Claude Moore Health Sciences Library
Ella Thomas Whitten papers
MS.59
Archival Resource Key
/repositories/7/resources/55
2 Linear Feet
2 boxes and 14 artifacts
14 items
circa 1914-1979
2 linear feet: 1 box with the dimensions of 5.5 inches x 10 inches x 15.5 inches and 1 box with the dimensions 17.25 x 3.5 x 11.5
English,
French
Biographical / Historical
Ella Thomas Whitten was born in Faber, Nelson County, Virginia on 7 February 1890, to William Thomas Whitten and Martha Ann Clements, and had nine brothers and sisters. In 1915 she graduated from the Davis-Fischer Sanatorium Training School of Atlanta, Georgia. When she was 27, she enlisted as a nurse in the United States Army Nurse Corps, and traveled overseas to serve in Blois, France, at Base Hospital No. 43, a unit sponsored by Emory University. She finished her service and returned to the United States in 1918. After the war, she received a certificate of commendation from the Graduate Nurses Association of Virginia for her service. She later attended the College of William and Mary, attaining a certificate in public health nursing from the School of Social Work and Public Health of the College of William and Mary in 1933, and graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1937. Whitten was a long-time member of the American National Red Cross and the Graduate Nurses Association of Virginia. She received an American Red Cross certificate for 50 years of service in 1967. In 1958 she married Dr. Carl Clinton; the couple lived in Lynchburg, Virginia. Dr. Clinton died 12 January 1969, and Ella Whitten Akers died 2 March 1984. Both are buried in Faber, Virginia.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to research.
Conditions Governing Use
No use restrictions.
Preferred Citation
Ella Thomas Whitten Papers, MS-59, Historical Collections & Services, Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of 28 folders containing postcards, photographs, and publications pertaining to Ella Thomas Whitten's experiences in World War I and later service as a nurse in Virginia. The collection also includes 9 certificates and diplomas recieved by Ella Thomas Whitten throughout her nursing career. 14 nursing artifacts, mostly related to Ella Thomas Whitten's service during World War I, are cataloged with the medical artifacts collection and are also listed as part of this collection.
Arrangement
Materials are arranged by type and chronology.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The materials were donated to the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library in or before 2000.
Separated Materials
14 artifacts included in the collection are catalogued and stored with the medical artifacts collection.
French postcards depicting scenes of World War I battlefieldsArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2444circa 1914-19159 postcardsFrench11Scope and ContentsIncludes images of trench digging, bombardment sites, and German prisoners.
French postcards of World War I graves and an American hospital in Mesves-sur-LoireArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2445circa 1917-191810 postcardsFrench12Postcards of World War I battle scenesArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2447circa 1917-191812 postcardsEnglish14Scope and ContentsPostcards from the Chicago Daily News War Postals, include captions in English
Postcards of United States soldiers in uniformArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2446circa 1917-19186 postcards13Scope and ContentsSubjects unidentified. One postcard is stamped "Grout Blois Photo," likely from Blois, France.
Photographs of unidentified subjects and landscapesArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2448circa 1917-19188 photographs15Scope and ContentsItem number 1 is possibly a photograph of Ella Thomas Whitten.
Scope and ContentsItem number 4 shows a soldier standing in front of a house and palm trees. The reverse of the image contains text: "Frank, It's awful hot down here today, I am turning black. Al."
Postcards from Ella Thomas Whitten to Mrs. William T. Whitten and Mr. F.H. WhittenArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/24491918 October 10-1918 December 20-265 handwritten postcards16Scope and ContentsPostcards depict various French cities and landscapes
Postcards from Earl B. Boyce to an American woman, and from Frye, Haggard, Campbell, and Baugus to "Big Sis"Archival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/24501918 October 16 - 1918 December 22 handwritten postcardsEnglish17Scope and ContentsBoth postcards are labeled "Blois, France."
Postcard from Lew Shepherd (?) to Miss Virginia WhittenArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/24511918 November(?)1 handwritten postcardEnglish18Scope and ContentsPostcard sent to Hospital Américain #43 in Blois, France. Postcard depicts Monte-Carlo, message reads "Am down at Nice at last & having a fine time. Was over at Monte Carlo yesterday, but didn't win a fortune. Bestest, Lew Shepherd(?)."
