Charles A. Derby papers, 1839/1891

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Military Institute Archives
Preston Library
Virginia Military Institute
345 Letcher Ave.
Lexington, VA 24450-0304
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jeffrey S. Kozak
Phone: (540) 464-7516
Phone: (540) 464-7566
Fax: (540) 464-7089
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions

Terms of access:

Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.

Preferred citation:

Charles A. Derby papers, 1839-1891. MS 0030. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
0.25 cubic feet Approximately 80 items in 1 box
Creator:
Derby, Charles A., 1828-1862
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Charles A. Derby papers, 1839-1891. MS 0030. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

The bulk of the Charles A. Derby papers consists of Derby family correspondence. Approximately twenty-eight letters were written by Charles A. Derby (dated 1844-1862) and cover the period from late boyhood up to his death in battle in 1862. Included are letters (dated 1846-1847) written while he was a cadet at VMI, as well as correspondence dating from his careers as a teacher and Episcopal clergyman. Two items were written during his brief service in the Confederate Army.

The papers also include fourteen letters written by other members of the Derby family, primarily Mary Derby Stancell ("Mollie") and her husband, Samuel. Other items in the papers are clippings, wedding announcements, poetry, and other family documents.

Written from Petersburg, Virginia. Letter discusses Charles A. Derby's health, finances, and family matters.

Written by Charles A. Derby's teacher to his father. Letter regards Derby's chances for an appointment at VMI and obtaining letters of recommendation.

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses good health, academics, and candidates for Virginia legislature.

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the difficult extraction of a tooth and a disturbance in VMI barracks in which cadets threw "missiles."

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the arrival of new faculty member William Gilham, disciplinary action against cadets, and health.

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards results of mid-year examinations, a cadet Christmas celebration, and a severe snowstorm.

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards future teaching positions and graduation class speakers. Letter also discusses a controversy in the Lexington Presbyterian Church as the pastor, Dr. Skinner, is "on trial" before the presbytery.

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses perseverance and value of hard work, problems with chemistry and sciences, and cadet Christmas celebrations.

Written from Northumberland County, Virginia. Charles A. Derby is a private instructor in the home of Mr. Harding, a wealthy landowner. The letter regards a family Christmas celebration, the contrast between the people of Dinwiddie and Northumberland, and personal matters.

Written from Sumterville, Alabama. Letter regards new boarding accommodations, a trip to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, finances, becoming a Mason, and Cyrus Harding's appointment at VMI.

Written from Georgia Military Institute, Georgia. Regards acceptance of Charles A. Derby's resignation.

Certified extracts from correspondence between Charles A. Derby and Willis Crenshaw regarding business arrangements for the Eutaw Academy, Alabama.

An announcement for the opening of the Eutaw Institute, Alabama.

Written from Eutaw, Alabama. Letter regards the death of his wife, Clara J. Hunt ("Jeanie"). Letter also describes a betrayal by Board of Trustees of Eutaw Institute and how Charles A. Derby had to open a private school on his own.

Written from Eutaw, Alabama. Letter discusses the success of Charles A. Derby's new school, life in Eutaw, and finances.

Written from Eutaw, Alabama. Letter regards ordainment in the Protestant Episcopal Church, responsibility of St. Stephen's Church in Eutaw, deaconship, and the busy school year.

Written from Dinwiddie, Virginia. Letter regards travel to Philadelphia and Boston, preaching at Christ Church in Norfolk, and family news.

Written from Eutaw, Alabama. Letter regards growth of St. Stephen's congregation, life in Eutaw, and Charles A. Derby's school.

Written from Camden, Alabama. Letter regards marriage to Charlotte Basset and general news.

Written from Camden, Alabama. Letter regards marriage to Charlotte Basset of Cahaba, Alabama.

Written from Camden, Alabama. Letter regards the success of Charles A. Derby's new church, his teaching career, and family matters.

Written from Camden, Alabama. Letter regards a recent visit to Cahaba, Alabama.

Written from St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, Alabama. Letter regards family matters, including housekeeping and Charles A. Derby's eight-week old child.

Written from St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, Alabama. Letter regards the murder of their cousin Edward Cousins.

Written from St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, Alabama. Letter regards Derby family members joining the Confederate Army and Charles A. Derby's frustrations about not being able to join.

Written from St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, Alabama. Letter regards Charles A. Derby's election as Captain of the Militia of Benton.

Written from Benton, Alabama. Letter regards Charles A. Derby's election as Lieutenant Colonel of the 44th Alabama Infantry.

Written from "camp near Falling Creek, Chesterfield," Virginia. Letter regards family matters and a discussion of wartime devastation.

A translation by Charles A. Derby of Aeneid, Book 1 by Virgil.

An acrostic poem written by Charles A. Derby titled "A Humble Acrostic."

Twelve pages of geometry exercise drawings for Francis H. Smith's course.

One page of cadet uniform drawings.

Written from Randolph-Macon College, Virginia. Letter is written on an invitation to a commencement party.

Written from Northampton County, North Carolina. Letter regards problems on his [family's?] plantation, illness among slaves, contract for railroad sills (Raleigh and Gaston Railroad), and family matters.

Written from Northampton County, North Carolina. Letter regards family news and their marriage date.

