Manuscripts

Houston Family Papers

1837-1950. 2 boxes (133 folders) , ca. 500 items.MSS. COLL. #65

NOTE: The numbers cited in parentheses, e.g. 1:5, refer the researcher to the Series#:Folder# in which that name/topic will be found.

INTRODUCTION

The bulk of this collection dates from around the turn of the century and pertains to the business and personal dealings of Mrs. Bettie Houston, widow of William M. Houston. Largely, the material focuses on Mrs. Houston, the Houston & Bros. store, and her four surviving children. Researchers with an interest in turn of the century women’s history will find many of the materials interesting, as most pertain to Mrs. Houston’s business and personal/family dealings.

Arrangement: This collection is arranged into eight series and, within series, materials are arranged alphabetically. The eight series are: Account Books, 1837-1902; Athletic, 1902-1904; Bills/Receipts, 1867-1909; Correspondence, 1878-1950; Legal, 1845-1891; Literary, 1896-1901; Photographs, n.d.; and Printed Material, 1872-1940s.

Provenance: This collection was donated to the museum in several pieces over a ten-year period from 1967 to 1977. Much of it came in 1967 and was donated in the name of William Shelton Houston, deceased. The documents were accompanied by books, photographs, magazines, and objects for the museum. All of the documents seem to have been generated or originally owned by the Houston’s before coming to the museum. Donors were generally Houston family members, though Museum director Mr. William Moore did donate some of the material as well. The family Bible came from the Greensboro Public Library, having originally been donated to the library by Elisabeth Houston.

Processing: This collection was organized and the finding aid was prepared by Robert M. Browning, in January and February 1996.


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

The Houston Family Papers consist of materials pertaining to the descendants of Levi Houston, one of the first owners of Greensboro city lots. Houston bought two downtown lots in 1808, including one along what is now S. Elm St. (Jas. W. Albright, Greensboro, 1808-1904: Facts, Figures, Traditions, and Reminiscences, Greensboro: Jos. J. Stone & Co., 1904: p. 6). Materials in the collection pertain to Levi’s son, John B. Houston, and the family of William Montgomery Houston (1852-1891), the son of John B. Houston.

William M. Houston was co-owner of Houston & Bros. Grocers located at 215 S. Elm St.  He married Margaret Elizabeth “Bettie” Kerr (1857-1934) in 1877 and had six children, two of which did not live past infancy. The collection has many references to the remaining four children: William Shelton Houston (1879-1966), Elisabeth Smith Houston (1884-1966), James K. Hall Houston (1886-1960), and Alice Kerr Houston (ca. 1889-1930). There are references to other Houston’s in the collection, including another Levi, for whom William M. Houston was executor to his estate. However, there is no genealogy available, currently, to track the Houston relationships.

William M. Houston died tragically in a train accident near Statesville, NC, in 1891. The store, which was the manufacturing headquarters for Tar Heel Liniment, was then managed by a Mr. S. A. Kerr and Mrs. Houston into the early years of the twentieth century.


SCOPE & CONTENT NOTE

As a source on turn of the century business in Greensboro, this collection is extremely broad in scope. Forming the bulk of the collection, the Bills & Receipts (Series 3) show a very diverse business community in Greensboro. Researchers will be able to get a good idea of the diversity in Greensboro business during this period.

Other materials in the collection contain evidence of life in turn of the century Greensboro. Items in the Printed Material, Legal, Athletic, and Photography series may be useful for those trying to piece together the social fabric of the city’s past. Researchers interested in Greensboro names, business, and families will also find the Account Books of interest. The most useful of these are filed with Account Books and numbered #15, #28, #54.

Along with the paper documents described here there is a Family Bible (filed with Family Bibles, Acc. #1971.94.3), and a photography collection (Photo Coll. 1977.1-153). Many of the photographs depict life in downtown Greensboro before and around the turn of the century.

The correspondence contains little information on the family, but includes such miscellaneous items as a World War II Franklin Roosevelt postal cover, postmarked 1950.


SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

1. Account Books. 5 folders (5 items). 1837-1902.

The first three account books (1:1-3) contain the accounts and ledgers of clients and customers of Houston & Bros. Grocers, located on S. Elm St. in downtown Greensboro. Many Greensboro businesses and names are found on the pages of these books. The minute book (1:4) is from a high school literary club, the Davis Literary Society, in which J.K. Hall Houston was a member and officer. The final account book appears to be an undated stock book, including some discernible Greensboro names.

