Title:: Gregory Family Papers 1829-19201880-1900

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.

Terms of access:

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Preferred citation:

Gregory Family Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Summary

Extent:
0.30
Creator:
Galbraith, Martha, 1851 - 1924 Gregory, Evelyn "Eva", circa 1840 Gregory, John M. II, 1804-1884 Gregory, John M. III, circa 1840 Gregory, Martha "Amanda", 1809 - 1894 arrangement
Abstract:
The Gregory Family Papers follow the family of patriarch Virginia Governor John Munford Gregory and wife Amanda Wallace through three generations with letters dating from the 1820’s to the 1920’s. Most items are letters between family members and grant insight into the daily activities and concerns of the Gregory family. The collection also includes correspondence between members of the Gregory family and other acquaintances, including members of the John Tyler family. While most letters are of a personal nature, some also touch on the issues of politics, education, religion, and agriculture. The collection is rich in genealogical information on the Gregory family and related Croshaw, Graves, West, and White families, as well as history of the family’s war involvement. In addition to letters, the collection includes newspaper articles, family documents, and two diaries kept by John M. Gregory’s daughter, Mattie Galbraith, in the late 1870’s. There are also seven cased images of members of the Gregory Family, including Amanda Wallace Gregory, Amanda's sister (Elizabeth Christie Powell), William Wallace Gregory, and Mary "Mollie" Gregory.
Language:
The papers are in: English
Preferred citation:

Gregory Family Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Background

Scope and content:

The Gregory Family Papers follow the family of patriarch Virginia Governor John Munford Gregory and wife Amanda Wallace through three generations with letters dating from the 1820’s to the 1920’s. Most items are letters between family members and grant insight into the daily activities and concerns of the Gregory family. The collection also includes correspondence between members of the Gregory family and other acquaintances, including members of the John Tyler family. While most letters are of a personal nature, some also touch on the issues of politics, education, religion, and agriculture. The collection is rich in genealogical information on the Gregory family and related Croshaw, Graves, West, and White families, as well as history of the family’s war involvement. In addition to letters, the collection includes newspaper articles, family documents, and two diaries kept by John M. Gregory’s daughter, Mattie Galbraith, in the late 1870’s. There are also seven cased images of members of the Gregory Family, including Amanda Wallace Gregory, Amanda's sister (Elizabeth Christie Powell), William Wallace Gregory, and Mary "Mollie" Gregory.

Correspondence between members of the Gregory family, organized by recipient.

Item by item description:

Letter from Letty Gregory to niece Letty Galbraith

22 February 1893

Family

Health, Sleep, Diet

Included: Note from Amanda Wallace Gregory

Letter from John M. Gregory to Letty “Missy” Galbraith

28 February 1894

Death of Amanda Wallace Gregory

California, Missy to Visit

Letter from John Gregory to Letty “Missy” Galbraith

16 March 1894

Her Illness, Benefits of California Climate

His Children

Postcard from Elisabeth W. B. to Letty Galbraith

14 September 1920’s

Gloucester County Court House

John M. Gregory Tablet

Item by item description:

Note by Mattie Galbraith

7 October 1884

Death of Mattie Galbraith’s Child, Amanda

Cause of Death Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to daughter Mattie Galbraith

20 July 1885

Gifts, Visitors

Illness

Religion

Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to daughter Mattie Galbraith

29 September 1885

Family, Illness

Friends, Company

Bishop, Robert D. Galbraith’s Confirmation

Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to daughter Mattie Galbraith

5 July 1888

Family Illness, Amanda Gregory’s Eye Trouble

Mattie’s Children

Note from Amanda Wallace Gregory to daughter Mattie Galbraith

Eye Trouble

Letter from John M. Gregory to sister, Mattie Galbraith

J.M. Gregory’s Civil War Service

Captain Wallace, General Stonewall Jackson

Letter from T.B. to cousin, Mattie Galbraith

Family, Health

Genealogy

Letter from T. B. to cousin Mattie Galbraith

Children

Family Genealogy

Letter from M. Gregory to sister, Mattie Galbraith

4 March

Family News

Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to daughter Mattie Galbraith

Amanda Gregory’s Grandchildren

Recent, Controversial Marriage

Added Note by Grandchild

Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to daughter Mattie Galbraith

Friends and Family

Dressmaking

Racist Remark

Letter from Mille A. A. to Mattie Galbraith

17 June

Family, Friends, Weather, Household Concerns

Cherry Harvest

Postcard from Amanda Wallace Gregory to daughter Mattie Galbraith

13 April 1889

Family, Photography, Books

Rob Galbraith, Health

Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to daughter Mattie Galbraith

