Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Bigler-Sessler-John Family Papers
John family
Bigler family
Sessler family
Ms.1993.011
0.5 Cubic Feet
1 box
1752-1925
The collection contains correspondence, legal documents, and accounting receipts and records relating to the Bigler, Sessler, and John families of southwest Virginia.
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Bigler-Sessler-John Family Papers, Ms1993-011, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Source of Acquisition
The collection was acquired by Special Collections in 1993.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Bigler-Sessler-John Family Papers was completed in October 2013.
Scope and Contents
The collection contains correspondence, legal documents, and accounting receipts and records relating to the Bigler, Sessler, and John families who were connected to each other through marriage and resided predominantly in rural Southwest Virginia. The collection contains a varied array of documents including a math workbook from 1803, which belonged to Mark E. Sessler; a share cropping agreement between John Patterson and George Odewait from 1820; and a letter from Priscilla R. John to "Moll," which gives a very detailed description of revival and prayer meeting in Montgomery Co. in 1859. The documents in this collection provide insight into several facets of daily life in Southwest Virginia from the mid eighteenth century through the early twentieth century through the perspectives of members of the Bigler, Sessler, and John families.
Arrangement
Physical arrangement of the collection reflects the order in which the collection was received. The "Contents List" groups like materials together into series.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Bigler-Sessler-John Family Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
Virginia, Southwest
Slavery -- United States
Montgomery County (Va.)
Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
Series I: Correspondence and InvitationsLetter from Dora Lee to Mrs. SeeslerMay 31, 188712Letter from P. Ruth to Naomi JohnAugust 7, 185714Letter from Naomi John to MaryMarch 1, 186015Letter from Priscilla R. John to Moll August 24, 185916Letter from Sue to Naomi JohnSeptember 186318Free Franked by H. A. Edmundson Letter to Naomi JohnMarch 2, 186519Letter from France to Cousin Mattie (Sessler)December 13, 1878110Envelope addressed to Miss Mattie Sessler, from TexasOctober 22 [unknown year]112Letter from France to Cousin Mattie (Sessler)February 12, 1878/79115Letter from Wm. J. Walker (indenture)1752116Turned envelope addressed to Naomi JohnMarch 22 [unknown year]117Letter to Mr. Biglor from John GosogenNovember 30, 1804119Letter from George W. P. of Poplar Groce to JoJanuary 22, 1857124Letter from George J. Etzler to J. B. SeslerApril 10, 1875125Letter from Dr. H. Black to Mr. James JohnFebruary 25, 1857127Letter from Eliza Hammon to Martha JohnJuly 22, 1853128Letter from Naomi to Mrs. Elizabeth Sessler ("Lizzi")October 27, 1889129Letter from Naomi to MattieJanuary 8, 1890130Letter to Martha John from Sarah HendersonAugust 10 [unknown year]131Letter to Mary Ann John from sister undated132Letter to Lomie from Peter M. DeedsMay 30, 1875133Letter to Lomie undated134Letter from Naomi Bishop to her sister Elizabeth SesslerMarch 3 and March 8 1897135Letter from Naomi John Bishop to familyMarch 15, 1868136Letter from M. E. Gordin to familyApril 18, 1882137Letter and cober from N. B. [Naomi Bishop] to Mrs. T. S. HendersonDecember 31, 18761391 letter and 3 documents concerning case of David John, disabled son of deceased James and Anna John140Letter from Martha to her sister Lizzie SeslerFebruary 15, 1883141Letter from Mark Sessler and his brother to MattieSeptember 17, 1878142Letter from Naomi (John) Bishop to her father James JohnNovember 1, 1875143Letter from M. E. Armstrong to Annie Gardner146Letter from Penelope L. Holbrook to Naomi JohnJune 14, 1852147Letter from James John to his wifeMarch 6, 1858148Letter to Mattie SeslerMarch 29, 1878149Miscellaneous folder #1155Letter from D. C. Allen to M. E. Sessler, Esq.February 23, 1893159Letter from Mattie Sessler to W. A. WatkinsMay 10, 1882160Letter from Mattie [Sessler] to James B. WatkinsNovember 2, 1883161Letter from James L. Watkins (first page missing)162Letter from James L. Watkins to his brotherSeptember 19, 1906163Letter from James L. Watkins to BrotherJuly 8, 1906164Letter from J. B. Watkins to Mattie SesslerMarch 19,1889165Letter from S. A. Watkins to brotherMay 7, 1890166Letter from B. D. Painter to Mrs. J. B. WatkinsFebruary 28, 1925167Wedding invitation to Mr. J. B. Watkins and family, Frances Marron Jamison to Marshall W. MangusOctober 18, 1910168Letter from Pearl watkins to mother Mrs. J. B. WatkinsOctober 13, 1902169Letter from Jane S. Dame Wood to unknown recipient January 14, 1877170Letter from C. Byrd Manges to Mattie SesslerDecember 17, 1878171Letter from Allice Walters to Cousin Anna GardnerJanuary 23, 1887172Letter from James B. Watkins to Mattie SesslerJanuary 3, 1883173Letter from J. B. Watkins to Mattie SesslerSeptember 12, 1884174Letter from J. B. Watkins to Mattie SesslerSeptember 15, 1878175Letter to M. E. SesslerOctober 18, 1893176Letter to Mattie from Uncle HarveyJune 12, 1882177Letter from J. H. H. Figgat to Mr. M. E. SesslerOctober 18, 1891178Letter to "sister" from unknown authorundated179Letter from Martha E. Brown to Emma and (reverse side) Naomi Bishop to LizzieFebruary 10 and February 11, 1880180Letter from J. J. Bishop to GrandmaFebruary 10, 1880181Letter from Priscilla [John] to her sister Tabitha S. HendersonFebruary 7, 1876182Letter to Mary Ann John from Sussanna McDonald undated184Letter from M. A. Kirby to family undated186Letter from M. W. Jones to EmmaJune 5, 1888189Letter to James John from I. FrancesJuly 21, 1849121Series II: Financial, Land, and Legal DocumentsShare Cropping Agreement between John Patterson and George OdewaitFebruary 27, 182017Account bill for Jacob Brunk to settle account of Jacob Garman, deceasedOctober 16, 1823111A list of hands for the road John Sessler, surveyor1825113Sesler Family births114Note of payment of John SeslerApril 19, 1826118Montgomery Co. Deed- Zacheriah Stanley to Henry Myers (Miers)April 4, 1797120Note of Payment from Morse Bigler to John Beckener c. October 1792122Claim of Jacob Bigler on Ambrose MyersNovember 5, 1832123Indenture between Robert Watkins and Moses and William Watkins [Deed]June 14, 1851138Bill from R. H. Kyle and Co. to William John, John, and Son, FincastleAugust 21, 1829144Deed from John C. Gish to Mark B. SesslerSeptember 24, 1845145Notes and Receipts Folders #1-4150-53Statement and Settlement of Accounts of M. E. SesslerMay 1900154Miscellaneous folder #2-4156-58List of accounts payable by James John to William A. ObenshainOctober 21, 1846183Accounts payable by Jacob Bigler to John Layman1835-1844185Bill of Account of James John from J. R. C. BrownOctober 26, 1844187Bill of Account to J. A. Bass, deceased from Moses WatkinsMarch-June 1861188Legal document to appoint Thos. W. Wrenne to represent Maggie G. ClarkFebruary 13, 1895190Series III: Notebooks and EphemeraGerman Writing Exercise on Rag Paper11Fancy Lettering Compliments of Sessler13Math workbook of Mark E. Sesler (Includes 1788 Fragment from an Architecture workbook)1788, 1803126