Catlett Family Papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
James Madison University
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
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.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Catlett Family Papers, 1850-1933 (bulk 1901-1929), SC 0276, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Summary

Extent:
0.66 cubic feet 2 boxes
Creator:
Catlett family and Green Valley Auctions, Inc.
Abstract:
The Catlett Family Papers, 1850-1933 (bulk 1901-1929), consists of two boxes containing the correspondence, personal financial records, and ephemera of the Catlett Family of Staunton, Virginia.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Catlett Family Papers, 1850-1933 (bulk 1901-1929), SC 0276, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Background

Biographical / historical:

Richard Henry Catlett, born April 19, 1828 near Warren County, Virginia, served with the Confederate Army during the Civil War working as an aide, an acting assistant adjutant general, and as head of reserve organization. After the war, he moved to Staunton, Virginia and established a law firm in 1865 with two war acquaintances to help develop the economy of West Virginia and Virginia. He died in March 1898.

He had his first two children, Charles (1866-1945) and Richard Henry (1868-1940), with Mary Mercer Patton (1838-1871). After her death, he married Fannie Bolling Gay (1847-1938) and had four daughters: Margaret Erskine (1878-1958), Fanny Gay (1879-1838), Amy Pendleton (1883-1972), and Elizabeth Gay (1884-1948). The family remained active in the daily affairs of Staunton, and the children traveled extensively over the course of the early twentieth century. Most notably, Amy Pendleton and Elizabeth Gay Catlett travelled in France while Charles Catlett (a geologist and chemist) and Fannie Bolling Gay Catlett remained prominent figures in the Staunton community, contributing to the naming of areas such as Woodrow Wilson Park, and donating to local businesses.

The Catlett Family Papers, 1850-1933 (bulk 1901-1929), consists of two boxes containing the personal correspondence, financial records, and personal materials of the Catlett Family of Staunton, Virginia. The materials in this collection provide a small glimpse into early twentieth century life through the eyes of the Catlett family. The collection is divided into two series: Correspondence and Personal Papers and Ephemera. Topics of conversation in the correspondence can range from education to travel to day-to-day activity, while financial records comprise of receipts and checks usually directed to or filled out by Fannie Bolling Gay (noted as Mrs. R.H. Catlett). Ephemera include personal affects held by unspecified family members and business-related materials of the time period.

Acquisition information:
This collection was acquired through the Large Antiques and Firearms Estate auction held by Green Valley Auctions on January 16, 2018.
Appraisal information:

Numerous voided checks were originally part of the collection. A representative sample of these checks were retained and are filed in the collection with Paid Checks and Statements. The remainder have been discarded due to their duplicative nature. A December 6, 1926 issue of The Evening Leader was also discarded due to its condition and duplication elsewhere.

Processing information:

The collection was received in no particular order other than general groupings of correspondence and financial files. The archivist imposed an order on any unordered documents, created discrete series, and filed accordingly.

Arrangement:

The collection is divided into two series. All series are arranged chronologically.

  1. Correspondence, 1901-1929
  2. Personal Papers and Ephemera, 1850-1933
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard