A. E. Wood Letter

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open to research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], A. E. Wood Letter, Ms1989-006, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder
Creator:
Wood, A. E.
Abstract:
Letter from two young women, A. E. Wood and M. [Jones?], living in Virginia during the American Civil War, written to "Aunt Ann" and relating to local depredations of Union soldiers and news of family and neighbors.
Language:
The materials in the collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], A. E. Wood Letter, Ms1989-006, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of a single sheet containing two letters written by A. E. Wood and M. [Jones?], two young women living in Virginia, during the Civil War. Written to "Aunt Ann," the two letters relate to the local depredations of Union soldiers: "Cousin Joe Moores family seven in all are still here ... The Yankees have everything they had even to knives & spoons. They burnt several houses mills & stores in the nieghborhood of cousin Joe & took all the people prisoners they could get." The two writers also convey news of family and neighbors, including births and deaths.

Though the letter is dated September 23, 1861, it was likely written November 23. (The letter dates the birth of cousin Lelia Damarius as occurring three months earlier (Lelia Damarius Wood was born in Botetourt County on August 7, 1861), and it mentions the recent deaths of William Reynolds (William A. Reynolds died in Botetourt County on October 10) and Jimmie Circle (James Wood Circle died in Botetourt County on Oct. 1). Moreover, the second writer notes the day of the week (Saturday), and November 23, 1861 fell on a Saturday, while September 23, 1861 fell on a Monday.)

Biographical / historical:

Research on the names in this letter suggest that the principal writer was Ann Eliza Wood of Glen Wilton (Botetourt County), Virginia. Ann Eliza Wood, daughter of Samuel D. and Panthea Ann Davis Wood, was born in Virginia on July 28, 1848. In the 1870 census, she appears as a 23-year-old woman living in the Botetourt County home of her parents. She married Samuel Fisk Spencer (1848-1930) in Botetourt County on October 11, 1871, and the couple would have four children. Ann Eliza Wood Spencer died in Dallas, Texas on June 23, 1916 and was buried in Grove Hill Memorial Park, Dallas. The identity of the other writer could not be determined but appears to be "M. Jones."

Acquisition information:
The A. E. Wood Letter was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1989.
Processing information:

The processing and description of the A. E. Wood Letter commenced and was completed in January 2022.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard