INTRODUCTION

The James Henry Shaw Family Papers include personal and business correspondence, legal files, printed materials, two ledger books, two cased documents, one cased photograph, and three letter boxes.

About half of the materials originated with James Henry Shaw of Greensboro between 1895 and 1935. The other half, in bulk, of the collection consists of legal files, 1935-1940, of Judge Eugene Guilford Shaw, son of James Henry. Much of the personal correspondence is between James Henry Shaw and his other son, Henry Carlisle Shaw, during the son’s years in medical school and residency between 1927 and 1932.

Arrangement: The James Henry Shaw Family Papers are arranged into four series, and within each series materials are arranged alphabetically or chronologically. The four series are: Correspondence and Minutes, 1899-1936; Financial papers, 1903-1935; Printed materials; and Legal files, 1935-1945.

Provenance: This collection was donated to the Greensboro Historical Museum by Miss Irmagard Shaw of Greensboro in August 1981. It was assigned accession numbers 1981.110.1-.

Processing: This collection was processed by Vickie Anway, and the finding aid was completed on December 10, 1985.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

James Henry Shaw, born ca. 1869, was a native of Guilford County, North Carolina. He began working in 1881 at age 12 for Scott Bros. Co., a Greensboro grocer and remained with them as “right hand man” until 1896 when he left Greensboro to seek employment in the north. After living in Pittsburgh, Pa. for a few years, he returned to Greensboro around 1898 to begin a grocery business, Shaw Bros. Co., with his brother, Charles S. Shaw. After Shaw Bros. Co. closed in 1904, he became a bookkeeper for W. F. Clegg Cigar Co., later known as the Clegg Hotel. Sometime after that he became a deputy sheriff in Guilford County.

James Henry Shaw married Lillie White, a dressmaker, also of Guilford County. They had four children that lived to adulthood, Eugene Guilford, Henry Carlisle, Irmagard and Wilna. One child, Winnell, died in infancy. James Henry Shaw was popularly known as “Bud” Shaw and was active in area minstrel productions. He built the family home at 220 South Park Drive, Greensboro around 1907. Mr. Shaw was a member of the Knights of Pythias and Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Eugene Guilford Shaw, born ca. 1898 was the eldest son of James Henry and Lillian White Shaw. He attended Greensboro public schools, Oak Ridge Military Academy, and received undergraduate and law degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He served in U.S. Navy during World War I and was admitted to the North Carolina bar in 1922. Eugene Shaw practiced law in private practice in Greensboro for 25 years. From 1922 to 1925 he was Guilford County Superior Court Clerk, and from 1942 to 1949 was Public Administrator of Guilford County. In 1949 he was appointed North Carolina Commissioner of Revenue by Governor Scott, and was reappointed in 1953 by Governor Umstead. During his years as Commissioner of Revenue (1949-1957), Shaw was noted for mechanizing the checking of North Carolina residents’ state and federal tax returns and doubled the amount of taxes collected in North Carolina during his tenure. He resigned in 1957 to return to Greensboro and private law practice.

In October, 1961, he was appointed North Carolina Superior Court Judge, Guilford County, 18th Judicial District by Governor Terry Sanford. He resigned as Judge in October 1969, at age 71, due to poor health.

Eugene Shaw married Elizabeth Lindsay of Taylorsville. They had one son, Eugene Guilford Shaw Jr., who attended Princeton and also practiced law in Greensboro. Mr. Shaw was affiliated with the Young Democratic Club, First Presbyterian Church, N.C. Bar Association, Corinthian Masonic Lodge, Greensboro Real Estate Board, and the N.C. Medical Care Association.

Henry Carlisle Shaw, born ca. 1904, was the younger son of James Henry and Lillian White Shaw. He attended Augusta Military Academy, Virginia; Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri from which he received the Doctor of Medicine degree in 1928. He later served a residency in dermatology in Rochester, New York. Henry Shaw married Dorothy Barker of Cleveland around 1932, and they had at least one son, Robert Henry.

Irmagard Shaw was the elder daughter of James Henry and Lillian White Shaw. She attended Greensboro College for Women, where she studied music. She worked as a school teacher, never married, and currently resides in Greensboro.

Wilna Shaw was the younger daughter of James Henry and Lillian White Shaw. She attended Salem Academy and married Archie Thompson in Boston in December 1932.

SCOPE & CONTENT NOTE

The James Henry Shaw Family Papers include correspondence, financial and legal documents, and printed materials dating from 1895 until 1935. Ledger books from the family business and legal papers from the son’s law practice are also included. The papers were donated to the Museum after being found by a nephew of Irmagard Shaw in the family home on South Park Drive.

The collection documents the formation and closure of the family grocery business and the building of the family home in Greensboro. Together they document the cost of domestic goods just before World War 1. The minute book of the Ladies Circle at First Presbyterian Church documents various charitable and missionary activities during the Depression years of 1935-37. The personal correspondence between father and son documents medical education and related costs around 1930. The legal files document the growth of the city of Greensboro between 1935 and 1940 with documents related to land transactions in and around downtown Greensboro.

In general, the collection documents the lifestyle of a southern middle class family at the beginning of the 20th century. There is helpful material regarding the cost of living, from the grocery store accounts and the financial papers related to the construction of the family home. The details of cost and general practices of medical school education could be helpful to medical social historians. The collection would also be useful to research on the development of downtown Greensboro.

There is very little about the two daughters, mostly references in letters regarding their education, which their mother seems to have financed from her dressmaking business. There is no personal information regarding Judge Eugene Shaw in the collection. His activities in the N.C. Democratic Party are partially documented in one legal file.

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

1. Correspondence and Minutes, 1899-1936. Arranged chronologically. 32 items.

This series includes personal and business correspondence to and from James Henry Shaw relating to the grocery business and to his son, Henry Carlisle. Also a minute book of the Ladies Circle of the First Presbyterian Church chronicling the meetings and activities of that group during the 1930s.

2. Financial papers, 1903-1935. Arranged alphabetically. 75 items plus letter box contents (about 200 items).

This series consists primarily of bills and receipts relating to building and maintenance of family home. The bulk of these materials were removed from three wooden letter boxes and kept together as Groups A, B, and C. They fall roughly into three time periods: Group A – 1903-1912; Group B – 1916-1917; and Group C – 1927-1932. Some correspondence between James Henry and Henry Carlisle Shaw are in Group C. Two ledger books from the Shaw Bros. Co. are included here: one contains mostly unused receipts and the other contains the credit accounts, listing goods purchased, of various customers.

3. Printed materials. Unarranged. 26 items.

This series includes programs of minstrel shows that “Bud” Shaw appeared in; cipher books; illustrated booklets about Greensboro; other illustrated pamphlets of sights around the United States. Also three cased items: Certificate admitting Eugene Guilford Shaw to the North Carolina Bar in 1922; Certificate of Recognition to Eugene Shaw from Oak Ridge Military Academy; and photograph of Eugene Shaw in judge’s robe.

4. Legal files, 1935-1945. Arranged alphabetically. 81 items.

This series contains the legal files, in original envelopes and folders, from the law practice of Eugene Shaw. Most are title searches for real estate transactions. Transactions are primarily Greensboro property in downtown, including the Last Will and Testament, dated 1856, of Levi Houston who owned the property that is now College Park in Greensboro; and a few subdivision projects including Kirkwood Subdivision and Sunset Hills. Also included are Eugene Shaw’s papers regarding the North Carolina Democratic Executive Committee of which he was General Chairman in 1944.

FOLDER LISTING

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

This collection primarily documents late 19th and early 20th century Republican Party politics in North Carolina and the career of Thomas Settle III, though there are no explicitly biographical materials in the collection. A small amount of material pertains to Settle’s father, Thomas Settle Jr.

Arrangement:  The Thomas Settle III Papers are arranged into eight series, and within series, materials are arranged alphabetically. The eight series are Correspondence, 1844-1944; Legal, 1867; Letterbook, 1894-1908; Literary, undated; Photos, 1889-ca. 1940; Printed, 1876-1948; School Documents, 1881; and Scrapbooks, 1854-1908. The three scrapbooks constituting the Scrapbooks series were unbound; the original order of the leaves is maintained in the series. The first two scrapbook subseries was formerly filed as Newspaper Scrapbooks #10 and #11, but have been returned to this collection.

Provenance:  This collection was donated by Mrs. Emma Sharpe Avery Jeffress. Elements of it were recorded as previously unaccessioned in 1982. The scrapbooks bore the following accession numbers: 1976.13.1, 1982.1000.32, and 1982.1000.33.

Processing:  This collection was organized and the finding aid was prepared by J. Timothy Cole in February 1996.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Thomas Settle III (1865-1919) was a lawyer in Rockingham, Guilford and Buncombe Counties, served as state district solicitor (1886-1893), in the U.S. House of Representatives (1893-97), and was the Taft-Republican candidate for governor in 1912. The son of Thomas Settle Jr. (1831-1888) and grandson of Thomas Settle Sr. (1789-1857), Thomas Settle III was the third generation of a prominent Rockingham County family and was one of the most active Republicans in the state during the period from about 1890 through the teens. He attracted attention as a party organizer, campaigner, speaker and writer, and was instrumental in the distancing of the Republican Party from Negro Republicans during the first decade of the twentieth century. Settle’s grandfather was a jurist and politician and his father also gained prominence as a judge, although he is probably best remembered for his hard-fought campaign against Zebulon Vance for the governorship in 1876. Some of the indices, finding aids, etc., consulted confuse the three Settles. Settle was married to Eliza Potter of Wilmington.

Biographical Sources: Some biographical information was found in the finding aids for the Thomas Settle Papers #3345 and Thomas Settle Papers #656 held by the Southern Historical Collection at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Several articles about turn-of-the century North Carolina Republican politics rely heavily upon the Settle correspondence in the Southern Historical Collection. Written by Joseph F. Steelman, these articles are: “Republicanism in North Carolina: John Motley Morehead’s Campaign to Revive a Moribund Party, 1908-1910,” The North Carolina Historical Review 42 (Spring 1965): 153-168; “Richmond Pearson, Roosevelt Republicans, and the Campaign of 1912 in North Carolina,” The North Carolina Historical Review 43 (Spring 1966): 122-139; and “Vicissitudes of Republican Party Politics: The Campaign of 1892 in North Carolina,” The North Carolina Historical Review 43 (Autumn 1966): 430-442. Some correspondence of Thomas Settle III may also be found in the William Garrott Brown Papers at Duke University.

SCOPE & CONTENT NOTE

Types of materials in this collection include correspondence, scrapbooks, broadsides, flyers, pamphlets, programs and clippings. Most of the collection is associated with the period from 1884-1909.

Researchers interested in the history of the Republican Party in turn-of-the-century North Carolina will find a wealth of material, mainly in the form of news clippings and correspondence, although broadsides, flyers, and pamphlets relating to Republican Party politics will also be found. The letterbook series is particularly notable for Settle’s correspondence with important Republican political operatives and functionaries such as W.G. Brown (3:74), Theodore Burton (3:13,80), James S. Clarkson (3:18,49,69), and Thomas Brackett Reed (3:74). This series also includes a few letters from William H. Taft (3:42,64,93).

A number of fine political broadsides can be found in the collection (6:1-2; 8:2,7,9-14,24-25,32,36,64-65,93,95-96). There are also numerous political flyers and pamphlets (6:10-34; 8:9,13,30,32,34,38-39,50,54,56,76, 80,90,93,100).

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

1. Correspondence.  9 folders (ca. 25 items).  1844-1944.

The correspondence series includes letters from a wide range of persons on a variety of topics. An 1844 Greensboro letter addressed to Francis Rankin (1:6) is notable for its mention of Edgeworth Academy.

Another letter (1:4) from T.D. Knight to Florence S. Vance (widow of Zebulon Vance) lobbies then President Taft to appoint Thomas Settle III to a judgeship.

2. Legal.  2 folders (3 items).  1867.

This series consists of promissory notes from P.A. Hay and L.G. Ware to Thomas Settle Jr. (2:1-2).

3. Letterbook.  95 folders (ca. 250 items).  1894-1909.

The letterbook series has four distinct subseries. The first (3:1-47) consists primarily of correspondence Thomas Settle III maintained with influential Republicans while he was in pursuit of appointment to a Florida judgeship in 1907. Within the first subseries, the largest sub-groupings are the correspondences with Marshall K. Bonsall (3:10), Theodore Burton (3:13), James S. Clarkson (3:18), and Theodore Roosevelt’s personal secretary, William Loeb (3:27). There is also a letter from William H. Taft (3:42) in this subseries.

The subject of the second subseries (3:48-67) is a series of literary articles Settle penned on Republican Party politics in 1907.Relating to, and commenting on, these Settle articles are correspondences with James S. Clarkson (3:49), Walter H. Page (3:62), and William H. Taft (3:64), and others. One of these articles, entitled “Some Political History,” was published in the Asheville Gazette on March 7, 1908 — see folder 3:50.

The third subseries is a miscellaneous grouping which includes Settle correspondences with James S. Clarkson (3:69) and Thomas Brackett Reed (3:74), concerning Republican Party politics in North Carolina leading up to the elections of 1908. Significant correspondences include those with W.G. Brown (3:79) and Theodore E. Burton (3:80). There is also a Taft letter of 1908 (3:93).

4. Literary.  1 folder (1 item).  Undated.

The single folder literary series (4:1) consists of a poem about O. Henry. The poem is by Douglas Cartland, of Greensboro. He describes O. Henry as “Greensboro’s hero, Greensboro’s star, Greensboro’s outstanding light, Greensboro’s sun in the darkest night.”

5. Photos.  2 folders (2 items).  1889-ca. 1890.

Included are a reproduction of a photograph of Greensboro’s McAdoo House hotel (5:1) and a large cabinet photo of Thomas Settle Jr. (5:2).

6. Printed.  37 folders (ca. 55 items).  1876-1948.

This series includes broadsides, clippings, flyers, pamphlets, periodicals, and programs, virtually all of which pertain to North Carolina politics. Folders 6:1-2 contain Republican broadsides which caricature the Democratic Party’s policies; 6:3-4 contain broadsides which announce speeches by Mary Settle Sharpe; 6:14 and 6:25 are published addresses by Thomas Settle III; and 6:16 is an address by William P. Bynum on the presentation of a portrait of Thomas Settle Jr. to the Supreme Court of North Carolina in 1905.

7. School documents.  1 folder (2 items).  1881.

This single folder series (7:1) includes two Trinity College (present day Duke University) grade reports for William P. Bynum Jr.

8. Scrapbooks.  100 folders (ca. 600 items).  1854-1908.

This large series consists of leaves from three different scrapbooks; included in the scrapbooks are clippings, broadsides, pamphlets, speeches and correspondence, and the subject matter is almost exclusively political.

The first scrapbook (8:1-38) mostly consists of materials (primarily clippings on Republican Party politics) from the 1880s until about 1905. Folders 8:2,7,9-14,24-25, 32,36 are notable for the presence of political broadsides; 8:19 includes a group of correspondence with J.C. Pritchard, R.Z. Linney, J.P. Caldwell, and others; additional correspondence may be found in 8:28,31,35; a political map of North Carolina (1882) can be found in 8:33, and in 8:34 there is a political map of the United States (1893).

Clippings characterize the second scrapbook (1854-1907, 8:39-81) even more so than the first with the vast majority dating from the first decade of the twentieth century; as with the first, these clippings address primarily Republican Party political issues. There are, however, some notable broadsides with political cartoons in folders 8:64-65.

The final scrapbook (8:82-100) consists mainly of clippings on Republican Party politics during 1907-08; a few broadsides, flyers, and pamphlets can be found in 8:90,93,95-96,100, many of which deal with the prohibition vote.

FOLDER LISTING

Index to the Thomas Settle III Papers (ca. 1854-1948)

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. Dates of the items are given in parentheses for an individual Series/Folder or, if at the end, for the entire subject/name entry.

Adams, Charles F. (1835-1915): 6:24 (1908)
Adams, Spencer B.: 3:1 (1907)
African-Americans: 6:1,24 (1904-08)
Allison, M.B.: 3:2 (1907)
Andrews, W.R.: 3:3 (1907)
Arthur, J.P.: 6:11 (undated)
Asheville, NC: news clippings, 8 (1890s-1908)
Atkinson, Col. John Wilder: 1:1 (undated)

Beall, Thomas (?): 3:4 (1907)
Beall, William: 1:2 (1917)
Benbow Hotel, Greensboro: photo, 5:1 (ca. 1890)
Bingham, F.F.: 3:5 (1907)
Bingham, Robert W. (1871-1937): 3:6 (1907)
Bisbie, Horatio: 3:7 (1907)
Boatwright, J.H.: 3:8 (1907)
Bonaparte, Charles J. (1851-1921): 3:9 (1907)
Bonsall, Marshall K.: 3:10,68,78; 6:31 (1904-1907)
Boyd, James E.: 3:11 (1907)
Britt, James J. (?): 3:12 (1907)
Brown, W.G.: 3:79 (1908)
Burton, Theodore E. (1851-1929): 3:13,80 (1907-1908)
Bynum, William P., Jr.: 6:16; 7:1 (1881-1905)

Caldwell, J.P.: 3:14,81 (1907-08)
Capers, John G.: 3:15,48 (1907)
Carpenter, (?): 3:16 (1907)
Carr, J.O.: 3:17 (1907)
Cartland, D.: 4:1 (undated)
Cartoons and caricatures: political, 8:64-65
Chicago Tribune: 3:82 (1908)
Clarkson, James S.: 3:18,49,69 (1902-1907)
Clement, L.G.: 3:19 (1907)
Cline, Charles A.: 3:83 (1908)
Cook, Charles A.: 3:70 (1902)
Craig, Locke: 3:21 (1907)

Dalzell, J.H.: 6:28 (1908)
DAR: ancestral chart, 6:9
Dobson, John A.: 3:85 (1908)
Douglas, Robert M.: 6:21 (1906)
Duncan, E.C.: 3:22 (1907)
Duke, J.B. (1856-1925): 3:52 (1907)

Edgeworth Female Seminary: 1:6 (1844)
Edmonds, Richard H.: 3:53 (1907)
Elections: ballots (sample), 6:5 (1948); laws, 6:19-20 (1895-1897);
Republican platforms, 6:12-13,23 (1895-1908); voting, 6:32-33 (1900-1902)
Elkins, L.B.: 3:23 (1907)

Fairbrother, Al: 3:86 (1908)
Florida, letterbook: 3:1-47 (1907)
Free trade and protectionism: 6:2 (1896?)

