Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Letters, 1849

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Dr.
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 26041-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Restrictions:

The collection is open for 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. Permission to publish material from the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Letters must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Letters, Ms2008-077, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder
Creator:
Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Company
Abstract:
The collection contains letters to William S. Archer discussing his election as delegate to the July 1849 convention of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Company. Correspondence also discusses the plan to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans via railroads.
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], Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Letters, Ms2008-077, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Letters are two manuscript missives informing former Senator William S. Archer of his election as delegate to the July, 1849, convention of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Company held in Memphis, Tennessee. Other elected delegates included: William C. Riley, John Mason, and Lieutenant M. F. Maury. The letters predate the railroad's construction and thus discuss only the proposed improvement. Also mentioned is the plan to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans via railroads. The letter of May 4, 1849, was written by the chairman of the electoral meeting, Rich J. Morris, while the letter of May 17, 1849, was written by the committee of correspondence. Signatures of committee members also appear.

Biographical / historical:

After years of proposals from Lynchburg citizens, the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad was chartered in 1849. Built in the 1850s, the V&T connected Southwestern Virginia, from Lynchburg to Bristol. With V&T rail lines came expanded economic markets and new industry. During the American Civil War, the V&T served as a Confederate lifeline by moving supplies, weapons, and troops. The Confederate reliance on the V&T resulted in the partial destruction of lines by Union forces. In 1870, the V&T joined the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad and the City Point Railroad to create the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Ohio Railroad. The AM&O later became the Norfolk and Western.

William S. Archer was born in 1841 at "The Lodge" in Amelia County, Virginia. Archer studied law, passed the bar in 1810, and practiced law in Powhatan and Amelia counties. From 1812 to 1819, Archer served four terms in Virginia's House of Delegates. Archer represented the Whig Party in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1819 to 1834 and in the Senate from 1841-1846. After his political career, Archer resumed his law practice. William Segar Archer died on March 28, 1855.

Acquisition information:
The Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Letters were purchased by Special Collections.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Letters commenced and was completed in September 2008.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard