Purchase: 120 items from Richmond Antique Shop on 6 March 1940. Gift: 3 items of Emma Peters on 31 March 1998.
Box and Folder List compiled by Kelsey Kavanagh and Zoe Weinstein, SCRC staff, from June through July 2011.
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Lottie V. Clark Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Organization: Organized into 3 series: Series 1. Lottie V. Clark correspondence; Series 2. Martha S. Clark and Missouri A. Clark correspondence; Series 3. Miscellaneous. Arrangement: All series are arranged chronologically.
Accession Number 1998.02 physically added to collection at end of box 2.
Papers of members of the Clark family of Amelia County, Virginia, dated 1849, 1889-1899, 1915. The collection consists primarily of letters written to Lottie V. Clark of Namozine, Amelia County, Virginia, by Anthelia Holt and other friends in Chesterfield County, Virginia, which discuss social, religious, and family matters, and Anthelia's work in a cotton mill. In addition, there are letters, invitations, and poems, 1849, 1890, and n.d., addressed to Martha Susan Clark and Missouri A. Clark; and Amelia County subpoena, n.d.; and two later business letters.
Accession Number 1998.02 added to collection.
This series consists primarily of letters written to Lottie V. Clark of Namozine, Amelia County, Virginia, by Anthelia Holt and other friends in Chesterfield County, Virginia, which discuss social, religious, and family matters, and Anthelia's work in a cotton mill. Letters, invitations, and poems addressed to Martha Susan Clark and Missouri A. Clark are also included.
Scope and Contents Describes in detail church "feast" where young women made matching ties and aprons, and young men had to find the young woman with an apron to match their tie; also describes upcoming social events.
Reports than an aunt and a cousin have died, and that there is a great deal of sickness; hopes to go up to the country in September.
Scope and Contents Has just returned from Crewe, Virginia, and has been going to church every night; discusses upcoming marriages and waiting on a couple; sends greetings to various family members.
Scope and Contents Begs her "Dear Little Friend" to visit her for Christmas, and describes the festivities planned; sends congratulations to her Uncle Dibbrel on his upcoming marriage.
Describes upcoming social events; reports that she received a present of the book David Copperfield from a young man in Richmond; describes in detail her "winter suit."
Scope and Contents Complains of having a bad cold; discusses what a nice Christmas she had--"I never saw a single person drunk nor heard a single biddle"; sends greetings to various family members.
Scope and Contents Describes several outings with various young men; says she will be "coming up to Trinity Church one Sunday before long" and asks Lottie to meet her.
Asks why she has not written; describes a visit to the country; sends greetings to other members of her family. Includes a list of young women's names.
Scope and Contents Describes her "holliday" spent in the country, including having five young men want to take her to church; gives details of an elopement and of a marriage between a sixty-five year old man and a young girl.
Scope and Contents Discusses the visit of a friend, Nora, who has made a "mash--he called tonight and is here now"; plans to visit in August; says she heard about the "mash he [Lottie's Uncle Junius] made week before last--tell him that he must not get married before I come up."
Complains of feeling poorly for several weeks; describes a five week work stoppage at the mill due to high water; gives details of the fourth of July picnic.
Discusses upcoming picnic; describes a double wedding she attended; asks about Lottie's Uncle Junius and Dibbrel's wedding plans.
Talk of the mill stopping; talks about church meetings and upcoming marriages.
Dated "Sep 31." Disappointed to report that the mill did not stop, and she is working until after seven o'clock every night, and on Saturday until four; describes a wedding between an "old widow and an old widdower."
Describes Christmas festivities; asks about her new brother; sends pictures of herself.
Wants to know if the pictures arrived and why she has not written; reports that she has been ill with the "grippe."
Expresses the desire to attend school, and is happy that Lottie is able to go to school; describes the school and the new preacher.
Expresses sympathy at the death of Charlie [Lottie's cousin?]; says she is happy to be working ten hours again so that she is home by five o'clock; says that she must stay up with one of her cousin's little girls who was badly burnt.
Has been caring for a cousin sick with pneumonia; went fishing over her holiday; asks about April Fool's Day.
Scope and Contents Asks about "trying fortune" on May 1; glad to hear Lottie's uncles are now in charge of the post office; talks about the "protracted[?] meeting" on Sunday and other church services.
Scope and Contents Describes the "gracious revival" with "one hundred converts"; asks about Uncle Dibbrel's wedding plans.
Reports sad news that her oldest brother has been killed in a railroad accident.
Is working half-time and would like to come up for a visit.
Describes a recent wedding; talks of the "protracted[?] meeting" at church.
Reports on sickness and recent deaths in the area.
Thanks Lottie for showing her such a good time during her visit; expresses dismay that Mr. Bridgewater, whose "wife was buried just five weeks ago," is getting married next week.
Scope and Contents Complains of feeling sick; discusses the young men at various social events, and states that she "would not give the snap of my finger for all the men I saw yesterday--if I can't see the one I want to see I don't care to see anyone"; describes a new dress and some quilts she is making.
Reports that Lottie's Uncle Scott and grandfather have been to Matoaca for a visit; discusses mutual friends and acquaintances.
