Search Collection Guides

This collection contains scrapbooks and files (1992-2014) documenting the organization Order of First Families of North Carolina from its founding in 1992.

Papers (1861 - 2025, undated) documenting the archaeological excavations of the Confederate defensive fortifications, river obstructions and fish trap on the River Neuse below Kinston, NC, and the Confederate ironclad ram CSS Neuse, relating to Capt. Joseph H. Price, commander of the CSS Neuse, and relating to Lenoir County, N.C., history in general including correspondence, notes, photographic prints and negatives (black and white), and publications.

This collection contains letters, clippings, photographs, and historical information about Vanceboro, North Carolina.

Ledgers and notebooks of patient and store accounts and medical school notes.

This collection includes 13 pieces of correspondence addressed to Mathias Embry of Vincennes, Indiana during the years 1863-1864. The bulk of the collection was written by or about John Posey (1842?-1864) and Charles Newton (1843?-1864), both Black soldiers who served in the 55th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment. The letters provide a glimpse of the experience and motivation of Black soldiers serving during the Civil War and the effect of the war on both the enlisted and non-combatants.

The Ethel Clements Sherrod Collection contains personal papers of Ethel Clements Sherrod, including biographical material, correspondence, photographs, clippings, ephemera, printed items, nursing school notes, postcards, and choral music. Materials date from 1777 to 1987, with the bulk between 1920 and 1970, and document Sherrod's education, church and choir participation, family life, and community activities. Additional materials relate to members of the Sherrod family and to associates including Dr. Ralph Hardee Rives, Hazel Odell Holt, and L. R. Shepherd.

Papers (1783–1930, [bulk 1862–1930]) consisting of correspondence, diaries, photographs, photograph albums, literary manuscripts, newspapers and newspaper clipping, a book of poetry, genealogical notes, etc., documenting the life of Commodore George L. Dyer, whose naval career spanned the years 1870 to 1908, and his family. He served in various stations, with particular emphasis on the West Indies, the Asiatic Station, Cuba, Madrid (as naval attache), and Guam (as governor).

Collection (1803-1996) pertaining to Martin County, NC, farmer John Conrad Getsinger, Sr., (Nov. 4, 1812-Jan. 16, 1891), a native of Wurttemburg, Germany, and several of his descendants consisting of correspondence, memoranda books, a sketchbook created by Mr. Getsinger while he was a soldier (1847-1848) fighting in the Mexican War, financial records, Civil War records pertaining to Mr. Getsinger and his son John C. Getsinger, Jr., religious publications, Primitive Baptist Church records (especially for Smithwick's Creek Primitive Baptist Church), pamphlets, broadsides, photographs, legal papers, newspaper clippings, and miscellany.

The ship's log of the US Brig Porpoise, dated 19 February 1845 to 16 June 1846, was kept during a cruise from New York to the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. It details navigational statistics, weather reports, sightings and hailing of other ships, and punishments of crew infractions. The author was probably Midshipman Benjamin Lee Henderson and the log was signed in fifteen places by Lt. Commander William E. Hunt.

Papers (1941-1945) including correspondence, letters regarding pay allotments, liberty, censorship, marriage, family difficulties, etc.

Collection includes a letter written by Ann Elizabeth Bogart, Washington, N.C., to "My dear Aunt," January 8, 1865, describing wartime conditions in Washington, N.C., and vicinity, a 2-page partial transcription of the letter, a tintype of a woman (possibly Ann Elizabeth Bogart), and two color images of the gravestone for Ann Bogart and the plot where she is buried in Washington, N.C. Also included are research materials concerning David Nevius Bogart of Washington, N.C., and related to the Bogart, Biggs, O'Cain, Lucas, Bonner, Peyton, and Snoad families of Beaufort County, N.C. Photographs, genealogy notes, Bible records, and correspondence relate to the Smallwood, Williams, and Hassell families of Williamston, N.C. Letters related to brothers Will and Bruce Smallwood discuss Will's travels and death (1918) in Alaska and Bruce's life and death (after 1894) in Mexico.

The bulk of the Raymond J. Kragness Papers (1943-1946, 2000, 2004) pertains to Mr. Kragness's service in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theatre in World War II aboard the USS Escambia. Personal items include rites of passage membership cards (such as crossing the Equator), draft board notification, photographs, post cards of San Francisco Bay, course certificates, separation from service records and a brief family history. The remaining items pertain to his service on the USS Escambia, a fleet oiler. Included are the ship's history and directory, newsletter "Eighty Times," a list of ships fuled by the USS Escambia, plans of the day, congratulatory messages from Admiral Halsey, and invitations and tickets for commissioning and decommissioning ceremonies.

Papers (1926-2003) covering the schooling and naval service of U. S. naval officer, USNA class of 1931, Captain James H. Brown, including correspondence, reports, publications, clippings, and photographs. Extensive material pertains to his service during World War II aboard the USS SHAW (1940-1942), USS ABNER READ (1942-1944), and the USS AMMEN (1944-1945), as well as his service before and after World War II.

Congressional files (1966-1992), of businessman and Democratic mayor of Farmville, NC, 1949-1953; state representative, 1955-1959; state senator, 1965; and U. S. Congressman from the 1st District of NC, 1966-1989, including correspondence, reports, legislative bills, memorandums, clippings, etc. 378 boxes. 126.0 cubic feet.