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Withers Papers (Chitwood Collection), Mss. Collection 2006.7, Kegley Library, Wytheville Community College, Wytheville, VA
Donated by Ruth Ann Chitwood in 2001 as part of the W. R. Chitwood Collection.
Robert Enoch Withers, son of Robert Walter Withers and Susan Dabney Alexander Withers, was born on 18 September 1821 at Rock Castle in Campbell County, Virginia. Withers followed his father's footsteps by becoming a physician; he graduated from the University of Virginia with a medical degree and trained at the Baltimore Almshouse Hospital.
He married Mary Virginia Royall on 3 February 1846; she was the daughter of Joseph Edwin Royall and Mary Elizabeth Royall of Lynchburg, Virginia. The young couple settled in Campbell County where he practiced medicine. During their sojourn in that county, Mary Virginia Royall Withers and Robert Enoch Withers had six daughters including Elizabeth Royall Withers (1846-1927), Susan Dabney Withers (1848-1924), Alice Chinn Withers (1850-1892), Jennett Ann Withers (1851-1945), Mary Virginia Withers (1853-1855), Josephine Withers (1854-1956), and Kate Massie Withers (1856-1911).
Faced with limited educational opportunities for his growing family, Withers accepted the advice of his cousin, Dr. Edward D. Withers, and moved to Danville, Virginia in August 1858. He joined the practice of his cousin, sent his girls to school at the female seminary run by Rev. Dame, and purchased a house on Wilson Street. Children born in Danville include Betty Ellison Withers (1858-1918), Willie Clare Withers (1859-1939), Virginia Secessia Withers (1861-1939), Robert Edwin Withers (1865-1952), and Mary Thornhill Withers (1867-1874).
When the Civil War erupted in 1861, Robert Enoch Withers joined the Confederate Army as a major; he later became colonel of the 18th Virginia Infantry Regiment until he was wounded at the Battle of Gaines Mill. He subsequently oversaw Confederate prisons and hospitals at Danville, Virginia until the end of the war.
Withers served as lieutenant-governor of Virginia in 1873. In 1875 he served as a U. S. Senator for one term. In 1885 President Grover Cleveland appointed him as U. S. Consul to Hong Kong. Withers and some of his family members, including Robert Edwin Withers, journeyed to Hong Kong where they stayed for four years.
Withers moved to Wytheville, Virginia in 1879 and eventually purchased the Ingleside home which his daughter Bettie Ellison Putney later purchased from family members. Robert Edwin Withers Sr. later bought Ingleside from Josephine Putney Dame. After his retirement from politics, Withers remained active in the Episcopal Church and served as Examiner of Records from 1896 to 1907. He died on 21 September 1907.
The eleventh child and only son of Mary Virginia Royall Withers and Robert Enoch Withers, Robert Edwin Withers Sr. was born 13 March 1865 in Danville, Virginia. He attended private schools and the Virginia Military Institute in 1882. At V.M.I. Withers joined Sigma Chi fraternity. After his graduation in 1885, he served as secretary to his father who was U. S. Consul to Hong Kong.
Withers moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1893 and began a long career at the Pittsburgh Reduction Company which later became the Aluminum Company of America. He served as treasurer and assistant secretary, vice-president of finance, a director, and as senior vice-president.
He married Mary Cloyd Kent on 2 June 1892. The couple had two sons, Robert Edwin Withers Jr. who was born on 1 June 1894 and Kent Cloyd Withers who was born on 28 December 1910.
As his father, Robert Edwin Withers was an active member of the Episcopal Church. He served as a lay reader and vestry member of Calvary Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh for many years.
Withers and his wife purchased Ingleside from Josephine Putney Dame and spent many summers with family members there. Robert Edwin Withers died on 29 December 1952.
Robert Edwin Withers Jr. was born on 1 June 1894. Suffering from various physical and behavior problems, he attended a sanitarium and school run by Dr. Mary Pogue at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. He graduated from Yeates Preparatory School in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1916 and attended the University of Virginia. When the United States entered World War I, Withers enlisted as a private in the Marine Corps and served guard duty at Grieve, France as a sharpshooter.
He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1922 with a B. S. in economics. He studied under Rev. W. A. R. Goodwin at the College of William and Mary in 1927 and the following year entered the Virginia Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia to study for the Episcopal priesthood. he was ordained at Emmanuel Church, Glenmore, Buckingham County, Virginia in July 1931. He served several parishes in Appomattox, Buckingham, and Cumberland counties and also in Ridgeland and Bluffton, South Carolina.
Robert Edwin Withers Jr. married Frances Glover Haskin son 10 August 1933. Haskins was a schoolteacher and a native of Buckingham County. They had one daughter, Mary Cloyd Kent Withers, who was born on 28 October 1935. Robert Edwin Withers died in February 1981 and Frances Withers died in October 1989.
Dr. W. Randolph Chitwood evidently acquired this collection at an estate sale. This collection complements the Withers Family Papers (Mss. Collection 1997.1) donated by Gary and Ann Laing in 1997. This collection is distinguished from the Laing collection as Withers Papers (Chitwood Collection).
The collection consists of the following series: Series I, Correspondence (1899-1943, undated) includes letters to and from Robert Enoch Withers, Robert Edwin Withers Sr., Robert Edwin Withers Jr., and Mary Cloyd Kent Withers.
Series II, Examiner of Records to the Auditor of Public Accounts - Correspondence (1900-1907) contains correspondence of Robert Enoch Withers who served as Examiner of Records for the 15th Judicial District of Virginia from 1896 to 1907. As such Withers reported and audited claims and debts against the Commonwealth of Virginia for Bland, Carroll, Pulaski, Smyth, Tazewell, and Wythe counties. The series include correspondence from guardians, executors, commissioners, and others managing estates or orphans as required by an 4 March 1896 of the General Assembly to report income and personal property.
Series III, Literary Drafts -
She requests that he persuade Bishop Randolph to transfer her husband, Rev. Edwin Lewis Carter, to parish of Holy Innocents.
Re: his recommendation for treating her dog for scratches, remarriage of Henry Cook (first husband of Jennett Ann Withers), and family news.
Re: illness of their brother, Henry Howard Withers, and family news.
Re: Christmas present.
Re: request that he review biographical sketch.
Re: genealogy of the Chinn family and ties to Withers family through Jennett Chinn and Enoch K. Withers.
Re: arrival of Robert Edwin Withers Jr. in Brooklyn on 14 May 1918 and subsequent departure for Marine Corps training at Parris Island.
Re: active duty status of Robert Edwin Withers Jr.
Re: guard duty, France, camp and supply depot.
Re: membership in the Society.
Re: back problems of Josephine Withers Read, visit of Mary Terry, his garden, flower garden at Ingleside, and anticipation of his upcoming visit.
This folder contains birthday greetings to Robert Edwin Withers Sr. from Martha Anne Rogers Withers, Earl Blough, Rose Carter, Rev. Arthur B. Kinsolving, Charles H. Monritz, Robert W. Williams, W. M. Gifford, J. Howard Alger, and Mary Cloyd Kent Withers.
Re: impending birth of Kent Cloyd Withers.
Re: arrival in Brooklyn and subsequent departure for non-commissioned officer training at Parris Island, South Carolina.
Re: European tour itinerary, lack of deck chairs, friends aboard ship, and return trip plans.
Re: attendance of Eliza A. P. Kent Darling at wedding of Miss Griffin, her visit with Charlotte Miller Kent, and family news. Enclosures, newspaper clippings on Edwin Palmer and Randolph Harrison
Re: marriage of Kent Crosby Darling and Nelle Powell Payne Darling, visit of Mrs. Fred Darling, and weather.
Re: death of George Edward Darling, family news.
Re: gloves, wishes for happy Christmas, visit with Catherine Hodges and Richard Hodges.
Re: check for birthday presents, recommendation that he purchase long pants and socks.
Re: description of Yellowstone National Park, hotel and wild animals.
Re: visits in California.
Re:
Re: football game between Parnassus and Kensington high schools, George Edward Darling and Kent Crosby Darling.
Re: summer trip to Europe, visits with Eliza Ann Kent Darling and Joseph Cloyd Kent, Charlotte Miller Kent and Charlotte Kent and Jane Kent.
Re: preparations for Christmas presents and visits, Robert Read an family, John Royall Read, and illness of Robert Read.
Re: Christmas activities and visits.
Re: visit of Daisie Maupin and best wishes for his upcoming trip.
Re: disappointment in his recent behavior.
Re: her pregnancy and expected delivery in December.
Re: plans for Robert Edwin Withers Jr. to have a tutor, his college exams, and dancing lessons.
Re: summer school attendance and hopes that food at Yeates School improves.
Re: preparation for scholarship examination at Charleston College, sailing, hunting sea birds, and football team.
Re: problem with her ears and description of th opening of Parliament and the British royal family in letter from Eliza Ann Kent Darling.
Re: football game between University of Virginia and University of North Carolina played in Richmond on Thanksgiving Day, hunting birds, and congratulations on his school report card.
Re: family matters and preparation for Christmas.
Re: visits to various ladies, situation of her previous maid, Pearson, and family news.
Re: appreciation for donation and encouragement to join the ministry.
Re: chicken pox, sledding, and Christmas parties.
Re: autumn activities, opening of new Masonic Temple, and activities of friends.
Re: trip to North Carolina on Aluminum Company of America business, visit with Edith Bolling Galt and Woodrow Wilson, and planned visit to Wytheville.
Re: football games, attendance at fraternity meeting in New York City, and studies.
Re: request for biographical information for parish registry.
Re: examinations, visit to Mrs. Shumaker, and War Relief Dance.
Re: thanks him for card.
Re: thanks for calendar.
Re: frightful examinations, food box, and response to his invitation to dance.
Re: she declines invitation to dance, May Day activities, and play.
Re: congratulations on graduation and World War I.
Re: repair of automobile on their way home from his graduation and arrival of Kent Crosby Darling and George Edward Darling.
Re: visit to relatives in Danville.
Re: visit to Richmond and his examinations.
Re: thank you for book, wedding of George Edward Darling.
Re: sailing his boat at Kensington Gardens.
This folder contains a letter from Bertha Frances Fisher to Kent Cloyd Withers and a letter from Ellen B. Stuart to Eliza Ann Kent Darling.
This folder contains letter from L. M. Shrader of Rocky Gap who was administrator of an unknown estate.
This folder contains letters re: C. C. Smith, administrator of estate of J. P. Smith, Hillsville; H. R. Bishop and W. R. Bishop, administrators of estate of J. S. Bishop, Wolf Glade; and Joseph S. Byrd, administrator of estate of S. F. Byrd, Fries; N. P. Oglesby, counselor in Thomas vs. Thomas, Bristol.
This folder contains letters re: F. P. Branscome, administrator of the estate of S. C. Scott, Laurel Fork; Mrs. S. E. Burcham, guardian of Charles Branscome and Willie Branscome, children of S. E. Burcham, Pipers Gap; B. F. Calaway and L. A. Houseman, committee for W. S. Blair, Galax; Burrell Smith, guardian of Melissa Bolen and Emmet Bolen, Laurel Fork; Lawson Worrell, commissioner for Lena Nestor vs. James Nestor and administrator of the estate of James A. Vaughan, Hillsville; D. C. Combs, guardian of Rosa Vernon and Wiley Vernon, Max; Justin McGraw, administrator of estate of J. Hampton McGraw, Cana; and C. M. Marshall, administrator of estate of Samuel M. Stanley, Stone Mountain.
This folder contains letters re: S. W. Tompkins, commissioner for Lena Utt vs. Arthur Utt et al, Hillsville; George Quesenberry, guardian of Isaac Webb and Sanford Webb, Peck; B. F. Calaway, administrator of estate of F. W. Givens, Galax; A. W. Hylton, administrator of estate of J. C. Duncan, Peck; R. E. Jones, guardian of Cora Lee Jones, Galax; Jacob Nester, guardian of Isaac Webb and Sanford Lee Webb, Hillsville; and Mary E. Vinson, guardian of Roy Vinson, Martha L. Vinson, and Robert E. Vinson, Hillsville.
