Biographical/historical information

Hugh Gywn Chatham was born in 1864 and died in 1929. He was an industrialist, public servant, philanthropist, and promoter of various enterprises. Hugh graduated from Jonesville High School and spent two years at Vanderbilt University before returning to Elkin to assist his father at the blanket factory his father and Thomas L. Gywn opened. In 1890 Hugh and his brothers bought the business and the name was changed to Chatham Manufacturing Company. When another mill was built in Winston-Salem in 1906, Hugh moved and lived there for several years. During World War I the company was used to mass produce blankets for the armed services. Hugh had a son, Richard Thurmond, who took over the business and a daughter, DeWitt.

Scope and arrangement

This collection is separated into three folders. The first folder contains personal and business letters. The second folder contains financial records relating to the Chatham Manufacturing Company. The third folder are speeches that were given.

Administrative information

Custodial History

April 3, 2020, 0.25 cubic feet; Correspondence, financial records, and speeches (1876, 1913-1932) related to Hugh Gwyn Chatham of Chatham Manufacturing Company (textile company) in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He was president of the company from 1907 to 1929. Gift of Mary E. Tatum.

Source of acquisition

Gift of Mary E. Tatum

Processing information

Descriptions updated by Ashlyn Racine, August 2023

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

Chatham, Hugh G. (Hugh Gwyn), 1864-1929

Topical

Chatham Manufacturing Co.--Records and correspondence
Textile industry--North Carolina--Winston-Salem

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