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Robert Ryves (later Rives) is traces back to 1465 France. His family eventually settled in North Carolina in the mid 1700's. Robert Ryves descendant John Gaston Rives Jr was born on June 24, 1854 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. This collection spans 1818-1957, 2007 and contains three pages removed from the Rives family Bible, containing birth, death, and marriage records dating between 1818 and 1957, genealogy of the Rives family back to 1465 France, and a photograph of John Gaston Rives Jr. The strength of this collection is the genealogical records.

Papers of Barry Hannah (1960-2016 [Bulk: 1972-2016], undated) documenting the life and literary career of the noted Meridian, Mississippi-born, novelist and educator at the University of Mississippi, where he directed the Masters of Fine Arts program; consisting of correspondence, manuscripts, photographic materials, loose manuscript items transferred from the Stuart Wright Book Collection, proofs of published materials, & printed broadsides of his poem Boomerang and other works.

Record (1902-1967) consisting of correspondence, tobacco records, financial and business papers, ledger, etc.

Papers (1865-1954, undated) consisting of correspondence, speeches, financial and legal records, a minute book, a guest register, photographs, newspapers, genealogical notes, deeds, etc., related to the career of Dr. Charles O'Hagan Laughinghouse (1871-1930) of Greenville, N.C., and to the Laughinghouse and related Stokes families. Besides having a successful practice in Greenville, Dr. Laughinghouse was a respected member of the North Carolina State Board of Health for several years beginning in 1911, served as president of the Medical Society of the State of North Carolina in 1916 and 1917, and served as State Health Officer from 1926 until his death in 1930.

Papers, 1861-2011 (bulk 1940-1992), undated, of Senator Robert Burren Morgan, an ECU alumnus and lawyer, who served the state of North Carolina in a variety of elected and appointed positions. His first elected position was clerk of court in Harnett County. He was elected to the State Senate, served as president pro tempore of the Senate, and was twice elected Attorney General of North Carolina. He served in this position until 1974, when he won the United States Senate seat vacated by Senator Samuel James "Sam" Ervin, Jr. Morgan served as United States Senator from 1975 to 1981. He returned to his law practice following an unsuccessful reelection campaign and later served as Director of the State Bureau of Investigation from 1985 until 1992. Morgan served as a member of the ECU Board of Trustees for fifteen years, including nine terms as chair in the 1960s. He helped the institution achieve university status and was instrumental in establishing the ECU School of Medicine. The collection includes series relating to Morgan's family and personal matters, North Carolina Senate Files, Attorney General Files, United States Senate Files, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Files, and Oversized Materials Files. It includes manuscripts, photographs, audio and video materials, electronic records, printed materials, and ephemera.

The Edward Baxter Billingsley Collection (1817-1819, 1938–1999, undated) consists of historical research materials, drafts, and a typescript copy (643 pages) of One Destroyer and World War II: A History of the U. S. S. Emmons (DD457-DM22), by Edward Baxter Billingsley, that he later published as The Emmons Saga: A History of the U. S. S. Emmons (DD457 – DM22). Also included are photographic prints, photocopied naval documents, and microfilm reels concerning his research, and correspondence (1817-1819) related to his dissertation on Chilean and Peruvian wars of Independence.

Papers (1913-1936, undated) including correspondence, notes, certificate, instruction book, a deed, letter during World War I, clippings showing illustrations of World War I.

Ten handwritten letters between William J. Blow and W. J. Marsh and handwritten transcriptions. This exchange of letters was about W. J. Marsh [or W. T. Marsh] "demanding satisfaction for offensive language used by Dr. Blow" towards him.

"A New and Correct Map of the Province of North Carolina by Edward Moseley, late surveyor general of the said province 1733," showing settlements, inhabitants, soil conditions, rivers, and principal products, with insets showing "Port Brunswick or Cape Fear Harbour," "Port Beaufort or Topsail Inlet," "Ocacock (Ocracoke) Inlet," "Explanation," and "Directions for Ocacock (Ocracoke) Inlet". Imperial folio sheets, pasted on linen backing (probably in 18th century) with some insect damage and repairs, and some loss of information. Framed dimensions: 50-1/4" x 62-1/2". Scale: 1" = 5 miles. Matted and framed. (On Display in Search Room)

Papers (1920-1975) including correspondence, reports, financial records, clippings, photographs, posters, and miscellaneous materials.

Photograph album documenting the travels (1951) of the USS Seiverling through stops in Pearl Harbor, Midway, Japan, and probably Hong Kong, participation in the Taiwan Strait Patrol, and bombardments near Songjin, North Korea. Photographs depict not only the activities of the sailors, but also activities of the local people. Also included are photographs of other U.S. Navy ships, and small boats carrying surrendering North Koreans.

Papers (1939-1943) include correspondence from a U.S. naval officer describing life on the minesweeper USS YMS-62 (1942-1943) during World War II while stationed in New Orleans and Burwood in Louisiana, at sea, and in Algeria. Lieutenant Commander Brown also records his impressions of Algeria in these letters.

F.W. Fisher's ledger 1901- 1909 of receipts, expenses, dues, and officer's reports of King's David Lodge No. 24 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Kinston, Lenoir County, North Carolina, United States. Anonymous Donor.

This photograph album belonged to Hawaii native Joe Naiwi who served with "A" Company, 3110th Signal Service Battalion in Berlin, Germany, in 1946. Images are a combination of picture postcards, commercial photographs, and amateur photographs depicting tourist spots, ruins, abandoned war debris, life on the base, and candid shots with fellow soldiers, foreign troops, and German locals.

Papers (1900-1918, 1944) including birthing records, genealogical records, copies of estate settlement, financial records, deeds of sale for parcel of land.