Halifax County Historical Association Papers

1816-2011
Manuscript Collection #115
Portions of this collection are digitized (7 items)
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Creator(s)
Halifax County Historical Association (Halifax County, N.C.)
Physical description
8 Cubic Feet, 4.10819 Gigabytes, correspondence, newspaper clippings, minutes, membership rolls, financial records, tour itineraries, bulletins, memorandums, programs, photographs, and miscellaneous.
Preferred Citation
Halifax County Historical Association Papers (#115), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Repository
ECU Manuscript Collection
Access
This collection is open for research. Original audiovisual media and digital files are unavailable for use. Please contact Special Collections for access copies.

Papers (1961-2007) of the Halifax County Historical Association (N.C.) including correspondence of general nature concerned with group tours, bibliography sketch, financial records, membership rolls, itineraries etc. Various historical documents, photographs, ephemera and clippings relate to the history of Halifax County including Rosenwald schools and Brick School among many other topics (1816-2011). Other items (1972-2011) such as manuscripts, printed materials, digital materials, and a video recording concern the work of Maxville Burt Williams, a social studies teacher, principal, author and playwright and his works relating to the history of Halifax County, North Carolina, including First For Freedom a play about the Halifax Resolves of 1776; The Struggle, a play about Halifax County during the American Revolution; and The Schroonchers, a play about Eastern North Carolina in the summer of 1948.

Biographical/historical information

The Halifax County Historical Association was organized during the months of July and August of 1966 in Halifax County, North Carolina, by Dr. Ralph Hardee Rives. This organization was created to kindle a deeper interest in the rich history of Halifax County.

Scope and arrangement

Correspondence in the collection is of general nature and is primarily concerned with the formation of group tours and with the obtaining of guest speakers for the dinner meetings of the Association. However, of interest is a letter (24 April 1967) expressing the desire that the "Grove House," home of the patriot Willie Jones, should be restored. Another letter (5 May 1969) contains information on the Haliwa Nation of Halifax and Warren Counties. Other letters cite the involvement of Halifax County in the Civil War, and the activities of James O'Hara, a congressman from Halifax County during Reconstruction (13 November 1969).

Newspaper clippings contained in this collection are divided into two sections. The first group deals with the activities of the Halifax County Historical Association itself, while the second contains newspaper coverage of the Halifax Day Celebrations from 1967 through 1969. Activities of the Association include bus tours of Halifax County, Raleigh, and Washington, D.C., and dinner speeches by such people as Madame Suzanne Silvercruys, internationally known sculptor from Belgium, and Sir John Wedgwood, an authority on the interior decoration of the eighteenth century. Of interest is a clipping that contains a biographical sketch of Dr. William Wills, who was an eminent Methodist minister of Halifax County after Reconstruction era. Newspaper coverage of the Halifax Day Celebrations include information concerning the Halifax Resolves and biographical sketch of William R. Davie; Hutchins Burton of Halifax County, governor of North Carolina from 1825 to 18827; and Joseph Montford, first Colonial Clerk of Halifax County and the first and only Provincial Grand Master of the Masons for North America.

Miscellaneous material includes minutes, financial records, membership roles, tour itineraries, leaflets of historical sites, and news releases. Other items of interest include a history of the town of Halifax, North Carolina; a history of Halifax County in the 1920s; a history of the Weldon United Methodist Church (1959-1970); a copy of the deed to "The Grove," home of Willie Jones; and four bulletins of the Historical Halifax Restoration Association.

Digital materials include typed scripts for three of Maxville Burt Williams original plays; First for Freedom (2007) set during the American Revolution in Halifax County; The Struggle (2006) set during the American Revolution in a small North Carolina Town; and The Schroonchers Meet the Flim Flam Man (2006) set during the summer of 1948 in Slippery Creek, North Carolina. Another item of interest includes a video recording of First for Freedom on stage at the 4H Rural Life Center, sponsored by the Halifax County convention and visitors Bureau and Halifax County Arts Council.