2. Athletic. 3 folders (9 items). 1902-1904.

These materials pertain to the activities of J.K. Hall Houston, specifically community football and baseball teams: the Church St. Baseball Club and the Greensboro Football Club No. 2. The team book (2:3) contains rosters, constitutions, and game results for both clubs. It sheds interesting light into the organization of community based youth sports around the turn of the century, while also showing how some members of Greensboro’s population spent their leisure time.

3. Bills/Receipts. 85 folders (ca. 400 items). 1867-1909.

This large series comprises almost four fifths of the entire collection. The bulk of the materials date from the years immediately surrounding the turn of the century (1898-1902). Some relate to the business, Houston & Bros., while others pertain to the household affairs of  Mrs. Bettie Houston and her children. Most of the bills bear the name of Mrs. Houston in various forms, while some contain the name of her eldest son, William Shelton Houston. With few exceptions, they pertain to Greensboro businesses, except where noted: e.g., Strawbridge and Clothier (3:73), in Philadelphia, PA; or Elizabeth College (3:14) in Charlotte, NC.

The bills and receipts represent Greensboro businesses of all types, from grocers and dry goods merchants, to doctors and pharmacists. This great diversity suggests that the city was indeed a boomtown at the turn of the century. Most businesses were located in what is now the central downtown district within blocks of one another, and many were located on familiar streets such as S. Elm, W. Market, and Davie. In general, researchers will be able to get a sense of the comprehensive scope of turn of the century Greensboro business from these items.

4. Correspondence. 15 folders (39 items). 1878-1950.

This relatively small series of letters sheds little light on the Houston family. Some interesting features, however, include a 1950 Franklin D. Roosevelt World War II postal cover (4:3) addressed to William S. Houston.

A small collection of mostly Christmas cards from radio celebrity Jessica Dragonette (4:6) are also addressed to William S. Houston. Amongst these is a card from a company named Dean’s (4:5) based in New York City thanking him for a delivery they made to her.

Of particular interest are two telegrams (4:7) announcing the death of William M. Houston in a train accident near Statesville, NC, in 1891. The photograph collection (1977.146 & 147) contains several pictures of the wreckage in which Mr. Houston lost his life.

Other material in the series includes a letter from Hall Houston (4:8) to his sister at Elizabeth College in Charlotte, containing some family news. In addition, two items (4:11,13) pertain to athletic contests involving local teams.

5. Legal. 4 folders (8 items). 1845-1891.

The legal documents span several generations of the Houston family. The receipts of inheritance (5:3) show items received by John B. Houston upon the death of his father, Levi Houston. After the untimely death of William M. Houston in the train accident mentioned above, a Report of Commissioners (5:4) concerning the Houston family and Mrs. Bettie Houston was issued and includes the signatures of three Greensboro Commissioners: Sample Brown, Jesse Wharton, and John Pritchett.

The deeds (5:2) involve several topics relating to the family. One was issued by the City of Greensboro for a cemetery plot in Green Hill Cemetery purchased by William M. Houston just months before his death in 1891. Another deed involves a Harriet Houston, whose name appears nowhere else in the collection. It concerns her inheritance from a John Houston. The final two deeds pertain to William M. Houston as the executor of the estate of a Levi Houston. They involve property on S. Elm St. where the Houston & Bros. store was located. Dated in 1888, they largely concern the distribution of inheritance between heirs, including a Charles Emerson and his wife, from Virginia.

The most interesting document in the series is an agreement (5:1) between William M. Houston and Charles Emerson for the manufacturing and sale of Tar Heel Liniment. The formula was provided by Emerson and the capital for manufacturing by Houston. Profits were to be split evenly by the two parties; the name of the product became the joint ownership of both men.

6. Literary. 2 folders (3 items). ca. 1896-1901.

This small series, consisting of materials belonging to two of Mrs. Houston’s children, provides insight into secondary education in Greensboro around the turn of the century. The composition book (6:1) belonged to Hall Houston and was used by him in the sixth and seventh grades. It contains school work he completed at the time. The writing books (6:2) were used by Elisabeth Houston. One bears the stamp of Wharton Brothers Booksellers & Stationers, a Greensboro company, which also appears in the bills/receipts (3:81).

7. Photographs. 1 folder. (Filed separately, Photo Coll. #1977.1-153).

Each photograph in this collection has a separate data sheet filed in the Search Room that should be consulted for specific information. This collection contains numerous portraits of Houston family members, particularly the family of William M. Houston, and of several African American servants employed by the family. Also included are several pictures of the front of Houston & Bros. store, located on S. Elm St. in downtown Greensboro.