Glen, R.B.: 3:24 (1907)
Glenn, Tyre: 3:71 (1902)
Graham, J.W.: 6:27 (1908)
Grant, J.G.: 6:10 (1907)

Harris, C.J.: 3:25,54 (1907)
Hay, P.A.: 2:1 (1867)
Hiderbrand, Walter A.: 3:55 (1907)
Hitchcock, Frank H.: 3:87 (1908)
Houk, John C.: 3:26,56 (1907)

Jones, C.W.: 6:26 (1879)

Kealing, Joseph B.: 3:57 (1907)
Knight, T.D.: 1:4 (1909)

Leigh, Aunt Lizzie: 1:7 (1944)
Lessner, Edward: 3:58 (1907)
Linker, Flora Belle: 1:5 (1883)
Linney, R.Z.: 3:59 (1907)
Loeb, William (1866-1937): 3:27,72,88 (1904-1908)
Long, C.C.: 3:28 (1907)
Lovely, M.H. (?): 3:29 (1907)
Lucas, E.W. Van C.: 3:30 (1907)

Mallery, S.R.: 3:31 (1907)
Manly, Clement: 3:32 (1907)
McCall, Samuel W.: 3:73 (1902)
McDowell, A.: 3:33 (1907)
McLaurin, John L.: 3:34 (1907)
Medlock, Henry T. (?): 3:60 (1907)
Melton, A.S.: 3:89 (1908)
Minor, C.: 3:90 (undated)

Newell, Col. Jake F.: 6:6 (1916)
North Carolina: political map, 8:33 (1882)
North Carolina, University of: 6:37 (1891)

Overman, Lee S.: 3:35 (1907)|
Overstreet, Jesse: 3:61 (1907)

Page, Walter Hines (1855-1918): 3:62 (1907)
Patterson, Lindsay: 3:36 (1907)
Poetry: 4:1 (undated)
Politics and government: maps (N.C., 1882), 8:33, (U.S., 1893), 8:34;
N.C. (1800s): 3:74; 6:7,16-1926,29; 8;
N.C. (1900s): 1:4; 3; 6:1,3-4,6,10-11, 13-14,20-25, 27-28,30-34;
political broadsides: 6:1-2; 8:2,7,9-14,24-25, 32,36,64-65,93,95-96;
political flyers and pamphlets: 6:10-34; 8:9,13, 30,32,34, 38-39, 50, 54, 56, 76, 80, 90, 93, 100.
Porter, William Sidney (O. Henry): 4:1 (undated)
Pritchard, J.C.: 3:37 (1907)

Racism: 6:1 (1904)
Railroads: 6:21 (1906)
Rankin, Francis: 1:6 (1844)
Ray, W.D.: 3:63 (1907)
Reed, Thomas Brackett (1839-1902): 3:74 (1894-1902)
Republican Party: 3; 6; 8
Roosevelt, Theodore (1858-1919): 3:27,75 (1909)

Scott, M.B.: 3:38 (1907)
Settle, Eliza P.: 1:8 (1909)
Settle, Nettie: 1:5 (1883)
Settle, Thomas, Jr. (1831-1888): 6:7,20,35 (1889); photo, 5:2 (1889)
Settle, Thomas, Sr. (1789-1857): 6:35
Settle, Thomas, III (1865-1919): 6:6,14,25 (1908-1916)
Sharpe, Ben C.: 3:91 (1907)
Sharpe, Mary Settle: 6:3-4 (undated)
Sherman, James S. (1855-1912): 3:39,92 (1907-1908)
Simmons, F.M.: 3:40 (1907)
Skinner, Harry (?): 3:41 (1907)
Smalls, Robert: 6:17 (1878?)
State, The (magazine): 6:35
Sun, The (New York): 3:52 (1907)

Taft, William Howard: 3:42,64,93; 6:15,34 (1907-1908)
Tar Heel Club, Greensboro: 6:36 (1905)
Thatcher, M.H.: 3:65 (1907)
Tompkins, D.A.: 3:94 (1908)
Trinity College: 7:1 (1881)
Turner, Josiah (1821-1901): 6:29 (1876)

United States: political map, 8:34 (1893)

Vance, Florence S. (Mrs. Zebulon): 1:4 (1909)

Waddill, Edmund, Jr.: 3:45 (1907)
Walker, P.D.: 3:46 (1907)
Walter, Phillip: 3:66 (1907)
Watson, C.B.: 3:95 (1908)
Ware, L.G.: 2:2 (1867)
Webb, Edwin Y.: 6:22 (1907)
Wentworth, George P.: 3:47 (1907)
Weightman, Richard: 3:67 (1907)
Whitson, W.R.: 1:9 (undated)
Wilson, James W.: 6:30 (1902)
Winston, G.: 3:77 (1902)

NOTE: The Archives also has Thomas Settle Jr.’s set of Col. Robert N. Scott’s The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, 50 vols., Washington: Government Printing Office, 1880. These books were given to the Museum by Mrs. Pauline Ney of New England.

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 Fred Ratledge Papers is an interesting collection that traces the long career of Fred Ratledge, a prohibition agent for the U.S. Treasury Department and as Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the Alcohol Control Board (ABC) in Greensboro. Ratledge began his career in liquor law enforcement with the Prohibition Unit of the U.S. Treasury Dept. in 1921, which became the Alcohol Tax Unit (ATU) in 1934. He worked as a Federal agent during the height of Prohibition until his retirement in 1951. He was also a Deputy U.S. Marshall in Greensboro, from 1929 to 1931. From 1952-1961, he was Chief of the ABC law enforcement division in Greensboro. Researchers interested in different aspects of prohibition and liquor law enforcement, government administration, and bootlegging practices will find this collection useful.

The collection consists of numerous materials dealing with liquor law enforcement from bulletins describing proper finger printing procedures to reports written by Ratledge documenting the busting up of illegal still operations. There is administrative and personal correspondence, case files, photographs, printed materials such as pamphlets and targets, and a nameplate. The bulk of the collection is work related.

Arrangement: The Fred Ratledge Papers are organized into nine series according to subject and document type. The series are: Chronology ATU 1922-1951, Chronology ABC 1952-1962, Correspondence, Financial, Legal, Literary, Miscellaneous, Photographs, and Printed. One book, Bates and Field’s State Government (NY, 1949), has been filed with the book collection (2001.52.2).

Access Restrictions: Due to the sensitive nature of certain materials, there are some restrictions for using this collection. Researchers are required to sign a waiver agreeing to the rules and regulations pertaining to access and usage.

Provenance: The material in this collection was created by J. Fred Ratledge during his long career as an agent for the U.S. Government and as Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the Alcohol Control Board in Greensboro. These items remained in his possession after his retirement in 1960, and stayed with his family until his death in 1975. Family member, Mr. Bob Ratledge on January 11, 2001, donated it to the GHM. The accession number is 2001.52.1.

Processing: J. Stephen Catlett began processing this collection in 2001. The arrangement and finding aid were completed by Christine A. Dumoulin, Archives Assistant, May 2003.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

John Fred Ratledge was born on January 30, 1898, in Davie County, NC. He had eight brothers and sisters and worked on his father’s farm as a youth. He attended Cana High School in Davie County and was first appointed as a Federal Prohibition Agent on December 7, 1921 in Mocksville, NC. He took federal government courses in constitutional law and worked throughout NC and Virginia. From 1921-1929, he was assigned to several stations, including Mocksville, Elizabeth City, and Salisbury. In 1929, Ratledge came to Greensboro after being appointed as a U.S. Deputy Marshall, a position he held until 1931. He then returned to his work as a prohibition agent for three more years. In 1934, Ratledge was transferred to Roanoke, Va. where he became Group Head of the newly formed Alcohol Tax Unit and trained Federal law enforcement officers from 1934-1938. In 1938, he was transferred to Greensboro and remained with the Alcohol Tax Unit until December 31, 1951. Upon his retirement from the ATU, he was awarded the Gallatin Award for outstanding service as a federal agent, a first time honor for a North Carolinian.

In 1952, Ratledge was hired as Chief of the Law Enforcement Division with the newly established ABC Board in Greensboro. He was responsible for setting up and establishing the law enforcement operations. Among his many skills as an agent, he was a certified pistol expert and had a reputation as the fastest driver (his favorite the 1940 Ford Coupe) to run down bootlegger cars, as well as being able to run down bootleggers on foot. He was thought of as a “loyal, fair, and efficient” officer with excellent knowledge of liquor laws. He was a member of the Guilford College Civitan Club, taught Sunday school at Friendship Methodist Church, and was a very popular speaker at civic and church organizations, keeping his audiences spellbound with his many experiences. He died on November 11, 1975 and is buried at the Chestnut Grove United Methodist Church in Mocksville, N.C.

Fred and his wife, Flossie had seven children. They first lived in Davie County, where the first four children were born, and then moved to Greensboro sometime between March 3, 1928, and October 9, 1929. Hayes Ratledge was actually born on Cherry St. in Greensboro. The family lived on Pearson St. until Fred had a stone house built at 6811 Friendly Road in 1939. It was considered the family homestead until Flossie died on May 5, 1994.

Biographical Sources: The biographical information came mostly from newspaper clippings within the collection and through correspondence with members of the Ratledge family.

SCOPE & CONTENT NOTE

The types of materials in this collection include case files, correspondence, bulletins, newspaper clippings, photographs, and reports, posters, and advertisements. Most of the materials focus on the professional life of Ratledge with a scant number of personal items. The first series, Chronology ATU-1922-1951, contains the majority of materials and encompasses his work during Prohibition and after its repeal in 1933. The case files are mostly reports written by Ratledge documenting the numerous investigations into individuals and establishments who were committing federal liquor law violations. A 1927 case describes the seizure of property, including stills and illegally made liquor, and a report from a lab examining the liquor seized (1:26). There is also a 1947 investigation into the ownership of a seized vehicle (1:72). The reports and administrative correspondence illustrate how agents were required to follow strict protocols and keep detailed accounts of their daily activities. A 1922 memo specifies that agents will refrain from any interviews with the press (1:4).

Chronology ABC contains materials from 1952-1961, when Ratledge worked for the Greensboro ABC Board as Chief Investigator. This series contains mostly reports documenting daily and monthly activities, as well as some annual reports with yearly statistics. There are only a scant number of case files. The correspondence is mostly administrative and includes memos and letters to agents regarding operations and procedures. One memo dated April 29 requests a special investigation into defendants believed to be conspiring to violate IRS liquor laws (2:8). A letter dated May 14 is from a private investigator inquiring about a possible connection between a stolen vehicle and car that was recently confiscated by law enforcement in Winston-Salem (2:11).

Series 3,4,5 and 7 contain a small number of items. The Correspondence series is significant in that it lists potential liquor law violators to be investigated by the ABC enforcement officers (3:1). The financial series contains audits of the ABC Board (4:1) and the legal series has changes to statutes and amendments pertaining to liquor laws in the 1930’s (5:1-5:2).

Materials in the literary series consist of both personal and work related items. There are Treasury Department lectures on prohibition laws (6:1), a memorial to a fallen ATU officer (6:5), speech notes from a 1957 regional meeting of ABC Board members (6:11), and miscellaneous items such as poetry (6:6) and song lyrics (6:10).

The photograph series contains images relating to the search and seizure of illegal stills by enforcement officers of the A.T.U. and ABC Board. Ratledge is seen in several photos. There are early photos of stills busts from when Ratledge was a young man (8:1) to later photos, such as a 1953 image showing him sitting on a desk in his office. (8:6) There is also a folder of negatives, possibly from images used for the Greensboro Daily News and the Greensboro Record (8:8). There are also two early photographs of Ratledge, which he submitted with his application to be a Prohibition Agent in 1927 (1:23); they are part of the first series.

The printed materials encompass a number of booklets, manuals, and pamphlets outlining ATU procedures and changes in federal laws pertaining to the liquor law enforcement. Most relate to regulations and procedures prior to the repeal of Prohibition. Booklets include ABC Control Laws, regulations for “Operation Moonshine” (9:10) and procedures for search and seizure (9:4). Materials pertaining to Ratledge’s gun training include a 1942 certificate becoming a pistol expert (9:15) and several targets (9:39). Several items are political in nature, one pamphlet regarding the views of North Carolina Governor, Al Smith, on immigration (9:24) and an undated election ballot (9:17).

There are significant chronological gaps within the collection. Few materials exist between the years of 1933 to 1944. The items for the years 1941-43 consist only of administrative reports written by Ratledge. Secondly, there is less material for the years Ratledge worked for the Greensboro ABC Board.

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

1. Chronology, A.T.U. 67 folders (ca. 1000 items). 1922-1951.

The materials in this series pertain to when Ratledge was working under the Prohibition and Alcohol Tax Units of the U.S. Treasury Department/Department of Internal Revenue. His early career with the Federal government is grouped under the A.T.U. heading, although the Prohibition Unit of the U.S. Treasury Dept. did not formally become the Alcohol Tax Unit until 1934.

The case files pertain to various aspects of enforcing liquor laws such as securing warrants, reports and descriptions of different raids, affidavits attesting to running illegal stills, and letters informing superiors of investigating individuals and/or establishments. A 1922 letter described the raid that took place at the home of an S. Reavis where an illegal distillery was discovered; he was later prosecuted in federal court (1:3). An interesting report dated March 16, 1950 discusses the shipment of illegal whiskey through the U.S. Post Office (1:78).

There are also some anonymous informant letters written by area citizens exposing possible liquor law violations, such as the manufacturing and transportation of illegal liquor. A letter from a “worried wife and mother” expresses her concerns about local bootleggers and says, “you ought to put a detective down there and enforce the law” (1:22).

The administrative correspondence contains memos to agents, agent assignments, press releases, and receipts for car maintenance, such as gas mileage and oil changes as reported by Ratledge. A 1932 memo assigns Ratledge and another agent to attend a University of North Carolina football game to look for liquor law violations (1:43).

The daily and monthly reports document the work Ratledge and other agents completed on a daily basis, including the number of hours worked, expenses such as gas and meals, and the people/establishments they interviewed and/or investigated. A letter from 1927 denies Ratledge’s request for the installation of a telephone and does not “offer encouragement” as to its authorization (1:26).

2. Chronology, A.B.C. 31 folders (150 items). 1952-1961.

This series contains materials related to Ratledge when he worked as the first head of the Alcohol Beverage Control board for Greensboro. The bulk of the materials are mostly administrative correspondence, reports, and some case files. Two letters from 1952 congratulate and commend Ratledge for his work in the ATU (2:2). The monthly reports are standardized forms that document the hours worked, travel expenses, number of cases, seizures, and the purchases of evidence such as illegal whiskey. Among the more interesting case files include the 1955 case involving the State of North Carolina vs. Samuel S. Thomas and other defendants for operating a club which violated state liquor laws (2:12) and 1957 list of restaurants under the jurisdiction of the Guilford County Health department (2:18). A 1953 memo stated the IRS had the authority to request the full cooperation of ABC officers and an announcement for the annual fall barbeque held by the Greensboro Police Dept (2:9).

3. Correspondence. 1 folder (2 items). ca. 1950.

This series contains a list of local residents suspected of violating liquor laws through illegal sales and distribution.

4. Financial. 1 folder (2 items). 1961-1962.

Two audits of the ABC Board, detailing ABC operations, profits, structure of law enforcement and their duties, and educational efforts.

5. Legal. 2 folders (2 items). 1931, 1936.

Materials in this series relate to several summaries of statutes and amendments pertaining to the enforcement of alcohol laws. A 1936 summary lists amendments to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act (5:1). Folder 5:2 contains 1931 regulations for obtaining consent in the search and seizure of dwellings, boats, and automobiles.

6. Literary. 11 folders (15 items). 1928-1959.

This series contains a variety of materials, including addresses, interviews, lectures, programs, and speech notes. There is an interesting interview conducted by Ratledge with the owner of the Plantation Supper Club in 1956, investigating an allegation that liquor was spotted on a table (6:2). Liquor by the drink was illegal in North Carolina until 1978. There is a 1932 address given at a convention for the Bureau of Prohibition as well as a question and answer sheet regarding prohibition laws (6:1). A 1933 memoir honors the life of Levi Trexler, an agent who was killed in the line of duty (6:5). Other items include several poems that Ratledge collected and a copy of the lyrics to the song, “Mountain Dew” (6:10). A 1959 outline for the ABC Law Enforcement Regional Meeting lays out the structure of the meeting (6:7).

7. Miscellaneous. 1 folder (1 item). ca. 1952.

Nameplate that belonged to Ratledge.

8. Photographs. 8 folders (234 items). ca. 1930-1960.

This series contains photographs, mostly pertaining to the documentation of raids to bust up illegal liquor operations. Some show the actual stills, others show the men dumping out illegal liquor, and the destruction of illegal fermenters. The ATU photos are mostly of Ratledge and ATU officers on various illegal liquor raids. An earlier 1930 photo shows ATU officers posing with an illegal still; they are dressed in suits (8:1). Folder 8:3 contains images documenting raids with ATU officers seizing and destroying fermenters in 1937. There is also a folder of negatives documenting various raids, possibly from the Greensboro News & Record (8:8). There are also two early photos of Ratledge submitted with his 1927 Prohibition Agent application, located in folder 1:23.

9. Printed Materials. 36 folders (75 items). 1919-1956.

This series consists of various materials such as advertisements, booklets, bulletins, news clippings, manuals and pamphlets. The bulletins in this series were put out by the heads of the A.T.U. and contain mostly departmental news, such as agent announcements, statistics, changes in regulations, etc. (9:13). The booklets and pamphlets are mostly government issued and cover subjects pertaining to law enforcement and various procedures.

A booklet from 1958 discusses ABC control laws (9:5). The pamphlets range from training enforcement personnel (9:27) to the classification of fingerprints (9:22). Among the more interesting items are a series of whiskey labels (9:41) and a poster spelling the dangers of drinking illegal liquor (9:37). Newspaper clippings range from 1927 to 1964. The articles range from reporting of still busts, such as a 1927 seizure of a liquor laden gas boat and the appointment of Ratledge in 1952 as head of the new ABC Board (9:16).