Administrative information
Custodial History

January 4, 1970, ca. 400 items; Papers (1961-1969), including correspondence, bulletins, programs, memorandums, leaflets, clippings, and miscellaneous. Gift of Dr. Ralph Hardee Rives, Greenville, N.C.

October 15, 1971, (unprocessed addition 1), 65 items.; Correspondence, membership lists, clippings, programs (1970-1971). Donor: Dr. Ralph Hardee Rives.

March 10, 1976, (unprocessed addition 2), 15 items.; Correspondence (1970-1972), notices, clippings, etc. Donor: Dr. Ralph Hardee Rives.

April 27, 1977, (unprocessed addition 3), 10 items.; Correspondence (1969-1970). Donor: Dr. Ralph Hardee Rives.

August 28, 1980, (unprocessed addition 4), 10 items.; Papers (1979-1980), including correspondence, a speech, and statistics. Donor: Dr. Ralph Hardee Rives.

April 30, 1986, (unprocessed addition 5), 75 items.; Newspaper clippings. Donor: Dr. Ralph Hardee Rives.

October 13, 1986, (unprocessed addition 6), 120 items.; Records (1967-1970), including correspondence, clippings, programs, membership lists, etc. Donor: Dr. Ralph Hardee Rives.

December 29, 1987, (unprocessed addition 7), ca. 100 items.; Clippings, photographs, programs, and newsletters. Donor: Dr. Ralph Hardee Rives.

June 21, 1989, (unprocessed addition 8a), ca. 100 items.; Clippings, programs, and correspondence. Donor: Dr. Ralph Hardee Rives.

June 12, 2002, (unprocessed addition 8), 0.9 cubic feet; Papers (undated, 1816-2002 bulk: 1997-2002) compiled by a member of the Halifax County Historical Association including clippings, correspondence, photographs, and printed materials relating to the history of Halifax County, the communities of Halifax, Littleton, Roanoke Rapids, and Weldon, and various social, educational, and civic organizations in the county. Donor: Rives, Ralph Hardee (Dr.).

May 30, 2003, (unprocessed addition 9), 78 items, 0.25 cubic feet; Papers (2000-2003) including clippings, correspondence, printed materials and ephemera relating to the history of Halifax County, the communities of Halifax, Littleton, Roanoke Rapids, and Weldon, and various social, educational, and civic organizations. Donor: Rives, Ralph Hardee (Dr.).

July 7, 2006, (unprocessed addition 10), 234 items, 0.45 cubic feet; Papers (1938-1993, 2000-2006, undated) including clippings, correspondence, ephemera, photocopies of historical documents, Littleton United Methodist Church 125th anniversary file, pamphlets, periodicals, and photographs relating to the history of Halifax County, North Carolina, and the activities of the association. See preliminary inventory attached. Donor: Dr. Ralph Hardee Rives

October 4, 2006, (unprocessed addition 11), 58 items, 0.25 cubic feet; Collection (1955-2006, undated) including clippings, correspondence, ephemera, photocopies, etc., relating to the history of Halifax County, North Carolina, and the activities of the Halifax County Historical Association, playwright Maxwell Burt Williams, the 250th anniversary of the birth of General William R. Davie, 1756-1820, and the William R. Davie High School reunion. See preliminary inventory attached. Donor: Dr. Ralph Hardee Rives

November 9, 2006, (unprocessed addition 12), 25 items, 0.25 cubic feet; Collection (1919-1931) of Tillery School, Enfield High School, and Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for North America certificates and diplomas relating to William Almarine Pope, William Almarine Pope, Jr. and Annie Coffield Pope of Enfield, Halifax County, North Carolina. Printed forms. See preliminary inventory attached. Donor: Mrs. Wilbur Earl (Ruth Sykes) Bowden