Of particular note are two photos of the 1891 train wreckage near Statesville, NC, in which William M. Houston lost his life. Many photographs show street scenes in Greensboro at or before the turn of the century. Several small pictures mounted on card stock showing parades in downtown Greensboro were taken by (William) Shelton Houston with a Kodak box camera from the second floor of the courthouse.

8. Printed Material. 18 folders (43 items). 1872-1945.

This printed materials consists of many diverse items. Several interesting advertisements (8:1) that relate to Greensboro appear on the back of Houston & Bros. letterheads. These city boosterish ads were designed to attract businesses to Greensboro.

A family Bible (8:2) lists some vital statistics on the family, and is stored separately from the collection. Some early business cards (8:4) of William M. Houston provide further evidence into the family’s business interests. Of particular note is a vol. 1, no. 1 copy of a pamphlet (8:13), the H-T Gazette, that apparently focused on local news.

Several programs/playbills for theater productions include performances at the Academy of Music (8:14), the Grand Opera House (8:15), and a private residence at 317 N. Greene St. (3:16). These provide a glimpse into how and where Greensboro residents enjoyed their leisure time.  In addition, the series contains numerous programs/playbills from Broadway shows in New York City.

One of the more interesting groups of items in this series is a small number of World War II ration coupons, which were owned by various members of the Houston family. These list some biographical information such as height, weight, age, address, and in some cases, occupation.


