Collections

The Simpson Collection contains a galley print of "Hugh Shearer: a voice for the people" by author Hartley Nieta, two LIFE magazines (a April 12, 1968 issue with MLK on the cover and a September 12, 1969 issue with Coretta Scott King on the cover), and two volumes from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association conference proceedings in 1992 and 1994.

The Van Brunt records contain 16 journals, ledgers, "cotton seed books," two tenant farmer agreement contracts, a typed letter by Mr. Clifton Paisley to Mr. N. Orwin Rush, dated August 17, 1969, and a seven-page typescript of Mr. Paisley's interview on July 5, 1969, with a daugher of Mr. Van Brunt, Mrs. Jack Gregory, of Quincy, Florida. The business records, besides reflecting the economic conditions of the era and the customary manner of conducting a merchandising and tenant farming business, has considerable genealogical value.

The four-page letter by "Your kinsman, T. Zand Davis," to "Dear Jim," from Greenville, Virginia, warns against Yankees and indicates that it was written to a Confederate soldier by a very solicitous "kinsman." The letter demonstrates the degree of contempt that the Confederates felt toward the Yankees.

The Personal Materials series contains materials created or collected by the subject related to his personal interests. This series includes the Businesses sub-series, which contains materials from the businesses that Woods founded and owned. The series was arranged alphabetically based on subject.

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.