October 11, 2007, (unprocessed addition 13), 50 items, 0.25 cubic feet; Clippings, Correspondence, Notes, Etc. (2005-2007, undated) relating to the history of Halifax County, North Carolina and the activities of the Halifax County Historical Association. Donor: Ralph Hardee Rives

October 11, 2007, (unprocessed addition 14), 26 items, 0.25 cubic feet; Papers (1972-2007, undated) relating to Maxville Burt Williams, a social studies teacher, principal, author and playwright and his works relating to the history of Halifax County, North Carolina, including First For Freedom a play about the Halifax Resolves of 1776; The Struggle, a play about Halifax County during the American Revolution; and The Schroonchers, a play about Eastern North Carolina in the summer of 1948, including manuscript, printed, computer diskettes & oversized materials. See preliminary inventory attached. Donor: Ralph Hardee Rives

March 5, 2008, (unprocessed addition 15), 2 items, 0.001 cubic feet; Harris, Bernice Kelly. Letters (1/21 - 8/3/1972) to Maxville B. Williams relating to his plays "The First Freedom" and "The Schroonchers," dated Seabord, North Carolina. TLS. See preliminary inventory attached. Donor: Ralph Hardee Rives

June 7, 2010, (unprocessed addition 16), 2 items, 0.043 cubic feet; By-Laws of the H & W Lake Club, Incorporated 1953, Halifax County, Enfield, North Carolina , compiled by Betty Bullock (Whitakers, N.C.?: The Club?, 2009) Pamphlet; also a letter from Betty Bullock, Whitakers, N.C. (14 Oct. 2009) to Dr. Ralph Hardee Rives, Enfield, N.C. concerning her efforts to compile the history of the club. Printed & TLS. See preliminary inventory. Donor: Dr. Ralph Hardee Rives.

June 8, 2010, (unprocessed addition 17), 1 item, 0.001 cubic feet; Christmas 1977: The Seven Joys of Mary, by Elizabeth and Paul Green (1977) Broadside; Sheet music including score & libretto; 15th Century Carol; 17th Century Melody; with holograph note from Paul Green, Chapel Hill, N.C., to Mr. and Mrs. Maxville Burt Williams, Enfield, N.C. 1 item. 2 p. (ca 0.001 cubic feet) Rec 12/16/2009. Note: Dr. Ralph Hardee Rives received the Christmas 1977 song fas a gift from Paul & Elizabeth Green. Holograph note: "We are still enjoying "First for Freedom!" Many thanks once more. Paul Green." "First for Freedom" was a play written by Dr. Rives. Donor: Dr. Ralph Hardee Rives.

January 5, 2011, (unprocessed addition 18), 4 items, 0.011 cubic feet; DVD (2010) of outdoor drama titled "First for Freedom" written by Maxville B. Williams and presented in Halifax, N.C. It's presentation was sponsored by the Halifax County Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Halifax County Arts Council. The play was first produced in 1976 as part of the celebration of the Bicentennial of the United States. Three newspaper clippings (2010, undated) discuss the play and a historical novel Mr. Williams wrote based on his play.

May 30, 2012, (unprocessed addition 19), 2 items, 0.58 cubic feet; Two scrapbooks containing photographs, programs, clippings, posters, brochures and a script documenting the 1976, 1977 and 1978 seasons of "First for Freedom," an outdoor drama about the Halifax Resolves written by Maxville B. Williams. The scrapbooks were assembled as a gift for Thomas Seward Dickens, Jr., who played the part of Jonathan Lawson in the play. Also included are loose clippings, programs and correspondence for 1977-1986 related to the play. Gwendolyn B. Dickens, widow of Thomas Seward Dickens, Jr., donated the scrapbooks to the Historic Halifax Site on October 30, 1996. Donor: Carl L. Burke of Historic Halifax State Historic Site.

