Bobbitt Family Papers

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 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.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Bobbitt Family Papers, 1825-1904, 1951, Ms2023-096, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.2 Cubic Feet 1 box
Creator:
Bobbitt family (Carroll County, Va.) and Bobbitt, Greenberry George McKenzie, 1798-1866
Abstract:
The Bobbitt Family Papers, 1825-1904, 1951, contains financial documents and letters created by the Bobbitt Family of Virginia, including numerous letters and documents for Greenberry G. Mc. Bobbitt in the 1800s.
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], Bobbitt Family Papers, 1825-1904, 1951, Ms2023-096, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The Bobbitt Family Papers contains financial documents and letters related to the Bobbitt Family of Carroll County, Virginia, primarily Greenberry G. Mc. Bobbitt. The legal and financial documents in this collection include tax documents, advertisements, and information about private debts. One document is a settlement of a debt between "James Bobbitt Freeman of Col." and "G. G. Mc. Bobbitt." Another document is a notice about the transfer of voters of color from the First Election Precinct to the Third Election Precinct of Carroll County, identifying [Hatchey Waller?] and Hilton George in 1875. There are also several items related to taxing distiller Thomas Dalton of Tice, Virginia.

This collection also contains many letters sent between members of the Bobbitt Family. Most of the letters were sent to Greenberry Bobbitt and gave updates on the family's health and other general updates. Other correspondents include Nancy Bobbitt, Tobias Quisenberry, Caleb J. Thomas, and Alan Jennings. This collection also conatins three letters sent from Confederate camps during the American Civil War, two of which are from Tobias Quesinberry to Nancy Quesinberry. These letters provide updates on the soldier's health and give some information about life in the Confederate Army. Finally, there is a manila envelope from the Roanoke Photo Finishing Co. of Roanoke, Virginia, to Mrs. John Alderman of Hillsville, stamped May 7, 1951. There is a note from "John" on the back about "the within papers" [presumably John Alderman referring to the papers in this collection].

Biographical / historical:

Greenberry George McKenzie Bobbitt was born to Caleb Bobbitt and Nancy Blair Bobbitt in 1798 in Grayson County, Virginia. In 1825, Greenberry Bobbitt married Lydia Jennings (1802-1883), and they had at least two children, Nancy and Charity. Nancy married Tobias Quesinberry. In the 1830-1840 censuses, he is listed as living with a woman (presumably Lydia) and 3-4 children, presumably their own children.

Bobbitt was a farmer in Grayson and Carroll County for most of his life. (Carroll County was established from part of Grayson County in 1842.) In the 1860 census, he is listed as enslaving 3 people, including a 23-year-old man, a 16-year-old girl, and an 11-year-old boy. The U.S. Freedmen's Bureau Records list several people in Carroll County as having been formerly enslaved by a G. G. Bobbitt in Carroll County: Harriet, Peter, James, Bird, Jane, Peter, Betty, Bob, and Caroline.

Greenberry Bobbitt died on October 30, 1866, and he is buried with his family in the Quesinberry-Bobbitt Cemetery in Fancy Gap, Carroll County.

External Sources:

U. S. Federal Census, 1830-1860

"Greenberry Bobbitt" in the 1860 U.S. Federal Census - [Enslaved People] Schedules, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/90022860:7668

"G G Bobbitt" in the U.S., Freedmen's Bureau Records, 1865-1878, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/1331346:62309

"Greenberry George McKenzie Bobbitt (abt. 1798 - 1866)", WikiTree.com, https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Bobbitt-248

"Greenberry Bobbitt" in the U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/118177:7836

"Greenberry George McKenzie Bobbitt", Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/69913165/greenberry-george_mckenzie-bobbitt

"Nancy Bobbitt Quesinberry", Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22320734/nancy_quesinberry

"G G M C Bobbitt" in the Virginia, U.S., Deaths and Burials Index, 1853-1917, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/137531:2558

Acquisition information:
The Bobbitt Family Papers were donated to Special Collections and University Archives in March 2018.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Bobbitt Family Papers was completed in September 2023.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged by material type.