8 August 1890

Public Schooling, Travel, Health, Clothing

Letter from Greg M. W. (?) to Mattie Galbraith

15 July

Family, Friends, Travel Plans

Death of “Dear Ones”

Letter from Margaret (?) to sister Mattie Galbraith

9 November 1890

Family and Friend News, Family Illness

Death, Sympathy

Baptism

Letter from M.E. to sister-in-law Mattie Galbraith

17 June 1891

Family News

Health, Weather

Recent Photograph

Price of Potatoes and Refrigerators

Gossip, Recent Scandal

Letter from M. E. to sister-in-law Mattie Galbraith

23 January 1892

Family News, Recent Visit from Robert Galbraith

Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to daughter Mattie Galbraith

27 April 1892

Family, Family Activities, Health

Bishop Visit

Letter from Letty (?) to sister Mattie Galbraith

15 February 1893

Company, Visit from Mr. Tyler

Health, Doctor, Benefits of “Hyperphosphites”

Valentines

Alcohol

Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to daughter Mattie Galbraith

7 June 1893

Family, Dressmaking

Travels, Williamsburg

Recent Marriage

Fruits and Flowers of the Season

Letter from Ms. Gregory to sister Mattie Galbraith

Death of a Betty C.

Planned Visit

Letter from Ms. Gregory to sister Mattie Galbraith

Health of Rob Galbraith

Scrapbooks

Amanda Wallace Gregory

Death of a Mother of Six

Letter from Margaret (?) to her sister Mattie Galbraith

21 April 1890’s (?)

Serious Illness of Mattie’s Son, Rob

Company, Social Engagements

Family

Letter from John M. Gregory to sister, Mattie Galbraith

3 June 1894

Family, Health

Letter from Eva Gregory to sister-in-law, Mattie Galbraith

30 October 1894

Mattie’s Eye Troubles

Family

Letter from Eva Gregory to sister-in-law, Mattie Galbraith

4 July 1895

Mattie’s Recent Move

Importance of Education, Sons and Stanford University

Fourth of July Festivities

Letter from Eva Gregory to sister-in-law, Mattie Galbraith

Christmas Time 1895

Thanks for Christmas Presents [the ring], the Children

House Fire, Holiday Chaos

Letter from Eva Gregory to sister-in-law, Mattie Galbraith

17 January 1896

Thanks for Christmas Gifts

Detailing of House Fire

Description of her Children

Stanford University, Honor Code

Seeks Advice on Hiring Chinese vs. Japanese Servant

Letter from T.T.C. Gregory to aunt Mattie Galbraith

6 June 1896

Tom’s Professor to Visit Mattie’s Town

John Gregory’s Graduation from Stanford, Tom and John Career Plans

Letter from Thomas Gregory to Aunt, Mattie Galbraith

14 August 1896

Stanford University

Friends: D. Smith, Charley Doyle

Yachting Trip

Letter from Laura R.G. May to Mattie Galbraith

11 November 1896

Death of Mattie Galbraith’s Child, Sympathy

Letter from Truxton Gregory to aunt, Mattie Galbraith

28 November 1896

His Christmas Present [ring]

His Baseball Team

“Ladies Stome Journal”

Letter from A. Nilsen (?) to cousin Mattie Galbraith

30 December 1896

Receipt of Present for Hattie, Travel Plans with Hattie

Health, Past Christmas

Letter from S.G. Tyler to Mattie Galbraith

7 January 1897

Childhood reminiscence

Family

Letter from Eva Gregory to sister-in-law, Mattie Galbraith

January 1897

Thanks for Gifts

Fears of House Burning

In Depth on Children, Husband

Included: Note from Eva’s son, Alfred, to cousin Gregory

Letter from John M. Gregory to sister Mattie Galbraith

February 1897

History of the Family’s Military Record, Civil War, War of 1812, Revolutionary War

Letter from Gertrude Gregory to Mattie Galbraith

1 March 1897

Gertrude’s Brother’s Visit and Illness

Death in Gregory Family

Earthquake

Letter from Eva Gregory to Sister-in-Law, Mattie Galbraith

Opinions on Women’s Rights, Upcoming Vote

Stanford University, Sons’ Studies

Health, “Sad State of the Garden”

Letter from J. E. B. to Mattie Galbraith

30 December 1898

Death of Mutual Friend, Gratitude for Token of the Deceased

Letter from Eva Gregory to Sister-in-Law, Mattie Galbraith

7 June 1899

Death of Eva’s Son, John M. Gregory, Jr.