FOLDER LISTING

SeriesFolderContents
11Account Books-- Houston Bros. Accounts (1877-1879)
2-- Houston, John B. (1837-1841
3-- Kerr, Samuel A. (1884-1894)
4Account Books-- Minute Book, Davis Literary Society (1901-1902)
5-- Miscellaneous Account/Stock Book (n.d.)
21Athletic-- Baseball Game Accounts/Scoresheets (1903)
2-- Ledger (n.d.)
3-- Team Book (1902-1904)
31Bills/Receipts-- Beall, W.D., M.D. (1899-1900)
2-- Broadoaks Sanatorium, Morganton, NC (1901)
3-- Brown, Sample (Mercantile Co., 1898-1899)
4-- Browning, J. M. (1891-1893)
5Bills/Receipts-- Caldcleugh, E.M. & Bro. (China, Glass, and Crockery, 1898-1902)
6-- Carolina Shoe Co. (1899-1900)
7-- Cartland, J.H. (Merchant Tailor, 1899-1900)
8-- Cator & Co. (Fashionable Millinery, 1900)
9Bills/Receipts-- Cunningham Bros. (Coal & Wood, 1899-1902)
10-- Daniel, Garland (Bicycles, 1898-1901)
11-- Dorsett, Charles H., (Dry Goods, Millinery, and Carpets (1901-1902)
12-- Doub, Laura (1898-1901)
313Bills/Receipts-- Elite, The (Fancy Groceries & Fine Cigars,1900)
14-- Elizabeth College, Charlotte, NC (1904)
15-- Fariss, John B. (Pharmacist, 1898-1901)
16-- Farrar, W.B. Son (Jeweler & Optician, 1897-1900)
17Bills/Receipts-- Forbis, C.O. (Furniture, Pictures, Easels, & Children's Carriages, 1899-1901)
18-- Forbis, James W. (Fresh Meats & Country Produce, 1900)
19-- Forbis, W.R. (Undertaker, 1899)
20-- Foushee, Smith, & Co. (1901)
21Bills/Receipts-- Gardner, Howard (Druggist, 1901)
22-- Gate City Mattress & Upholstery Co. (1899)
23-- Gilmer, S.L. & Co. (Dry Goods, Notions, Carpets, Millinery, 190?)
24-- Golden, E.D. (Wall Paper & Wall Moulding, 1898-1901)
325Bills/Receipts-- Gorrell & Dorsett (Fine Millinery & Fancy Goods, 1899-1901)
26-- Greensboro Bookstore (1899)
27-- Greensboro Candy Mfg. Co. (n.d.)
28-- Greensboro, City of (1901)
29Bills/Receipts-- Greensboro Hardware Co. (1899-1901)
30-- Greensboro Pressing Club (1899)
31-- Greensboro Publishing Co. (1901)
32-- Greensboro Steam Laundry (1899-1900)
33Bills/Receipts-- Guilford Lumber Mfg. Co. (1898-1900)
34-- Hamner, Rosa (Millinery & Fancy Goods, 1900-1901)
35-- Harry-Belk Bros. & Co. (Dry Goods, Clothing, Shoes, Hats, Notions, & Etc., 1901)
36-- Hendrix, J.M., & Co. (Dry Goods & Shoes, 1899-1901)
37Bills/Receipts-- Holton, C.E. (Druggist, 1898-1899)
38-- Houston & Bros. (Grocer, 1892-1896)
39-- Hughs, J.R. (1901)
40-- Johnson & Dorsett (Staple & Fancy Goods, Notions, Shoes, Cloaks, 1898-1901)
341Bills/Receipts-- Jordan, A. (1899)
42-- Kerr, S. A. (189?-1900)
43-- King, R.A. (1898-1901)
44-- Ladies Emporium (190?)
45Bills/Receipts-- Leonard, J.A. (Photographic Artist, 1899)
46-- Longest, J.N. (Builder & Contractor, 1899)
47-- Lunn, Mrs. L.A. (Millinery & Fancy Goods, 1899)
48-- Matthews, Will H. & Co. (Clothing, Gentlemen's Furnishings, Goods, & Hats, 1900)
49Bills/Receipts-- Matthews & Cranford (1901)
50-- McClamroch Bros. (Artistic Wood Mantels, 1901)
51-- McDuffie, J.R. (Crockery, Furniture, Glassware, Etc, 189?)
52-- McDuffie, N.J. (Furniture, 1897-1899)
53Bills/Receipts-- Moore, W.S. (Organs 1899-1901)
54-- Odell Hardware Co. (1898-1901)
55-- Orgali, John (1900)
56-- Phoenix, John J. (Produce, 1899-1901)
357Bills/Receipts-- Pitts & Monroe (Building Material, 1899)
58-- Proximity Store Co. (General Merchandise, 1899)
59-- Rankin Bros. Grocery Co. (1901-1902)
