Collections

This item is a compiled history of the Florida Randolph family, dating from 1829-1978. Compiled by Randolph Whitfield and John Chipmand, 1978. Names included in the work include: Randolph family, Bratton family, Chipman family, Eppes family, Gass family, Porter family, and Whitfield family. 99 pages, fold-outs, pictures. Photocopy number 36.

Collection including correspondence, 1846-1854, of W. H. DeForest written from New Orleans (1846-1849) and San Juan de Nicaragua [Grey Town or San Juan del Norte, Nicaragua] (1851) with descriptions of area, life, and business plans, and a diary (1860), writer unknown, mostly concerning Mobile, Alabama. [14 pieces]

Consists of publications, advertisements, photographs, administration and research on the east coast railroads of the United States collected by history scholar Gregg M. Turner. Consists of four series, including but not limited to documents and photographs of railroad history (1830-1890), the Plant System Co. Inc.(1860-1902), the three primary railroads on the eastern seaboard of the United States (1830-present), and independent railroads. A portion of the collection has been digitized by Florida Gulf Coast University's Library Archives, Special Collections, and Digital Initiatives and is available on D[url=https://fgcu.digital.flvc.org/islandora/search/?type=edismax&collection=fgcu:0216]igitalFGCU[/url].

Records, 1826-1911, includes appointment certificate as Surgeon for Isaac Hulse (1826); daily watch journal for the Naval Hospital, 1910-1911; and correspondence log, 1864-1865, covering hospital operations, patients, employees, nurses, and deaths of Federal naval servicemen at the hospital. Correspondents include M. S. Geist, William Seaman, Samuel L. Southard, and John Quincy Adams.

This collection consists of various examples of stationery used during the mid-1800s. The collection contains samples of embossed stationery from 1850-1860 and Rewards of Merrit related to her grandfather, Isaac Gage, and great, great uncle, Horace Randall, both of Vermont. Other names appearing are: Louise Austin, Master Charles Cleveland, Alba Southard, and Albert Egerton. These materials are good examples of the types of envelopes and embossed stationery in use during this time period, and the Rewards of Merrit are especially unique. Also included in the collection are some 30 courtesy cards and a booklet, entitled "Floral Album and Ladies' Companion." There is an envelope addressed to Mr. James Shores of Vermont, showing post mark West Burke, Vermont, 1895, with a two cents stamp, with a return address of E. A. Smith & Co., Spruce and Hard Wood Lumber, West Burke, Vermont.

Personal papers and items of Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Vreeland, Sr. donated by Harold Vreeland. The collection showcases the Vreelands' interest in fishing, boating, nautical scenery, and community engagement over three generations of fishermen in Fort Lauderdale. It comprises numerous photographs of fish taken off the coast of Fort Lauderdale in the Gulf Stream; postcards of Fort Lauderdale and other landmarks in Florida; nautical and fishing stories written by James B. Vreeland Jr.; nautical charts; correspondence; scrapbooks; news clippings; logbooks from the House of Refuge; artifacts and nautical instruments; and audiovisual materials recorded by James B. Vreeland Jr. and his son, Harold Vreeland. The collection also documents local history and highlights Cordelia Vreeland's involvement in the Woman's Club as both historian and president. The collection contains 19 boxes (including seven albums consisting of photographs and scrapbooks), four Hollinger boxes, three oversized boxes (nautical charts, news clippings, and flags), and five boxes with different sizes containing artifacts and objects.

The Walker Papers, dating 1745 to 1938, cover the careers of both George Keith Walker and Major George Wythe Walker. Among those pertaining directly to Major George Wythe Walker is a certificate showing that he was appointed by Governor Francis P. Fleming to be Major of the Eighth Regiment of the enrolled Militia of the State of Florida, and thirteen certificates of appointment as State Attorney for the Second Judicial Circuit of the State of Florida and signed by the ten governors of Florida under whom he served.

Materials consist of correspondence, manuscripts, newspaper clippings, and photographs. The collection relates primarily to Fuller's activities as a real estate developer during and after the Florida land boom. Subjects covered include farming, fish, Florida natural history, Florida population and economy, geology, hurricanes, the New Deal, and real estate in Cuba, Levy County, Melbourne, Ocala and Sarasota County.

Typescript copies of Waties family letters that include those written by Anna Waties, oldest daughter of Chancellor Thomas Waites and the three children of Dr. Thomas Waties and his wife Maria Huger Rutledge Waties. Family genealogy notes, holograph letters and notes. Includes photocopy of "the Waties Family of South Carolina" compiled by H. D. Bull, pages 12-22.