June 28, 2012, (unprocessed addition 20), 0.85 cubic feet; The material falls into five series. Maxville B. Williams' material (1972-2011) includes correspondence and emails, musical scores, publications, clippings, reviews and play scripts. Clippings (1954-2011) and items (2008-2011) including correspondence, brochures, programs and a magazine are related to Halifax Co. history and current events. The Halifax County Genealogical Society series contains newsletters (2007-2011) and 2008 by-laws and clippings. The Education series (1913-2010) contains articles, correspondence, clippings, brochures, slides and programs about Rosenwald schools, Brick School and Halifax Co. schools plus a ledger (1881-1890) containing proceedings of the School Comm. for District No. 5 in Halifax Co. Materials (2007-2011) related to the Historical Halifax Restoration Association include correspondence, minutes, flyers and reports. Donor: Dr. Ralph Hardee Rives.

Source of acquisition

Gift of Dr. Ralph Hardee Rives

Gift of Ruth Sykes Bowden

Gift of Maxville Burt Williams

Processing information

Processed by R. Weaver, January 1971

Encoded by Apex Data Services

Descriptions updated by Ashlyn Racine, May 2023

Digital material processed by Autumn Gollick, October 2024

Digital material processed by John Dunning, November 2024

Copyright notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Metadata Rights Declaration
Key terms
Personal Names
Jones, Willie, approximately 1741-1801
O'Hara, James E. (James Edward), 1844-1905
Williams, Maxville Burt
Corporate Names
Halifax County Historical Association (Halifax County, N.C.)
Topical
African American schools--North Carolina--Halifax County
Indians of North America--North Carolina
Rosenwald schools--North Carolina--Halifax County
Places
Halifax (N.C.)--History
Halifax County (N.C.)--History
Haliwa Saponi Indian Tribe
Container list
Box 1 Correspondence
Box 2 Newspaper clippings
Box 4 Contains material from unprocessed addtions 1 - 8a (see the "Accessions Information" section for more information)
Box 5 Contains material from unprocessed addtions 1 - 8a (see the "Accessions Information" section for more information)
Box 6 Contains material from unprocessed addtions 1 - 8a (see the "Accessions Information" section for more information)
Box 7 Contains material from unprocessed addtions 1 - 8a (see the "Accessions Information" section for more information)
Box 8 Contains material from unprocessed addtions 1 - 8a (see the "Accessions Information" section for more information)
Box 9 Folder a Articles from Halifax County addressing Concerns Within the Black Community 1997 - 2001
Box 9 Folder b Enfield (NC) historical materials, 1922 - 2001
Box 9 Folder c Extension agents, 4-H Club activities in Halifax County, 1997 - 2001
Box 9 Folder d First for Freedom Pageant, 1997 - 2001
Box 9 Folder e General articles related to Halifax County, 1998 - 2002
Box 9 Folder f Halifax (NC) town history, 1997 - 2001
Box 9 Folder g Halifax Community College, 1996 - 2001
Box 9 Folder h Halifax County churches, 1816 - 2001
Box 9 Folder i Halifax County schools and educators, 1996 - 2001
Box 9 Folder j Halifax County Historical Association, 1966 - 1969, 1997 - 1999
Box 9 Folder k Halifax Day (April 12), 1997 - 1999
Box 9 Folder l Haliwa-Saponi, 1998 - 2001
Box 10 Folder a Historic Halifax Restoration Association, Inc., 1997 - 2002
Box 10 Folder b Littleton (NC) history materials, 1997 - 2001
Box 10 Folder c Roanoke Rapids (NC) centennial (1997), 1963 - 2000
Box 10 Folder d Weldon (NC) history materials, 1997 - 2001
Box 11 Contains material from unprocessed addtions 1 - 8a (see the "Accessions Information" section for more information)
Box 12 Folder a Clippings (2006) 25 items. 20 p
Box 12 Folder b Clippings (2005) 55 items. 70 p
Box 12 Folder c Clippings (2004) 20 items. 25 p
Box 12 Folder d Clippings (2003) 20 items. 25 p
Box 12 Folder e Clippings (1953) 3 items. 3 p
Box 12 Folder f Clippings (1938, 1993, n.d.) 7 items. 10 p
Box 12 Folder g Correspondence (2003-2006) 40 items. 50 p
