Blue Ridge Springs Correspondence

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], Blue Ridge Springs Correspondence, 1895-1942, Ms2024-089, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder
Creator:
Gross, Bettie, 1875-1964, Gross, Bill, 1865-1946, Ferries, Joseph, 1865-1955, and Thomas, Lucy M., 1865-1933
Abstract:
The Blue Ridge Springs Correspondence contains two letters, a small note, and seven postcards. The seven postcards dated 1910-1942 are addressed to Elizabeth "Bettie" Gross (1875-1964) of Bedford County and her husband William "Bill" Gross (1865-1946), a merchant from Bedford County. The letters and the note are from Lucy M. Thomas (1865-1933), of Bedford County, Virginia, to Joseph Ferries (1865-1955), a farmer in Blue Ridge Springs, Botetourt County, Virginia. Thomas and Ferries later married in Bedford County, Virginia, in 1907. Bettie Gross and Joseph Ferries were siblings.
Language:
The materials in this collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Blue Ridge Springs Correspondence, 1895-1942, Ms2024-089, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains seven postcards to Elizabeth "Bettie" Gross and her husband William "Bill" Gross in Blue Ridge Springs, Botetourt County, Virginia. These postcards dated 1910-1942 are from various family members on general topics of health and vacations. One undated postcard that addressed Bettie as "Sister" mentions a fear of travelling due to the flu. This collection also contains two letters and a smaller note from Lucy M. Thomas of Bedford County, Virginia, to Joseph Ferries(?), a farmer in Blue Ridge Springs. The letters dated 1895 and 1905 also discuss general topics of health. In the 1895 letter, Lucy tells Joseph Ferries that she heard small pox was in Blue Ridge. Also included in the 1895 letter and in the smaller note are romantic newspaper clippings.

Biographical / historical:

Elizabeth "Bettie" Virginia Ferries (also Ferris) Gross (1875-1964) of Bedford County, Virginia, married William "Bill" Gross (1865-1946), a grocery store merchant from Bedford County. They lived in Blue Ridge Springs for a time before they moved to Troutville, where they later died. Bettie had an older brother named Joseph Ferries (also Ferris) (1865-1955), a farmer originally from Bedford County. Joseph married Lucy M. Thomas (1865-1933) in Bedford County in 1907. Joseph owned a farm in Blue Ridge Springs, Botetourt County, Virginia, and he lived there until his death in 1955.

External Sources:

1880 United States Federal Census

Joseph L. Farrissin entry, The Virginia, U.S., Select Marriages, 1785-1940, online https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/3970051:60214, accessed on September 6, 2024.

William M Gross entry, The Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014, online https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/2293012:9278, accessed on September 6, 2024.

Joseph Lee Ferris entry, The Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014, online https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/1871648:9278, accessed on September 6, 2024.

"Lucy M Thomas" entry, findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62066298/lucy_m_ferries, accessed on September 6, 2024.

"Elizabeth Virginia 'Bettie' Ferris Gross" entry, findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62086440/elizabeth-virginia-gross, accessed on September 6, 2024.

Acquisition information:
The Blue Ridge Springs Correspondence was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in April 2017.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Blue Ridge Springs Correspondence was completed in September 2024.