Collections

This collection relates to Technician Grade 5 Thomas McFarland who served as a medical aide with a field hospital unit during World War II in the European and Pacific Theaters. This collection consists of letters from McFarland to his family about his time stationed in France, Africa, and Okinawa.

Autograph letters to Dr. James Grainger and Robert Jamieson and an autograph note in unknown hand identifying Percy's letter to Grainger.

Colonel Thomas R. Cross served in all Five Airborne Divisions plus the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team. Cross served as a commanding officer of the 517th Parachute Regiment in the European Theatre of Operations in 1945. The manuscript contains a written account of the Airborne invasion of Southern France, and also a detailed history of the 517th Parachute Combat Team. Army Brat born in NY. Military school, Wyoming. National Guard- Governor of Wyoming appointed him to West Point. Active duty 2-20-41. Assigned to 29th Infantry. Wife was army brat too. He joined 517th Parachute infantry/ Paratroopers all volunteer. Battalion commander was Major Richard J. Seitz. Did well in parachute school. 517th, 460th, and 596th landed in Sicily and Italy and also France. Under name 1st Airborne Task Force code named Operation Dragoon. Joined up with 1st British Airborne Independednt Brigade which fought in North Africa and it consisted of Scottish, Irish, and Welsh battalions. Jumped in the Maratime Alps area in fog into enemy fire (broke his leg) . Helped by a French count who sharred his home with 100-150 wounded. Evacuated back to Naples. After hospitalized rejoined the paratrooper unit 517th and went from Airborne soldier to Mountain Fighters. Taked to Nice while others were at Normandy. Went to Paris to represent 18th Airborne Corps. General Ridgeway. Battle at Trovs Ponts, France. Retired in 1971.

A letter from Thomas Sidney Jesup to Captain R. F. Loper of Philadelphia dated December 3, 1847. The letter pertains to the building of a vessel as recommended by Captain Loper. Includes clippings on Jesup and Osceola. The letter reads as follows:

Correspondence, imprints, greeting cards, photographs and other papers relating to Mrs. Verlie Robinson Thomas, 1901-1978, of Pace and Milton, Florida, a teacher and librarian at Milton High School. Included also are papers relating to Jesse Thomas, Ruby Robinson, I.A. Allen, Felix Robinson and other relatives of Mrs. Thomas, as well as imprints of educational interest in Santa Rosa and Escambia counties, 1920-1970.

The collection contains miscellaneous printed materials relating to the life of the major American novelist Thomas Wolfe. Many of the items depict and feature his childhood home in Asheville, North Carolina. Types of items include art prints and illustrations, postcards, brochures, posters, and keepsakes and publications issued by the Thomas Wolfe Society as a part of the Society's annual meeting.

Ben W. Thompson private account ledger (photocopy), 1866-1888, covering the Ben W. Thompson private account with Simpson and Company, Bagdad, Florida. Lists income such as salary, loans, interest, rent, and sale of personal stock. Gives expenses such as cash drawing, draws on stock and stores, payment of bills with identification of names of merchants, items purchased and amounts paid. Entries begin with January 1866 through January 27, 1876 with notes of purchase of burial casket; and from January 1876 forward as "Estate of B. W. Thompson" through January 21, 1881 with major settlement of the estate on April 10, 1880.

Personal papers of Grace Thompson, Gulf Breeze, Florida, consisting of photocopies of correspondence, photographs, newspaper clippings, and other materials concerning the writing and production of "The March Sisters of Concord" a musical play about Louisa May Alcott and its productions in New Jersey, New York, and England in 1978-1979; materials concerning the development of Andrew Jackson Day in Florida in 1983; research materials, original music and playscripts for the Grace Thompson Junior Theatre, Gulf Breeze, Florida; materials concerning Theodore Roosevelt and the Roosevelt Family; her work in honoring the U. S. S. New Jersey and its re-commissioning and her recognition by the New Jersey State Senate, and other writings and music authored by Grace Thompson.