Collections : [College of William and Mary]

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
Primary Collecting Areas:
Williamsburg and surrounding area Virginia; Southern United States; African American life and culture; Hip Hop History; Movies and film studies; Travel, exploration, and adventure; Veterans papers; Distinguished alumni papers; College of William & Mary; Dogs
Description:
The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) houses one of the largest and most significant collections of rare and unique materials of any educational institution of comparable size in the United States. Focused on Virginia history but with nationally and internationally important collections, the Manuscripts Collection includes letters, diaries, journals, scrapbooks, business records, organizational minutes, and other items that provide evidence of events great and small and the daily lives of Americans of all backgrounds. The Rare Books Collection, with volumes dating from the 15th century to the present, is strong in dogs, Virginia-related items, early Virginia family libraries, gardening and natural history, religion, book arts, printing history, travel, science, and medicine. The University Archives documents the history of William & Mary from 1693 to the present, including a wide range of materials from administrative records, student organization records, and alumni papers to photographs, audio-visual materials, and artifacts.
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Start Over Repository College of William and Mary Date range 1894
College of William and Mary

Earl Gregg Swem Genealogy Collection

1.25 Linear Feet

Papers collected by Earl Gregg Swem concerning the genealogies of his family and the family of his wife Lilia Hansbrough Swem. Families on which there is data include Swem (Swaim), Luce, Gregg, Wright, Farish and Smith. Includes written histories, documents, genealogical charts, correspondence, and newspaper clippings.

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1834 marriage announcement of Edward Smith. Box 1, Folder 9

1834 marriage announcement of Edward Smith. 1936 letter to Earl Gregg Swem about researching the Smith family, relatives of Mrs. Earl Gregg Swem. "Smith of King George County, Virginia and Some Allied Families," a 1937 volume researching of Smith ancestry. undated notes and articles, including notes on the death of Austin Smith and a family tree. October 1, 1834. announcement of marriage between Edward Smith and Maragret S. Dade, as appeared in the Fredericksburg Virginia Herald. 1 p. TC. Including TC by G.H.S. King, October 10, 1957, adding that Edwrad Smith had been appointed Clerk of King George County Court. March 19, 1936. Susan Henderson Wright, Portsmouth, Virginia to Earl Gregg Swem, Agrees to research the ancestry of his wife's family. 6 pp. 1937. "Smith of King Gerorge County Virginia and Some Allied Families." Notes on the ancestors of Mrs. Earl Gregg Swem. 12 pp. TMs. undated. Excerpt from Debow's Review and Industrial Resources, Statistics, etc. Volume XXVI - January-June 1859. Article entitled "The Valleys of Virginia - The Rappahannock," by George Fitzhugh. 5 pp. TCy of PV. Including the poem "I'm Waiting For Ships That Never Come In," no author, undated. 1 p. undated. Information about the death of Austin Smith, the great grandfather of Mrs. Earl Gregg Swem. 1 p. C. undated. Notes about the death of Austin Smith and Sydney Smith, relatives of Mrs. Earl Gregg Swem. 1 p. AMs. undated. Notes on births, marriages, and deaths of Smith family. 1 p. AMs. undated. Family tree of the Smiths, ancestors of Mrs. Earl Gregg Swem. Erarl Gregg Swem noted errors on the tree and made corrections. (See oversize file). 1 p. XCy of d.