Included: Obituary of John M. Gregory, Jr.

3 June 1899

“Fatal Plunge”, Account of Deadly Accident

Letter from Eva Gregory to sister-in-law, Mattie Galbraith

Summer 1899

Death and Funeral of Eva’s Son, John M. Gregory

Family Grief, Community Response

Letter from William T. Clapers (?) to Mattie Galbraith

Apologies

Unable to Provide Requested Information (Possibly Sermon Related)

Letter from Letty to her cousin Mattie Galbraith

1906(?)

Gregory Genealogy, Gregory Records in Richmond

Colonial Dames, Daughters of the Revolution, Daughters of the Confederacy

Transcribed Mrs. Lyon G. Tyler Letter

Letter from T.T.C. Gregory to aunt Mattie Galbraith

25 April 1906

His Mother’s Pneumonia

Recent Earthquake

Letter from Gertrude Gregory to husband’s aunt Mattie Galbraith

6 October 1906

Illness of Gertrude’s Brother and Baby

Burning of House and Move to Family House

Political Campaign in Suisun, CA

Husband(T.T.C. Gregory)’s Reelection, Important Trial

Letter from Eva Gregory to sister-in-law, Mattie Galbraith

Homesickness, Isolation

Railroad

Jefferson Davis Chapter

Her Sons, New Granddaughter [Gertrude & Tom’s]

Letter from Minnie (?) to cousins Robert and Mattie Galbraith

8 July 1918

Family, Travel Plans

Item by item description:

Letter by Robert Davidson Galbraith

7 July 1879

Recent marriage to Mattie Gregory

Ceremony, Reception, Honeymoon Plans

Letter from a Doctor to Robert Galbraith (?)

26 October 1883

Eye Problems, Medical Advice

Letter from Carrie Prag to Robert D. Galbraith

20 November 1883

Loan Request, Home Repairs

Family and Friend News, Recent Marriages

Letter from Margaret (?) to brother-in-law Robert Galbraith

1 March 1892

Gratitude

Family

Item by item description:

Letter from E.M. Davison to Miss Amanda Wallace

12 July 1829

Shared Family

Letter to Amanda Wallace

5 July 1832

Religious Testimony, Religious Conventions

Death, Salvation

Letter from M. Gregory to mother Amanda Wallace Gregory

12 February 1881

Amanda Gregory’s Birthday

Cold Winter Weather, Winter Weather Colds

Family, John Gregory’s Sons

Letter from John M. Gregory to mother Amanda Wallace Gregory

12 February 1883

Amanda Gregory’s 74th Birthday

John Gregory’s Sons, Illness and Education

Weather, Family

Letter from William Gregory to mother Amanda Wallace Gregory

8 February 1884

Amanda Gregory’s 75th Birthday

William’s Wife, Health, Servant Search

William’s Professional Duties as Doctor

Weather, Roads

Letter from John M. Gregory and Thomas Gregory to mother/grandmother Amanda Wallace Gregory

September 1885

Thomas’s Schooling

Dinner Menu

Letter from Sam Stevens to cousin Amanda Wallace Gregory

25 December 1886

Death of Amanda Gregory’s sister, Betsy, Sympathy, Religion

Family, Health

Letter from John M. Gregory to mother, Amanda Wallace Gregory

30 May 1888

Birth of 3rd Son

Condition of Wife, Comments on Older Two Boys

Letter from John M. Gregory to mother, Amanda Wallace Gregory

12 June 1888

Health, Family

Crops

Letter from John M. Gregory to mother, Amanda Wallace Gregory

21 April 1889

Family Health

Children, Summer Vacation

Weather

Letter from John M. Gregory to mother Amanda Wallace Gregory

20 January 1890

His Recent Visit to Virginia

Family

Letter from Julia Armistead to Amanda Wallace Gregory

11 February 1891

Amanda Gregory’s Birthday

Family, Health, Weather

Letter from John P. Tyler to Amanda Wallace Gregory

20 July 1892

Death of her Child, Sympathy

Religion

Letter from Rob Galbraith to grandmother Amanda Wallace Gregory

11 February 1893

Amanda Gregory’s Birthday

Family

Note by Amanda Wallace Gregory

15 September 1893

Bequeaths Belongings to Relatives

Letter from John M. Gregory to mother Amanda Wallace Gregory

25 January 1894

Family

Amanda Gregory’s Malaria, Recovery

His Longing for Home/Virginia

Letter from Thomas Wallace to John M. Gregory

20 June 1843

Instructions to Purchase and Emancipate Slave Boy

Letter from John M. Gregory to his father John M. Gregory

8 July 1872

First Communication in Years

Son’s New Wife, Their Frugal Lifestyle

New Town, Elections

Family, Future Visit

Letter from John M. Gregory to his father John M. Gregory

24 June 1873

Father’s Birthday, Father-Son Relationship

Son’s Career Plans, Application for County Office

County Politics

Family, Lifestyle, Health

Letter from John M. Gregory Jr., to father, John M. Gregory Sr.

