Cynthia Beverley Tucker Washington Coleman Papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Restrictions:

Collection is open to all researchers. Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from the Manuscripts and Rare Books Librarian, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Terms of access:

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Preferred citation:

Cynthia Beverley Tucker Washington Coleman Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Summary

Extent:
5.00 Linear Feet
Creator:
Coleman, Cynthia Beverley Tucker Washington, 1832-1908
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Cynthia Beverley Tucker Washington Coleman Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains the papers of Williamsburg resident Cynthia Beverley Tucker Washington Coleman and includes correspondence, Coleman's personal writings, various publications, legal and financial papers, and artifacts.

Subseries 1: Letters sent to Cynthia B.T.W. Coleman; Subseries 2: Letters written by Cynthia B.T.W Coleman; Subseries 3: Letters written and/or received by various individuals (not Cynthia B.T.W. Coleman).

Arranged alphabetically by writer/sender.

Circa 1862 letter references Cynthia's need to find housing in Richmond.

Incomplete.

Incomplete.

Letters written while Charles was stationed at Yorktown.

1902 letters describe his travels to London.

Also includes 1901 letter from Lizzie's friend, Helen Shattuck.

Written while George was a student at Orapax School in New Kent, Virginia and includes letters sent to Cynthia about George.

Written while George was a student at Orapax School in New Kent, Virginia and includes letters sent to Cynthia about George.

Written while George was a student at Orapax School in New Kent, Virginia and includes letters sent to Cynthia about George.

Incomplete.

Incomplete.

Letters pertain to the Pocohantas pedestal.

An 1857 letter from Julia Johns is attached to Nannie's, an 1859 letter references the fire at the College of William & Mary, a 1862 letter references Cynthia's life as Civil War refugee.

1889 letter includes a prescription.

Letters addressed to Cynthia Beverley Tucker.

Letters addressed to Cynthia B.T. Washington.

Letters addressed to Cynthia B.T. Washington.

Letters addressed to Cynthia B.T.W. Coleman or not noted.

Incomplete.

Incomplete. 1855 letter references yellow fever, brother is Patrick Montague Thompson.

Incomplete. Cynthia's lawyer and close friend, sister is Julia Thompson, 1862 November letter references occupation of Williamsburg and the desertion of soldiers.

Incomplete. 1879 letter from Bland Tucker attached to Beverley St. George's.

Incomplete.

Incomplete.

Father is Henry St. George Tucker.

1864 letter references his ward injuries, includes 1867 note from Julia (Tucker, Thomas' wife?).

Widow of Abel Upshur, letter describes life in Norfolk since her husband's death and her orphan children.

Henry Washington's cousin.

Henry Washington's aunt.

Henry Washington's cousin.

Incomplete. 1857 letter refers to a death from erysipelas.

Organized by surname. Incomplete.

Scope and Contents Organized by surname. Incomplete.

Scope and Contents Organized by surname. Incomplete.

Scope and Contents Organized by surname. Incomplete.

Scope and Contents Organized by surname. Incomplete.

Scope and Contents Organized by surname. Incomplete.

Scope and Contents Organized by surname. Incomplete.

Scope and Contents Organized by surname. Incomplete.

Organized by date. Incomplete.

Arranged alphabetically by recipient.

Scope and Contents Organized by surname. Incomplete.

Includes envelope marked "Miss Cynthia B. Tucker from Herself," which contains a lock hair that may belong to Cynthia. Incomplete.

Pages missing?

Written 21 days before his death per handwritten note by Cynthia B.T.W. Coleman.

Organized by sender's surname, if known. Incomplete.

Subseries 1: Written by Cynthia B.T.W. Coleman; Subseries 2: Written by Others.

Abbreviated account of Cynthia B.T.W. Coleman's visit to her mother's home in Williamsburg, which was behind Union Army lines (1864 December). Typescript.

Typescript.

Three versions, Includes a letter to Marie B. Coleman from Harold R. Shurtleff regarding copying the manuscript, 1931.

2 versions.

"Mammy Polly" was a family servant (slave) until after the Civil War.

Mostly about family servants (slaves).

Includes publication rejection letter, engraving of post-Civil War version of the Millington Print, and pre-1930s restoration photographs of the Brafferton and President's House.

Typescript.

Topics include the early Virginia House of Burgesses, St. George Tucker's family history, "Lafayette's bed," and reports written for the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (APVA), the Colonial Dames, and others.

Incomplete.

Incomplete. Typescript from 1988.

French language exercises (1848), list of books in personal library (1859, 1869), includes loose material.

Compiled by Edith Minturn Smith, Estelle Smith, Elizabeth A. Morecock, Elizabeth Ewell Scott Crawford, Jeanette Sage Kelly.

Pages are blank, notation states this was given to Cynthia B.T.W. Coleman by George G. Thompson, includes pencil sketch supposedly of Cynthia.

Includes writing exercises, poetry, doodles, accounts.

Appears to have 2 different writers, one of whom may be Thomas Taliaferro (entries appear to be a synopsis of various land surveys), other author is unknown (entries center around property laws).

