Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs
MSS.245
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit
June 10, 2014
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Ball State University Archives and Special Collections
Alexander M. Bracken Library
2000 W. University Avenue
Muncie, Indiana, 47306
765-285-5078
libarchives@bsu.edu
Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs MSS.245
Table of Contents
Summary Information ................................................................................................................................. 3
Biographical Note.......................................................................................................................................... 4
Scope and Contents....................................................................................................................................... 4
Arrangement...................................................................................................................................................4
Administrative Information .........................................................................................................................5
Related Materials ........................................................................................................................................ 6
Controlled Access Headings..........................................................................................................................7
Collection Inventory...................................................................................................................................... 9
Series 1: Vernon Freeman farm and real estate records, 1850-1996...................................................... 9
Series 2: Farmington Meadows Association records, 1984-2008.........................................................13
Series 3: Vernon and Betty Freeman family personal papers, 1833-2009, predominant
1954-2008...............................................................................................................................................15
Series 4: Vernon Freeman family yearbooks, 1921-1971.....................................................................21
Series 5: Vernon Freeman family photographs, circa 1910-2009.........................................................23
Series 6: Vernon Freeman family oversize financial records and Russell's Seed Farms ephemera,
1959-1990...............................................................................................................................................25
Series 7: Vernon Freeman family oversize maps, real estate records, and genealogical diagram, 1896,
1965-after 2001......................................................................................................................................26
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Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs MSS.245
Summary Information
Repository
Ball State University Archives and Special Collections
Creator
Freeman, Betty,
Creator
Freeman, Vernon Oran, 1919-1995
Title
Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs
Date
1850-2009
Extent
4.1 Cubic feet 8 boxes
Language
English
Preferred Citation
Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs, Archives and Special Collections, Ball State University
Libraries
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Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs MSS.245
Biographical Note
The Freeman family settled in Delaware County, Indiana in 1835, when Isaac and Jemima Moore
Freeman moved their family from Ohio to a quarter section of land in Hamilton Township. The farm
remained in the family for the next four generations.
Vernon Oran Freeman was born in 1919 and married Betty Russell Freeman, also of Delaware County, in
1940. The Freeman family continued farming in Hamilton Township through the 1990s. In 1969 Vernon
and Betty Freeman began the development of the first planned communities in Delaware County, Indiana:
Farmington subdivision, Farmington Meadows, and Farmington Country Estates. They continued to
be actively involved in the development of those communities and the governance of the home owners
association in Farming Meadows.
In addition to their contributions in agriculture and housing development, Vernon and Betty Freeman
were actively involved in local government and civic organizations. Vernon Freeman served on the
Delaware County Board of Zoning Appeals during the 1970s and early 1980s. He was also an aviator
who served as president of the Delaware County Board of Aviation Commissioners in the late 1980s.
Betty Freeman was appointed to the Muncie Growth Commission in 1994. Vernon Freeman was a fiftyyear member of Delaware Lodge No. 46, Free and Accepted Masons, and Betty Freeman was a longtime
member of the Philomathean Club. Vernon Freeman died in 1995.
Scope and Contents
This collection includes financial records, real estate records, correspondence, minutes, yearbooks,
photographs, genealogy and other material from the Vernon Freeman family in Delaware County, Indiana
ranging from 1850 to 2009 regarding the operations of the Freeman family farm, the establishment and
operation of the Farmington Meadows planned community, and the lives of the Freeman and Russell
families.