This folder contains letters re: Eliza J. Austin, guardian, Austinville; A. N. Matthews, Guardian of Carl C. Cooley, Gap; H. L. Puckett, administrator of the estate of S. W. Tompkins, Cana; Stephen Wilkerson, administrator of the estate of W. C. Smith, Hillsville; William Foster, commissioner in the chancery cause of J. W. Beasley vs. A. D. Robinson et als, Hillsville; W. J. Jackson and E. B. Jackson, administrators of the estate of John Jackson, Laurel Fork; and S. W. Tompkins, administrator of the estate of F. M. Puckett, Hillsville.
This folder contains letters re: Mrs. E. J. Austin, guardian, Cap; B. F. Fulks, guardian of Posey Vernon and Willie Vernon, Lambsburg; C. W. Utt, administrator of estate of James H. Utt, Fancy Gap; L. F. Webb, administrator of the estate of R. W. Vinson, Hillsville; J. T. Young, executor of estate of B. T. Young, Mecca; J. F. Blankenship, Sheriff, estates of William A. Allen, Fannie J. Ward, Sally Gentry, R. C. Quesinberry, William Marshall, and Charles M. Quesinberry; H. J. Smith, guardian of Joseph S. Smith and Mary A. Smith, Fancy Gap.
This folder contains letters re: G. O. Banks, executor of estate of Isaac Banks, Snake Creek; David C. Frost, administrator of estate of Jane Dain, Pipers Gap; S. Eliza Burcham, guardian of her children, Pipers Gap; J. R. Lineberry, administrator, Monarat; and W. B. Cochran, administrator, Hillsville.
This folder contains letters re: Mrs. M. A. Keszey, executors of M. A. Keszey estate, Radford Furnace; and Pharis Winns, guardian of Mary Scott, New River.
This folder contains letters re: R. C. Boothe, commissioner in C. B. Anderson et al vs. Newbern M. & M. Company et al, Newbern; Jennie P. Clark, administrator of estate of Winfree Clark, New River; Bird Duncan, administrator of estate of E. A. Leacher, Allisonia; E. M. Hawley, guardian of Hawley children, Radford; T. A. Windle, guardian of Ruby Windle and Windle children, Allisonia; H. M. Brown, East Radford; and K. E. Harman, executor, Pulaski.
This folder contains letters re: E. L. Bill, receiver for Snowville Mercantile Company, Snowville; A. L. Jordan and W. R. Jordan, guardian of Lizzie Painter and administrator of the estate of D. W. Jordan, Pulaski; Alice Smith, administrator of estate of Wilbur Smith, Pulaski; G. A. Calfree, administrator of estate of Ella M. Calfee, Pulaski; Lula S. Covey, guardian of her children, East Radford; J. W. Eckman, commissioner in Katherine L. Huffard vs. Gladys C. Huffard, Pulaski; E. C. Gannaway, guardian of Hurbert L. Friend and Gerberich children, Draper; F. W. Morton, attorney for J. C. Silcox who was blind and executor of estate of his wife E. J. Silcox, Pulaski; and Amanda Simpkins, administrator of estate of Thomas L. Simpkins, Snowville.
This folder contains letters re: D. C. Allison, administrator of estate, Roanoke; Mrs. Lilee B. Phelps, trustee, Pulaski; J. R. Clark, administrator of Ballard Clark, Delton; and Mrs. S. M. Baskerville, administrator of estate of S. M. Baskerville, Dublin.
This folder contains letters re: James B. Jordan, guardian of Anne Lee Jordan and Betty Jordan, Newbern; W. B. Morefield, administrator of estate of W. D. Faris, Newbern; W. C. Chaffin, administrator of the estate of Mary M. Painter, Pulaski; George M. Lucas, administrator of estate of W. R. Tipton, Roanoke, Virginia; J. M. Weiser, attorney for H. E. Harman, executor of estate of James B. Caddall, Dublin; and Matilda H. Combs, administrator of estate of Joseph Combs, Sassin.
This folder contains letters re: Allen T. Eskridge Jr., funds received by M. S. Tate as administrator of estate of Jane C. Tate, Pulaski; Henry C. Wysor, funds received by H. W. Wysor as executor of estate of S. W. Miller, Dublin; Gary Laughon, administrator of estate of [unknown] Johnson; Seldon Langley, commissioner in Charles O'Brian vs. Tobe Burks, East Radford; and Henry C. Wysor, administrator, Dublin.
This folder contains a letter re: Elva D. Robinson, guardian of E. Hetie Robinson, Marion.
