Papers of the Massie Family of Virginia, 1850/1905

Location of collection:

University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library

University of Virginia

P.O. Box 400110

170 McCormick Rd

Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110

Contact for questions and access:

POC: Special Collections Public Services & Reference Staff

Email: scpubserv@virginia.edu

Phone: (434) 243-1776

Fax: (434) 924-4968

Web: library.virginia.edu/special-collections

Web: library.virginia.edu/special-collections/services/reference-request

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

Materials in this collection, which were created between 1850-1905, are in the public domain. Permission to publish or reproduce is not required.

Preferred citation:

MSS 11485, Papers of the Massie Family of Virginia, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library.

Summary

Extent:

31 items 1 folder housed within 1 document box

Language:

English

Preferred citation:

MSS 11485, Papers of the Massie Family of Virginia, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library.

Background

Scope and content:

The Massie family papers contain letters, 1858-1859, from E.B. Massie at the Brookland School, Greenwood Depot, Albemarle County, Va., to his mother, Mrs. E. F. Massie. He requests items; and mentions examinations, the acceptance of Christianity by boys at the school, a visit by Launcelot Blackford, and his election as president of the Piedmont Literary Society; and sends news of classmates and principal William Dinwiddie.

John Livingston Massie, a student at the University of Virginia, writes to Mrs. E. F. Massie about exams, the marriage of John Barbee Minor and the death of C.C. Lewis from typhoid fever. With these is a grade report signed by Socrates Maupin.

The papers also contain a letter, 1859, from Charles M. Massie describing attempts to establish a business in New Orleans; and a letter, September 9, 1862, N.H. Massie to his sister on the death of her husband at Manassas, and several cases of scarlet fever among white and colored children in Charlottesville, Va.

A letter, 1857, from the Western Lunatic Asylum in Waynesboro, reports on the imminent death of a patient.

Other letters convey family news; explain how to can tomatoes; and discuss religion and salvation. A 1905 form letter from Fishburne and Son, Waynesboro, describes varieties of seed for sale.

Biographical / historical:

The Massie Family was a Virginia family. The family was established in Nelson County, Virginia by Revolutionary War officer, plantation owner, and enslaver Thomas Massie (1747-1834).

Acquisition information:

Accession #11485, purchased 21 March 1999, C. Venable Minor Endowment Fund, 1998/1999.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Related

Other descriptive data:

Most of the front of the envelope is ripped off; the writing that can still be seen is the end of a name reading "...sie Esq." and the location can by deduced as Lynchburg, Virginia

Short list written in pencil on back of envelope

Likely sent from Lexington, VA; stamp on front is partially able to be seen.

Sent from Lexington, VA. Letter asking what the recipient is doing recently; writer details how she reads story books most of the time and tells how school is going; mentions "Presbytery will soon be here and there is going to be something done at every church."; mentions that Cousin Sarah may come visit and how she wishes "some of you all would come with her."

Sent to Waynesboro, August from Richmond, VA. Letter from Harriett to her little cousin Henry; Harriett writes that she loves her little cousin as much as the larger ones, and that the next time Henry's "Ma" comes to visit her in Richmond, he must ask if he can come to visit as well. Writes an update on Henry's little (baby) cousin Mary Lizzie.

Details price of cans and settling costs between the two for owed money; process of how to can tomatoes; tells of how the baby has a bad cold, speaks of Nannie's visit.

Sent from the Western Lunatic Asylum. Physician writes to recipient that his brother is near death with a stomach illness.

Sent to Waynesboro, VA from the University of Virginia. Reports that pants Mrs. Massie made Liv fit very well, and a request that she make him (Bob) a light linen sack coat like Liv's as the weather in Charlottesville is getting much warmer - a note from Charley on the back of the letter asking Mrs. Massie to send ginger cake for them to munch on at school.

Letter to his mother telling that examinations are coming up and sending love to the family, also reports on Mr. Minor's upcoming wedding.

Sent from New Orleans. Letter describing business in Richmond and New Orleans, as well as travel to New Orleans. Wishes the family well and asks Bob to share the letter with them in Waynesboro.

Sent from the University of Virginia. Updates on school from JL Massie to his mother, as well as brief discussion of book that he plans to send her. Details that C.C. Lewis of Clark County, Virginia has died of typhoid fever.

Sent from the University of Virginia. Examination report for John L. Massie.

Sent from Lynchburg, VA. Talks of his travel and mentions hearing from his mother of his father's accident and the death of a Sarah Fishburne.

Sent to Waynesboro, VA from Greenwood. Reports on how school is going and what examinations he has upcoming, also compliments the clothes she has made and sent to him.

Also on envelope: stamp in upper left corner "From Brookland School..." ; writing on bottom left corner "Care of Albert [Tyree]"

Also on envelope: stamp in upper left corner "From Brookland School..." ; writing on bottom left corner "Care of [Capt. Finks]"

Sent from Greenwood. Updates on school, asking for items to be mended and sent. Others mentioned in the letter include William Dinwiddie (referenced as Mr. Dinwiddie).