60-- Rankin, Chisholm, Stroud, & Rees (Clothing, 1900)
61Bills/Receipts-- Rankin & Hodgin (Dry Goods, Notions, Boots, Shoes, Hats, 1899)
62-- Rankin, Margaret (1901)
63-- Record Publishing Co. (Newspaper, 1899-1901)
64-- Rich, J.R. & Son (Plumbing, 1900)
65Bills/Receipts-- Rigsbee, A.M., Durham, NC (1867-1869)
66-- Rowe, W.W. (Dentist, 1899-1902)
67-- Scott, J.W. & Co. (Fancy Goods, 1899-1901)
68-- Sharpe, J.H. (1900)
69Bills/Receipts-- Schiffman Jewelry Co. (1899)
70-- Shrier, M.B. (Fine Shoes, 1899-1901)
71-- Smith, Ada M. (Millinery & Fancy Goods, Durham, NC, 1898-1899)
72-- Stratford, W.O. (Dealer & Commission Merchant, 1899)
73Bills/Receipts-- Strawbridge & Clothier (Dry Goods & General Merchandise, Philadelphia, PA, 1898-1900)
74-- Stroud, T.W. (Tailor Shop, 1901)
75-- Thacker & Brockerman (Dry Goods, Shoes, Carpets, Trunks, 1898-1901)
76-- Thomas, Mary (1900-1901)
377Bills/Receipts-- Turner, W.H. (1901)
78-- Vanstory, C.M. & Co. (Clothiers, 1898-1901)
79-- Wakefield Hardware Co. (1899-1901)
80-- Weatherly, Nannie C. (Millinery & Notions, 1900-1901)
81Bills/Receipts-- Wharton Bros. (Booksellers & Stationers, 1899-1901)
82-- Wharton, John C. (Lime, Cement, Plaster, 1900)
83-- Williams, J.F. & Co. (Fresh Meats & Country Produce, 1901)
84-- Winningham, J.L. (1909)
85-- Miscellaneous (n.d.)
41Correspondence-- Barbour Bros. Co. (n.d.)
2-- Chero-Cola Bottling Co. (1926)
3-- Collector's Surplus (1950)
4-- Columbia Phonograph Co. (1906)
5Correspondence-- Dean's, New York City (1935)
6-- Dragonette, Jessica (1933-1942)
7-- Houston & Bros. (1891)
8-- Houston, J. K. Hall (n.d.)
49Correspondence-- Houston, William Montgomery (1878)
10-- Rees Cigar & Sporting Goods Store (1924)
11-- Scroggs, C.R. (1903)
12-- Strawbridge & Clothier, Phila, PA (1900-1901)
13Correspondence-- Wall, Willie (1904)
14-- Wharton Bros. Booksellers & Stationers (1907)
15-- Miscellaneous (n.d.)
51Legal-- Agreement -- Charles Emerson & William M. Houston (1881)
2-- Deeds (1864-1891)
3-- Receipts of Inheritance (1845)
4-- Reports of Commissioners (1891)
61Literary-- Composition Book (Hall Houston, 1899-1901)
2-- Writing Books, The Natural System of Verticle Writing (Elisabeth Houston, ca. 1896)
71Photographs-- Houston Family Photos (See Photo Coll. 1977.1-153, and data sheets located in the Search Room)
81Printed Material-- Advertisements (City of Greensboro, post 1892)
2-- Bible (Houston Family Bible)
3-- Book (Cyclist's Dictionary, 1895)
4-- Business/Calling Cards (n.d.)
5Printed Material-- Certificates -- Draft Registration (1917)
6-- Certificates -- Orphans' Home of the Synod of N.C., Barrium Springs, N.C. (1896)
7-- Certificates -- Sunday School (1898-1899)
8-- Certificates -- Vaccination (1900)
9Printed Material-- Checkbook (John Wannamaker's Store, NYC, n.d.)
10-- Entrance Pass (Army Camp Bragg, 1919)
11-- Grade Report (Peace Institute, Raleigh, N.C.,1901)
812-- Mastheads ("The Eye," 1872)
13Printed Material-- Pamphlet ("H-T Gazette," 1901)
14-- Programs/Playbills -- Greensboro (Academy of Music, 1898)
15-- Programs/Playbills -- Greensboro (Grand Opera House, n.d.)
16-- Programs/Playbills -- Greensboro (Residence, 317 N. Greene St., 1896)
17Printed Material-- Programs/Playbills -- New York City (1899)
18-- Ration/Coupon Book (World War II, 1940s)