Postcard from Pvt. George C. Cotten to Miss Mildred KiddArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2452circa 19181 handwritten postcardEnglish19Scope and ContentsPostcard sent to Covesville, VA from France. Postcard depicts Monte-Carlo, message reads "I am spending my furlough in Nice, went to Monte Carlo day before yesterday, am having a good time [unknown]."
Postcards wishing good luck, honor, and victory to the children of FranceArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2453circa 19182 postcards in English and FrenchEnglish, French110French postcards of locations in France and MonacoArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2454circa 191844 postcardsFrench111Scope and ContentsIncludes images of Nièvre, Digne, Arcy-sur-Cure, Bretagne, Amboise, Monte Carlo, and other locations.
French postcards of locations in FranceArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2455circa 191846 postcardsFrench112Scope and ContentsIncludes images of Arcy-sur-Cure, Chambord, Amboise, and Brest.
French postcards of locations in FranceArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2456circa 191838 postcardsFrench113Scope and ContentsIncludes images of Vierzon, Nice, Loup, La Turbie, Nevers, Cosne, and Vezelay.
French postcards of locations in France including images of cattle, dog carts, and French dressArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2457circa 191829 postcardsFrench114Scope and ContentsIncludes images from Sologne, Leon, Velay, and other locations.
French postcards of landmarks in Tours, Orleans, Le Mans, and Bourques, FranceArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2458circa 191835 postcardsFrench115French postcards of landmarks in Paris and VersaillesArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2459circa 191823 postcardsFrench116Postcard depicting 15 American soldiers in uniformArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2460circa 19181 postcardEnglish117Scope and ContentsSoldiers are identified by name in writing on the front of the postcard: Row 1: "Unidentified, Fabaiano, E. Pope, Creeknore Richmond VA, Wread, Slobda, Puchella." Row 2: "Sorenson, Morgan, Anderson, F.E.B., Longson, Owens, Bartoes, Johnson".
French postcard depicting a plaque from Chateau de Blois in FranceArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2461circa 19181 postcardFrench118Scope and ContentsNo text on verso, but front of postcard is annotated with the words "Anne of Bretagne."
French postcards depicting views of Blois, FranceArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2462circa 191847 postcardsFrench119Postcard albums depicting views of Blois, FranceArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2463circa 19182 bound photo souvenir books120Miscellaneous postcardsArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2464circa 191811 postcards121Scope and ContentsIncludes images of steamer ships, trains, Monaco, and unknown locations.
Memories of Jane A. Delano, District III Graduate Nurses' Association of Virginia Spring Newsletter, and memorial for Ida Lillian Gilchrist written by Ella Whitten Akers and published in The Lynchburg NewsArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/24651934 April, 1955 April 1, 1968 February 71 bound book, 1 72-page pamphlet, 1 photocopyEnglish122American Red Cross Nursing Services historyArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2466circa 195618-page, unbound pamphletEnglish123American Red Cross Home Nursing Care of the Sick and Injured, Instructor's GuideArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/24671957 JanuaryUnbound, printed, 154-page guideEnglish124American National Red Cross (Lynchburg Chapter) Certificate of Appreciation for 40 years of service presented to Mrs. Carl Clinton Akers (Ella Thomas Whitten Akers)Archival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/24681958 May1 certificateEnglish125Virginia Nurse Quarterly Summer 1967: "District III Nurse Honored" and a photograph of a World War I nursing certificateArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/24691967100 page pamphlet, photograph with autograph additionEnglish126Scope and ContentsThe photograph shows a certificate given to Ella Whitten by the Graduate Nurses Association of Virginia for her service during WWI.
Letter from Ella Whitten Akers ("Sister Ella T.") to Estelle, Brother Lee, and Mother PamplinArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/24701979 November 111 typed letter and envelopeEnglish127Scope and ContentsWritten on the 60th anniversary of Armistice Day.
Nurse's uniformArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2471circa 1917-19181 uniform128 [artifacts collection]Separated Materials NoteItem catalogued and stored with the medical artifacts collection: artifacts00272.