This folder contains letters re: E. King Crockett, executor of M. A. Smith estate and administrator of estate of Debra T. Crockett, Wittens Mill; and Chapman M. Peery, executor of estate of Auguste Le Conte and administrator of James Peery, and Mary L. Peery, guardian of Wade H. Peery, Paint Lick.
This folder contains letters re: J. W. Hicks, commissioner in Morton Harman et al vs. S. T. Litz and Morton Harman et al vs. Fleshman, Graham; P. M. Altizer, guardian of the Altizer children, Harman; W. M. Minter, administrator of Peter Sahoney, Pocahontas; George W. Oney, guardian of C. L. Lester and Dale Lester, Steelsburg; V. L. Sexton, administrator of Jack Bardsley, Pocahontas. and W. H. Worth, commissioner in Higginbotham et al vs. H. M. Smythe, Tazewell.
This folder contains letters re: A. P. Gillespie, receiver in cases of Perdue vs. Perdue's Administrator, J. S. Gillespie vs. J. W. Smith et als, Chapman vs. R. L. Gillespie, C. J. Hale vs. J. B. Greever et als, guardian of Lula Maude McGuire, Carrie E. McGuire, Marvin H. McGuire, John McGuire, and Sarah McGuire, Tazewell; J. W. Chapman, receiver in case M. E. Crockett vs. West Graham Land and Improvement Company, commissioner with H. C. Alderson in case Surface and wife vs. Groseclose et als, commissioner in G. W. Doak vs. Reese G. Harrison, commissioner with Greever and Hicks in Beasley vs. Thomas Peery et al, commissioner in Joseph A. McGuire vs. J. W. McGuire et al, receiver in Sue G. Hancock vs. J. G. Watts executor et al, Tazewell; R. C. Chapman, guardian of W. B. M. Chapman, Tazewell; G. W. Doak, guardian of R. E. Doak, Tazewell; and H. W. Pobst, administrator of Mrs. C. A. Nielle estate, Tazewell.
This folder contains letters re: J. L. Brown, administrator of W. V. Brown estate, Tip Top; William Claytor, administrator of estate of S. O. Claytor, Thompson's Valley; T. C. George, administrator of estate of N. N. Holley, Tazewell; S. D. May, fiduciary in case Clark et al vs. Pillow, Heptinstall, Trustee vs. Cary et al, W. E. Thompson et al vs. T. B. Thompson, guardian of Alice May Marrs, Tazewell; W. M. Minter, re: funds received by Mrs. Nannie Franklin, adminstrator of estate of B. O. Franklin, Pocahontas; John W. Moore, administrator of estate of P. Bailey, Pocahontas; and J. w. Shannon, administrator of Jesse Bailey estate, Bailey.
This folder contains letters re: T. C. Bowen, receiver in case J. S. Browning and wife vs. Laurel Creek Coal and COke Company; Boxx Brown, receiver, Cedar Bluff; W. L. C. Burke, guardian, Big Creek; and R. S. Gillespie, executor of estate of W. P. Lang, Tazewell.
This folder contains letters re: A. Higginbotham, commissioner of the James Haskins estate, Tip Top; H. E. Hopkins, administrator of Dennis Honing estate, Tazewell; Mary L. Peery, guardian of W. H. Peery and Bessie V. Peery, Cedar Bluff; Chapman M. Peery, administrator of the L. E. Read and William Wilson estates, Paint Lick; V. L. Sexton, re: funds received by Thomas Tinsley as administrator of estate of G. B. Forster, Pocahontas; and Max Weinberger, administrator of estate of Steve Roszgony, Pocahontas.
This folder contains letters re: Jno. H. Crockett for R. O. Crockett, administrator of Thomas Hall, Tazewell; J. W. Harman, administrator of Joel Sparks estate, Tazewell; George Harrison, guardian of Patrick heirs, Tazewell; R. R. Henry, commissioner in case of R. D. Brown vs. Stuart Crockett, Tazewell; G. P. McMullin, administrator of estate of F. S. Shawville, Springville; Isabelle A. Perkinson, committee for Mary Ann Holmes; C. C. Stowers, administrator, Stowersville; and P. H. Williams, administrator, Tazewell.