  1. Series 1: Mss. 82 Swem 4

Cartes de visite, photographic prints. Box 2, Folder 12

Cartes de visite, photographic prints of Leota Swem, Theodor Swem and family. 1884. Carte de visite, 4 1/4 x6 1/2, black and white, three quarters length, front view of Leota Swem, 18 years old, in her graduating dress, High School, Cedar Rapids, [Iowa]. 1 item Ph. (P35) 1914. Photographic print, 5 1/4 x3 1/2, black and white, head and shoulders view of Leota Swem. 1 item Ph. (P36) 1914. Photographic print, 2x3, black and white, head and shoulders view of Leota Swem. 1 item Ph. (P37) 1946. Photographic print, 2x3, color, full length, front view of Susie Swem and her Aunt Leota. 1 item Ph. (P38) undated. Photographic print, 4 1/4 x3 1/4, black and white, full length, front view of Leota Swem with Emeline Swem, sitting on a porch swing, wearing fur coats. 1 item Ph. (P39) undated. Photographic print, 2 3/4 x 4 3/4, black and white, Leota Swem, in a light colored dress, sitting on a porch step, with Emeline Swem, in middle, and an unidentified woman. 1 item Ph. (P40) 21 December 1947. Photographic print, 4x5, black and white, full length, front view of Mr. and Mrs. Theodor Swem on their wedding day. Theodor Swem was the nephew of Earl Gregg Swem. 1 item Ph. (P41) 23 August 1958. Photographic print, 3 1/2x5, black and white, waist length, front view of Barbara rae Swem (daughter of Theodor Swem), seated at a table with birthday cake. 1 item Ph. (P42) August 1958. Photographic print, 3 1/2x5, black and white, full length, front view of Ginny Swem (Theodor Swem's daughter), standing outside in a poodle skirt and white blouse, holding a purse with both hands. 1 item Ph. (P43) August 1958. Photographic print, 3 1/2x5, black and white, three quarters length, front view of Barbara Rae Swem, Dora Swem, and Ginny Swem, sitting on a coach together. 1 item Ph. (P44) Sept[ember] 1958/ Photographic print, 2 1/2x 5, black and white, head and shoulders, front view of Susannah Lea Swem (daughter of Edward R. Swem) sitting outside. 1 item Ph. (P45) 10 October 1958. Photographic, 3 1/2x5, black and white, head and shoulders, side view of Teddy (son of Theodor Swem), looking at his birthday cak. 1 item Ph. (P46) Nov[ember] 1958. Photographic print, 3 1/2x5, black and white, full length, front view of Teddy Swem, standing against a wall. 1 item Ph. (P47) Nov[ember] 1958. Photographic print, 3 1/2x5, black and white, full length, front view of Teddy Swem, standing against a wall, wearing an overcoat and hat. 1 item Ph. (P48) 10 Dec[ember] 1961. Photographic print, 3 1/2x5, black and white, three quarters length, front view of Ted's Swem's children, Teddy, Ginny, and Barbara Rae, seated on chair, looking at book. 1 item Ph. (P49) undated. Photographic print, 3 7/8x5, black and white, three quarters length, front view of Mr. and Mrs. Theodor Swem and infant daughter Barbara Rae, seated on couch. 1 item Ph. (P50) undated. Photographic print, 3x4, black and white, head and shoulders, front view of Theodor Swem; composite picture of him, wearing a dark suit. 1 item Ph. (P51) undated. Photographic print, 2 5/8x3 1/2, black and white, head and shoulders, front view, Theodor Swem; composite picture of him, wearing a polka dot tie. 1 item Ph. (P52)

  1. Series 1: Mss. 82 Swem 4

Copies of legal documents regarding Anthony Swem, Cornelius Swime, Mathias Swem, and Amanda Swem Box 1, Folder 1