Arrangement
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Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs MSS.245
Series 1: Vernon Freeman farm and real estate records, 1850-1996
Subseries 1.1: Delaware County Plat Books, 1957, 1970-1977
Subseries 1.2: Financial records, 1912-1927, 1947-1996
Subseries 1.3: Real estate records, 1850-1988
Subseries 1.4: Tax records, 1856-1893
Series 2: Farmington Meadows Association records, 1984-2008
Series 3: Vernon Freeman family personal papers, 1833-2009, PREDOMINANT 1954-2008
Subseries 3.1: Vernon and Betty Freeman family personal papers, 1833-2008
Subseries 3.2: Vernon and Betty Freeman family datebooks and planners, 1962-2009
Series 4: Vernon Freeman family yearbooks, 1921-1971
Subseries 4.1: Ball State University yearbooks, 1965
Subseries 4.2: Eaton High School yearbooks, 1921, 1923, 1949-1950
Subseries 4.3: Muncie Central High School yearbook, 1971s
Subseries 4.4: Royerton High School yearbooks, 1934-1946
Series 5: Vernon Freeman family photographs, circa 1910-2009
Series 6: Vernon Freeman Family oversize financial records and Russel Seed Farms ephemera,
1959-1990
Series 7: Vernon Freeman Family oversize maps, real estate records, and genealogical diagram,
1896, 1965-after 2001
Administrative Information
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Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs MSS.245
Publication Information
Ball State University Archives and Special Collections
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Archives and Special Collections, Ball State
University Libraries, Muncie, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to
Archives and Special Collections.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Archives and Special Collections as a donation from Betty Freeman on
2005/10/31. Additions received by Archives and Special Collections as donations from Betty Freeman on
2010/03/25 and 2010/04/26. Additional materials donated by Betty Freeman on 2014/05/22.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2006 Jan. by J.E. Gastineau. Additions processed, arrangement revised,
and EAD finding aid created 2012/10/01 by Stephen Jones. Addition processed and EAD finding aid
updated by Kasey Mock on 2014/06/09.
Existence and Location of Copies
Digital reproductions of the Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs are available electronically
in the Ball State University Digital Media Repository:
http://libx.bsu.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/FrmnVrnn
Related Materials
Related Archival Materials
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Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs MSS.245
Materials relating to this collection may be found in the following collections in Archives and Special
Collections, Ball State University Libraries, Muncie IN:
MSS.200: Cecil Madill farm records, 1925-1987
MSS.255: Philomathean Club collection, 1911-2009
Separated Materials
The following publications were separated and catalogued individually:
County Plant and Directory Company. Delaware County, Indiana: Official Farm Plat Book and
Directory. LaPorte, Indiana: County Plat and Directory Company, 1961. (G 1403 .D6G46 C68
1961)
Town and Country Publishing Company. Delaware County, Indiana: Plat Book, Index of
Owners, City Street Maps. LaPorte, Indiana: Town and Country Publishing Company, 1977.
(G1403 .D6G46 T69 1977)
Town and Country Publishing Company. Delaware County, Indiana: Plat Book, Index of
Owners, City Street Maps. LaPorte, Indiana: Town and Country Publishing Company, 1980.
(G1403 .D6G46 T69 1980)
W. W. Hixson and Company. Plat Book of Delaware County, Indiana. Rockford, Illinois: W. W.
Hixson and Company, 193?. (G1403 .D6G46 W23 1930z)
Angell, Norman. After All: The Autobiography of Sir Norman Angell. London: H. Hamilton, 1951.
(JX1962 .A6 A3 1951A)
Metropolitan Planners, Inc. City of Muncie, Indiana, Thoroughfare Plan. Indianapolis, Indiana:
Metropolitan Planners, 1956. (HE356.5 .M8 M48 1956)
Eddy, Darlene Mathis. Joy in the Morning. Cambridge, Mass.: Anne Miniver Press, 1997.
(PS3555 .D386 J69 1997)
Controlled Access Headings
Geographic Name(s)
• Delaware County (Ind.)
• Hamilton Township (Ind.)
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Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs MSS.245
Subject(s)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Aeronautics
Agriculture
Farm business management
Homeowners' associations
Planned communities
Real property
Stoeckel Archives of Local History
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Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs MSS.245
Series 1: Vernon Freeman farm and real estate records, 1850-1996
Collection Inventory
Series 1: Vernon Freeman farm and real estate records, 1850-1996
Scope and Contents
This series includes plat books, account books, ledgers, abstracts of title, tax receipts and other records
from the Vernon Freeman family in Delaware County, Indiana ranging from 1850 to 1996 regarding
farm operations, finances, and real estate holdings of the family.