Happy to hear she is coming for a visit; talks about making wine and apple cider.
Scope and Contents Talks of "feast" Saturday night and "childrens day"; asks about camp meeting; sends greetings to various family members.
Talks of working on her quilt and being teased about plans to marry; tells of upcoming church picnic; sorry to hear of illness of Lottie's grandfather.
Happy to have received Lottie's picture; sends condolences on death of Lottie's grandfather; discusses mutual friends; talks about running five to six looms at the mill.
Has quilted two quilts, and has two more to quilt; is getting ready for the fair in Richmond.
Complains of being sick; hopes that she and her family have decided to become Christians following the meeting; discusses the weekend events; is sending a scrapbook to her; glad to hear of several people who had joined the church.
Discusses managing the household while her parents were gone; describes the fair [in Richmond]; describes a shopping trip to Petersburg; reports that a cousin has died; probably will not be able to visit at Christmas.
Hopes to visit again soon; discusses a recent marriage and baptizing.
Complains of everyone having colds; hopes to visit at Christmas time.
Scope and Contents Has been running six looms at the mill; invites her down for Christmas; describes a quilting with "plenty of music and singing"; says they have plenty of meat now that "Pa" has had his hogs killed.
Reports that their mail carrier had died; says there is a lot of sickness; hopes Lottie will enjoy the "Sugar Stew."
Everyone has been sick; describes Christmas and the many visitors.
Scope and Contents Describes a candy party; complains that she "was disappointed last Saturday and Sunday my fellow did not come"; has been making pillow cases.
Scope and Contents Reports they have a lot of sickness; the tinners have been tinning their house; her "fellow" came by on Sunday; describes a wedding that "did not come off."
Scope and Contents Had to work until seven o'clock; went to church the night before and heard a "beautiful sermon"; hopes to be able "to go up in Chesterfield," Virginia, for the weekend.
Writes that she is sorry to hear that Lottie's Uncle Dibbrel was burned; complains of a lot of sickness; describes a party in the country.
Describes purchases from a trip to town; sends greetings to various family members.
Scope and Contents Describes a trip to the country; claims she will never marry as "my fellow has gone back on me"; invites her down for the "protracted[?] meeting"; plans to visit her if the mill stops during the summer; sends greetings to various family members.
Complains of feeling ill; talks of recent and upcoming marriages.
Has been sick all week; asks about various friends and family members.
Reports that a cousin, Willie Holt, has died, possibly from typhoid fever; talks of the church meeting and the converts they have had.
Scope and Contents Sends best wishes to "the bride ang [sic] groom" [Lottie's uncle and his wife]; is afraid she will not be able to visit in the summer.
Scope and Contents Describes a weekend in the country; claims that her Uncle Edd was "craisy with whiskey when Willie died" but he has gotten better now; talks of mutual friends.
Scope and Contents Has been busy with a sick friend who died of "conjestion [sic] on the brain"; invites her down for the 4th of July.
Both she and her family have been very sick.
Describes the Fourth of July picnics and all the company they have had.
Has been sick and unable to work, so has gone to stay with a cousin; asks about friends and family members.
Went to a picnic and had a splendid time, but upon her return learned that a cousin had been killed at the railroad; would like to quit working at the mill; sends greetings to various family members.
Talks about the church meeting and the 90 conversions; sends greetings to various family members.
Discusses mutual friends.
Reports there is much sickness and death in the area; asks about Lottie's new beau; talks about the three fellows she and her two sisters[?] go around with; plans on quilting a new quilt.
Describes visit of friends from Petersburg, VA; talks of upcoming marriages; invites her and her family down for Christmas.
Scope and Contents Describes the many visitors and social events that have kept her busy; gives details of a wedding; talks of various young men; reports that a cousin has died--"I never felt as sorry for any boddy [sic] in my life as I did for his sweetheart--it seemed like her heart would break when she looked at him for the last time"; sends greetings to various family members.
Complains of being lonely since her visit; plans to come up and visit; sends greetings to various family members.
Scope and Contents Describes a "sugar stew--I stewed the sugar Wednesday night and pulled it and last night she had her party"; complains of the snow and the cold; discusses an upcoming wedding.
Describes various parties and a wedding; hopes to visit her in two weeks if Uncle Dibbrel can come and get her.
Scope and Contents Invites her down for Easter; describes a wedding where "the bridegroom was so drunk that he could hardly stand up"; has been working on "another bed quilt."
Has been suffering from a toothache; has been able to find someone to take over her looms at the mill, and so will be able to visit.
Reports that she ate some raisins that made her sick; describes several weddings; describes her sister's "fellow--his head is red as fire and he is real good looking."
Complains that she has not written in weeks; describes the revival meeting going on at church.
Has been busy making a dress, entertaining company, and going to a lawn party; is angry that she did not stop for a visit while in Petersburg, VA; invites Lottie down for the Fourth of July picnics.
Had to have a tooth taken out; has been running six looms a day; reports there has been a lot of sickness and death in the area.
Scope and Contents Is having a good time since the mill shut down; went to see a "game of baseball"; plans to go up the river for a fish fry; sends greetings to various family members.
Scope and Contents Talks about several quilts she is working on; claims that she will never marry despite the "widdowers [sic]...that wants to wait on me"; asks about a shooting; complains that they can only work half-time; plans to visit next year.
Reports there is a lot of sickness in the area; spent several days in the country with relatives; claims she is kept busy entertaining the widowers; talks of the church meeting that has lasted several weeks.
Has been to several Christmas parties already this year; discusses the widowers who are courting her; invites her down for Christmas; discusses an upcoming marriage--"hard times don't keep people from geting [sic] married."
Scope and Contents Discusses the festivities planned for Christmas; work has started up full-time again; claims she will "marry the very next" widower who asks.
Scope and Contents Reports that her parents are sick with "la grippe"; claims that her fellow was at the mill on Sunday, but has left for Georgia.
Happy to receive Lottie's letter; is afraid she would not recognize her as it has been so long since she has seen her; asks about Christmas; hopes to be able to accept the invitation to visit next summer; describes the literary society that she attends; sends greetings to various family members.
Apologizes for not writing sooner; describes the Christmas activities.
Describes a recent party; went to town and had her pictures taken; plans to send a piece of cloth from her new dress; her fellow in Georgia has sent his picture; asks if she has received any valentines.
Scope and Contents Asks about her "fellow"; talks about various friends and family members; includes a short poem.
Concerning order of merchandise from Jacob Lewit Dry Goods, Notions and Millinery.
Reports that she is writing while waiting for the Baptist preacher to call; describes a box party for the benefit of the church-- "the girls all carried a box filled with something nice to eat...and sold them to the young men...no young man knew whose box he was buying until he had paid for it and then he had to eat what was in the box with the girl..."; reports that her fellow in Georgia has stopped by on his way back to Rhode Island, but she never expects to see him again.
Has been going to church every night; describes two recent weddings; complains that her "looms run so mean."
Scope and Contents Complains that she did not stop for a visit while in Petersburg, Virginia; is planning a shopping trip for summer clothes; sends greetings to various family members.
Scope and Contents Was sorry to hear that she had been sick; went on an excursion to soldiers home-- "the prettiest place I ever saw"; reports the death of a man who "has been sick nearly two years."
Scope and Contents Has not had any time off from the mill this summer; plans on going on an excursion to Farmville, Virginia next month; describes a party-- "had plenty of cake, cream, and candy"; sends greetings to various family members.
Scope and Contents Happy to hear that she is coming for a visit; expresses surprise that a friend has run away to get married; discusses various church meetings; describes visits to Petersburg, Virginia, Farmville, Virginia, and "Hampton Sidney College."
Scope and Contents Discusses the "protracted meeting"; reports that the heavy rains have interfered with the sowing of her father's oats; talks about the many quiltings around.
Complains of a pain in her shoulder; happy to hear Lottie is coming to visit at Christmas; talks about having the hogs killed and prices on new pigs; discusses winter outfits.
Reports that her beau came for a visit; discusses a recent party; complains about the weather; invites her down for a party.
Scope and Contents Reports that they had to stop work because the weather was so bad; describes "stewing sugar" and "making Bedquilts"; describes a church meeting where "the Pastor did ever tell us about dancing..."
Scope and Contents Complains of the cold weather-- "everything at the mill freezed up"; plans to have a party when the weather warms up-- "I want to have cream and cake, candy and Apples..."
Scope and Contents Has been going to church meetings every night; two preachers from Scotland are visiting and "The hall is crowded every night"; reports on two upcoming marriages.
Scope and Contents Complains of sore feet; discusses a "baptizing"; describes an attempted elopement; discusses a friend who shot himself; tells of a "splendid sermon"; describes a new "black satteen" dress.
Including the names Fannie Robertston and Lottie V. Clarke written at the end.
Inquires about her health; expresses ardent feelings of love; ends with a poem. Signature clipped.
Apologizes for not being able to visit in the evening because of a toothache; compliments her beauty.
For December 17 at 6 o'clock p.m.
Love poem.
Would like to know her sentiments.
Tells her who to send her letters by.
Has arrived home safely; will send the song by mail; ends with a poem.
Scope and Contents Has found her books and sent them to her; asks how she and Mr. Clark "are getting along courting" and when they are to be married.
Scope and Contents Will deliver her letter privately as requested; is honored by her request to be the "first waiter" on the bride.
3 Items.
6 Items. Fragments.
Scope and Contents With stamped envelope addressed to Miss Missouri A. Clarke, Fords Depot, Dinwiddie Co., Virginia, care of R.B. Chaffin. Poem.
Gives the address of Dr. W. Saunders as requested by Mr. Garnett.
Soliciting orders for Budweiser beer, "a beverage that will tissue-build and tone up..." Including price list and return mailing card.
Series consists of one folder containing a Ph.D. dissertation titled "Southern Belles: Voices of Working Women, A Telling in Three Parts," by Emma Gene Peters, submitted to the Graduate School of the Union Institute. A copy of a photograph of Anthelia Holt, 1901, and a program of a presentation by Emma Gene Peters based on the dissertation.