Census records, family trees, and written histories on the Swem Family. July 31, 1762. Document obligating Daniel Swime and Absalom Hankins, administrators of the estate of Cornelius Swime, to prepare an inventory of his estate. 2 pp. Handwritten notes on deed of land in Hanover County, New Jersey, to Mathias Swem. 2 pp. cy of DS. June 13, 1799. Handwritten notes on deed of Mathias Swem recording his membership and appointment as trustee of the Methodist Church in Wrightstown, NJ. 3 pp. Cy of DS. Including AN, by Earl Gregg Swem about importance of document, undated. 2 pp. March 14, 1814. Handwritten notes on deed of Mathias Swem to Pearson Hamilton. 1 p. Cy of D. 1800. Census record on Swem Family of Staten Island, New York sent to Earl Gregg Swem III by Marshall Boarman, March 19, 1974. 2 pp. Pst. of D. Including AN, about possible relationships between different lines of the Swem family, undated. 1810. Census record on the Swem family of Staten Island, New York, sent to Earl Gregg Swem III by Marshall Boarman, 19 Macrh, 1974. 1 p. Pst. of D. 1820. Census record of Swem Family of Staten Island, New York sent to Earl Gregg Swem III by Marshall Boarman, March 19, 1974. 1 p. Pst. of D. 1830. Census records on the Swem Family of Staten Island, New York sent to Earl Gregg Swem III by Marshall Boarman, March 18, 1974. 1 p. Pst. of D. 1850. Census records of Swem Family listed on the index of Ohio census sent to Earl Gregg Swem III by Marshall Boarman, March 19, 1974. 1 p. Pst. of D. Including AN, about Marshall Boarman's research done on various lines of the Swem Family, undated. 20 Sep[tember], 1850. Census record of the Swems of Duchoquet T[o]w[nshi]p, Auglaize County, Ohio. 1 p. Pst. of D. Including AN, asking if the Ezera Swem listed in the census was the father of E.B. Swem, undated. 18 Nov[ember], 1850. Census records of Swem Family of Harrison Township in Darke County, Ohio sent to Earl Gregg Swem III by Marshall Boarman, 19 March [10]74. Including AN, about the possible origins of the Swem families listed in census, undated. 7 Aug[ust], 1860. Census records of Swem Family of Wapsinonoc Township, in Muscatine County, Iowa sent to Earl Gregg Swem III by Marsha;; Boarman, 19 March 1974. 1 p. Pst. of D. Including AN, explaining that Ezra Swem and family were living in Belle Plaine, Iowa at the time of 1870 census, undated. 7 July, 1870. Census record of Swem Family of Belle Plaine Township, Benton County, Iowa sent to Earl Gregg Swem III by Marshall Boarman, 19 March 1974. 1 p. Pst. of D. 16 June, 1880. Census records of Swem Family of West Liberty, Muscatine Co[unty], Iowa sent to Earl Gregg Swem III by Marshall Boarman, 19 March 1974. 1 p. Pst. of D. Including TN, stating facts about Laurence Swem and Phebe Swem. April 1873. "Letter to a Brother," Grancille Stuart to James Stuart from the "Montana Magazine of History" mentions Amanda Swem who was Earl Gregg Swem III's great grand aunt; sent to Earl Gregg [Swem III] by Marshall Boarman, 19 March 19 74. 6 pp. Pst. of PV. 28 Sept[ember] 1900. Samuel Stuart's application for military pension; shows relation to Amanda Swem and Pheobe Stuart. Boarman's grandmother; sent to Earl Gregg Swem III by Marshall Boarman. 19 March, 19 74. 1 p. Pst. of D. 10 July, 1909. Application of Amanda [Swem] Stuart for widow's pension; shows relation to Samuel staurt and Pheobe Stuart, Boarman's grandmother; sent to Earl Gregg Swem III by Marshall Boarman, 19 March, 1974. 1 p. Pst. of D. 19 March, 1974. Marshall Boarman, Washington, D.C. to Earl Gregg Swem III, Louisville, Ky. Elaborates on enclosed genealogical material on Swem Family. 2 pp. TLS. undated. Chapter from the History of Martha's Vineyard regarding the Luce family. 6 pp. Pst. of PV. undated. Information on New York and New Jersey Swems not yet known to be connected with the Earl Gregg Swem Family; sent to Earl Gregg Swem III by Marshall Boarman, 19 March 1974. 8 pp. Pst. of TMs. undated. Family trees showing descendants of Amanda Swem; information sent to Earl Gregg Swem III by Marshall Boarman, 19 March, 1974. 6 pp. Pst. of TMs. Including undated, at bottom of page 1 showing Marshall Boarman's relationship with Earl Gregg Swem III as third cousins. AN.

  1. Series 1: Mss. 82 Swem 4
College of William and Mary

Richard Wright collection

21.68 Linear Feet 52 boxes

The Richard Wright collection, compiled by Richard Wright and orginally referred to by Wright as "The Richard Wright collection of Graphic Images of African Americans," focuses on the evolution of the Black American image in print media, cartoons and comics. Wright organized his own historical timeline titled "Good Clean Fun: Blacks in Comics," also referred to as "Clean Fun: Blacks in Comics," in a series of binders with artist biographies and time period summaries. Item titles have been retained from the original labels.

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College of William and Mary

19th Century Virginia albumen photographs

.1 Linear Feet 1 legal size folder

Collection contains 14 albumen photographs, most stamped "Bena F. Harrison," five captioned in pencil. Some images depict locations in Loudon County, including James Monroe's Oak Hill, the Point of Rocks Bridge, and another unidentified home. Other Virginia mansions are depicted, including the "Lutz House. No. Va." Some images depict a church in Petersburg.

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19th Century Virginia albumen photographs .1 Linear Feet 1 legal size folder

Collection contains 14 albumen photographs, most stamped "Bena F. Harrison," five captioned in pencil. Some images depict locations in Loudon County, including James Monroe's Oak Hill, the Point of Rocks Bridge, and another unidentified home. Other Virginia mansions are depicted, including the "Lutz House. No. Va." Some images depict a church in Petersburg.