Index to the Houston Family Papers
(1837-1950)

Note: The numbers following the name/subject entry — e.g. 1:1 –indicate in which Series:Folder (or, if no “:”, Series only) that name/topic can be found.

Academy of Music, Greensboro: program, 8:14 (1898)
African-Americans: servants, 7:1 (n.d.)
Athletics: 2 (1902-1904); correspondence re, 4:11, 13 (1903-1904)

Barbour Bros. Co.: 4:1 (n.d.)
Baseball: 2:1, 2:3 (1902-1904); correspondence re, 4:13 (1904)
Beall, W.D. (Physician): 3:1 (1899-1900)
Broadoaks Sanatorium, Morganton, NC: 3:2 (1901)
Brown, Sample: bills & receipts, 3:3 (1898-1899); as commissioner, 5:4 (1891)
Browning, J. M.: 3:4 (1891-1893)
Business:
Bedding: Gate City Mattress, 3:22 (1899)
Bicycles: Garland Daniel, 3:10 (1898-1901)
Booksellers and book selling: Greensboro Bookstore, 3:26 (1899); Wharton Bros., 3:81 (1899-1901)
Bottling Companies, Cola: Chero-Cola Bottling Co., 4:2 (1926)
Builder: J. N. Longest, 3:46 (1899)
Building Materials: Guilford Lumber Mfg. Co, 3:33 (1898-1900); Pitts & Monroe, 3:57 (1899);
John C. Wharton, 3:82 (1900)
Butcher: James W. Forbis, 3:18 (1900); J. F. Williams & Co., 3:83 (1901)
Candy: Greensboro Candy Mfg. Co., 3:27 (n.d.)
China and Glassware: E. M. Caldcleugh, 3:5 (1898-1902); J. R. McDuffie, 3:51 (189?)
Clothing trade (General): Rankin, Chisholm, Stroud, & Reese, 3:60 (1900);
C. M. Vanstory & Co., 3:78 (1898-1901)
Clothing trade (Men’s): Will H. Matthews & Co., 3:48 (1900)
Clothing trade (Women’s): Cator & Co., 3:8 (1900); Charles Dorsett, 3:11 (1901-1902);
S. L. Gilmer, 3:23 (190?); Gorrell & Dorsett, 3:25 (1899-1901);
Rosa Hamner, 3:34 (1900-1901); Mrs. L. A. Lunn, 3:47 (1899);
Ada M. Smith, 3:71 (1898-1899); Nannie C. Weatherly, 3:80 (1900-1901)
Coal and Wood: 3:9 (1899-1902)
Dentistry: W. W. Rowe, 3:66 (1899-1902)
Dry Goods Stores: Charles Dorsett, 3:11 (1901-1902); S. L. Gilmer, 3:2 (190?);
Harry-Belk Bros. and Co., 3:35 (1901); J. M. Hendrix & Co., 3:36 (1899-1901);
Johnson and Dorsett, 3:40 (1898-1901); Rankin & Hodgin, 3:61 (1899);
Strawbridge & Clothier, 3:73 (1898-1900); Thacker & Brockerman, 3:75 (1898-1901)
Furniture Dealers: C. O. Forbis, 3:17 (1899-1901); J. R. McDuffie, 3:51 (189?); N. J. McDuffie, 3:52 (1897-1899)
Grocers: The Elite, 3:13 (1900); Houston Bros. 1:1, 3:38, 4:7 (1877-1896); Rankin Bros., 3:59 (1901-1902)
Hardware Stores: Greensboro Hardware Co., 3:29 (1899-1901); Odell Hardware Co., 3:54 (1898-1901);
Wakefield Hardware Co., 3:79 (1899-1901)
Jeweler: W. B. Farrar, 3:16 (1897-1900); Schiffman Jewelry Co., 3:69 (1899)
Laundries: Greensboro Pressing Club, 3:30 (1899); Greensboro Steam Laundry, 3:32 (1899-1900)
Lumber Yards: Guilford Lumber Mfg. Co., 3:33 (1898-1900)
Mantles: McClamroch Bros., 3:50 (1901)
General Merchandise: Proximity Store Co., 3:58 (1899); J. W. Scott & Co., 3:67(1899-1901);
Strawbridge & Clothier, 3:73 (1898-1900); John Wannamaker’s, 8:9 (n.d.)
Opticians: W. B. Farrar, 3:16 (1897-1900)
Pharmacists/Druggists: John B. Fariss, 3:15 (1898-1901); Howard Gardner,3:21 (1901);
C. E. Holton, 3:37 (1898-1899)
Photographers: J. A. Leonard, 3:45 (1899)
Physicians: W. D. Beall, 3:1 (1899-1900)
Plumbing: J. R. Rich & Son, 3:64 (1900)
Produce Dealers: James W. Forbis, 3:18 (1900); John J. Phoenix, 3:56 (1899-1901);
J. F. Williams & Co., 3:83 (1901)
Publishers: Greensboro Publishing Co., 3:31 (1901); Record Publishing Co., 3:63 (1899-1901)
Shoes: Carolina Shoe Co., 3:6 (1899-1900); J. M. Hendrix & Co., 3:36 (1899-1901);
Rankin & Hodgin, 3:61 (1899); M. B. Shrier, 3:70 (1899-1901);
Thacker & Brockerman, 3:75 (1898-1901)
Stationers: Wharton Bros., 3:81 (1899-1901)
Tailors: J. H. Cartland, 3:7 (1899-1900); T. W. Stroud, 3:74 (1901)
Undertakers: W. R. Forbis, 3:19 (1899)
Wallpaper: E. D. Golden, 3:24 (1898-1901)

Caldcleugh, E. M. (China and Glassware): 3:5 (1898-1902)
Camp Bragg, Fayetteville, NC: Pass, 8:10 (1919)
Camps, military: Camp Bragg, 8:10 (1919)
Carolina Shoe Co.: 3:6 (1899-1900)
Cartland, J. H.: 3:7 (1899-1900)
Cator & Co. (Women’s Clothing): 3:8 (1900)
Cemeteries: Green Hill Cemetery, 5:2 (1891)
Chero-Cola Bottling Co.: 4:2 (1926)
Christmas: cards, 4:6 (1933-1942)
Church St. Baseball Club: 2:1, 2:3 (1902-1904); Correspondence concerning, 4:13 (1904)
Colleges and Universities: Elizabeth College, Charlotte, 3:14 (1904);
Peace Institute, Raleigh, 8:11 (1901)
Columbia Phonograph Co.: 4:4 (1906)
Criterion Theater, New York City: program, 8:17 (1899)
Cunningham Bros. (Coal and Wood): 3:9 (1899-1902)
Cyclist’s Dictionary: 8:3 (1895)

