Armistead Boothe Papers (MS164)

Access and use

Location of collection:
Alexandria Library
Alexandria Library
Local History/Special Collections
717 Queen Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Patricia Walker, Branch Manager
Phone: (703) 746-1719
Phone: (703) 838-4577
Fax: (703) 706-3912
Preferred citation:

[Item identification], Armistead Boothe Papers, MS164, Alexandria Library, Local History and Special Collections, Alexandria, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
10.2 Cubic Feet 14.5 boxes, 2 oversize boxes, 18 oversize folders, 3 oversize items, 2 items in map drawers, 1 rolled item
Creator:
Boothe, Armistead L. (Armistead Lloyd), 1907-1990, Boothe, Eleanor Harrison Carr, 1881-1968, and Boothe, Gardner L. (Gardner Lloyd), 1872-1964
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Item identification], Armistead Boothe Papers, MS164, Alexandria Library, Local History and Special Collections, Alexandria, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

These are the collected papers of Alexandria politician Armistead Lloyd Boothe (1907-1990). Papers created or collected by Boothe in the course of his career include campaign materials, correspondence with colleagues, and extensive newspaper clippings in addition to other research on political issues such as segregation, education, and transportation.

The collection also includes scrapbooks, journals, albums, memorabilia and other forms of personal papers from various family members. One scrapbook documents Joseph Armistead Carr's career and death as a Rough Rider. Among the highlights of the business, legal, and financial papers in this collection are Captain William Boothe's ship logs. Genealogical papers relate to the Boothe, Carr, Harrison, and other families of Virginia and Alexandria.

Series 1 contains the personal and business papers of Armistead Boothe's parents (Gardner Lloyd Boothe and Eleanor Harrison Carr Boothe) and of his paternal grandparents (William J. Boothe and Mary Grace Leadbeater Boothe), as well as genealogical information collected by Boothe about various branches of the famiy tree.

Included in this series are folders specifically labelled as containing correspondence, however there are additional instances of correspondence in other folders.

This sub-series includes the personal papers, correspondence, business, legal, and financial documents of William and Mary Boothe. Notable items include Captain William J. Boothe's ship's logs, and Mary Boothe's detailed financial management of her household after her husband's death.

Combined from previous folders: "1845 letter to John Leadbeater, 1845", "1849 letter(s) relating to the honeymoon trip of William J. Boothe and Mary Grace Leadbeater, 1849", "Miscellaneous correspondence to Capt. William J. Boothe, 1848 - 1885", and "American Coal Co. to William J. Boothe, 1866 - 1890"

Combined from previous folders: "Miscellaneous correspondence, 1827 - 1864", "Correspondence between Wm.J. Boothe and S.B. Spencer, Atlanta, 1870's", Letter from W.A. Slaymaker, University Publishing Co., Atlanta, 1872", "To George K. Whitmer from St. Louis Mutual Life Insurance Co., 1872", "Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1870s", and "William J. Boothe records for land in Nuckolls County, Nebraska, 1870s - 1880s"

Combined from previous folders: "Checks from Atlanta, 1872-1873", Correspondence related to property in Georgia, 1870s - 1880s", "Correspondence between William J. Boothe and B.F. Church, 1880s", "Correspondence with S. Ferguson Beach, 1880s", Miscellaneous correspondence, 1880s", "Stutsman County, Dakota Territory, 1880-1891", "William J. Boothe to Alexandria City Council about Alexandria Water Company, 1882", and "Miscellaneous papers, 1890s"

Combined from previous folders: "Bill in Maryland House of Delegates to amend charter of Cumberland and Pennsylvania Rail, 1868" and "Samuel Green naturalization paper"

Combined from previous folders: "Will of Eliza T. Fowle, 1869", "Eliza T. Fowle estate papers, 1860's - 1870's", and "William J. Boothe administration of the Eliza T. Fowle Estate, 711 Prince Street, 1870's"

Combined from previous folders: "Deeds for the block of Princess, Columbus, Washington, and Orinoco, 1840's - 1850's", "Potomac, Piedmont and Valley Agricultural Society, 1860", "Alexandria Canal Co, 1867", "Alexandria and Maryland Steam Ferry Co. stock, 1867", "Stock Certificate: Janney Car Coupling Co., 1874", "Northern Pacific Railroad Company Bonds, 1874-1875", "Deeds in Alexandria. 1884, 3 deeds (of indebtedness?): Robert N. Crook, Susan H. Crook, Hillary A. Crook, 1884", and "Deeds. Stutsman Co., Territory of Dakota., 1870s - 1880s"