Virginia photographs Small Collections Box 135, Folder 1

File includes 14 photographs depicting homes, Point of Rocks Bridge, and churches in Loudon County, VA, Petersburg, VA, and other locations.

  1. Series I: photographs
College of William and Mary

John Tyler, Jr. Papers

13.75 Linear Feet

Series 1: Group A, Acc. 78 T97 and 1992.63: Papers, 1856-1895, of John Tyler, Jr., post Civil War Republican Party activist. Subjects covered by the collection include alcoholism, Republican Party politics, Presidential elections, political patronage, Reconstruction, Methodist Episcopal Church, Florida, Braxton Bragg, and the Fenian Brotherhood. Prominent correspondents include Charles Francis Adams, Chester Alan Arthur, Pierre G. T. Beauregard, James Gillespie Blaine, James Buchanan, Jefferson Davis, Benjamin Stoddert Ewell, Henry Stuart Foote, Nathan Bedford Forrest, James A. Garfield, John Brown Gordon, Horace Greeley, Wade Hampton, Rutherford B. Hayes, Andrew Johnson, Joseph Eggleston Johnston, L. Q. C. Lamar, William Mahone, Raphael Semmes, William Henry Seward, John Sherman, Leroy Pope Walker, and William Lowndes Young. Acc. 1992.63 consists of letters of John Tyler, Jr., son of the President, to Mrs. Laura Holloway, author of a book on the ladies of the White House. Letters written from Washington, D.C.

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2009.148 Addition

Subseries 2, Acc. 2009.148 Additon. Papers relating to John Tyler, Jr. and his family. The predominant dates are 1860-1885. Correspondents include Letitia C. Tyler Shands, her husband William B. Shands, and Robert Tyler. Among the topics covered are the Civil War, Post Civil War politics, as well as family affairs. Includes poems, poems, military and political notes and documents, Letitia Christian Shands letters, Martha Rochelle Tyler correspondence, newspapers, political and legal documents.

  1. Series 3: Additions
College of William and Mary

James Barron Hope Papers (I)

5.00 Linear Feet

Papers, chiefly 1847-1887, of James Barron Hope. Correspondence includes letters to his mother Jane A. Barron Hope while on a naval cruise to the Caribbean and letters to his wife, Annie Beverley Whiting Hope written during the Civil War. There are letters between Jane A. Barron Hope and her friend, Caroline Matilda Campbell. Prominent correspondents in the collection include Jubal A. Early, Benjamin S. Ewell, Hugh Blair Grigsby, Fitzhugh Lee, W. H. F. Lee, Thomas Nelson Page, John Tyler and Robert Charles Winthrop. The collection also includes editorials, atories, a play, manuscript poems of Hope including his address at the Yorktown Centennial, as well as articles and letters concerning his death and his involvement in dueling.

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James Barron Hope Papers (I) 5.00 Linear Feet

Hope, James Barron, 1829-1887

Papers, chiefly 1847-1887, of James Barron Hope. Correspondence includes letters to his mother Jane A. Barron Hope while on a naval cruise to the Caribbean and letters to his wife, Annie Beverley Whiting Hope written during the Civil War. There are letters between Jane A. Barron Hope and her friend, Caroline Matilda Campbell. Prominent correspondents in the collection include Jubal A. Early, Benjamin S. Ewell, Hugh Blair Grigsby, Fitzhugh Lee, W. H. F. Lee, Thomas Nelson Page, John Tyler and Robert Charles Winthrop. The collection also includes editorials, atories, a play, manuscript poems of Hope including his address at the Yorktown Centennial, as well as articles and letters concerning his death and his involvement in dueling.

College of William and Mary

Blow Family Papers

43.00 Linear Feet

Papers, 1770-1875, of the Blow family of "Tower Hill," Sussex County, Va. and of the Waller family. Prominent correspondents in the collection include Philip Barraud, John Hartwell Cocke, Henry Lee and Edmund Ruffin. Most of these accessions were integrated as the collection was partially processed, but some are boxed separately.

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#68 Scrapbook of William N. Blow, Jr. Bound Volume 68

100 pages with many loose items. Includes family correspondence and events, including his in-laws' family, General George Thomas of Maine and other Thomas family members.

