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The Ellis Hughes papers consist of Hughes' journal, kept during the Second Seminole War, a transcription of his journal entries and miscellaneous material which are housed in one document box and one phase box. The bulk of the documentation falls with the range of the 1830s through the 1840s with the balance of the material covering the 1850s through 1861. The materials principally consist of transcriptions and photocopies of Hughes' journal during his tour of duty as an Assistant Surgeon in Florida during the years 1838-1840. The contents of the journal provide a wealth of information on Florida during the first half of the 19th century, including descriptions of Native American, specifically Seminole, life and culture, the daily activities of military personnel, natural history subjects and American social customs. Included in Hughes' descriptions of Seminole life are phonetic representations of various words in the Seminole language. In addition, Hughes provides a visual dimension with sketches of people, animals, and places he visited.