FOLDER LISTING

Index to the Fred Ratledge Papers (ca. 1920-1962)

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

Advertisements: Ford Automobiles: 9:1 (1953)
Printex Camera: 9:2 (ca. 1950)
African Americans: 1:29, 1:65, 2:8, 2:25, 2:30
Albright, J.D.: 1:20
Alcoholic Beverage Control Act: 5:1
Alcohol Beverage Control Board: 1:77, 4:1, 6:7
Automobiles: 1:20-21, 1:25, 1:36-39, 1:56, 1:59, 1:63, 1:67, 1:72, 1:77, 1:78, 2:8, 2:11, 2:19, 2:22

Babb, T.C.: 1:1
Banks: Wachovia Bank & Trust: 2:22
Blue Bird Café (GSO): 1:36
Bootlegging: 1:1, 1:15, 1:20, 1:25, 1:36, 1:43, 2:8
Bureau of Prohibition: 1:39, 6:1 (address)

Campbell, J.A.: 1:20
Carr, M.C.: 1:22
Cash, John T.: 8:3
Camden County, NC: 1:7
Cecil’s Service Station: 1:36
Central Oil Co. (Greensboro): 1:36
Chapel Hill, NC: 1:40
Chowan County, NC: 1:7
City of Greensboro: 2:18
Police Department: 2:9, 2:11, 2:13, 9:3 (annual report)
Coltrane, A.B.: 1:3, 1:4, 1:7-8
Cope, K.L (Sheriff): 1:8, 1:15

Davie County, NC: 1:8|
Doran, J.M.: 1:30

Edenton, NC: 1:5
Evans, Robert Paul (wanted poster): 9:36

Finger Printing: 1:40, 1:75, 9:12, 9:22-23
Fire Arms: 1:4, 1:34, 1:59
Forsythe County, NC: 1:7

Garmon, Calvin: 1:20
Guilford County, NC:
Health Department: 2:18

Harris, J.C.: 8:3
Harliss, G.M.: 1:4, 1:6
Hospitals:
L. Richardson (GSO): 2:8
Hotels:
Hotel Diamond & Café (Va): 1:5
Hotel Patrick Henry (Va): 1:22

Internal Revenue Service: 1:56, 1:67, 1:70, 1:72, 1:74, 2:2
Iredell County, NC: 1:7

Jenkins, J.J.: 9:25
Jonesville, NC: 1:15

Kennedy, W.T.: 1:20
Kohloss, R.A.: 1:1

Legal:
Court Cases: 1:36, 1:38, 2:12
Court Dockets: 1:21
Eighteenth Amendment: 1:44
Finger Printing: 1:40, 1:75, 9:12, 9:22-23
Hearings: 1:37
Memorandum of Violations: 1:29
Narcotic Act: 1:21
National Prohibition Act: 1:21, 1:30, 1:36-1:37
Regulations: 9:5-9, 9:11, 9:20, 9:32, 9:40
Search and Seizure: 1:8, 1:15, 1:20, 1:25, 1:36-1:38, 1:43, 1:48, 1:56, 1:59, 1:67, 1:68, 1:70, 1:72, 1:77-78, 2:11, 2:26, 5:1, 8:1-8, 9:4
Warrants: 1:39, 1:46
Lenoir, NC: 1:20
Lexington, NC: 8:5 (1946)
Lovelace, R.L.: 1:4

McDuffie, A.G.: 1:21, 1:22
McFee, Harold: 1:48
Mambo Lounge: 2:12
Martinsville, Va: 8:3 (still bust)
Mason, D.E.: 8:7
Merrick, R.Q.: 1:15-16, 1:21, 1:26, 1:30, 1:37
Miller, C.V.: 1:15
Moonshine: Poison poster, 9:37
Mountain Dew (lyrics): 6:10

Narcotic Act: 1:21
National Prohibition Act: 1:21

Oak Hill Grocery (High Point): 1:36
Osteen, J.L., Hon.: 1:15, 1:16, 1:20-122, 1:26, 1:30, 1:36-39

Pearson, F.P.: 1:20, 1:21
Perquimans County, NC: 1:6
Photographs: 1:23; 8
Plantation Supper Club: 6:2
Poetry: 6:6
Pratt, Robert L.: 1:3
Prince, Rube: 1:59
Prohibition agents: Levi Trexler, death of: 6:5 (1933)

Ratledge, Fred: 1:6, 1:8, 1:16, 1:39
Reavis, S.: 1:3

Schools: Franklin Institute (New York): 1:24
University of North Carolina: 1:40
Shady Inn Service Station (Reidsville): 1:36
Smith, Governor Al: 9:24
Standard Oil Company: 1:26
Stewart, L.M.: 1:15
Stokes County, NC: 1:7
Summerfield, NC: (photos): 8:6
Surry County, NC: 1:7

Trexler, Levi: 6:5
Tuttle, R.E.: 2:2

United States Coastguard (Cert.): 9:14
United States Treasury Department:
Alcohol Tax Unit: 1:56, 1:67, 1:68, 1:70, 1:72, 1:74
Application: 1:19
Certificate: 9:15
Oath of Office: 1:11

Wagoner, Lonnie: 1:15
Walker, E.E.: 1:1
Weisiger, J.P.: 8:3
Wilks County, NC: 1:7
Wilkesboro, NC: 1:20
Wilkins, T.C.: 8:3
Windy Gap, NC: 1:20
Wommack, Jim (photographs): 8:6
Woodcock, A.W.W.: 1:39

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 Mitchell Family Papers consist of documents relating primarily to the business dealings of Joseph and Samuel Mitchell in Guilford County. The collection contains correspondence, receipts, deeds, agreements, literary compositions, and printed materials. Though somewhat small, it details typical business dealings and daily life in 19th century Guilford County. Researchers will find materials relating to sale of slaves, as well as dry goods and services. The legal documents relate to such subjects as guardianship, real estate, and breach of marriage. Also included are several letters from out of state friends that document events outside of North Carolina. Materials pertaining to the Mitchell family itself are limited.

Arrangement: This collection is arranged into six series by document type, then alphabetically by subject and/or document type within series. The series are: Bills & Receipts, 1824-1899; Correspondence, 1835-1881; Documents, ca. 1850, 1899; Legal, 1763-ca. 1900; Literary, ca. 1850; and Printed Materials, 1854-1890.

Provenance: The provenance of the original portion of this collection is unknown. Additional financial and legal materials were donated by Barbara Mitchell Parramore, daughter of Samuel S. Mitchell (1894-1986), in October 2017 and assigned accession number 2017.41.1.

Processing: The original portion of this collection was probably processed by Archivist J. Stephen Catlett. The 2017 addition was integrated by volunteer Olivia Carteaux, and the finding aid was revised in November 2017.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

This collection relates to the descendants of Adam Mitchell Sr. of Guilford County (then Orange Co.), who purchased land on North Buffalo Creek, a portion of which was sold to found Buffalo Presbyterian Church in 1756. Materials relating to his great grandsons, Joseph and Samuel Mitchell, form the core of this small collection, which documents aspects of their lives during the 1830s-1860s. For a brief mention of the Mitchell family, see S.M. Rankin, Buffalo Church and Her People (p. 26). In brief: Adam Mitchell Sr. was the father of Adam Mitchell Jr., who was the father of Adam Mitchell III (1766-1841), who was the father of Joseph and Samuel.

SCOPE & CONTENT NOTE

This collection primarily documents the business and legal affairs of Joseph Mitchell, and to a lesser extent his brother Samuel, both of Guilford County. Some of the material concerns William Mitchell (relationship unknown), for whom Joseph served as guardian.

Bills and receipts make up the largest series and offer information about goods and services during the period. Of particular note are documents concerning: blacksmithing (1:3), tailoring (1:9), house building & lumber (1:11, 1:14), medicine (1:16), midwifery (1:21), Porter business (1:24-25), schooling (1:28), shoes & socks (1:30), and tobacco sales (1:36). Interesting documents from the 1830s concern the support of illegitimate children apparently fathered by Joseph Mitchell (1:34, 4:6). Additional financial and legal materials from the 1830s-1850s relate to African Americans (1:31, 4:15-16).

Correspondence, dating from 1835-1899, although not voluminous, contains interesting letters from friends writing from various places: Arkansas (2:9); Georgia (2:9); Greensboro (2:3, 2:5, 2:7); Kernersville (2:7, 2:10); Missouri (2:2); New Orleans (2:6); and Reidsville (2:1). Two of the letters (2:5, 2:10) include artwork.

Miscellaneous materials include: two Masonic Lodge #76 items, including a 1855 membership request (3:3) and a 1854 printed invitation; an 1842 property rental agreement in Greensboro (4:3); 1853-1854 N.C. Railroad Co. stock receipts (1:20); an 1861 Kernersville High School report for S.A. Mitchell (6:3); and an 1890 broadside calling a meeting of the Justices of the Peace and Guilford Co. Commissioners to levy taxes and elect commissioners (6:1). Of interest in the addition to the collection are two 1899 orders from the Southern Railway Company for cross ties and switch ties (3:7), and an ordinance from the Board of Trustees of the Morehead Township regarding the construction of an electric street railway (4:17).

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

1.  Bills and Receipts.  39 folders (ca. 155 items).  1824-1894.

This series relates primarily to the business dealings of Joseph Mitchell. The receipts pertain to a wide range of payments, from blacksmithing services to school tuition. The blacksmithing receipts document the making of shovels, pitchforks, lynch pins, and wagon tires (1:3). Several receipts document the sale of dry goods & foodstuffs, such as calico, shoes, spool cartons, gall molasses, and eggs (1:6). Also present are bills and receipts from S.S. Mitchell & Bro. (1:33) and pages from a ledger (1:17), a receipt for tuition at Kernersville High School (1:10), and a receipt for the support of illegitimate children, possibly Joseph Mitchell’s (1:34).

2.  Correspondence.  10 folders (ca. 18 items).  1835-1881.

This series, though limited in scope, contains several professional letters and correspondence from friends and family who were traveling. Slave sales are discussed in a brief note from Ralph Gorrell to Joseph Mitchell (2:1) and a letter from Samuel to Joseph Mitchell (2:6). Another letter concerns J. Wharton resigning his teaching position due to poor health (2:9). Also included are several letters from family members and friends who traveled to different states. The letters of J. Whittington describe the people and environs of New Bern (NC), Georgia, and Arkansas (2:10). A letter to Martha Mitchell contains a folksy drawing of a man and woman (2:5).

3.  Documents.  7 folders (10 items).  ca. 1850, 1899.

Among the more interesting items in this series are a membership request for a Masonic Lodge (3:3), military procedures (3:5), and a drawing and other information about property belonging to Robert and George Rankin (3:6). Also worth mentioning are two orders from Southern Railway Company for cross ties and switch ties, with the latter accompanied by specifications (3:7).

4.  Legal.  19 folders (ca. 60 items).  1763-ca. 1900.

This series contains a variety of documents pertaining to the affairs of the Mitchell family. Materials relating to slavery include a bond hiring a Negro girl (4:4) and petitions for a slave sale order (4:15). Documents relating to real and personal property include the estate papers of Samuel Mitchell (4:12), deeds (4:7-10), and several wills of Adam Mitchell (4:18). Of particular interest are a breach of marriage suit brought by Sally Kirkman against Joseph Mitchell (4:6), and an ordinance from the Board of Trustees of the Morehead Township for the creation of an electric street railway by John Karr and M.D. Barr, both of whom became officers of the Greensboro Electric Company (4:17).

5.  Literary.  3 folders (4 items).  ca. 1850.

The items in this series are primarily school-related and most likely written by Samuel Mitchell. Included are school compositions on love and the miseries of idleness (5:1), a short musical composition (5:2), and a series of verse (5:3).

6.  Printed Materials.  4 folders (4 items).  1854-1890.

This series contains miscellaneous items relating to either Joseph or Samuel Mitchell. One general announcement relates to an 1890 meeting of the Commissioners and Justices by J.W. Causey, Clerk of County Commissioners (6:1). Also included are a promissory note from Joseph Mitchell to pay the Greensboro Mutual Life Insurance and Trust Co. (6:2), a report card for S.A. Mitchell from Kernersville High School in 1861 (6:3), and an 1854 invitation to the Masonic Lodge in Greensboro (6:4).

FOLDER LISTING

Index to the Mitchell Family Papers (1763-ca. 1900)

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

Allison & Addison (Richmond, VA): 1:1
Arkansas: letters from, 2:10
Aydelott, Benjamin: 4:9

Banner, Mary: 1:2
Blacksmithing: 1:3
Brown, Michael (blacksmith): 1:3
Buffalo Presbyterian Church: 1:4

Caldwell, Thomas: 4:6
Causey, J.W.: 6:1
Clark, David: land rental agreement, 4:1
Cobb, H.W.: 4:7
Cunningham, N. H.: 2:1

Dillen, Andrew: deed, 4:8
Donnell, Nancy: 4:2
Donnell, Robert W.: 2:2

Electric street railway: 4:17

Fike, William: 4:2
Freemasons: Lodge #76, 3:3, 6:4

Georgia: letters from, 2:10
Gillespie, C.A.: 1:5
Gilmer, Robert: 2:3
Gilmer, William S. & Son: 1:6
Gorrell, Ralph: 2:4
Greensboro: lot rental, 4:3; property in, 4:10
Greensboro Mutual Life Insurance & Trust Co.: 6:2
Greensboro Patriot: 1:31
Guilford County Commissioners: meeting, 6:1

Harkins & Gorrell: 1:7
Harvey, Isaac: 4:3
Hendrich, Rodney K. (blacksmith): 1:3
Holland, Thomas: 4:9
Houses: lumber, 1:14; shingles: 1:11
Humphreys, Henry: 1:8

Joller, James F.: 1:9

Kelly, Isabella: 4:14
Kernersville High School: 1:10, 6:3; letters from, 2:7, 2:10
Kirkman, Sally: 4:6
Kirkpatrick, Samuel: 4:5

Landreth, W.M. (blacksmith): 1:3
Lewis, Levi: 1:7
Lindsay, Jesse H.: 1:12
Logan, John M.: 1:13

McConnel, W.J.: 1:15
McIver, James (blacksmith): 1:3
McLean, M.A.: 1:28
McNeely, James: 4:10
Medicine: 1:16, 3:4
Military education: 3:5
Missouri: letters from, 2:2
Mitchell, Adam: 4:18
Mitchell, Martha: 2:5
Mitchell, S.S. & Bro.: 1:1, 1:33
Moderwell, Robert: 1:18
Mt. Pisgah Church: 1:19
Music: compositions, 5:2

National Bank of Greensboro: 1:27
New Orleans: letters from, 2:6
Newspapers: advertising fee for slaves, 1:31
N.C. Railroad Company: 1:20

Parish, Phebe (midwife): 1:21
Piedmont Guano Company: 1:22
Planters National Bank: 1:23
Politics: election results: 3:1
Porter, Algernon Sydney: 1:24
Porter, William C.: 1:25
Pritchett, William: 1:22

Rankin, George: property, 3:6
Rankin, Robert: property, 3:6
Rankin & McLean: 1:26
Reidsville: letters from, 2:1
Rich, George W.: 1:27

Schools: costs, 1:28; teachers, 2:7
Scott & McAdoo: 1:29
Shive, J.W.: 1:30
Sides, W. (blacksmith): 1:3
Slaves & slavery: 1:31, 2:4, 4:4, 4:15-16
Sloan, J. & R.: 1:32
Southern Railway Company: 3:7
Standfield, R.W.: 1:1
Stokes, Samuel: 4:9

Tailoring: 1:9
Tax Payments: 1:35
Thomas, W.H.: 1:1
Tobacco: sales receipts, 1:36

Unthank, Jane: clothing/support of, 4:16
Unthank, Rufus: clothing/support of, 4:16

Weatherly, A.: 1:37
Wharton, J.: 2:8
Wharton, W.P.: 1:38
Whittington, T.M.: 2:9
Williams, Richard: 4:9
Wilson, Richard: 4:9
Winbourne & Whitty: 1:39
Worth-Wharton Real Estate: 1:38

Yates, Charles G.: 1:19
Young, Emily C.: 2:10

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 Moseley Family Papers are divided into three groups: the Minnie Frank Hays Moseley, the Robert Moseley and the Moseley Family. The bulk is composed of items produced by or for members of these groups.

Researchers interested in literary works will find numerous writings by Minnie Frank Hays Moseley. Mrs. Moseley’s song lyrics, many of which she wrote in collaboration with her brother, Lee Hays are included in this collection. Lee Hays was a musician and song-writer who played in a 50s band, The Weavers, with Pete Seeger, who was also a song-writer and social activist. Mrs. Moseley’s correspondence includes a signed letter from Pete Seeger.

The papers of Robert Moseley include interesting correspondence pertaining to his work as an attorney for the Greensboro City Schools as well as his service of three terms in the North Carolina House of Representatives. There are numerous references to Mr. Moseley as the recipient of the Judge John J. Parker Award. The Parker Award—the highest award given by the North Carolina Bar Association—was awarded to Mr. Moseley in appreciation of his work on the General Statutes Commission.

The Moseley Family Group contains family photos, genealogical material, and family documents which include receipts for slaves.

Arrangement: The collection is arranged into three groups: the Minnie Frank Hays (I), the Robert Moseley (II) and the Moseley Family (III). The Minnie Frank Hays group is arranged into twelve series, and within each series folders are arranged alphabetically. The following are the twelve series: Artwork, Nd.; Awards and Certificates, 1955-57; Biographical — Lee Hays, Nd.; Correspondence, ca. 1935-64; Genealogy — Hays/Reinhardt Family, Nd.; Greensboro Writers (Organization), ca. 1956; Legal, 1972-74; Literary, Nd.; Miscellaneous, Nd.; Moseley, Robert F., Jr., Nd.; Musical Compositions, ca. 1957-75; and Printed, ca. 1939-65.

The Robert Moseley group is arranged into ten series, and within each series folders are arranged alphabetically. The following are the ten series: Biographical, ca. 1917-72; Correspondence, ca. 1942-72; Financial, ca. 1932-46; Funeral, 1972; Legal, 1929-72; Literary, 1917-44; Military Service Records, 1917-71; Parker Award, 1962; Photos, ca. 1900-70; and Printed, 1919-72.

The Moseley Family group is arranged into nine series, and within each series folders are arranged alphabetically. The following are the nine series: Family — Bible, 1843; Family — Birth/Death/Marriage Dates, Nd.; Family — Clippings, ?-1972; Family — Correspondence, ca. 1865-70; Family — Documents, 1845-65; Family — Genealogy, Nd.; Family– Miscellaneous, Nd.; Family–Moseley, William Dunn, Nd.; Family–Photos, ca. 1895-1970.

Provenance: This collection was donated by Isabel Morse Maresh from Morrill, Maine, in 1989. The accession number is 1989.108.001. Ms. Maresh acquired the papers at an estate sale.

Processing: This collection was organized and the finding aid prepared by Melissa Garrison, UNCG History Dept. Intern, in March 2000.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Robert Franklin Moseley was born in Sampson County, near Clinton, North Carolina on February 10, 1891 to Franklin Faison and Rowena Royall Moseley. After attending the public schools in Clinton, he went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed an A. B. degree there in 1919, after an interruption for service in the United States Army in World War I. Mr. Moseley also attended the university law school and was later licensed to practice in 1922. Before Mr. Moseley began his career as an attorney, he taught in the public schools of the state, including Rocky Mount High School, where he later became principal (1919-20). He was later named city superintendent of schools in Tarboro (1921-22).

Mr. Moseley relocated to Greensboro in 1922 where he later served as city attorney (1928-29). He married Minnie Frank Hays on September 19, 1929. They had one child, Robert F, Moseley, Jr., who was born on August 4, 1936. In 1930, Mr. Moseley served as chairman of the Guilford county board of elections. He also served as a member of the Greensboro school board from 1929 through 1941. In addition, Mr. Moseley represented Guilford County in the state house of representatives for the 1943, 1945 and 1947 sessions.

While in the State House, Mr. Moseley introduced legislation to create the General Statutes Commission in 1945. He served as chairman of the Commission from 1945 to 1961. His distinguished service was recognized when the North Carolina Bar Association awarded him the Judge John J. Parker Award in 1962. In the same year, the University of North Carolina awarded him an honorary LL.D degree. Mr. Moseley died on December 23, 1972.

Mr. Moseley’s wife, Minnie Frank (Fran) Hays, the other principal subject of this collection, was born in Batesville, Arkansas to the Reverend William Benjamin and Ellen William Reinhardt Hays. She had three brothers, Reuben, William, and Lee. Lee Hays was a short story and song-writer who sang with the Weavers, a 1950s band, with singer and social activist Pete Seeger. Mrs. Moseley was a writer of short stories, poetry, and songs. She won local awards for her work. Mrs. Moseley died on December 3, 1973.

Biographical Sources: There are two main biographical sources compiled by Robert Moseley himself that provide a rough sketch of his life—the personal reference sheet he supplied to the Greensboro Daily News in 1969 and the information sheet he prepared for his class reunion at UNC Chapel Hill in 1969 (II: 1:3). The memorial to Mr. Moseley, presented to the Greensboro Bar Association in 1973, also provides useful information (II: 1:2). Researchers will find, however, conflicting dates in some of the newspaper articles printed about Mr. Moseley (II: 1:1). For the purpose of compiling his biographical note, his personal biographical submissions were used.