26 September 1880

Family, Health

Politics, Presidential Election

Crops, Drought

Letter from John M. Gregory Jr., to father, John M. Gregory Sr.

8 July 1880

Father’s Birthday

Legal Work

Politics, “Greenback Movement”

Crops

Letter from John M. Gregory to father John M. Gregory

8 July 1883

Father’s 79th Birthday

Son’s Judgeship, Plans

Family, Weather

Item by item description:

Letter from E.J.S. to Letty Gregory

11 February 1873

Death of William (Probably her Brother)

Legal Proceedings Following Death

Letter to Letty Gregory

November 1874 (?)

Expression of Emotions

New Baby and Mother

Letter from John Munford Gregory to daughter Letty Gregory

3 November

Photo of Child Who Died

Cooper Line, Ancestry, War History

Conversation with grandson Rob Galbraith

Political Opinions

Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to daughter Letty Gregory

Family and Friends

Martha’s Wedding Clothes

Letter from Lyon G. Tyler to Letty Gregory

17 November 1892

Gregory Genealogy

Power Family Research

Health

Letter from A. Van De Vyuer to Letty Gregory

8 August 1893

Amanda Wallace Gregory

Health, Travel Plans

Death of Mollie Gregory

Letter from David Gardiner Tyler to Letty Gregory

27 August 1893-7

Congress, Washington D.C.

Health

Letter from David Gardiner Tyler to Letty Gregory

17 February 1894

Death of Letty’s mother Amanda Wallace Gregory

Testimonial of her Character

Letter from David Gardiner Tyler to Letty Gregory

22 February 1897

Letty’s Travel Plans

Recent Parties

Desire to See Letty

Letter from David Gardiner Tyler to Letty Gregory

6 December 1902

His Political Trials and Successes

United States Congress

Item by item description:

Letter from John M. Gregory to wife Eva Gregory

25 July 1869

His Business Trip, Sudden Illness

Travel Plans

Friends and Family, Weather

Housework Instructions

Letter from Virginia Trayler

Julia Armistead, Tea Party Plans

Letter from M. to niece Mollie Gregory

Family, Travel, Weather

1 February 1890

Weather, Family, the Children, Health

Residence in Mexico, Mexican Food

Letty Gregory

Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to grandson Rob Galbraith

29 December 1891

Family News

Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to a cousin

18 January 1892

Family

Old Church in Petersburg, Large Fire of 1816

Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to a Grandchild

1 May 1893

Recent Marriage of this Grandchild, Marital Advice

Family News

Letter from Amanda Wallace Gregory to Rob Galbraith

16 August 1893

Health, Amanda Gregory’s Failing Eyesight

Family

On Envelope: Rob Dies of Spiral Meningitis

Letter by William B. Hamilton

Early 1900’s

Commentary on a Mr. Petty

Letter from E .F. J. (?)

19 February 1909

Religion, Criticisms of Church

Item by item description:

Letter from Thomas Wallace to his Uncle

7 February 1832

College of William and Mary, Studies, Prank, Potential Duel

Series of Balls, Parties – “scene of dissipation”

Family

Letter from William Wallace to his Brother

2 November 1833

Letter-writing

Lecture of Dr. Magill

Studies, Languages, Expenses

Home Comforts, Music, Food

M.N. Washington and Monticello Break-in

Notes on the Genealogy of the Gregory Family, made by members of the family, and letters written about Gregory and related family genealogy, including the Croshaw, West, Graves, White, Wallace, and Cooper families. Item by item descriptions follow:

Notes by Letty Gregory

9 October 1897

Family Genealogy, War History

Notes

Gregory Family Genealogy from 17th-18th Century

Notes

Genealogy of Croshaw, West, Graves, and White Families 1655-1804

Letter from Mattie Gregory to Lyon G. Tyler

25 September 1896

Gregory Genealogical Information, as Requested

Sent Elsewhere for Revision

Letter to Gregory Family from Distant Relative

Author’s Connection to Gregory Family (Shared Great-Grandmother)

Gregory Genealogy

Note to Mattie Galbraith

Wallace and Cooper Family Genealogy

Letter from Lorabel Wallace Brooks to Professor David Duncan Wallace

Culbertson, Wallace Genealogy

Note

Genealogy Scraps, Wallace, Cooper

Note

Genealogy, Wallace and Cooper Families

Item by item description:

Document regarding dedication of Croshaw, Graves, Gregory family

pews and pew doors at Bruton Parish Church.