Combined from previous folders: "Alexandria Hospital, 1904", "Thomas Waddy Stove and Furnace Work, 1908", "Miscellaneous papers, 1910's", "Miscellaneous papers undated", "Harrington Livery Stable, 1910", "Long grocery order to Leadbeater, 1910", "Watkins Butcher order, 1910", and "Laundry machinery, 1910"

Removed from one of two previous folders: "Miscellaneous papers, 1910's", or "Miscellaneous papers undated"

Combined from previous folders: "Checks from Burke & Herbert. Mary G. Boothe, 1907-1910" and "Checks from Burke & Herbert. Mary G. Boothe, 1911"

Combined from previous folders: "Checks from Burke & Herbert. Mary G. Boothe, 1907-1910", "Checks from Burke & Herbert. Mary G. Boothe, 1911", and "Checks from First National Bank. Mary G. Boothe, 1909-1912"

This sub-series includes the personal papers, correspondence, business, legal, and financial documents of Gardner and Eleanor Boothe. Notable items include Gardner's correspondence to Eleanor during their courtship; and a correspondence with Edith K. Roosevelt. This series also includes some papers of Gardner and Eleanor's first son and Armistead's elder brother, Gardner Jr.

Combined from previous folders: "Potomac Academy certificates of distinction for G.L. Boothe, 1885-1890", "St. Margaret's Church bulletin, 1928", "Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Gardner Boothe from Gunston Hall supporters", "News Clippings - Obituary of Eleanor Harrison Carr Boothe; Obituary for Gardner L. Boothe, 1964-1968", "Gardner Boothe honored by attorneys, 1 article, 1946", and "Gardner Boothe/Boys harbor day. 1 clipping., 1956"

Combined from previous folders: "Garnder L. Boothe correspondence to Armistead L. Boothe, 1920s", "Correspondence to Armistead L Boothe, 1920s - 1930s", "Letter to Gardner L. Boothe from Rev. B.B. Comer Lile, 1944", and "Letter from Edith K. Roosevelt, June 18, 1922"

Combined from previous folders: "Receipts from Potomac Shoe Co. to WIlliam J. Boothe & Gardner Boothe, 1890", "Burke & Herbert blank checks in book, 1890s", "Gardner Boothe personal property tax. 1 item., 1960", and "Sale of 711 Princess & 921 Vicar Lane. Five information sheets., 1960"

Combined from previous folders: "Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) application of Gardner Lloyd Boothe, Jr., 1941", "Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) verification for Garner L. Boothe, 1958", and "Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Membership Certificate and Card for Gardner L. Boothe, 1928"

Combined from previous folders: "Miscellaneous Correspondenceto Eleanor Carr, 1899-1901" and "Poem commemorating the 1901 class of the Staunton normal school, 1901"

Combined from previous folders: "Correspondence 1908-1917" and "Correspondence 1918-1940"

Combined from previous folders: "Letter to Mrs. George L. Boothe from Genealogical Bureau of Virginia, 1940", "Letter to Mrs. Gardner Boothe from sister Franes (includes Harrison family genealogical information), 1940", and "Correspondence to Mrs. Gardner Boothe from Genealogical Burea of Virginia, 1940-1941"

Combined from previous folders: Box 172 "Letters to Eleanor Harrison Carr from Gardner Boothe during courtship and early marriage, 1904 - 1908" folders 5-6

Combined from previous folders: Box 172 "Letters to Eleanor Harrison Carr from Gardner Boothe during courtship and early marriage, 1904 - 1908" folders 8-9

Combined from previous folders: Box 172 "Letters to Eleanor Harrison Carr from Gardner Boothe during courtship and early marriage, 1904 - 1908" folders 10-11

This sub-series includes records and correspondence created by or in relation to various members of the Carr family, Armistead's extended family on his mother's side.

Combined from previous folders: "Joseph A. Carr (1836-1902), correspondence, 1854-1879" and "Joseph A. Carr (1836-1902), correspondence, to Miss Mary C. Carr, 1886"

Combined from previous folders: "Joseph A. Carr (1836-1902). Correspondence, 1880-1902" and "T. Roosevelt letter to J. A. Carr, 1900"

Combined from previous folders: "Carr family correspondence, mid 1800s - early 1900s", "Letter to Adm. Stanley from WIlliam Carr, 1878", "Letter from Joseph Armistead Carr to father, 1898-07017", "Miscellaneous correspondence re: Carr family genealogy"

Combined from previous folders: "Carr family: Correspondence and genalogical information related to Carr Family, 1812-1905", "Obituary information for Carr family", and "Miscellaneous Carr family information"

This sub-series includes genealogical information, primarily collected by Armistead, in regards to various branches of his family, including notable Virginia families such as the Harrisons.