Much less is known about Minnie Frank Moseley. Her biographical note was primarily compiled using an undated typewritten letter she planned to submit to a newspaper (I: 5:1).

SCOPE & CONTENT NOTE

Types of material in this collection primarily include artwork, correspondence, literary documents, photographs, awards and certificates and printed material.

The bulk of materials in the Minnie Frank Hays Moseley group (I) are her literary works. Much of her poetry and short story writing is fiction and covers a wide variety of topics (8). Mrs. Moseley did win local prizes for her work (2), but her writing was declined for publication in numerous magazines (8:19-22). Mrs. Moseley did, however, write the lyrics to the song “Seven Daffodils” with her brother, Lee Hays. The song was released by the 1950s band The Weavers—a group that included Lee Hays and song-writer and social activist Pete Seeger (11:2). Among Mrs. Moseley’s correspondence is a letter signed by Pete Seeger (4:21).

The primary materials included in the Robert Moseley’s group (II) are correspondence. Letters in this series include many topics, from personal to professional. The great majority of correspondence consists of congratulatory letters (2:56, 83, 149, 143) sent to Mr. Moseley in 1962 after he was awarded an honorary doctorate from UNC-Chapel Hill and the Judge John J. Parker award for his service on the General Statutes Commission. A highlight of this correspondence is letters regarding Mr. Moseley’s work during his terms as a legislator in the General Assembly to assist African-Americans and to improve public education (2:53, 87, 92, 126, 129).

Numerous references to Mr. Moseley’s public and political involvement are included in this collection (10). Certificates and awards, both educational and professional (10:2, 3), newspaper clippings (10:6-13), citations and resolutions (10:5), and political items (10:1, 22), all illustrate Mr. Moseley’s community involvement in a wide variety of areas.

The Moseley Family group (III) primarily contains genealogical materials. Family photos (9), a family Bible (1:1), and other old family documents, which include the selling of slaves (5:2), are included in the Moseley Family Group.

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

I. Minnie Frank Hays Moseley

1. Artwork. 2 folders (16 items). Nd.

This series includes pencil, pen and ink drawings, and paintings by Fran Moseley (1:1). Her subjects include people, cats, the influenza club, sewing baskets, and flowers. Mrs. Moseley’s sketches of women’s fashion (1:2) feature long, flowing gowns and women’s hats.

2. Awards and Certificates. 1 folder (4 items). 1955-1957.

Certificates in this series include first place for poetry and third place for a children’s story in the Greensboro Writers Annual Contest in 1955. Mrs. Moseley also received 1st Honorable Mention for poetry in the Greensboro Writers Annual Contest in 1957. A certificate of merit won in 1956 for participation in the Writer’s Digest short story contest is included in this series.

3. Biographical—Lee Hays. 1 folder (1 item). Nd.

This series contains information regarding Fran Moseley’s brother, Lee Hays. Hays was a musician and song writer who played in a 1950s band, The Weavers, with Pete Seeger. The Weavers were blacklisted during the 1950s. The item in this series is an excerpt from the book, How Can I Keep Singing: Pete Seeger, by David King Dunaway. It includes a photo and a short biographical note on Lee Hays.

4. Correspondence. 24 folders (36 items). ca. 1935-1964.

Correspondence in this series includes a wide variety of topics, from personal to professional. There are incoming letters, as well as copies of Fran Moseley’s outgoing correspondence. The latter gives interesting insight into Mrs. Moseley’s thoughts and beliefs.

Personal letters from Mrs. Moseley to her brother, Lee Hays, and her son, Robert F. Moseley, Jr. can be found in folders 4:8; 13. In a letter to her son, Mrs. Moseley expresses missing the presence of her former maid, Maggie, an African-American woman who worked in their household for many years. She confesses that she is ashamed of paying Maggie such low wages and announces that her attitude toward the rights of men and women has changed (4:13). Those looking at Mrs. Moseley’s writings throughout this collection will brand her as racist, but this letter shows how her views changed over time.

An important highlight among the personal letters is a letter to Mrs. Moseley from Pete Seeger, the song-writer and social activist (4:21).

Letters of a political nature are included in folders 4:10; 17. These unfinished letters were written by Mrs. Moseley and directed to President Johnson and Attorney General Robert Kennedy regarding the assassination of John F. Kennedy (4:10). The letter included in folder 4:17 is addressed to Governor Terry Sanford. It includes Mrs. Moseley’s stance on the death penalty.

Numerous letters in this series were sent to magazines, such as Esquire, Good Housekeeping and the New Yorker, to inquire about Mrs. Moseley’s stories or copyright rules. In addition, a detailed evaluation of Mrs. Moseley’s health, conducted by Dr. R. H. McDonald at the Cleveland Clinic in 1939, is included in this series (4:2).

5. Genealogy—Hays/Reinhardt Family. 1 folder (4 items). Nd.

This series includes genealogical information on Mrs. Moseley. Her parents were William B. and Ellen William Reinhardt Hays who lived in Batesville, Arkansas. One item in this series is a family tree of the Reinhardt family. Also included is a pamphlet written by Mrs. Moseley’s father, who was a Methodist minister, entitled “A Life Story.” William Hays was a member of the North Arkansas Conference.

6. Greensboro Writers (Organization). 1 folder (4 items). ca. 1956.

These papers show contest entrants and judges for Greensboro Writers contests, one of which was held in 1956. Robie Macauley, Dr. Blackburn of Duke University, and Walter Spearman of the University of North Carolina, are judges whose opinions are included in this series. There is also a program for “An Afternoon of Poetry and Ballet” sponsored by the Greensboro Writers, with the assistance of the Greensboro Civic Ballet, in which Mrs. Moseley was a poetry reader.

7. Legal. 1 folder (9 items). 1972-1974.

Mrs. Moseley’s Last Will and Testament, and other papers pertaining to the control and distribution of her estate, are included in this series. The closing statement from the sale of her Greensboro residence, as well as a list of items sold within it, are included.

8. Literary. 37 folders (455 items). Nd.

This large artificial series contains seven major divisions: acceptance letters, anecdotes, early writing, notebooks, poetry, rejection letters and short stories. Duplicates of Mrs. Moseley’s writing have been kept, whenever possible, to show the stages and development of the writing process.

Acceptance letters from magazines, planning to include Mrs. Moseley’s writing, are included in 8:1. Anecdotes written by Mrs. Moseley are contained in 8:2-5. These stories pertaining to Greensboro, World War II and the Civil War and race have been filed separately within this folder group. Of special interest in this group is the mention of Greensboro’s hospitality and frustration with World War II soldiers (8:3).

Mrs. Moseley’s early writing, produced when she resided in Booneville, Arkansas, is included in folders 8:6-7. Notebooks that contain notes and ideas for Mrs. Moseley’s writing can be found in folders 8:8-9.

One of the largest divisions in this series is Mrs. Moseley’s poetry (8:10-18). The topics of her poetry include a wide variety of subjects from love, travel, explorers, and sailors. Poetry regarding flight (8:14), housewives (8:15), John F. Kennedy (8:16), and North Carolina (8:17) has been filed separately within this group of folders. Poetry that was printed by Mrs. Moseley at Chapman Press in Greensboro, as well as the Washington Evening Star, is included in 8:18.

Rejection letters from numerous magazines unwilling to print Mrs. Moseley’s work have been organized by date when possible. Some of the magazines include: Reader’s Digest, Saturday Evening Post, Mademoiselle, and Ladies’ Home Journal (8:19-22).

The bulk of this series includes Mrs. Moseley’s short stories (8:23-37). Numerous subjects are covered in her short stories. Those pertaining to her brother Lee Hays (8:34), race (8:35), soldiers (8:36), and a southern accent, or manner of speaking (8:37), have been filed separately within these folders.

9. Miscellaneous. 1 folder (11 items). Nd.

This series contains writings, as insignificant as Fran Moseley’s notes, regarding the amount of postage she spent sending her writing to magazines, to writings by unknown authors, tips on grammar, and a writing by De Broglie. An advertisement for a record of John F. Kennedy’s speeches can be found in this series as well.

10. Moseley, Robert F., Jr. 1 folder (1 item). Nd.

The item in this series was not written by Robert Moseley, Jr, but rather by his mother. Included in this series are the notes of Mrs. Moseley regarding the childhood sayings and antics of her son.

11. Musical Compositions. 2 folders (ca. 20 items). ca. 1957-1975.

Fran Moseley’s lyrics to musical compositions are contained in this series, many of which she wrote in collaboration with her brother, Lee Hays. Miscellaneous song lyrics (the majority of which are one page)—“He Remembered Spring,” “Don’t Marry A Mermaid,” “I’ll Dream No More of My True Love,” “Saturday Street,” Perhaps We’d Better Marry,” “Perhaps You’ll Call Me Darling,” “and “Blue Ridge Love Song”—are grouped in folder 11:1.

Information related to the song “Seven Daffodils,” a song that was released by The Weavers, can be found in folder 11:2. An album cover, lyrics, and the music to “Seven Daffodils,” as well as letters pertaining to the royalties received by Mrs. Moseley for the song, are included. The album cover shows a picture of the band The Lords and was used for demonstration purposes only by Columbia Records in Germany.

12. Printed. 2 folders (14 items). ca. 1939-1965.

This is a miscellaneous grouping of printed items, from newspaper clippings to pamphlets. Some of the newspaper clippings pertain to Fran Moseley’s work as chairman of the Girl Reserve Committee in Greensboro, others involve her writing awards, and a few articles are included that inspired Mrs. Moseley to write (12:1). The pamphlet is entitled “Bay Leaves” and includes prize poems from the Poetry Day contests in 1956-1957. Mrs. Moseley’s poem, “Gypsy Song,” is included in this pamphlet (12:2).

II. Robert F. Moseley

1. Biographical. 4 folders (ca. 30 items). ca. 1917-1972.

Items in this series range from newspaper clippings, to memorials, to printed materials that contain biographical information on Robert Moseley. The news clippings include a “Tar Heel Micro-Biography” of Mr. Moseley, articles pertaining to his work as an attorney for the Greater Greensboro School Board, and his obituary (1:1). Memorials to Mr. Moseley submitted by the Greensboro City Board of Education, the General Statutes Commission and the Greensboro Bar Association are grouped in folder 1:2 along with letters acknowledging memorial gifts made in Mr. Moseley’s honor to the Greensboro Historical Museum.

Biographical information, submitted by Mr. Moseley to the Greensboro Daily News and UNC-Chapel Hill, can be found in folder 1:3. Documents in this folder also verify the years in which Mr. Moseley served on the Greensboro City School Board and as a member of the General Statutes Commission.

This series also contains printed biographical material that includes a UNC-Chapel Hill directory for the class of 1919 and directories for members of the North Carolina Representatives and the Greensboro Bar. Also included are editions of the Greensboro Bar News and a page of UNC-Chapel Hill’s Alumni Review (1:4).

2. Correspondence. 152 folders (ca. 160 items). ca. 1942-1972.

The majority of the Robert Moseley collection/group consists of correspondence. Letters in this series include many topics, from personal to professional. There are incoming letters, as well as copies of Robert Moseley’s outgoing correspondence. The correspondence relating to Mr. Moseley’s legal and political work, spread throughout the series, gives interesting insight into Moseley’s thoughts and beliefs. One will not find, however, any personal correspondence to Mr. Moseley’s wife Fran or his son Robert Moseley, Jr.

The great majority of correspondence consists of congratulatory letters. These letters were sent to Moseley in 1962 after he was awarded an honorary doctorate from UNC-Chapel Hill and the Judge John J. Parker award—the highest award given by the North Carolina Bar Association—for his work on the General Statutes Commission.

Moseley received congratulatory letters from a wide variety of people. Greensboro attorneys, such as Beverly Moore (2:102) and James J. W. MacLamroc (2:83), as well as attorneys around the state sent their regards. Educators, such as law school professors, Frank Hanft (2:56) and Norman A. “Ed” Wiggins (2:149), and public school officials, P. J. Weaver (2:145) and Benjamin L. Smith (2:129) congratulated Moseley as well. Greensboro officials, such as Clerk of Superior Court Joseph P. Shore (2:127), County Manager J. Harry Weatherly (2:143), and Guilford County Attorney Forrest E. Campbell (2:24), sent congratulatory letters. Employees of Greensboro businesses and organizations, such as Mose Kiser, of Guilford Dairy Cooperative Association (2:78), McDaniel Lewis, of McDaniel Lewis & Co. (2:81), E. Frank Andrews, of Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company (2:3), Ruth M. Clinard, of American National Red Cross (2:32), and Vicki Hamlin, of WFMY (2:55), also sent their congratulations. These letters demonstrate that Mr. Moseley was highly respected by many people in Greensboro and throughout the state.

In addition, this series contains correspondence pertaining to Mr. Moseley’s legal and political career. During Mr. Moseley’s service of three terms as a legislator in the General Assembly (1943, 1945 and 1947), as a practicing attorney, and as attorney for the Greensboro City Schools, he received numerous letters asking and thanking Mr. Moseley for his support. A letter from Governor J. Melville Broughton expressing happiness over Mr. Moseley’s renomination as a member of the House of Representatives is included in folder 2:18.

One highlight of this series is correspondence regarding Mr. Moseley’s work to assist African-Americans. In 1943, James E. Shepherd, President of the North Carolina College for Negroes, wrote to thank Moseley for his support (2:126). One year later, Rev. George F. Madkins of Trinity Chapel in Greensboro congratulated Mr. Moseley on his election to the State House of Representatives (2:92). Both Rev. Madkins and Rev. John T. Hairston applauded Mr. Moseley for the many things he had done to advance the African-American race (2:53; 92). R. E. Jones of A & T College wrote Moseley in 1946 to thank him making remarks emphasizing the need for equal employment opportunities for African-Americans (2:71).

Mr. Moseley also received numerous letters relating to public education. In 1943, Annie McDonald, a member of North Carolina Educational Association asked Mr. Moseley to consider voting for school measures called the “Bonus” and the “Ninth Month”(2:87). Virginia Fuller, President of the Classroom Teachers Association and Sara Leslie, President of the NCEA, congratulated Mr. Moseley in 1945 for his efforts to improve education (2:47). Ben L. Smith, Superintendent of the Greensboro Public Schools, also applauded Mr. Moseley’s efforts in promoting effective school legislation (2:129).

Mr. Moseley served as attorney for the Greensboro City Board of Education during the time of school integration. As a result, he received letters supporting his courageous efforts and decisions during this time of change (2:5). A letter from Thornton H. Brooks, a former member of the board, asserts that the public schools would not have made such a smooth transition to integration without Mr. Moseley’s counsel (2:16). Many community members expressed their regret upon his resignation as school board attorney in 1972 (2:57).

Mr. Moseley’s correspondence indicates his involvement in agricultural concerns as well as racial and educational matters. He served on the counsel for Dairymen, Inc., supported North Carolina milk producers and represented Southeast Milk Sales in court (2:2; 82). In 1945, North Carolina State College thanked Mr. Moseley for supporting appropriations made by the General Assembly made for the College and the Agricultural Extension Service (2:44).

3. Financial. 2 folders (4 items). ca. 1932-1946.

This series consists of a few items relating to the finances of Robert Moseley. There are stock records and receipts listing the buying and selling prices of Moseley’s stock from United Bank Building Company and the Guilford National Bank of Greensboro (3:2). Also included in this series is a blank check belonging to Mr. Moseley (3:1).

4. Funeral. 1 folder (2 items). 1972.

Mr. Moseley died on December 26, 1972, and he was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Greensboro. Included in this series is a funeral register, a list of those who sent flowers and a sympathy card sent to Robert Moseley, Jr. (4:1).

5. Legal. 5 folders (9 items). 1929-1972.

This series contains a variety of materials including Robert Moseley’s marriage registration and death certificate (5:4; 1). Items pertaining to the administration of Mr. Moseley’s estate, such as his inheritance and state tax return, can be found in folder 5:3. Miscellaneous items, including Mr. Moseley’s driver’s license, social security, and insurance cards, are grouped in folder 5:5.

6. Literary. 2 folders (6 items). 1917-1944.

Robert Moseley’s papers, both school related and professional, are contained in this series. Papers written during his attendance at UNC-Chapel Hill (1907-09; 1916-17; 1919), entitled “Can The Universe Be Explained?,” “Industrial Democracy,” “Might or Right?,” and “Capital, Labor, and A Concept of Justice,” are grouped in folder 6:2. The paper, “Can The Universe Be Explained?,” won the Philosophy department’s Worth Prize in 1917 and was printed (6:1). During Mr. Moseley’s professional career, his article entitled, “Continuous Statute Research and Revision in North Carolina,” was published by the North Carolina Law Review in 1944 (6:1).

7. Military Service Records. 5 folders (ca. 50 items). 1917-1971.

Robert Moseley enlisted in the army at Clinton, North Carolina in 1917. By 1918, he was appointed to first lieutenant of Infantry. Mr. Moseley was honorably discharged, in 1919, and saw no action in World War I (7:3). However, he won many awards during his short period of enlistment. These awards include graduation from Officers’ Training School, 81st Division, promotion to second and first lieutenant, and a Cross of Military Service presented by the United Daughters of the Confederacy (7:1). Moseley’s military correspondence and orders can be found in 7:2. Numerous receipts for kitchen property and supplies that Mr. Moseley requested, while stationed at Camp Pike, Arkansas, are grouped in folder 7:5. Miscellaneous items, relating to Mr. Moseley’s military service include his stripes, his enlistment records, and a newspaper clipping, from 1971, containing information on the 81st (Wildcat) Division of World War I (7:4).

8. Parker Award. 1 folder (1 item). 1962.

On June 23, 1962, Robert Moseley won the Judge John J. Parker award for his service on the General Statutes Commission. This series includes the original presentation address of Frank Winslow (8:1). The Parker Award is the highest award given by the North Carolina Bar Association.

9. Photos. 7 folders (ca. 50 items). ca. 1900-1970.

The photos of Robert Moseley in this series consist of group photos, individual portraits, and informal snapshots. Group photos include members of the American Legion in Greensboro in 1947 (9:1), the Dairy Co-op Attorneys in 1948 (9:2), the General Statutes Commission (1947-54) (9:3), and the Greensboro City School Board (?-1963) (9:4).

Mr. Moseley’s portraits include a childhood photo, his picture as a school principal in 1919, and studio portraits spanning many years of his life (9:6).

Mr. Moseley also has many photos that pertain to his association with UNC-Chapel Hill. His picture in the 1919 Yackety Yack and group pictures with the Golden Fleece, the Sampson County Club, and Tau Kappa Alpha reflect his early involvement as a student at UNC (9:7). In addition, photos of Mr. Moseley’s thirtieth college reunion and his acceptance of an honorary doctorate are grouped in 9:7.

10. Printed. 13 folders (ca. 55 items). 1919-1972.

This large artificial series contains five major divisions: broadsides, certificates and awards, citations and resolutions, clippings and programs. The broadsides announce Mr. Moseley’s candidacy, in 1940, for the State House of Representatives in the Democratic Primary (10:1).

Certificates and awards include items pertaining to Mr. Moseley’s educational and professional accomplishments. His BA degree and honorary LL.D degree from UNC-Chapel Hill (10:3) as well as his law license and the Parker Award (10:4) can be found in this grouping. Miscellaneous awards, such as Mr. Moseley’s lifetime membership to the agricultural foundation of North Carolina and his Certificate of Merit as a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Greensboro Public Schools, are in folder 10:2.