Indenture, by John Martin and John M. Gregory

15 September 1847

Legal Document, Land, Servitude

Business Letter from the Virginia Trust Company to Mattie Galbraith

30 September 1895

Legacy of Letty Gregory

Letter from John M. Gregory to sister, Mattie Galbraith

24 September 1907

Illness, Family

Includes land warrants and grants dated from 1792 – 1907

Gregory Family Right to Land due to Revolutionary War

Service of William and John Gregory

Letters, certificates, newspaper articles, telegrams, and court resolves relating to the deaths of members of the Gregory family. Item by item description:

Telegram from Letty Gregory to Galbraiths

10 April 1884

Death of father, John M. Gregory

Resolution by James City County Circuit Court, Hon. R.L. Henley, Hon. J.M. Jeffries, Gov. Robert H. Armistead, etc.)

2 June 1884

John Munford Gregory, Character and Accomplishments

Condolences to Family

Resolution by Citizens of Charles City Country

20 May 1884

John Munford Gregory, Career and Integrity

Condolences to Family

Two Newspaper Obituaries Attached

Certificate of William T. Gregory

25 March 1889

“Apostolic Rite of Laying on of Hands”

Signed by Rector John P. Tyler

Card

10 May 1889

“In Loving Remembrance of William T. Gregory”

Two Poems about Death

Issue of the Richmond Dispatch

14 October 1884

Obituary of Georgia Wilson Galbraith, Young Daughter of Mattie Gregory and R.D. Galbraith

Letter from John Lamb (of U.S. House of Representatives) to Mattie Galbraith

1903

David Gardiner Tyler, Judge Wright

Presentation of Tablets Honoring John Munford Gregory I

Letter from David Gardiner Tyler to Mattie Galbraith

29 September 1903

Presentation of Tablets Honoring John Munford Gregory I

Honor of Presenting

Request for Data, John M. Gregory’s Career

Newspaper issues and clippings containing articles related to the Gregory family, including family genealogy and a wedding. Item by item description:

Page from the Southside Sentinel (Duplicates)

18 December 1903

Article: Gloucester Court House Unveiling Ceremony

Tablet in Honor of John M. Gregory

Address by Hon. D. Gardiner Tyler

History of Gregory and Family

Issue of the Solano Republican

24 April 1903

Article: Fashionable Wedding of T.T.C. (Thomas) Gregory to Gertrude Martin

Article from the Times Dispatch

20 November 1904

Genealogy of Gregory Family (traces, with gaps, to mid 1600’s)

Gregory Coat of Arms, Historical Information

Article from the Times Dispatch

4 December 1904

Gregory Genealogy

Supplement to Previous Article

Two personal diaries kept by Mattie Gregory leading up to and immediately after her marriage to Robert Davidson Galbraith, detailing "the many joys and few trials" of her life.

Diary kept by Mattie Gregory in one of her father's old journals. The diary is full of Mattie's day-to-day activities, stories of her family, impressions of friends and acquaintances, and tales of the sorrows, the quarrels, the joys, and love in her life and the lives of those around her.

In this diary, Mattie Gregory continues to record the daily events of her life in Charles City County, Virginia. Near the end, she deals with the stress and excitment of her engagement and the joy of marriage and motherhood.

Removed to artifact collection.

Framed photographs of Gregory Family members:

Mary "Mattie" Martha Gregory's sister

William Wallace Gregory

James P. and Mary E. Purcell

AWG's sister

three unidentified women.

Biographical / historical:

Martha "Mattie" Gregory was born in Charles City County in 1851 to Judge John Munford Gregory and Amanda Wallace Gregory. In 1879, she married Robert Davidson Galbraith and relocated to Spartanburg, SC. She and her husband had five children, though only two (Letitia "Letty" Gregory Galbraith and John Munford Gregory "Greg" Galbraith) survived to adulthood. Mattie Galbraith died in 1924.

Acquisition information:
The materials were acquired by Special Collections Research Center from Letitia Gregory Galbraith Machado on 12/16/2008.
Processing information:

Accessioned and processed by Susan Riggs and Emily Eklund.

Arrangement:

In order by recipient, when applicable, otherwise in order by subject matter. Then, within folder, in chronological order.