Incredible lot of letters, images, and relics relating to Simpson Jenney, who served aboard the USS Merrimac during the Civil War and was among those saved on the day of her sinking. Prior to Civil War service, Simpson Jenney (1824-1876) served as a whaleship captain, and included is a charming folk art ship's document box, circa 1850s, stenciled with the name "Simpson Jenney." Also included in the group is a CDV of Jenney in uniform (Brooklyn imprint on verso), CDV of the U.S.S. Merrimac with hand-colored American flag (Bath, Maine imprint on verso), multiple small articles of clothing with a period note that describes them as being made with linen from the USS Merrimac, gold lace with a period label stating they were worn by Jenney while serving aboard the U.S.S. Merrimac (they are his sleeve rank), over 50 letters/documents relating to Jenney and his family dating from the 1850s to early 1900s, and eight daguerreotype, ambrotype, and tintype portraits of Jenney family members (one depicts Simpson Jenney, several depict his wife).  The group also includes two rare letters written by Simpson Jenney while aboard the USS Merrimac. In the first letter dated February 1, 1863, Jenney writes his wife "We are now about to leave Portsmouth. Will start in an hour. I don't think we will get to sea to night. I think we will stop below until tomorrow. We are bound to Key West, Florida if we don't sail to night I will write to Julia but if we go to sea will write the first opportunity. I had a letter last night from Mr. Brown. All is confusion here just now. Give my regards to all the family. God Bless." The second letter is dated February 10, 1865, Jenney writes "The Merrimac lay hard aground just off this Fort. We arrived off Wilmington last night and came to anchor close to Fort Fisher. There is a large fleet there and troops arriving daily. They are going to make another attack in about ten days. We got under way this morning to go to Charleston, N.C. with dispatches. When coming around Fort Caswell we struck on the bar. I have been ashore and went all over the Fort. It is now occupied by our troops. After Fort Fisher was taken, the rebels evacuated and blew this one up. The explosion must have been terrific. Last night we could see the rebels. Fires. We came down close to shore and saw a number of Blockade Runners. We fired revolvers and muskets at them. We got the boat and three of the men. The boat was riddled with balls. The name of that sloop we took last cruise was Henrietta."  Simpson was married to Lucy B. (King) Jenney. He is buried in Naskatucket Cemetery in Fairhaven, Massachusetts.