Daly’s Theater, New York City: program, 8:17 (1899)
Daniel, Garland (Bicycles): 3:10 (1898-1901)
Davis Literary Society: 1:4 (1901-1902)
Dorsett, Charles H. (Dry Goods): 3:11 (1901-1902)
Doub, Laura: 3:12 (1898-1901)
Dragonette, Jessica: letters and cards from, 4:6 (1933-1942)

Education, Secondary: examples of work, 6:1 (1899-1901); work books, 6:2 (ca. 1896)
Elite, The (Grocers) 3:13 (1900)
Elizabeth College, Charlotte, N.C.: 3:14 (1904)
Emerson, Charles: agreement with William M. Houston, 5:1 (1881); deed, 5:2 (1888)

Farriss, John B. (Pharmacist and Druggist): 3:15 (1898-1901)
Farrar, W. B. (Jeweler and Optician): 3:16 (1897-1900)
Football: 2:3 (1902-1904); correspondence re, 4:11 (1903)
Forbis, C. O. (Furniture): 3:17 (1899-1901)
Forbis, James W. (Butcher and Produce Dealer): 3:18 (1900)
Forbis, W. R. (Undertaker): 3:19 (1899)
Foushee, Smith & Co.: 3:20 (1901)

Gardner, Howard (Druggist): 3:21 (1901)
Gate City Mattress and Upholstery: 3:22 (1899)
Gilmer, S. L. & Co. (Dry Goods): 3:23 (190?)
Golden, E. D. (Wallpaper): 3:24 (1898-1901)
Gorrell & Dorsett (Women’s Clothing): 3:25 (1899-1901)
Grand Opera House, Greensboro: program, 8:15 (n.d.)
Green Hill Cemetery: deed, 5:2 (1891)
Greensboro Bookstore: 3:26 (1899)
Greensboro Candy Mfg. Co.: 3:27 (n.d.)
Greensboro, City of: advertisements, 8:1 (post 1892); bills and receipts, 3:28 (1901);
boosterism, 8:1 (post 1892); deed with William M. Houston, 5:2 (1891)
Greensboro Football Club #2: 2:3 (1902-1904); correspondence re, 4:11 (1903)
Greensboro Hardware Co.: 3:29 (1899-1901)
Greensboro Pressing Club: 3:30 (1899)
Greensboro Publishing Co.: 3:31 (1901)
Greensboro Steam Laundry: 3:32 (1899-1900)
Guilford Lumber Mfg. Co.: 3:33 (1898-1900)

Hamner, Rosa (Women’s Clothing): 3:34 (1900-1901)
Harry-Belk Bros. and Co. (Dry Goods): 3:35 (1901)
Hendrix, J. M. & Co. (Dry Goods and Shoes): 3:36 (1899-1901)
Holton, C. E. (Druggist): 3:37 (1898-1899)
Hospitals: mental/sanatoriums, 3:2 (1901)
Houston Bros. (Grocers): accounts, 1:1 (1877-1879); bills and receipts, 3:38 (1892-1896);
correspondence, 4:7 (1891); deed, 5:2 (1888); photographs, 7:1 (n.d.)
Houston, Elisabeth: writing books, 6:2 (ca. 1896)
Houston, Harriet: deed, 5:2 (1864)
Houston, J. K. Hall: athletics, 2:3 (1902-1904); composition book, 6:1 (1899-1901);
correspondence, 4:8, 11, 13 (1903-1904)
Houston, John B.: 1:2 (1837-1841); inheritance to, 5:3 (1845)
Houston, Levi: estate of, 5:3 (1845)
Houston, William Montgomery: agreement with Charles Emerson, 5:1 (1881);
correspondence, 4:9 (1878); death, 4:7, 5:4, 7:1 (1891);
photographs of, 7:1 (n.d.)
Houston, William Shelton: correspondence, 4:6 (1933-1942); photographs of, 7:1 (n.d.)
Hughs, J. R.: 3:39 (1901)

Johnson and Dorsett (Dry Goods): 3:40 (1898-1901)
Jordan, A.: 3:41 (1899)

Kerr, Samuel A.: accounts, 1:3 (1884-1894); bills and receipts, 3:42 (189?-1900)
King, R. A.: 3:43 (1898-1901)

Ladies Emporium: 3:44 (190?)
Leonard, J. A. (Photographer): 3:45 (1899)
Longest, J. N. (Builder): 3:46 (1899)
Lunn, Mrs. L. A. (Women’s Clothing): 3:47 (1899)

