Correspondence
- Scope and content:
-
Series 2: Correspondence, 1857-1931, 1991, contains letters to and from several members of the Stephens and Yount families. Corresponding envelopes are included as are envelopes with no corresponding letter.
A significant portion of the collection comprises the correspondence of Myrtie Stephens Yount, daughter of Richard and Mary E. Stephens. The correspondence is largely comprised of letters addressed to Myrtie with many of the letters from her future husband and cousin Joseph Byron Yount. Generally, the subject matter of the correspondence is newsy, providing updates on family and community members. While most of the correspondence between the couple dates prior to their marriage, a few letters date to after their September 1891 marriage. Of interest is a hastily written letter dated July 10, 1899 from Myrtie to Yount in which she delivers the news that her sister Josie has passed away. In the letter, Myrtie requests her husband bring her mourning clothes to her as soon as is possible. Another notable letter is dated June 14, 1899 to Myrtie Yount in which the correspondent recounts going to Harrisonburg for the unveiling of the Turner Ashby monument. Much of Myrtie's correspondence also discusses her and her colleague's teaching careers. One particular letter dated November 6, 1890 is written to Myrtie by a fellow teacher. He writes about his experiences teaching children in Brocks Gap.
A limited selection of correspondence addressed to or written by Richard Stephens, Mary E. Stephens, Josie Stephens, Sallie Stephens, and Laura Stephens is also included. Of note is a letter from Henry T. Garnett, Chief Collector of the Confederate States War Tax for Virginia, to Richard Stephens, dated November 6, 1861, appointing Stephens Collector of the Confederate States War Tax for the 3rd District of Rockingham County. A handwritten note by Garnett on the back of the letter reads: "The owners of slaves are to give me the value and pay the tax upon all their negroes, whether said negroes are hired out or in their service." Stephens' November 1887 letter and certificate of reappointment as director of the Valley Turnpike Company is also included.
Access and use
- Location of collection:
-
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704Carrier LibraryJames Madison University880 Madison DriveHarrisonburg, VA 22807
- Contact for questions and access:
- POC: Tiffany ColeEmail: coletw@jmu.eduPhone: (540) 568-3444Email: library-special@jmu.eduPhone: (540) 568-3612Fax: (540) 568-3405
- Parent restrictions:
- Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.
- Parent terms of access:
- The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).