This folder contains letters re: Chapman and Gillespie, re: funds received by J. O. Brown of Snapps as Administrator of O. M. Brown; Israel Nelson, receiver, Bear Wallow; and R. D. Young, administrator of Louise S. Young, Maxwell.
This folder contains letter re: Walter A. Crowe, guardian of Samuel J. Crowe, Atlanta; Mrs. L. J. Lester, administrator, Wardell; R. H. McGraw, committee for Enaline Clyford, Steelburgh; James T. Moore, guardian, Bailey; R. W. Ratcliff, administrator of estate of Mary A. Ratcliff, Tazewell; and G. S. Thompson, guardian of his children, Benbow.
This folder contains letters re: R. C. Chapman, guardian, Tazewell; Jno. W. Crockett for R. O. Crockett, administrator of Thomas Hall Estate, Tazewell; G. W. Doak, administrator of R. E. Doak estate and guardian of the Doak children, Tazewell; and Amanda Lester, administrator of estate of W. J. Lester, Steelsburg.
This folder contains letters re: Jno. W. Crockett, administrator of estate of Thomas Hall, Tazewell; J. F. Gillespie, administrator, Tazewell; George Sarver, guardian, Falls Mill; J. P. Clark, guardian, Swords Creek; L. E. Parter, guardian of Pearl Beavers,Graham; H. G. Peery, executor of estate of S. E. Peery, Tazewell; C. H. Steele, administrator of Andy Ascue estate, Paint Lick; and D. S. Tabor, guardian of children of E. B. Tabor, Pocahontas.
This folder contains letters re: Joseph H. Beavers, guardian of Rachel Brewster, Baptist Valley; M. F> Brown, receiver, Tannersville; Joseph McMullin administrator of estate of G. P. McMullin, Springville; William Claytor, administrator of estate of S. O. Claytor, Tazewell; J. Marion McGuire, receiver, Cedar Bluff; G. S. Thompson, guardian, Benbow; Susan Beavers, administrator of estate of A. J. Beavers, Bandy; S. S. Gregory, administrator, Shawver Mill; and L. F. Lester, guardian, Wardell.
This folder contains letters re: W. H. Flood, administrator of estate of John T. Redd; L. C. Long, administrator of estate of E. P. Long, Gray; E. King Crockett, administrator of estate of M. A. Smith, Wittens Mill; and C. M. Galway, of Bank of Pocahontas.
This folder contains letters and statements re: W. T. Graham, administrator of estate of David P. Graham and Nannie Tate Montgomery Graham as guardian, Graham's Forge; S. R. Crockett, administrator; and G. W. Sharitz, administrator of the estate of John P. Sharitz.
This folder contains letters re: C. C. Catron, guardian of Lolie E. Jones, Rural Retreat; E. M> Davis, executor of estate of William Davis, Rural Retreat; M. M. Caldwell, receiver; Waller S. Poage, funds received by Stuart R. Umberger as administrator of estate of Joseph S. Umberger; and Polly Weaver, administrator, Rural Retreat.
This folder contains letters re: Daniel Coalson, guardian, Foster Falls; J. H. Coley, administrator of estate of Margaret Coley, Rural Retreat; Robert Enoch Withers, guardian of Edna Copenhaver, Wytheville; George M. Lucas, guardian of Sarah H. Lucas and Elsie L. Lucas, Roanoke; H. J. Mathew, receiver in case of W. P. Kent vs. Anastasia Kent et al, Max Meadows; Sallie S. Musser, commissioner in case of Nannie Huddle vs. Musser administrator et al, Rural Retreat; and W. S. Thorn, guardian for Eugene G. Thorn, Austinville.
This series contains handwritten drafts by Mary Cloyd Kent Withers of her book
This series contains a ledger listing Virginia localities and post offices and
This series contains a folder with five photographs including Robert Edwin Withers Sr., Robert Edwin Withers Jr., Robert Edwin Withers Sr. in an automobile, Robert Edwin Withers Sr. and Robert Edwin Withers Jr. in automobile, and a family group in Hong Kong.
This folder contains the following relating to the Aluminum Company of America: program,
This folder contains the following relating to the centennial celebration of Virginia Military Institute 10 June 1939 to 14 June 1939: