Scope and arrangement

This collection is composed almost entirely of correspondence from the antebellum period, the Civil War, and late nineteenth century.

Correspondence from the antebellum period consists of personal letters that tell of weddings, complaints of loneliness, and illness. One letter describes the mental illness of a relative (1849). Camp meeting and revivals are constant topics (1850s), and specifically mentioned are the dedication of a church in Goose Creek, N.C.; men dancing to fiddle music in Alabama; and Baptists dancing in Craven County, NC (1858). Other letters (1859) discuss a fishing party in Alabama organized to meet Creole girls, a record of two young enslaved boys being sold, the Lenoir Institute and studies there, and the lumber trade in Alabama.(1859).

Civil War-related correspondence contains first-hand battle accounts. Among the accounts discussed are the Battle of Seven Pines and the approximate number of troops in the battle; McClellan's advance toward Richmond with a large force (1862); the situation at Fort Fisher and Union ships blockading the Confederate fort; the safe arrival of the steamer Cornubia at Wilmington; the capture of the Princess Royal at Charleston (1863); and reports from Fort Holmes concerning the continual bombardment of Charleston (1864). Other letters (1863) inquire of war news from New Bern, N.C.; tell of Union raids from Tarboro to Washington, N.C.; mention the fall of Vicksburg and Jackson, Miss.; relate fears that Fort Fisher will soon fall; and describe a battle over a Confederate supply ship.

The letters in the late nineteenth century are concerned with marriages, births, and other personal items.

Also included in the collection are poems (original and copied); essays; a hand-drawn map of Beaufort County, N.C.; a fictional pamphlet, Farmer Holt's Daughter, by Charles Garvice; and several miscellaneous items.

Administrative information

Custodial History

September 28, 1967; Papers of Arthur Whitford family. Items include correspondence, poems, essays, a hand-drawn map of Beaufort County, N.C., a pamphlet, and several miscellaneous items. Loaned July, 1966, by Mrs. Patricia Weiss, Vanceboro, N.C.

Source of acquisition

Loaned by Mrs. Patricia Weiss

Processing information

Processed by M. Merriman; M. Boccaccio, November 1999

Encoded by Apex Data Services

Descriptions updated by Jennifer Overstreet, July 2020

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

McClellan, George B. (George Brinton), 1826-1885
Whitford, Arthur

Family Names

Whitford family

Topical

Fair Oaks, Battle of, Va., 1862
Jackson, Battle of, Jackson, Miss., 1863 (May 13)
Private schools--North Carolina--Lenoir County--History--19th century
Religion and culture--North Carolina
Slave trade--United States--History

Places

Beaufort County (N.C.)
Beaufort County (N.C.)--Maps
Charleston (S.C.)--History
Fort Fisher (N.C. : Fort)--History
New Bern (N.C.)--History, Military
North Carolina--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Richmond (Va.)--History
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Blockades
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Campaigns
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Naval operations
Vicksburg (Miss.)--History--Siege, 1863

Container list