Combined from previous folders: "Armistead family" and "Booklet - 'The Family of Armistead of Virginia,' 1899"

Combined from previous folders: "Armistead family", "Correspondence of WH. Armistead and Lucy (Armistead) Carr, 1839-1848", and "West Point & Walker Keith Armsitead. Class of 1803, 1803"

Combined from previous folders: "Baylor family" and "Bernard family"

Combined from previous folders: "Harrison family", "lines written on the death of WIlliam Henry Harrison, 9th U.S. President, by L.L. Bailey, Alexandria, Va. April 6, 1841.", "Genealogial information Harrison family (folder 10)", "Ancestral chart of Eleanor Harrison Carr Boothe", "Genealogical information Harrison family (folder 11)", "Genealogical information Harrison family (folder 14), and "Genealogical information Harrison family (folder 34)"

Combined from previous folders: "Hartshorne family" and "Painter family"

Combined from previous folders: "Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) letter to Stanton Peele, Jr., 1938", "Letter to Armistead Boothe from Stanton Peele 1956", "News clipping- engagementc announcement of Bettie Peele to Armistead Boothe; Obituary for Joseph Carr, 1902-05-08", and "To California in '52, a tale by Stanley C. Peele, 1893"

Combined from previous folders: "Sketch of Buckner Magill Randolph (b.1842)", "Stabler/Leadbeater", and "News clippings- Obituary of Theodore Ravenel; Wedding announcement of Lucy Trezevant Carr and Joseph Foster Drummond"

Combined from previous folders: "Stanley family", "Stanley family letterws, 1813-1829", and "Fabius Stanley- Document appointing him as Acting Mid-shipman, U.S. Nay, 1831"

Combined from previous folders: "Tatum family", "Genealogical information Tatum family", and "Genealogy information on Adam Thoroughgood"

Combined from previous folders: "Trezevant family", "Trezevant family correspondence, 1836-1870s", and "Genealogical information Trezevant family"

Combined from previous folders: "Note arranging meeting to discuss genealogy project", "List of silver in closet", "Christian, Susan M., letter, 1871-09-08", "English sovereigns since 1066", and "Order of first families of Virginia, Statutes, 1823-1924"

Series 2 contains the personal papers of Armistead Boothe and documents his legal, military, and political careers. Included are personal and professional correspondence, personal financial records, professional legal records, political research, military memorabilia, awards, newsclippings, and ephemera.

Included in this series are folders specifically labelled as containing correspondence, however there are additional instances of correspondence in other folders.

This sub-series includes Armistead Boothe's personal correspondence, personal financial records including bound ledgers, awards and certificates, poetry authored by Boothe, and memorabilia from special events. Items of interest include ephemera from a dinner in Williamsburg, VA honoring and attended by Winston Churchill.

Combined from previous folders: "Letter from Edith K. Roosevelt, June 18, 1922", "Armistead correspondence, 1939", "Correspondence to Armistead L. Boothe, 1920s - 1930s", "Letter to Mrs. Stanton C. Peele from 'Armie' (Armistead Boothe)", "Cartoon Christmas card", "Letter to Mrs. Stanton Peele from Armistead Boothe, 1937", "Invitation to dinnerhonoring Queen Elizabeth II and seating list for dinner issued to Mr. and Mrs. Armistead Boothe, 1957", "Letter to Miss McGonigle from Armistead Boothe, 1969", "Letter to Gardner Boothe Jr. from Armistead Boothe, 1970", "Alexandria Bar Association resolution on the death of Gardner L. Boothe, 1964", "Armistead Boothe correspondence, 1970s", "Cecil Woods letter, 1983", and "'Justice John M. Harlan and the values of federalism' by J. Harvie Wilkinson., 1971"