Subseries 1.1: Delaware County Plat Books, 1957, 1970-1977
Delaware County plat book, 1957
Delaware County plat book, 1970
Delaware County plat book, 1972
Delaware County plat book, 1975
Delaware County plat book, 1977
Box
Folder
1
1
1
2
1
3
1
4
1
5
Box
Folder
Subseries 1.2: Financial records, 1912-1927, 1947-1996
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Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs MSS.245
Subseries 1.2: Financial records, 1912-1927, 1947-1996
Indiana Farm Account Book, 1947
Indiana Farm Account Book, 1948
Indiana Farm Account Book, 1949
Indiana Farm Account Book, 1950
Indiana Farm Account Book, 1951
Indiana Farm Account Book, 1952
Indiana Farm Account Book, 1953
Indiana Farm Account Book, 1954
Indiana Farm Account Book, 1955
Indiana Farm Account Book, 1956
Indiana Farm Account Book, 1957
Indiana Farm Account Book, 1958
Indiana Farm Account Book, 1959
Landlord farm accounts, 1968-1969
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Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs MSS.245
Subseries 1.3: Real estate records, 1850-1988
Landlord farm accounts, 1970
Landlord farm accounts, 1971
Landlord farm accounts, 1972
Landlord farm accounts, 1973
Landlord farm accounts, 1974
Landlord farm accounts, 1975
Landlord farm accounts, 1976
Landlord farm accounts, 1977
Muncie Fair premium Lists, 1916, 1927
Russell Farm hog sale advertisements and other materials, 1912-1923
Farmington Meadows financial records, 1969-1973
Freeman, Vernon Farm and Farmington Division of Freeman Farm
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Box
Folder
financial records, 1991-1996
Subseries 1.3: Real estate records, 1850-1988
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Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs MSS.245
Subseries 1.3: Real estate records, 1850-1988
Abstract of Title, 1955
Abstract of Title, 1955
Abstract of Title - Continuation, 1955
Abstract of Title, 1958
Abstract of Title, 1966
Abstract of Title, 1969-1970
Abstract of Title, 1974-1975
Abstract of Title, 1984
Abstract of Title, 1984
Abstract of Title - Continuation, 1984
Farmington Country Estates maps and ownership list, 1971-1980
Freeman Farm and Farmington Meadows plats, 1969-1987
Freeman Farm plans, undated
Freeman Farm survey, 1988
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Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs MSS.245
Subseries 1.4: Tax records, 1856-1893
Freeman, Isaac property transfer indenture to John Freeman, 1850
Notice of Appraisal, 1851
Oil Lease, 1920
Real estate purchase receipt, 1928
Warranty Deeds, 1896, 1898
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Box
Folder
1
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1
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1
37
Subseries 1.4: Tax records, 1856-1893
Property tax receipts, 1856-1858
Property tax receipts, 1861-1868
Property tax receipts, 1870-1879
Property tax receipts, 1880-1889
Property tax receipts, 1890-1893
Turnpike tax receipts, 1867
Series 2: Farmington Meadows Association records, 1984-2008
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Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs MSS.245
Series 2: Farmington Meadows Association records, 1984-2008
Scope and Contents
This series includes correspondence, financial records, minutes, flyers, newsletters, directories,
newspaper clippings and other material from the Farmington Meadows homeowners' association in
Delaware County, Indiana ranging from 1984 to 2008 regarding decisions of the Board of Directors,
community events, and residents of Farmington Meadows.
Annual meeting minutes, 1989-2001
Board of Directors correspondence, minutes, and financial records,
Box
Folder
1
38
1
39
1
40
1
41
1
42
1
43
1
44
1
45
1
46
1988-1995
Board of Directors correspondence, minutes, and financial records,
1995-2008
Farmington Meadows Association correspondence, flyers and other
materials, 1984-2002
Farmington Meadows Association directories, 1990-2006
Farmington Meadows Association newsletters, 1999-2008
Farmington Meadows Association resident obituaries and condolence
notes, 1990-2007
Farmington Meadows Association resident obituaries and newspaper
clippings, 1984, 1990-2008
Farmington Meadows brochures and stationary, circa 1984
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Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs MSS.245
Series 3: Vernon and Betty Freeman family personal papers, 1833-2009, pred...