Multiple authors (unidentified except for Charles Coleman, Jr.), includes French exercises, poetry, list of members of the Grammar and Mattie School (Matthew Whaley), roster for 2 baseball clubs: Wild Cats and Bull Dogs (incomplete).

Elizabeth Coleman's notes for cookery class.

Elizabeth Coleman's notes for Chemistry and House Nursing classes.

Two different authors, one of whom may have been Elizabeth Coleman; inscription says "Elizabeth J. Hughes" of New York City; includes recipes from a cooking class.

Mabel Hawley's notes for Home Sanitation and Household Economy classes.

Elizabeth Coleman's notes, label says "Marketing" but notes relate to food science class.

Elizabeth Coleman's notes for Invalid Cookery class.

Elizabeth Coleman's notebook for Psychology class, pages are blank, other pages were previously removed.

Notes on law (estate, evidence), includes drawings and doodles, floor plan.

Signed by Mayor Beverley Tucker.

Proclamation by the Governor of Virginia offering a $100 reward for the arrest of Andrew Rupell (wanted for the murder of Patrick Kelly).

Handwritten transcriptions by Cynthia B.T.W. Coleman of legal documents concerning the Tucker House and other legal matters, including Texas land and Bruton Parish Church, most pages are blank.

Account book details transactions for the hiring out of slaves, the costs of digging graves for children (including the children of slaves), the purchase of clothes (including clothes for slaves), the payment of matriculation fees to the College of William & Mary, and other expenditures.

Incomplete.

Incomplete.

Three shares owned by Cynthia B.T.W. Coleman.

Inventory of Items Given to Beverley Tucker Coleman by his Mother (Cynthia B.T.W. Coleman), 1897; Inventory of Silver in Peninsula Bank Belonging to Cynthia B.T.W. Coleman and her Sister, Bland.

Includes a section on insuring slaves

Inscribed (L.E.?) Edloe, September 1858.

Inscribed "To my darling little daughter Sarah Augustine Washington from her mother. May 6, 1861"

Cynthia B.T.W. Coleman was principal.

Speeches of Honorable George B. Loring of Massachusetts, Honorable John Goode of Virginia, and Honorable J. Randolph Tucker of Virginia on the Bill to Pay to the College of William & Mary in Virginia the Sum of $65,000 for Losses Incurred during the Late War, Delivered in the House of Representatives.

Eagle Brand Guano, Spencer's Hotel of Williamsburg, Va., Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (APVA) Ball (1891), Confederate Memorial Literary Association, Robert H. Gray's business, "Centennial Art Loan Exposition for the Benefit of Christ Church, Bruton Parish, Williamsburg, Va.," 1881

Program

Facsimile.

Incomplete.

Two $2.00 bills, #104917, #104937

Constitution/By-laws, 1889, Clipping, 1894, Note by Edith Mintern Smith about Cynthia B.T.W. Coleman, 1923

Nannie Johns (photography studio Gutenunst, Arch St.), circa 1866; [Bev. ?] B. Munford (photography studio C. R. Rees & Co., Richmond,Va.), undated; Unidentified Woman (photography studio D. H.Anderson, Richmond, Va.), circa mid-late 19th century; George P. Coleman (photography studio Bauer, Winona, Minn.), circa 1900; Church Window (photography studio Cheyne's, Hampton, Va.), 1903 Mar. 29

Cynthia B.T.W. Coleman with cousin St. George. Tucker, his wife Elizabeth Gilmer, and Armistead Gordon (copy print), circa 1849; Cynthia B.T.W. Coleman, 1905; Janet and Cynthia Coleman as children, undated; Helen "Zen" Coleman Leigh, undated; Henrietta Elizabeth "Aunt Zettie" Tucker Little, undated.

Bruton Parish Churchyard, Bruton Parish Church, Tucker House, Unidentified Location, Frontier Pier at Old Point, Images of Tucker family documents (photography studio Foster's Studio, Richmond, Va.), Queen Anne Service at Bruton Parish Church (photography studio J. J. Faber, Norfolk, Va.), Unidentified man on a horse (photography studio G.W. Davis, Richmond, Va.)

Major Benjamin Butler (who has been given bird legs and devil horns), Unidentified people on a sailboat, unidentified people on a porch, unidentified African-American women walking by an unidentified house.

Acetate negative of a picture taken circa 1900, undated; photograph (approximately 16 years old) taken by Davis, Richmond photographer, circa 1848; photograph with hair covering taken by Davis, Richmond photographer, circa 1890; Cynthia and granddaugher Janet Coleman, circa 1903; photograph made from a circa 1861 daguerreotype, undated

Includes Julia Magruder, Robert Wilson, Richard Johnston, and Hugh Blair Grigsby.

Includes Guard Pattern, omlette recipe, handwritten list of people to be informed in the event of illness on behalf of Cynthia B.T.W. Coleman, two miniature engravings with gold leafing (possibly souvenirs of Charles W. Coleman, Jr.'s trip to Europe), material list for proposed planting at William and Mary College.