Citations and Resolutions in honor of Robert Moseley are also included in this series. The Tarboro schools, UNC-Chapel Hill, the state of North Carolina, the Greensboro Bar Association, the City Council of Greensboro, and the Greensboro City Board of Education are among the groups who produced citations and resolutions in Mr. Moseley’s honor (10:5).

Clippings comprise the bulk of this series and cover a wide variety of topics. There are clippings on groups, such as the American Legion (10:6) and the Greensboro School Board (10:8). Articles also feature Mr. Moseley’s involvement in funding the Central Carolina Convalescent hospital (10:12). Clippings pertaining to Mr. Moseley’s political involvement, including his support of an amendment that would allow women to serve on juries, are included in folder 10:13. Mr. Moseley also was a subject in the news as a result of his honors and awards (10:9) and his legal work (10:10). Miscellaneous articles, that do not involve Mr. Moseley, are grouped in folder 10:11. Clippings regarding his death are also included in this series (10:7).

The programs included announcements of events in which Mr. Moseley participated, such as a memorial service for the Elks (10:23) and notes from the North Carolina Bar Association (10:23). A number of the programs pertain to events that occurred in Greensboro: an Armistice Day Program held by the American Legion, a play presented at the Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina, a dedication of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial at Forest Lawn Cemetery, and a dedication of the Henry K. Burtner American Legion Post No. 53 (10:24). Other programs involve events at UNC-Chapel Hill, such as a senior banquet in 1919, commencement in 1962, and a class reunion in 1969 (10:25).

Printed materials, not discussed above, represent a wide variety of subjects. They include Mr. Moseley’s grades from UNC (10:16), a report of the General Statutes Commission (10:14), a pamphlet from the Greensboro Executives Club (10:17), newsletters from the Greensboro Public Schools (10:18), materials pertaining to the Golden Fleece (10:15), and Mr. Moseley’s law partnership announcement (10:21). Items of a political nature, such as Mr. Moseley’s campaign cards and pamphlets, as well as his “Roosevelt Nominator” card, are included in folder 10:22. Miscellaneous writings by Tennyson, Max Ehrmann, Vic Reinhardt, and anonymous writers are grouped in folder 10:20.

III. Moseley Family

1. Family — Bible. 1 folder (2 items). 1843.

This series includes the Moseley family Bible and photocopies of selected pages. Daniel Fanshaw printed the Bible in New York in 1843. Numerous family members have written prayers and presentations in the pages. Obituaries of relations are pasted in the Bible’s front cover.

2. Family — Birth/Death/Marriage Dates. 1 folder (7 items). 1831-1963.

Pages of an old family record, as well as more current typewritten notes, include the birth, death, and marriage dates of members of the Moseley family. The oldest date listed is the birth of Robert A. Moseley, Mr. Moseley’s grandfather, in 1831. The most recent date included is the marriage of Mr. Moseley’s son, Robert F. Moseley Jr., in 1963.

3. Family — Clippings. 1 folder (ca. 25 items). ?-1972.

These family clippings include the obituaries of A. P. Shuford, Captain Abner Alexander Moseley of the Confederate Army, Mary A. Moseley (Mr. Moseley’s grandmother), Frank Moseley (Mr. Moseley’s father) and Robert Moseley himself. Also included among the clippings is the launching of the W. D. Moseley, a ship named for Florida’s first governor, who was a native North Carolinian, and great-great uncle of Mr. Moseley.

4. Family — Correspondence. 8 folders (ca. 70 items). ca. 1865-1970.

The vast majority of this correspondence pertains to Mr. Moseley’s efforts to obtain genealogical records from widely dispersed family members. Mr. Moseley tracked down relatives in Ogunquit, Maine (4:1); Thomaston, Georgia (4:4); and Montgomery, Alabama (4:6), as well as relations in his home state of North Carolina and hometown of Clinton (4:3). In addition to searching for information on the Moseley lineage, he also sought information on the Royall family (his mother was Rowena Royall) (4:5). The majority of this correspondence includes attachments with family histories to assist Mr. Moseley in his efforts.

Mr. Moseley also assisted others in tracing his family lineage. In 1942, J. G. de Roulhac Hamilton, founder of the Southern Historical Collection at UNC-Chapel Hill, wrote Mr. Moseley for information on Robert A. Moseley, a delegate to the Secession Convention of 1861 (4:3).

Two older letters can be found in 4:7; 8. The first is a letter signed by “Your mother,” which may have been written by Rowena Royall (Mr. Moseley’s mother) or his grandmother, Mary A. Moseley (4:7). The second letter was written by Robert A. Moseley (Mr. Moseley’s grandfather) in 1865 to encourage his children to serve God faithfully (4:8).

5. Family — Documents. 3 folders (15 items). 1848-65.

These family documents are divided into three groups: land receipts, slave receipts, and tax receipts. All of the documents originated from Baldwin County, Alabama, and a member of the Vaughn family signed all but one. The land receipts verify that Martha A. and B. F. Vaughn received land, in 1864 and 1865, from the executor of the Last Will and Testament of W. C. Vaughn (5:1).

The slave receipts are the most numerous. They verify the inheritance of slaves by members of the Vaughn family between the years 1858 and 1864. The great majority of slaves mentioned in these documents are children. Their valuation is included in the receipts (5:2).

There is only one tax receipt in 5:3. It confirms that the Treasurer’s Office in Montgomery, Alabama, received $27.78 from John W. Bates of Baldwin County in 1848.

6. Family — Genealogy. 5 folders (ca. 50 items). Nd.

All of these papers contain genealogical information on the Moseley and Royall families. Information on the immigration of the Moseley’s from England and Holland is located in 6:1 as well as a paper taken from the Southern Historical Collection on Edward Moseley, a colonial patriot and North Carolina statesman (?-1749). A brief biography of Robert A. Moseley (Mr. Moseley’s grandfather) is also included in this series (6:3). Information on the relatives of Mr. Moseley’s mother (Rowena Royall) is located throughout (6:4; 5).

7. Family — Miscellaneous. 2 folders (21 items). Nd.

The miscellaneous items include a paper on the naming of Guilford County (7:1) and notes torn from a notebook (7:2).

8. Family — Moseley, William Dunn. 1 folder (6 items). Nd.

William Dunn Moseley (1795-1863), Mr. Moseley’s great-great uncle, was a North Carolinian who was elected as the first Governor of Florida in 1845. Governor Moseley’s inaugural address, a biographical sketch, and an article that includes Moseley’s picture, are included in this series.

9. Family – Photos. 6 folders (ca. 85 items). ca. 1895-1970.

This series consists of three primary groups: photos of the Moseley extended family, pictures of Mr. Moseley’s immediate family, and photos of Mr. Moseley’s son, Robert Moseley Jr. These photographs and negatives include both formal and candid shots.

The photos of Mr. Moseley’s extended family include pictures of his grandparents (Robert A. and Mary Moseley), his uncle Frank Moseley, and much earlier portraits of unidentified relatives (9:1). One of the highlights of this group is a photo of Robert A. Moseley and his bird dogs taken on a store porch in Bessemer, Alabama in 1895. Robert Moseley was photographed with a store clerk and the driver of the store delivery wagon (9:1).

Among the pictures of Mr. Moseley’s immediate family, many involve his courtship and/or early years of marriage to Minnie Frank Hays Moseley. Photos capturing 1920s fashion and automobiles are included in these courtship pictures (9:2). Mr. Moseley’s golf attire is featured in another photo (9:2). There are also photos of the Moseley family home included in 9:2.

The subject of the majority of these family photos is Robert Moseley, Jr. These photos document the childhood of Robert Moseley, Jr., from outdoor baths as a baby to playing with animals and enjoying picnics as a young boy (9:3). The family maid often accompanied Robert Moseley, Jr. As a result, she is included in many of these photos. Of special interest are photos of Robert in “Myrtle Beach Jail” and watching the circus pass down the street (9:3).

Photos of Robert Moseley, Jr.’s birthday celebrations are in 9:4. Many of his toys are featured in these pictures as well: bikes, wagons, guns, stuffed animals, strollers, and wheelbarrows (9:6). His portraits, spanning from junior high school (1950) to adulthood, are grouped in 9:5.

FOLDER LISTING

Index to the Moseley Family Papers (ca. 1890s-1972)

Note: The numbers following the name/subject entry – e.g. I: 1:1 – indicate in which Group#:Series#:Folder# (or, if no “:”, Series only) that name/topic can be found. Dates of the items are given in parentheses for an individual Group/Series/Folder or, if at the end, for the entire subject/name entry. The abbreviation GSO indicates a Greensboro association.

A & T College: II: 2:71 (1946)
Adams, William J., Jr.: II: 2:1 (1943-62)
African-Americans: I: 4:13 (n.d.), 8:3 (1941-42), 8:35 (n.d.); II: 2:5; 16; 53; 92; 71;126 (1943-72), III: 5:2 (1858-64)
Agricultural Extension Service: II: 2:44 (1945)
Agricultural Foundation of North Carolina: II: 10:2 (n.d.)
Alagia, D. Paul, Jr.: II: 2:2 (1967-72)
American Legion (GSO): II: 9:1 (1947), 10:6 (1939), 10:24 (1935-62)
Andrews, E. Frank: II: 2:3 (1946-62)
Andrews, Lucille S.: II: 2:4 (1944-45)
Armistice Day: II: 10:24 (1935)
Army: II: 7 (1917-1971)
Artwork: I: 1 (n.d.)
Ashby, Warren: II: 2:5 (1963)
Austin, J. Allen: II: 2:6 (1943)
Austin, Ralph J., Jr.: II: 2:7 (1972)
Aycock, William B.: II: 2:8 (1962)

Ballentine, L. Y.: II: 2:9 (1943)
Beckwith, Clifton: II: 2:10 (1952)
Bell, B. Tartt: II: 2:11 (1962)
Bennison, T.: II: 2:12 (1943)
Birthdays: III: 9:4 (n.d.)
Blackburn, Dr. ?: I: 6:1 (ca. 1956)
Bowman, T. Grady: II: 2:13 (1945)
Brandis, Henry, Jr.: II: 2:14 (1962)
Breckenridge, M. S.: II: 2:15 (1962-63)
Brooks, Thornton H.: II: 2:16 (1960)
Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen: II: 2:17 (1940)
Broughton, J. Melville: II: 2:18 (1944)
Browne, Lucille: II: 2:19 (1972)
Buchman, Henry: II: 2:20 (1959)
Burton, T. A.: II: 2:21 (1943)

Cahoon, Robert: II: 2:22 (1947)
Caldwell, Harry B.: II: 2:23 (1971)
Campbell, Forrset E.: II: 2:24 (1962)
Camp Pike, Arkansas: II: 7:5 (1918)
Carolina Inn: II: 2:25 (1962)
Carroll, Charles F.: II: 2:26 (1948)
Cate, Vallie Sanders: II: 2:27 (1945)
Central Carolina Convalescent Hospital: II: 10:12 (1948-49)
Chapman Press (GSO): I: 8:18 (1954-68)
Cherry, R. G.: II: 2:28 (1943)
Christian Advocate: I: 4:1 (1939)
Civil War: I: 8:3 (1941-42); II: 10:20 (1910); III: 3 (1915), 4:3 (1942)
Claiborne, Helen S.: II: 2:29 (n.d.)
Clark, Giles R.: II: 2:30 (1961)
Classroom Teachers Association of Winston-Salem: II: 2:31 (1945)
Cleveland Clinic: I: 4:2 (1939)
Clinard, Ruth M.: II: 2:32 (1962)
Coates, Albert: II: 2:33 (1962)
Colhoun, Reid H.: II: 2:34 (1962)
Columbia Records: I: 11:2 (n.d.)
Cooper, Annie E.: II: 2:35 (1943)
Courtship: III: 9:2 (n.d.)
Cowan, J. C., Jr.: II: 2:36 (1959)
Cude, W. H.: II: 2:37 (1943)

Dairy Co-op Attorneys: II: 9:2 (1948)
Dairymen, Inc.: II: 2:2 (1967-72)
Dalton, Carter: II: 2:38 (1943)
DeBroglie: I: 9:1 (n.d.)
Democratic Primary: II: 10:1 (1940)
Doggett, James and Mary: II: 2:39 (1961)
Duke University: I: 6:1 (ca. 1956)

Eagles, Sidney S., Jr.: II: 2:40 (1967)
Education: I: 5:1 (n.d.); II: 2:5 (1963), 2:16 (1960), 2:47 (1945-72), 2:57 (1972), 2:87 (1943), 2:129 (1945-61); see also UNC-Chapel Hill
Ehrmann, Max: II: 10:20 (n.d.)
Eighty-first (Wildcat) Division: II: 7:4 (1971)
Elks: II: 10:23 (1925)
Erwin, Clyde A.: II: 2:41 (1945)
Esquire: I: 4:3 (1942)
Eure, Thad: II: 2:42 (1961)

Farnell, D. Newton: II: 2:43 (1943)
Fashion, Women’s: I. 1:2 (n.d.)
Forest Lawn Cemetery (GSO): II: 4:1 (1972), 10:24 (1938)
Flight: I: 8:14 (n.d.)
Floyd, E. Y.: II: 2:44 (1945)
Folk, William, Jr.: II: 2:45 (n.d.)
Frazier, Robert H.: II: 2:46 (1953)
Fuller, Virginia: II: 2:47 (1945-72)

Garrard, Robert L.: II: 2:48 (1962)
Girl Reserve Committee (GSO): I: 12:1 (1939)
General Statutes Commission: II: 2:49 (1973), 9:3 (1947-54), 10:5 (1961), 10:14 (n.d.)
Godfrey, Arthur: I: 4:4 (1956)
Golden Fleece: II: 9:7 (n.d.), 10:15 (1919-53)
Golf: III: 9:2 (n.d.)
Good Housekeeping: I: 4:5 (1935)
Greensboro Bar Association: II 10:5 (n.d.)
Greensboro City Council: II: 10:5 (1973)
Greensboro City Schools/School Board: II: 2:5; 16; 57; 129 (1945-72), 9:4 (?-1963), 10:2 (n.d.), 10:5 (1972), 10:6 (1932-72), 10:18 (n.d.)
Greensboro Civic Ballet: I: 6:1 (ca. 1956)
Greensboro Classroom Teachers Association: II: 2:50 (1945)
Greensboro Daily News: I: 4:6 (1956); II: 2:51 (1948-62)
Greensboro Executives Club: II: 10:17 (1949-50)
Greensboro Writers (Organization): I: 2:1 (1955-57), 6:1 (ca. 1956)
Guilford County: III: 7:1 (n.d.)
Guilford County Board of Elections: II: 2:52 (1942-46)
Guilford National Bank of Greensboro: II: 3:2 (ca. 1932-46)

Hairston, John T.: II: 2:53 (1945)
Hall, B. A.: II: 2:54 (1946)
Hamilton, J. G. de Roulhac: III: 4:3 (1942)
Hamlin, Vicki: II: 2:55 (1961)
Hanft, Frank W.: II: 2:56 (1961-72)
Hardy, John W.: II: 2:57 (1972)
Harris, Margaret A.: II: 2:58 (1972)
Harris, R. Kennedy: II: 2:59 (1972)
Harris, Shearon: II: 2:60 (1943)
Hartman, Carl G.: I: 4:7 (1953)
Hays, Ellen William Reinhardt: I: 5:1 (n.d.)
Hays, Lee: I: 3:1 (n.d.), 4:8 (n.d.), 8:34 (n.d.), 11:1; 2 (ca. 1957-75)
Hays, Reverend William B.: I: 5:1 (n.d.)
Hendricks, J. Wade: II: 2:61 (1962)
Hobson, J. P.: II: 2:62 (1956)
Holly, Miss ?: I: 4:9 (1942)
Holt, Bryce R.: II: 2:63 (1962-72)
House, W. J.: II: 2:64 (1972)
Housewives: I: 8:15 (n.d.)
Howell, A. C.: II: 2:65 (1962)
Hudgins, D. E. “Ed”: II: 2:66 (1955)
Humphries, Doris S.: II: 2:67 (1972)
Hutchinson, Doris: II: 2:68 (n.d.)

Influenza Club: I: 1:1 (n.d.)
Ivey, Pete: II: 2:69 (1962)

Jones, Grover H.: II: 2:70 (1943)
Jones, R. E.: II: 2:71 (1946)
Joyner, Andrew, Jr. “Pete”: II: 2:72 (1948)

Kellenberger, J. A.: II: 2:73 (1962)
Kelly, Clyde: II: 2:74 (1962)
Kendall, H. W.: II: 2:75 (1950)
Kennedy, John F.: I: 4:10 (1964), 8:16 (1963), 9:1 (n.d.)
Kerr, John, Jr.: II: 2:76 (1942-43)
Kirkman, D. Arthur: II: 2:77 (1943)
Kiser, Mose: II: 2:78 (1962)

LaBarr, Miss ?: II: 2:79 (1946)
Ladies’ Home Journal: I: 4:11 (1935)
Land: III: 5:1 (1864-65)
Leonard, Colvin T.: II: 2:80 (1962)
Lewis and Hall, Inc. (GSO): I: 10:19 (nd)
Lewis, McDaniel: II: 2:81 (1962)
Lords, The: I: 11:2 (n.d.)
Lytle, R. G. “Bob”: II: 2:82 (1953-61)

Macauley, Robie: I: 6:1 (ca. 1956)
MacLamroc, James J. W.: II: 2:83 (1962)
Madkins, George F.: II: 2:92 (1944)
Marriage: II: 5:4 (1929)
Marshburn, W. J.: II: 2:93 (1943)
Martin, J. T.: II: 2:94 (1943)
Maynard, S. Amos: II: 2:95 (1943)
McCall, Fred: II: 2:84 (1962-64)
McCrary, D. B.: II: 2:85 (1943)
McDermott, Malcolm M.: II: 2:86 (1954)
McDonald, Annie Laurie: II: 2:87 (1943)
McDonald, Dr. R. H.: I: 4:2 (1939)
McGalliard, Harry W.: II: 2:88 (1952)
McMullan, Harry: II: 2:89 (1943-52)
McNairy, Carolyn: II: 2:90 (1972)
McNary, C. T.: II: 2:91 (1953)
Memorial Day: II: 10:24 (1938)
Merrell, Herman S.: II: 2:96 (1961)
Merritt, R. A., Mrs.: II: 2:97 (1945)
Midyette, Buxton: II: 2:98 (1961)
Millikan, Roy C.: II: 2:99 (1962)
Mooney, Naomi S.: II: 2:101 (1947)
Moore, Beverly: II: 2:102 (1962)
Moore, J. Campbell: II: 2:103 (1948)
Morgan, Ben F., Jr.: II: 2:104 (1971)
Moseley (Santa Claus): II: 2:105 (n.d.)
Moseley, Edward: III: 6:1 (1899)
Moseley, Robert, Jr.: I: 4:13 (n.d.), 10:1 (n.d.); II: 4:1 (ca. 1972); III: 2 (1963), 9:3-6 (n.d.)
Moseley, William Dunn: III: 3 (n.d.), 8 (n.d.)
Musical Compositions: I: 11:1;2; (ca. 1957-75)

N. C. Department of Attorney General: II: 2:109 (1952)
N. C. League of Municipalities: II: 2:110 (1943)
New Yorker: I: 4:14 (1941)
Nisbet, Lynn: II: 2:106 (1962)
Norman, George E., Jr.: II: 2:107 (1972)
Norman, Z. V.: II: 2:108 (1954)
North Carolina: I: 8:17 (n.d.)
North Carolina Bar Association: II: 8:1 (1962), 10:23 (1962)
North Carolina College for Negroes: II: 2:126 (1943)
North Carolina Educational Association: II: 2:47; 87 (1943-45)
North Carolina General Assembly: II: 10:5 (1961)
North Carolina Law Review: II: 6:1 (1944)
North Carolina State College: II: 2:44 (1945)

P. Lorillard Company: I: 4:15 (1962)
Page, R. G., Jr.: II: 2:111 (1952)
Parker, Judge John J. Award: II: 8:1 (1962), 10:4 (1962)
Parker, Madge C.: II: 2:112 (1969-72)
Perkins, Ethel: II: 2:113 (1943-45)
Perrin, James R.: II: 2:114 (1964)
Phillips, C. W.: II: 2:115 (1945)
Poe, Clarence: II: 2:116 (1947)
Poetry: I: 6:1 (ca. 1956), 8:10-18 (n.d.), 12:2 (1956-57)
Polio: II: 10:12 (1948-49)
Politics: II: 10:1 (1940), 10:13 (1945-49), 10:22 (1942)
Powell, W. T.: II: 2:117 (1943)
Preyer, Richardson: II: 2:118 (1972)
Proctor, Robert and Nancy Z.: I: 4:16 (1962)

Ramsey, Ralph H., Jr.: II: 2:119 (1949)
Reinhardt, Vic: II: 10:20 (1910)
Reynolds, Rufus: II: 2:120 (1962)
Richardson, O. L.: II: 2:121 (1943-45)
Rives, E. Earle: II: 2:122 (1943)
Roosevelt, Franklin D.: II: 10:22 (n.d.)

