viblbv01767Conway, Dr. W. B. and Julia Ellen Thomas CorrespondenceDr. W. B. Conway and Julia Ellen Thomas Correspondence, 1869-1870 Ms.2014.015Betsy Reed, Graduate Assistant and Kira A. Dietz, ArchivistSpecial Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech

Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)560 Drillfield DriveNewman Library, Virginia TechBlacksburg, Virginia 24061Business Number: 540-231-6308specref@vt.eduURL:

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-10-09 07:04:19 -0400.English Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Dr. W. B. Conway and Julia Ellen Thomas Correspondence, Conway, William Buchanan, 1845-1920 Conway, Julia Ellen Thomas, 1848-1916 Ms.2014.015 0.5 Cubic Feet 1 box 1869-1870 The Dr. W. B. Conway and Julia Ellen Thomas Correspondence contains letters exchanged between the couple from 1869 to 1870 before they were married. English . Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the Dr. W. B. Conway and Julia Ellen Thomas Correspondence must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Dr. W. B. Conway and Julia Ellen Thomas Correspondence, Ms2014-015, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The Dr. W. B. Conway and Julia Ellen Thomas Correspondence was donated to Special Collections in 2014.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Dr. W. B. Conway and Julia Ellen Thomas Correspondence was completed in December 2014.

Biographical Note: William B. Conway

Dr. William B. Conway was born in Ellerslie, Virginia, in 1845. Conway studied at Virginia Military Institute for a year, but left school to enlist as a private in Company C, 4th Virginia Cavalry. He served through the war, and afterwards studied medicine under the tutelage of Dr. Alfred Taliaferro at Culpeper Courthouse. He then studied at Washington University in Baltimore and graduated in 1869. Upon graduation, he left Baltimore to practice medicine at Mount Vernon Iron Works in Rockingham County, Virginia.

Biographical Note: Julia Ellen Thomas Conway

Julia Ellen Thomas was born in 1848 in Blacksburg Virginia the daughter of Col. William Thomas. Julia and William were married in 1870 and settled for a time in Blacksburg where William became a surgeon for the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Virginia Tech). They had five children: Daisy, Alfred, William, Archie, and Mary, all of which, except William, reached adulthood. Julia died in 1916. William died in College Park, Georgia, in 1920.

Scope and Content

This collection contains approximately sixty letters exchanged between Dr. William B. Conway and Julia Ellen Thomas (later Conway) during their courtship in 1869-1870. The letters discuss a number of topics including the couple's relationship, their families, mutual friends, and local and national events.

Arrangement

The letters in the collection are arranged chronologically.

Related Materials

W. B. Conway and Julia Thomas Conway Correspondence (Ms2019-018). Finding aid available online.

Julia Thomas Conway and Mary Black Thomas Luster Correspondence (Ms2019-019). Finding aid available online.

Catlett Conway Correspondence (Ms2012-039). Finding aid available online.

Montgomery County (Va.) Local/Regional History and Appalachian South Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (1872-1896) Letters1869-1870November 186911December 186912January 197013April 187014May 187015June 187016July 187017August 187018September 187019October 1870110November 1870111December 1870112Ephemera1869-1870Envelopes1869-1870113