Box 12 Folder h Ephemera (ca. 2000-2006) 40 items. 45 p
Box 12 Folder i Historical documents (1938-1972, 2003). Photocopies. 6 items. 9 p
Box 12 Folder j Littleton United Methodist Church, Littleton, NC, 125th anniversary files (2005) 3 items. 15 p
Box 12 Folder k Pamphlets (1976, 2003) 2 items. 46 p
Box 12 Folder l Periodicals (2003-2006) 9 items. 55 p
Box 12 Folder m Photographs (ca. 1962-1993) Reprinted. 4 items. 4 p
Box 13 Folder a Biographical, historical, and obituary clippings (1955-1962, 2006) relating to Enfield and Halifax County, North Carolina. 34 items. 49 p. Notes: Also includes photographic prints, newsletters, brochures, etc
Box 13 Folder b Collection (1976-2003) of printed materials, clippings, and notes by and about Maxwell Burt Williams, author of "First For Freedom: An Outdoor Drama" (Halifax, NC, 1976) an historical pageant celebrating Halifax County history. 12 items. 75 p. Notes: Produced for the Bicentennial of the US & the Halifax Resolves, 1776-1976
Box 13 Folder c General William R. Davie Anniversary Celebration (2005-2006), including clippings, programs, correspondence, etc. relating to the 250th anniversary of Davie's birth and the 9th class reunion of the high school named for him. Originals & photocopies. 12 items. 40 p. Notes: William R. Davie High School, Halifax County, NC, established in 1940, was named for the Revolutionary War general, 1756-1820
Box 14 Folder a Annie Coffield Pope (1924-1926) Tillery School & Enfield High School, Halifax County, North Carolina, school certificates and diplomas. Printed forms. 7 items. 7 p
Box 14 Folder b William Almarine Pope, Jr. (1924-1926) Tillery School, Halifax County, North Carolina, school certificates and diplomas. Printed forms. 13 items. 13 p
Box 14 Folder c Clippings, Correspondence, Notes, etc. (2005-2007)
Box 14 Folder d Correspondence (1972, 2007) relating to dramatist Maxville Burt Williams and his play The First For Freedom pertaining to the Halifax Resolves and Halifax County, North Carolina's role in the American Revolution produced by the Halifax County Historical Association. Originals & photocopies. 12 items. 15 p
Box 14 Folder e First For Freedom: An Outdoor Drama, by Maxville Burt Williams (1976) Brochures. 2 items. 2 p
Box 14 Folder f First For Freedom '80: An Outdoor Drama, by Maxville Burt Williams (1980) Program. 1 item. 8 p
Box 14 Folder g The Schroonchers, by Maxville Burt Williams (1972) Published by Maxville Burt Williams, Enfield, NC © 1972. First edition. Paperback. Pamphlet. 1 item. 30 p. Note: Biographical note about playwright on back cover
Box 14 Folder h Reflections and Other Writings, by Maxville Burt Williams (1990) Published by Williams Publications, Enfield, NC © 1990. ISBN: 0-9625757-0-4 & Order form. Paperback. Pamphlet. 2 items. 29 p. Note: Biographical note about playwright on back cover
Box 14 Folder i First For Freedom (Story of the Halifax Resolves): April 12, 1776, by Maxville Burt Williams (1972) Published by Johnson Publishing Company, Murfreesboro, NC © 1972 by Maxville Burt Williams. Book. Paperback. 1 item. 57 p. Note: Autographed with sentiment by "Max B. Williams". Donor notes "ECC Graduate". Subtitled: "Story of the First Official Act for American Independence."
Box 14 Folder j Harris, Bernice Kelly. Letters (1/21 - 8/3/1972) to Maxville B. Williams relating to his plays "The First Freedom" and "The Schroonchers," dated Seabord, North Carolina. TLS. 2 items, 2 pages
Box 14 Folder k By laws of the H. & W. Lake Club., Incorporated 1953 Halifax County, North Carolina, Compiled by Betty Bullock (2009), also letter from Betty Bullock, Whitaker, NC (14 Oct. 2009) to Ralph Hardee Rivers, NC concerning her efforts to compile the history of the club.
Box 14 Folder l Christmas 1977: The Seven Joys of Mary, by Elizabeth & Paul Green (1977)
Box 14 Folder m First for Freedom outdoor drama video recording sponsored by the Halifax County Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Halifax County Arts Council and clippings, 2010