Farmington Meadows Declaration of Horizontal Property Regime
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amendments, 1989, 1999, 2007
Farmington Meadows house plan, hand drawn, undated
Famington Meadows residential planning and propaganda material,
undated
Series 3: Vernon and Betty Freeman family personal papers, 1833-2009, predominant 1954-2008
Scope and Contents
This series includes Bibles, certificates, genealogical research, newspaper clippings and other material
ranging from 1833 to 2009 regarding the civic involvement and hobbies of Vernon Freeman and Betty
Russell Freeman and the history of the Freeman and Russell families of Delaware County, Indiana.
Subseries 3.1: Vernon and Betty Freeman family personal papers, 1833-2008
Aviation certificate, bumper stickers and pins, 1977, 1983
Ball State Teacher's College Bulletin, 1963
Bowling Green University alumni cruise adventure,
Box
Folder
1
47
7
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2
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48
1974/04/06-1974/04/13
Delaware County Board of Zoning Appeals and Muncie Growth
Commission certificates, 1980, 1982, 1994
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Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs MSS.245
Subseries 3.1: Vernon and Betty Freeman family personal papers, 1833-2008
Delaware County Genealogist and Historian, Vol 11, No. 1, 2002 Spring
Delaware Lodge 46, Free and Accepted Masons certificates and
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sesquicentennial program, 1993, 1995, 2003
Family of Orville C. Russell and Maud Wallar Russell, 2000
First Solar home newspaper clipping, 1977/10/30
Freeman, Betty graudation cards, 1965
Freeman, Betty Ruth Russell autobiographical and family history articles
and notes, 1964, 2001-2003, 2008
Freeman, Betty yearly record, 1981-1998
Freeman family articles, family trees, and other genealogical research
materials, 1900-1984
Freeman, Vernon and Betty newspaper clippings, 1955-1956, 1977-1999
Freeman, Vernon aviation articles, correspondence, flag and notes,
1960-1991
Freeman, Vernon First Solo Flight certificate, 1960/08/11
"Gaslight Memories: A History of Eaton's First Hundred Years," 1954
June
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Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs MSS.245
Subseries 3.1: Vernon and Betty Freeman family personal papers, 1833-2008
Hooiser Homeland Award Program, 1976
Maller and Barick marriage licence, 1879 Oct.
Memories, undated
Minnestrista donation, 2007/05/24
Mr. or Mrs. Vernon O. Freeman checkbook, 1958
Muncie Rotary Club Memorial to Ernest Freeman, undated
Reichle, Marvin and Elsa newspaper article and correspondence to
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Freeman, Betty, 2002/01/19
Royerton School scrapbook, 1937-1942, 1962, 1984-1987, 2002
Russell family genealogy notes, reports and other materials, 1995-2000
Russell family papers class rosters, memo paper and postcard, undated
Russell's Annual Sale, 1917, 1919
Unidentified organizational account book, 1896-1898
The Freeman Family, 1900/10/01
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Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs MSS.245
Subseries 3.2: Vernon and Betty Freeman family datebooks and planners, 196...
The Old Washington Street Festival, 1980
Freeman family Bible, 1869
Weir, Thomas Bible, 1833
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Subseries 3.2: Vernon and Betty Freeman family datebooks and planners, 1962-2009
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1962
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1963
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1964
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1965
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1966
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1967
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1968
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1969
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1970
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Box
Folder
3
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2
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Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs MSS.245
Subseries 3.2: Vernon and Betty Freeman family datebooks and planners, 196...
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1971
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1972
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1973
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1974
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1975
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1976
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1977
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1978
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1979
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1980
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1981
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1982
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1983
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1984
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Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs MSS.245
Subseries 3.2: Vernon and Betty Freeman family datebooks and planners, 196...
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1985
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1986
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1987
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1988
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1989
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1990
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1991
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1992
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1993
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1994
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1995
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1996
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1997
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1998
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Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs MSS.245
Series 4: Vernon Freeman family yearbooks, 1921-1971
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 1999
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 2000
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 2001
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 2002
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 2003
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 2004
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 2005
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 2006
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 2007
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 2008
Freeman, Vernon date planner, 2009
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Series 4: Vernon Freeman family yearbooks, 1921-1971
Scope and Contents
This series includes yearbooks from Ball State University, Eaton High School, Muncie Central High
School, and Royerton High School in Delaware County, Indiana ranging from 1921 to 1971 that include
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Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs MSS.245
Subseries 4.1: Ball State Univeristy yearbooks, 1965
Vernon and Betty Freeman, Freeman and Russell family members, and alumni directories for Vernon
and Betty Freeman's alma maters.