Sampson County Club: II: 9:7 (n.d.)
Sanford, Terry: I: 4:17 (1963)
Santa Claus: I: 4:18 (n.d.)
Saturday Review: I: 4:19 (1956)
Saunders, J. Maryon (UNC Alumni Association): II: 2:123 (1962-69)
Schenck, David: I: 4:20 (1963)
Seeger, Peter: I: 3:1 (n.d.); I: 4:21 (1956)
Settan, Edith: II: 2:124 (1945)
Seven Daffodils: I: 11:2 (1957-75)
Shaw, Eugene G.: II: 2:125 (1962)
Shepard, James E.: II: 2:126 (1943)
Shiloh: II: 10:20 (1910)
Shore, Joseph P.: II: 2:127 (1962)
Short Stories: I: 8:23-27 (n.d.)
Shuford, Forrest H.: II: 2:128 (1943)
Slavery: III: 5:2 (1858-64)
Smith, Benjamin L.: II: 2:129 (1945-61)
Smith, Douglas: II: 2:130 (1954)
Smith, McNeil: II: 2:131 (1962)
Smith, Pearl A.: II: 2:132 (1967)
Soldiers: I: 8:36 (n.d.)
Southeast Milk Sales: II: 2:2 (1967-72)
Southern accent: I: 8:37 (n.d.)
Spearman, Walter: I: 6:1 (ca. 1956)
St. Louis Post Dispatch: I: 4:22 (1955)
State House of Representatives: II: 10:1 (1940)
Steadman: II: 2:134 (1950)
Storey, William M.: II: 2:135 (1971)
Strowd, Nell: II: 2:136 (1962)

Tarboro Schools: II: 10:5 (n.d.)
Tau Kappa Alpha: II: 9:7 (1918)
Taxes: II: 5:3 (1973); III: 5:3 (1848)
Teague, Claude: II: 2:137 (1962)
Tennyson: II: 10:20 (n.d.)
Thorpe: II: 2:138 (1971)
Toys: III: 9:6 (n.d.)
Trinity Chapel (GSO): II: 2:92 (1944)

UNC-Chapel Hill: I: 6:1 (ca. 1956); II: 6:1;2 (1917-1944), 9:7 (1919-62), 10:3 (1919-62), 10:5 (1962), 10:16 (1907-19), 10:25 (1919-70), III: 4:3 (1942)
UNC Photo Lab: II: 2:139 (1962)
UNC Press: I: 4:23 (1954)
United Bank Building Company: II: 3:2 (ca.1932-46)
United Daughters of the Confederacy: II: 7:1 (1953)

Wallace, F. E.: II: 2:140 (1943-45)
Ward, D. L.: II: 2:141 (1943-45)
Washington Evening Star: I: 8:18 (1956)
Watson, Margie Marsh: II: 2:142 (1945)
Weatherly, J. Harry: II: 2:143 (1943-62)
Weathers, Lee B.: II: 2:144 (1948)
Weaver, P. J.: II: 2:145 (1961-68)
Weaver, Winston: II: 2:146 (1972)
Weavers, The: I: 3:1 (n.d.)
Wettach, Robert H.: II: 2:147 (1962)
What’s My Line?: I: 4:24 (1962)
White, David J.: II: 2:148 (1962)
Wiggins, Norman A. “Ed”: II: 2:149 (1962)
Winslow, Frank: II: 2:150 (1962); II: 8:1 (1962)
Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina: II: 10:24 (1935)
Women’s Rights: II: 10:13 (n.d.)
World War I: II: 7 (1917-1971)
World War II (GSO): I: 8:3 (1941-42)
Writer’s Digest: I: 2:1 (1956)

Young, Thomas L.: II: 2:151 (1961)

Zeisberg, Elsa: II: 2:152 (1962)

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

This collection primarily focuses on the business and civic dealings of Joseph Martin.  It contains material on most aspects of his life, especially his involvement with aviation and Meyer’s Department Store. He was also involved with numerous community organizations as seen in materials from many local groups, such as the Chamber of Commerce.

Arrangement: This collection is arranged into five series basically as Joseph Martin had organized it. Within series, materials are arranged into subseries by document type, and each subseries is organized alphabetically. The series are: Greensboro-High Point Airport, 1937-1982; Hawks, Frank, 1935-1965; Meyer’s Department Store, 1930-1978; Personal, 1918-1973; and Rickenbacker, Eddie, 1941-1968. Three books were removed from the collection and placed in the Rare Books Collection. They are: The New 1949 Aircraft Year Book, published and edited by Lincoln Press Inc. (signed by Congressman Carl Durham); Fifty Years of Flight: A Chronicle of the Aviation Industry in America, 1903-1953, by Welman A. Shrader, (signed by Congressman Durham); and From Father to Son: the Letters of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker to his son William, from boyhood to manhood, by William Rickenbacker (signed by both William and his father Eddie).

Provenance: This collection was donated by Elizabeth Stahl, who was executor for the estate of Joseph Martin’s second wife. It was assigned the accession number 1990.33.1. The materials in the collection were either created or collected by Joseph Martin.

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

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Joseph Martin (1896-1973) was one of Greensboro’s most prominent businessmen during the middle decades of the twentieth century. He led Meyer’s Department Store to become one of the most successful retail businesses in all of the South. He was also one of the fathers of commercial air travel in Greensboro, as he pushed for the expansion of the Greensboro-High Point Airport, providing leadership that allowed it to become one of the largest airports in North Carolina. He was the first president of the Airport Authority, a post he held until the mid-1960s. Martin was also involved with numerous civic and charitable organizations in and around Greensboro. He was one of the people who helped to bring a professional golf tournament to Greensboro (the Greater Greensboro Open), and he led other organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce and the local Community Chest.

Biographical Chronology

Biographical Sources: The above information is contained in folders 4:1 and 4:2 of this collection. These folders contain data in clippings and a printed biography of Joseph Martin by Hugh Page.

SCOPE & CONTENT NOTE

This collection includes correspondence, scrapbooks, photographs, legal documents, pamphlets, reports, flyers, posters, programs, statistics, and newspaper clippings.

Researchers will find this collection particularly strong on local aviation history (Series 1).  Materials on the beginning, subsequent development, and expansion of the Greensboro-High Point Airport are some of the most useful the collection has to offer. Also of interest is a large group of material on Meyer’s Department Store (Series 3), one of the largest and most successful retail businesses in Greensboro during the middle portion of the twentieth century. The personal material (Series 4) contains numerous items largely related to Joseph Martin’s civic activities.

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

1. Greensboro-High Point Airport.  94 folders (ca. 225 items).  1937-1982.

This series consists of several subseries and relates to Joseph Martin’s involvement with the development and expansion of Greensboro’s airport. The subseries correspondence (1:1-29) primarily concerns the Greensboro-High Point Airport Authority, which Martin chaired. One issue appearing often was the question of whether to include Winston-Salem as a partner in the airport.  Of particular note are correspondence with several prominent Greensboro business and civic leaders such as J. Spencer Love of Burlington Industries (1:15), Ceasar Cone of Cone Mills (1:4-7), and C.M. “Neil” Vanstory of North Carolina National Bank (1:28). Of further interest are letters from U.S. Congressman Carl Durham (1:9) and North Carolina Governor Luther Hodges (1:12).

The financial subseries contains some miscellaneous ledgers and notes (1:31, 32). A comparative study between the Raleigh-Durham Airport (1:30) and the Greensboro-High Point Airport provides insight into how air travel was expanding in the state during the 1960s.

Joseph Martin carefully documented a lawsuit pitting the Greensboro-High Point Airport against the United States. These materials contain correspondence (1:36-49), legal documents (1:50-53), and some printed material (1:54-56). The major issues in the suit revolved around the Greensboro group, led by Martin, attempting to have the government accept responsibility and pay for damages at the airport caused by the U.S. Army during World War II.

A large amount of printed material (1:59-93) concerning the airport, its history, and its operation is also present. Numerous yearly reports (1:78-84) provide insight into how the Authority ran the airport and planned for its future. Also of interest is an appraisal (1:59) that is accompanied by several drawings detailing possible expansion plans for the airport as it grew. Researchers interested in the historical aspects of the airport will find several of the pamphlets (1:70-71) and programs (1:76-77) useful and enlightening. The miscellaneous newspaper clippings (1:69) also contain historical information on the airport and its beginnings.

NOTE: For additional information on the Greensboro-High Point Airport, see Mss. Coll. #43 (Greensboro-High Point Airport Collection), and Mss. Coll. #110 (John R. Larsen Collection), which contains information on Eastern Airlines and its involvement at the airport.  Prior to being called the Greensboro-High Point Airport, the location was named Lindley Field. Mss. Coll. #99 (Lindley Field History Collection) contains reference material and a graduate thesis by William Decker about Lindley Field.

2. Hawks, Frank.  9 folders (ca. 20 items).  1935-1965.

Frank Hawks (1897-1938) was a member of the U.S. air service from 1917-1919 and set numerous speed records for transcontinental flights. He was also a close friend of Joseph Martin. This small series consists of a bill/receipt (2:1), correspondence (2:2-8), and printed material (2:9). The majority of the items are from the mid to late 1930s and revolve around Hawks, who planned to fly around the world. Much of the correspondence concerns securing funding and sponsors for the flight. One letter of note is to Mary Nicholson (2:6), a female pilot from Greensboro and member of the women’s aviatress group the Ninety-Nines. Nicholson died in a plane crash transporting a plane for the English during World War II.

3. Meyer’s Department Store.  19 folders (ca. 115 items).  1930-1978.

The bulk of this series consists of printed material relating to Meyer’s Department Store, of which Joseph Martin was president from 1930 to 1961. Of particular interest are photographs (3:4-5) detailing several marketing strategies, and a fashion show.

The printed material (3:6-19), however, provides the most information on this retail establishment that became one of the most successful businesses in Greensboro. Several advertisements (3:6), a booklet (3:7), catalogs (3:8), and newspaper clippings (3:13-14) provide glimpses into the kind of merchandise Meyer’s sold, the layout of the store, and how it expanded into more spacious quarters. Indeed, Meyer’s became so successful that several magazine articles (3:10-12) were published in trade journals hailing it as one of the prominent retail establishments in the South.

More printed material surrounding actress Gloria Swanson’s fashion show (3:19) at Meyer’s in 1952 might be useful for researchers interested in such events and other marketing schemes used by department stores. The collection has script notes and programs listing the schedule of the events for the show.

Historians who have concentrated on department stores and their importance to society (in labor, and how society has transformed over the course of the twentieth century) have largely focused on establishments in the Northeast and Midwest. These materials give a glimpse of what was happening in department stores in a moderately-sized city in the South.

4. Personal.  42 folders (ca. 70 items).  1918-1973.

Much of the material in this series consists of biographical data on Joseph Martin and relates to many of his civic activities. A comprehensive biography (4:1) of his life and accomplishments is an excellent place to start for researchers who are interested in his life. Also of note are several certificates (4:22-24), and newspaper clippings (4:2) that shed further light on his life.

The correspondence (4:3-16) in this series is largely personal but includes some information on Joseph Martin’s activities away from Meyer’s and the airport. Of particular note is a letter from Branch Rickey (4:11) concerning professional baseball in Greensboro. Rickey would later sign Jackie Robinson, making him the first African American to play in the major leagues in the twentieth century. Other correspondents of note are Wallace Wade (4:15) of Duke University and Joseph Bryan (4:3) of Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Co.

The printed material (4:19-42) within this series largely focuses on Joseph Martin’s civic activities. Materials from the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce (4:30-31, 36, 41), the Greensboro Community Chest (4:42), and the Greater Greensboro Open Golf Tournament (4:35) are particularly interesting. Also of note are materials relating to Tony Manero (4:27), a Greensboro resident who won the 1936 United States Golf Open Championship. Joseph Martin was largely responsible for organizing Manero’s welcome back ceremonies upon his return.

5. Rickenbacker, Eddie.  5 folders (ca. 20 items).  1941-1968.

This small series consists of materials relating to Joseph Martin’s friendship with Eddie Rickenbacker. It contains correspondence (5:1-2), photographs (5:3), and printed material (5:4-5). Rickenbacker was a World War I hero and fighter pilot. He became president of Eastern Airlines, one of the first major carriers to use the Greensboro-High Point Airport. The bulk of the material is personal in nature, especially the letters, which largely speak of politics.

FOLDER LISTING

Index to the Joseph T. Martin Papers (1918-1982)

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. Dates of the items are given in parentheses for an individual Series/Folder or, if at the end, for the entire subject/ name entry.

Allied Stores Corp. (New York, NY): correspondence, 3:1, 4:13 (1950-1961)
American Cancer Society: correspondence, 1:16 (1963)
Amos, Lloyd C: correspondence, 1:1 (1962)
Andrews, O.L.: correspondence, 1:2 (1963)
Aviation: 1;3;5 (1935-1982)

Baseball: correspondence, 4:12 (1935)
Baltimore, MD (Department of Aviation): correspondence, 1:8 (1963)
Benjamin, Edward: correspondence, 1:6 (1963)
Boyd, Henry E.: correspondence, 1:3, 6 (1963-1964)
Boy Scouts of America: 4:20 (1968)
Brouillette, Ted: correspondence, 3:1 (1950)
Bryan, Joseph: correspondence, 4:3 (1935)

Camp Hancock (Augusta, GA): 4:22
Camps, military: 4:22
Cannon, Charles: correspondence, 2:2 (1938)
Civil Aeronautics Board: policy statements, 1:74 (1962)
Cone, Ceasar II: airport-related brief by, 1:60; correspondence, 1:4-7, 5:1 (1961-1967);
National Conference of Christians & Jews, 4:29 (1968)
Crane, Charles P.: correspondence, 1:8 (1965)

Dillard Paper Co.: posters of sheet music, 4:33 (n.d.)
Doherty, Henry: correspondence, 4:4 (1935)
Dregge, John W.: correspondence, 1:7 (1964)
Duke University: correspondence, 4:15 (1936)
Durham, Carl T. (U.S. Congressman): correspondence, 1:9, 36 (1948-1949)
Dwire, Henry: correspondence, 2:3 (1938)

Eastern Airlines: certificate, 1:61 (1945); correspondence, 1:18 (1965);
inaugural flights, 1:61,64,68,93 (1945); rent rates, 1:35 (n.d.)

Farnell, Newton: correspondence, 1:37 (1947)
Fashion shows: Meyer’s, 3:19 (1952)
Federal Aviation Agency: airport facilities records, 1:63 (1962-1963)
Follin, Marion G.: correspondence, 4:5 (1967)
Football: correspondence, 4:15 (1936)
Forsyth County, N.C.: economic statistics of, (1945)
Frazier, Robert H. (Greensboro mayor): photograph, 3:4 (1952)

Golf: 4:27, 4:35 (1936-1971)
Greater Greensboro Open Golf Tournament: correspondence, 4:12,14 (1938-1940); program, 4:35 (1971)
Greensboro Chamber of Commerce:
certificate, 4:21 (1963);
correspondence, 4:5 (1934-1967);
newsletters, 4:30-31 (1939-1967);
programs, 4:36 (1936-1951);
report of, 4:41 (1933-1950)
Greensboro, City of: maps, 4:28
Greensboro Community Chest: annual report, 4:42 (1936)
Greensboro Daily News: correspondence, 1:14, 26, 4:5 (1962-1967)
Greensboro-High Point Airport:
history, 1:67-71,76-77 (1937-1982);
ledgers,1:31 (1964-1967);
maps/drawings, 1:57,59 (1955-1963);
photographs, 1:58 (1939-?);
reports, annual, 1:78-84 (1952-1966)
Greensboro Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees): correspondence, 4:12, 14 (1938-1940)
Greensboro Merchants Association Inc.: programs, 4:37 (1933)
Greenville-Spartanburg, SC Airport: correspondence, 1:2 (1963); report, 1:85 (n.d.)
Greve, L.W.: correspondence, 1:10 (1939)
Guilford County Commissioners: report, 1:86 (1957)
Guilford-Gazette (newspaper): 1:69 (1963)

Hahn Department Stores Inc.: pamphlet, 3:15 (n.d.)
Hall, Col. W.C.: correspondence, 1:38 (1946)
Hand, L.N. Jr.: correspondence, 1:11 (1965)
Hart, Margaret: correspondence, 1:39 (1946)
Hawks, Frank: 2; correspondence, 2:4 (1935-1965)
Hill, Albert: correspondence, 2:5 (1938)
Hodges, Luther (NC Governor): correspondence, 1:12 (1956); program, 4:38 (1960)
Hoey, Clyde (U.S. Senator): correspondence, 1:40 (1948)
Holt, Bryce R.: correspondence, 1:13 (1946)
Hook, H.A.: correspondence, 1:9 (1948)
Humphrey, Hubert (NC legislator): correspondence, 4:6 (1961)

Jeffries, Sidney: correspondence, 4:7 (1967)

Kendall, H.W.: correspondence, 1:14 (1962)

Landrum and Brown Airport Management and Development Consultants (Cincinnati, OH): 1:59 (1955)
Love, J. Spencer: correspondence, 1:15 (1959)