Combined from previous folders: "Letter from Edith K. Roosevelt, June 18, 1922", "Armistead correspondence, 1939", "Correspondence to Armistead L. Boothe, 1920s - 1930s", "Letter to Mrs. Stanton C. Peele from 'Armie' (Armistead Boothe)", "Cartoon Christmas card", "Letter to Mrs. Stanton Peele from Armistead Boothe, 1937", "Invitation to dinnerhonoring Queen Elizabeth II and seating list for dinner issued to Mr. and Mrs. Armistead Boothe, 1957", "Letter to Miss McGonigle from Armistead Boothe, 1969", "Letter to Gardner Boothe Jr. from Armistead Boothe, 1970", "Alexandria Bar Association resolution on the death of Gardner L. Boothe, 1964", "Armistead Boothe correspondence, 1970s", "Cecil Woods letter, 1983", and "'Justice John M. Harlan and the values of federalism' by J. Harvie Wilkinson., 1971"

Combined from previous folders: "Armistead Boothe correspondence with Brasenose college, 1953", "Deed of land to Protestant Episcopal Theological Seminary, 1943", and "Armistead Boothe expense book and 6 separate sheets., 1929-1931"

Combined from previous folders: "Armistead and Virginia Episcopal Theological Seminary, 1960s", "Gardner Boothe testimonial dinner, 1952", "Armistead Boothe certificate of appreciation, 1943", "Literary Society - Manuscript for 'County Lawyer', 1973-1978", "Armistead Boothe honored at Urban League award banquet, 1978", "Certificate from Va. state bar to Armistead Boothe, 1980", "Alexandria First Day covers. 12 Envelopes, 1949", "Alexandria bicentennial: program and certificate, 1949", "Invitation to join the Virginia Society of the American Revolution", "Cartoon for Lion's club charter night", and "Program: Dedication of Armjistead Boothe addition to Bishop Payne Library, VA Theological Seminary, 1980"

Combined from previous folders: "NY World's fair/Armistead Boothe", "'America and India' by Edward Thompson. 1 pamphlet, 1930", "Human interet stories. 1 scrapbook. 1934-1940", and "Kipling's autobiography. Series of newspaper articles, 1937"

Combined from previous folders: "Armistead Boothe's savings book with First National Bak, 1912", "Class prophecy (poem), Late 1920s", "Armistead Boothe. Autobiography and genealogy. -Also obituary, 1983-1990-02-14", "News clippings", and "Poetry by Armistead Boothe, 1948-1969"

This sub-series includes documents from Boothe's legal and military careers, including legal briefs and a collection of WWII-era silk "escape" maps of the Pacific Theater.

Combined from previous folders: "U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit. 3 briefs, 1934", U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Sixth Circuit. 2 briefs, 1934-1935", "U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Eighth Circuit. 1 brief, 1935", U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Ninth Circuit. 5 briefs, 1934-1935"

Combined from previous folders: "U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Ninth Circuit. 5 briefs, 1934-1935", Supreme Court of Appeals in Virginia at Richmond. 1 brief, 1935", U.S. Supreme Court. 2 briefs, 1934-1956", and "U.S. Supreme Court. 1 petition for a writ of certiorari, 1956"

Combined from previous folders: "Lafayette Hotel deed, 1837", "Health certificates for marriage", "Howard Smith, Jr. and Smoot Estate case, 1965", and "Article from New Dominion about the merger of two northern virginia law firms, Boothe, Prichard and Dudley with McGuire, Woods and Battle, 1987"

Combined from previous folders: "U.S. Hornet (Navy ship), 1945", and "Military service, WWII, 1940s"

Combined from previous folders: "U.S. Hornet (Navy ship), 1945", and "Military service, WWII, 1940s"

Combined from previous folders: "U.S. Hornet (Navy ship), 1945", and "Military service, WWII, 1940s"

This sub-series includes campaign materials, subject research, news clippings, speeches, press releases, and correspondence, reflecting Armistead Boothe's work while holding legislative office.