  1. Series 5: Ledgers

Blow Family Papers 43.00 Linear Feet

Cocke, John Hartwell, 1780-1866

Papers, 1770-1875, of the Blow family of "Tower Hill," Sussex County, Va. and of the Waller family. Prominent correspondents in the collection include Philip Barraud, John Hartwell Cocke, Henry Lee and Edmund Ruffin. Most of these accessions were integrated as the collection was partially processed, but some are boxed separately.

College of William and Mary

Robb-Bernard Papers

26.00 Linear Feet

Papers, 1800-1901, of and relating to John Hipkins and John Hipkins Bernard (mostly accounts); of and relating to members of the Hipkins, Bernard and Robb families; and relating to the Hipkins-Bernard-Robb home "Rose Hill," Caroline County, Va. (later renamed "Gay Mont") and to Bernard's lands in Alabama, Texas and Arkansas. Includes diaries, correspondence, poems, accounts and account books of women (Elizabeth Hipkins, Jane Gay Robertson Bernard, and Helen Struan Bernard Robb); and legal documents and letters of John Taylor of Caroline. Of special interest are the diaries of Eugenia D. Robb while serving with the American Red Cross in Germany and Japan during and after World War II (1999.56A).

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65 R54

Original Accession.

Acc. 1983.28 Addition

Vols. 3 and 4 of Powhatan Robertson's European tour, 1818-1819. Manuscript diaries.

Acc. 1985.41 Addition

The collection is mainly comprised of correspondence from the various Robbs and Bernards, as well as their relations the Uptons, who were originally from southern Maine. As well as the correspondence, there are also a few other items, such as Frances Upton's journal from a family trip to Maine and New Brunswick, Canada, between July 4 and August 9, 1928. Other items of interest are letters from a Netherlands woman named Mary to Frances Upton immediately following World War II (1945-1955,) along with letters home from Robert Upton during World War II

College of William and Mary

6th Battery of Binghamton, N.Y. Veterans minute book

0.25 Linear Feet

Minute book, 1871-1911 of the 28th Brigade, Battery A, (Binghamton, N.Y.), which later became the 6th Battery (3rd and 4th Division).

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6th Battery of Binghamton, N.Y. Veterans minute book 0.25 Linear Feet

6th Battery of Binghamton . N. Y. Veterans

Minute book, 1871-1911 of the 28th Brigade, Battery A, (Binghamton, N.Y.), which later became the 6th Battery (3rd and 4th Division).

College of William and Mary

University Archives Bound Volumes Collection

8.40 Linear Feet

This collection contains information about the College of William and Mary from the Eighteenth Century to the present. Included in the collection are faculty lecture notes from a variety of classes, scrapbooks, research notes, correspondence, textbooks used at the College of William and Mary, minute and account books, poetry books, student notebooks, a literary manual, and various other miscellaneous bound volumes.

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"A Bibliography of Official Publications" Box 19

Two black notebooks, 11.5" x 9.25", listing publications issued by the College or written by individuals while they were associated with the College, arranged by date of publication. The location of each publication is also listed. Volume 1 covers 1693-1880; Volume 2 covers 1881-1906. Acc 1988.100

  1. Box 19

University Archives Bound Volumes Collection 8.40 Linear Feet

Belk, George Washington, III

This collection contains information about the College of William and Mary from the Eighteenth Century to the present. Included in the collection are faculty lecture notes from a variety of classes, scrapbooks, research notes, correspondence, textbooks used at the College of William and Mary, minute and account books, poetry books, student notebooks, a literary manual, and various other miscellaneous bound volumes.

William and Mary Quarterly Subscription and Account Book Box 17

One volume, 8" by 13", containing a list of subscribers, some accounts, and a list advertisers for the Quarterly. Pages 23-24 have a list of participants in the Summer Institute of 1894. Pages 106-109 have some newspaper clipping about the Quarterly. Acc 1987.64

  1. Box 17
College of William and Mary

Sheet Music Collection

55.80 Linear Feet

The Sheet Music Collection includes sheet music collected by the Special Collections Research Center.

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Acc. 2008.87 Addition

Includes sheet music relating to wars, such as the Spanish-American War and World War I; nationalism; and depictions of life in the United States. Some of the pieces include racial caricatures of African-Americans.

  1. Series 2: Sheet Music Acquired 2007-[ongoing]

Acc. 2008.87 Addition

Includes sheet music relating to wars, such as the Spanish-American War and World War I; nationalism; and depictions of life in the United States. Some of the pieces include racial caricatures of African-Americans.

  1. Series 2: Sheet Music Acquired 2007-[ongoing]

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