These include digital files. Original audiovisual media and digital files are unavailable for use. Please contact Special Collections for access copies.

Box 14 Folder 1 Scripts for First For Freedom (2007) , The Struggle (2006), and The Schroonchers Meet the Flim Flam Man (2006) written by Maxville Burt Williams

These are digital files. Original audiovisual media and digital files are unavailable for use. Please contact Special Collections for access copies.

Box 15 Folder a Scrapbook (Vol. 1) containing clippings, photos, brochures, programs, script,and a photocopy of a page of sheet music re the 1976 season of the outdoor drama "First for Freedom." Scrapbook was prepared as a gift for Thomas Seward Dickens, Jr., who played the role of Jonathan Lawson in the drama
Box 15 Folder b Scrapbook (Vol. 2) containing clippings, photos, correspondence, programs, and correspondence re the 1977 and 1978 seasons of the outdoor drama "First for Freedom." Scrapbook was prepared as a gift for Thomas Seward Dickens, Jr., who played the role of Jonathan Lawson in the drama. Loose items cover the years 1977-1986
Box 16 Folder a Correspondence and emails re Maxville B. Williams
Box 16 Folder b Reviews of Maxville B. Williams books and plays
Box 16 Folder c Play Programs, Flyers, Brochures, for "First for Freedom" Outdoor Drama by Maxville Burt Williams
Box 16 Folder d Clippings re Maxville B. Williams and his drama "First for Freedom"
Box 16 Folder e Musical Scores by Max B. Williams
Box 16 Folder f "First For Freedom" and "Strange Wind From the Roanoke" by Maxville B. Williams
Box 16 Folder g "Reflections and other writings of Maxville Burt Williams" and "The Schroonchers" play script for "First for Freedom"
Box 16 Folder h Essays and Poems by Maxville B. Williams
Box 16 Folder i Clippings
Box 16 Folder j Clippings
Box 16 Folder k Clippings
Box 17 Folder a Halifax County Genealogical Society Newsletters, By-laws, Clipping
Box 17 Folder c Rosenwald Schools in Edgecombe, Nash, and Halifax Cos., NC Clippings
Box 17 Folder d Clippings, histories, and correspondence from Brick Schools in Bricks, Edgecombe Co., NC.
Box 17 Folder e Photocopy of unidentified publication re schools in Halifax Co, NC
Box 17 Folder f Halifax Co., NC, Schools: Histories, Notes, Clippings, Correspondence
Box 17 Folder g Photocopy of ledger: Proceedings of School Committee for District No. 5, Halifax Co., NC
Box 17 Folder h Historical Halifax Restoration Committee Correspondence, Minutes, Site Manager's Report, Flyers
Box 17 Folder i Items re Halifax Co., NC, History
Folder 14os1 Annie Coffield Pope, William Almarine Pope, & William Almarine Pope, Jr. Documents (1919, 1926-1931): Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for North America Certificate; Tillery School & Enfield High School (Halifax County, North Carolina) school certificates and diplomas. Printed forms. 5 items. 5 p
Folder 14os2 First For Freedom: An Outdoor Drama. Book by Maxville Williams; Directed by Ira David Wood. Joseph Montfort Amphitheatre, Halifax, N.C. June 17 thru July 10: 8:15 nightly (1976) Poster. 1 item. 1 p. Note: Donor's notes on verso