Manero, Tony: 4:27 (1936)
Marshall, Nancy: correspondence, 1:16 (1963)
Martin, Joseph T.: affidavit, 1:50 (1947); biography, 4:1 (n.d.);
correspondence, 1:17, 4:8, 5:2 (1941-1968); speech, 4:17 (1941)
McCart, Mabel: Civil Aeronautics Board policy statement, 1:74 (1962)
McCarter, George W.: correspondence, 1:18 (1965)
McKinley, B.A.: correspondence, 1:41-42 (1946)
Meyer’s Department Store: 3 (1930-1978); fashion show, 3:19 (1952); history, 3:13-14 (1930-1978); photographs, 3:4-5
Monro, C. Bedell: correspondence, 1:19 (1939)
Morris, W.F. Jr.: correspondence, 1:42 (1946)

Narciso, Angelo: correspondence, 1:43 (1947)
National Aeronautical Association: correspondence, 1:10 (1939); decal, 1:62 (n.d.)
National Conference of Christians & Jews: certificate, 4:23 (1958); Ceasar Cone II, 4:29 (1968)
Nicholson, Mary: correspondence, 2:6 (1938)
North Carolina Fireman’s Association: program, 4:39 (1937)
North Carolina General Assembly: legislation, 1:65 (1953)
Norwood, Joseph: correspondence, 1:44 (1946-1947)

Osteen, William L.: correspondence, 1:20 (1966)

Page, Hugh: biography of Joseph Martin, 4:1 (n.d.)
Parker, Max: correspondence, 1:21 (1966)
Pennsylvania Central Airlines: correspondence 1:19 (1939)
Piedmont Airlines: rent rates, 1:35 (n.d.)
Phillips, Charles W.: correspondence, 4:10 (1942)
Phillips, Earl Norfleet: correspondence, 1:22 (1961)
Porter, Ruby: correspondence, 1:23, 29 (1961-1965)

Radio broadcasting: transcript of Eastern inaugural flight, 1:93 (1945)
Rafus, Henry: correspondence, 2:7 (1938)
Raleigh-Durham Airport: correspondence, 1:3 (1964); study of, 1:30 (1963)
Reid, Lawrence: correspondence, 1:24 (1963)
Rickenbacker, Eddie: 5; signature on certificate, 1:61 (1945)
Rickenbacker, William: pamphlet by, 5:5 (1962)
Rickey, Branch: correspondence, 4:11 (1935)
Rierson (?), Warren Lee: signature on certificate, 1:61 (1958)
Roach, George H.: correspondence, 4:12 (1940)
Rock, Donald B.: correspondence, 1:7 (1964)
Rotary Clubs of America: certificate, 4:24 (n.d.); program, 4:40 (1934)
Rush, Capt. L.L.: correspondence, 1:45 (1944)

Sadler, J.B.: correspondence, 1:46 (1948)
Sapp, Irene: notary public, 1:51 (1947)
Schanche, Carl: correspondence, 1:25 (1952)
Schlesinger, Ted: correspondence, 4:13 (1961)
Simpson, Adele: correspondence, 3:2 (1955)
Smith, Edgar N.: correspondence, 1:9 (1948)
Smith, Karl: artwork, 4:33 (n.d.)
Smith Reynolds Airport, Winston-Salem: statistics, 1:89 (1945)
Snider, William: correspondence, 1:26 (1966)
Southern Mapping and Engineering Co.: correspondence, 1:46-47 (1947-1948)
Stanley, E.M.: correspondence, 4:14 (1938)
Stevens, Albert Jr.: notary public, 1:52 (1947)
St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Club: correspondence, 4:12 (1935)
Storrs, Thomas: correspondence, 1:27 (1966)
Stout, Ralph: affidavit, 1:51 (1947); correspondence, 1:47 (1947-1948)
Sturgeon, Col. William: survey of conditions of Greensboro-HP Airport, 1:55 (1946)
Swanson, Gloria: Greensboro fashion show, 3:19 (1952); photograph, 3:4 (1952)

Tabakin, Ralph: correspondence, 1:7 (1964)
Thompson-Arthur Construction Co.: correspondence, 1-46-47 (1947-1948); report, 1:54 (1948)
Thompson, J.W.: affidavit, 1:52 (1947)
Turner, Robert: correspondence, 2:8 (1938)

United Airlines: rent rates, 1:35 (n.d.)
United States Army: certificates of service, 4:22 (1918-1973)
United States Department of Commerce, Civil Aeronautics Administration:
correspondence, 1:25, 43-44 (1946-1952)
United States Department of War: correspondence, 1:38, 41-42, 48 (1946)
United States Golf Association Open Championship: 4:27 (1936)
United States Postal Service: Greensboro post office dedication programs, 4:34 (1933)
United States vs. Greensboro-High Point Airport:
affidavits, 1:50-52 (1947)
claim, legal, 1:53 (1947)
correspondence, 1:36-49 (1944-1948)
survey, 1:55 (1946)

Vanstory, C.M. (Neil): correspondence, 1:28 (1961)
Vestal, Sarah: notary public, 1:50 (1947)

Wade, Wallace: correspondence, 4:15
Weatherly, Harry: correspondence, 1:29 (1962)
Williams, Walter: correspondence, 1:48 (1946)
Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce, Aviation Committee: correspondence, 1:24 (1963)
Women’s College of the University of North Carolina: correspondence, 4:10 (1942)
World War II: blotter, 4:19 (n.d.); identification pass, 1:72 (n.d.)

York, William: correspondence, 4:16 (1938)

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 principal names associated with this collection are Little and McAlister. These two family groups produced the bulk of materials. Certain items related to individuals, such as those in the B.F. Little series and the correspondence between A.C. McAlister and his wife Adelaide can be viewed as discrete portions of the collection. Upon the marriage of Sallie Reid Little to Alexander W. McAlister in 1894, however, the histories of the two families become intertwined. Researchers will find the collection rich in materials related to the Civil War and plantation life, both before and after the war, in Richmond County, North Carolina. Also of interest may be a group of the printed versions of speeches made by national politicians in the 1850s.

Arrangement: The materials that compose the Little/McAlister Papers are alphabetically arranged into the following eight series: Correspondence, ca. 1858-1959; Financial, 1855-1880; Legal, 1772-1923; Little, B.F., 1814-1907; Maps/Plats, 1833-1907; Miscellaneous, 1876-1947; Photographs, ca. 1855-1963; and Printed, 1850-1948.

Provenance: This collection was donated by relatives and descendants of the subjects over the course of a number of years. These donations were assigned the accession numbers 1982.1028.25-66, 1984.38.5, 1985.183.1-52, 54, and 1999.74.3. Additional items were donated in 1991 and 1995 by Mrs. Mary W. Flora, who is the donor associated with some of the aforementioned accession numbers. The museum also possesses the Alexander W. McAlister Family Papers, which contain material related to these family groups. Researchers interested in either the Little or McAlister families may also want to consult the collections pertinent to these families held by the Southern Historical Collection at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In particular, see #1861-z (Alexander Carey McAlister Papers), #3954 (Benjamin Franklin Little Papers), and #4318 (Alexander W. McAlister Papers). For copies of these inventories and others pertinent to this collection, see the first folder in Box 1.

Processing: This collection was organized and the finding aid was completed by Francis D. Pitts III in February 1999.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Benjamin Franklin Little, one of the principal subjects of this collection, was by training a lawyer and later became a planter in Richmond County, North Carolina. His father, Thomas Little, had established a plantation after emigrating from England in the early part of the nineteenth century. Upon the elder Little’s death in the mid 1850s, B.F. Little appears to have assumed management of the plantation. In the late 1850s Little married the former Mary Jane “Flax” Reid, daughter of influential planter and politician Rufus Reid of Iredell County, North Carolina. They had at least five children – Rufus, Lacy, Tom, Nancy and Sallie.

After the outbreak of the Civil War, Little was appointed captain in the North Carolina Troops in March 1862 and in August of that year received his commission, which placed the company he commanded in the 52nd Regiment. At the battle of Gettysburg, Little was severely wounded, then captured by Union forces and hospitalized. His wound would subsequently require the amputation of his left arm, after which he was sent to prison in Maryland. In March 1864 he was paroled at Point Lookout, Maryland, and shortly thereafter exchanged at City Point, Virginia. A month later he was appointed Lieutenant Colonel to the Field and Staff of the 52nd Regiment, but by July he submitted his resignation due to reasons associated with his disability. Upon his release from service, Little returned to the family home, called Carlisle, farming and other business ventures. In the last year of the war he became active in state politics and later served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1876. He died at his residence in July 1879.

Alexander Carey McAlister, another principal subject of this collection, was the son of Colonel Alexander McAlister, who is said to have served in the American Revolution. At the start of the Civil War, A. C. McAlister was twenty-two and by occupation a farmer. In April 1861 he enlisted in Bladen County and was assigned to Company K, 18th Regiment North Carolina Troops. Later that year he was appointed 3rd Lieutenant and transferred to Company I of the 22nd Regiment. In the spring of 1862 he was promoted to captain and transferred again, this time to Company F, 46th Regiment NC Troops. In 1863 he was appointed major and transferred to the Field and Staff of that regiment. The following year he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and later “distinguished himself by his daring in leading the regiment to the muzzles of the cannon” at a battle at Reams’ Station, Virginia. In February 1865 he assumed command of a small force chosen to protect Randolph County, among other counties in the area, from Federal raiders. He and his men were also charged with enforcing the Conscription Act and rounding up deserters in the counties they patrolled. McAlister was paroled at Greensboro in May 1865.

During the course of the Civil War McAlister and his wife, the former Adelaide Worth, kept up a regular correspondence from 1861 through 1864. In their letters, which number approximately seventy, wartime conditions and information about friends and relatives were discussed. No letters from the war period after this date are known to exist. Perhaps one of the reasons why their correspondence ceased to continue in 1865 was due to the fact that A.C. McAlister’s new duties brought him within the vicinity of their home in Asheboro, North Carolina. After the war McAlister returned to Asheboro, where he eventually established a lumber business, which his son, Alexander Worth McAlister, entered in 1887 and soon consolidated with one in Greensboro. A.C. McAlister died in 1916.

After the marriage of Sallie Reid Little to Alexander W. McAlister in 1894, the histories of these two families become intertwined, and inevitably there was a commingling of archival materials. As a result, other Little and McAlister family members, and some of the relatives and ancestors of people who married into these families, and business and personal acquaintances are represented in the collection. Each of the items relating to these people will help inform many aspects of the two families’ histories.

Biographical Sources: The primary sources contained in the collection provided information that afforded rough sketches of the principal subjects. This material was augmented by information from secondary sources. The most useful of these included the following titles: Powell, William S., ed. Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, Vol. 4 L-O, Chapel Hill, NC: The UNC Press, 1991; and Jordan, Weymouth T., Jr., compiler. North Carolina Troops, 1861-1865: A Roster, Vols. VI-VII and XI-XII, Raleigh, NC: Division of Archives and History, 1977-90. Also helpful was the information included in the finding aids, relative to the principal subjects in the collection, housed in the Southern Historical Collection at UNC-CH.

SCOPE & CONTENT NOTE

Types of materials in this collection include Civil War-related documents; correspondence; financial and legal documents; maps; photographs; and printed material.

Much of the collection focuses on two separate family groups, the Littles and the McAlisters, with a substantial portion of that material associated with either Benjamin F. Little or A.C. McAlister. Researchers will find the collection strong in materials relating to the Civil War. Of special note is the correspondence, totaling approximately seventy letters, between A.C. McAlister and his wife Adelaide while he served as an officer in the Confederate army (1:14-18,20-22). B.F. Little was also a Confederate officer, and the collection contains official documents relating to his service in the army (4:1-4) and an original muster role of the company he commanded (4:5). Included in the B.F. Little series is a doctor’s prescription for a cure and a receipt for a prosthesis (4:25) that relate to the wound he received at Gettysburg, which resulted in the amputation of his left arm. The museum’s object collection contains Little’s prosthesis (1982.1028.1) and the minie ball (1985.183.53) extracted from his arm.

Other noteworthy materials associated with the Little family are the items relating to aspects of plantation life in Richmond County, North Carolina, both before and after the Civil War. Researchers may find the slave records (4:28-29), the freedmen contracts (4:21) and various legal documents relative to inventories (4:22) and estate settlements (4:20,23-24) of particular interest.

Also of note in the collection are maps and plats of land in or near Richmond County, North Carolina, one of which shows the route of a proposed railroad line (5:1). In addition, a series of printed speeches (8:16-32) by national politicians during the 1850s, in which important issues facing the country, such as the Kansas question and the assault on Senator Sumner, are discussed, may also be of interest to some researchers.

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

1.  Correspondence.  37 folders (ca. 115 items).  ca. 1858-1959.

The bulk of this series consists of correspondence between A.C. McAlister and his wife Adelaide during the Civil War (1:14-18,20-22). These letters open a window on their life while he served as an officer in the Confederate army. They are rich in detail about events in the war and each correspondent’s response to them. Other items in this series contain information on activities related to members of either the Little or McAlister families. Folder 1:34 holds additional pieces of correspondence related to the Civil War that may be of interest to researchers.

2.  Financial.  3 folders (4 items).  1855-80.

The financial documents consist of an 1867 account statement for the Ladies Church Association (2:1), in which A.C. McAlister is listed as the Treasurer; a bill of lading from Seaboard Air Line (2:2); and receipts from John P. Little (2:3).

3.  Legal.  20 folders (ca. 30 items).  1772-1923.

The bulk of items in this series relate to the legal activities of members of the Little family and their ancestors. Included among the materials are deeds (3:2-10) and documents relative to estate settlements (3:11-15,19-20).

4.  Little, B.F.  29 folders (ca. 50 items).  1814-1907.

This series contains a discrete portion of the collection, consisting of items related mainly to B.F. Little, his family and estate. It provides the researcher with a rich cache of information on aspects of plantation life in Richmond County, North Carolina, both before and after the Civil War. Among the most noteworthy items in this group are slave records (4:28-29), freedmen contracts (4:21) and various legal documents relative to inventories (4:22) and the settlement of B.F. Little’s estate (4:20,23-24). Also of note in this series are items related to Little’s participation in the Civil War as a Confederate officer (4:1-5) and medical documents pertaining to a wound he received at Gettysburg (4:25).

5.  Maps/Plats.  1 folder (5 items).  1833-1907.

The items that compose this series appear to be either maps or plats of land in or near Richmond County, North Carolina. One of the more interesting in the group is a color “Timber Map” that shows a proposed railroad line running through parts of three North Carolina counties.

6.  Miscellaneous.  9 folders (ca. 30 items).  1876-1947.

This series consists of materials either generated by or associated with members of the Little and McAlister families. Noteworthy items include a list of “Soldier’s Rules” found in association with Little material (6:2); correspondence and related items pertaining to Sallie Little and A.W. McAlister’s wedding (6:3); A.W. McAlister’s progress reports from the Bingham School in Mebaneville, NC (6:6); and provisions to the A.W. McAlister Foundation recommended by Mrs. S.L. McAlister (6:9).

7.  Photographs.  8 folders (ca. 50 items).  ca. 1855-1963.

The photographs primarily show members of the Little and McAlister families. Other items of special note include snapshots of the ruins of the Little family home, called Carlisle, after a fire in 1963 (7:1) and late nineteenth or early twentieth century photographs of unidentified subjects (7:7-8).

8.  Printed.  32 folders (43 items).  1850-1948.

A little over half of the items in this series consist of the printed versions of speeches made by national politicians during the 1850s. Noteworthy speeches among this group include Henry Clay’s on the “Compromise Report” (8:21), Judah P. Benjamin’s on the “Kansas Question” (8:17), and Warren Winslow’s on the “Assault of Senator Sumner” (8:31). Also included in this group are Franklin Pierce’s inaugural address and messages to the 33rd and 34th Congresses (8:27-29). Other items of interest include a CSA circular (8:2); a small booklet entitled Dixie Primer (8:3); pamphlets and programs from North Carolina educational institutions (8:13-15); an advertisement for tobacco depicting the imagined facets of a woman’s heart (8:1); and various newspaper clippings and obituaries pertaining to members of the Little and McAlister families (8:4-8).

FOLDER LISTING

Index to the Little/McAlister Family Papers (ca. 1772-1963)

Note: The numbers following the name/subject entry – e.g. 1:1 – indicate in which Series#:Folder# (or, if no “:”, Series only) that name/subject can be found. Dates of the items are given in parentheses for an individual Series/Folder or, if at the end, for the entire subject/name entry. The abbreviation GSO indicates a Greensboro association.

Adams, S.: 8:16 (1856)
African Americans: freedmen contracts, 4:21 (1866-67); slave records, 4:28-29 (1814-61); 3:11 (1858)
Ashe, W.S.: 8:9 (1853)
Asheboro, NC: 1:14-18, 20-22 (1861-64)

Bancurn, Alfred: 3:2 (1870)
Benjamin, Judah P.: 8:17 (1856)
Bingham School (Mebaneville, NC): 6:5 (1876-79)
Branch, Lawrence O’B.: 8:18 (1856)
Brooks and Polk: 8:19 (1853)

Carlile, John S.: 8:20 (1856)
Carlisle: photographs of ruins, 7:1 (1963); 8:5 (1935)
Carolina Central Railway Co. of North Carolina, The: 4:26 (1874)
Carpenter, David: 3:3 (1877)
Carruthers, Samuel: 8:10 (1856)
Certificates: law, 4:25 (1850); stock, 4:26 (1855-74); American Consular, 3:1 (1918-19)
Charlotte Female Institute: 8:14 (1890)
Civil War: 1:12,14-18,20-22,34; 4:1-5,24; 8:2 (ca. 1861-65)
Clark, Mary: 1:1 (1937)
Clay, Henry: 8:21 (1850)
Clingman, Thomas L.: 8:22 (1857)
Commission merchants: 4:9,16-17,19 (1873-79)
Confederate States of America: 4:1-2 (1864); circular, 8:2 (1864)

Dawson, W.C.: 8:23 (1852)
Dixie Primer: pamphlet, 8:3 (undated)

Edgeworth Female Seminary: 8:15 (1849)
Education: 6:5 (1876-79); 8:13-15 (1849-90)
Edwards, B.W.: 4:7 (1876)
Evans, Lemuel D.: 8:24 (1856)

Fayetteville and Albemarle Plank Road Co.: 4:26 (1855-59)
Fuller, Henry M.: 8:25 (1856)

Gilmer, John A., Jr.: 1:2 (1860)
Graham, Frank P.: 1:26 (1949)
Greensboro, NC: 1:34 (1864); 6:1 (1926)
Greensboro Country Club: golf score cards, 6:1 (1926)

Harris, Hugh W.: 1:3 (1899); Supreme Court decision, 3:19 (undated)

Lacy, D.: 1:4 (ca. 1858)
Ladies Church Association: 2:1 (1867)
Leak, W.C.: 1:5 (1896)
Legrand: 3:15 (ca. 1870-76)
Lindley: 8:26 (1856)
Lingle, Nancy: 1:6 (1949)
Little: miscellaneous, 6:2 (ca. 1890-1947)
Little, B.F.: 1:12 (1917); Supreme Court decision, 3:19 (undated); 4 (1850-1907); 7:2 (ca. 1879)
Little, Jane P.: 3:11-12 (1858-60); 7:2 (ca. 1855)
Little, Janey: 1:7 (1948)
Little, John P.: 2:3 (1855-60)
Little, Lacy: 1:8 (1924); 3:1,4 (1900-19)
Little, Mary Jane Reid: 1:9 (1904); 3:13 (undated), Supreme Court decision, 3:19 (undated); obituary, 8:4 (1905)
Little, Rufus, R.: 3:16-17 (1905-23); obituary, 8:5 (1935)
Little, Sallie R.: wedding material (see also Sallie R. L. McAlister), 6:3 (1894)
Little, Sarah: 1:10 (1903-04)
Little, Thomas: 3:5,14,20 (1821-56); 4:8,27 (1814-54)
Little, Thomas R.: 1:11 (1897-1907); 6:4 (1910)
Lowrance, W.B.: 1:12 (1917)

