Davis Family DiariesWLU.Coll.0293Washington and Lee University, University Library Special Collections and Archives
204 W. Washington St.Lexington, VA 24450specialcollections@wlu.eduURL:
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 Preferred Citation

Preferred citation: [Identification of item], Davis Family Diaries, WLU Coll. 0293, Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA.

In some cases the citation format may vary. Please contact Special Collections staff to verify the appropriate format.

 Processing Information

Blue sheet prepared by Betty Kondayan (March 14, 2007)

 Biographical / Historical

William Davis was a 1909 graduate of Washington and Lee University. He previously graduated from West Point, Virginia high school in 1904.

 Scope and Contents

This a a collection of diaries of William Couch Davis, Jr., and his wife, Mary Anderson Davis, including accounts of William's jobs in France (1917-19), Cuba, Savannah, and Norfolk. They include many details about the Davis family of West Point, Virginia. One of Mary's diaries covers their first married year (1924-25) in Cuba and others cover their trips (1935-1959) out west in Canada and to Central America and Europe.

 Separated Materials

The control folder for the WLU COll. # 0293, Davis Family Diaries, and the William Couch Davis, Jr. oversize documents including certificates and diplomas have been removed to OVERSIZE Drawer 27.

 Diaries Georgia -- Savannah Virginia -- Norfolk Central America Canada Europe France Voyages and travels Cuba Virginia -- West Point Davis family Honorable Discharge Paper for W.C. Davis, Jr.1 Item1918English.1data_value_missing_80f04de556e642a3c36775f65502f755Davis, William CouchDocument of Davis's Appointment to Corporal of 318th InfantryUnited States. ArmyUnited States. Army. Infantry1 Item1917English.1data_value_missing_80156854b385df82dbbe9cb1f914eb5eInfantryDavis, William CouchDocument of Davis's Appointment to 2nd Lieutenant of Engineers in National Army1 Item1918English.1data_value_missing_c834082524660557d0fd8bc1ca5658f1Davis, William CouchWest Point Public School Diploma1 Item1914English.1data_value_missing_3d7ed6f0f37d67d10167ac1553520abbVirginia -- West PointDavis, William CouchWilliam Davis's DiariesDavis, William Couch5 Item1919-1926English.1Scope and Contents

The 1919 diary has notes from 1920 and 1921. The 1922 diary is mostly written from Nashville, Tn. The 1924 is written in Cuba when Davis was on his honeymoon. The 1925 and 1926 are written in Virginia and Florida.

Tennessee -- NashvilleFrance -- ParisCubaVirginia -- West PointFloridaWilliam Davis's DiariesDavis, William Couch2 Item1927-1928English.1Scope and Contents

The 1927 diary was written in Florida and Savannah. The 1928 was written in Savannah.

Florida -- MiamiGeorgia -- SavannahWilliam Davis's DiariesDavis, William Couch3 Item1929-1932English.1DiariesSouth Carolina -- SumterWilliam Davis's DiariesDavis, William Couch3 Item1933-1935English.1FloridaWilliam Davis's DiariesDavis, William Couch2 Item1939-1940English.2Virginia -- RichmondVirginia -- HopewellVirginia -- West PointMary Davis's DiariesDavis, Mary Anderson5 Item1925-1929English.2Scope and Contents

Mary started writing her first diary in 1925 on her honeymoon in Cuba after she got married to William.

Georgia -- SavannahVirginia -- West PointFloridaCubaMary Davis's Trip DiariesDavis, Mary Anderson8 Item1935-1959English.2Scope and Contents

  • 1935 - Mexico
  • 1939 - Canada (canoeing and fishing trip)
  • 1940 - Gila National Forest, New Mexico
  • 1949 - Yucatan
  • 1951 - Guatemala
  • 1959 - 2 diaries of European trip

France -- ParisVirginia -- NorfolkGuatemalaMexico -- Yucatán (State)CanadaMexicoEuropeNew Mexico -- Gila National Forest