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Thomas Mann was born in 1718 in Hertford County, NC. He owned almost 4,000 acres of land in Edgecombe County at the time of his death in 1792. The collection spans 1745, 1752, and 1910 including a land grant to Thomas Mann from George II, a plat map of a servey of Nann's property, State Fair entry flags, and various fragmented documents. The strength of the collection is Thomas Mann's legacy.

Papers (1805-1968; bulk 1860-1916) consisting of correspondence of a political nature, family-related correspondence, speeches, financial papers, farm records, farm account books, clippings, photographs, a diary and printed material related to Elias Carr and other members of the Carr and related families. Elias Carr (1839-1900) of Edgecombe County, a member of the Democratic Party, was the governor of North Carolina (1893-1897) and president of the N.C. State Farmers' Alliance and Industrial Union (1889-1892).

Diary compiled (8/19/1943 - 9/15/1945) while serving as a US Navy Electrician's Mate 2/c aboard the USS Essex (CV 9) during World War II, including diagrams of electrical equipment, descriptions of daily life at sea; defending against air and torpedo attacks; attacking the Japanese-held islands of Marcus, Wake, Rabaul, Tarawa, Marshalls (Roi, Kwajalein) Truk, Saipan, Bonin, Guam, Philippines (Mindanao, Luzon, Cebu), Okinawa, Formosa, Indo-China, Tokyo, Iwo Jima, and the Japanese main islands; the naval battles of the Marianas Islands, the Philippines Sea, the Philippines typhoon of 1944, and attacks by kamikazes.

Sailor's poems, anecdotes and miscellany. (undated), 10 items.

Letter (1952) and clipping describing Korean War encounter of USS Manchester (CL 83)

Eyewitness account of the battle (June 4-10, 1942), written aboard the USS Astoria.

Commissioning program for the USS Rockbridge (APA 228) and a certificate. (undated)

Scrapbook pages, photographs, clippings, programs, and miscellany.(undated)

Album (1927-1929) containing photographs, scattered log entries, and miscellany of US Marine Corps enlistee. (65 items)

USS Hull (DD-350) color print on paper mounted on cardboard. Red and white plastic label taped to lower right hand corner: "USS HULL DD350." Handwritten notes on reverse: Commander Ralph S. Wentworth, U.S.N., commanding. Copy of original painting by John (Jack) A. Wertis for Alex J. Wertis, chief yeoman (PA), U.S. Navy, USS Hull (DD-350). Understand lost, China Sea—typhoon, WWII. Dimensions: 13" (w) x 17" (l), undated. (1 item)

Newsletters, menus, and miscellany for the USS Yosemite (AD-19) and Naval receiving and training stations (1944-1946).

History of USS Portland and photographs of Japanese prisoners. (undated)

A typescript history of the USS Borie (DD 704) and an issue of its newsletter Noah's Ark News (Sept. 2, 1945), and photographs.

Papers (1941-1945) related to Shipfitter First Class Mariano Albert Bellitteri's service on board the USS Miami including radio press releases, newsletter, yearbook, photographs, discharge papers, "plank ownership" certificate, and a brass ashtray from the USS Miami.

A typescript journal "Cruise of the USS Chester, European Waters, 1917–18–19".