Sent from Greenwood. Updates on school, specifically Greek class; mentions that a Rev. Sam Watkins arrived and describes his wife. Others mentioned in the letter include Rev. Sam Watkins (and wife), Mrs. S.H. Nelson, classmates Harman, [Hamner]

Sent from Greenwood. Updates on school, asks for summer shoes to be sent. Others mentioned in the letter include Mr. Dinwiddie.

Sent from Greenwood. Updates on school, on the cold he is sick with, on how Mr. Watkins and Miss Horsely will "certainly be married." Others mentioned in the letter include Charley, Maj. J.M. McCue, Mr. Watkins, Miss Horsely of Nelson, Mrs. [W'e's], Rev. B.M. Wailes.

Tells his mother of how him and the other boys at school have accepted Christianity and how it has had a great impact on their lives ("...truly has the spirit of God been poured out here...". Describes how he leads boy's prayer meeting in his room every few nights that attracted as many as 20 boys and how this acceptance of Christianity has made him feel a way he has never felt before. Also describes how he has been elected President of the Piedmont Society and expectes to be elected as "Worthy Patriarch in the Division." Others mentioned in the letter include Watkins, Hamner, [Moyler], Meade, McPhail, [Rader], Mr. Richardson, Marye, Mr. Dinwiddie, Mr. Dudley, Conway, Hall, Ms (or Mrs.) Walker, [Wyche] Walker, Mr. Wayland, Mr. [Rich], Mr. Strother, Launcelot Blackford, Alex deClouet, Bryant, Robert, Mr. Dubose.

Sent to Lynchburg, VA from Union Bank of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA. Requests Charles Massie to write telling of the particulars of his travel - because the writer had not heard if Massie had arrived at his destination. Letter was sent through associates, Col. Spence and Daniel C. Sampson. Letter writer's name is incredibly hard to read and distinguish.

Sent to Lynchburg, VA, likely from Louisiana given context of letter. Apologizes for mistake of opening letter addressed to him (Charles M. Massie) thinking it for a Charles H. Massie. Other mentioned in the letter include Cashier (Cash.) Freret.

Sent from Charlottesville. N.H. offers condolences and spiritual comfort to his sister, who's husband William died at the Battle of Manassas; also updates his sister on scarlet fever that has hit his home in both his children and the enslaved children. He states that the cases are not severe. Others mentioned in the letter include William (deceased husband of the addressed sister), Lucy (daughter of N.H.), Eliza (wife of N.H.).

Sent to Waynesboro, VA. Updates on daily life and family news; meetings with cousins and others passing through, mentions that they are waiting and hoping for Maria to get better. Others mentioned in the letter include Aunt Lizzie (addressee Mrs. E.F. Massie), Sue, Maria, Aunt Milly, Aunt [Cordelia], Frank Montgomery, sister Martha, Mary Walter, Mr. Bell, Alex and Lizzie, cousins June, Julia, and Kate. Paper is torn and covered by pieces of wax stamp in some places.

Sent to Waynesboro, VA. Family news and health reports on those who are sick; signed as "your affectionate niece, S.M.B." Others mentioned in the letter include Aunt N, Uncle N, Uncle C, Nannie, Abram. Paper torn at top left corner.

Sent to Waynesboro, VA. Signed as "your affectionate niece, Annie;" talks of gloves she made for Miss Lizzie that she sends with, her religious feelings and dilemma, and Uncle Massie's visit. Others mentioned in the letter include Lizzie, Willie, Mrs. James [Waddell], Uncle Massie, Mr. Young, Col. Baldwin.

Sent to Waynesboro, VA. Signed as "your affectionate niece," asks for Miss Lizzie's hat to be sent up to Martha Waddell to be altered for Miss Lizzie to wear to a farewell sermon from a preacher at "Zion," also includes general chatting and asks Mrs. Massie to write and visit; note on front by address signed by [C.L.C.]. Others mentioned in letter include Miss Lizzie, Martha Waddell, Bob.

Sent from Waynesboro, VA. Marketing/sales form letter describing bulk garden seeds available for spring planting.

Writes how he has gotten some skeleton skirts for different people. Others mentioned in the letter include M.C., J.

Indexed terms

Subjects:

Massey family
Piedmont Literary Society
University of Virginia--Students
Western State Hospital (Va.)
African Americans -- Virginia
Scarlatina
Private schools--Virginia
Scarlatina -- Virginia -- Charlottesville
Teenagers -- Religious life -- Personal narratives
Tomatoes -- Preservation -- History -- 19th century
Canning and preserving--History--19th century

Places:

Brookland School (Greenwood Depot, VA.)
Religious awakening--Christianity
Religious awakening -- Christianity -- United States -- History -- 19th century
Albemarle County (Va.) -- History -- 19th Century
Charlottesville (Va.) -- History -- 19th Century
Louisiana -- New Orleans
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives, Confederate
Waynesboro (Va.) -- History