Engravings of individuals (likely personal friends), some of which were taken from photographs. Subjects of the engravings: Frances Baylor, Robert Wilson, Julia Magruder, Amelia Rives, M.G. McClelland, Mary Murfree, Grace King, George Cable, Richard Johnston, Thomas Nelson Page, Joel Chandler Harris, (_ Hearn?)

Possibly made as a keepsake.

Book cover made of board, leather, and wood. Title "Prayer," no book present.

One cardboard prescription drug box from Purcell, Ladd & Co in Richmond, Virginia. Handwritten directions on top saying, "one every night in water" and includes powdered medicine in wrapped dosages. Fair condition with water damage. 2in.x3in. Image available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/4081224390/

Metal with small, faceted jewels encrusted around the edges and a metal bay with two hooks across the center. 1.25-inch diameter. Fair condition; missing several jewels and slightly rusted.

Valedictory of Henry Clay printed on silk. Speech was given in the Senate on "Thursday March 31, 1842." Printed by J & G.S. Printers in Washington D.C. It is 15inx18in. It is in fair condition with frayed edges and tears where it was folded. Image available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/4390144161/in/set-72157601972522069/

Belonged to Beverley St. George Tucker.

Note attached to cactus reads "This piece of cactus was brought from Mexico by Capt. Richard Ewell. He was afterwards General Ewell of the Confederate States Army. This species of cactus was much used by the Apachian [sic] Indians for fish hooks, needles, thread and the large [?] thatched their houses. This specimen was given me long years ago by Prof. Benjamin S. Ewell, afterwards President of William and Mary College. C.B.T. Coleman 1895"

Information provided by Mary H. Coleman.

Inscription: "Oh! how I love you/You sweet little dove you/Theirs [sic] no one above you/most beautiful letter".

Biographical / historical:

Cynthia Beverley Tucker Washington Coleman was born to Nathaniel Beverley Tucker and Lucy A. Smith Tucker on January 18, 1832. She was the granddaughter of St. George Tucker. She married Henry Augustine Washington (professor of history and political economy at the College of William and Mary) in 1852. After his death in 1858, she married Dr. Charles Washington Coleman in 1861. Both marriages produced children, but the only children to survive into adulthood were her three sons and one daughter with Dr. Coleman: Charles, Jr., Beverley, George, and Elizabeth.

Coleman was one of the founders and incorporators of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, a charter member of the Society of Colonial Dames of America in Virginia, and an active participant in public works of historical nature. She died on October 24, 1908 and is buried with her second husband in the Bruton Parish Churchyard.

Acquisition information:
The majority of the collection was donated by Cynthia B.T.W. Coleman's daughter-in-law, Mary Haldane Begg Coleman, granddaughter, Janet Kimbrough, and great-granddaughter, Cynthia Barlowe, over a period of several years. The last gift was donated in the early 1990s.
Processing information:

Processed by Kim Sims, University Archivist, May 2015.

Arrangement:

The Cynthia Beverley Tucker Washington Coleman papers are arranged into six series: Correspondence, Writings, Legal Papers, Financial Papers, Printed Material, General/Miscellaneous, and Artifacts.

The correspondence series is divided into three subseries. The first subseries consists of letters written to Coleman, the second subseries consists of letters written by Coleman, and the third subseries consists of letters written by and sent to individuals other than Coleman. When known, the relationship of the writer to Coleman is noted. Much of this information was provided by her great-granddaughter, Cynthia Barlowe. Correspondents include family members from the Tucker, Washington, and Coleman families as well as Coleman's close friends. The letters cover a wide variety of subjects, including family relationships and business, illness, births, deaths, social conditions, friendships between and among women in the 19th century, education, the College of William and Mary, slavery, and Coleman's life as a refugee during the Civil War. Of particular note is an 1875 letter written by Joseph Gray, one of Coleman's former slaves.

The writings series is divided into two series: writings by Coleman and writings by other individuals. Coleman was a prolific writer. Topics of her manuscripts include a biography on her grandfather (St. George Tucker), stories about her family's slaves, her own memoir, and historical events and figures.

The legal papers series is relatively small and largely has ties to either Coleman's father or her Coleman in-laws. The series does include a handwritten copy of Coleman's will and some of her estate papers as well as handwritten transcriptions of legal documents concerning the Tucker House.

The financial papers demonstrate Coleman's participation in her own financial affairs while both married and widowed. The series includes documentation regarding land holdings in Texas, Missouri, and Williamsburg as well as documents detailing stocks owned by Coleman, and correspondence between her bank and her.

The printed material series is comprised of published items, including broadsides, pamphlets, and several issues of "Confederate Veteran." The General/Miscellaneous series contains items that did not fit within the other series, including photographs, invitations and calling cards, and files on subjects such as Bruton Parish Church and the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (APVA). The Artifacts series includes an array of non-paper items, such as a brooch, an 1850 Phoenix Literary Society pin from the College of William and Mary, and a box of powdered medicine, which possibly belonged to Coleman's first husband, Henry A. Washington.