Subseries 4.1: Ball State Univeristy yearbooks, 1965
Orient, 1965
Box
Folder
6
3
Box
Folder
6
4
6
5
6
6
Box
Folder
6
7
Box
Folder
6
8
Subseries 4.2: Eaton High School yearbooks, 1921, 1923, 1949-1950
Eaton High School Annual, 1921
Eaton High School Annual, 1923
Golden Viking, 1949-1950
Subseries 4.3: Muncie Central High School yearbooks, 1971
Magician, 1971
Subseries 4.3: Royerton High School yearbooks, 1934-1946
Panorama, 1934
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Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs MSS.245
Series 5: Vernon Freeman family photographs, circa 1910-2009
Panorama, 1936
Panorama, 1937
Panorama, 1938
Panorama, 1939
Panorama, 1940
Panorama, 1941
Panorama, 1942
Panorama, 1944
Panorama, 1945
Panorama, 1946
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P.267 Series 5: Vernon Freeman family photographs, circa 1910-2009
Scope and Contents
This series includes photographs ranging from approximately 1910 to 2009 regarding Farmington
Meadows construction, socials and weather events, Freeman family residences, Eaton and Royerton
school reunions, and other events in the life of the Freeman family.
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Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs MSS.245
Series 5: Vernon Freeman family photographs, circa 1910-2009
Eaton High School reunion photographs, 1994-2009
Farmington Meadows construction and house photographs, 1972-1979
Farmington Meadows aerial and event photographs, 1979
Farmington Meadows construction photographs, 1984
Farmington Meadows event photographs, 1994, 1997
Farmington Meadows event and house photographs, undated
Farmington Meadows Freeman memorial dedication photographs, 2002
Farmington Meadows snow and ice storm photographs, 1997-2005
Farmington Meadows tree and flower photographs, circa 1984, 1999
Freeman, Betty photographs, 1970-2005
Freeman family house photographs, 1940-2007
Freeman family photographs, circa 1910-1950
Freeman family photographs, 1938-2002
Freeman farm photographs, 1970-1971
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Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs MSS.245
Series 6: Vernon Freeman family oversize financial records and Russell's S...
Freeman, Vernon aviation photographs, 1969
Farmington Untilities, Inc. photographs, circa 1980
Handley, Miriam birthday party photographs, 1972
Lake Wawasee photographs, 1989-1990
Muncie, Indiana snow storm photographs, 1970-1977
Royerton School reunion photographs, 1984
Farmington Meadows event photographs, 1989-1990
Farmington Meadows event photographs, 1989-1990
Farmington Meadows event photographs, 1992-1996
OVA.245 Series 6: Vernon Freeman family oversize financial records and Russell's Seed Farms
ephemera, 1959-1990
Scope and Contents
This series includes oversize financial ledgers and ephemera ranging from 1959 to 1990 regarding the
Freeman family farm and real estate development business and Russell's Seed Farm.
Russell's Seed Farms bumper sticker, undated
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Vernon Freeman family papers and photographs MSS.245
Series 7: Vernon Freeman family oversize maps, real estate records, and ge...
Russell's Seed Farms flyswatter, undated
Russell's Seed Farms seed sack, undated
Freeman family business ledger, 1959-1977
Freeman family business ledger, 1978-1990
OVB.245 Series 7: Vernon Freeman family oversize maps, real estate records, and genealogical
diagram, 1896, 1965-after 2001
Scope and Contents
This series includes maps, a real estate agreement, and a family tree ranging from 1896 to after 2001
regarding Freeman family real estate holdings and McColm family genealogy.
Delaware County, Indiana map, 1965
Thomas Freeman real estate agreement, 1896 Jun.
McColm, Henry Augustus family tree, after 2001
Farmington subdivision plats, 1971-1992
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