Combined from previous folders: "Booklet- Home addresses and home and business phones of members of the general assembly, 1962", "General Assembly and political clippings, 1950", "Gubernatorial campaign. clippings, 1949", and "Gov. Tuck clippings, 1950"

Combined from previous folders: "Gray plan. 1 article., 1949", "newspaper clipping on Eisenhower campaign, 1952", "Armistead Boothe articles (2), 1950s", "Pubic schools: proposal, referendum, newspaper clippings, relating to integration of Virginia Schools., 1954", "Armistead Boothe and "New South" television program., 1977", "Betty Boothe Bill and horse racing/betting bill, 1977-1978", "Alexandria City Charter Bill, 1950", and "Armistead Boothe's legislative record, 1948-1959"

Combined from previous folder: "Armistead Boothe speeches and articles, 1970s" and "Armistead Boothe press releases and speeches, 1966"

Combined from previous folders: "Newspapers on Armistead Boothe political races, 1959-1966" and "Election Materials"

Combined from previous folders: "Election Materials", "Armistead Va. House of Delegates. 3 cards, 1947", "Armistead Boothe campaign for Lieutenant Governor. Statement and letters. Segregation controversy., 1961", and "Armistead Boothe/Beverly's Virginia Senate Campaign, 1959"

Combined from previous folders: "Armistead Boothe press releases and speeches, 1966, B-E"

Combined from previous folders: "Armistead Boothe press releases and speeches, 1966, B-E"

Combined from previous folders: "Education in Virginia, 1946-1950", "Education in Virginia, 1950-1952", "Education clippings, 1948-1951"

Combined from previous folders: "Health in Virginia. Clippings, 1949-1952", "Highways. Clippings, 1951", and "Housing - rent control, 1949"

Combined from previous folders: "House Bill to change Code of Virginia: elections, 1948", "Benjamin Muse commentaries, 1950s", Non-partisan party, 1948", "Planning and economic development, 1951", "Virginia legislature budget, 1948-1952", and "Labor issues, 1949-1950"

Combined from previous folders: "Tax issues, 1950", "Trade: Correspondence and press release, 1950", "Voting records, Virginia House of Delegates, 1950", "Welfare, 1951-1952", and "Armistead Boothe: Tax reform and private college finances, 1961-1973"

This sub-series contains recordings of Armistead Boothe's campaign speeches and advertisements. Included are reel-to-reel audio tapes, CDs, and a VHS tape.

Series 3 contains realia and items of clothing. Included are two wallets which belonged to Gardener Lloyd Boothe; as well as a christening gown and a World War II officer's hat, both of which likely belonged to Armistead Boothe.

Series 4 contains the personal photograph collection of Armistead Boothe. Included are professional portraits of Armistead Boothe, family photographs, photographs of the Boothe family home at 711 Princess Street in Alexandria VA, and photographs from Boothe's political career. Also in this series are photographs from his time serving in World War II, including aerial photography of Guam and Japan.

Biographical / historical:

Armistead Boothe (1907-1990) was an Alexandria lawyer and politician. He began practicing law in 1931 at his father's practice. He served as special assistant to the U.S. Attorney General from 1934 to 1936, and then as City Attorney of Alexandria from 1939 through 1943. He was a naval officer in the Pacific Theater from 1943-1945. He was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1948 and served until 1956, when he was elected to Virginia State Senate, where he served until his retirement in 1964. Boothe married Elizabeth Ravenel Peele in 1934 and had three children and six grandchildren.

Armistead's father, Gardner Lloyd Boothe (1872-1964), was an Alexandria attorney, and president of the First National Bank and the First and Citizens National Bank, member of the Virginia Theological Seminary Board of Trustees from 1916 to 1956, and a vestryman of Christ Church from 1895 to 1956. He married Eleanor Harrison Carr (1881-1968) of Petersburg, Virginia, in 1906, and they lived at 711 Prince Street in Alexandria. Together they had two children, Gardner Lloyd Jr. and Armistead.

Armistead Boothe's paternal grandfather, Captain William J. Boothe (1818-1894), went to sea at an early age and worked up to ship captain. He was married to Mary Leadbeater Boothe (1839-1914) of the Leadbeater Apothecary Shop family. Captain Boothe later served as president of the Alexandria Water Company, vice-president of the First National Bank, and General Superintendent of the American Coal Company.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Julie Boothe Perry between 1989-1993.
Arrangement:

This collection has been rearranged to increase access and findability. Previously, it was arranged "Roughly chronologically and thereunder topically. Oversized items are grouped by size rather than by subject."

The collection has been re-arranged into four series, the first focusing on Armistead Boothe's close and extended family, and the second focusing on Boothe's life and work in Alexandria and Virginia politics. The third series is realia, and and the fourth is photos.

The first series is organized by generation, with genealogical information of Boothe's extended family at the end. The second series is organized topically by the phases of Boothe's life. The fourth series, photos, is arranged by family and then topically.

Included in Series 1 and 2 are folders specifically labelled as containing correspondence, however there are additional instances of correspondence in other folders.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard