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Harrison Holt Riddleberger Papers, Manuscripts and Rare Books Department, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Gift: 576 items,
Purchased: 1 item,
Gift: 110 items
Harrison Holt Riddleberger Papers were maintained by the staff of Duke University Library, North Carolina, until they were transferred, at the family's request, to Manuscripts and Rare Books Department, Swem Library, College of William and Mary in ca. 1950. An addition to the collection was made in 2003.
Harrison Holt Riddleberger was born in Edinburg, Shenandoah County, Virginia in October 1844. He served in the Confederate cavalry. Riddleberger was a newspaper editor, studied law and practiced in Woodstock, Virginia. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, 1871-1875; Commonwealth's attorney of Shenandoah County; a Democratic Party elector; and was elected as a Readjuster to the United States Senate where he served from 1883-1889. Riddleberger died 24 January 1890.
This collection contains letters and other papers, 1872-1902, of H. H. Riddleberger (1844-1890) of Woodstock, Virginia who retained the titles of member of the House of Delegates, 1871-1875; State Senator, 1879- 1882; and U.S. Senator, 1883-l889. Among the correspondents are: William Mahone, William E. Cameron, Winfield S. Hancock, Roscoe Conkling, Robert Toombs, Fitz-John Porter, John W. Daniel, and John Goode. There are letters from Riddleberger to his wife Emma Belew Riddleberger and to their children.
This collection has been organized into two Series: 1. Letters and 2. Miscellaneous Material.
Series 1, containing the bulk of the collection, are a series of letters arranged in chronological order by date. Those items with no date or an unknown date are placed at the end of the series. Series 1, Subseries are separated by year. Everything else remaining in the inventory was then classified as miscellaneous papers and sorted into various Sub-series, found at the end of the finding aid.
Items concern H.H. Riddleberger's challenge to a newspaper editor.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Items concern speech made by H.H. Riddleberger.
Item concerns the Henry C. Hoar Memorial Fund.
Item concerns the death of Harrison Holt Riddleberger.
Sub-series contains letters, memos, and drafts including a number of William Mahone letters.
Cards used while papers were on deposit at Duke University.
Badge described as gold on blue silk, with inscription reading "Inauguration 1885 Reception Committee".
Badge described as gold on green silk, with inscription reading "I.N. League Bazaar 1886 Chairman, Committee of Arrangements".
Item describes the account of four Civil War battles - Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, the Wilderness, and Spottsylvania.
Item concerns the extradition of persons charged with crime.
Item was signed P. McCahey, M.D., Philadelphia,
Item was signed signed at Tokyo, on the
Item includes quotes of newspapers opposed to fishery treaty with Britain
Item was printed at the Landmark book and job office, Norfolk, Va. 1876, and signed on the cover by T.A. Williams
Harrison Holt Riddleberger and wife, appellants, against E. D. Newman, et als. Valley Virginian Power Press, Staunton, Va.
Three hour visit from Gov. Walker. Poverty
requires rigid economy. Hailstorm relief bill. Church
property at Columbia furnace.
Asks her to tell Mrs. John [Keller?] to send his
code of '73 to him immediately.
Senate letterhead. Passed the debt bill and
reported it to the House. Meets with Gen. Bolling,
who sends historical gun to Riddleberger's residence
in Va.
Missed traveling connection and is 200 miles from
where he ought to be. Friends are insisting that he
give a speech.
Senate letterhead. Gen. M. [General Mahone].
enjoyed his time and sends his thanks.
Senate letterhead. Meets a 13 year old girl from South Carolina who is canvassing for the
Senate letterhead. He is going to speak on Monday
(court day), giving a "send off" to a new scheme.
Has been working on his speech and is almost "too
nervous to write." Invites her up to D.C. because he
cannot come home.
Senate letterhead. Sends $20 to supply "your
wants." Also sends check for $28, and asks for $15 to
be sent to Dr. Campbell.
Senate letterhead. Working on the Debt bill. Will
attend the meeting on the new Revenue bill.
Senate letterhead.
Working on the debt bill and claims that they are
"filibustering all around." Encloses $20.
Senate letterhead. Writes letter while the
senators are talking about a railroad bill.
Senate letterhead. Explains that money is being
used to defeat the debt bill.
Senate letterhead. (Debt?) Bill is passed,
creating great excitement. Anticipates a veto.
Reports that he is giving speeches in Suffolk and
Portsmouth to audiences of 1500-3000. Claims that the
trip is a tremendous strain and great success.
Reports that he is giving speeches in Suffolk,
Norfolk and Portsmouth.
"Whig" Building letterhead. Has returned from the "third discussion of the week." Makes reference to telegram in
U.S. Senate letterhead. Enclosed check for $175.
Delegates have arrived from Virginia for a
committee meeting.
Gen. M. [General Mahone] is compelled to postpone
his appointment. Will return home Friday and
Saturday. Will meet some friends in Norfolk.
Has received letters about a small pox threat.
Hopes that his wife and children will be vaccinated.
He was vaccinated on Sunday night, because there have
been 100 cases in the city.
He is sending ribbons for his daughters and is
preparing to go home.
He has been nominated for the position of Sargent
at Arms and there has been debate about this
position. Debate directed against the debt bill.
U.S. Senate Chamber letterhead. Debates in the
Senate continue.
U.S. Senate Chamber letterhead. Senate has
adjourned and he believes that the controversy will
end soon. Claims that he is preparing his indictment
for the grand jury and the "men now in jail."
"The Arlington" letterhead. Has been offered $200
to lecture for 25 nights.
U.S. Senate Chamber letterhead. Tensions in the
senate continue. Mentions the possibility of being
elected in December.
U.S. Senate Chamber letterhead. Doing work for
Gen. M. [General Mahone] relating to the convention
of June 2nd.
"
"Purcell House" letterhead. Returned from visit to
Pt. Anne with personal and political friends. Will
depart (by rail) to see "Ocean View" with friends.
Has returned from Sussex, having completed his
travels by rail. Asks her to "clip and preserve" all
of the material published about his speeches.
Gen. M. [General Mahone] is trying to postpone the
Fairfax barbeque and is very anxious that
Riddleberger attend. Thursday morning he will speak
for his friend Wilcox.
Will speak that evening in the Academy of Music
and anticipates an immense audience.
Asks her to send any mail to the
Senate Chamber letterhead. Senate contest is "very
warm" and claims that all "batteries" seem directed
against him.
Senate Chamber letterhead. Received a unanimous
nomination.
Senate Chamber letterhead.
Will go to Washington to spend Sunday with Gen. M.
[General Mahone].
Senate Chamber letterhead.
Senate Chamber letterhead. Wife will stay with him
until Saturday.
Senate Chamber letterhead. Sick from eating
roasted oysters.
Senate Chamber letterhead. Encloses check for
$150, with detailed list of whom to send the money
to.
Senate Chamber letterhead. All voted down a
resolution to adjourn Saturday. Excitement in the
Senate over three "readjusters who have gone away
from us." Opposition to the "farmers law."
Trying to sell his horse.
Senate Chamber letterhead.
Unexpectedly called to Washington. Must take
charge of a new tax bill, because he is chairman of
finance. Will have a conference to determine how long
they will remain in Richmond.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Visited with Frank and
[Lallie?]. Has new quarters with excellent
furnishings. Spent the day with Gen. M. [General
Mahone] Preparations are being made for Thanksgiving.
Mrs. M. is coming to visit. Will make calls to some
of the older senators with Gen. M. [General Mahone].
U.S. Senate letterhead. Will vote on organization
on December 10th. Gen. M. and family are at the
Arlington and he is encouraging Riddleberger to "move
up there," but Riddleberger has declined.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Written on a Sunday in
1884. Sends $10 for a birthday, $10 for debts. Went
to see a play at the National. Gets sick and is
treated by Dr. [Strayer?].
U.S. Senate letterhead. Letter written while in
session, from his desk. Visits with Frank and
[Lallie?].
U.S. Senate letterhead. Suddenly called to N.Y.
Encloses $50, with $30 for Mr. Geary.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Family has measles.
Mentions working through the Mississippi resolution,
more quickly than expected, because the opposition
changed their policy.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Mentions sending
valentines to children [Lilia, Olive, and Ned?]
U.S. Senate letterhead. Plans to stay in NY a day
longer to see "Big City." Visits St. James Hotel. Has
sent valentines to family.
U.S. Senate letterhead.
U.S. Senate letterhead.
U.S. Senate letterhead.
U.S. Senate letterhead.
U.S. Senate letterhead.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Writes letter while in
executive session. Has called twice to see Mrs. A.,
but was unsuccessful. Asks his wife to tell Hugh that
he "gave her the knife."
U.S. Senate letterhead.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Guest of the Potomac Boat
Club.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Describes stomach ailment.
U.S. Senate letterhead.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Sends groceries this
morning. He is feeling better-recovering from an
attack of dysentery that lasted for 4 days.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Writes about his hopes for
his son's future.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Writes to tell his wife
that he is assisting her father financially, but
requests that she not disclose this to anyone.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Discusses dentistry in the
city vs. country.
U.S. Senate letterhead.
U.S. Senate letterhead.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Sends son badge given to
him at Newark. Encourages his son to study
Revolutionary war period.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Only Virginian to support
"Educational Bill." Expresses his dedication to the
impoverished. Encourages Mrs. Riddleberger to come
visit him.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Claims that the upcoming
horse races will be the "best ever known in this
country." Writes about family garden. Mentions
adjustment of Hawkin's claim. Encourages his wife to
send others to the horse races as visitors.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Gave speech at the Irish
meeting, which will appear in the papers. Attempts to
explain to his wife why he cannot come home. Tells
her that he is chairman of a subcommittee "taking
evidence on an executive appointment, pending in
Executive session." Taking quinine for illness,
although feeling better.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Sends check for $30 to
meet wife's home obligations and to buy tickets. Had
flower bulbs shipped to her.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Writes to her while a
debate is going on. Claims that Gen M. [General
Mahone] has not been "in his seat an average of half
hour a day" and Virginia matters are piled up as a
result. Wishes that he could be at the commencement.
Return trip from Mt. Vernon. Horse develops
illness. Tells wife that he will inform her if he
successfully sells the horse, when it is well enough
to be exhibited.
Senate letterhead. Said to be the most "unhealthy
June known here in years, the city is filled with
sick."
E.E. White letterhead. "Broken promises" have kept him in DC for longer than intended. Wants the
E.E. White letterhead. Has sent wife "three short
cloaks (?)". Plans to go home in the following week.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Written on a Thursday, in
the Committee Room of the District of Columbia. Bad
weather and icy streets has lead to at least 2 deaths
"from falling."
U.S. Senate letterhead. Sends $30 and explains how
the money should be spent, which includes getting a
"quarter of beef" and a "barrel of flour." Plans to
go to New York the following week.
Written on a Monday night. Expresses homesickness.
Refers to Hunter's article, a man who he claims has a
"special spite" for him.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Written on Thursday at 6
pm.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Children have the measles
and inquires whether it is safe for him to return
home.
Written on back of Re-Adjustment in Other Southern
States. Has spent the day with Gen M [General
Mahone].
Tells Mrs. Riddleberger that her birthday gift
will be a piano cover.
Working on adjustment and trying to find a time to
go home via train.
U.S. Senate letterhead. Mentions box of flowers
for Ned's birthday.