Huddle Family Papers 1796-1953.

Access and use

Location of collection:
Wytheville Community College
F.B. Kegley Library
Wytheville Community College
Smyth Hall, Room 103
1000 East Main Street
Wytheville, VA 24382
Contact for questions and access:
POC: William A. “Bill” Veselik
Phone: (276) 223-4876
POC: George Mattis
Phone: (276) 223-4744
Fax: (276) 223-4745

Summary

Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The Huddle Family Papers are arranged in six series. Series I, Correspondence (1872-1912) includes letters to Isaac Newton Huddle and John Huddle involving financial transactions.

Valuable information regarding early financial transactions in Wythe County may be found in Series II, Financial Records (1807-1953). Account books belonging to Henry Huddle, his son Jonas Huddle, and his grandson Isaac Newton Huddle combined with receipts and tax receipts provide researchers a glimpse into the personal and professional business of the Huddle family. Also included in this series are financial records involving the estates of Adam Snaffle and David Musser.

Series III, Land Records (1796-1896), includes several early deeds transferring property purchased by the Huddle family. The earliest deed recrods the purchase of Henry Huddle in 1796 of 200 acres along Huddle Branch from Jacob Tobler. Other records in this series include portions of surveys.

Information regarding nineteenth century education practices may be found in Series IV, Education Records (1812-1882). Several notesbooks used by James E. Poe and Jonas Huddle illustrate instructional methods in penmanship and arithmetic. Two compositions by Isaac Newton Huddle and an arithmetic textbook, Caldwell's Practical Arithmetic, complete this series.

Series VI, Miscellaneous Records (1868-1871) include an article by Jonas Huddle on the Sluss family massacre, a poem, and a hand-drawn map of Virginia. Brochures from the Pitts Agricultural Works, Richmond Hair Dye Company, Dickie's Poultry Powder Company, and the Golding Printing Press Company, and a flyer for the Louisville, St. Louis and Chicago railroad schedule complete this series.

Series VI, Black Lick Township Records (1870-1875) documents the formation and activities of Black Lick Township from 1870 to 1875. Isaac Newton Huddle served as clerk for the Township from 1871 to 1875. The Township records were found in the Huddle home in the 1980s. Materails include claims, tax receipts, and lsits of delinquent taxpayers. Also included are records of the Overseers of the Roads. Appointed by the Township Board, each overseer was responsible for road construction and maintenance in his district. Records of the Overseers of the Poor are also found in this series. These citizens coordinated efforts to provide medical care, room and board for poorer residents of the Township.

An important component of this series is the official order book of the Township Board. Here are recorded transactions of the Board including meetings, claims allowed, listings of Overseers of the Roads and the Poor, listings of road hands, and levying and collection of taxes.

Series VII contains correspondence of James Lafayette Buck, a Mt. Airy, Virginia, native to Isaac Newton Huddle. Buck attended Roanoke College and the Salem Lutheran Seminary in Salem, Virginia. The letters date from 1870 to 1878. Beverly Repass Hoch transcribed and annotated the letters; a copy may be found in the Kegley Library.

Series VIII, 2006 Addendum, contains two account ledgers and several loose papers relating to Black Lick Township.

Biographical / historical:

Born on 16 May 1768 in Shenandoah County, Virginia, Henry Huddle was the son of John Huddle and Elizabeth Piper Huddle. After her first husband died, Elizabeth Huddle married Peter Spangler Jr. and moved to Wythe County. At age twenty-eight, Henry Huddle purchased 200 acres in the Kimberling section of the young countty along a tributary of Reed Creek which eventually was named Huddle Branch. Neighbors of Henry and his wife Magdalene Kimberling Huddle (1770-1845) included the Cassell family, Cook family, Dutton family, Kimberling family, Reusch family, and Snavely family. As his neighbors, Huddle depended upon his farm for his livelihood. According to local memory, Huddle also built pie safes.

Henry and Magdalene Huddle raised eight daughters and three sons. Henry Huddle died on 14 December 1846 and Magdalene died on 27 January 1845. Both are buried in the Kimberling Church cemetery.

Their son Jonas, born on 17 July 1806, continued to farm and live at the family home. On 23 May 1833, he married Elizabeth Brown (1806-1885). Jonas not only farmed but also served as justice of the peace and as the Kimberling Church Sunday school superintendent. Jonas Huddle also served as an Overseer of the Poor and often helped settle estates for various families.

Jonas Huddle and Elizabeth Huddle had five girls and three sons. Jonas died on 24 May 1881 and Elizabeth died on 24 April 1885. Both are buried in the Kimberling Church cemetery.

Their youngest son, Isaac Newton Huddle, was born on 7 May 1849. Isaac was a farmer but also participated in local politics, serving on the Wythe County Board of Supervisors and on the Black Lick Township Board. Isaac also served as clerk for the Black Lick Township Board from 1871 to 1875. On 3 October 1872 he married Sarah Jane Steffey (1849-1936). Isaac Huddle and Sarah Huddle raised two daughters, Minnie Elizabeth neff (married A. Oden Neff) and Emma Katharine Copenhaver (married Edgar P. Copenhaver). Isaac Huddle died on 17 February 1924 and his wife Sarah Huddle dield on 24 Apr8il 1936; both are buried in Kimberling Church cemetery.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Beverly Repass Hoch in 1987 and 1997.
Physical description:
96 folders..