Manhattan Theater, New York City: program, 8:17 (1899)
Matthews, Will H. & Co. (Men’s Clothing): 3:48 (1900)
McClamroch Bros. (Mantles): 3:50 (1901)
McDuffie, J. R. (Furniture and Glassware): 3:51 (189?)
McDuffie, N. J. (Furniture): 3:52 (1897-1899)
Moore, W. S. (Organs, musical): 3:53 (1899-1901)
Musical Instruments: Organs, 3:53 (1899-1901)

Newspapers: Record Publishing Co., 3:63 (1899-1901)
New York Promenade Deluxe, New York City: program, 8:17 (1899)

Odell Hardware Co.: 3:54 (1898-1901)
Orgali, John: 3:55 (1900)
Orphanages: Orphans’ Home of the Synod, Barrium Springs, NC, 8:6 (1896)

Parades: photographs, 7:1 (n.d.)
Peace Institute, Raleigh, NC: 8:11 (1901)
Penmanship: Natural System of Verticle Writing, 6:2 (ca. 1896)
Phoenix, John J. (Produce Dealer): 3:56 (1899-1901)
Pitts & Monroe (Building Materials): 3:57 (1899)
Pritchett, John (Justice of the Peace): as Commissioner, 5:4 (1891)
Programs and Playbills, Greensboro: Academy of Music, 8:14 (1898); Grand Opera House, 8:15 (n.d.);
New York City, 8:17 (1898); Residence, 317 N. Greene St., 8:16 (1896)
Proximity Store Co. (Merchandise): 3:58 (1899)

Railroads: accidents, 4:7 (1891); photographs 7:1 (1891)
Rankin Bros. (Grocers): 3:59 (1901-1902)
Rankin, Chisholm, Stroud, & Reese (Clothing): 3:60 (1900)
Rankin & Hodgin (Dry Goods): 3:61 (1899)
Rankin, Margaret: 3:62 (1901)
Record Publishing Co. (Newspaper): 3:63 (1899-1901)
Rees Cigar & Sporting Goods Store: correspondence, 4:10 (1924)
Rich, J. R. & Son (Plumbing): 3:64 (1900)
Rigsbee, J. M., Durham, NC: 3:65 (1867-1869)
Rowe, W. W. (Dentist): 3:66 (1899-1902)

Schiffman Jewelry Co.: 3:69 (1899)
Scott, J. W. & Co. (Merchandise): 3:67 (1899-1901)
Scroggs, C. R.: correspondence, 4:11 (1903)
Sharpe, J. H.: 3:68 (1900)
Shrier, M. B. (Shoes): 3:70 (1899-1901)
Smith, Ada M., Durham, NC (Women’s Clothing): 3:71 (1898-1899)
Star Theater, New York City: program, 8:17 (1899)
Statesville, NC: railroad accidents, 4:7 (1891)
Stratford, W. O.: 3:72 (1899)
Strawbridge & Clothier, Philadelphia, PA: bills and receipts, 3:73 (1898-1900);
correspondence, 4:12 (1900-1901)
Stroud, T. W. (Tailor): 3:74 (1901)
Sunday Schools: certificates, 8:7 (1898-1899)

Taxes: 3:28 (1901)
Tar Heel Liniment Co.: agreement concerning manufacture of, 5:1 (1881)
Thacker & Brockerman (Dry Goods and Shoes): 3:75 (1898-1901)
Thomas, Mary: 3:76 (1900-1901)
Turner, W. H.: 3:77 (1901)

Vaccinations: certificate, 8:8 (1900)
Vanstory, C. M. & Co. (Clothing): 3:78 (1898-1901)

Wakefield Hardware Co.: 3:79 (1899-1901)
Wall, Willie: correspondence, 4:13 (1904)
Wannamaker’s, John, New York City (Merchandise): check book, 8:9 (n.d.)
Weatherly, Nannie C. (Women’s Clothing): 3:80 (1900-1901)
Weber & Fields’, New York City: program, 8:17 (1899)
Wharton Bros. (Books and Stationary): bills and receipts, 3:81 (1899-1901);
correspondence, 4:14 (1907); stamp, 6:2 (ca. 1896)
Wharton, Jesse: as Greensboro Commissioner, 5:4 (1891)
Wharton, John C. (Lime, Cement, and Plaster): 3:82 (1900)
Williams, J. F. & Co. (Meat and Produce): 3:83 (1901)
Winningham, J. L.: 3:84 (1909)
World War I: draft registration certificate, 8:5 (1917)
World War II: postal cover, 4:3 (1950); ration coupon book, 8:18 (1940s)