Written from Northampton County, North Carolina. Letter regards Mary Stancell's (Derby) health and plans for their March 31st wedding.

Written from Lawrenceville, Arkansas. Letter regards Samuel Stancell's business trip.

Written from Marlbrook, Hemstead County, Arkansas. Letter regards general news about Samuel Stancell's business trip.

Written from Margarettsville, North Carolina. In the letter, Samuel Stancell asks his wife Mary "Mollie" Derby to come home soon from her visit with her family.

Written from Jackson, North Carolina. Letter regards business and Mary Stancell's (Derby) health.

Written from Darvills (Dinwiddie County), Virginia. Letter regards family news.

Written from Marietta, Georgia. Letter regards general news about life in Marietta.

Included is the original letter, a contemporary copy, and a transcription. Written from "camp near Fredericksburg," Virginia. The letter offers condolences for Charles A. Derby's death.

Francis H. Smith was Superintendent of VMI from 1839-1889. This letter is in reply to Perry L. Derby's notification that Charles A. Derby has died in battle.

Written from Cahaba, Alabama. Letter regards general news and family news.

Written from Southampton County, Virginia. Letter regards Anna's [surname unknown] personal news.

Blank envelope includes one note dated April 13, 1889 from Marianna Ewell, three newspaper clippings regarding family deaths, and "A Child's Faith" poem booklet.

An unsigned letter that describes the concept of chivalry.

Devotional poem written to "my mother."

Two place cards. One card is for Miss Willie J. Mitchell and the other card is for Mr. and Mrs. Henry N. Harrison.

Written from Berkley, Virginia. Letter regards family and personal matters.

Poem titled "Shall we meet again, Mary?."

Wedding invitation for Marion Macintosh and the Right Reverend G. W. Peterkin.

Wedding invitation for Nannie L. Whitehurst and Samuel E. Long.

Wedding invitation for May Hundley and Louis Bowly.

Wedding invitation for Kate Gordon and Reverend J. E. Poindexter.

Invitation for an event at the home of V. A. Thornton and name card for Willetta F. Thornton.

Wedding invitation for Fannie Towles and Daniel M. Harman.

Wedding invitation for Dr. J. E. Brown and Marion A. Sullivan.

Composition titled "The Powers of Custom."

Pressed flower and plant album featuring the English and Latin names of each specimen.

Henry L. Derby's notebook he kept while at the Theological Seminary in Fairfax County, Virginia. The notebook contains course lists and schedules, finances, and other writings. A loose piece of sheet music for "Prince of Peace" and a map of "Paul's Third Journey" are tucked into the back of the notebook.

Eight newspaper clippings. Four clippings are related to Charles A. Derby's career at Western Military Institute, Kentucky. One clipping is related to Derby's career at Eutaw Male Academy, Alabama. Two clippings are related to the death of his wife Clara J. Derby (Hunt). One clipping is Derby's obituary.

Book chiefly written by Jane Taylor (1783-1824) and Ann Taylor (1782-1866). Signature of Charlotte Derby (Bassett) written in pencil on the inside front cover.

Fragment (up to page 53) of the "French & Son's Handbook and Directory for Worthing."

Funeral address and obituary notices for Nichoas Hamner Cobbs, D. D., who was the first bishop of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of Alabama.

Place card with the name Wm. Hughlett.

A transcription of the poem "Nearer Home." The transcriber is unknown.

Biographical / historical:

Charles A. Derby was born in Dinwiddie County, Virginia on September 12, 1828 to Perry L. Derby and Martha Jones. His early years were spent on his father's plantation and as a student at Winfield Academy in Dinwiddie County. He entered VMI on August 8, 1845 and graduated on July 4, 1848, standing 5th in a class of 24.

Following his graduation from VMI, Derby began a teaching career that continued through the late 1850s. His various positions included:

  • Private tutor for a family in Northumberland County, Virginia
  • Head of the Fairfax (Virginia) Academy
  • Head of an academy in Sumterville, Alabama
  • Professor of mathematics at military schools in Kentucky and Georgia
  • Principal of a private academy in Eutaw, Alabama
In 1856-1857, Derby began the study of theology and was ordained in the Episcopal ministry. He was named deacon at St. Stephens's Church in Eutaw, while also continuing his private school there. He subsequently gave up teaching as his primary interest and served at a church in Camden, Alabama, and then at St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, Alabama.

Derby married twice during the 1850s. His first wife, Clara J. Hunt of Marietta, Georgia, died within a year of their marriage. On December 28, 1859, he married Charlotte Basset of Cahaba, Alabama and the couple had two daughters, Martha (October 1860-?) and Harriet (April 1862-February 1927).

A year after the outbreak of the Civil War, Derby joined the Confederate Army. He was elected Lieutenant Colonel of the 44th Alabama Infantry Regiment on May 16, 1862 and entered service at Selma, Alabama circa June 5, 1862. He was killed in action at the Battle of Antietam (Maryland) on September 17, 1862 and his body was not recovered.

William F. Perry was the commander of Charles A. Derby's regiment.

Published by the American Tract Society, New York.

Published by the American Tract Society, New York.

Physical location:
Manuscripts stacks and Oversized Case 1