven, Con. Dec. 27, 1826. Typewritten extracts.
Wis. Mss. DB
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1827 June 24 Lapham. I[ncrease] A[llen], Shippingsport, Ky. To Prof. B[enjamin] Silliman, New Haven. Received copy of American Journal of Science; offers data concerning [Louisville and Portland Canal] around rapids of Ohio River. Typewritten extract. 1 p.
Wis. Mss. DB