Nurse's capArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2472circa 1917-19181 cap128 [artifacts collection]Separated Materials NoteItem catalogued and stored with the medical artifacts collection: artifacts00918.
Nurse's shoesArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2473circa 1917-19181 pair of shoes128 [artifacts collection]Separated Materials NoteItem catalogued and stored with the medical artifacts collection: artifacts00058.
Concealed hip pocketbookArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2474circa 1917-19181 item128 [artifacts collection]Separated Materials NoteItem catalogued and stored with the medical artifacts collection: artifacts00820.
CanteenArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2475circa 1917-19181 item128 [artifacts collection]Separated Materials NoteItem catalogued and stored with the medical artifacts collection: artifacts01082.
Mess kitArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/247619171 item128 [artifacts collection]Scope and ContentsMess kit inscribed "1917 Ft. Sill Camp Mill"
Separated Materials NoteItem catalogued and stored with the medical artifacts collection: artifacts00794.
Beaded flowers grave decorationArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2477circa 19181 item128 [artifacts collection]Scope and ContentsHand-beaded flower decoration for a WWI soldier's grave.
Separated Materials NoteItem catalogued and stored with the medical artifacts collection: artifacts00750.
Trench lice preserved in alcohol inside a French perfume containerArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2478circa 1917-19181 item128 [artifacts collection]Separated Materials NoteItem catalogued and stored with the medical artifacts collection: artifacts00872.
U.S. Army Medical Department cup and saucerArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2479circa 1917-19182 items128 [artifacts collection]Separated Materials NoteItem catalogued and stored with the medical artifacts collection: artifacts00921.
World War I MedallionArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2480circa 1917-19181 item128 [artifacts collection]Separated Materials NoteItem catalogued and stored with the medical artifacts collection: artifacts00893.
World War I MedallionArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2481circa 1917-19181 item128 [artifacts collection]Separated Materials NoteItem catalogued and stored with the medical artifacts collection: artifacts00894.
Red Cross nursing pins and patchesArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2482circa 1917-19181 item128 [artifacts collection]Scope and ContentsPins and patches related to the American Red Cross and WWI Nursing.
Separated Materials NoteItem catalogued and stored with the medical artifacts collection: artifacts00800.
American Red Cross certificate for 50 years of service, presented to Mrs. Ella Whitten AkersArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/24831967 March 211 itemEnglish128 [artifacts collection]Separated Materials NoteItem catalogued and stored with the medical artifacts collection: artifacts01084.
Veteran's cap with poppy patchArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2484undated1 cap128 [artifacts collection]Separated Materials NoteItem catalogued and stored with the medical artifacts collection: artifacts00917.
Davis-Fischer Sanatorium Training School of Atlanta, Georgia, Diploma presented to Ella Thomas WhittenArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/24851915 November 271 documentEnglish2Registered Nurse certificate for Georgia presented to Ella T. WhittenArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/24861916 May 181 documentEnglish2The Graduate Nurses Association of Virginia certificate of appreciation for nursing service during World War I, dated 1917 April 6-1918 November 11, presented to Ella Thomas WhittenArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/2487circa 19181 documentEnglish2Scope and ContentsDates on certificate represent the period that the United States was actively involved in WWI, not necessarily Ella T. Whitten's dates of service.
Registered Nurse certificate for Virginia presented to Ella Thomas WhittenArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/24881925 March 171 documentEnglish2Certificate in Public Health Nursing from the School of Social Work and Public Health of the College of William and Mary, presented to Ella T. WhittenArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/24891933 June 81 documentEnglish2College of William and Mary Diploma for Bachelor of Science in Nursing, presented to Ella Thomas WhittenArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/24901937 June 71 documentLatin2Scope and ContentsDiploma is in Latin.
Registered Nurse certificate for North Carolina presented to Ella Thomas WhittenArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/24911941 April 71 documentEnglish2Nurse's Certificate of Registration for North Carolina presented to Ella Thomas WhittenArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/24921941 June 101 documentEnglish2The American Public Health Association Membership Certificate for Ella Thomas WhittenArchival Resource Key/repositories/7/archival_objects/24931943 June1 documentEnglish2