Watkins Family Papers ca. 1910-2000 (bulk ca. 1930-1960)

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888

Summary

Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Papers, 1910-2000, (bulk ca. 1930-1960), of the Watkins and Jones families of Quinton and Richmond, Virginia. Includes certificates, clippings, correspondence, photographs, programs, receipts, and yearbooks relating mainly to George Washington Watkins (1898-1972) and his wife, Thelma Jones Watkins (1904-2005). The bulk of the collection consists of photographs of the Watkins and Jones families at social gatherings, family events, church, and school.

Biographical / historical:

Dr. George W. Watkins was born in Pickens County, South Carolina, on 17 October 1898, son of James and Lattie Watkins. He died in Quinton, New Kent County, Virginia, on 26 September 1972 and was buried at Elam Baptist Church, Ruthville, Virginia. Dr. Watkins attended Virginia Union University where he received a Bachelor of Arts and an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree, and Hampton Institute where he received a Master of Arts Degree. He served as pastor of Second Liberty Baptist Church of Quinton and Elam Baptist Church of Ruthville, Virginia. He was also principal of New Kent Training School and the George W. Watkins Elementary and High School for over 30 years.

Watkins was married to Thelma Jones (1904-2005), daughter of Sedley Dixon Jones (b. 1877) and Mary Lou Carpenter Jones, furniture store owners in Richmond, Virginia. Thelma Jones Watkins attended Armstrong High School in Richmond and received her degree from Virginia Union University in 1926. She was a librarian and teacher at the George W. Watkins Elementary and High School, retiring in 1964.

Acquisition information:
Purchased July 2005.
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into the following series:

  • Series I. Papers, ca. 1930-2000.
  • Series II. Photographs, ca. 1910-1994.
Physical description:
1.65 cu. ft. (5 boxes)