McAdin, J(?): 1:13 (1900)
McAlister: children, 7:3 (undated); home, 7:4 (1950); miscellaneous, 6:4 (undated)
McAlister, A.C.: 1:14-18,20-22; 2:1 (1861-67)
McAlister, A.W.: 1:19 (1895-1919); 6:5-6,8 (1876-1938); 8:6 (1946)
McAlister, A.W. Foundation: 6:8 (undated)
McAlister, Adelaide: 1:14-18,20-22 (1861-64)
McAlister, Jean: 1:23 (1918); 6:7 (1931)
McAlister, John: 1:24 (1918)
McAlister, Lacy: 1:25 (1918-59); 8:7 (1948)
McAlister, May: 7:5 (undated)
McAlister, Sallie R. L.: 1:26-27 (1949); 3:6 (1900); 6:3,8 (ca. 1894-1949); 7:6 (undated); 8:8 (ca. 1913)
McConnell, John D.: 1:27 (1949)
McRae, Daniel: 3:7 (1837)
Mask, John: 3:8 (1772)
Mask, Pleasant M.: 3:9 (1820); 5:1 (1833)
Mebaneville, NC: 6:5 (1876-79)
Medical affairs and treatment: 4:24 (ca. 1863-67); 8:2 (1864)
Murray and Co. (Wilmington, NC): 4:9 (1875)

Naturalization laws: 8:11 (1855)
Naval store inspectors: 4:9 (1875)
New York Southern Society: 6:7 (1931)
North Carolina Troops (Civil War): 4:3-5 (1862)

Penick, P.F.: 1:28 (1886)
Pierce, Franklin: 8:27-29 (1853-56)
Plantations: 4 (1850-1907)
Player, Monroe & Co. (Wilmington, NC): 4:9 (1875)
Porter, J.A.: 1:29 (1898)

Railroads: 2:2 (1880); 4:26 (1874)
Rayner, Kenneth: 8:30 (1856)
Reid, “Flax” Jane: 4:10 (1855)
Reid, Mrs. I.M.: 4:11 (1858)
Richmond County (NC): 4 (1850-1907); plats, 5:1 (1833-1907); 7:1 (1963); 8:5 (1935)
Robinson, John: 4:12 (1879)

Salem Female Academy: 8:13 (1872)
Saunders, W.L.: 1:30 (undated)
Seaboard Air Line: 2:2 (1880)
Shamburger, M.E.: 1:31 (1894)
Simmons, B.W.: 3:10 (1831)
Smith, W.N.H.: 1:32 (undated)
Steele’s Township: real estate values, 3:18 (1907)
Sullivan, Algernon Sidney Award: 6:7 (1931)

Transportation: 2:2 (1880); 4:26 (1855-74); road laws, 8:12 (ca. 1887)

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: 6:7 (1931)

Wallace, S.D.: 4:14 (1876)
Ward, C.C.: 4:15 (1874)
Williams & Murchison (Wilmington, NC): 4:16,19 (1873)
Winner, A.V.: 1:35 (1894)
Winslow, Warren: 8:31 (1856)
Woman’s Heart Tobacco: advertisement, 8:1 (ca. 1887)
Worth, Alex: 1:36 (undated)
Worth, J.M.: 1:37 (1898)
Worth & Worth (Wilmington, NC): 4:17 (1873-79)
Wright, W. P.: 4:18 (1887)

Zollicoffer, F.K.: 8:32 (1856)

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 Lindley Nurseries have a long history in Greensboro and Guilford County. Touted as the oldest organized business in the city and the first nursery in North Carolina, it was established around 1850 by Joshua Lindley, having 1000 acres, 350 used in cultivation. It was first in the cultivation of fruit & nut trees, shade, evergreen, and ornamental shrubs.

This collection is a combination of materials from the actual nursery business and personal items from various members of the Lindley family. Researchers interested in landscape gardening, the nursery business, and southern horticulture will find this collection useful. It includes printed materials such as nursery catalogs dating from 1870-1965, photos of various landscape jobs and nursery operations, correspondence, and legal and financial records. The Lindley family materials are mostly of a personal nature, and include correspondence, photos, and financial, legal, and printed materials. The collection covers a wide time frame, but the majority of items date from 1920 to 1940.The nursery was owned and operated by four generations of Lindleys.

Arrangement: The Lindley Nurseries Collection is organized into eight series by subject and document type. Within each series, materials are organized by document type, then alphabetically. The series are: Drawing, ca. 1964; Friends of the South, 1861; John “Jack” Van Lindley II, 1923-1964; John Van Lindley, ca. 1900; Paul Cameron Lindley, 1903-1940; Lindley Nurseries, 1839-1965; Photographs, ca. 1880-1940; and Printed Materials, ca. 1910-1940.

Provenance: The bulk of this collection was purchased on February 10, 1995. The Friends of the South document (2:1) was purchased on January 20, 1995. Several catalogs (6:38-40) were found by Evan and J. Stephen Catlett. The accession numbers for these materials are 1995.24.1-3. The pamphlet entitled “The Bride’s Bouquet (6:43) was donated in 2016 and assigned accession number 2016.54.1.

Processing: J. Stephen Catlett began processing this collection prior to 2000. The arrangement and finding aid were completed by Christine A. Dumoulin, Archives Assistant, in February 2001.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

The Lindley Family has a long history of involvement in the nursery business. Joshua Lindley was a pioneer of landscaping and horticulture in North Carolina, establishing the first known nursery in the state.

John Van Lindley (1835-1918) was born in Monrovia, Indiana, the son of Joshua and Judith Lindley. He was brought to North Carolina at the age of three, growing up in Chatham County. The family moved to Guilford County in 1851. Following in his father’s footsteps, he gained experience in the nursery business, traveling in Texas and Missouri. When the Civil War began, he joined the Missouri cavalry and fought for the Union. Returning to North Carolina after the war, he found his father’s business in debt and joined him to establish Joshua Lindley and Son, as proprietors of the New Garden Nursery. In 1877, the Pomona Nursery was established as he made a concerted effort to turn the business around. Around 1900, he became the sole proprietor of J. Van Lindley Nurseries. He would remain involved in the nursery until his death on July 13, 1918.

J. Van Lindley was also involved in several other ventures as a businessman and philanthropist. He formed the Pomona Terra Cotta Company, which made sewer pipes for the city of Greensboro. In 1897, he became president of the Pomona Cotton Mill and erected a schoolhouse for the children of his employees. He was a pioneer in the insurance industry in the Piedmont as one of the founders of the Security Life and Annuity Company and its president. He helped establish the Underwriters Fire Insurance Company, which was the pioneer fire insurance company in the state. He was also president of the North Carolina Horticultural Association. Before this death, he gave a sixty-acre tract of land near Pomona to be used as a city park. The Lindley School and Lindley Park were named after him.

Paul Cameron Lindley (1877-1933), the son of J. Van Lindley, continued in the nursery tradition. He served as vice president and head of the nurseries. He was also a prominent public servant in his own right. He served as director of the Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company and eight years on the Greensboro City Council. His last two terms on council were spent as mayor, from 1931-1933. During his tenure, he was active in bringing awareness to Greensboro’s green spaces and was responsible for helping develop city parks and playgrounds. He was also instrumental in the development of Lindley Field, which is now the Piedmont International Airport. His life was cut short by drowning in a lake on Lindley Nursery property in May 1933.

John “Jack” Van Lindley II (1908-1990) was born to Paul Cameron Lindley and his first wife, Mabel Glenn. John “Jack” Van Lindley II was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He married Virginia Ives Hall in December 1932. (See Mss. Coll. #21 for further details on their lives together.) As his father and grandfather before him, Jack served as president and general manager of Lindley Nurseries. He was also involved as chairman of Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company’s executive committee. He was a member of the Board of Directors of North Carolina National Bank. Like his father, Jack took part in Greensboro politics and in 1935, he was named a member of the Greater Greensboro School District Board, a position he held for nearly ten years. He also served two unexpired terms on the Greensboro City Council. In 1953, he was appointed commissioner of the Seventh District of the State Highway Commission that was responsible for the early building of Interstate 85.

Biographical Sources: The following books, most of which are located in the Archives, were used to compile this biographical note: History of North Carolina, Vol. III, by Hugh T. Lefler (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1956); Greensboro, North Carolina: The County Seat of Guilford, by Ethel Stephens Arnett (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1955); and Greensboro 1808-1904. Facts, Figures, Traditions, and Reminiscences, by James W. Albright (Greensboro: Jos. J. Stone & Co., 1904). In addition, the following newspaper clippings in GHM clippings were used: “J. Van Lindley Nursery Co.” (1905; 83.31.4-15), “Pomona Hill Nurseries/ Pomona Terra Cotta Co.” Greensboro Patriot, May 3, 1899, p. 4 (81.154.174), “J. Van Lindley Nursery Company…,” Greensboro Daily News, Dec. 8, 1912 (83.31.1-9). Finally, more information on the later Lindley’s can be found in the finding aid for the Lindley Family Papers, Mss. Collection #21.

SCOPE & CONTENT NOTE

The types of materials in this collection include a landscape plan, photographs, printed materials such as catalogues and pamphlets, correspondence, financial items such as receipts and bankbooks, and legal items such as deeds and insurance policies. One item of interest not related to the nurseries or the Lindley’s is an 1861 resolution to form the local militia the Home Guards during the Civil War (2:1).

There is no information about J. Van Lindley Sr. in the personal papers of the Lindley family, except several copies of an engraving/print (4:1). To learn more about him, researchers need to consult the bibliographic sources. The series for Jack Van Lindley is also limited in scope. The letter, certificate, and insurance policies are personal and are unrelated to the nurseries and his civic involvement.

The materials for Paul Cameron Lindley contain items relating to his business dealings and civic duties. Paul received numerous letters from his constituents, congratulating him on his re-election as Mayor of Greensboro (5:8-9). An article on parks standards in 1931 (5:17), and a program for the 17th National Recreation Congress in 1930 (5:20), show his involvement in the Parks and Recreation movement on a national as well as local level. His involvement in the Boy Scouts of America (5:1-6) included a campaign to raise awareness for the dangers of blasting caps; the broadside “Number of Children Injured…” maps incidents of blasting cap injuries around the country (5:5).

The Lindley Nurseries series gives researchers a glimpse into the business itself. Correspondence includes an interesting letter from the Army Air Corps requesting to use nursery property as a camp as they survey Lindley Airfield (6:2) and letters pertaining to the shipment and payment of nursery stock, both in NC and out of state (6:3-4). An audit report from June 30, 1930, outlines the company’s assets, liabilities, and expenses, showing the cost of running a business (6:12). Land and lot appraisals for tracts of land in what is now Lindley Park show early property values (6:17-20). The photos give a visual account of nursery operations from planting procedures (6:31) and the greenhouses (6:25), to the Lindley Arboretum (6:27) and the main office (6:28). Nursery catalogs ranging from 1872-1964/65 document not only the types of plants, trees, and shrubs that grow in the Piedmont region, but also the changes in what the nursery sold and specialized (6:35-40).

The photos in the collection cover a range of subjects from some of the different homes that were landscaped by the nursery to personal photos of the Lindley family. Five images of Cone Mills White Oak and Revolution plants show not only landscaping but also how mill villages were set up (7:18). Other images include a portrait of J. Van Lindley at a Southern Association of Nurserymen meeting in Atlanta, Ga. in 1908 (7:41) and two images of the Vick Chemical Company (7:8).

The printed materials are a mixed group of publications, such as a fall planting catalog from Andorra Nurseries, Philadelphia, PA (8:2), “The Car Owner” put out by the Automobile Association of America (AAA; 8:3), and a copy of “The Tar Heel Banker” (8:10).

Collection Weaknesses: The series on members of the Lindley family contain almost no information about the nurseries but rather are more personal in nature. Many of these materials are not directly related to Greensboro. Secondly, the Lindley Nurseries series represents only a fraction of materials from its long history, despite ranging from the years 1839-1965.

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

1. Drawings. 1 folder (1 item). ca. 1964.

This is a landscape plan of the Drayton D. Stott property in Greensboro. Although more recent, it is one of the few items in the collection illustrating the actual design of a property before everything was planted. There is no further information on Stott himself.

2. Friends of the South. 1 folder (1 item). 1861.

While this document/resolution has nothing to do with the Lindley Nurseries, it is an excellent account of the Civil War on the home front. A small group of local Greensboro citizens formed the “Home Guard,” a local militia group and resolved for all members to sign an oath against the abolition of slavery and free soil movements. It is dated Friday, April 26, 1861.

3. John “Jack” Van Lindley. 3 folders (4 items). 1923-1964.

This series contains primarily items that pertain to the personal affairs of Jack Lindley. Although he served as president of the nurseries, none of the items relate to his involvement. Folder 3:1 contains a letter dated March 28, 1964, from R.B. Moore, Rear Admiral for the U.S. Navy, to Jack concerning a favor he was doing for him; what that was is not clear from the letter. There are also several items, such as two insurance policies from Jefferson Standard National Life Insurance and Pilot Life Insurance (3:2), and a stock certificate from United Bank and Trust (3:2).

4. John Van Lindley. 1 folder (3 items). ca. 1900.

John Van Lindley, son of Joshua Lindley, was responsible for taking his fathers’ fledgling nursery business and forming the Lindley Nurseries. He became the second generation of horticulturists in the family. This series, however, contains only three engravings of him as an older man (4:1).

5. Paul Cameron Lindley. 22 folders (68 items). 1903-1940.

Paul Cameron Lindley was the son of John Van Lindley, and followed in his father’s footsteps as owner/manager of the Lindley Nurseries. He was also president of Jefferson Standard Life Insurance and the Mayor of Greensboro from 1931 to 1933. This series contains mostly materials from his many activities as Mayor and his involvement in the Greensboro community.

The subseries Boy Scouts of America (5:1-6) shows Paul’s involvement as president of the  Greensboro Council in 1930. A letter from actor Richard Arlen (5:1) to Lindley discusses naming a trophy after him for the winners of a citywide race in Greensboro. Also mentioned is his latest movie role in Zane Grey’s “Light of Western Stars.” There are also several items related to a campaign to reduce injuries in children caused by the detonation of blasting caps. Included are a letter from the Institute of Makers of Explosives (5:2) and several broadsides warning “Leave Blasting Caps Alone!” (5:5).

The subseries Parks and Recreation (5:16-21) contains materials from Paul’s involvement in the movement during his tenure as mayor. Two bulletins emphasize adult recreation as a means of education and encouraging leadership among children as they play without taking away their spontaneity through too much adult supervision and direction. An example of the success of the movement is a statistics sheet covering four years progress in public recreation in Pittsburgh.

The subseries Correspondence contains mostly letters from constituents and friends congratulating Paul on his appointment as mayor of Greensboro. Finally, a pamphlet called “Paul’s Practical Plant Tips” is a publication with personal tips for the home gardener. (5:23)

6. Lindley Nurseries. 44 folders (183 items). 1839-1965.

This series contains materials related directly to nursery operations. While the nurseries specialized in landscaping, they were also suppliers for nurseries and florists around the country. Over the years, the nursery changed names several times as well as what they specialized in. The Pomona Nurseries (1877) sold primarily fruit and nut trees, ornamental shrubs, and evergreens. In the early 1900s, the name was changed to the J. Van Lindley Nursery Company, boasting 900 acres for trees and young plants, and 11 greenhouses for flowers. They sold cut flowers at their florist shop on 115 S. Elm Street until 1925, when it was sold to A.J. Sykes. Their mail order business reached “as far west as Oregon, far north as Canada, and south as Florida” using Southern Railways to transport their stock. They also operated 350 acres in Kernersville, large apple nurseries in Harnett County, and model orchards in Southern Pines.

The subseries Correspondence (6:1-10) contains a variety of documents including letters, legal documents, audit report, letterheads, postcards, and contracts. Among the more interesting items include: an advertising appeal by the U.S. Post Office in 1938 encouraging the use of airmail rather than the impersonal telephone (6:1), and a reference request for a Robert C. Young by the Waynesboro Nurseries; Young worked briefly for Lindley Nurseries. In 1939, the Army Air Corps requests the use of a section of nursery property as a camp to survey the airfield at Lindley Field (6:2).

Folders 6:10 and 6:14 pertain to John Craigie and his wife, Catharine Fletcher. Emigrating from Scotland around 1839, they lived in Surry County. Craigie was a stonemason and may have done work for the Lindley family. Both Fletcher and Craigie signed affidavits confirming their identity, most likely for immigration purposes. The correspondence includes a commission for John to join the 67th NC regiment in 1866 and personal letters from Henry Begg and Lewis F. Self describing daily life in New Berlin (6:11).

The subseries Legal contains primarily land documents and items relating to nursery property. Several of these give researchers a look at early lot/property values and insurance costs. There are several early lot appraisals for what is now Lindley Park (6:17-20), fire insurance policies for a general store and building on Oakland Ave in Pomona (6:16), and two deeds giving property to the North Carolina Railroad; the specific property is unclear (6:15).

A visual look at nursery operations can be seen in the subseries Photographs. Approximately fifty images, these photos document the day to day aspects of the nurseries, such as planting procedures (6:31), Lindley Nursery signs (6:33), and the greenhouses (6:25). There are also six images of African American workers (6:31).

7. Photographs. 40 folders (approx. 150 items). ca. 1880-1940.

This collection of photographs contains mostly images of different businesses and private homes that were landscaped by Lindley Nurseries. The subseries Buildings contains images of landscaping around such structures as the Elk’s Club on Greene and Sycamore Streets (7:4), the U.S. Post Office on W. Market and Eugene Streets (7:7), and the Greensboro Historical Museum as the former Richardson Civic Center (7:6).

Among the photos are approximately 33 images taken by the Horace McFarland Company of Harrisburg, PA. McFarland owned the Mount Pleasant Printing Co. in Pennsylvania and was a master gardener. He also fought for the establishment of the National Park Service and was heavily involved in the improvement of cities and preserving America’s natural beauty. See the Appendix for a complete list of photos. There are also five images taken by local Greensboro photographer, W.A. Roberts Film Company (7:4,10,29).

Other photos include fourteen images of the Lindley family, including one possibly of Joshua Lindley and his wife, Paul Lindley and his son Jack as an infant, and unidentified nursery workers (7:35). There are five images of the Greensboro Fire Dept. putting out fires, and training members of the Boy Scouts; two photos have African American onlookers (7:10).

8. Printed Materials. 10 folders (11 items). ca. 1910-1940.

This series is a mixed group of pamphlets on different subjects, not all of which relate directly to the nurseries. Some of these may have belonged to different members of the Lindley family. “Forestry in the South” (8:4) and “Everything for the Cemetery” (8:3) are publications related to public landscaping. “The Dynamic Decade: 1927-1937” (8:6) is a retrospective look at Lindley Field. “The Story of the Abrico” (8:10) is an interesting look at early road graders.

FOLDER LISTING